MtnSeaGirl

Sailed on the Explorer of the Seas in April. Second Royal cruise as we cruise another line often. MDR was hit and miss with the strip steak being ...well...not really good. BUT, overall the food was just fine and sometimes exceptional. I still can't believe they make fried chicken so good. Did not expect that to be honest and wish I had ordered it instead of DH ordering it. The short ribs are to die for. The Jerk Chicken was incredible. If you want a good steak, go to Giovannis. It is excellent. The staff on Royal is outstanding. Windjammer is dang good and allowed me to try a lot of Indian food I was not so sure about ( and ended up loving ). We were so impressed with Royal that we booked another cruise while onboard. I sit here thinking that even my fav land restaurants are not as good as they once were, but this is part of being in recovery mode. Everyone is trying their best to provide good food without doubling the cost. I don't feel I can have the same expections I had prior to 2020. That is unrealistic. Yet, Royal did a good job in meeting most of them.

Loving all this advice! So, another question: Denali - Natural History Tour or Tundra Wilderness Tour? I think I have heard Tundra Wilderness is the way to go????

We did the Royal Up bid and received new cabin five days prior to sailing. The only issue was had was even our Cabin Stewardess did not have us in the newly assigned cabin. I'm guessing the couple that originally had that cabin also bid and were successful. We kept getting their mail for three days. Was an issue with CPAP supplies also, but Guess Services made one call and the water and extension cord appeared quickly.

We were on the Explorer of the Seas three weeks ago. I had booked 1:00; however, we actually boarded earlier than anticipated ( 11:00 ). As we were getting the feel of the ship, we came by Chops. I was pretty hungry. They only had two tables full and happily changed our reservation to right then. Never hurts to ask.

So, the Kenai Fjord Tours. I have read some reviews ( not on this site ) that the water can get rather rough considering the much smaller boat and many get sick that are not normally sick on cruise ships . Yet, I really am intritgued by the longer tour with Fox Island. Anyone have experience on this tour? Looking at June. As always, weather can occur at any time.

I had not considered Princess until this thread. Beginnig to look at them and Holland Amer also. These boards are priceless to keep us from making mistakes. Thank you !

East Coast over here so the opposite of the Carib being easiesr. DH has limited time off at his job. We are using planning trips far in advance as the carrot to keep us going the last few years prior to retirement AND we enjoy the planning or did until hit Alaska. I am coming to feel more sure about Alaska and DIY after reading the posts here. Northern Europe. Keen to do Europe in retirement. Please make sure you post about it with details. This is how I learn.

We are getting very excited! Part of the fun of travel for us is in the planning, but I had balked at planning this one until all the great responses here. I spent a little time last night looking online. I think we can do a partial self drive with a couple trains thrown in. DH has always wanted to go, but I wanted tropics....and the east coast made the Carib easier for us and obviously more cost efficient.

Green eyed jealous...I mean genuniely happy for you. Talk about memory making! Jusy looking at some of the DIY, I have become increasingly convinced this will not be a one and done trip for us (God willing). I do admit, I also want to spend some time in the coming years on cruises in Greece, Italy, Spain, Land trip to Ireland/Scotland. Would love to see Austria as well. I wish I had not spent the number of cruises in the Carib but they seemed good at the time...and still do...just wish I had been a little wiser. Thinking about cancelling our 8 day in the Carib next March and utilizing that $ for one of my other bucket list trips.

Right there with you wishing them great memories!

Wishing you a wonderful cruise and lost of memory making!

I have been looking at those. They are pricey, but you get what you pay for: the Alaskan experience. There is only one Alasksa; there is a lot of Carib Islands. I will have to pick and choose for sure, but we do plan to do some.

Hey, how about doing a trip report when you return? Would love to read about what you did.

So...you will do a nice post cruise trip report on Cruise Critic, and I will say THANK YOU in advance. Are we blessed to have so many good tips on this board?

Thank you! Will certainly give both a looksy and see what they have to offer. I like the idea of longer port stays.

Will do and THANK YOU! Opening a new tab on the computer to order now.

You nailed it on INTIMIDATING. I can plan the Carib in my sleep. Ironic, isn't it? Something in the US scared me more than out of the US. BUT, I picked up all my Carib savvy right here on Cruise Critic. I WILL conquer Alaska as well. Just want to get it halfway right the first time. LOL

Will look into the car rental as well as some recommended line sponsored tours . DH looked today as a mock booking .Just 2 days in Anchor was $ 700 for a car. He did not price additional days when he got to that. Verdict def not out yet.

Will certainly look HA DL5 up. Sounds great. I want to be able to take a Fjord cruise, and that may not be in this one....and that's OK. It is def more of Alaska than I have ever seen! I really appreciate your sound advice of the best use of three to four days. Def train for Den to Anchor.

Will try to include a few port activites for sure; just not the big ticket ones. Putting that in the land tour this time...."this time" LOL You guys may be talking me into more than one trip! Hubbard and Glacier Bay going on the must do list. We have done the Carib a lot. Not as lot as some of you but we are repeating islands. Time to do something different. I look at the sandglass of time and wish I had done this earlier. We still have good years left we hope .Just not as many as we had. Guess that is generating my bucket list activation lately.

Lots of good advice, and this is why I ask questions here. Will certainly read some of the DIY reviews. Yes, we plan to take a smaller ship to make sure we nail the Inside passage. Def doing a one way with most likely a land tour prior to the cruise. I'm glad you love Alaska. Maybe we will be blessed with more time and $ to return after this one. I am good at stretching a dollar at home to save for what I want to do. Thanks again!

TY, Sherry F. I will look at both lines. I really want to get this right and appreciate your help.

Hey, I will check Princess out. I had pretty much figured it was too far out of the budget, but I will throw it in the mix.

Appreciate this! Thanks so muchly!