olya1972

Thank you all for informative responses.

I have few questions regarding Club Orange benefits. How does priority embarkation work for Club Orange - same as for Neptune Suit - you arrive at port at your assigned embarkation time and just walk onto the ship once cleared, avoiding line? Also, how does priority tender benefit works? Does it mean you don’t need to get tender tickets and once tendering starts you just walk down to the area? What happens at the tender line already at the tender embarkation area - you join general line there? My last question is about concierge service - where is the concierge for Club Orange located? Can you call concierge from the room or does one have to physically go to the concierge location area if there is a question? ( Ship is Rotterdam, if that makes a difference. ) Thank You.

5 hours ago, AFNavigator said:

Here's a link to photos of Rotterdam 6143 which is directly below 7107 (same huge balcony configuration):

 

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/stateroom-details.php?ship=Rotterdam&cabin=6143 

 

It looks like you get the standard 2 mesh chairs with matching mesh ottomans.  The chairs have reclining backs though so, with the ottoman, they essentially function as reclining loungers. They are pretty comfortable.  The main difference between these and the deck furniture in a Neptune suite is these don't have the padded cushion you get with the Neptune deck chairs.

This is perfect - exactly what I was looking for! Thank You. I wonder if we can request padded cushions to be brought in? 

5 hours ago, HELENPSL said:

In looking at the deck plan it looks like 7118 is a signature suite and 7107 is a balcony cabin.  Can you double check the cabin numbers?

Helen

I will. Thank you.

Has anyone stayed in either of these rooms and has photo of the balcony? It is a V category cabin that appears to have large balcony if one looks at the deck plans. I would like to know if there are reclining lounges on these balconies as they have in Neptune suite balconies ( because there seems to be a room for that here). Also, is it possible to request for such a lounger to be brought in? Has anyone done that?

4 hours ago, AKJonesy said:

These ships seems to be selling out recently so you might not be able to change rooms.  I've been on RD in obstructed and this time I will have one of the rooms between the lifeboats.  But, I am not bothered by this.  Most of the time I'm in my balcony relaxing, enjoying the sun or reading a book.  I can always pop down onto the promenade or up to that wonderful walking area on the top deck if I want to get a real good look at something.  I think you will really enjoy your stateroom.  Have fun.  

Sounds good to me. Thank You.

34 minutes ago, CruzR887 said:

Just off the Rotterdam in January in an obstructed view. Generally a room between lifeboats will have a view of the structure that lowers the boats. These are higher than the lifeboats. Looking across a lifeboat is a somewhat less obstructed view. We don’t mind the obstructed view cabins at all and opt for them if we can’t get an aft view.

Thank You. This is what I figured it to be also. I would prefer to be right across lifeboat from the videos and photos I have seen. The cruise seems to be sold out, so I don’t think I will be able to change the room location or buy an upgrade. Will try calling HAL inventory and Club Orange tomorrow.

I did all of that and I did not find what I was looking for. This cabin is towards the aft. The boats there obstructing the view appear to be not regular life boats, but something else- there are fewer of them then in midship section and they are larger.

We were assigned cabin 4157- an obstructed balcony room on Rotterdam. On deck plans it appears that this room is located in between two life boats. Does anyone have the photos of the balcony of this ( or similarly situated ) cabins? I found some photos and videos of obstructed balconies on Rotterdam, but none that are located between two life boats. Thank You.

I went through the link ImperialLady posted and I realized there is a lot to see and do without a tour. We were in Icy Straight once about seven years ago on one of Holland America ships and we did a combination tour of whale watching and bear viewing. Of course it being mid May- we didn’t see bears ( one skinny bear very far away who must have just awaken from hibernation, still seemed half asleep), but whale watching was very good. We are scheduled to be in ISP this May, the very end of the month and are planning to do the same tour. The information I am seeking is actually for my parents who will be sailing to ISP a week before us and they are not interested in whale watching. Now that I went through the link I myself is second guessing whether I should repeat a whale watch with bear viewing or just do a whale watch portion and spend the rest of the time just exploring all the areas of interest near the port and in Hoonah. Thank You all for great information.

