latebuyer

Thanks Ashland, may i ask how much you paid for your combo bear/raptor tour? I have something booked but it only goes to the raptor centre.

No the cruise isn't until June. It just annoys me its not listed in the calendar. I'm hoping when i'm actually on the cruise the time in the port will be easily accessible.

Actually as i recall they will notify you if there is a change in time. Correct?

Yes, that's correct. I am looking forward to the hours in each port. It is on the cruise invoice, but i'm not sure that's up to date.

Thanks. Yes i'll skimp the specialty lunch. Saves me money anyways and i'll just join the throngs in the windjammer!

This question seems related so i'll post it here. I had booked excursions in sitka, ketchikan and juneau (i got 35% off). In thinking about it, it now seems a good idea as i'll avoid busing into town. However, i'm wondering how easy it is to find the bus pick up stop on the way back if you are getting a drive and don't know where it is. Only ketchikan has an excursion i wouldn't want to cancel (deadliest catch tour) so i'm wondering about this. I'd hate to get lost and stranded in one of these towns!

Thanks for the replies. Its a little tricky as i'd like to switch chops to boarding day. I think i'll see if the price drops on it again in order to switch it. I still can't find the itinerary! It is on my cruise receipt but i'm not sure how accurate that is. It should be on the calendar but only my activities are there. On a sort of related note, how late can you be to a specialty restaurant before they will mark you as a no show?

Thanks for the replies. I checked the site you posted and the brilliance of the seas is at hubbard 10:30 -2:30 so may be lunch at 1:30 isn't such a good idea. I do think i need to eat at some point. People will think i'm obsessed with food but i can't go that long without eating. I guess i can try and eat in the windjammer around 10 and then have to play it by ear when i go back. Maybe i'll pack some granola bars!

Am i able to change the time of a lunch or dinner or do i need to cancel? In this case i got a good sale price and don’t want to cancel. I can’t find the ships itinerary in cruise planner. Can someone let me know where it is? Thanks for your help.

I have a rather specific hubbard question. The ship i am on says its visiting hubbard 11-2 and i would like to do a specialty lunch that day. I wonder if its like tracy arm and has some pretty views when leaving the glacier. I would go later at 1 or 1:30 but don’t want to miss anything. My parents regretted they left the tracy arm viewing early.

This question seems related. All i could find about if you tested negative for covid before the cruise relates to before april 30th 2023 https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-i-test-positive-for-sars-cov-2-what-is-your-refund-policy-and-costs-covered What happens after that?

I don’t know if i’ll ever go on that many cruises to get that! Just to add if you are comparing a land vacation to a cruise be sure you are honest about the cost of food. Food is sure expensive. I think most people don’t budget on their vacation, they just spend so they don’t really know how much they spend.

I will say the cost of the caribbean cruises i’ve been looking at seem to have gone up by a couple of 100. As a solo traveller i will definitely being looking at solo deals on other lines. I will have to be agnostic and go where the deals are.

Have the prices of hotels and air bnbs not gone up as well? I’ve noticed they have. As have restaurants. I don’t really think people are going to find cheaper options if you don’t cruise. Travel is expensive. I travel for the itinerary anyways and am less concerned about mdr changes.

I just saw this pop up for my cruise and it seems like a reasonable price. Is it worthwhile to go? I’m not going to giovannis for dinner. Also, i’m going solo so not sure the family style dining will work.

Thanks. Looks like i can’t get around getting the mini suite if i want to sleep on the floor.

Thanks for the reply. Can you explain what you mean by hinged down by a wall. Does that mean like a murphy bed? I don’t mind an ocean view.

Thanks both. Glad to hear about room service. Sounds like nothing real special about them except more space.

So do you phone in for a mini suite guarantee and its cheaper than what is on the website? I am looking at a mini suite but they are pretty expensive.

Drats. Thanks for clarifying.

Does anyone know if the third bed option in the premium balcony is one of the beds that pulls down from the ceiling or like a cot on the floor? A bed on the floor would be preferred. The other option is the mini suite with a sofa bed. The mini suites are quite a bit more expensive. Does anyone know if there is free room service with the mini suite? I read the list of benefits. If you’ve stayed in one what do you consider the biggest benefit? The cruise ship is ruby princess. Thanks for any help you can give. I’ve done some googling but can’t figure out about the bed.

Thanks but i'm looking to hear from people who have actually done the princess tour. Reading about the excursions only tells you so much. I do know the difference in doing it on your own now. I don't drive so that's a prohibitive factor.

Just a note that it looks like the single supplement is reduced on the princess alaska cruise tours.

Also is there a difference between grand princess and sapphire princess? Is it better to go on a 11 day and spend an extra day in denali national park?

I notice these are on sale, plus single supplement is small. Is it worthwhile to go to fairbanks? I notice some go to anchorage and some to fairbanks. Is airfare cheaper from one or the other? Is the all inclusive better or is on your own ok? Does it matter which direction you go?