cruiserfromalabama

I would not worry about dressing up for MDR and personally I feel it is a lot easier to eat in MDR than it is in the buffet! We were on the Coral in May and I saw people dressed in all different attire (casual to dressy). To me an Alaskan cruise seemed that people did not dress up as much as other cruises we have been on in the past. I think it is because of people having to pack jackets, coats, and rainwear rather than formal clothing. I found the buffet a little tight to maneuver and while the staff was extremely helpful, it was just not to same as being in MDR and being served. The food was really good in MDR and on formal night we saw some people dressed way up, but most just had on casual clothing and no one seemed to care.

We did leave our balcony door open a lot on our Alaska cruise as the room was a little too stuffy. We also left it open and tv on while viewing the glaciers so that we could hear the ranger's talking about each glacier. The room was often too warm even with air-conditioning turned down low and all doors left closed. I know people say it messes with the air-conditioning thermostat if you have door open, but we tried keeping the door closed and it never did really cool like it should have, so go figure!

We cruised Coral two weeks ago and Bordeaux was open dining for breakfast and lunch. It was also the dining room where anytime dining was and also tea time. We had fixed 7:30pm dining in Provence. Food was the same in both and an extremely good menu selection. They are in the same area of ship with one being on one deck and the other either one or two decks between them!

Just got back from cruise/tour on Coral Princess and my advice is to pack things you could not do without(rain jacket, meds, rainproof shoes) in carryon and large tote or backpack as your personal item. Cross pack in any large suitcases you are carrying. I bought a hoodie in Denali and wore it and a rain jacket over it most days. Took two pair of dress capris, several dressier tops, and one pair of dressier sandals for evenings and it was perfectly appropriate. Everyone told me layers works well and it absolutely does. We saw blue jeans everywhere and even saw a man walking around in a tank top(go figure)! Don't sweat it and enjoy your trip!

Just got back from southbound cruise on Coral Princess and not too cold at all. We did Denali for two days first and did wear jacket as it was a bit chilly when the wind was blowing. On ship we could have worn shorts during glacier stops. In Juneau we did rainy whale watch trip and we wore fleece jacket under our rain jacket with waterproof shoes and gloves! The coldest weather the whole trip! In Ketchikan it was rainy, but not very cold (60 F). In Skagway we did train ride and light jacket was all we needed! All in all-I was never very cold and did not even use my heavy jacket!

Haha thank you so much ^^. I’m surprised anyone remembers me since I’ve been away so long! (Which sailing? Maybe we’re going on the same one!)

We are going on the May 16th southbound from Whittier! When is yours? I hope you will have a wonderful review for me to enjoy! ; )

So happy to see another one of your reviews coming up in May! I always love your pictures and your food ratings! Your photography is amazing! I will be following this thread as we are also going to Alaska on the Coral Princess in May and I am curious to find tips too! We have been on the Caribbean Princess, but not Coral.

Thank you so much for the helpful answers!

We will be doing a cruise/tour in Alaska in May starting in Fairbanks. We will end cruise in Vancouver, Canada and head directly to airport. Our flight starts in Vancouver with connection in Salt Lake City, Utah and then on to Atlanta. I have not done a cruise ending in another country in 4 years, so sorry in advance if this question is dumb or has been answered numerous times. What I want to know-I assume that once we leave ship in Vancouver, that we go through immigration process to leave port and then once we get to airport that we go through it again? Is this right or do we go through immigration on our connection into Salt Lake City, since this will be our entry back into U.S.? Thanks for any input anyone can give me!

We have been to Europe numerous times and carry individual pill packets for daily use and also carry pharmacy label you get when you pick up your meds at drug store. It has a pic and description of pill on it. If we take pain meds-we take in rx bottle. Never even had anyone ever check us before though and we travel a good bit. I keep all meds in my carryon.

My only suggestion is to sail any other ship before booking Island Princess. Coral Princess would be my first choice but any of the others would be fine. Island Princess would be my last choice and then only if it was the only one that fit my schedule.

Just curious Thrak, but why is your last choice for a cruise ship the Island Princess? I am trying to plan an Alaska trip and Island Princess was one of the choices, but I am not sure what ship to pick.

