Blokie

12 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

I just asked dh what he wants to see.  (This is his bucket list cruise, not mine, although I'm sure I will enjoy it too!)  He said he doesn't know.  lol Whales, glaciers, and bears.  Fjords would be a nice bonus.  We're thinking land and sea cruisetour.  We're looking at Princess now, but will probably check others as well. I see Glacier Bay is highly recommended and in our "price range" that is only available with Princess and Holland, correct?  I think someone else said NCL does it as well. Are their itineraries open yet?  I know I can check myself, didn't know if anyone knew off the top of the head.

I'd recommend comparing the prices of all of the different cruise lines that cover the route you're interested in, and don't assume anything.

For example, the Alaska cruise we are taking in September on Cunard was several hundred pounds cheaper than the NCL equivalent, which really surprised me!

On 7/11/2024 at 10:45 PM, sambamama said:

The cruise lines that do Alaska best are HAL and Princess.  Whales are hit and miss as all wildlife are.  Your choices are Seattle or Vancouver departure.  Vancouver is more scenic and more chances of whale sitings.  The standard cruise is a 7 day RT Juneau, Glacier Bay, Skagway, and Ketchikan, with other variants.  Many people go whale watching in Juneau.  You should book a cruise that goes to Glacier Bay whatever else you choose as it's fairly universal that Glacier Bay is spectacular and only HAL and Princess do it. Your land tour is very hectic and early mornings, so decide if you want to be tired, and then do your cruise, or the other way round.  Or if you have more time, just do the cruise, and do the land part on your own-that's pretty easy to do as well. But it may take longer that way-but you will see more, and have a better experience.  That's what I am doing.

This is NOT accurate - Cunard also do Glacier Bay (not all itineraries though - so double check).

2 minutes ago, DRG-Mobile said:

I disagree. You know the luggage could be lost. You should have consideration for the people who are paying for the experience and prepared to comply. Or cruise elsewhere. 

I really hope on my ucoming cruise that, irrespective of whether my luggate gets lost (!!), I am not sat next to somebody with your attitude.

If I took your stance literally, I'd be better off not putting anything in the hold and carrying-on 3 or 4 suitcases just to ensure I don't offend you!

25 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

I pack with risk in mind but it's casual comfortable and light,  but that wouldn't  cover a formal night, and I'm not I to rental clothes. I don't want hand luggage that weighs as much as a suitcase. Nor do I want the bother of a suit carrier, yes I know  they will hang them up. So no lessons thank you about be prepared and pack kitchen sink in hand luggage. 

 

As you can't control if your luggage is delayed it can't be seen as a strategy to dodge dress code never mind what the unsympathetic dress code fanatics say. 

Absolutely.  If I'm taking "risk" clothes with me for an Alaskan cruise, the top of my list to carry-on is definitely not going to be a suit or tuxedo! 🙂

20 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Short sleeved shirts OK, but not that common, at any rate on cruises I’ve been on. Jacket not necessary, but the air con may make you think otherwise.

10 hours ago, david63 said:

Even that is not necessarily correct - it is what actually happens on the ship that counts!

This was more to my point - if I'm going to dinner or the theatre I typically wear chinos, shoes and a short-sleeved shirt.  Whilst I'm comfortable with this (and wouldn't mean needing to purchase several new shirts I would likely not wear again), if the vast majority will be wearing long-sleeved shirts thn I'll just stump up and buy some as I don't want to stand out from the crowd.....

Alaska in September on QE will be my first Cunard experience.

I'm happy with black/navy chinos and shoes for the "smart attire" evenings - my question is whether short sleeved (full button-down) shirts are acceptable (seems so from the guidance, but wanted to get the view from you experienced folks), and also whether a jacket is required too?

Back in October we had a couple of days in Barecelona before embarcation.  We just got an Uber from the hotel to the port - it was very simple and efficient.

We used Uber a couple of other times during the trip (both around town late in the evening and also from the airport into the city when we arrived) and it was always fine.