jp2001

On 4/21/2024 at 3:43 PM, Cowbell Kingdom said:

Having cruised to Alaska multiple times.... You are inside MOST of the evening so dress for inside. It will be snappy outside, but you can bring a wrap. Below is a one of the gowns I wore last summer. I was absolutely fine temperature wise. My other gown was even less sleeve. Also fine.

Beautiful dress! I'm good for gala but I would welcome pictures of your other nights outfits 

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

and can be overbearingly hot too and that's on non sunny cruises.

 

Layers, which for me of an evening means delicate pashminas. The silk or cashmere ones pack into nothing and are a vital part of my evening get ups.

I agree. I am definitely bringing my cashmere pashmina. 

9 hours ago, NE John said:

Along with the above great advice, don’t forget to plan what to wear while outside in Alaska. Especially for the chill and rain. 

Yes, I'm from Canada and I also work on a ship up North so I know how to dress according to the weather (I plan on boarding the plane with my winter jacket to save space in the suitcase even if I'll look very weird in the summer with my coat... A coat doesn't count in your luggage allowance and I'm using the opportunity). My question was more about evening attire for nights other than gala nights.

12 hours ago, D&N said:

@jp2001

Not sure that aircon works differently indoors on a ship in Alaska from anywhere else. We certainly didn't notice.

Seems like you'll be fine. You plan something for gala nights; otherwise anything that isn't ripped jeans or sportswear that fits in your packing should be suitable.

My wife wouldn't feel that way, but she wouldn't go on a cruise and pack light!

It's not about air conditioning. I just feel my typical cruise "nice sundress" with or without a wrap/swawl wouldn't be appropriate for dinner on a Alaska cruise as it's more a summer or Carribean type of clothes.

I'm from Canada and don't wear sundresses in the winter, I don't even wear semi formal dresses in the winter either but that might just be me (except I don't see many people wearing them either, even for Christmas and the like). If going to a fancy restaurant I would wear I heavier fabric with a scarf or jacket (I guess what you could refer to as business attire accessorised for the evening but I was trying to avoid bringing bulky jackets and thinking more scarves).

I've sailed Cunard but it was summer crossings and I had a checked luggage so it was day dresses with a cardigan for the day, cocktail dresses most nights and long formal gown (or more fancy semi formal dress, think designer) on Gala nights.

I'll do a packing test and see what fits the suitcase I guess. I might just repeat outfits by going to alternative dinning so my dinning room table mates are not offended.

6 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I don't pack light, either. Alaska cruises have a reputation for being less dressy, and I did find that on HAL. But the level of dress I saw on my Cunard Alaska cruises was about the same as on other Cunard cruises. I would love to have all sea days formal/gala. If a sea day is not a gala night, I don't wear a long gown, but I dress up more than I do on port days, and even on port days I do a little better than Cunard's idea of "smart casual."

Thank you, that is helpful.

I have sailed on Cunard a few times but they were Transatlantic Crossings and I didn't pack light for those. I'll probably have to add a checked luggage. My problem is I'm officially flying to Seattle but disembarking on my layover in Vancouver. Not sure they'll let me check my luggage to YVR and not SEA.

May I ask what type of outfits you wore for the port days dinner? 

I'm TRYING to pack light for my Alaska Cruise and I am wondering what I should pack for evening attire (gala nights I'm OK, I know I need fancy dresses). In warmer climates, I bring sundresses and semi formal dresses but I don't feel like it would be appropriate on a Alaska Cruise.

Should I plan more pants? What type of tops? Would knit sweater with a scarf be appropriate or should it be more dressy?

Thank you for everyone input 🙂

Thank you everyone for the info

Just learned that Costa doesn't have open dinning. What times are available for dinner (Carribean/Mexico sailing)

Thanks :)

On 12/11/2018 at 7:08 AM, G.M.T. said:

My best secret is not to cruise with Costa.

It's that bad? Just booked with them. Not many deals this time of the year but they had one (700$pp for 10 night with a balcony)

We are sailing Central America mostly (Fort Lauderdale/Miami/Grand Cayman/Jamaica/Belize/Cozumel/Costa Maya) so I'm hoping it's a little less dressy than their European cruises.

Good afternoon :)

I'm an avid cruiser (Platinum on NCL and have cruised a few times with Cunard and HAL too... On top of working on a ship but that's another story).

I just booked my first Costa cruise for next week and I have questions about my options for wine and beer and also dress codes.

