dcsam

We have cruised with Princess several times, but it's been many years. My husband now has walking difficulty (due to a stroke) and he uses a wheelchair when sightseeing. He also uses walking sticks for short distances. He has the WA State disabled parking card. We're considering an upcoming cruise aboard the Star Princess. Easy flight to the port make this appealing. Do I request a handicap room or not? A walk-in shower with a seat and grab-bars would certainly help. And the extra room would be nice for all the extra things he needs now. We've cruised since his stroke, and he does okay in the standard rooms. But in reality, a handicap room just might make it easier on me (less work helping him). Just don't want to request a handicap room if we'd be taking it from someone more in need of one.

Thoughts?

Thank you.

We did do the Norway cruise (with AZ) this past June, and it was phenomenal. I've also taken the Hurtigruten Norway cruise a few years ago. Different experiences, but equally impressive.

Caroline

Princess has the Pacific Princess doing Alaska. Nice 6 night cruise up, then 7 nights back. But I think HAL may be offering the best 'screamin' deal. For us, it is "all 'bout that space" and HAL has that. Alaska is all about experiencing the outdoors, so you'll find us soaking up the elements as much as possible. Still... I'd like to see what Celebrity is like.... some day. Ahhh... such a dilemma. Azamara has us hooked, and nothing compares. What to do.

Seems many folks here really enjoy Celebrity when you're not cruising with Azamara. After 2 cruises, Azamara is our favorite. But we're looking into an Alaska cruise in May, and Azamara isnt a choice. We've cruised several times to Alaska - mainly with HAL. I see there are some good deals with Celebrity, and I'm hoping you good folks could tell me about Celebrity and how they might compare with HAL. The cruise I'm looking at would be aboard the Millenium.

Thank you.

Caroline

WA State

In the past, we've booked with both our PCC and a large travel agency. Our PCC has done just a smudge of work - answering just a couple questions for us a out an AK cruise. But I see that a nice shipboard credit can be had by booking with the large TA. Plus, I really like a few extras should we decide to book with the large TA.

I don't want to offend our PCC, but can I book with her then transfer the booking to the large TA? Will she get any 'cut'? And would something like that be, well... Just rude?

We're debating between a 10 or 11 night southern Caribbean cruise or 2 seven day. The only reason we are considering the B2B is for the 2 days at Half Moon. Love that place. But my thought is there would be more kids. True?

we're looking at a back to back Alaska cruise (Vancouver to Seward then back). I was told by a large booking agency, that we would need to pack up our cabin; offload our luggage and check in again. I told her I've taken 2 AK b2b and this is news to me. Guess I could just call HAL, but thought I'd ask here first. She said it would also hold true on the Princess B2B I inquired about. Strange

Thank you

I saw those too, and at first I thought their numbers must be incorrect. Just wish we could have taken advantage of these fantastic rates.

This itinerary looks wonderful, and we're thinking about taking the same cruise in February. We've sailed HAL and Princess. I'm just a bit apprehensive about the size of the Princess ship and whether there'll be loads of kids. Being a 10 night cruise, that seems less likely. Husband wants to give it a go, but I'm just not sure about the massive size of the Star. Still... the itinerary is great, and perhaps we can splurge a bit and do a mini suite. The prices seem almost too good to pass up. I'll look forward to your trip report when you return. When is your cruise? Have a ton of fun!

I occasionally order just a salad and appetizer for dinner. No desserts (but husband makes up for what I don't order). Gym. 'Wogging' on the track whenever the weather permits. Split an occasional meal. Eat several small healthy choices throughout the day. Whatever I do to be good throughout the day, gets blown away when they start pouring the wine, however ;-)

Just a side note: While we enjoy HAL very much, we much prefer their smaller, older vessels - tried the Oosterdam and didn't like. Also, I realize cruising out of Seattle is a much different experience than cruising out of Vancouver. So we'll consider that.

For us, cruising is about being outside as much as possible; experiencing the local culture; good food; casual and intimate atmosphere and good service. I see Oceania has a 'special' on their Alaska May sailing (I think it's the 28th or 29th). Since we have flexibility in our schedule and we're able to drive to either port (Seattle or Vancouver), waiting is probably a good thing to do.

Again... thanks so much.

Original poster here. Thank you all for your helpful input. We have cruised Alaska about a dozen times with the mass market cruise lines. Our favorite itinerary (thus far) is with HAL B2B from Vancouver up to Seward and back. We also worked as skipper/crew in a couple Southeast AK fishing lodges. We enjoy sitting on the back deck with a blanket, glass of wine, a few munchies and enjoy the scenery while being outside. We're not into all the fufy-ness and indoor activities. Still... It's nice to be pampered and enjoy nice amenities. Oceania is certainly a cruise line I'd like to try. Guess I'll wait and see what promotions pop up as the Alaska cruise season approaches and base our decision on that.

