Budget Queen

11 hours ago, wolfie11 said:

Can Radiance even dock in Haines? 

Sure,  it's a full size dock.    Docked on the NCL Jewel last year with no issues.     Great port.    

On 9/26/2020 at 4:36 PM, Sunseeker1001 said:

Please explain to me the difference and reliability of taxi and the radio taxi.  Does radio taxi mean I simply call the taxi from the airport?   I do not speak Spanish 😉

 

You arrange for the taxi-   Inside the airport.  You pay at the counter,  they give you a ticket and tell you where to go.   Be advised that anyone who takes your bag is going to “insist “ on a tip.  🤩.    Start your own post I’d suggest.     
 

You state you want a tour.   Find that vendor-  and have them pick you up at the airport.   
 

I simply take Tienda Leon bus.   🤩.   

13 minutes ago, Italy52 said:

Does this link seem like the place:  https://icystraitpoint.com/tour/eat/

That's by the old  tender dock,  way back when they started that port.  🙂    I'd forgotten about it.   It's off the main path now.   They do have King Crab there.   Puzzle solved I think,   also some other suggestions to consider in addition    🙂   

Mine took  a week/10 days as I vaguely recall.    Just keep checking your Latitudes account.   

2 hours ago, Summerstravel said:

Thank you for the information I appreciate it. 

Correct=   Studios never are able to upgrade.    And if you happen to be in another cabin,  upgrade offers are going to be for double occupancy,  so you pay twice the amount of your bid.     Even,  with a reduced solo rate,  etc.   bidding is always 2x your bid.    

I got 3 emails for upgrades  this past week.     All in the trash pile.  😉   

1 hour ago, Joeghartman said:

Which ever sailing has Glacier Bay. You will regret missing that,

Have you been to all 5 of the Glacier areas,  that the mega cruise ships sail?      They ALL are worthwhile and offer an extremely unique experience.      I instead,  looking at the ENTIRE itinerary,  it's all a compromise.   I never recommend giving "priority" to any single day.    It's always going to involve compromises   Ports,  time in ports,  glaciers,  they are all equally important.   

3 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

OP,  your description of what you recall may well be what Budget Queen has posted.

 

No question that the crab is good, but I get the most enjoyment when I am in Alaska of eating really fresh halibut.  I had the best Halibut and Chips in a small restaurant in Juneau that I have ever had!

There are multiple excellent eateries for Halibut.   Nothing beats fresh Alaska halibut.   I - again,  HAD to get my halibut  when I returned in August.   2 great meals,  plus another of sockeye.  🙂       Do,  experience the wonderful fish/crab options.    

With your description-  of king crab,  deck-  you mean outside?  - it sounds like-    Juneau -  has Tracy's Crab Shack.    It's been upgraded with some inside dining ( previous)    Served crab year round- is  frozen King. 

Other is in Hoonah-    at the Office Bar,   they have Dungeness crab fresh in season,   and frozen sometimes.    So be mindful of the  official  season opening dates.   They are not fixed-   and I've seen them later some years-  where I missed them.   😞     

36 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Right now you are allowed to pass through New York without quarantining, either by car or by plane. I would think that if you come to New York, go directly to the cruise port, and then leave directly after disembarkation, you would not be required to quarantine. It would only be if you were planning to stay in New York for any period of time before or after the cruise that you would have to quarantine. That being said, I don't know how keen Cuomo or DeBlasio will be on opening the cruise terminal, even if there are restrictions of passengers' movements around the city/state pre and post-cruise.

A LOT of NYC cruisers live in the Tri State.    So it will involve quarantine for all of them.      I just came off it last week,   of 14 days.   I fully complied  and had to report every day.       

3 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

So, this is what I'm wondering.  There are a few cruises scheduled to sail out of NYC in Nov.  But, here's the problem.  For those coming in from the majority of other states....there's a 14 day quarantine.  How's that gonna work?

It's not.    😉    

What are the differences?    Post them.    NO,  July is not the "best".    There is no "best".   🙂      I suggest you head over to the Alaska Ports of Call board.   Will find a lot more experienced replies  and detailed information.  

Are these both ship excursions?    However-  I'd say this is not a good idea,  unless you are willing to accept the possibility of not making it to the second tour=  AND, ok with loosing the funds paid???      There also may be a default that prevents you booking this,  if a ship tour.  

It's not clear exactly what these tours involve,   but "wildlife"  isn't easy to find in the Ketchikan area.  

4 minutes ago, KennyFla said:

 

Again, we are saying let people make their own decisions.  If I am comfortable with cruising under the new parameters, I should be allowed to go.  I have gone to work everyday in a medical facility during this. 

MSC in Europe charges a small sum to provide insurance for evacuation in the case of a positive case.

It isn't your decision.   The businesses are taking all the financial risks,  have everything to loose.    As I said,   pertaining to the US-  which is a litigating society,    far more has to be considered conservatively  .      Just  1 major, outbreak could mushroom  and  lead to bankruptcy.    

19 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Both MSC and TUI are successfully operating Covid-free cruises in Europe.  In spite of the recent hype that there were positive cases on the TUI ship.  Turns out it was a Greek lab screwup and there were no positive cases on board.

 

I say give people and businesses a choice.  Those who wish to shelter in place may continue to do so.  Those who wish to be on a cruise should also have that choice.

AND,  what do you think the future will be IF (and when)  there are positive cases?   It's going to happen.     Decisions have to be made conservatively and with many parameters,  you simply are not aware of and ignoring.   

1 minute ago, Sand and Seas said:

I wonder how many have kept their early November bookings.  Those dates are coming up soon especially for the cruisers that need to fly in.

