paulajj

It is very stressful when something like that happens. I'm glad you got it sorted. Have a great time!!!

This happened to me earlier in the week. Exactly the same thing. 2 emails, 2 amounts. The amount owning the day I paid was the gratuities. The next day it showed as a credit in the same amount. Later in the day, just as I was about to phone them it was fixed and showed 0 balance. I would phone asap only because your final payment is so close.

I don't have any Obc so can't speak to that.

I have been having quite a few problems with the online booking this time.

PS I'm in Canada.

thank you so much for this wonderful review! I especially like when you're able to put in some prices. Gives me an idea of how much I will need for excursions.

awesome!!!

Maybe you could have them empty your mini fridge. Then you could put a bowl of fruit/ salad in there for later?

It's good to know that it's possible get by with only a carry-on and that formal dress isn't an absolute. Thanks for all the tips..I'm learning the science of efficient packing from youtube videos!

Oh my goodness. I haven't come close to learning this. My husband and I are such terrible over packers it's ridiculous. Lol! 2 big suitcases each and a carry on!!

I don't believe you can wear shorts or flip flops in the theatre in the evenings.

There weren't salads available late on the eclipse or Equinox when we were on them. I remember sweets. Cookies. Squares. That sort of thing.

On carnival and celebrity you can wear nice jeans every evening except formal in the dining room.

For us, cruising is a splurge. We've only done 3 so far with Alaska coming up in the summer. Our first cruise was in a jr suite on carnival. Our last 2 and the next (and quite probably all going forward) have been cat 9 insides.

Do we pay more than our friends who go to Cuba for $500 inclusive? Sure do. But for us cruising definitely has 'value'.

My husband doesn't drink. I drink very little. So all inclusive (or free drink pkg) doesn't add value. We rarely eat in the specialty restaurants and my 8lb weight gain will tell you that I enjoy the food!

We spend a lot of money on shore excursions. But we like to be busy and aren't great at going it alone so it's worth it for us.

If I was paying $7000 for a room instead of $2000 would I see a value. Hard to say. I guess it would depend on how much money was in the bank.

But where I get REAL value is when I'm standing on that ship, leaning on a railing and breathing in the air. Feeling the water move. Ahhhh. I'm so thankful in those moments...

If it were free it would be even slower because everyone would be on it all the time.

We are going on a 12 day in August and do no want to pay for an excursion at each port. There are walking trails at most ports. That's what we plan on doing to keep costs down but still get out in the "wild".

Here are some we are considering.

Sitka- Gavin hill trail, Indian river trail

Skagway - we are doing Laughton glacier wilderness hike and white pass. $250 each Canadian.

There is also sturgills landing hike

Icy strait point - may do whale watch

Juneau - we are doing harv and Marv's but there is mendenhall glacier and nugget falls

Ketchikan - deer mountain hike

Victoria - city bus to butchart gardens

Astoria - Astoria colum and trolley ride

Gives you an idea of what can be done for free or for very little.

Our Alaska excursions have gone up a great deal on the Canadian website. I'm assuming it's due to our dollar being so low.

I completely agree. It's YOUR money. I have done 1 mini suite and 2 insides. I personally would rather do a longer cruise or a few more excursions and do my sight seeing on deck. I have a budget for Alaska so I booked the best inside room available and now I can also go and see some whales!

Dasani and others have salt. When they have minerals added its generally some form of salt. I'm in Canada too.

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I have missed out on excursions by waiting too long. I now also book the must do ones right away and leave the rest for the obc.

Thanks for your awesome review!

SHIP: Eclipse

CABIN #: 1530

DECK #: 11

CLASS: inside

AREA:

BED NEAR:Wall

QUIET?: Very quiet

BALCONY VIEW:N/A

BALCONY SIZE:N/A

WIND A PROBLEM?:N/A

SOOT A PROBLEM?:N/A

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS:SHIP:This room is the same size as most balcony rooms. Bigger then some. Plenty of room. Two floors below buffet but on the other side of the dining room. We booked the exact room on Equinox. - paulajj

Ship: Equinox

Cabin #: 1530

Deck: 11

Class: inside

Bed near: Far wall

Quiet? Creaking wall noises when there is lots of movement. Quite loud some nights.

Balcony view: No balcony

Comments: This room is the same size as most balcony rooms. Bigger then some. Plenty of room. Two floors below buffet but on the other side of the dinning room.

Would book this room again.