azevedan

Other "R" ships most recent scores:

Journey (Azamara) 96

Pacific (Princess) 93

Quest (Azamara) 90

the other Oceania "R" ships aren't listed on the CDC site, just the Regatta.

Sodas were in cans

You said potentially the O ships would be affected, then you said they will not be?

We are booked on the Riviera for June 2014.

In reading the article, it appears that the ships can still dock but probably at the other terminal and a diversion that brings them there without going into the center of town?

I for one would miss this cruise, although I agree that St. Mark's square is crazy now. When we were younger we would stay at a hotel and get up at midnight and go have a drink and dance in the square. I was hoping for one more time in my life!

According to the article (my only source, except for the ship sizes, which I got from wikipedia (and Azamara's website to verify the R size)), there are TWO changes coming. The one that affects ships the size of O's "O" class is in January, 2014, when the traffic of ships over 40K tons must be reduced in the lagoon where they dock now to 20% of the prior allowance (whatever that was). That is the one that would potentially mean you would dock or tender a little farther out. I would strongly suspect you would still be in Venice on the same dates, just docked/tendered in a different location IF Riviera is even told to dock/tender further out. Some 40K+ ships WILL (according to the article) be allowed to dock in the lagoon, just far fewer.

THEN, in November, 2014, ships over 96K tons will be prohibited from docking in the lagoon. Since all of O's ships are smaller than this, it will not apply to any of them, O or R class. But the lower number allowed for ships between 40K and 96K tons will still be in place.

To summarize:

Now

- Status quo

Jan 2014:

- Ships under 40K tons (R class) - no change

- Ships 40K tons or more (O class) - only 1/5 the number will be allowed in lagoon where they are now

Nov 2014:

- Ships under 40K tons (R class) - no change

- Ships 40K tons to 96K tons (O class) - only 1/5 the number will be allowed in lagoon where they are now

- Ships 96K tons or more (NONE of Oceania's ships are in this category) - banned from lagoon where they are now

I have seen articles that do state 20% reduction, rather reduce to 20%, so there's obviously confusion out there. I also see some articles imply long tons rather than short (US) tons, but they're close enough that it doesn't change the Oceania ship classification.

Upshot is, IMO, the only thing to worry about is to be sure to clarify WHERE you'll be docked.

The news summary I read said reduce TO 20% of total not BY 20%. That's a huge difference.

yep. that's why I said "reduce TO 20%".

This may be helpful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cruise_ships

O's "O" ships will potentially be affected by the "reduce to 20%/over 40K tons/by Jan 2014."

"R" ships, at 30,277 tons, should not be.

None of the O ships will be affected by the "ban/over 96K tons/by Nov 2014."

I have a cruise for next year and found, by trial and error, that the only way I could access 'manage my booking' is as follows.

Log into 'My Azamara'

Then click on 'online check-in'

Then next to the reservation details, click on the Select drop down box, then click on the 'manage my booking' option.

This is crazy, something needs investigating ASAP by Azamara.

I don't have a drop-down....just Select which brings up the (non-functional) page. What am I missing?

We had welcome backs with champagne and other liquids and the lovely cold towels. No one else near us in port.

and the small boat was fabulous! We did a 9-day on the Pacific Catalyst, a 12-passenger wooden boat, 4 crew. If you search my name, you'll find my review....there's a thread in this forum about Alaska cruise reviews from this season.

Small boats go places the big boats can't. On the Catalyst (http://www.pacificcatalyst.com) we could linger; see wildlife and sealife up close; go whale watching; carry kayaks; have a walk on an ice-floe beach; be escorted by Dall's porpoises...oh, heck. Here's my husband's writeup and links to the videos and pictures.

We also did a big boat cruise on Norwegian. I enjoyed it for what it was, but we left knowing we had to come back and do a small boat.

