dread_pirate

I just returned from Alaska, and we went with Orca Enterprises. We saw so many whales! There were only about 20 people on board, and everyone was able to see everything! Very sweet people. One whale came so close to the boat that even Captain Larry came out to see it! We could see the entire animal just under the surface - amazing!

I'm another - just did my first solo cruise, and it won't be my last! DH isn't all that crazy about cruising, and I get more vacation than he does.

I love having the cabin to myself - going to bed at 9 or reading until 3 is great. And there's always enough going on onboard that I didn't get lonely!

In Canada the Debit card takes directly from your bank account as well

Our Credit cards have a foreign transaction fee added to the Currency exchange rate when using the card out of the country.... it is more or less hidden & can be 2-4% depending on the card

You only know about the fee if you read the Credit Card agreement (which most people do not read )

 

Lyn

Same in the States - debit cards take the money directly out of checking/savings accounts, and many credit cards charge a "foreign transaction fee" on top of the exchange rate for anything except US dollars.

There are, however, some cards that don't charge a foreign transaction fee. You can find them by shopping around a bit.

but RCCL charges 2.5% for using one.

RCCL charges for passengers to use credit cards??? Really???

Just return your questionnaire with one flight time.

And if they do not give you both the same assignment, go to the Purser's desk to have the later one changed to the earlier one, assuming there is room on that bus for you.

Thank you both!

Just did it May 19th; disembarked the Diamond.

 

1. You received luggage tags according to your flight time; ours was late so we had the last bus.

 

My DH and I are on different flights out of Seattle; mine is several hours after his. Anyone know if we can be on the same bus?

Ariel Jacobbe! Cats Pajamas! Amadeus!

I'm so glad that someone mentioned Ariel Jacobe! He (yes, a he) is a phenomenal talent - he can pick up tunes on the fly, loves requests, and also likes sing-a-longs. I spent most evenings in Gatsby's listening to him.

I also have to say, contrary to most opinions here, that I was underwhelmed with Jose and Patti. They are undoubtedly very talented, but I didn't really like Jose trying to sound like the people whose music he was doing (Johnny Cash or Neil Diamond, for example). Also way too much talking. And even though we were on the Dawn from Boston, and I am a Red Sox fan, did we really need to hear Sweet Caroline at least twice a night??

Take the 7.5 hr Train/Bus tour from Chillkoot Charters - Train from Skagway to Fraiser, bus from Fraiser to Carcross - it also offers lunch at Caribou Crossing and an optional visit with the sled dogs. This tour is about 1/3 train and 2/3 bus.

This is the one I just booked, with the dogs, and we're so excited!

I know that renting a car would give us more options on our own, but then one of us wouldn't be able really to look at the scenery en route (only at stops), and we didn't think that was fair!

I just cancelled transfers from Anchorage to Whittier without fee, but it's before final payment. We're taking the train instead; we need to be in Whittier at a certain time for a pre-cruise excursion (also booked separately). And we prefer trains to motorcoaches anyway.

But we are taking the Princess transfers from Vancouver to Seattle - much less hassle than trying to book it ourselves. Don't have to get from the ship to the train station with luggage, worry about schedule, etc. And our flights out of Seattle are late enough that I don't think it'll be a problem.

Anyone ever do the Tribute to Frank Sinatra cruise with Ron Della Chiesa? In the past they've sailed in the Caribbean but this year they're doing Boston to Bermuda.

I've put a deposit down, but I'd love any opinions that anyone has!

Thanks.

I do watch for price drops at least daily. So far my Alaska cruise has come down $400 total.

Do cruise lines adjust the price if they drop the fare? I'm going to book tomorrow, and I'd love it if they did!

If not, I assume you check prices only before you book?