ROXY6997

Actually, counter to your comment, I do appreciate your second response and it did change my mind. I was only going to buy the 'single' early bird if I had no other option. I was not aware that I could get internet access for that little, as the only packages I saw online started at nearly $70.

I am not one to cheat the system and always do the right thing by putting forth the effort to check in exactly 24 hours before to get a good boarding group to allow my party to sit together. I fly southwest regularly and know from experience if I am not in the A or B group, we will not find three seats together. I am happy to sit wherever in the plane, so I wasn't considering the early bird to gain an advantage, just to sit with my family (not a lot to ask for?!). This originally did not seem to be an option while I was on the ship and I was going to do what I had to do in a pinch for a bad scenario...I am sure you've 'skirted' the rules a time or two in life. In my world, a trip is something that is saved for, so that $50 in extra fees for the same seat I already paid for, just to get bumped up in line, is money lost that could be used on this trip. Though you are right, because I don't have the money, I don't deserve good treatment...it's how the world works.

The whole reason I posted this was to get guidance and be provided with information that would help me sort out my options or offer alternatives, not to be judged or criticized for choices I consider making because of my financial status. It's people like you who truly ruin this experience for newbies like me who are just trying to get by and learn the ropes. Thanks a million:D

To each their own...there are three of us and we would take up one row together anyway, so it's a rather minor imposition. It's not in violation of the rules for one person to pay a fee to upgrade, as we each bought our own airline ticket, and I think it's foolish to imply that no one saves seats for other people on Southwest flights. I think it's obnoxious that Southwest has the option of paying money to skip the line. I don't have the money left over to pay tons of 'extra' fees, but I want to enjoy my trip by being able to sit with my family...if that's obnoxious, then so be it. I was simply asking for help in understanding how the system works to avoid doing something 'obnoxious'.

Hi everyone! I am heading on my Alaska cruise soon and had planned to use the Port Valet Service. Since I am flying southwest, it would be ideal to have my check-in completed 24 hours in advance to my flight to get the best possible seating assignment, as I typically don't pay extra for the early bird check-in.

Does anyone know when Port Valet or Princess...whoever does the flight check-ins...completes them??? Anyone with experience in this??? I know I can pay for the internet and do this myself, but if I can rely on them to do it in a timely manner, then I won't waste my money. I may just pay Southwest to upgrade one in my party to the early bird check-in to save us all seats!

Thanks in advance for the help!

Hey SuzieQ...just wanted to say 'Hi' and chime in some responses. I think we are on the same cruise (Ruby Sept 16) and coincidentally my husband and I are the same age, which is not super common on the Alaska cruises : - ) Of course we are bringing my MIL who is in her 70s...so she will fit right in with the mainstream age group.

I took the Alaska cruise last June on Coral Princess, from Anchorage to Vancouver, so although I haven't yet done the Seattle roundtrip, we have been in Glacier Bay and visited all the same ports. I don't remember any rough water, but it was a totally different route.

My biggest thing was on the Glacier Bay day, we spent HOURS outside on the ship and my feet were FREEZING. I was bundled up and warm otherwise, but I would recommend a boot or at least a heavy duty trail runner/hiker for that day if you plan to stand outside, water repellency is an added bonus. My husband refused to go inside to warm up at all, so I suffered through. The boot/trail runner will also help keep you from slipping if there is a drizzle or mist and you are outside. I did pack rain gear for this trip just in case as I am sure scenario with husband will go the same rain or shine. Definitely pack a hat and gloves!!!!

We did an awesome Mendenhall glacier hike last year where we actually hiked out to the glacier and walked on it, but it was quite pricey. We did the whole hike in the rain and my understanding from those guides is that it almost always rains there and if it doesn't you got very lucky. My understanding is you can hike out from the public shuttle and see the Glacier, but I don't know that you can get that close to it. Anyhow, if you want more info on that guided hike onto the glacier, I can send it. We are doing Harv and Mary whale watching this time around in Juneau. We did a Misty Fjords float plane in Ketchikan, which was very cool, but not my cup of tea and I wouldn't pay for it again. I believe we just walked around in Skagway and went on a little hike somehwere...so I have little to no input on that. We considered the train and Emerald Lake last year, but we are way too active to just sit for that long to travel there.

Motion sickness...I get car sick if I try to read or play on my phone when I am a passenger, especially if the road is curvy. I typically take Bonine on cruises as a precaution. I take it the morning before I board the ship and daily from there. I also have a sea band. I figure why even risk the chance of feeling ill when I can just pop a pill and ensure that it doesn't happen and ruin a day for me.

We also did anytime dining last time around and we never really had to wait. We typically just walked in whenever and were sat within minutes. It was easy peasy.

I think that's all the input I have...hope to see you!

Lisa