notatubaplayer

We have done a lot of reserve collection trips.  To be honest the concept is a little dated.  At first the additional food options were really attractive but that appears to be diminishing.  That being said we have always enjoyed the social atmosphere because people tend to get to know each other when you are in a small area every night.  Most ships have rows of two tables for a portion of the area with very little room in between.  You invariably meet the people on each side of you on busy nights.  The staff in RC is usually outstanding. 

Thats good info.  I just found some of the old threads.  Looks like its a little too "fuzzy" for me.

Yes.  It is the Princess promotions future cruise package.  I have been contacted about it before.  Evidently participation is offered based upon your status and number of cruise nights.  You buy cruise credits and other land based benefits.  Since nobody seems to know the promotion exists it might not be a commonly offered program.  Sorry if I created confusion.

Has anyone ever done one of these?  What are the pros and cons?

When we were on board in October they had a mixture of musicians from all over the ship that banged out some old time rock and roll.  It happened two diffferent nights.  Lots of fun. 

First day lunch is always one of my favorite meals.  Avocado with bay shrimp appetizer, either ravioli or roast beef main and orange souffle for dessert!  I was on the Regal two months ago and they were definitely open the first day.  Enjoy!

Same here.  I used it pretty effectively for a couple of cruises then it was not on the Discovery.  I do not know if it was not on all ships or elininated fleet wide.

Has anyone been on a shi[p that had sports betting lately?  It was not on the Discovery in August.  I am going to be on the Regal in October and am curious if it may be available.

Getting off the ship took about three minutes.  Aside from the elevators, I have nothing but positive things to say about the Discovery Princess.  Everyone have fun on the next cruise.

Off the ship now.  My wife doesn't do stairs.  She took the elevator.  I made the stair trip from deck 14 to deck 5 (both up and down) about 30 times over the last week.  I was faster every time.  

I was on a ships tour so I did not do a transfer directly to the Glacier but I think there are several ways to get to the visitors center.  The trails are very well marked.

Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan was easy and fun.  Did the train in Skagway and that was awesome.  If you didnt want to do other excursions in Juneau a quick trip to do the trails at Mendenhall would be cheap and easy.  The waterfall hike would be really easy with kids.

The whales are in Juneau in huge numbers.  Really spectacular.  We took the ships tour on whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier.  It was really good.  You spend about three hours on the whale watching tour then the transfer you to the visitor center at the Mendenhall.  You get an hour to 90 minutes at the glacier.  We did the nugget falls hike which is one mile each way.  Very spectacular if you like waterfalls.  There is a spot on the left on the way to the falls for the pic of the trip!

Listen to the guide who will be doing presentations on board .  He is extremely good.

It was rainy at the beginning of th trip into the Dawes Glacier.  I was up and on deck at 5 am with most of the rest of the ship.  It was a beautiful sail in but I do not know that it is absolutely essential to be up that early.  The left side of the ship got the best view of the glacier at probably 7 am.  We were told we made it closer to the glacier than the discovery has done all season.

The bars, casinos and buffet are really busy. 

Checkin was really easy and smooth.  If you see a porter and can drop bags with him do so.  That was the only bottleneck we experienced.

I am just finishing the same itinerary.  The ship has been packed but well managed.  Captain is great.  Cruise director has been fun.  The new production shows are impressive.   Was really happy with the food as well.  Had sunshine most days and beautiful weather for the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.  The week before they could not do it because of fog.  Overall a great cruise.  The only downside is the elevators are horrible on a crowded ship.  The buffet was also a little chaotic.

Thats the basic design flaw.   Makes me crazy.

Food-Good, Entertainment-Good, Crew-Good, Captain-Good, Elevators-Just simply horrible.  After this many royal class ships it is amazing that someone has not been able to get them fixed.  Sorry-Had to vent.  Feel better now.

I am sitting on one right now in Alaska on the 14th deck.  It is pretty well covered excpet when the sun is low in the sky.

I have done sports betting on the Regal as well.  I hope it is just the discovery.

On the Discovery now and there is no online sports betting.  Does anyone know if it has been terminated fleet wide?

This is awesome.  I really appreciate all the suggestions.   

I am being lazy.  We have a group of 6 leaving out of Seattle.   We are looking for the perfect place to go out the dinner before the cruise.  Need a fun place with Oysters on the menu.  We are all staying in different hotels but are close to the downtown area.  Does anyone have a suggestion?

Generally the Royal class ships have very minimal locker room facilities.  I do not think they have showers or free access to steamroom/saunas.