DougH

I've done Alaska about 30 times. Aside from being a bit early this is a nice route. Hubbard and Glacier Bay and good port times. May be a little cool but early season tends to be a bit drier. My favorite excursion is in Juneau for an all day trip to Tracy Arm and you have enough port time to do this and get up close and personal with a glacier. Vancouver is a nice city to explore and worth a couple days to visit before or after the cruise. I would consider this one myself but I can't be gone the first week of a month for work.

What they really need is a category above Elite. Say 500+ days or 50+ cruise. That would thin the herd out a bit and give the upper group a few new perks. I would like a night in the Specialty dining area of my choice.

Thanks for the suggestions. I would have loved to come earlier but work commitments prevented it. I really want to visit the Auto museum someday

Any suggestion on what to see/do in Southampton on a Sunday. Will be staying at the Ibis but legs are getting old so can't walk long distances. On previous visit I took the train to both Portsmouth and Winchester

I was on the Sapphire when they filmed The Biggest Loser. They were on for only a couple of days from LA up to SF then left. I don't recall a huge disruption aboard. The TV crew were big party people and the nightclub bar was packed when they were aboard. When the episode finally aired I saw myself for about two seconds lying in a deck chair as a contestant and the crew filming ran past.

I was on the Grand for two weeks in June. Great cruise and crew was very good. We were in Skagway just a couple days before the rockslide hit the pier

I know things may change but current rules require it. I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row beforehand

My cruise is in Nov, a TA for 16 days and they will still require a supervised test

Is there an on site testing facility? I will be on a TransAtlantic and they still require a test

I always just tell them what toppings I want and have never had an issue. Love the pizza there

If you stay at the Ibis it is almost across the street from the train station, and close to the bus. I took the train to both Portsmouth and Winchester for day visits before my cruise

Mine is also a TA so double for me also 😞

Of course my next cruise is 16 days 😢

Has anyone stopped in the port of Le Verdon? From what I have read there is nothing there and it is really just a way to get to Bordeaux. I'm not into wine and all the tours seem aimed at that, and they don't seem to get positive reviews. Is there anything near the ship to see or should I just stay aboard?

Everyone has their own preferences, mine happens to be early season (Mid May-Mid June) To me the biggest negative about late season cruises is the lack of daylight. Every time you leave port it will be in the dark and IMHO you miss half the scenery. Also a greater chance of bad weather as many have said. If September works for you go for it, it beats being at home

No test required to enter Canada but you need a test to board a cruise ship from Canada

Great review so far. I'm on the Emerald later this year and am wondering where you are doing the pre cruise Covid testing? Do they do it on the pier and at what cost?

I always check my statement every couple of days to make sure there are no errors. Got off the Grand on June 22 and just received my post cruise survey on Tues July 12 and my final statement today July 14. Not sure why the delay, in the past always received them the day I got off the ship

Log into the cruise personalizer and go to the summary page. At the very top it will say to print luggage tags and travel summary. Print the summary out, it has more detailed info. It will show under special services

Aft balcony for sure. It is great to be out of the wind and have a 180 degree view. You can always head topside for a full view

Northbound Princess cruises from Vancouver to Whittier are about the only ones long enough for the Adventure Bound tour. It is a long day but Captain Steve stops many times if he sees wildlife, I've seen whales and bears with him. Getting up close and personal with the glacier is a far different experience than from the cruise ship, I've done this 6-7 times, last just a couple of weeks ago mid June. Highly recommended and a good value for your dollar. If you have the time in port I would do this as it is rare that the schedule allows

For some reason my shipped late and arrived the afternoon before my last sailing. Too bad that I had already flown out that morning to arrive a day early. Not really a big deal as they printed an old style card for me to board the ship and then once aboard went to the pursers desk and they printed an actual medallion for me.

I've gone with Chilkoot several times, just a few weeks ago the bus trip into the Yukon. They do a very nice job and you are on a smaller bus

I was in E436 on the sister ship the Majestic. Great cabin, no real obstruction and very little people out on the promenade deck below.

I have sailed with Princess four (4) times since last Aug when they restarted sailing and all have been very good. I have not had any issues and all the staff has ben very good. I have no plans to switch anywhere else.