LEtue

HARMONY OF THE SEAS, RC

I just booked the April 1, 2017, 7 day eastern carib out of Ft. Lauderdale, single inside studio including taxes for $1300.

No Single Supplement charge!!!

Never a supplement on the studio cabins. Keep an eye on the pricing though since the inside cabins are often just a bit more :)

99% sure we will book this...soon! But, on the PCL excursion reservation page, there are 2 different prices listed for this: $229 and $209. It doesn't indicate what the difference is. Anyone know? They both say "adult" after the price. Also, anyone know how large the boat is? Right now it says there are 20 spaces left.

I only see one adult price and two departure times for my cruise in July. It could be a mistake? Or they have added another operator/departure?

Select Excursion Time:

Price: Space Available:

07:30AM - 01:00PM

Adult: $209.95 | Child: $159.95 20

07:35AM - 01:05PM

Adult: $209.95 | Child: $159.95 20

You will have one of the best "obstructed" view cabins on the Emerald deck. We spend 36 days last year in E633 on the Ruby Princess.

Crown/Emerald and Ruby are identical.

The bed was against the wall on the Ruby.

 

One thing I like to bring to your attention; right below your window is a shallow tool shed (not in your line of view until you right at the window and look straight down) that in our case they forgot to lock sometimes and that made the door swing open and shut during the night. A quick call to the service desk took care of it.

 

Theo

I just booked E632 on the Ruby based on the pictures on your site :)

I had saved the link for future reference and I just wanted to say thank you!

As I posted before, I do believe that Princess has decided to make the change and has rigged a test to get the results they want. There is a very high percentage of first time cruisers in Alaska who will not know that Princess didn't require prepayment of shore excursions and will be happy with the test. If this change is made I will only book Princess shore excursions if I don't have another option. There are some attractions that are not open to the public when a cruise is in port but Princess will contract with that attraction for a tour, the attraction may be so far away that there is a risk of a private tour missing the ship, or there just aren't enough people on a Roll Call to set up private tours.

I am sure you are right about most new cruisers to Alaska. But if they find their way to a roll call - they will be educated about independent options - which can be booked individually. There are some very good ones without ties to the cruise lines. The only excursion I would have trouble with on my upcoming trip is the small boat tour that leaves directly from the ship in Tracy Arm.

I guess we will see how far Princess goes! :(

We all know that Princess makes some of the revenue for each cruise from shore excursions and I guess they think prepay is the way to go. I book a mixture of independent and ship excursions for Alaska only and if Princess makes the switch I will not book any of their excursions - the same as when I sail with any other cruise line.....

This is one of the things that I really love about Princess and I haven't had any excursion canceled due to lack of participation so I don't buy the fact that too many are cancel and Princess can't plan ahead.

Not sure why Princess feels if the others are doing it - they should. :(

I gave up on HAL because they charge 200% for inside cabins on Alaska sailings :(

They may offer some discounts at the last minute that I have missed though....

Hi Linda, so I assume that your Alaska cruise is out of Seattle or Canada then, not out of San Fran?

Yes, I am sailing R/T from Seattle this year :)

Thankfully our Alaska cruise does not require prepayment of excursions. There is no discount offered to do so but we can prepay if we choose. I wouldnt mind paying for a couple (3 booked) but if you choose to prepay then you have to prepay them all. There is one I could cancel and rebook later but the other two I might risk losing my spot (popular small excursions). I was surprised that like Celebrity we didnt need to pay when booking but it would appear this is the last year this is possible. On our landtour, all excursions need prepayment but refunds are processed very promptly.

Same for me. I don't want to give up the small boat tour in Tracy Arm or the Glacier Wilderness Safari. Whale watching I can book on board if necessary. Bear watching in Ketchikan is booked with Island Wings so that's all set :)

I cannot imagine cruising Alaska in an inside cabin, get an ocean view at the very least. It is all about the view and with longer day light - there will be lots to see from the cabin or balcony.

 

Have cruises in inside, OV, balcony and mini suites and unless I find a bargain price on something more close to final payment - I always book inside cabins. Never got any value from the balcony as I am always running up top to see 360 degree views. The one OV cabin I had didn't provide enough of a view either and I never spent time just looking at the window.

