Planmaam

Luvtheships wrote

One must apply for their first pp in person. Did she actually go to the office without her bc?

 

I do not think this is true in the US. I did not apply in person.

My DH and I applied for our passports via the on-line-downloadable documents and then sent them in, too.

You're right, VV; I had it confused with another one! Can't keep them all straight.

Yes, it does have the heated loungers, but they are not facing the windows; they are perpendicular to it. There are the chaises and lounge chairs with footstools that are facing the windows.

Linda,

I found the two spas quite different. I love the spa on the Pearl, but the one on the Star is different. The Star's hot tub (about 10' x 10') has the reclining area, and the lap pool is quite cool and has salt water. I only ever saw one person in it swimming.

We still got the spa pass and enjoyed the spa. We didn't like that the relaxation areas outside the "co-ed" area were also "co-ed". There was not a female- or male-only relaxation area.

I've cruised the Pearl twice, and think she has the best spa that I've seen yet!

The thelosotherapy is large, with different "stations" for getting massaged by water.

My first cruise was on the Sun, and am going to be back on her in 19 days (YEA!). The first thing I noticed when going into my balcony stateroom on the Pearl was the slightly small overall size, we were spoiled by the size of the Sun balcony.

Have a great cruise, and enjoy the Pearl.

There are some suites in the fleet that do not have the Lavazza machines; which ship will you be on?

My daughter was in the suite just to the front of that one on our Star cruise, and though not the particular suite you will be in, there are several pictures of her room and some of my nephew's which was just the flip of hers, and my niece's, which was a little different, in my review, link provided below.

They are great rooms, lots of room and easy access to forward elevators.

Enjoy; I'm jealous!

Don't worry, you're wrong. I have a kidney infection. Today was the first day I could sit up properly for more than five minutes without considerable pain.

So sorry you've been so sick, and glad to hear you're beginning to feel better.

And computer issues make us sick, too; at I know they do me.

So hope both you and the computer are on the mend, and can get back to normal soon.

Does anyone know the secret to the boarding numbers? I've read posts on here from people who have been in the first handfull to check in, but have gotten a #6 for boarding. Likewise, I checked in through a Latitudes line and got a higher number than some friends on their first cruise who checked in through the regular line.

Is there any system used here? Or is it truly random? Do the gold and above Latitudes check-in desks have the lowest numbers?

Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks in advance for any tips/tricks/information.

Subscribing; looks like this one will be fun.

Things are fine!

 

Had a computer problem and I lost all my pics and several installments of my review that I had written.

 

Just have not found the time to reload the pics from cards and take on the task of rewriting the review.

 

But I will

So glad to hear from you that all is well (computer problems excepting). Thanks for the update; we don't have to worry now! :D

Oops, nevermind.

I think about the same.

Here is a like to my review where I include a picture of the bar menu showing the prices. Go to post 82: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1966071

The complete bar setup must be ordered pre-cruise, and includes mixers and garnishes, with a $3.00 service charge.

Bottles, only, may be purchased on board, sans mixers and garnishes, and are charged the 15% gratuity.

Ketchikan is my favorite port. Not that I don't like the others, though.

It has never rained any of the three times I've been there, too.

I went on my favorite excursion from Ketchikan, but I don't know if they still offer it. We went on catamaran through the Misty Fjords for 3.5 hours, then in the middle of the wilderness stopped at a small dock and got on a small float plane and flew back to Ketchikan. Being the last flight of the day, the pilot took a little extra time, showing us his favorite sites, including sheep and lakes high on the mountain tops. I loved approaching the port in ketchikan from the air, there were three cruise ships in port at the time, making for a great photo remembrance.

You said you were going late in September, which is great for another reason. I don't know if you want to shop, but at the end of the season most of the shops offer great markdowns, sometimes more than 50%, and it's a great time to do some Christmas shopping. Two of my visits were the last cruise of the season, and I'm still wishing I could return for more ulu knives for friends, as I use mine so much.