Writeup:

Several years ago we visited Alaska on a large cruise ship. The Alaska portion of the trip was incredible, but between visits, you returned to civilization. We wanted to see what a small boat cruise was like, and after some searches on-line we decided to cruise on the Pacific Catalyst, an 80-year old 12-passenger former research vessel with a crew of 4. The cabins were small, but everything else about the trip was incredible. Unlike on the big boat, you were imbedded in the wilderness for the entire voyage.

Day 1

We had the morning to wander around Juneau. Went to the Alaska State Museum, which was a great place to visit, with exhibits on native culture and art. We had the museum to ourselves until the shore excursions from the big cruise ships started arriving. Then we wandered around the downtown, which has a lot of stairs, as it’s built on the side of a hill. We saw the governor’s mansion and an old Russian Orthodox church.

Juneau is the capitol of Alaska, and the 4th largest city with a population of over 30,000 people. On a busy day during the summer, there might be 5 large cruise ships in port, adding another 12,000 people roaming the streets. You cannot drive into Juneau, the only way in or out is via ship (i.e., ferry) or plane.

We departed Juneau at lunch time (lunch aboard), anchored in Swanson's cove for the night. Following lunch, Tracie (our chef) interviewed the passengers to determine food preferences. For the rest of the trip she prepared incredibly delicious and healthy meals for us three times a day. For those passengers with special needs or preferences (i.e., vegetarians), she made special accommodations. For Ann she substituted a meat entrée for fish items on the menu.

Day 2

On to Glacier Bay National Park, with a brief stop at the visitor's center, and a short hike into the woods and tidal flats.

As the Pacific Catalyst cruised into the park, Dall's porpoises surfed in our bow wave.

We spent the night anchored in North Finger Bay. On our first sea kayak adventure we saw otters, bears, bald eagles, and a moose. All the hikes, wildlife watching, and sea kayaks were in the company of the naturalist, who pointed out critters and items of interest. (Towards the end of the trip she gathered together everyone's photos to make a CD of the trip for all to share.)

Day 3

We visited Reid inlet, and hiked on a beach. This was followed by a boat ride through an ice field to John Hopkins Glacier, with some incredibly gorgeous scenery. There were humpback whales and mountain goats.

We anchored in Reid Inlet to be out of the wind.

Day 4

The next morning, as several of us enjoyed our morning coffee at the aft end of the boat, we saw a grizzly meandering down the snow-covered hillside on the shore 20 yards away. He paid no attention to us.

We sailed into the spot where the big cruise ships go - Marjerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, but had it to ourselves. There was lots of calving off Marjerie. As we were leaving, Holland America Volendam arrived (we could see it coming).

We kayaked around Puffin Island in the afternoon. There were more sea otters (floating with babies!), mountain goats, eagles and even a trumpeter swan. The day ended with Ann spotting another grizzly meandering up a river on shore at North Sandy Cove.

Day 5

At Muir Inlet, we hiked over a snow field into a glacial lake, where we saw harbor seals! In the afternoon, we zodiac'd in again to McBride Glacier, where we walked among the ice sculptures piled up on shore. (Ann had a seesaw ride on one.) The sculptures were ice bergs that had floated downstream from the glacier and been beached when the tide went out.

We anchored at Stump Cove that evening.

Day 6

We interrupted our cruising to watch a pod of Orcas feeding and playing. There were more humpbacks, puffins, sea lion colonies, black bears and otters everywhere. At Dundas Bay we walked on the beach, where we saw a marmot and lots of birds.

The ability to spend a few hours watch interesting stuff (i.e., Orcas) is one of the big advantages of the small boat over the large cruise ships.

Day 7

Another kayak trip. Then out of Glacier Bay NP into the Icy Strait. There was lots of wildlife and sea life (including a porpoises, whales, bears, otters. One whale was right next to the boat!)

We stopped at Elfin Cove (a secluded fishing village with a population of 2000) and walked around there. All of the houses had flower and vegetable gardens, as all fresh produce has to be shipped in. Most of the houses were on the south side of the mountain, where they maximized the sunlight available for their gardens.