So consider all of your options and make the trip about what you want - including the ports. My money is spent on excursions and I don't want to skimp there ;)

We were probably lucky this year and before we sailed south on the Star Princess (Aug 29) we did the the 26 Glacier Cruise with Phillips. We saw many seals and otters along with a pod of orcas. No humpbacks though.....

The scenery alone was worth the trip and the weather was sunny, dry and warm for us - which I guess you can't count on in late August. This was the first year that I sailed that late and it was my best weather trip overall. So, you never know what you will get in Alaska - but it is all great!

Thank you for the quick responses! Based on the feedback I have found these three cruises. Should we do HAL to see Tracy Arm? Which cruise do you think would most likely have something for everyone on board? Thoughts?

 

7 Night Inside Passage

 

Princess Cruises

Crown Princess

Sailing August 6, 2016

 

To experience the real Alaska, come to where the mountains are taller, the rivers mightier and the wildlife more plentiful than any place else on earth. This is cruising Alaska. A rugged, untamed wilderness where the forests go on forever and the summer days never end. Alaska is a pristine wilderness of ice-blue glaciers, snow-capped mountain peaks and huge whales breaking the surface of crystalline waters.

 

Day Location Arrival Departure

Saturday, August 6, 2016 Seattle, Washington Check In Starts At 1200p Check -- 04:00 PM

Sunday, August 7, 2016 At Sea -- --

Monday, August 8, 2016 Juneau, Alaska 11:00 AM 10:00 PM

Tuesday, August 9, 2016 Skagway, Alaska 06:00 AM 08:15 PM

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska ( Scenic Cruisin 06:00 AM 03:00 PM

Thursday, August 11, 2016 Ketchikan, Alaska 07:00 AM 01:00 PM

Friday, August 12, 2016 Victoria, B.c. Canada 07:00 PM 11:59 PM

Saturday, August 13, 2016 Seattle, Washington 07:00 AM --

 

7-day Roundtrip Vancouver

 

Holland America Line

Holland America Line

Nieuw Amsterdam

Sailing July 30, 2016

 

To experience the real Alaska, come to where the mountains are taller, the rivers mightier and the wildlife more plentiful than any place else on earth. This is cruising Alaska. A rugged, untamed wilderness where the forests go on forever and the summer days never end. Alaska is a pristine wilderness of ice-blue glaciers, snow-capped mountain peaks and huge whales breaking the surface of crystalline waters.

 

Day Location Arrival Departure

Saturday, July 30, 2016 Vancouver, B.c., Ca Check In Starts At 1200p -- 05:00 PM

Sunday, July 31, 2016 Scenic Cruising The Insidepassage Cruising Only -- --

Monday, August 1, 2016 Tracy Arm, Alaska, Us Access To Shore Limited To S 10:00 AM 10:30 AM

Monday, August 1, 2016 Juneau, Alaska, Us 01:00 PM 10:00 PM

Tuesday, August 2, 2016 Skagway, Alaska, Us 07:00 AM 09:00 PM

Wednesday, August 3, 2016 Glacier Bay Cruising Only 07:00 AM 04:00 PM

Thursday, August 4, 2016 Ketchikan, Alaska, Us 10:00 AM 06:00 PM

Friday, August 5, 2016 Scenic Cruising The Insidepassage Cruising Only -- --

Saturday, August 6, 2016 Vancouver, B.c., Ca 07:00 AM --

 

 

7-day Glacier Bay From Seattle

 

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Pearl

Sailing July 31, 2016

 

Visual Tour: Norwegian Pearl

 

To experience the real Alaska, come to where the mountains are taller, the rivers mightier and the wildlife more plentiful than any place else on earth. This is cruising Alaska. A rugged, untamed wilderness where the forests go on forever and the summer days never end. Alaska is a pristine wilderness of ice-blue glaciers, snow-capped mountain peaks and huge whales breaking the surface of crystalline waters.

