luv2gonow

Just finished 1st page and had to comment.

1st if I stepped on an elevator and it said weight limit reached I might have to jump ship of embarrassment!LOL

Ugh...never check the box. Just be sensible. That is absolutely crazy I can see how safety is paramount but seriously.

On my 1st RCCL cruise I noticed crazy hand sanitizing. Wipey Wipey police in full force....I was like wow. Then they made announcement of noro on board....2 days later on our private island day, I walk to across island find a good spot sit down and smell the BBQ they are cooking. Now I didn't feel well but figured it would pass. 1 bathroom trip and 20 min later feeling very nauseaus and weak. So sick I could not sit on a lounge chair I needed my bed in the dark and quiet.

Went back to ship and they were making announcements to please call infirmary if you are sick. They will give out free medicin that will help.

So I called I felt that sick. Not sorry I did and my experience was better than yours IMO.

They sent nurse gave me medicine and said I am quarantined for 24 hours. They will send food. small cup plain rice and broth.

Next day bigger portion same stuff till dinner when nurse said I was ok.

With that said. They did not tell me after that to not go to buffet....however they had servers at buffet because of noro.

Also my family in my room was free to go about ship and encouraged them to leave room.

Thank god I had a balcony.

Funny part was they brought biohazard bag for me to put food in. And after 24 hours room steward apologizing profusely shows up with a pretty much a hazmat suit to clean room. And my room was tagged for extra scrubbing on my way out.

I received free movies in room and they gave a credit for that days cruise. Never did use it but I thought there handling of the situation was proper.

Sorry your were put through it like that.

Now off to read rest of review:-)

Kerri

Just curious. Why is this only UK?

Are most cruisers American and they want a better demographic?

Also.....regularly if the same cruise purchased in UK same room and ship etc....is it the same price purchased by Americans?\

Thanks

Kerri

Thankyou so much for your detailed review.

I am sailing Majestic on sunday and cannot wait!! I am so much more

excited now to hear so many great things.

This is my 1st Princess cruise and also 1st time sailing on a new ship.

Kerri

Hi,

I just was researching Alaska land sea tours. I too am limited with time off, but I managed to find a great itinerary on NCL. I would have preferred a north bound cruise but dates don't work. This itinerary is from Thurs-Mon so I only have to take 1 week off and lil longer wknds. This itinerary also stays 1 night at nicest hotel in Alaska.

I am sailing my 1st Princess cruise on majestic on sunday. I know Princess is great in Alaska but dates didn't work, for itinerary I wanted.

https://www.ncl.com/cruises/12-day-denali-alyeska-explorer---southbound-cruisetour-SBDENALIALYESK2SUN7SWDICYJNUSGYKTNVAN?cruiseTour=1&autoPopulate=f&destinations=4294961386&cruiseHotel=1&numberOfGuests=4294953449&pageSize=1000&ships=4294960761&cruise=1&sortBy=Featured&from=resultPage&state=null&sailmonths=4294953376&currentPage=1&cruiseHotelAir=1&itineraryCode=SBDENALIALYESK2SUN7SWDICYJNUSGYKTNVAN

Happy planning

Kerri

Looking forward to your review I am very excited to be boarding her on Sunday!

I am very thankful for any info... Dides has been most helpful. I was very nervous to cruise such a new ship but I am very happy to hear she in fine form.

Thanks

Kerri

Quick question Lobster bar. You said it was prepared to Chinese tastes. What is that?

And paying $120 for non quiet area.....not happening.

Thanks

Kerri

I have used Fl tours(found thru DIS boards) many times from Disney to the port.

Just priced it 158 for towncar I usually get this for my family of 4.

I see you can get van for 8 maybe up to 10 for looks like $190

These pricestdo not include Tips.

They have always been reliable picking up from Disney and also at port to go back to Disney

Happy planning

Kerri

I look at the pic of the exercise equipment and I think also waste of space.

I could be lounging with a cocktail with primo view....

Now I know this ship is for the Chinese market.

Are the Chinese people very big on exercise?