We walked around a tidal pool with anemones, sea stars, etc.

We anchored at Jack's Cove that evening.

Day 8

Followed various whale sightings, we ended up getting a spectacular display of bubble netting right off the shore near Hoonah. The humpback has the most diverse feeding repertoire of all baleen whales. In a technique known as bubble netting, one whale swims in a shrinking circle blowing bubbles below a school of prey (herring). The shrinking ring of bubbles encircles the school and confines it in an ever-smaller cylinder. The whales then suddenly swim upward through the "net", mouths open, swallowing thousands of fish in one gulp! It was incredible to watch, and the process repeated itself every 10 minutes.

Went ashore at Hoonah and got a presentation (and song/dance) at the Tlingat mural being carved for the new visitor's center at Glacier Bay National Park.

We anchored at Swanson's Inlet, where we kayaked before dinner.

Day 9

More hiking and whale watching then back to Juneau.

The links to the pictures and videos follow.

Wildlife:

Videos

Dall’s porpoises

Brief view of whale bubble netting

Ice floes on beach

Seesaw ride on ice floe

Glacial lake

Starting the engine

Whales

Glacier calving

Ice field in John Hopkins Inlet

Orcas http://youtu.be/m9b0HMAs138

(this one was shot by someone else on the boat)

Other chase cards DO NOT OFFER :o what the UAL cards do...plain and simple.

The Chase Marriott Visa ($85 per year, and you get a free night hotel with it) also has the travel cancellation insurance.

We did one cruise on Azamara; going back this year.

I don't remember having any problems with the shower, but then I'm only 5'5" and of regular weight. DH is 5'9", and he didn't complain either.

As for the balcony, we had all our breakfasts out there. Plenty of room. You can even sunbathe there if the sun is at the right angle. Sit in one chair with your feet on the table or other chair. You're better off doing that in the comfortable deck chairs, though!

Let us know how it turns out. I'd like CF DC, also. Request just sent to my TA.

I'll probably wait until we get closer to departure, like around final payment. We're on the Panama Canal Jan 5 2014 trip.

On second thought

Maybe no sharing

12 night cruise

24 cans

2 a day

He will drink it all!

Yep, for sure. Now I need to put in the request for CF DC.

I'll add a third!

Calm morning:

Fishing boat:

More eagles:

The Catalyst:

The scale is unbelievable:

Catching some rays on the Catalyst:

McBride Glacier:

Paging Captain Nemo:

Nightfall:

Humpback:

At anchorage (not Anchorage!):

Duck, duck...

Marjerie:

John Hopkins:

At Reid for the night:

Another night's anchorage:

Another black bear:

Marmot:

One of many eagles:

Humpback tail:

Humpbacks bubblenetting:

Black bear:

Brown bear:

Mountain goat:

Orcas:

Puffins:

Sea lions:

Dall porpoises:

Harbor seals:

Sea otter with baby:

deleted...trying to post

Wow! The pictures you have all posted are amazing. I just have a point and shoot camera.

 

We were in Alaska last week August 4-11, 2012. We saw lots of humpback whales bubble net feeding, orcas, bears and eagles.

When we were there is August 2008 we hardly saw any wildlife.

 

Whale watching with Harv & Marv in Juneau - Humpback whales bubble net feeding

IMG_0626 by BobalinkToo, on Flickr

FABULOUS picture!! There must be a dozen whales there! I thought we were lucky to see 3 of them bubblenetting! I guess more whales are picking up on it!

The Catalyst mostly cruises up and down the inside passage, but there are a few special trips. I know that cruisecritic sometimes frowns on posting websites, but we'll give this a try:

http://www.pacificcatalyst.com/

If not, just google "Pacific Catalyst".

Our itinerary was 9 nights:

All the hikes, wildlife watching, and sea kayaks were in the company of the naturalist, who pointed out critters and items of interest.