 

Day Location Arrival Departure

Sunday, July 31, 2016 Seattle -- 04:00 PM

Monday, August 1, 2016 At Sea -- --

Tuesday, August 2, 2016 Juneau 02:00 PM 10:00 PM

Wednesday, August 3, 2016 Skagway 07:00 AM 08:15 PM

Thursday, August 4, 2016 Cruise Glacier Bay -- --

Friday, August 5, 2016 Ketchikan 06:00 AM 01:30 PM

Saturday, August 6, 2016 Victoria, Bc, Canada 06:00 PM 11:59 PM

Sunday, August 7, 2016 Seattle 08:00 AM --

Based on your group I would go with a R/T itinerary out of Seattle or Vancouver. Don't eliminate Holland America. The Westerdam gets great reviews and you get Sitka and Glacier Bay which many people enjoy.

7 nights departing July 30, 2016 on

Holland America's Westerdam

DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART

Sat Jul 30 Seattle, WA 4:00pm

Sun Jul 31 At Sea

Mon Aug 1 Juneau, AK 1:00pm 10:00pm

Tue Aug 2 Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Cruising)

Wed Aug 3 Sitka, AK 7:00am 3:30pm

Thu Aug 4 Ketchikan, AK 7:00am 1:00pm

Fri Aug 5 Victoria, BC, Canada 6:00pm 11:59pm

Sat Aug 6 Seattle, WA 7:00am

For any of us that have sailed on HAL we know what a nice bed feels like. I hope these new ones will be as nice :)

The ones that Princess uses currently are like folding cot mattresses so it is no wonder that everyone's experience is different. Some will break down faster and some of the suites may have different ones? Lately I have only booked inside cabins when cruising Alaska - so that is all I can speak to.

My bed on the Star Princess in August was my worst of any cruise - ever! So I am really looking forward to the new ones on the Ruby!

So far I have been able to hold my Alaska excursions for July - with no pre-pay requirement.

I am hoping this doesn't change because I have OBC to use and want to go toward excursions.

Ruby is the first Princess ship getting the new mattresses. I read this February it was to happen. However, posters that recently cruise said it is already done.

Glad to hear this and I hope it covered all of the cabins :D

Are you able to book your air using multi city like we can in the US? For example into Anchorage and out of Vancouver or the reverse? I have done that with great success and the prices aren't much more than R/T from Seattle.

I would recommend a one way trip either north or south - or a R/T Vancouver if you do not have time for a land tip on either end.

The southbound itinerary on Princess is the best in my opinion if a one way trip works for you. Good luck choosing!

I've read elsewhere that the best tour operators are booked quickly.

How do I determine which are the best?

Anan Creek in Ketchikan

Bears in Juneau (Pack Creek)

Bears in Kodiak

 

Do any of you have opinions or places where you figure this information out?

I've only been to the Alaska.org &Visit Ketchikan type sites...

I am booked for July with Island Wings to Anan Creek and there is a list on their website of the remaining dates and spaces/permits still available.

http://www.islandwings.com

Anyone ever noticed that when one goes to the Plaza forward elevator, it usually arrives there EMPTY:D! No waiting.

Yes! Loved those elevators and was able to get up top quickly ever time - mostly alone :D A great benefit of being in a forward cabin!

Booked P318, P322, P326, P338 for some of my closest friends and myself on an October cruise on the Crown Princess. There was no DJ in the Piazza. There was, almost nightly, Los Brillantes (a Mexican Trio) that played okay music. Once behind closed doors, you couldn't hear them.

 

One flight up and forward is the Princess Theater lower entrance.

 

No steps midship and you have the International Cafe/Coffee Bar/etc.

 

Shops are on the upper floors.

 

And one of the best perks is the forward elevator that is steps away. Never a wait, never crowds of people.

 

It does look like the Ruby has the passageway doors that open out to the Piazza (which are closed at night). It is not a constant flow of people, but enough to make it noticeable.

 

Only problem you will encounter is if you are scheduled for dinner in the Botticelli Dining Room on Deck 6. You will have to walk up two flights of stairs, walk to the aft, and THEN down a flight of stairs. I was fortunate enough to have the Maitre 'd move my party of 7 (all elderly) to DaVinci.

