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Adventures with a "travel " chair, fire, rescue and earthquake Crown 5/31/14

poffel

By poffel,
in Princess Cruises

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poffel

poffel

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Yes all the above really happened.

A little back ground, I have been on about 14 cruises over the course of 20 yrs, and am not loyal to just one brand. Had not been on Princess since 2000. My husband and I pick and choose according to ports and timing as we are both still working. DH did not go this time, as one of my sisters is widowed and was in need of a roomie. We had been to Alaska in 2008

 

We were a group of 8 and we traveled with a tour group out of Albuquerque. This was our first venture with a "chair", and things were really smoooth.

 

My dad can walk short distances, but not stand for long periods. So after 2 years of talking, he finally agreed to a chair. He bought a light weight chair with all 4 sm wheels. It weighed aoubt 23 lbs and folded up easily. Everywhere, Princess employees were very helpful and accomodating. The hardest part was down the ramps, to go off the ship, but they had guys stationed at the top and bottom to assist. The rest of the time, one of the seven of us would handle the pushing around.

 

We were with a tour group out of Albuquerque, 43 of us, so most of the time it was just our group in the buses. Princess had everything very organized. We flew into Fairbanks at 1am and the same day did gold panning and the riverboat. Spent another nite in Fairbanks, then a bus ride to Denali, where we took the afternoon 6hr tour. Saturday was a nine hr train ride to the Ship. They checked us in on the train, which was very painless. We arrived on the ship at 7pm, muster at 8pm, the dinner where ever you could find it. We quickly established Crooners as our "meeting place", and had a great time with servers, Anthony, Jasmine, and Ireyna. They are the best.

 

We all had balcony rooms, one with a Mini suite. All but the mini, were on the Carbibe deck, so nice, big balconies. Rooms were clean and had alot of storage. The one thing that I thought was different was no closet doors.

 

We traditional dinning in the Botticelli, at 5:45, (my parents choice of time), and our waiter Mark was wonderful. Our previous cruise was with Carnival (not my choice), and I had forgotten how great dinner could be if you have staff that actually care. Mark's assistant Lie was also great.

 

All but 3 of us bought the AIR card and it was great in terms of budgeting. Once the staff learned who had the card they would charge all the drinks to one card and only one had to sign. When I ordered some selzer to take back to the room, they gave me a full can. Gellato was also included.

 

The fire announcement was a tad scary, but made you think about what you needed to do if we had to really "muster". We also saw and heard people in line at the guest services that want compensation for being woken up. REALLY?

 

The rescue was interesting and took about an hour out of our time. Was sad to read the person did not make it. They and their famly are in my prayers. I was on an elevator later on, and one lady was complaining about the hour it took to help. Thankfully my family kept their mouths shut til she got off. It could have been ugly and she thought she was SO right.

 

The earthquake happened in Juneau the morning we were there, prior to getting of the ship. 5.2 the locals said.

 

Few last thoughts. The lack of overhead announcements was refreshing. Usually, just an evening entertainment list. Did MUTTS one "nite" (it was still sunny) and it was cold. Had to find our own Blankies, but not a deal breaker. Only did one excursion, in Skagway, the Railway. This trip was about spending time with Mom and Dad. And they wanted to visit and catch up. I had been to Alaska before, so had my parents, and my sisters and their SO's had not but they did not seem interested in exploring. Just spending time together, as we don't know how much longer Mom and Dad will be able to go with us.

 

Ask questions and I will try to answer. May not be the same day as I work 12 hr shifts and do not check the boards the days I work. I got alot of info from these boards, and would like to give back. Sorry for the spelling and grammar errors.

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cruiseryyc

cruiseryyc

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The fire announcement was a tad scary, but made you think about what you needed to do if we had to really "muster". We also saw and heard people in line at the guest services that want compensation for being woken up. REALLY?

 

The rescue was interesting and took about an hour out of our time. Was sad to read the person did not make it. They and their famly are in my prayers. I was on an elevator later on, and one lady was complaining about the hour it took to help. Thankfully my family kept their mouths shut til she got off. It could have been ugly and she thought she was SO right.

 

 

In both cases I don't think I could have kept my mouth shut!!! Can't believe the selfishness of some people.

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Ethel5

Ethel5

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I'm happy that you had a great family cruise with your Mom and Dad. It's all in the attitude and you have a good one. I admire the restraint your family showed in not blasting the complainers! Good job. :)

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poffel

poffel

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Helenb. Small engine fire, pulling into Skagway. Alarm sounded at 0430. All clear about 0500. True fire, and crew were out at their posts in civilian clothes. Tugs along side. Lost propulsion for about an hr.

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lax19

lax19

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We were with a tour group out of Albuquerque, 43 of us, so most of the time it was just our group in the buses. Princess had everything very organized. We flew into Fairbanks at 1am and the same day did gold panning and the riverboat. Spent another nite in Fairbanks, then a bus ride to Denali, where we took the afternoon 6hr tour.

 

I wonder if my son was your bus driver from Fairbanks to Denali. Tall, good looking kid (aren't they all?)

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poffel

poffel

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We had a "supa" time, Idaho ( said with my dad's Bostonian accent). We did not let those people ruin our good time. They weren't having any fun I don't think if they let those things bother them

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TM

TM

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Makes me wonder what if their attitude would have changed should they or someone they knew or loved were the ones needing the medical care and rescue.

 

Sounds like you had a great family vacation. My family was lucky to have been able to do two family cruises and we all had a wonderful times with lots of laughs and great memories, and that's what it is all about. My Dad always said our first family cruise to Mexico was one of his best trips, every where he looked there was someone he knew, there were 17 of us, 5 adult kids, spouses, and 7 grandkids. My Mom and Dad enjoyed it so much they took us all back again several years later to celebrate my Mom's 75th Birthday.

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Marieze

Marieze

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Your recap was delightful! It's a dang good thing I wasn't the person standing there when those idiots complained....how dare they!!!! My goodness....make me mad mow just thinking about it...so many only care for themselves!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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