Not much alcohol drinking also ....that I'm impressed with. Smoking not so good but hey can't have everything lol

I go in and out of my exercise phases but when I'm in I can't imagine a better area to do it..... maybe I will be inspired next week:-)

Kerri

Looking forward to hear if that 99 percent gets to 100 percent complete on this cruise:-)

That track is pretty awful!!

Kerri

I've pretty much given up getting spa treatments on cruises. I feel really intimidated by the pushy sales tactics they use when you get a treatment. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on skin care or so called "weight loss" detox products I'll never use and I got tired of feeling guilty about saying no thanks. I even got to the point of lying on the intake sheet (not mentioning health concerns and medication) so they'd quit finding reasons I should buy all this extra stuff. I've never tried the spa on Princess cruises. Are they just as bad as the other lines? I'd love to get a massage on my upcoming cruise, but it really kills the good feeling a massage gives me when they start selling stuff.

\

I hear you. I am sailing the Majestic end of week 1st Princess cruise and I will be visiting the spa.

I always tell lady in beginning I have every spa product already collecting dust and I wont' be buying any others!

But thankyou in advance.

Kerri

Hi yes we have been on the big island helicopter tour in Hawaii, up to the top of moana loa (spelling?) volcano and over to Hilo for the waterfalls, over the ranch lands, volcano national park: it was spectacular and not scary at all, very smooth ride. They give you headphones so you can hear the helicopter pilot/guide. Well worth it. It was our 25th wedding anniversary trip.stayed at Hilton waikoloa. We are now married close to 39 years!

I took a picture of our plane picture that is on our wall. Pardon the glass reflection just so you can see the plane. It seated around 5 or 6 I think.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Wow thanks for that pic!!

I might have to put my big girl pants on and just do it!!

I can't thank you enough for all of the time you spent giving me this priceless information.

Thanks so much!:D

I enjoyed the ship overall alot. By way of conparison, I also sailed on Royal's inaugural voyage. Overall most things were working well, it was only very minor matters of finish that i saw being done. This was quite a contrast to when Harmony of the Seas was introduced and she was a building site in places.

 

Princess provide an impressive cruise product that just works. They have some superb live music around the ship, they do movies under the stars like no one else and in general their staff service is good. We were on anytime dining and the waiters on recognised us when we sat in the same section for a second time - pretty inpressive given how many people they must see.

 

The ship is different to Royal and Regal and some things are actually better. The Hollywood Conservstory is quite a nice space, and unlike the sanctuary it is not extra charge. Of course i would actually rather the P&O version with a proper crow's next bar but you cant have everything. The aft lounge will seemingly become more gambling space in china but right now its just a secondary show lounge like the other ships.

 

Perhaps the only other issue, was again food related but this time in the buffet. Even at the start of service with newly put out dishes, the food temperature wasnt really hot enough, and nothing seemed to be labelled. There probably was a logic to the layout but I couldnt work it out if there was. So it was a bit of a trek to examine all counters before choosing. But if that is the biggest worry, things are pretty good really.

Thanks so much for comparison. I am so excited and happy to hear ship is in great shape. Hopefully they will label the food and get the temperature right....but hey if that's the worst it will be amazing!

Kerri

Hi Kerri, in a standard balcony cabin there is a us outlet on each side of the dressing table so one of them should be in easy reach of one side of the bed.

Yes, Smart casual for non-formal nights at dinner. Others can advise better but you can usually wear smart casual on a formal night if you don't eat in the main dining room but choose to go to a speciality restaurant, alfredos, buffet.

Thanks so much! 1 less thing to pack:-)

Kerri

Thanks so much for your review. I will be boarding her Sunday. I definately want to try Harmony but La Mer not so much. Especially after this review. What was your overall impression of the cruise. Did everything else seem to be in working order.

This is my 1st "new" ship sail and a 1st Princess for me.

Thanks

Kerri

Thanks so much for all of your information and pics.

Will be boarding 4/9 few questions.

Is there a us outlet next to bed. I always bring a fan so wondering if I need an extension cord.

Is the dress code more dressy or smart casual for dinner? I see my sailing has 2 formal nights is this normal on princess? This is my 1st princess sailing.