 

As I have mentioned before, it is one of the best interior locations on any ship since I rarely go up to the Lido Deck.

I loved the location too but the doors were definitely not closed at night on the Star so it looks like all ships handle it differently.....

We had cabin P318 and we heard a little noise from the casino but the worst noise was from the art gallery. Every night it sounded like something was banging in to the walls.

 

If you like the Plaza deck, I would choose one near the front under the theatre.

Thanks for mentioning the Art Gallery. You could hear noise nightly from there and yes it did seem like they were pounding on the walls. :( It wasn't constant though and once I fell asleep - they never woke me up.

My sensitivity is to the bass in music and when it is loud it seems to reverberate around in your head making it hard to fall asleep :eek:

Thank you, but I vacation to do what I want, not what the cruise line or you think I should do.

 

I haven't seen anyone on this thread say that RCI shouldn't have party music as late as wished, just move it to to a location that gives passengers a choice of participating or not.

Exactly!

Not sure why others think that because we don't care for something - we need to change. :rolleyes:

I don't cruise the Caribbean and in Alaska and the Med the days are so full that I am usually exhausted by 10 pm. I don't think it is too much to expect a peaceful cabin while on vacation......

Only one of my trips has been in October (sailed Oct 20, 2014). We had warm days - 80 degrees in Rome for the pre-cruise and 60's in some of the ports. We also had a few light showers so take a light jacket.

I didn't wear shorts during the trip and I live in shorts at home year round :)

Probably some group space somewhere....so keep checking!

I guess the days of entertainment staying in the entertainment venues is long gone. I really don't mind some of it being in the centrum but why so late at night? And does it have to be so loud?

I had my worse Princess cruise ever on the Star Princess in August due to a loud DJ in the Piazza on a few nights. So I guess all of the cruise lines are moving their entertainment out of the normal "confined" areas :mad:

I have used Walks of Italy and Context and both were very good. So there are 2 options for you to check out :)

Enjoy Rome!

Thank you!

Delta is notorious for flight changes, I usually use them but the flights were $800 more for Delta so I have American and check everyday.

Most of the major airlines have schedule changes/updates twice a year - based on my experience.

We had 2 flight changes on American/US Air from May to October for our cruise from Rome. The last change really worked well for me because I got better flights when I called. Good to keep checking :)

Thanks to the site cruiseplum it's really easy now. Since its not a travel agency we are allow to mention it.

 

https://www.cruiseplum.com/solo-supplement-deals

 

Follow the link above

Where you see a blue button with "cruise" I choose the option "none"

Then go all the way over to price per day and click so I can see the cheapest per day solo deals.

 

You have the option to pick various ways of finding the best deals,but that works best for me since I like longer cruises.

Thanks for posting this link! I never knew this site existed and I just booked the Harmony to the Med for October :D

This has me concerned:eek:. I have a P326 on the Emerald reserved, and am now second guessing.

Can you elaborate more on what was going on in the piazza to make it that noisy? Normally rehersals are in the Princess Theater, or some dedicated music spot. Could it have been what I call the "Champagne waterfall party"?

Just trying to figure out if this Piazza noise was particular to your specific voyage, or an all the time problem...

(I had one of those cabins on the Sapphire 10 years ago, and I didn't hear Piazza/Atrium noise then. I realize the International Cafe HAS made the piazza/Atrium much more busy since then.)

Honestly, I would have had to get dressed and go out again to see what was going on and I didn't. I tried to make the best of it with earplugs but the champagne waterfall events that I remember didn't last very long and they didn't seem to be that loud. I could be wrong though since I haven't attended one in a long time.

I think a lot of the cruise lines have recently extended their entertainment venues to include the centrum/piazza areas of the ship. In my case it was 3 nights of very loud DJ type music and it lasted after 11pm - one night until around midnight.

On the Serenade of the Seas we saw this in October 2014 to the Med but it was quiet by 10 PM so it wasn't an issue even though we were only 5 doors off the Centrum.

So, like you I had never had a problem until P323 on the Star :(