The Sun is also one of my favorite ships. I've been on the Jewel, the Pearl, and the Sun. Just because the Sun is older than the other two, you should not let that dissuade you from sailing her. I'd rather sail again on the Sun than the Jewel or Pearl. Like a previous poster said, it recently underwent dry dock, so it should be in good shape. I'll be on the Sun in less than two months, so I can let you know what I think, because the last time I was on her was 2003.

I've visited Glacier Bay twice and Sawyer Glacier once. Or at least tried to visit Sawyer Glacier. There were so many icebergs in the water that we could not get close enough to get more than a glimpse. But Glacier Bay is what I think is an ethereal experience. I think every Alaskan cruiser should see Glacier Bay first, because it's not to be missed. Then if you can manage another Alaskan cruise, choose from any of the other options.

I have said I want to be cremated and my ashes scattered in Glacier Bay. But they may not allow that, so I told my daughter that I didn't care if she could not scatter the ashes; I just want her to experience Glacier Bay!

What size case are you looking to replace?

I read a thread on here before I purchased new suitcases about a year ago. I love my new "hard-soft sided" suitcases. If I say that do you know what I mean? I got it at Cost__, a two-piece set. It has 4 wheels, which I wanted after using my two-wheeled ones and DH's four-wheeled ones.

Remember when we were asked to move luggage at the port in NOLA when my DH was in the restroom? His was easy because it had 4-wheels, and mine more difficult. Only because there were three bags piled up on each, and the top ones kept falling off mine, but his kept balanced as I moved things.

Try the big, membership warehouse near you, they should have a good deal, and several for you to look at in person. I'll show you my new suitcase in two weeks. ;)

Nope, it's the same for all passengers, all categories.

Once you are in a full suite, with butler and concierge service, you are expected to tip them for good service, if rendered.

I think the shops open when the tourists show up!!!

I took an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle once and returned to Vancouver. You don't have to fly, you can take a bus between the two cities, and it's not that expensive. We happened to have our car that trip, but we took our car to the cruise port parking, then took the bus back to Seattle and spent the night there before embarking in the morning.

I think I've heard on here that there might be a train between the two cities, too. Do a search for the info, because here is where I read it.

Good luck. I've also heard that ships that sail out of Vancouver have more international passengers than those leaving out of Seattle. Seems to be cheaper for them to fly into Vancouver from Europe. Could prove to be an interesting crowd.

How about the Sun?

I tried to paste the itinerary, but it wasn't sticky enough, I guess.

Goes to Glacier Bay and stays in Ketchikan until 6 p.m. Round trip Vancouver.

I love the Sun, and think it's a good ship for Alaska.

I'd buy a drink card option, 15 or 20 drinks for a price. If I wanted to go to a martini or wine tasting one day, I could save that day's drinks for another day. As opposed to a set number a day, that is. I see it as more flexible.

I'd also buy a specialty coffee card. Are you listening NCL?

Oh, such good pictures! Can't wait until I board the Sun in 65 days!:D

I'll be in an aft Penthouse suite on the Star next May. We're in 9232. I know it has the wraparound balcony. Hope it's comparable to the aft Penthouse suites on the Sun!

 

Jim

Sorry to disappoint you, Jim, but the aft penthouse suites on the Sun are the best in the fleet, and only on the Sun. It's in my bucket list to sail in one of those.

You can see pictures of the aft penthouse suite we had on the Star in the review in my signature.

I'll be on the Sun in November, but in a mini-suite next to one of those fabulous suites. Hope our neighbors are willing to let us take a look around!

Aft penthouse suites on the Star and Jewel. Love those penthouses aft penthouses!

I read last weekend that looking out to the blue of the sea and sky lowers cortisol levels in our bodies and raises the dopamine levels. No wonder I love staring out at the sea from the aft of the ship!:)

81 on the Sun

401 on the Dawn