sept10dsm

Thank you all for all the feedback! We really appreciate it.

 

We both are active and physically fit so sounds like do-it-your own city tour sounds like a plan or even a guided walking tour, but we will consider other options as well. Again, thanks!

I contact all ports for any free information. Halifax sent info as well! We have visited on 3 cruises and did the port with out an excursion. (actually we did the entire Canada/NE ourselves except a bus to Acadia NP in Bar Harbor) It all depends on what you really want to do. Research the area online and through books. Decide what you want to do and proceed from there. We visited the Maritime Museum right near the dock and the Citadel.

I am looking into a Canada/New England cruise for fall of 2015. What is the best time to go? I read somewhere about places closing after Columbus Day.. Is that true? How about whale watching, is it even worth it? Anything compared to Alaska whale watching?? If its worth it, best time for that?

 

We were looking at the 7n Brilliance of the Seas from Boston. Any hotel recommendations for a pre-night in an area with sightseeing in walking distance? Sorry for all the questions, have never cruised New England!

All 3 of our Canada/NE cruises were the Columbus Day week. I didn't find closings. The only thing is the free bus in Bar Harbor stops service Columbus Day. That was it. We saw more whales on our Alaska cruises. I really don't recall seeing any on the Canada/NE. We didn't take a special tour for it either cruise though. Just saw quite a few in Alaska. We did see them off Cape Cod on road trips though.

Thanks guys. That's what I thought. Figure they got Princess and RCL or other cruise line mixed up. While I think the agency is good I need to beware the agent. Going to chalk it up to inexperience on his part.

 

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So did they collect the tips when you paid? or is it in billing?

How many times can you call Princess and have your fare lowered after you've seen the price reduced on the website or in a mailed advertisement? Will they let you do it only once? Or can you call every time you see a fare reduction? Is it even smart to keep calling or should I wait til just before final payment. My cruise is a year away and final payment is due next May.

 

I'm not new to cruising, but ashamed to say I've never bothered to look before if my fare was reduced. It's just this cruise is longer and way more expensive than the others I've done. I would like to get a deal if I can.

I would call them as soon as you see a price reduction. Prices change up and down sometimes daily. Up until final pmt, you should be able to get any price reduction. Keep checking! And make sure you are signed on to Captains Circle so you get your prices. Good luck. Also, this is only if booked directly with Princess. If TA, they must call.

As everyone has said, I would keep bugging them until you receive the $50. What a shame! I understand mistakes happen, but the time they are taking is much too much. They have no problem charging a Credit Card! I will say I did have to cancel a cruise I booked directly through Princess. They said the refund could take up to 2 billing cycles (no clue why credit should have to take that long in this electronic world) but I was refunded in a few days. Keep us posted as to when you get the money back!

We booked a 14 day on Princess last summer on June 1 for a July 22 cruise for 629 pp. All depends on the cabins they have not sold yet I think. We booked a guarantee inside and were assigned an obstructed OV about 2 weeks after booking. Some of the one way were going as low as 199 pp for a 7 day for insides.

The port towns are directly at the port so you can get off the ship and explore. Contact all the local towns and get all their free info. We have done AK 3 times and really did not spend much on excursions. Icy Strait is the only port I havent visited among your ports. The towns are quaint if you just want to walk around. Mendenhall Glacier is a short bus ride away and the visitor center included if you have a National Parks pass.

I know Royal Caribbean collects tips ahead of time for their version of Anytime Dining. Maybe the agent is confused.

Aside from what the others have said, a rain jacket. I always have those strechy gloves packed as well, for any cruise!

There may not be extra carpet to vacuum, but the carpet might be dirtier, due to things like cookie crumbs from late night snacks or more sand tracked in from beach excursions. As for the bathroom, it gets dirtier with more people using it, and if there are very young children, dirty diapers to dispose. :eek:

Yes, when I was posting I was thinking the same! I really don't understand why some don't think that children should be included. We cruised with our 16 mo old and then again at 3 grandchild. His costs were the same as person 1 and 2 and tipping was not even a question for us. Even when we stay at hotels/motels we tip a little extra for the extra time it takes to clean up after the little ones.

