cruiser2015

Don't recall whether it was dubbed "wilderness" adventure, but we took the RCCL Misty Fjords excursion earlier this month.

I'd say it was a good sized boat. Modest exterior deck but spacious interior cabin. They had free coffee, hot chocolate and a snack. They provided binoculars as well.

It was overcast throughout and often raining for us, but it was a pleasant trip.

You have the same transportation issue from Whittier. It's just a little closer to Anchorage than Seward. If you're flying out from Anchorage, you need a bus or train to get there.

We just sailed on Radiance northbound (July 1). Didn't have that problem as we booked a 4 day ground tour and flew home from Fairbanks. Loved the cruise, by the way (we are also Royal fans). Hubbard Glacier was spectacular.

You do have another option - a R/T sail from Seattle or Vancouver - no Seward to airport issue. Also will be cheaper air. Just a question of the itinerary choices.

We are sailing northbound on July 1st, with a different post cruise itinerary than the poster's.

I called RCI some time ago, and they will not provide any ground extension details other than the included excursions. They said no information would be available on tour options until meeting the tour director post cruise.

I believe that they offer an upgrade for the TWT (for my itinerary, it is already included).

Had a talk with RCI cruisetour dept. today - had to gve them my return flight info. I again expressed my unhappiness about the lack of tour info, and to my surprise the rep told me there was in fact a brochure online. It is well buried, but here is the direct link to it. It covers all of their tours, so it's not customized by which ground tour you are on. That means it may show your included tours as options, which they are not.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/statichtmlpage.do?pagename=brochure_alaska_land_excursions

We are sailing northbound on July 1st, with a different post cruise itinerary than the poster's.

I called RCI some time ago, and they will not provide any ground extension details other than the included excursions. They said no information would be available on tour options until meeting the tour director post cruise.

I believe that they offer an upgrade for the TWT (for my itinerary, it is already included).

Trying to figure out what hotel to book for our cruise leaving in June 2016 out of Canada place. I'm trying to stay under $200 dollars per night. Also trying to figure out how to get from the airport to the hotel to Canada place and whether to stay closer to the airport or Canada place. Any input would be amazing!

We booked the Sutton Place Hotel for $187 total for end of June. I believe that included a AAA discount. This was on a short list of hotels I considered well located and reasonably priced.

I have never sailed with NCL, but I'm willing to give them a try for this itinerary at a great price. :)

Don't know if you're still looking at this one, Nancy.

I have sailed NCL and I am a fan. But I would personally avoid the Sun.

Sailed on her sister, the Sky, around 2002. It was okay at the time, but with small cabins. At this point in time, I consider these ships totally outdated. I have seen recent posts on here that said the same.

i'm sure that will be great!

 

i think my ideal would be to do a back to back on the radiance the next time we go...start in inland alaska......then cruise southbound....then turn around and go northbound...and end up back in inland alaska.....how perfect....14 days of cruising and maybe about 14 days of inland - 7 before and 7 after....hmmm...28 days of vacation?....dare to dream....

WOW!

Might as well move to Alaska, lol.

I'd be tempted to switch cruises on the return (yup, gotta pack).

That way, you'd get a different itinerary, get a shot at different ports and glaciers.

Interesting, though disappointing story, Beth.

If I stay with my original plan, will be doing Radiance northbound in July.

Plan to spend a day or two in Vancouver up front. Plus, I like the 'flow" of things (no pun intended) northbound. And the best combination of flights and connections, including return out of Fairbanks to NY.

Thanks to all for your tips.

As always, Cruise Critic people are the best.

:cool:

Well, hotel bookings are a little different. Most hotels just use the card to hold the hotel and don't charge it until after. Some hotels charge you a base rate, but adjust the charge after you have checked out. Most do not charge the hotel right away.

 

Long story very very short - bad refinance on mortgage during economic downturn left us with bad credit. All of the financial situation has been resolved, and credit is building, but still in recovery. Might be able to get a card at this point, but I am sure the limit would not be high.

CowPrincess is so correct on the card issue.

You're right about "some hotels" - but others will charge you for one night upfront, even if refundable up to a certain date. Without a card, you will have to mail them a check in advance. More importantly will be car rentals if you do a DIY land trip or day trip during the cruise. The agencies may expect a large deposit in addition to the rental fee in advance. If you use your debit card, all of that cash will immediately come out of your account - even though they will return the excess deposit post rental. If you can get a new card before the trip, please do so.

