phdiva

We had planned a cruise on Princess that did not include Fairbanks. The couple we are going with desire to see Fairbanks which means cruising on Celebrity. In your all's opinion, is Fairbanks worth seeing? If so, is the riverboat cruise worth taking? Understand each cruise line offers different ports, amenities, etc., but for an Alaskan cruise would you choose Celebrity or Princess?

We enjoyed Fairbanks when we were there in 2003(?). I grew up on the Ohio river so the riverboat ride reminded me of our elementary school field trips; gold panning reminded me of college chemistry class. We loved our time outside of the organized tour -- we stayed some extra time, rented a car, and saw the museum at the University, went to the large animal research center (baby musk ox are so cute!!!!), ate breakfast at The Cookie Jar (best cinnamon french toast ever), and visited the art galleries downtown (didn't buy anything).

The downside about Fairbanks is that the flight home takes SO long!

Re Celebrity vs. Princess: Pick whichever line has the itinerary and price that you want.

The musk ox farm is awesome!

Next cruise, I will ask if an elliptical can be turned around. I think it was truly watching the movement of the water while going up and down that bothered me.

 

Day 4,5,6 and I just did a fast walk on deck, and I was fine.

I can run laps for miles, but 10 minutes on a treadmill on a moving ship and I'm toast.

The ships I've been on have had a nice selection of "dainty" free weights. I have no idea about the big-boy weights because I don't use them.

Hi! Due to an incredible lapse in judgment :o, I am running the Marine Corps Marathon two months after I get off my 10-day Alaska cruise. This will be my first marathon. I'm working with a training group and a coach, and I'm sure we can modify the schedule so I can keep up with the training group without having to do 200-, 100-, 100-, and 160-lap training runs on the Grand Princess :) No real worries, but I would love to hear stories from fellow "cruisers with a running problem."

We had an inside cabin for our Panama Canal cruise. I agree with the others who said get on deck early. I think the 360-degree view from the main decks beat anything we could have seen from our balcony.

Wow, Laughing Husky! You just convinced BF that we want to it. As a certified diver, a former competitive swimmer, and someone who's lived with me for 18 years, he has enough experience to be concerned I'd be complaining the entire time. But you said "whales" and his face lit up like a kid's on Christmas morning.

Looking at doing a cruisetour and am debating between several itineraries.

 

Would appreciate feedback on which of these to take knowing that all itineraries in the shortlist do Anchorage and Denali.

Depends on what you want to do. 10 years ago, we did a cruisetour that stopped at both. In Talkeetna, we did an independent excursion to fly around Mt. McKinley. In Anchorage, we did the cruisetour's excursion the first day (gold panning, river boat ride, etc.) and rented a car and explored independently the second. We loved having a car and exploring the Fairbanks museum, the large animal preserve, and the various art galleries in Fairbanks. Gold panning and the river boat ride weren't my cup of tea (just a personal preference).

You'll hear lots of people on these boards suggest exploring Alaska independent of a cruisetour. I've done it both ways. A cruisetour is fine if you have more money than time (to spend planning) and don't mind being wedded to the cruise tour schedule. The cruise tour was an easy (but not cheap) vacation at a time when we needed an easy vacation and were willing to pay for it. The next year, we rented a car and did a different independent itinerary. We had an equally good time on that trip for less money and more mental energy.

I'm intrigued with the thought of snorkeling in Ketchikan. Will a 7mm wetsuit keep me warm enough that I'm not miserable? I know it will be cold, and I know that first minute when the water rushes into the wet suit is going to be unpleasant. How quickly will I get over that initial misery and start enjoying the experience? How long can a person stay in 65 degree water in a 7mm wetsuit? Do I have to finish the whole tour, or can I get out sooner? I really just want to take a few pictures and say I've snorkeled in Alaska.

Are they boarding again?

Yes, in waves.

Thanks for the update!

I hate feeling like I have to be so high-maintenance!.

I hate feeling like I have to be so high-maintenance, too, but I am much higher-maintenance if I don't take care of myself. Patience and manners go a long way toward making meals a better experience for everyone (me, my companions, and our waitstaff).

Admittedly, patience and good manners can be hard to practice when I'm mentally freaking out because I almost ate something I shouldn't have. Trust your instincts ... if something doesn't seem right, don't eat it even if the waitperson insists that it's okay.

I'm more reserved on these boards than I am in person.

I think it's awesome that they're making us pay extra for things that are bad for us instead of rolling it into the cruise fare. Makes me think twice about indulging and helps with that "everything in moderation!"

Adding myself to the long list of people who are enjoying this thread. You've posted something for everyone! I especially have enjoyed seeing the Celebrity Todays. Looking forward to getting on the Summit this Saturday.

I scored 2 rooms at Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale for $50 each ($119.88 total). My first bid was a 3 star for $45 in the Airport area. Priceline countered with a $55 rebid. I added the Airport North, bumped the price to $50, and Viola!

I just got "dinged" on another board for not posting the date. It's for December 5, 2010.

I scored 2 rooms at Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale for $50 each ($119.88 total). My first bid was a 3 star for $45 in the Airport area. Priceline countered with a $55 rebid. I added the Airport North, bumped the price to $50, and Viola!

just bid on priceline and got this for precruise two nights at 45 a night. average price per usual 238.00 yahoo, feel like i just robbed a bank!!!

Same 3* Courtyard By Marriott San Juan Miramar, same rate, and same "just robbed a bank feeling" for 2 rooms for 3/1/09. Probably should have bid $40, as I got the $45 rate on the first try :o