midwestsolo

Most of my cruises on Princess have been solo. For dining, I tend to use anytime dining because it not only lets me meet new people, but lets me eat by myself if I so choose. I ate at Sabatinis both with a family member and by myself. It didn't seem to make a difference. Enjoy!

I appreciate all your responses. My flight doesn't leave til 750PM so I don't have to worry about missing the plane..:):):)

I have booked the Princess tour of Seattle, returning to the airport after my cruise. Can anyone advise me of what time I will be returned to the airport for my flights home? Thanks:confused:

Bill, my prayers and thoughts are with you during this time. Bless you for all of the wonderful information you have given us in this review. I am looking forward to your next cruise review a little over a year from now...Peace from Pam

I looked on my 10 day cruise on the Golden and don't see the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer listed so perhaps it's not offered on our cruise from San Francisco.

 

Tom:)

It's not offered on all the cruises. It isn't offered on the 9/06 Ruby cruise either.

Texas Red, this is my first time on Ruby, but on all of the other Grand class ships I have sailed on, I do the promenade deck for 2 rounds. Usually after dinner, helps me work off what I have eaten.

Scanlon's. Lots of things there, I specifically go for Christmas ornaments(both fabric and wood)

I also did Michelle with Island Wings Misty Fjords tour. Outstanding. I did not use a cell phone for my photos. However, if you are using a memory card with your camera, don't do what I did. We landed, she was helping me take pictures, and I ran out of space on my memory card. Take a backup memory card-everything she shows you is wonderful.

3 years ago I cruised from Sydney around New Zealand by myself on Sea Princess. The first day aboard was the roughest as I had flown straight from the US and arrived on boarding day. I had requested a table for 1 and beds set up as twins-none of which had been done. After these issues were resolved, I had one of the most memorable cruises of my life. Met new friends from other countries that I am still in contact with. Also remember, as a single, you will get credit for 2 cruises, bumping you up to Platinum status quicker with Princess. As a single in a new location, I chose to take all Princess tours in New Zealand and they were wonderful. Just remember to break up your flight if you are flying long distance and arrive a day before so you will be rested

I will ask my roll call members if anyone is interested or planning on walking myself. :):)

I am concerned about hiking to Yakutania Point as I am cruising single. Trying to find a tour company that will include this location. As a senior citizen, I am reluctant to hike by myself. Couldn't find anything on Dyea Dave or Chilkoot's websites. Any suggestions are appreciated.

There is also a Christmas store in Skagway. For Christmas ornaments in Ketchikan, check Scanlons(also close to the candy store). I am taking my fourth cruise to Alaska this September-I love this month. Probably jinxing myself but I have never had big problems with rain. I think the first time was the only time I used my rain cover. Only other month I have cruised Alaska was May. Will mention in Ketchikan the odor from dead salmon is bad on Creek Street.

I have done the soaps from Glacier Smoothies. My favorite gift is Alaska Christmas ornaments. In Ketchikan, I usually get them from Scanlons and there is a Christmas store in Skagway. Many years ago, one of my coworkers got everyone Alaskan thimbles.

Keep in mind that Princess insurance requires you to use Princess air. If you are flying to Seattle and booking yourself, it will not cover everything. Just about every time I cruise, I use Travelguard. This time the difference in price is $3 for me and Travelguard pays medical as a primary-you don't have to submit it to Medicare/Medicaid first.

Can I ask why you want the bed & breakfast near Wasilla or Palmer? Are you going to see Denali National Park? If you are going to the park, I recommend Denali Dome Bed & Breakfast in Healy. You can reserve 1 night there. It is a geodosic dome house. I have stayed there both times I went to Denali. The people who own it(the Millers) are well informed about the area and the breakfasts are wonderful. My cousin lives in Wasilla. I will also check with her and see if she is familiar with any b&bs near there.

Are you doing Inside Passage or North-South on your cruise? I liked Caribou Crossing but I would not want to drive the highway with 3 young boys. Like the previous poster have mentioned, it is all about scenery. If you are doing the North South route, I am pretty sure some of the Iditarod participants have dog camps/shows near Anchorage. I think Seavys are one of them. If you are going North/South and are heading to Denali, I would recommend the Jeff King tour-it was both informative and puppies were wonderful for me.

I need to agree prices seem higher this year on Princess. But, I will continue to cruise Princess over other cruise lines due to perks solos are offered. Love the 150 minute internet package on 7 day cruises because I have moved up to Platinum so quickly with the double credit for each solo cruise. Love the departure lounge on disembarkment day.

It has been a few years since my adult son and I did the rainforest zipline through Princess. My son thought I would chicken out as a 58 year old lady afraid of heights. I loved it, as did he. The guides were very supportive of every move. Only dislike was my son's-he did not like the rope bridge we had to use. We were there in 2008.

Norris,

 

I will always follow your reviews. They are the best.

 

Judy

 

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Norris, like Judy, I will always now look for your reviews. The long winter has gotten me down and your review has lifted me up daily..I enjoyed your comments(I am a limited type tee shirt person also) and even enjoyed seeing the O'Hare pictures on your return, as O'Hare is my connecting airports for most flights. Take care, and bless you for this review.

Pam in Iowa

I wonder if we are having the same problem. We tried to book the Husky Homestead Tour in Denali for just myself but when we bring up our list of reserved excursions, it shows both Dad and I. Won't let us change it. And now it says completely sold out so we're afraid to try canceling us both and re-reserving.

 

For the plane excursion and several others throughout this cruise tour, we found that it was listing as "not available" to reserve (despite each of them being within our time at the lodge). We called Princess and the rep signed us both up for the flight on her end.

Try contacting them on their website. Last time I was there for a few days and just booked them independently. There is a lot of room unless massive remodeling has been done and for me, the best thing was being outside with the dogs.

In 2009, I flew to Fairbanks before beginning my independent trip southward, including Denali and then catching my ship at Whittier. I used an independent company to drive to the Artic Circle(and beyond), then fly back to Fairbanks. I totally enjoyed it. The company I used was the Northern Alaska Tour Company. Only warning I will mention is that this tour makes for 1 long day. Their website is northernalaska.com. I just checked and the tour I took is still available. I would definitely recommend them.

Pam in IA.

Even though it is cold today in Iowa, your pictures and video gave me goose bumps. Looking forward to sailing to Alaska on the Ruby in September..Pam aka Midwest Solo

It has been awhile since I have cruised(late 2012), but I always enjoy Princess's goat cheese souffle. Try it in a cheese basket.

I too would recommend Denali Dome B & B. I have stayed with them on 2 separate occasions. It is not necessary to interact with other guests. Ann and Terry are very helpful-they also had a home stay in Fairbanks which I used 1 time. They also rent autos. Their breakfasts are not continental and they always have munchies available. The 2nd time I stayed, I flew to Fairbanks, spent 3 nights in the homestay, then took the train to Denali. They picked me up there. They indicated I could rent the car upon arrival in Fairbanks and just drive to them in Denali. The only negative I can mention is the Alaskan tradition of no shoes in the home. However, they have slippers if you forget to bring your own.

I have no experience with Great Britain, but 2 years ago my daughter bought me onboard credit for a cruise around New Zealand(departing from Sydney Aus) as a birthday present. She had my Princess booking number and had no problems at all when calling the Princess 800#. There was a card in my cabin advising of the credit and it was applied to my account as I used it. No other fees and at the time US & AUS currency were about the same value.