TXRed

I have no idea about your interests or physical abilities so I will suggest that you learn about each port and decide for yourself what to do.

Borrow Alaska travel books from your library, look at town web sites, read past trip reports (in STICKY above) where photojournals will bring sights and activities to life.

 

ie http://www.experienceketchikan.com/ http://skagway.com/

http://www.traveljuneau.com/cms/d/itineraries.php

 

Also, utilize SEARCH THIS FORUM with the word 'budget' to find past threads.

Thanks for your reply....our interests are varied and since this is our first time to Alaska we are open. We are very active 70 yo's. We have no problem keeping up with our kids. ;-) Thanks for the link and the search suggestion. If anyone has any suggetions on what they did on their own, please post them. Again a huge thanks

Room service menu is the same across the fleet... standard cereals, pastries... nothing hot, except for a breakfast sandwich. Nothing special. Coffee, teas and juices.

Thanks for your swift reply...that is disappointing..we love having a leisurely breakfast in our jammies...guess that is not going to happen.

Hi, can anyone point me to a room service menu for the Ruby. I DID do a search and couldn't find it. If anyone can help point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. TIA

What can we do and see on our own in these ports. The only thing we really wanted to do is a whale watching tour and that pretty much wipes out our $ for tours. So we are looking at what we can do on our own or for a small amount. Thanks for your suggestions in advance

What I would suggest is that the rest of your party take care of everybody's luggage (if it's not already been turned in at the airport)

 

Another question please....what do you mean 'if it's not already turned in at the airport' How does this work? turned into who? Again a huge thanks in advance

No, you won't have to take it off. When you get to the end of the security line and hand the person your passport, just tell him/her that you have a back brace on and that it will set off the machine and they will tell you that you will get patted down on the other side of the scanner. You'll then collect any carry on items that you've sent through the scanner and will be patted down. Once you've been patted down you will collect your carry on items and proceed to the check-in line.

 

Any other questions, let me know.

 

Tom

thanks...it's a hassle to get it off and on and I prefer to wear it under my clothes..so this will work!!

Hope you have a safe trip to Seattle and a great time on your cruise! If you have any other questions, please let me know. See you at the pier!

Tom

thanks so much for all this info. I don't care if I have to eat hotdogs all week.it's ALASKA!!! I do have a question...I will be in a back brace will I have to take it off to go through security?? Thanks in advance.

We were on the first Ruby 7 day cruise to Alaska.................had salmon.....many different ways, red king crab, even had a day with caribou I believe.........

 

Sorry but I don't remember all the menus......

 

Sharon

WOW thanks...that's exciting for those of us in the midwest!

A new Alaska menu is being implemented. We'll have to wait for the first batch of cruisers to return and see if someone is willing to post the menus. Another thread on the subject was already started...

thank you...I am sorry I didn't find a thread on the subject..I shall search again

Hi, we are on the Ruby in September to Alaska. Does anyone know if there will be an Alaska seafood night? I thought I read there would be but for the kife of me I can't find it now. TIA

Rather than the syrup based coffees on the other Princess ships, the Royal and Regal have coffee brewers in the HC. I'm a tea drinker but DW thought the HC coffee was pretty good.

Thanks....we will be on the Rudy to Alaska in September. We like GOOD coffee, not anything fancy just good coffee. We use a percolator at home. I hate to think of paying $60.00 for my DH and I for good coffee. It seems like Princess would/should serve good coffee in all outlets.

The buffet opens at 5:30am with free coffee.

Is this fresh brewed coffee and not the coffee made from syrup (never heard of this before) and if so, could I take a carafe with me and fill it? TIA Also can ?I? get half and half with coffee?

We use TravelGuard as well. Never had any problems and I book with them online. I think we book the Gold policy.

Thanks will check them out as well...

FWIW, we are somewhat older, so, Princess Platinum insurance is not expensive for us compared to what else is available (although we never really did think it was expensive). We've needed to use it twice and there was no difficulty to deal with it. Filled out the claim forms and supplied the info that was asked for and the claims were taken care of.

 

YMMV

Thanks I will check it our once I figure out what we really need.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=635

 

The main thing wrong with Princess, or ANY other vacation company default insurance, is the outrageous profiteering. When you can buy equal or better coverage on an annual policy for the price of a two week single trip, <<<<< can you please explain this to me someone somewhere is laughing all the way to the proverbial bank...

 

My first career was in insurance, my wife still works in the industry, and there's only one thing that brings in more profit than one-shot vacation policies - extended warranties at point-of-sale.

 

Those of you signing up for Princess insurance - thank you for subsidizing my cruising; without your generous payments, they'd have to jack up prices somewhere else to keep earnings high;-)

Do you have any suggestions about insurance we are seniors...medicare/medicaid...no other insurance medical ins. Thanks

I have never heard anyone say that Berkeley is hard to deal with. :confused:

Sorry I have no idea what Berkeley is???

I used Travel Guard. I called and a very nice girl walked me through it.

thanks....a sure need someone like that

I'm also an insurance idiot. That's why I just use the Princess insurance. It's easy. :rolleyes:

I guess I will call them and see what they offer. thanks

Could also ask on the insurance board.

There is an insurance board on CC?? It didn't come up in my search...I might be a search idiot too :D

Whats wrong with Princess ins?

uuuummmmm not sure....several ppl told us not to book the cruise line insurance...said it was very expensive and difficult to deal with.

Hi! I have searched to try to find the answer and have not been successful...so....I looked on insuremytrip.com to get insurance for our Sept Alaska cruise on the Ruby. I am an insurance idiot..not sure what I should look for to compare the various plans offered. Has anyone used this site? If so, do you have any hints and what should one included on the trip cost? Cruise of course, airfare, hotels, dog boarding...or just items you would be charged for in paid in advance and would not be refundable? Thanks in advance to any/all that can give me some guidance.

Thanks for your replies....the more I think of it, the more I think it would not be a wise expenditure...especially since we have balcony cabins booked.

Hi would someone who has experienced the Sanctuary on the Ruby please explain the advantages/disadvantage/cost of utilizing it on a cruise to Alaska in September? I have searched but have not found the answer. TIA

Thanks y'all....it sounds like there will be amply storage for the 2 of us...I am not crazy about open shelving but it is what it is...again thanks

Hi, can anyone tell me how much drawer space there is in the balcony cabins? There seems to be ample closet space but haven't been able to find out about drawer space. I usually take a small fold up shelf thingie that hangs over the closet rod, but we are going to try to pack lighter on 'stuff' as we will be taking more clothing and boots ...going to Alaska instead of the Caribbean. TIA