I have 3 cruises  booked in November,    simply stacking up the 25% FCC's,  at this point.    I absolutely expect all the cancel,   although some may feel better "hoping" they are sailing.  

14 hours ago, 4774Papa said:

Both ships are about the same.

 

One route has more ports and departs for Athens.

The other departs from Venice.

 

If you haven't been to Athens, don't miss it.  However, taking a cruise out of Venice, you get a fantastic view of the city.

 

Dubrovnik is great, but so are some of the ports on the other cruise.

Still, I would pick the cruise out of Athens, especially if you haven't been to Athens.

There have been reports of cruise ships are going to be docking elsewhere and not right in Venice? 

 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/news/cruise-ships-crack-down-venice-historic-centre-unesco-overtourism/

3 hours ago, deliver42 said:

I think all the cruise lines will follow what MSC is doing successfully in Europe. They have completed 6 cruises and are doing the 7th with no cases, be it the crew or passengers.

I also agree and this will run for a trial of data.   Other cruises are going to do the same thing,  and it will be only short cruises operating,  as they will want to move people on and off ships.    If they require the prior negative testing,   it isn't going to work for back to back guests perhaps?    Unless testing is available on the ship-  and it likely will be self pay?      There shouldn't be any "exception",  because they are b2b.    They could be newly infected when they first boarded.

I agree,   makes no sense and I would not be surprised  if another change.   It certainly isn't to "move any ships around"     It costs time and money and a lot of work to dock, tie up,  debark etc.     There is absolutely NO reason for this.    IF the ship wants to leave early from Skagway,  they can do what every other ship does,   Stall and take the crawl in Icey Strait.   

But this time  does allow for most activities in Skagway,  including the WP railroad,    ships do manage well with this port time.     

It's actually a nice schedule.    Even though there is Tracy Arm on the schedule-   it's also no duplication-  in my opinion to take Adventure Bound in addition out of Juneau-  if of interest.   One of the rare schedules that allows for it.  

IF this schedule does remain-  it's likely there could be special opening hours at the museums?   A lot closer to cruising ,  simply call -  direct to the vendors and ask.    The cruiseline will have tours as well.     An option,  I'd would absolutely consider with this unique schedule would be to give notice,  I wasn't going to return to the ship in Skagway  and would arrange a scenic flight of the magnificent ice fields,   perhaps Glacier Bay-  although all are worthwhile,  again only my opinion.   I'd have a drop off in Haines    (I've done this a few time,  with a one way flight and ferry in other direction,   Haines/Skagway.      Several  options,   fly over earlier,  and tour,   rent a car   etc.    

If RCI was smart they'd offer some one way options too.  🙂  

However,  your last day mentions "sea day"  which usually means outside of Vancouver Island?    A negative for me.   

5 hours ago, drsel said:

Not me.
I avoid carbohydrates and fatty food on every Cruise.
No rice, bread, potato items.
Also no butter and cheese.

You’re no fun.   🤩🤩🤩😀😀.   I certainly have small portions of potatoes and an occasional bread item.   Certainly with. butter and I typically have some cheese every day.       
 

What’s great about cruising something for everyone!   🤩🤩🤩

6 hours ago, sfaaa said:

Except I will probably weight 600 Lbs by now if I cruise this often. That's the big downside of cruising.

Nope not in my case.    I don’t think the food is that exceptional.   Menus are the same. And I’m way past it being anything special.   My weight remains the same.   I’m sorry only cruising for where the ship takes me.    It’s all about the itinerary.   🤩

What’s important is OFF the ship.   YOU need to decide.     So do your homework and look at what each port offers.  Pick what you want to see and do.   Then rank your interests.      That should give you direction.  
 

 The ships are sister ships.   A few cosmetic differences that are insignificant.     I was on all 4 of these Jewel class ships.   Certainly very nice.   

2 hours ago, TrumpyNor said:

This is actually the reason behind it - passengers are NOT allowed to leave the ship independently, this is a requirement form the ports that currently allows visit of cruise ships. And TOTALLY understandable when you take the current covid-19 situation in most of Europe in to consideration....!

Just as important the other way. Nobody wants a newly infected “wanderer”  back on the ship either.   And spreading it to unsuspecting passengers and crew 

9 hours ago, RockStarDoll said:

RCL emailed us with the change. My cruise planner is updated as well. This was one of many many changes for Alaska cruises. Lots of posts about people having Ketchikan switched for Sitka, Haines added, Skagway and Juneau shortened etc...

Interesting that the website isn't updated.    Should be a priority.     But-  with only a few hours in Haines-  simply NOT enough time.   Where is the ship all day?????   

I went to Rome  3 times last years,     I always stay near Termini  at one of the small hotels, Guest Houses,  that is walkable from the station.  only a couple blocks.    I always take the public bus-  I use Teravision  mostly for getting from the FCO airport to Termini.     I then, usually take the the public bus to Civi,  but it is a little tricky needing to take the Metro to the pick up.    I frequently stay one night in Civi.    I also take the train, equally.  Pleasant 1 mile walk to the port/a hotel I like to stay at etc.       There is SO much to see and do in Rome.   I never use cabs,   always Metros, Tram, Buses.     

I have flown into both Rome airports,  Cia and Fco  but Cia I've only flown in from the UK or Europe.   Good transportation from there as well.     I would allow 90 minutPSmycityes if you are arriving the same day as the cruise to get to the port.     Of course add all the extra time,  I'd suggest.    I highly recommend Rick Steve's guide,  and GPSmycity   if your independent and enjoy the history.    I use it every day.