This is great information. Thank You.

I need to clarify “ walkers”. I mean these people prefer to walk. They don’t use any assistive devices .

Can someone recommend how to structure a day in Icy Straight Point without booking any tours. Visiting in second half of May latter this year ( a group of two couples in their 70’s, not athletic, but in decent physical shape, walkers). Time in port- full day, 8am-6pm. Thank You.

On 1/16/2023 at 8:01 AM, Guest TopoChico said:

We have never done an excursion.  We rent a cab and head to the beach. On Bonire, we had an amazing day snorkeling on Klein Island.  St Kitts, we like Cockelshell Beach and a stop at Shipwreck Bar. Haven’t been to Aruba in a long time but we went to Eagle beach a few times. Haven’t been to Curaçao yet! .  As far as St Lucia, as I said it’s our least favorite island and we will try to avoid cruises going there (impossible lol) and or stay on ship next time. Been there 9 times over 20 years and it just is not for us. Vigie is pretty but the people working it are extremely rude and we found that everywhere we went.  And before it is suggested, we are very quiet, demand nothing and tip very well. It’s just not somewhere we like.  

Thank you for the information provided here. I was just starting my research on what to do in St Lucia with short cruise day (8 am - 4 pm). As I was reading these boards and TripAdvisor forums, I formed the opinion similar to what you expressed in your post, but of course not being there physically, but just reading, I did not want to be presumptuous. We too have been to St Lucia once before on a cruise and that would not be my island of choice to return to. We did land and sea tour at the time and saw most highlights island had to offer. Thank you again.

When we went to Alaska with our children of ages 18 and 12 at the time, we sailed out of Seattle, round trip on HAL Osterdam. Children liked the experience very much. All of it - Seattle with three nights there pre-cruise, HAL (and especially older demographic. The 18 year old commented what a pleasure it was cruising with such people, interesting conversationalists and overall more sophisticated crowd). The second trip to Alaska with children was also on HAL, round trip from Vancouver. It was just as good. I would not hesitate to book AK with HAL for your family. As it is your first trip to AK (and even if you do not return to AK again, which is unlikely), it's ok to sail from Seattle and to experience that as well. As you mentioned previously, shorter port times may not be such a handicap to you, as you may return to the ship shortly post your excursion and not venture too far out again (such as some people who do two tours a day and things like that). If it is so important to you to have higher likelihood of your trip adhering to your pre-planning, do not hesitate to switch to HAL. Their on board enrichment programs are wonderful. We are also scheduled to be in Skagway this May and I am following the situation with possible reschedule, though, if I understood correctly, there is no real possibility of diversion to another port, or a sea day, but just longer disembarkation in Skagway due to possible need to use a bus or a tender. (For me its an issue due to tour booked very early in am). I would not consider switching the cruise because of that possible change, especially if I were loosing money by doing so. It is stimulating for me to not be 100 % adherent to plan due to circumstances outside of my control. Small last minute change usually brings excitement and memories building opportunities.

2 hours ago, rnr4thatsme said:

Is the pricing better if bought locally on site?  Or is it the same as if you pre-book.

I would be curious to hear the answer to that question also.

22 hours ago, endoellen said:

We will be on Radiance of the Seas in May 2023 & also have Skagway as a port of call.  I have already booked an excursion with Chilkoot Charters & so looking forward to it. 

I sent an email to them regarding this matter & this is the reply I got:

The Municipality of Skagway has been working diligently with engineers and construction companies to rectify the hillside next to the railroad dock. The work at the dock area should be completed by May 1st.  If your ship does not make it to port, you will be fully refunded.

 

 

I am in exactly the same situation with Monday, May 29th booked with Chilkoot Charters for 7:30 am tour. Will follow this thread.

22 hours ago, guylaine said:

Good morning, anybody who took a flight to fairbanks had any problem like cancel flight. According to a travel agent didn't want to book the flight because she can't garanteed that we'll make it there. Is there anything I should know about this.

