Tippyton

For $3000 I can do a Windstar through the Panama Canal. Glad I own RCI stock.

Dec. 28, 2024 7 day cruise is $3576 PP for an interior.....😵

We did the Gold Star from Fairbanks to Anchorage via Denali several years ago. Absolutely worth it because you are up higher and see more. I rode the open deck almost the entire time.

Reindeer sausage is awesome!!!

We did NCL last year. Between the port times, shuttle times, and docking out of town, the stay was short. Almost not worth it.

Do the train to Denali, and reserve a place on a dome car. When we went it was called "Gold Star" and included a meal and a couple of cocktails. Alaska Tour and Travel helped getting us reservations at the lodges and the train, and had recommendations for other lodging. https://www.alaskatravel.com/

Driving was a good call OP. One bear by the side of the road will make it worthwhile.

Sept 2018 DIY Land tour from Fairbanks to Anchorage via Denali, SB Whittier to Vancouver. Some spits of rain in Fairbanks and Day 1 in Denali. Beautiful weather all the way through Ketchikan, including shorts weather in Juneau.. Rain on last sea day and disembarkation. Aug/Sept. RT from Seattle 2022. Embarkation was beautiful, rained on sea days. Glacier Bay rain off and on. Hoonah was good weather, Juneau rain (got soaked whale watching), Ketchikan rain, rain on sea days back. Disembarkation was good weather. Bottom line - both trips were awesome. Brink wet weather gear and mentally be prepared to do rain or shine and roll with it. Animals dont care. PS Somewhere on this site I have a couple of reviews from my 2018 trip. Lots of pics.

Suggestion - there are shuttles that run from Anchorage to Whittier and include a stop at the center.

Didn't know that either.

🙄 I never understood the term "pedantic" before now. How's this: You pay a fare, go as far as the bus will take you (Eilson VC), and take the bus back. You can hop off any time you'd like, anywhere you like, and take the next bus, if there is room, back to the HQ or continue going forward. HO/HO. Anywhere. Just don't miss the last bus. 😳🐻

This

Somewhere under my name you can find a TR I did in 2018 SB on Princess from Whittier. We actually did a DIY land tour flying into Fairbanks, Gold Star train to Denali for 2 days, and Gold Star to Anchorage. Booked a shuttle from hotel to Whittier that included the wildlife center. Our best trip ever.

2008 we were supposed to board Carnival Conquest? the day Hurricane Ike hit Galveston. We were rebooked over Halloween later in the fall. En route to Jamaica we had 20 foot seas and 55 knot winds. Non-tropical super strong trade winds. Lots of rocking.

😒Same

There were not many chars there on the #5 aft deck, but it was a chill place. There are a couple of spots on the #5 track that project out a bit. Leaving Galveston we hung out and watched the porpoises from there. All-Aboard at the ports these spots were popular for those of us watching pier runners. At Costa Maya it became a gauntlet of hecklers in a peanut gallery at those who were late. Most of the insults were in good fun. Most. 😆 {At CM there was one lady who was waiting on a companion who never showed. We left after their luggage was taken off the boat. All jesting aside, that would suck horribly to miss the boat. We all felt bad}

TBH there are a few, just harder to find - I missed behind the Aqua Theater! I did use the track for exercise in the AM and to watch the ocean in the afternoons. One can always find a spot that works...

You are welcome! (Somebody missed a "not" 😆😁) "I'm sure I forgot a few things. Any questions I will try to help. Bottom line - no reason not to cruise RCL in the future, and no good reason not to sail on a mega ship either."

Fair enough. Apology accepted.😁

Living vicariously through others. Thanks!

Maybe I miscommunicated. I stated something like "when in Rome". Perhaps I should have been more clear and direct, such as: "This is a boat with 6000+ passengers. There are lots of people. Everywhere. Library - Full. Room with board games - Full. Pool Area - Full ++. Sorrentos - Full. Cafe - Full. Ad nauseum. However, I understand that there are 6000 passengers so I will roll with it and enjoy the vibe that a crowd creates, and perhaps find a spare chair or table somewhere and enjoy myself people-watching, reading, or staring at the ocean." Which is exactly what I did. As for the towels, I was not looking for 4 Seasons towels, but I think RCL can do better. The room steward has nothing to do with it as it was not unique to the room. My comment was merely an observation, not an opportunity missed to be a pompous a** - I was on vacation and I rolled with all of it.

This time my choice was to DIY to West End and West Bay Beach but alas, I was not successful. In the past we have done private tours through Victor Bodden and have had great success. Doing a private tour you get to choose what you want to do and have a driver for the whole day. We even stopped at a local bodega for coffee. Highly recommend going that route.

Didn't see any.

We were on 14 aft, interior balcony. We could see out of the back of the ship FWIW. Noise was not an issue.

We just got off and I wrote a review on this board.