don'tleavewithoutme

Being an overly cautious type, I always take pharmacy-labeled containers even for domestic travel. A natural disaster or a 9/11-type event could cause one to run out of meds and need proof to be able to get more.

Doing without some prescriptions isn't an option!

Be sure to pack your warmest clothes for being outdoors on "glacier day." The wind/breeze coming off the glaciers makes it feel like you entered a windy deep freeze.

The specialty drink on glacier day should be what they call "molten glacier" and it is not to be missed! It's something like hot chocolate with creme de menthe, creme de cocoa, and marshmallow. Yum!

The Diamond's Sept 29 out of Sydney for New Zealand missed all of the South Island except for Picton (which really doesn't count IMHO) due to weather. Huge disappointment for my first trip down under.

We ended up staying in Wellington for 2 days (not on original itinerary) before venturing out to Picton. That night crossing the Cook Strait the winds were 150 km/hour and the Captain told people to take their seasick meds and tidy their cabins. I slept through it all without the meds. Lucky me!

I've missed other ports d/t weather, too. It definitely is the Captain's responsibility to avoid weather perils whenever possible to keep pax and crew safe.

Skywalkers is usually quiet - except in the mornings when Knitters and Natters gather there. You might have to move away from us if you need absolute quiet!

On my last couple of cruises, I had to ask for the Elite bathroom amenities. I wonder if the stewards are told to withhold them unless asked??? :confused:

I, too, bring my own shampoo/conditioner and soap. The stuff in the dispensers is not to my liking at all. Loved the old eucalyptus bath gel and hand lotion. Bringing home the remnant of the old bar soap could remind me of cruising for a while after the cruise!

Congratulations - you'll be so glad to have booked this! I've traveled solo, with DH, with sis, with GF - and while they were nice, the solo ones (Europe, Alaska, Coastals) have been by far the best. I now have two transatlantics booked solo and can't wait.

You're doing it for all the right reasons - mainly to get to choose anything, everything, or nothing - all for what you want to do.

On my last cruise, I called Room Service before they had set up the Mini-Bar. I asked for all bottled water - and they brought 18 bottles! :D

It's really your choice - the rain would be warm.

However, do take either a waterproof camera or a rain cover for your not-so-waterproof camera. My camera's Storm Jacket came in quite useful on our rainy canal day a couple of years ago......

Someone reading this likely has more information than I do, but I have been told that at least one of Princess' sister cruise lines will not allow you to just change ships while in port in Vancouver. They require an overnight stay or jump to a different cruise line. Any truth to this?

I, too, have changed ships on the same day in Vancouver with no problem on Princess. Another time I unwittingly tried to book a non-PVSA-compliant trip and Princess' computers disallowed it.

I'm glad the passenger got the treatment he needed.

As far as blood donations go, here is some of the reasoning (I am a professional blood banker):

The ship's infirmary can do blood typing and crossmatching, but has limited ability to test for all the infectious diseases that are required of a stateside blood bank. That's likely why they require a blood donor card - the very best testing that can be done is what we call "in vivo" testing, that is, if your blood has previously been fully tested then given to someone who had no sign of disease transmission from it. So blood from a regular blood donor, assuming the types are matched, is usually quite safe.

A random passenger who had not been donating regularly would not have had all of the testing done recently nor the test of successful transfusion to someone. Likewise, the crew would not have been recently tested, and many of the countries represented by the crew have issues with endemic malaria, hepatitis and other diseases.

Another vote for leaving the umbrella at home. Even ponchos do not keep you very dry if it's pouring and windy - a good jacket with a hood that will cinch up, possibly even rain pants will keep you dry the best.

My first visit to Ketchikan was in a chilly, pouring rain, but it was no problem with decent gear. We felt sorry for the folks fighting to keep the hoods of their ponchos covering their heads, and saw a number of broken umbrellas.

That said - it's not the end of the world if you do get rinsed with the pure, cool water of the NW's rain. When you get back to the ship, find a hot tub and enjoy!

Usually DH doesn't want to go - finds "at sea" days boring. I have found, too, that I'd rather be solo than "alone in a room full of people." Just wish solo cruising wasn't so expensive - that keeps me cruising sometimes with a friend or relative, but solo cruising is definitely worth saving for.

Another vote here for Chilkoot Charters. The small bus size is great, and the driver seemed to know when the big buses were coming and did his best to avoid them. At the photo stops we usually had the turnout to ourselves. Chilkoot reserves a train car just for their guests.

I went with them to Carcross a couple of years ago, this year will go with them again up to Bennet.

I have been told that it is good to ask if they would like something while at a port stop. Apparently there are US ports where crew (at least from some countries) are not allowed off the ship. One friend tries to get ethnic food of their choice as a gift. (in addition to cash tips, not in place of cash.)

Or for soda or water. As you wish!

On the Island Princess recently, they had it open for $60 for the day in Glacier Bay. It was wonderful - the service, the lack of crowding at the rail for pictures, etc. The Sanctuary had very little use other days, particularly when it rained!

Very nice, thank you! I have a window suite booked for May - can't wait!

Captain Nicolo Bommarco will be on the Island in May (Alaska).

My first cruise was in 2010, and I am so addicted. It's incredibly rude for anyone to guess our finances or our motives - what if I said, "what, you bought another car?" or "you went clothes shopping again?" or other equally inane remark.

I cruise because I love it, because I'm doing it while I am still healthy enough to do so, and to escape from the hum drum. I always have a cruise or two booked ahead for something to look forward to.

We skimp on other things, like living in a small house that is almost 50 years old. So what! It's our choice how we spend whatever we have.

I'm 63, married, work full-time in healthcare, have 2 grown kids and 4 grandkids. I discovered solo cruising last year, and that one cruise now has me booked for 3 solos this year - San Francisco to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Anchorage this spring, then a late summer trip to Scandinavia/Russia.

I have taken one cruise with DH, two with my younger sister, and a number with a close girlfriend. Solo cruising means I have peace and quiet with no chatter when I want solitude, the freedom to make other friends on board - either in the public spaces or at Anytime Dining. It also means, God forbid that if we have to muster, I don't have to wonder where my traveling companion went!

Prefer to leave DH at home for various reasons, and my elderly parents live with me half of the year. So, for now, my cruising is limited to the months my dear parents aren't here (they are adamant non-cruisers), and also limited by the amount of vacation time I have.

Sure hope I can keep cruising some after I retire - I'll need to get outta the house alone for sure!