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.....😵

On 9/18/2023 at 10:41 PM, GTJ said:

It may be that the Alaska Railroad does it this way, but it is backwards. If a person wants to buy a ticket, to first check baggage, before going inside the station to ascertain if there are any remaining tickets to purchase, means that--if there are no remaining tickets for sale--the person then has to return outside to reclaim baggage for the aborted trip.

 

Yup. The Alaska Railroad marketing department does a good job promoting that aspect more so than actuality. And that non-view means no overhead baggage racks. The only time when that view is really worthwhile is on clear nights, when there can be a marvelous star show. But the Alaska Railroad has no overnight trains. The better view, in my opinion, is from the Vista-Dome car, available to all coach (Adventure) class passengers. Did you get a chance to ride this car? It is as if you're in a bubble, and the view not only to the side but forward and back as well. The only true benefits of GoldStar service are the open observation deck (though a very close substitute is riding the dutch door in coach (Adventure) class) and the "free" meal included. I don't think that GoldStar service is worthwhile.

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!!!

17 hours ago, wolfie11 said:

NCL normally runs a shuttle bus back to the ship at Ward Cove.  Check the times as I believe the last bus leaves about an hour before the all aboard time.

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.

21 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

I wonder if this poster understands that the single road in to Denali National Park has been closed since August 2021 at mile 42 due to the Pretty Rocks sloughing road issue.  The NPS is now hoping to have the road open to Eielson Visitor's Center and Kantishna in 2025.  

Didn't know that either.  

6 hours ago, GTJ said:

For similar reasons, I have never really like the term "HoHo." I think the term is used to distinguish between those tour buses on which all passengers remain on the same bus for the duration of their tour, from those tour buses on which passengers may switch from bus-to-bus. Transit buses are usually not used as tour buses (with very limited exceptions), and with the defining characteristic of transit buses being to provide point-to-point transportation, the ability to "hop on" "hop off" in a series of point-to-point rides is inherent to transit buses, and the term "HoHo" is not generally applied. All that said, the transit buses at Denali do differ from ordinary transit buses in that they are used not so much for point-to-point travel as in most cities, but as a full loop, there-and-back, for touring purposes, much like a tour bus. Moreover, the transit bus fare is not a specific amount paid in the farebox for each boarding, or for a ticket from point A to point B, but for a round-trip excursion ride. I think that I also dislike the term "HoHo" because of its association with tour buses, which I generally view as overpriced, I generally prefer the use of transit buses, with which the term is not generally used (and thus my prejudice).

 

The Denali transit buses constitute a distinct type of transportation.

🙄  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. 😳🐻

On 6/4/2023 at 2:28 AM, AKStafford said:

Take the shuttle bus into the Park: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm

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.  

6 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

Like these also but no chairs.

😒Same

12 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

My favorite are the steamer loungers on running track...mmmmmmm

Also on the lowest deck in Solarium, out the doors onto the wings over the  bridge.  Good for sailaway also.  Last time we did sailaway behind Aqua Theater so we could see Port Canaveral fade away, everyone at Fishlips was out there waving goodbye...lovely day.

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}

10 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

There are little nooks all over the ship, it would take forever to share all of them, behind the Aqua Theater for instance or the jogging track, several there along with great teak steamers to sit in....

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...

10 minutes ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

Thank you for your time to share you opinion with us.

 

You were descriptive about your experiences. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

Your last words were no reason to cruise RCL in the future..

 

Thank you for posting. This is really what Cruise Critic is really about,

 

 

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."

13 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

Wasn't being critical, just relaying MY experience.  We have never noticed Full anywhere but the theater. Our towels have always been fluffy and thick...that's all I can say.  What I meant about the steward is that  you can ask the steward for newer towels.  Nor did I imply you were a pompous anything.

Fair enough.  Apology accepted.😁

Living vicariously through others.  Thanks!

11 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

Thanks for your opinion.

 

Otherwise it was difficult to find a quiet spot outside of your room.  

 

In over 10 sisters cruises (Oasis class)  we have never failed to find plenty of spots to be alone, you just have to look for them.  And we have never felt crowded at all, maybe a little when shows let out and everyone rushes the elevators, but that happens on all ships.  There are tricks and tips to help with that I won't mention here.  Over all we prefer this class and will be on Allure for our 4th trip in Sept.  I suggest you do one again and be more investigative.

 

prison-grade towels.  We've never experienced this on any RCCL ship...did you take it up with your steward?

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.

49 minutes ago, jwlane said:

Thanks for this---we 86ed it from our June 4 sailing based on this info.

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.

9 hours ago, gluecksbaer said:

Possibly not something you cared to look into, but my 12 year old wants to know if there is laser tag on the Allure?

Didn't see any.  

30 minutes ago, Deep68 said:

Thank-You for your review.

I have been contemplating taking this cruise in September for my wedding anniversary. 
There are not many options for the data of our anniversary and I am struggling to determine if an interior facing balcony on such a large ship is for us. There are no ocean view balconies available.

The price is right and I like the idea of all the things to do but am used to smaller (up to 3K) ships.

I too am looking at a room on 14th floor and was worried about any noise.

 

I have taken around 20 cruises primarily on HAL, Celebrity and Norwegian but did take 2 RCL cruises on smaller ships many years ago.

 

 

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.