Again, thank you.

Ideally, a land trip would be best, and maybe that can still work. But my husband has some balance / walking issues, and traveling via cruise ship is typically easier than moving about on land. Often times, we'll simply come back to the ship early and enjoy the views from our balcony. We recently took a Hawaiian vacation to The Big Island and stayed at 3 different places. Easy for him, but not so much for me, as I'm the one who does most of work (i.e., packing, loading and unloading luggage, driving...). I'm sure we could simply travel by traveling with just a carry-on).

This past summer, we took a two week cruise in Norway with Azamara. Easy-peesy!!!! And so beautiful. No need to get off the ship in some ports!

Thank you. But are there River Cruises for Italy?

I'll check into the other 2 recommendations.

I'd love to get your suggestions for a small ship and smaller Italian ports of call cruise. Guess it's my dislike of mega-sized ships and bustling cities. I'd prefer to stroll along villages and not have to wait in long lines to get off or on a ship. Any ideas what cruise lines I should check into?

Thank you.

Caroline

WA state

My husband and I have taken several ocean cruises. It's time we give this 'river cruising' a try. I did a 4 night American Queen with my mother many years ago, and I enjoyed that. But the costs of those now seem quite high.

If we were to do a European river cruise, which would you suggest? We prefer small villages over bustling cities. He doesn't drink alcohol, but I enjoy a glass or two of wine My husband has some difficulty with walking, so that's something to take into consideration. He can walk - just short walks, and holding my hand (lucky me;)

Which line and which itinerary would you suggest?

Thanks so much in advance.

Thank you everyone, for your input. I did spend some time looking at various Youtube videos of both Oceania Regatta and the Pacific Princess. Just in terms of furnishings, there was quite a difference between the two. The Regatta seems very similar to our Azamara experiences - which we loved. We'll wait and see what the sailings look like in another month or so. I signed up for Oceania's mailing list, and was immediately contacted (via email) by an Oceania rep. If a great opportunity arises, we'll be booking. A big bonus is no air would be needed since we live within driving distance of Seattle and Vancouver.

Thank you, Atlantic Cruiser. I do like the looks of the Pacific Princess itinerary, and will also consider this ship.

Thanks again.

In addition to Azamara, we've also cruised with Royal C. - many years ago. Probably ~20 days.

We've cruised with Azamara 2 times. Will this give us any perks with Celebrity (we've never cruised with them... yet)?

Thank you.

Caroline

As I stated' we've never cruised on Oceania. However, I've been doing quite a bit of reading. I'm asking for your input between the Pacific Princess and Regatta. Looks like both lines charge for many of the perks. Take those away, and are the basics of both ships comparable, or does Oceania ''win by a landslide? We don't drink soda; husband doesn't drink alcohol; I enjoy a glass or two of wine; entertainment isn't important; HATE tacky, early morning wake up calls (i.e., GOOOOOD MORNING ladies & gentlemen), prefer 'casual' dress over formal; love smaller ships. Just give us some beautiful scenery, good service, good food, and we're happy campers.

We have yet to cruise with Oceania, but we'd like to. We've thoroughly enjoyed the small ship experiences with Renaissance and Azamara. However, reading these posts, sounds like Oceania tends to 'nickel and dime' quite a bit. I'm looking at Alaska cruises for this upcoming summer, and I see that the Pacific Princess has a great itinerary. Princess also 'nickel and dimes', but their prices are less to begin with. Just wondering how the two ships and experiences might compare. The ships are both the old 'R' vessels, so how different could these cruises be? Thoughts?

If 50% off is the going rate, what are the better sale prices you've seen?

Thank you for the replies. I'll check into the suggestions. This February works too, but only the 7 night itineray would work for our schedule. I've vowed not to take a 7 night cruise again. They simply go by too fast, and with all the planning,,travel and such.... It's just not worth it. Perhaps a b2b.

Thanks again!

Caroline

I've been to F. Polynesia before (a land trip, a Renaissance cruise and 2 with Princess). Such a beautiful place, and it's time to go back. This time, we'd like to cruise with PG. Is the 50% discount plus airfare the best offers you've seen through the cruise line? I see that excursions and Internet are not included, so finding an agency that offers onboard credit would sure be helpful. Is there any way to help guide me in the right direction without breaking the rules of this forum? We'd like to cruise in May, 2015 - a 10-14 night cruise.

Thank you.

Caroline

WA state

Uktog,

My thoughts exactly. I'm wondering why it took so long for Azamara to show up on our radar. Wish we had known about them earlier. "Better late....."

We cruised to the Sea of Cortez aboard the Quest and are now getting ready for the Norway cruise aboard the Journey.

Our new favorite cruise line!