kdowneymd

Amtrak to Newark Penn Station is absolutely the easiest to do. Not necessarily the cheapest but the easiest

I would suggest that if you are concerned about exposure to sick individuals, try to take private transportation rather than ship transports or trains and large group tours. Will it cost you more, perhaps. But you will dramatically reduce your risk of exposure and not miss tours you may have booked.

We have never gotten sick on any of our 12 plus cruises. We always take private transportation and private tours. We don't wear masks, nor excessively use wipes. We do wash our hands frequently. But truly, I believe it is because we do not pose ourselves to large group transport or tours. We only cough on each other. We are two physicians

Completely agree about staying in Manhattan. Trip to the pier from lower Manhattan is short. Staying in Queens or Brooklyn, you miss out on the entire xperience

I would absolutely avoid EWR or staying in New Jersey if you are planning on using public transportation. The New Jersey transit trains have experienced masssive delays this summer and will continue through the fall and probably winter. One to two hour delays are very frequent and all commuters are advised to "seek alternate forms of transportation " on a weekly basis. Newark Penn station to NYC Penn station is a nightmare.

One of the best books ever: Coming into the Country by John McPhee

We ate in the Crown Grill three times during our one week cruise on the Ruby Princess in early July. It varied from very good (Salmon and oysters on the first ) but my husband's lamb chops were quite puny and somewhat tasteless to a mediocre, thin porterhouse but very good veal chop on another night and awful filet and salmon on the third. The sides and appetizers were good not outstanding in our opinion. We chose to pay the additional charge as the main dining guide room was unappealing and Anytime Dining had long lines early on in the evening.

We just did Harv and Marv six passenger whale watching tour and I can't imagine going on a larger vessel. It was fabulous, great captain, lots of individual commentary and great access to watching whales. We looked in pity at the large boats and what they were missing ! Absolutely book a small boat cruise

I would think twice about not doing a helicopter or flight tour. We used Coastal helicopter in Juneau for a trip up to the glacier that was spectacular. I thought I would be terrified but it was amazing. In Ketchikan we took a float plane up the Misty Fjords which was also amazing. We had plenty of time to walk around Creek Street later. We have been on ten cruises all over and have always booked independently.

We were just on Ruby Princess in July for that cruise and it was very enjoyable. I really don't think there is much difference between the two ships. Whichever one you choose the itinerary is fabulous and becomes your focus.

It was a wonderful experience, enjoy your vacation. I would go again next week if possible

There was always a line by 5 PM, so I would suggest 6-6:30 to start

I can't say what is the best time but on July 8th, we arrived at Pier 91 at 12:40 PM and were in our stateroom at 1:10 PM. It was our first Princess Cruise and we have no status with them. We enjoyed a wonderful morning and outing Seattle and had plenty of time to explore the ship prior to sailing as well as eat lunch

Absolutely go, it is incredible

JF- Princess may have had 1000 passengers to shift around but that is not really booked passenger's problem. Princess chose to do this and passengers already having paid deposits shoukd hardly be expected to be sympathetic to any delays. This was a business decision on Princess's part and should occur as a expeditiously and with as little inconvenience to passengers as possible. No, we should not be grateful and cut them a break as they figure out the logistics. They should be apologizing for delays and inconveniences to passengers. Or perhaps they should call United Airline's CEO for advice

I loved our hotel downtown, the Inn at the Market, but would absolutely save that money for tours instead if it is a choice

Lovely review. I especially enjoyed your pictures of Banff and Lake Louise. Have enjoyed reading your reviews from way back in 2003, when we all started cruising the Med

We just came back and used Harv and Marv, six person boat. It was a fabulous excursion. Highly recommend them. Whomever you choose make sure it is a small boat not one of the large boats. The small boat excursions, the viewing is phenomenal

To be clear, you will set your clock back one hour, sorry for the confusion

From Seattle you will gain one hour before you arrive in Juneau

Yes, the clock went back ab hour the first night out of Seattle, so essentially from New York we had a four hour time change the entire cruise: i.e. 7 PM New York City time was 3 PM cruise time

If you are staying near Pike Place market or going there the morning of the cruise, there are beautiful flowers at great wine selections at DeLaurentis s cond floor.

We just got off the Ruby. The smoking area is now on the starboard side, next to a staircase far aft. Not an area anyone other than a smoker would dawdle in. No chairs, etc.

There is no smoking in that area. On the Ruby,, right below this area is the Terrace pool which has loungers.

The cruise was a fabulous experience and definitely we would like to return and hopefully add-on the land package to go up to Denali. We were very ply with all four excursions. The only thing I would do differently would have been to either take the train/ van all the way from Carcross or add on a kayaking trip in the afternooonin Skagway, as well as adding an extra day in Seattle on either end.

We used AJ from SEATAC limo to return to the airport. The lines in the airport for screening were long at 9 AM