I see a package where I could buy wine/beer by the glass with lunch and dinner at a fair price. I think it could work for us. Would I be allowed to take an unfinished glass of wine to my balcony after dinner or it's a big no-no? Do we get to somewhatchoose the wine or it's only one kind of house wine? What if we don't like it, can we remove package and go by the bottle instead?

I see this package is also offered in the buffet, how does this work? Let say we decided to have an early dinner in the buffet and then go for our late dinning assignment. Could we get a glass of wine/beer with each meal? Or would they deny us the drinks in the dining room if we already had one in the buffet. 

if we decide to buy bottles of wine instead  of the package (to allow to bring it to a lounge or balcony after dinner), are there any packages for a discounted price? At what price do the bottles or package start? And how much for a decent bottle? Nothing fancy, just drinkable.

Can we bring a bottle from home to drink on the balcony? Or pay only corkage if we bring it to dinner?

My boyfriend hardly ever go on cruises, he's doing it for my 40th birthday :). He hates to dress up. What is the bare minimum requirement for each restaurant? 10-night cruise with 3 sea days, do you think formal nights will be on those days (night 3, 6 and last night?)

For casual nights, would Capri pants paired with a casual button-shirt or polo shirt do (or maybe jeans if capris are not allowed)? I understand formal nights are optional. So would a pair of slacks with dressier button-down shirt (long sleeves) be acceptable? Please don't judge me too much, I personally prefer to dress up more when I cruise but he is already doing me a big favor to come on this cruise for my 40th birthday. I want him to be comfortable but I don't want to be turned away from the dinning room/restaurant we go to.

I see there is a pay-for burger joint. That seems like a nice option to skip one of the formal nights. Would just a regular t-shirt work in that place even non formal night? I love a good fancy burger, are they any good? 

And what about the dress code at the pizza place? Casual every night?

What about their specialty restaurant dress code? I hope just a button down shirt will do. If not, we'll skip but I would like a special evening for my birthday 🙂

Anything I should know about Costa?

Yes, I plan on calling the embassy. Cellphone coverage is limited on the ship I work on so I decided to post here to get people input in the meantime.

I have been to Cuba in the past. It's nice but I don't like when I feel like somebody is trying to "take advantage" of me and it's what US 75$ (over 100$ Canadian and a third of the ceucru price) for a single day in Cuba feels like.

I'm taking this short cruise to rest after my elecotral campaign so going ashore isn't as necessary as usual. Just want to relax a few days.

Does anyone knows for SURE if I need to take a Visa from NCL to cruise to Cuba?

I am Canadian, we don't need a visa to go to Cuba. I don't like that NCL is pushing a Visa I don't need.

Worse case scenario, can I board the ship and just stay onboard the day of Cuba or will I be denied boarding in Miami?

It will be nice to see more artists, but I liked Tarkay (I have few pieces, and also some from other artists). However, I like art auctions (especially with free sparkling wine ;) )

be sure to look at your square footage and keep in mind that there is only one bathroom, unless you are all splurging on a suite. 4 adults in a standard balcony or window room is TIGHT.

It will be tight but if you all are careful not to bring too much lugage (and the suitcases themselves should be able to be stacked into each other - 2 by 2 at least) you can manage.

However, if 2 of you like the spa, it would be a good idea to get a spa pass and therefore can get ready in the spa too.

If you have canadian money (coins - 3,50$ pp each way), you can pay cash on the bus - tickets will save you 50 cents pp each way, not worth looking for the vending point IMHO. The map I posted shows where the bus stop is. Yes, you arrive at the top of the falls, you can opt to go at the bottom (cable car - fee), stairs if you are VERY BRAVE but even from the top you have very nice view points.

here is an old blog of mine, some info is no longer up to date (areas closed for repairs, prices, etc.) but still a good itinerary http://jp2001-travel.blogspot.ca/

And here is an old blog of mine. Some of the info is outdated (areas closed for repairs, prices, etc.) but still a good itinerary for a first visit. http://jp2001-travel.blogspot.ca/

Yes, you can get to the falls by city bus. It takes longer (40 minutes + nice walk to get to bus station) than with a rental car or a tour but still a good option. If I were you, I would do the falls first thing in the morning and this way you'll see how much time you have left to see the sights in Quebec City. I think you can see the falls area and be back to your ship by 1pm or so for a quick bite, leaving you a few hours for Quartier Petit Champain which is right by the ship.