All Alaska cruises get rave reviews. :) Simply several alternatives, but ALL sail inside passage, which is a highlight.

 

As I already mentioned- in my opinion, it is imperative- that you find out about the ports you are going- and IF you want to go there? A significant factor is the touring, what you want to see and do.

 

What is "inferior" in my opinion- is your cruisetour choice, big problem with it being too short . A marginal plus- the Tundra Wilderness tour, which I assume is included. Alaska isn't a place to see it from the road, and you are missing out completely on, Seward, Talkeetna, Girdwood and Anchorage. (which are on some RCI tours)- add to the mix- the jackpot of glacier sightseeing- PWS out of Whittier. Another big -miss. And have you already determined- you are so interested in Fairbanks to have chosen it?

Your advise is wise. And while I have not investigated port excursions, now that will be next on my pre-booking to do list.

The included ports for this northbound cruise, by the way, are Ketchikan, Icy Straight Pt., Juneau and Skagway. Obviously, you can't hit everything on one voyage. Same may be said for the ground extension. A review of the general info in the 2 cruise line books I have at home guided my choices, along with other things - my DW had to be talked into Alaska. She spent a season there, long ago, before we met as crew with HAL (this will be my first time to AK). Her current preference is to not visit any place "cold" (did someone say "Bermuda"?). In any event, there will be nothing literally on ice or snow, nor hiking, small vessels (e.g. kayaks), helicopters or small planes on our itinerary.

The tour I'm "working" with (4 day) does include the Denali TWT plus free time in Denali plus a day of tours in Fairbanks (city tour, Gold Dredge 8, Riverboat Discovery). As for the length, a couple of personal issues are in play. One is time away from home - trying to limit to about 2 weeks. Also, plan to be 1 day (probably 2) pre-sail in Vancouver. Including the red eye home, that's 14 nights. Dare I even mention that each additional day of cruisetour runs $700-$800 per day plus any additional tour fees.

Hopefully you have an idea of how I got to where I am in the process.

Suggestions are still very welcome.

Thanks Budget Queen & Keith.

Actually, have not looked at all into port touring options.

If (enough) someones thought that a particular itinerary was inferior - yes, I would consider a change of cruise line.

Current plan was to do a 4 day land extension with RCCL, which heads through to Denali on day one (zipping thru Seward and Anchorage). Two nights in Denali, then train to Fairbanks for 2 nights. They include a Denali tour, a Fairbanks tour and a gold panning tour and riverboat ride in Fairbanks.

Not likely that we will visit any glaciers directly (as in landing upon), though I do find them interesting.

I read a recent post discussing the merits of Glacier Bay vs. Tracey Arm.

What about Hubbard Glacier? It was not mentioned in recent posts.

My preference is to sail with Royal Carib rather than HAL or Princess based on past experience (plus they are higher priced). This cruise (Radiance) hits the Hubbard.

Comments appreciated.

I emailed JohnnyCab and got a response within a few hours. Nice to deal with. Only thing is the rate is $30, not $25 like someone else said here. For $30, you could just get a cab since it's the same rate.

 

 

 

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I suppose they bumped their price up - but I think it is still the best choice.

Regular cabs will probably come in at a minimum of $30 - if they don't add the luggage fee (posted on the cab's dash sign, about a dollar or so each). And if you hit a traffic jam, the price goes up and up from there. Lock it in!

Book ahead with Hawaii23 ($23 flat fare) or Johnnycab ($25). We used Johnny as Hawaii23 was not available. Metered taxis will cost more. We went to the port and post cruise to the airport on the meter. To the airport he added a fee for our 2 large bags - driver from hotel did not. The rest depends on the traffic.

We used Hawaii 23 last month from airport to Waikiki. As the name implies, it's a flat rate of $23 - best deal around. They used a van - plenty of room for you. On pickup just outside the baggage claim, the driver asked if we minded other passengers (he said we could refuse). He offered us a discount (we were 2 persons). We said okay, waited about 5 minutes (other party was 3), and paid $18 plus tip.

You can reserve online - easy. They were recommend on other threads on here and Trip Advisor.

Took an all day package directly with PCC last month.

The show ends at nine - then the crowd filters out to the parking lot.

