VaCruzers

I also had to log in with my booking number after installing the new app.

We took an Alaskan cruisetour May 2023. It included 2 nights at Princess Fairbanks Lodge, 2 at Princess Denali Lodge and 2 at Princess McKinley Lodge. We added three additional nights in Fairbanks ahead of the cruisetour actually starting. We enjoyed the days prior to the cruisetour when we weren't bound to the tour's schedule. We rented a car and visited North Pole, Running Reindeer Ranch, Museum of the North, Morris Thompson Cultural Center, the large animal research station, the AK pipeline and more before turning in our car the night before the cruisetour began. The lodges were certainly acceptable although our room at Denali was blazing hot as there is no A/C. We were part of the first cruisetour of the season so everything was just opening and not all staff had arrived or been trained for the lodges and restaurants. This led to exceptionally slow service in lodge restaurants. Luckily, in Fairbanks we were able to eat offsite since we had a car. We also walked across the street from the lodge at Denali for lunch one day. We traveled by bus from Fairbanks to Denali and again by bus from Denali to Mount McKinley. We traveled by train from Talkeetna (for McKinley Lodge) to Whittier to board the Sapphire Princess. Our train ride was about 6 hours if I remember correctly. We shared a sandwich and had a couple drinks, chatted with our travel companions, and watched for wildlife/scenery. The portion through Turnagin Arm was absolutely stunning! Would I visit AK again? Absolutely! Would I take a cruisetour again? Not very likely! For us, it was the the inability to do whatever we pleased at our own pace and being held to a specific schedule combined with the slow service which prevented us from being able to do as much as we may have liked. There was also a lot of wait time, especially the last morning before we were taken by bus to the train. If our desire to return to AK outweighs other destinations on our bucket list, I'd absolutely plan it on our own to allow for seeing and doing what we want on our timeframe, which would not include setting luggage out in a hallway by 7 am! Having shared my experience and thought process, I trust fellow forum members will kindly respect my opinion as I try to do for others.

dog, sorry my post was a bit incomplete. We prefer the Grand class ships with huge private aft facing balconies. We have no interest in any ships larger than that class. So, I actually don't know whether Sun has aft facing balconies or not.

That doesn't look very private, which is what I look for in a balcony cabin, so we choose an aft facing. The sound of the wake helps mask the conversations of nearby neighbors.

Once booked, you can use Skymile perks.

In my experience, if a 14 night booking can also be booked as two 7 nights (as in back to back), then the menu does repeat because it's the 7 night menu. When we have had sailings longer than 7 nights that are NOT back to back sailings, then there is a different menu each night. Our longest sailing that was not back to back was 16 nights (in 2022) and I think there may have been some repeat dishes or menus, but it was not the same after 7 nights. Even if the same, there is usually enough variety that it's not an issue. Things may have changed, but this is just my experience.

Thanks for sharing! This was a hot topic a few weeks ago.

I haven't read the responses, having been away for a while, but just ask your cabin attendant for one.

No need to start a meeting, they will be announced in the Platter.

The OP had no cruise experience, so has no idea of the cruise experience. Additionally, has no respect for experienced cruisers who have tried to set expectations.

Might be a challenge since many of us experienced cruisers know that the cabin attendant hangs out under your bed to ensure your cabin is quickly serviced as soon as it's vacated for meals, shore excursion, ship exploration, etc. 🤣 Hope you enjoy your cruise, but based on the info you've shared, I question as to whether this is the best type trip for your group.

We typically don't go to MDR for lunch, but based on my recollection, this menu has more items for lunch that past menus had. I can't imagine cancelling a cruise over a menu, especially since there are so many other options than the MDR, but different people prioritize differently.

Thank you for this email address. I emailed about my booking and was informed that the OBC had been applied on 10/22. It doesn't show on any of my documents from my travel agent, so I wasn't sure whether it had been applied or not. I received the email response about 48 hours after submitting. Thanks, again!

By far, my favorite item on the ship is the broccoli egg bites available at breakfast in the International Cafe! Enjoy!

Maybe...I only use Splenda or Truvia, so that's all I was paying attention to. I think there may be pink, blue and yellow in the dining room.

I've had no problems getting Coke Zero or Sprite Zero for the last few years. Sometimes you have to check multiple bars to find it.

There are no sugar free creamers or sugar free flavor syrups, but there is Splenda.

I've never seen any sugar free flavoring syrups on any of my Princess cruises, but I've never speciically asked. I have seen flavoring syrup bottles in the area, but noted that none on display were sugar free.

Respectfully disagree wth reducing crew appreciation for children.

Broccoli egg muffins - hands down my favorite food on any Princess ship!

You could also try the chat feature to handle the upgraded Tundra tour. I can't remember if I did via phone or chat, but either way, it was easy. There are a lot of new, inexperienced reps so that could be a factor.

I'm not aware of any self serve carbonated beverages on Princess, but I don't drink them so may not have noticed. I'm only aware of ice, coffee, tea, lemonade, and, at breakfast, sometimes juice or milk. I, along with many others, do bring an insulated mug, but it never touches any part of a dispenser that others would use. I fill and transfer. In the buffet, the staff do ask you to use the provided mugs or cups, or will offer to fill one for you, or offer one to you to fill, then transfer your beverage into your own if that's what you prefer to use. I have observed staff telling passengers not to use their own cup, etc. directly from the dispenser, both before and since COVID.

Last month on Sapphire Princess, guests had to show their medallion for admission. I go for the mint martini that seemingly can't be made elsewhere in a comparable manner. Maybe because many passengers were louging in Skywalkers throughout the afternoon, staff actually came around about 4:30 letting everyone know that the venue needed to be vacated for a private event. Is the food great? Not usually, but some things are good, and it's less crowded than other bars we enjoy so that we can have a quiet cocktail before dinner.

I agree! We didn't attempt to visit the puppies, but noticed what was happening as we passed through the piazza one or two levels up. Those poor puppies looked terrified!

No, you'll achieve the next status on completion of the sailing that includes the additional nights sailed to move up.