Marshhawk and Dcoy-what excursion would this be? Sounds like my kind of excursion!

Depends on what type of jet skiing excursion you are doing! If you are on one of the cruise line private islands maybe and probably do have lockers. We just never take anything that can not be put in waterproof pouch and attached to our bodies. We did a private excursion with Fat Fish in Grand Cayman and left towel and change of clothes with them at their dock while we were jet skiing. Money, camera, phone, sunglasses went with us in waterproof pouches. We did not wear water shoes and have never worn them-so, I am no help on this subject, sorry!

We went the middle of September on a New England/Canada cruise a couple of years ago. I am very hot natured and my husband is the exact opposite! We packed capris for me and long pants for him. We also carried waterproof lightweight jacket and layered underneath it. He was fine with long sleeves and light jacket and I usually ended up wearing a light jacket, but shedding it by noon. Check the weather at all ports of call ten days out and you can pretty much tell what you need to take. We were a little chilly on deck-so we did not use swimsuits. Usually this cruise is port heavy-so we did not hang out much on the ship except to sleep. Our New England/ Canada cruise was one of my favorite cruises and a big difference from the Caribbean ones. Not many children running around and seemed to be an older or middle-aged group of cruiser. Never had a problem with pool lounger hogs or pushing and shoving at the buffet.

Thank you so much for some good tips! I will tell him about the sea bands, ginger pills, and candied ginger! I will also check out the relief bands with electric impulses! Trying to reassure my brother-in-law that you can possibly eliminate or ease seasickness without going the patch or doctor prescription pill way. Thanks again everyone!

Thanks for the advice and will definitely get RX from his doctor for seasickness meds. The problem is to settle his mind that a cruise ship is not at all like going out deep sea fishing on a charter fishing trip. Who knows-he might not even need anything(I sure hope). Has anyone gotten sick on a cruise before and then found that a cruise in Alaska is a little more calm and therefore did not produce seasickness in them?

Here is my problem! My husband and I are seasoned travelers on land and sea, but my sister and her husband are not! We want them to take an Alaska land/cruise tour with us in early June 2018 and my brother-in-law is deathly scared he will get seasick! I do not think he realizes how large cruise ships are and that most people don't have seasick problems. I do understand that some people do get seasick, but I need advice to help him through his fears! He has glaucoma and can not use a patch, but I don't honestly think he would need a patch anyway. Since I have never been on a cruise in Alaska, am I wrong to believe that it is very gentle cruising. We would be cruising inside southbound from Anchorage to Vancouver with only sea day being last day. Please give me info so I can help him with his fears! Anyone out there have any issues with seasickness on Alaska cruises?

Sounds like you are trying to cruise very prepared-a very good way to cruise! I would advise to get a waterproof pouch to put credit cards, cash, and cell phone in when going to beach. I use the one that goes around my neck and most travel need websites or Amazon carry them. We don't wear water shoes-just sturdy sandals like Tevas. Whenever we have snorkeled before on excursions, snorkels, masks, and fins were provided. If you are germ fearful-take your own, but ones we have taken have them soaking in clorox solution before and after use. I have small mesh backpack type bag and this holds our towels from ship and possibly spare shirt or coverup. Also make sure you carry your sunscreen. We always carry as little as possible, because when you are snorkeling-no one is keeping an eye on your stuff! Valuables are always on my body! Good luck on your cruise!

I will also suggest to ask your doctor about this problem! I have had this problem during traveling a lot! After trying to watch my salt intake and drinking lots of water on trips with no results, I finally asked my doctor. He said that it was probably due to veinous insufficiency. He suggested compression socks, which I have used in winter travel with some success. I did not want to wear compression socks in the hot summer or with capri pants-so I googled and found something that works for me. At health food store I found horse chestnut extract and take as recommended on label. It has helped me and also my sister! Ask your doctor if this might work for you.

We like totally all inclusive travel and Tauck is who we booked with for our French Waterways cruise two years ago. They are a little more expensive than some river cruises, but so worth the money! The tour started with two night stay in Paris(luxury hotel) and high speed train to Lyon. Swiss Emerald was our ship, which Tauck uses for French Waterway cruise of the Rhone. Beautiful ship with great staff, yummy food, and top shelf alcohol. Tauck has very knowledgeable tour guides that go the extra mile to make your trip an experience to remember. They take the worry of luggage, transportation, and tips away from you. Everything is taken care of before hand! Highly recommend them!