Thanks

Kerri

This glacier is the Davidson glacier near Haines, Alaska. This was part of the glacier wilderness Safari out of Skagway. Is this your first time to Alaska? Most people do the whitepass train trip in Skagway the first time. We had done that already so we wanted to do something off the beaten path, this was definitely off the beaten path. There is a ferry ride first out to an island, than you take canoes out to the base of the glacier.

Kenai peninsula:

Yes you could do the trip from Anchorage to Seward. You'd have to catch a very early train or rent a car. It's not really feasible though, you'd have to drive back to Anchorage that night to start your cruisetour. It's quite a long drive around the Cook Inlet. I think you would need an extra day.

Ketchikan: Misty Fjords national monument:

This was a very cool flight in an old classic plane. Beautiful scenery from air, our pilot set the plane down in one of the beautiful fjords. No wildlife there, but many eagles are visible in the town and flying over the area to get to Misty fjords.

I enjoyed this excursion but it did not compare with our experience at Kenai Fjords National Park by any stretch.

Actually if my trip was in July (during the salmon run) you may want to try to book a bear tour out of Ketchikan through Island Wings, (check out the website), very difficult to get tickets for this trip called Anon creek, also very expensive, but someday I'd like to do that one.:)

 

Alaska has a way of pulling you back, so this may not be your only trip to the 49th state.

Hope you can make your decision on your itinerary.

Good luck.

Your info and pics have been priceless thank you soooo much.

Yes this will be our 1st trip to Alaska. That off the beat excursion sounds amazing. We will be with my mom so we will do the White pass train, definitely no kayaking lol. Is this train ride similar to the one on the land portion of tour?

Cruise departs 7/30 so hopefully we are not too late to see the salmon run.

Funny we are going to Hawaii for the 1st time this summer and I want to do a helicopter tour but I am a little scared lets say of small planes especially helicopter.

I always said I have to do this in Alaska. Ahem.....you mentioned Classic Old plane....How many seats is this. Have you ridden a helicopter? Does the plane "feel safer".:o

Thanks

Kerri

I love NCL and will be trying Princess for the 1st time. Sailing Majestic very soon:-)From what I have heard though the Majestic might not be a fair 1st assessment for Princess being changes

because of Chinese market. I am sure it will be awesome though!

My favorite thing about NCL is the many dining options. The fact that it is more casual. I am fretting right now about bringing dressier clothes for this Princess cruise a little. Also being Spring it will be cooler so no sundresses.

Happy planning

Kerri

Story I don't remember name. They had little kitchenette.

Yes many options for excursions at Denali.

No we did not do sled dog excursion. There are many options for this in Juneau.

Yes we did many ship excursions. That part of trip was equally fun!

Ketchikan: private tour Misty fjords national monument tour by Island wings.

Juneau: Taku glacier lodge flight over Juneau ice fields and salmon lunch through ncl.

Skagway: private excursion toGlacier wilderness Safari to the Davidson glacier. You can also book this one through Ncl but it will cost you $50 more.

 

 

Thankyou so much for this amazing review. I love these boards. Your pics are amazing! I wish I could extend my trip more to include Kenai peninsula.

WAs the misty fjords tour equally as scenic as Kenai? If I arrive one day earlier to hotel in anchorage, How far is that National park tour? Do they pick up at hotel?

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Never too late for report this is one now:-). Where is this?

I never did do a review, I wonder if it's too late?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I see you are still writing thankyou so much!! Restaurant sounds amazing!!! Bar visit at very least.

Loving all your info:-)

Next was our first night at the Hotel Alyeska. It is the best hotel in all of Alaska. Dinner is on your own.

Rooms were beautiful with heated towel racks, wonderful beds. Included in your stay are 2 passes up to the top of the gondola.

We booked a dinner (very far in advance) at the very small restaurant at the top of the gondola, that only has about 6 tables at the 5 star Seven Glaciers restaurant. If you like fine dining and an unbelievable wine list, go there. The views are killer and we had one of the best overall dining experiences of our lives. The clouds were so pretty they made you cry, (I think it was the Roccioli wine kicking in):')

If you don't want dinner but just a drink, the bar is also really beautiful.

