QShip

If we do not share do you think they would do it just for us? (Alert: possible riot in MDR by those left out!)

Has anyone been successful with game or fish?

Sequim 88: " The lines all make them carry lots of extra liability coverage to protect the cruiseline"

As a semi-off topic question, many of the excursion operators take both ship booked and independent customers. In this case, as an independent, don't I also have the higher coverage limits, without the added cost?

Seems to me if you are discussing the same class of ship you are then discussing the crew, not the ship. Since the crews change around a lot does it become a crap shoot for a cruise (unless they are all trained and evaluated to the same high standard)? If so, it makes sense to find out who is commanding and managing your cruise.

We will be going to Alaska this summer and plan to hike around some of the ports. We are avid mushroom hunters and would hope to find something along the way. (We have done this for some time and are confident in those we can identify as edible.)

Does anyone know if the Chef will allow us to bring mushrooms back and have them prepared for our meal? Maybe if we are signed up for a Chef's Table? Do they ever allow one to bring food (fish, game, etc.) onto the ship to be prepared for personal consumption?

We would be happy to share, but would be really surprised if the ship would do that, primarily for potential liability problems.

When planning excursions, particularly non-cruiseline excursions, I suggest you check to see how many ships will be in port at the same time. It can have a direct influence on whether or not you are able to book early or late.

On our cruise this fall there will be 4 cruise ships in port at Skagway at the same time, with 10,000 - 12,000 passengers.

You can check here: http://claalaska.com/?page_id=1250

Stumpmr

Thanks a lot. Went and watched a number of uTube videos. The TG4 has a lot of features that the 3 does not have, particularly the wifi. I think I have made up my mind!

I am looking for a new camera before I go snorkling in Alaska. How does the Olympus do underwater? Sounds like the depressed light level might be a problem.

Also, it sounds like the TG-4 is nearly identical to the TG-3. Is this the case? Might be able to save a few bucks if there is little loss in capabilities.

We went with F.I.S.H.E.S on our first cruise and had a great time. Saw humpback whales bubble feeding up close, mama bear and cubs and some very inquisitive seals, also up close. Was a great trip and are going to do it again in August.

What a great idea! Wonder if they can program my elevator pass to not stop on the shops level? (note to me: Do not tell DW they can program it to not stop on any of the bar levels!)

"will have their own personal attendant to lend a hand"

That is a mental image I really do not want to have!

I have always been concerned about what to do with the fish. Will they hold it for shipping until I have gotten back home? Can I have it smoked and then shipped?

Just been advised by X that in addition to being awarded an elevator pass, DW and I will be given a hall pass in the form of an eraser.

Do you have to raise one or two fingers to be able to use the hall pass?

I suggest you contact your TA and let them contact Celebrity. This is the type of service they should provide. Besides, if you have a TA Celebrity probably will not talk to you.

My understanding is that it is actually a 2 card package. The up card costs twice as much as the down card!

Exception to Celebrity B2B Credit

As indicated in prior posts, Celebrity offers a bonus if you book a B2B trip (but, apparently, only if you ask for it). It is very discretionary, and they seem to treat requests individually as they come up.

In our case, we had booked an Alaskan B2B in an interior cabin with no added benefits, and did receive the bonus. Shortly thereafter our TA had an especially attractive sale so we upgraded to an ocean view with drink package and a $300 OBC. The TA threw in gratuities. The increase in cost was about $200pp.

When I had the TA contact Celebrity about the B2B bonus they said no, it was not available because of the promotion we received.

Since the B2B bonus is only $100 we are way ahead, and are not upset at all. Just mention it as food for thought if anyone is looking at a B2B cruise with benefits.

Sort of like on the west coast where salmon was served to the dogs.

 

I do agree with the the comments on the alleged lobster that is served on the ship. The stuff has no resemblance to real lobster/

 

DON

Or like a secretary I had who grew up on the Mendocino coast in poor circumstances. Many nights all they had to eat was abalone caught by her father. She hated the stuff!!

OK, all you lobster experts, we are going to Alaska in August. Should we expect cold water or warm water lobster?

Personally I would settle(?) for fresh Dungeness crab.

You are hereby invited to join the 'Don't Ask, Don't Get' club.

If you don't ask the answer is always NO!

We are booked on our 4th Celebrity cruise.

Now we do not know what to do!

We are in our (early) 70's, but act like and think we are still 35-40. Old enough to not care what anyone else thinks, but feel young enough to want to talk to anyone interesting, go where things are fun and enjoy every day as a new opportunity to grow.

Anyone know when the stuffy, pretentious classes are scheduled, because we must have missed them.

Wish you were on our cruise, I would be honored to buy you a beer (hope you have the beverage package!).

I do not know about anyone else, but if a lack of specific TA information is the price I have to pay for the information available on CC it is well worth it.

When planning excursions we like to check and see what ships and how many potential passengers will be in port at the same time (port load). Here are two sites that will give you a prediction, though the numbers may change:

http://www.experienceketchikan.com/alaska-cruise-ship-calendar.html

http://claalaska.com/?page_id=1250

This can be very important in a small port like Skagway (population about 1000) when 4 ships, each about 3000 passengers are all in port at the same time. Sometimes it pays to book very early.

We are on an Alaska B2B in August. We want to take an early excursion in Seward (8:30). Will this cause problems with the cabin change? Can we just pack our items and rely upon the stewards to move them to our new cabin without being present and just go to our new cabin when we return in the late afternoon?

I would suggest you do a little shopping. You will probably find the cost to be minimal vs potential costs, particularly for such a short cruise.

We are scheduled for two 7 day cruises (B2B) this year. I checked a large online travel broker and with a broker sponsored by our military connected insurance company. The online broker was both higher and much less service oriented than the one from our insurance company.

Cost for both of us was around $350 for 17days. Covers cancellation, medical and evacuation.

Since you are going on a cruise in a few days please post an evaluation on this critical issue when you return.

After starting this post I found some additional information and started an additional thread. The information is here:

Chef's Market Discoveries: Why Bother? We are probably what would be regarded as 'foodies'. We enjoy interesting meals, and we both enjoy cooking, both usual meals and one time experiments. Thus, we are drawn to the Chef's Market Discoveries offered by the ships.

While planning an upcoming Alaska cruise I have been researching the CMD which is offered in Juneau. Upon further reading of the excursion, however, I came across the following 'fine print' at the bottom of the page:

Per United States Public Health (USPH) and Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) regulations, the Celebrity Cruises chef may not purchase and bring on board any ingredients from markets in the destination. The private dinner is prepared with local products purchased by approved vendors, reminiscent of the region’s cuisine and inspired by the fresh market ingredients from the day.

• Wine, other beverages, and gratuities are not included in the excursion price.

• Price of purchasing salmon filet not included.

First, when the excursion costs $289 pp why can they not include the cost of the salmon filet????

Second, the first paragraph indicates that none of the food can be purchased in Juneau, but also refers to 'local products' from approved vendors. Does this mean no vendors in Juneau are approved? Does all of the food just come out of the freezer and refrigerators on board? If this is the case, why pay so much for a tour around town, a beer at the local brewery (which you have to pay for), and a private meal with a chef?

Am I missing something here?

( It is apparent the regulations differ depending upon the port.)