We did a cruise tour with Royal Caribbean of Italy followed by Med. cruise 4 years ago and loved it. Two couples of honeymooners were with us and they had a wonderful time. They opted to take cruise tour, because after planning a wedding-they just wanted to let someone else do the planning for them, without the worries of transfers, suitcases, etc. I, myself sometimes just want someone to take care of this stuff for me too! Cruise tours are not the way we always travel, but sometimes we do choose that way, depending on whether I have time to plan or just don't care to. Best wishes to this couple and hope your travels and marriage are wonderful!

Great Sky Girl, I think we will love Alaska very much and like you our first experience to Alaska will probably be a cruise tour with Princess. Since the replies here have said some nice things about Denali, I have decided that we will do the two day Denali one. Time is an issue, so at least we will experience Denali(hopefully if we go in June-we will get to go deep into the park)! Planning on post cruise to stay in Vancouver and see some sights. I plan on booking some good excursions(not necessarily ship ones) so that we can enjoy each port. Hope go back again after this trip and not do another cruise, but will be sure to rent car and check out the interior towns. Will write down all the great ideas that everyone is passing on to me about lodging and sights! Really love the responses and help from everyone!

You are very inaccurate with your assumptions. In June the roads will be completely clear and snow only on the mountain tops. There is no issue with driving, BUT, best advice I can give you is to go for as long as you can afford, and if including Denali, needing at least 2 nights there.

 

Distance into the park is what Denali is all about, Way superior is to have a northbound cruise. I always disagree with posters who claim cruising south is "better", since you can "relax". In my opinion, this is a BIG mistake with trip planning, since it shows me, some poor planning perhaps. Itineraries should be even.

 

Not sure why you chose Denali- when it appears you were unfamiliar with it??? But there is plenty else to also consider, and no, Denali isn't a must do and clearly a poor choice for others.

 

Since you are open to going independent, then do so. Way superior for a great itinerary with the ability to see and do much more.

 

You DO need to lower your expectations with lodging. Only 5 star is Alyeska. Lodging is more functional than glamorous, You don't go to Alaska and give a priority to the lodging in my opinion.

 

Take your time and really find out the details of Alaska travel, then work out a great itinerary for yourself, on paper. Several reworks is what is going to be best so don't jump into reservations until this is in place.

Thanks BudgetQueen for advice! I am not totally dead set on southern bound cruise either. Seriously would love input on why you prefer Northbound! We don't cruise to relax and were just considering southbound because we wanted to do two days Denali, take train to Anchorage. As I said about lodging-I don't have to have 5 star as long as the experience is worth it and the lodge looks nice in the pictures to me. My priority is to see some beautiful scenery in Alaska, some wildlife on land and sea, and if possible take advantage of seeing a few sites in Vancouver.

Another vote for doing a trip to Denali on your own.

Thanks for the vote! Just a little worried about getting in a car on icy tundra with my husband from Alabama that is not used to icy conditions. My 43 year marriage might not make 44 years! ;p

I just noticed that your travel date is "MAY 2018". Keep in mind that the park road is still in the process of opening, On June 1 it is open to Mile 66 for the Eielson Visitor Center shuttle bus and Mile 62 for the Tundra Wilderness Tour, Wonder Lake and Kantishna are available June 10.

So you might want to do the cruise first then the land tour so that you visit denali after June 1.

 

The NPS web site provides info on the narrated bus tours and non narrated shuttles, as well as a map showing the primary destinations along the road:

https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/visiting-denali.htm

 

or the park reservation site: http://www.reservedenali.com/

lodging in the Denali area ( including Healy and Carlo Creek which are about 15 minutes away):

http://a1cms.com/_dcc/accommodations/

I did some research on Denali and found out about the park sometimes not passable until after June 1st, so considering either to change dates until the beginning of June or flip flop tour and cruise! All your info is very much appreciated and links as well! It is so nice to hear from people that really have experienced Alaska, as we are totally ignorant about traveling there!