Don't miss the indoor pool and huge jacuzzi with a view.

OMG!! Thanks so much for this info!!!

I am so happy to hear this. That hotel looks AMAZING and was the deciding factor on not doing the tour from Fairbanks.

What hotel did you stay in Denali?

Did they have lots of excursions from there?

I know they visit the dog mush kennel. Did that visit seem enough or did you want to go back and do a dog sled ride? A shore excursion does that on some ports.

Did you do ship excursions?

Thanks:-)

Kerri

That is funny....upsell only to try to be downsold!

I just had same thing on my upcoming Majestic cruise.

I have 2 balconies booked. They offered to switch to inside 50 percent cruise back, plus another 200 all OBC and specialty dinner.

So I accepted for 1 room. Still have 1 balcony.....Inside is across hall and I have over 1600 OBC. This will pay for shore excursions. Still keep beverage package. So I am happy.

Kerri

Hi,

I just booked this tour

r.https://www.ncl.com/cruises/12-day-denali-alyeska-explorer---southbound-cruisetour-SBDENALIALYESK2SUN7SWDICYJNUSGYKTNVAN?cruiseTour=1&autoPopulate=f&destinations=4294961386&cruiseHotel=1&numberOfGuests=4294953449&pageSize=10&ships=4294960761&cruise=1&sortBy=Featured&from=resultPage&state=null&sailmonths=4294953376&currentPage=2&cruiseHotelAir=1&itineraryCode=SBDENALIALYESK2SUN7SWDICYJNUSGYKTNVAN

Hope link shows.

I do like Northbound cruise better but for work I have to do Southbound.

Has anyone done this. I was surprised seemed very pricey. More expensive than my Epic Land Sea in Italy and that was for 14 days and breakfast every day included as well as some dinners etc.

I booked this with the $50 deposit. Is this refundable if I do cancel?

I am interested if anyone knows the hotels they use?

Does it matter what side of train you sit on?

I booked a balcony and an outside cabin. I was very surprised to see that many OV gone already on Port side. This is for a July 2018 trip. Guess I am not the only crazy booker more than a year ahead LOL.

Any info on this itinerary....sound great would love to hear 1st hand info. Also what types of excursions are avail hotels.

Thanks

Kerri

Thankyou so much for this live report with great pics.

I can't wait to board on 4/9 and this is my 1st Princess cruise.

Very happy to hear ship is 99 percent done! and hopefully 100 percent done very soon lol

thanks

Kerri

We've done the train ride from Fairbanks twice and would do it again. Yes, all that activity is a lot but beautiful. Talkeetna is a great town. First time in Talkeetna we went there there were only a few shops and no paved roads. Now Talkeetna is so built up as is Denali area from our first trip. When you get on ship you can rest.. We did end of Aug/Sept. Weather was below 25- 80.

Thanks. So hard to decide. I think we will do the one from Fairbanks. My daughter who will be 16 I think will definitely do better with more optional excursion time.

So psyched! I will post a new thread with more questions after I book

Thanks :-)

Kerri

Hi,

I am looking at either the 12 day Denali by Rail Explorer Southbound tour from Fairbanks.

or

12 day Denali-Alyeska Explorer Southbound from Anchorage. Both depart 7/26/18.

Both tours do Tundra wilderness tours and Dog Mushing visit and have train rides .

Anchorage has train to Denali. Fairbanks has that and Denali to takneeta and Denali to Fairbanks.

Is the Northern Train part a MUST do???

My concern is even though we will see more of Alaska obviously leaving from Fairbanks.......

The Tundra Wilderness tour is after the train ride from Fairbanks to Denali.

And cruise day is Train to Takneeta And Bus to Anchorage.

So that is a LOT of sitting.

Has anyone done the long rail journey? Is it a smooth ride? Worth it?

Other tour seems more relaxing but sees less. Although relaxing one also has tram to top of Mt Alyeska and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Ctr. Longer Rail Fairbanks tour goes to Anchorage Zoo.

Thanks

Kerri