 

Thank you for your respond I really apreciate

Last May we flew from Fairbanks to Anchorage. The cost was under $100/person. Flight time under 1 hour. Planes were leaving almost every hour throughout the day. There were no delays or cancellations on that day. The flight was very good- we saw beautiful landscape from the airplane window. It felt almost like a tour. Both airports are not big or overwhelming. It was very easy and pleasant experience. That said, we had two train tours on that trip ( Anchorage to Whittier and Anchorage to Seward). If you have no train rides scheduled, then you can consider train as an option for train experience.

I have just booked through Air2Sea Royal Caribbean flights program taking advantage of that offer you are mentioning. I booked Economy class tickets to Alaska ( offer is for European or Alaska sailings), so the price was $200 off per ticket per person. I went on Air2Sea site and there is an option there to browse if you did not book a cruise yet but do have particular sailing in mind. The site allowed me to price tickets few days before departure and few days post return back to the embarkation port. I priced same flights through Google search, Kayak flights search, Expedia and others. Air2Sea offered almost all the options available on all those other sites at $200 per ticket discount. This tickets can be reserved without payment. Payment is due when the Final Payment is due for the cruise. Our cruise final payment is not due till the end of February. Until that time we can cancel or change these tickets without any fee. I already called Air2Sea to change outgoing flight to different airport because it offered better flight times and they did that for me. Our friends whom we are traveling with also reserved and called to inquire if it’s possible to only book a return flight through Air2Sea and book flight to the cruise independently and the representative told them “ Yes” and quoted return flight price at $200 per ticket discount on that flight alone. ( Otherwise it’s $200 off per round trip). So far all of this sounds good to me. I am still checking their site daily to see if better flight options and cheaper flights will pop up so I can switch to those. Hope this info helps you.

1 hour ago, njsmom said:

What month will you be there? I attended the Alaska State Fair one year on Labor Day weekend in Anchorage. It was a lot of fun. 

We will be there a week before Memorial Day. I think we’ll do a Troley Tour, visit an Anchorage Museum and will spend the rest of the day just browsing the Downtown. 

3 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

The bus will stop along the way and have commentary from the driver/host.  You will probably hear stories about the Gold Rush.  The train has a conductor who offers some commentary but having taken the bus you will have a better knowledge of the area and its history.  I enjoy the excitement of riding the train down the hill into Skagway and seeing the town come into view.  

 

 

Thank you.

19 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

Juneau is favorable for whale watching.  Skagway is all about the gold rush and is a national park.  If you do the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, do the bus up and the train back to Skagway.  Sled dogs are extremely well cared for and are a happy/lively group.    Ketchikan has a Bering Sea Fisherman’s tour that’s a lot of fun and educational, too.  Victoria has a lovely inner harbor and Butchart Gardens if you have time.  Go online and look at the tourist information for your ports of call.  There is a lot of information to help you decide what you want to do.

I am also in the process of planning AK cruise and following this thread. Oaktreerb, can you please elaborate why bus portion of Yukon Rail and Bus Excursion in Skagway is advisable versus train first? Thank You.

We just booked Radiance Southbound in Alaska and we’re not able to select My Time Dining at all, but had to choose early or late sitting. 

Thank you all for the replies. We have booked Air Alaska and United( but operated by Air Canada). I was able to select seats immediately on Air Alaska website, however when trying to do so with United, I was redirected to Air Canada that didn’t allow seats selection stating that tickets were booked through travel agent and TA should be contacted for seats assignment. I will call A2S to try to get seats on that return flight. At the end the price was almost $200 per ticket less then if booked on our own, as was advertised on A2S website. As always, CC is an invaluable resource.

1 minute ago, jean87510 said:

I used for Alaska in May 2022.  The price was cheaper.  We were not able to pick our seats on Delta out and American back until reservation was paid in full and then we were able to request air2sea for our reservation to be ticketed.  Once that happens, you can pick your seats.  I dont use a TA. Just did the same on Celebritys air2sea.  Hope this helps

Thank you.