ntvsdgrl

I'm on the same trip. My last two trips have been to Alaska and too cold to be out at night. I'm hoping a little warmer, be it cool, and experience MUTS for the first time.

I'm sorry about our weather. I saw that they even closed the Zoo early today because it was so bad. It's been miserable all day and flooding has been terrible. I hope it gets better as you head to Mexico.

Did you end up taking this hike? I want to do it but I'm not sure my husband can and I am looking for some real reviews.

Yes I did and it's a tough hike if you're not used to it. A lot of uphill on uneven trails. Not for the inexperienced hiker.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yes. After boarding, go to the Sanctuary to book as you select a specific lounger(s) and there's no way to know which loungers are free or where you want to be unless you're there.

 

You'll have three choices: book for the entire cruise at $30/day/lounger; book a lounger for the whole cruise but pay only for the days you use it at $20/half-day or $40/day; or, go to the Sanctuary each day you want to book and select a lounger. I have to be very careful of the sun so I make sure my lounger is covered.

Thank you. Hmmm, now I have to decide what I would like to do. I've never done the Sanctuary before and with all the sea days going to Hawaii, I want to take advantage of it on this trip.

Pam, do you have to wait until you get onboard to make Sanctuary reservations?

This couldn't come at a more perfect time. I was going to ask the same thing. I'll be on the Star in March on the same trip.

I have traveled twice solo to Alaska next year it will be Hawaii. On the first cruise, I became the organizer of the meet and greet. Met some great people on that trip and we traveled again to Alaska last year and will be going to Hawaii next year.

I've done Anytime dining. The only time I ate in MDR was formal night and the last night. Other times was in the buffet or specialty restaurant. Buffets were by myself but MDR and Specialty was with the group.

The reason I didn't do Standard dining is I wanted the flexibility to eat when I wanted and if I was late from and excursion, I didn't want the rest of the table waiting for me to show up. Thought that would be rude.

Breakfast was usually by myself as I'm an early riser and I liked to sit by the window and look out. Someone who was also eating by themselves would ask if they could sit with me and we usually just ate in silence or struck up a conversation.

Yes they have them but Yuck! As suggested before, I would go to the main lodge (McKinley & Denali lodges have coffee bars in the main lodges) and get something better.

At Denali in one of the sections on the hill, there was a smaller coffee bar in the seating area.

Just curious..... Isn't Star Princess scheduled to leave from Vancouver today? It's 7:35 and it's still at the dock.

Anyone on board right now?

I'm doing the March 13th cruise next year and reading these threads it just confirmed the fact that I won't be getting off the ship in Ensenada. I live in San Diego and it really doesn't hold much appeal to me. IMO.

I find this website very helpful. You can look at via port or via ships.

http://ports.cruisett.com/

I've done both in Alaska. I loved both Star and Coral. Star is bigger than Coral. Star has Skywalkers which is nice to see Glacier Bay in a warm place. Coral has great places to watch glacier bay as well. I loved them both and if I had a choice when I go back to Alaska, I would choose either one. For me the itinerary is the deciding factor. As long as Glacier Bay is one of the places, that's what would help me decided.

My first cruise was Northbound on Coral and absolutely loved it. That was in late August of 2013. Then did 4 days on land.

Last year I did Southbound on Star with 5 days on land first. I loved this ship too. Now the Star is much bigger than Coral but it didn't take away from the experience.

There is another thread a couple of pages over all about laundry facilities at Princess lodges. Easier for you to go there than me to try to remember what it said :)

I saw that but it only mentions The McKinley Lodge not Denali Lodge.

Forgive me if this was answered but I did a search and only found info on the McKinley Princess lodge not Denali.

The fact sheet for the lodge says that they have guest laundry but I can't find out where the machines are located. Does anyone know where the machines are located? It's a huge complex and I'd like to do a load before I get on the ship.

When I was in Ketchikan 2 years ago, I did the kayaking through the ship which was Eagle Island Kayaking (not sure of the actual company). They were wonderful. It as absolutely beautiful and they give you everything you need out on the water. There were some smart ass motor boaters that enjoyed making big wakes around us but other than that it was perfect.

Being a California native and experienced a 7.2 in San Diego, earthquakes are a part of our life. However, unlike tornadoes when they have a yearly season and almost guaranteed you will see one, earthquakes are a possibility but not imminent. We haven't had one in 5 years since the 7.2.

I'm going to be on the Star Princess soon and I was wondering if the laundry machines on the Star are key card operated or quarters? I'd like to bring my quarters with me than get them from Guest Services. I know they are coin operated at the lodges.

Thanks

Has anyone done this excursion from McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge? We are finalizing our plans and this is one of the things we are considering. I tried to do a search, but it pulls up too many other things that include the words McKinley and Wilderness!!

 

It says there is a 30 minute transfer back and forth, 5 hours of hiking for 5-7 miles, and a picnic provided. Wondering about the fitness level that is really required and if the views are as nice as described.

 

Thanks!

I'll be anxious to hear about this as well as I will be doing this myself on 6/30.

So I shouldn't plan on bringing quarters on the Star this June?

Internet for me at McKinley lodge was only available in the main building not in my room. At Denali, there was internet in the main lodge and the great room of the building I was staying in. This was in 2013.

I was there two years ago and I used their laundry facilities. Had to, went horseback riding, in the rain and I couldn't stand to be around me. It was in the building that my room was in. I can't say if it was in every building but it was in the one I was in.

Be sure to bring your own laundry soap and dryer sheets. I brought Tide Pods and Bounce sheets. I didn't use them all and people offered to buy my extras from me. :)

I just. checked the floorplan and across from my cabin are 2 inside cabins so I think I'm okay but thanks for the heads up.

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Oops, mis-read Pam's response. Yeah, this time I get covered balcony!

This balcony is completely covered.

The only uncovered balconies on the Grand-class ships are the Dolphin deck mini-suites. The Caribe deck balconies are partially covered but much larger: 5' covered, 4' uncovered x 9' wide.

Okay now I'm confused.