Then the driver waits for all of his group to show up (we had the same bus and driver as in the morning). Closer to 9:30 before they leave. Not to Waikiki till way past 10. You're probably supposed to be on board by 10:30 if the ship sails at 11. Even if you can board until 11 - risky business to try.

Sorry to say in this case, but the show is fantastic.

Don't know why Travelocity asked how you wanted it applied - The OBC goes on your account as a lump - it's not "applied" to specific items.

Since you want to use the OBC for the gratuities, forget about the advance "payment" or any arrangement for them. Just sail away and the items will offset on your ship's account - no problem at all.

10% discount off the cabin price - that could be a big savings.

But - discount of of what? The list price - that pretty much no one pays anyway? 10% off of whatever your booking price is?

As many have said, if you really were going to use most of the services provided, you have a shot at saving.

I am in the process of planning our budget for a trip next summer aboard the POA.

 

Years ago, when we cruised Alaska, we managed to arrange our excursions so that we were able to eat all of our meals onboard and didn't need to spend any extra money on food while visiting the ports. Is this doable at the ports in Hawaii, or is it more trouble than it is worth? If it is unrealistic, what should I budget for lunch each day for 3 (2 adults, one kid) at super-casual restaurants?

Sailed on POA early this month.

trying to be on board for lunch all the time would mean missing a huge chunk of Hawaii - forget it.

We did eat on board 3 times - boarding day, Hilo (did not tour, just roamed the town for a while, then back for lunch) and Friday (tour to Waimea Canyon). The ship sails at 2 so lunch is doable.

Some tour programs include lunch. Other provide purchase opportunities - not cheap, but not crazy. If you are renting and doing it on your own, then you can take from the ship or buy food from a grocery or an ABC store to take along.

Here's a suggestion to add to the other posters' - bring some plastic baggies to stash you booty from the buffet. Aside from breakfast, you can grab from the late snack buffet. They usually have pre-made sandwiches as well. Put them in your cabin fridge over night.

And most importantly - enjoy!

The last "tag" time is 9 AM. We also had a few hours until flight (3:20).

Left the cabin a few minutes past 9 and there was a line to disembark. I would think you could hang back a little longer.

There is a taxi line - a long one. But it moves quickly. Of course, we were not in any rush either. Our fare was around $25 (cabbie charged us for our 2 large bags which my cab from Waikiki to pier did not). As far as I know, there are no flat fares, unless you can pre-arrange a pick up with a service. Taking a cab should not be a problem.

We were on Pride of America 2 weeks ago. Overall, we thought the food had gone down hil a bit since our last NCL cruise a few years back. But, it was not bad. Ate breakfast at the buffet (except once) - found a large variety, 3 custom omelete stations - it was fine. We were off ship most a few for lunch, but the buffet was fine; also ate at Cadillac Diner which was fine. MDR food was fair. We actually only ate there 3 times. Dines at Cagney's twice - the food and service was outstanding.

Tried their new Brazilian steakhouse and found the food way over seasoned.

Bottom line, this opinion is you should not be scared away by the reviews. Chances are you'll find something you will enjoy.

Disembarked on July 12. We were in the later groups, around 9 AM.

Lots of cabs, but there was a long line, though it moves quickly. Had to wait for a little while - think it was about 15-20 minutes.

Just returned from POA last week.

Can't imagine too much of a change for the winter schedules. There is no daylight savings time in Hawaii and at that latitude the days should be closer in length than on the mainland. Also, the port arrival departure times don't change at all - therefore, it's unlikely they would alter on board activities.

If you want to avoid all hassle, take a tour. They arrange for the tickets and will likely get in in early in the day. There are a couple of choices as to how much time you spend there. Check out Robert's Hawaii - reliable and good pricing. I used them from Waikiki 3 weeks ago for their full-day tour. It covers about everything there. There's also a shorter version.

Has anyone used them recently? I can't find much info. I was thinking of using them for the same tours that Princess offers on Maui and Kauai but at a lower price. Do you think I should just go with Princess???

Took a pre-cruise Roberts tour to Pearl Harbor 2 weeks ago. Their pricing is good and they seem to do a fine job generally - plenty of comments on the boards here. They have been operating on the islands for decades and are probably the largest operator in Hawaii. I would not hesitate to use them if available.

Note - on Roberts website, make sure you check the ship passenger tours - different schedule from those for hotel based passengers.