Loads of newbie questions #1 - all about leaving port. (Alaska Northbound)

[PongosMum]

Island Princess

 

Even I think this is a daft question but I’m still gonna ask it..............:o

 

Is there a big fanfare on the main decks as we set sail (I think I’m imagining something like the ‘Love Boat’ lol) or, assuming we can get into our cabin, would we be better sitting on the balcony making a toast to ourselves with some of the champagne we plan to take on board with us?

 

 

When you’re in port & leave the ship for excursions or to tour the towns, is there a general rule on what time you should be back on board,

e.g. if the ship sails at 2:30 would you have to be back by say 1:00 or 1:30?

(Have minor mobility problems - would like to know how far to stray so we’ve got an idea about how long it’d take us to get back to the ship on time).

 

Thanks for any advice :)

[PunkiC]

They will probably have a sail away party up on the Lido Deck, unless the weather is horrible. The Sail Aways can be fun if you are in the party mood so, since it is your first cruise, give it a shot. It will start shortly after your safety muster which will happen on the Promenade Deck number seven. Since the Costa incident in Italy, cruise ships are very rigid about holding the safetry drill prior to disembarkation.

 

It can also be fun to sit on your deck and enjoy a glass of bubbly as you depart.

 

If you are on a Princess tour, they will make sure you get back in time or else wait for your tour. If you are on your own, make sure you are back on boad by the time that they tell you to be back and that will give you a little slack. We have seen people get left behind and that is not a pretty sight.

[paul929207]

There is almost always a sailaway party on the open deck as you sail. This is an opportunity for Princess to sell drinks. Also, Princess has a scavenger hunt the first day and gives away prizes at this party.

 

Princess will tell you when you have to be on board. Generally, if you are docked, it is 30 minutes before sailing. If it is a tender port, the last tender is usually 1 hour before sailing. Specifics will be in the Princess Patter and a sign will be posted at the gangway

[capriccio]

Leaving Vancouver is beautiful (especially if the weather cooperates) - sailing under the Lions Gate Bridge is a treat and the scenery (mountains, Stanley Park, Vancouver skyline, etc.) on either side of the ship is stunning - make sure you are up on deck!

[timetravler]

Sailaway is always fun if it isn't raining. They will have a band playing, drinks galore if you want to purchase one and many people. I live to bring a bottle of bubbles for sailaway. Remember they don't allow anything thrown overboard including confetti or streamers, but bubbles are fine.

[Alaskanb]

Highly recommend the not-so-secret forward Baja deck or any of the aft decks for sailaway from Vancouver

[Pam in CA]

FYI, when Princess starts boarding any of their ships, all cabins are ready for you to go to, unlike some other cruise lines that make you wait for hours sometimes. You can go directly to your cabin and start enjoying your cruise.

[PongosMum]

FYI, when Princess starts boarding any of their ships, all cabins are ready for you to go to, unlike some other cruise lines that make you wait for hours sometimes. You can go directly to your cabin and start enjoying your cruise.

 

That's great, thanks Pam....... another fab bit of info :)

[PongosMum]

Sounds like a lot of fun (even if there are no streamers :(), think we might do a mixture of deck & cabin.......... and if they don't do a scavenger hunt, I'm goin 2b soooooo disappointed. Great advice everyone, thank you very much :)

[Cruisin' Chick]

Just remember to bring your daily Patters and a reliable watch (or two) before you leave the ship in any port (you'll also need your cabin card and your photo ID). Check that watch against the ship's time (there will be clocks by the elevators and otherwise around the ship, and the ship's time will be posted on a couple of channels on your in-cabin TV -- the navigation and perhaps the bridge channel). Don't use your cell phone if the ship isn't going by local time. But if you want, set the alarm on it to alert you when it's time to return.

[RunnerGirl26.2]

Highly recommend the not-so-secret forward Baja deck or any of the aft decks for sailaway from Vancouver

Agree. The aft balcony gives a great view of the city as you sail away.

 

Double check the time on the sign as you disembark in port. There is a time listed for crew and a time for passengers.

 

Be sure to set your watch/travel alarm to Alaska time zone.

 

Phone use okay in port as the ship's tower will be off.

 

Have a great time!