And thanks Sknight - DH had military time and he assures me he has the appropriate form to copy and submit to get that OBC. I've sent him the link to the form to fill out already - good to know we don't have to do that right when we book... though I'm a WAY out planner he doesn't get excited about things until he starts packing bags! Opposites attract they say...

If you own 100 shares of Carnival stock, the same OBC as well in addition to the Military. Can be worth buying for that $250!

There is no age limit for tipping. I feel that the cabin steward deserves tips for taking care of the cabin regardless of age. Beds are still made and cleanup can even be greater when tending to children.

And if you're really that concerned, just buy it on board. You have to go to where the sell it anyway.

So true but sad. Same goes for Egypt for me.

No worries, all you get in your cabin is a card to go pick it up. I don't even recall a cabin number written on our cards. The card is good on future cruises anyway (for remaining unused punches)

Also, try a park/stay in the area. When we were doing a 14 day out of Vancouver the parking was out of site! We found a hotel that we stayed the night before/parked and had a shuttle to and back from the port for about half the cost of parking for the 14 days. SO happy we did that since we were going to stay the night before anyway!

I always contact local cities and towns for any free info they have. I have always found them more than happy to send it. Also, as others have said online and of course here. I found a wonderful park and stay and transportation to our port in Vancouver here on these boards.

Hello to all,

 

So I'm a planner folks.

 

Got a binder & all.

 

I'm looking for an affordable hotel in Seattle that has free airport shuttle and shuttle (or a small fee) to cruise pier for 4 adults. Would like at least one restaurant nearby.

 

I've called several hotels and most tell me that you need to call town car comp. Called the company they wont even give me an estimate. Cruise is in May. Call back in March or April.

 

Any ideas folks.

 

Thanks in advance

Dawn aka stewartgirl721

Sorry I can't help with Seattle, but I always check these posts to see if a port I can.

I really replied since I do a binder as well!!! With dividers and all my information and coupons! I call all places I will stay and get all the free info I can! I have done this for many road trips as well. We better stock up on real supplies as they are harder and harder to find! (binders, dividers, etc!) I cannot even find the paper children learn to write on in many stores that had it just a few years ago. (including Walmart!)

Thanks for the Accent Inn recommendation! The hotel is wonderful, the staff super friendly and the hot tub was a wonderful bonus after spending a week in a tent! Can't wait to board that cruise tomorrow!

Yes! You are quite welcome! Their transfers were great as well. I would return there in a heartbeat. Are you at the airport, Burnaby or another site.

We did a salmon bake that was offered by Princess. It was a combined Mendenhall and hatchery tour. I know the buses for the salmon bake were right there at the dock as well for those not taking the Princess tour.

We booked a guarantee interior, cheapest price after final pmt last summer for an Island Princess 14 day. We had a great price, thus the booking and my husband wanted to see Alaska. We were assigned an obstructed OV midship about 2 weeks after booking! We were so happy for both the location and upgrade!

Love it guys! You are awesome. I don't think we are going to Anchorage. Technically we'll be boarding in Wittier, but since we are doing the 4 days in Denali before the cruise, I think we pretty much de-board the train and then hop on the boat.

 

I'm definitely writing all these other one's down!

Our main stops are Fairbanks, Denali, (Wittier), Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Vancouver.

 

So here's another question, does Princess have any "interesting" brews on board? Personally I love IPAs, I'll stick to wine if all they have is Bud Light and the likes.

Alaskan Brewery had IPAs. I don't care for those types but they did have it. I liked the Amber best from the tasting and for sale on board Island Princess last summer along with another of their offerings.

I don't know if they still have the etched (Alaskan Brewing & Princess logos) souvenir beer glasses but a couple of years ago they were available to purchase for $2 when buying an Alaskan Brewing Amber.

The had them avail for sale last summer for sure at Alaskan Brewery (not sure of the Princess ones)

In Juneau the Alaskan Brewing Company gift store is within walking distance of the ship. They offer a bus to their brewery for tastings & if I recall correctly it was about $15 round-trip or you could take a cab to the brewery.

Yes, and that tour was well worth the $15! You taste all their beers and learn a lot on how the company started. And when finished with that, more for the tasting! The beer is really great especially the Amber.

We were lucky to have a corner aft balcony only once and it was wonderful. Although not on Princess, I just have to say how perfect it was for our Bermuda cruise! It was very large and just so neat to be able to watch the seas!