Day 1 Depart Juneau at lunch time (lunch aboard), dock in Swanson's cove for the night

Day 2 Into Glacier Bay NP (stop at the visitor's center and hike into the woods), explore tidal flats. Dall's porpoises played with our bow

Day 3 Reid inlet, hikes on a beach, through ice field to John Hopkins Glacier - gorgeous scenery made me cry. Humpbacks, mountain goats. Overnight back in Reid Inlet to be out of the wind

Day 4 Woke to a grizzly on the shore a few yards away. Sailed into the spot where the big cruise ships go - Marjerie and Grand Pacific Glacier. Had it to ourselves; lots of calving off Marjerie. Holland America Volendam came in and we sailed out. Kayaked around Puffin Island in the afternoon. More otters (floating with babies!), mountain goats, eagles and even a trumpeter swan. My day ended with me spotting another grizzly meandering up a river on shore at North Sandy Cove.

Day 5 Into Muir Inlet. More whales and orcas. Hiked over a snow field into a glacial lake. Saw harbor seals in the lake! In the afternoon, we zodiac'd in again to McBride Glacier, where we walked among the ice sculptures piled up on shore (I had a seesaw ride on one!) Overnight at Stump Cove.

Day 6 Dundas Bay. Orca pod, with a baby. More humpbacks. Puffins; sea lion colonies, black bears and otters everywhere. Walk on beach, where we saw a marmot and lots of birds.

Day 7 Another kayak trip. Then out of Glacier Bay NP into the Icy Strait. Lots of wildlife and sealife (including a porpoises, whales, bears, otters. One whale was right off the boat!) Stopped at Elfin Cove and walked around there. Saw a lot more boats (we had had GB NP pretty much to ourselves). Walked around a tidal pool; anemones, sea stars, etc. Overnight at Jack's Cove.

Day 8 Followed whale sightings and ended up getting a spectacular display of bubblenetting right off the shore near Hoonah. Went ashore at Hoonah and got a presentation (and song/dance) at the Tlingat mural being carved for some new visitor's center, I think either a new GBNP one or a new cruise port. Kayak around Swanson's Inlet, where we overnighted.

Day 9 More whale watching. One last hike. Overnight at Admiralty Cove.

Day 10 Back to Juneau.

I'm glad it was so good!

I also have been on a small boat in Glacier Bay and it is fantastic to do so, but .......... expensive.

Yes, but - your shore excursions are like private tours and are all included.

Wine and beer are included. No extras.

Some of the upscale cruise lines are just as expensive or more so (although, I will grant you, their cabins are bigger!

Quote:

Originally Posted by azevedan

Signed up for a (very) small boat cruise on the Pacific Catalyst II next year up in Alaska. Has anyone gone with them? Impressions?

Thanks!

Back from this non-cruise 'cruise'. It was wonderful! The Catalyst is a 12-passenger 75' wooden boat that we traveled with around Glacier Bay, AK (there were actually only 11 passengers on our trip). 4 crew - captain, engineer, cook and naturalist. All were friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and great fun to sail with.

We sea kayaked, hiked ice floe-strewn beaches, motored through ice fields to hidden glaciers, watched bears (black and brown) from our nightly moorings, had Dall porpoises playing with us as we sailed, saw orcas, humpbacks all over the place (including bubble-netting off Hoona), watched otters, mountain goats, puffins, eagles, seals, and many others. Sat in the pilothouse with the captain, who was always ready to divert for and linger with wildlife sightings. Food was incredible - 3 gourmet meals each day! Cultural expeditions and visits to some of the fishing towns on the far side of the inlet near the Pacific. A thoroughly wonderful trip that I hope to repeat!

I have videos posted on my youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/realcatena

haven't gotten through my pictures yet.

Cabin Number: 7100

Ship: Quest

Date: May, 2011

Would you choose again? Yes

Is noise an issue? No

Balcony size: Normal

Comment: Quiet (no public areas above or below), and down the hall away from things. We don't mind walking a little bit.