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Croisi%C3%A8res+AML+Qu%C3%A9bec+Billetterie,+10+Rue+Dalhousie,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+QC+G1K+4B7/Chute-Montmorency,+5300+Boulevard+Sainte-Anne,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+QC+G1C+1S1/@46.8287002,-71.2246745,13z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x4cb895dd2899da6d:0x26c866f953061a52!2m2!1d-71.2011709!2d46.8132268!1m5!1m1!1s0x4cb8bea29e1000ab:0xd54275f120d61923!2m2!1d-71.147684!2d46.890804!3e3?hl=fr

Actually, your bus to the falls returns right by interesting sites. When you come back from the falls, I would check out the train station which is a very nice building inside and out (looks like the Chateau Frontenac a little, but smaller) and then walk through the Marché du Vieux Port Market. Following the shore line will get you back to your ship (if you are at its usual dock at Quai des croisières Cruise terminal). But please leave some time to walk to Place royale and Promenade des Gouverneurs by the Chateau Frontenac, it is a must. If you don't think you can do both in a day, I would skip the falls for this first visit as Quebec City is a jewel you don't want to miss.

Actually, what date are you in Quebec City? If you want and if I am home (I work on a ship so sometimes away but available when I am home), I could arrange a private ''tour'' for you (I am by no means a tour operator or even a tour guide, just a fellow cruise critic member who has a passion for travel in general but for cruises and my city in particular). If interested, let me know and I'll give you my email.

I sail June 2 so will try to post. This will be my third time doing this trip. Not sure what we will do this time!

Hi :) I am considering this cruise too (third time for me too :)). Are you sailing solo? I probably will. There is a good price for Canadians but still a rough single supplement.

I have done this itinerary twice on the Maasdam and since I live in Quebec City I have been to those ports on land trips too.

I think it is a great itinerary to do where you don't need excursions to enjoy it. Actually, for me it's my cheap vacation since I catch the ship in my home town and take a bus back to Montreal afterwards and don't do any excursion. Just a relaxing trip with also lots of walking and exploring.

Quebec City : you dock in lower town, usually at the best dock. Very easy to explore place Royale ehicw is part of Quartier petit Champlain, take funicular or use steps to get to Promenade Frontenac and its château ("castle" like hotel), walk grande allée st. Where you have 2 FREE tours available (Quebec parliament or residence of governor general of Canada - official rooms not her Peru space of course). Then head down on st.jean st. Toward marché du vieux port market and then follow the shoreline to bring you back to your ship. Some extra cost interesting stops include the citadel, a meal at Le ciel rotative restaurant (expensive but very nice view on a clear day - they may accept you just having a drink if you are between peak times), plaines d'Abraham Battlefield park.

Charlottetown: exploring town and parliament (they ask for a donation if I remember correctly).

Sydney: excursion to fortress of Louisbourg or car rengre for part of Cabot trail (on a clear day) are boy very good idea, they are places I really want to go back to. However, if you want to take it easy and cheap, there is a Promenade near the dock and a nice park very close by of the end of the Promenade. It can be a nice relaxing day.

Halifax: a tour of the citadel and/or of Pier 21 immigration museum are both interesting (about 12$ each).

Bar Harbor: you can ride a FREE bus to Acadia National Park

(12$ entrance). Many nice trails but the one at Jordan Pond restaurant would be easy eitw the bus (beware if you are at jordaJ pond and go right, the trail is easy but if you try to go around the pond or choose left from the restaurant, at some places the trail is somewhat difficult narrow single wood piece "bridges" or climb boulders required). Sometimes I stay in bar harbor itself, walk the beach and then walk the small path at the end that brings you back at the top of the hill, then slowly go down the hohi, exploring the church and many boutiques, cafe, bars and restaurants.

I really like this itinerary. But once I did it and it was pouring most of the week (mid-may), I just got unlucky but still enjoyed it (more stops at pubs is a must when it's pouring rain ;) )

Retired Mustang posted these:

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2593647&highlight=Wine+Packages

Thank you, it's exactly what I was looking for :)

I heard HAL has new beverage packages. Do they still have the wine packages? Anyone know what are the options and at what price? A list of wines available would be awesome too :)

Just bought the Cellar Master Package (first wine package ever) and expected to choose the wine i want but it just mentionned a list will be in my stateroom upon arrival.

I'll board late, does it take long to get the wine? What if I want to go to dinner or to à lounge, can I get my first bottle from them?