Tracyr

Hi WestCoastDeb,

I think your review is very fair.  I was actually on the same cruise.  I tried to read all of your info throughout and just have one question?  Did you use a Travel Agent?  As one myself it always pains me to see first time cruisers board a ship without a lot of good advice and preparation that a travel advisor provides at no charge. 

If you choose to cruise again I hope your experience is a better one.  Definitely find someone who can get you on a cruise that is the best fit for you.  

When you docked in Juneau was it the farthest dock that requires a shuttle or were you in town and could walk of the ship to shops? I'm guessing in Ketchikan you were out at Ward Cove?  Thanks

3 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Yes, just ask.  Yours would most likely be confiscated.

And they will provide pods, etc.

Thank you so much for that information.  Last question, are they K-pods or another style?

3 hours ago, julig22 said:

Why would they?  Just extra work for the stewards that way.  Just ask for one if you want one.

So you can just ask for one? I didn’t know that and was going to take my own but was afraid it may get confiscated?

Can anyone tell me if they have started putting coffee makers in balcony cabins again on the Bliss?

Captain Mercer is my favorite. Sailed with him on our first cruise to Alaska on the Ryndam and then several years later to Mexico on the Oosterdam. He is very nice, out and about. He always joked that we were racing the Statendam in Alaska, he would always get us to port ahead of her, even if they left before us. He went several miles out of the way to get us to a pod of whales. We knew about 15 minutes before we got to them so everyone was on deck to enjoy the show.

My love of "cruising" started when I was young living in Alaska. Every year we would take the Alaska Ferry Line from Sitka, AK south. We summered in Alaska and Wintered in Oregon.

As an adult I suggested to my husband that we take a cruise for our 10th anniversary. After him putting me off a couple of years I booked an Alaskan cruise on the Ryndam for our 13th anniversary in 2000. I told him his name was on the booking if he wanted to go and if not I could take a friend. He went and loved it. I became HOOKED.

Nine years later I have my 17th and 18th cruises booked (he has been on 7) and am a home based cruise specialist. If I can't be on a cruise I'm booking one for someone else.

My love of "cruising" started when I was young living in Alaska. Every year we would take the Alaska Ferry Line from Sitka, AK south. We summered in Alaska and Wintered in Oregon.

As an adult I suggested to my husband that we take a cruise for our 10th anniversary. After him putting me off a couple of years I booked an Alaskan cruise on the Ryndam for our 13th anniversary in 2000. I told him his name was on the booking if he wanted to go and if not I could take a friend. He went and loved it. I became HOOKED.

Nine years later I have my 17th and 18th cruises booked (he has been on 7) and am a home based cruise specialist. If I can't be on a cruise I'm booking one for someone else.

Our family of four just did a tour with Mazatan Frank on March 28th. Everything the previous posters have said is right on. He was excellent. Very professional, and knew our ships schedule. He met us at the pier at 8:30am, and we had a 4 hour trip planned. We did the city tour, so like others have said even if we would have had a break down we were right in town. Frank had a cell phone, and the one thing we noticed was that Frank knows EVERYONE in Mazatan. I think there would have been plenty of help if we had needed it. We had a great time with Frank and learned a lot about Mazatlan. I am not a risk taker and felt very safe touring with him.