On the Miracle from Seattle to Alaska this summer?

[DenaInWyo]

Thanks for your reply!  I will definitely be sure to check the things out you mentioned on the ship, and the Skagway train.  I'm hoping that's still going to be going because of the problem with the border.   

 

There are definitely aspects I am looking forward to with solo, and I will indeed be spending plenty of time on that balcony.  I do like my own company and that is going to be incredible and relaxing.  I'm a nurse, and believe me, I'm over the pandemic, well and truly.  I spent the worst of the quarantine at my grown son's house to keep my mom safe from my cooties, and I was beginning to wonder just HOW bad it could really be for murdering someone in their sleep for leaving the toilet seat up, among other things.  I mean, come on.  He was raised better than that.  

 

I thought our humor matched up pretty well too, reading your blog!  I'll keep an eye out for you 😉 I love wandering Pike Place, just bumping around without much of a plan.  

[evandbob]

The Points Guy had an opinion article mentioning that if DeSantis wins his case against the CDC, Alaskan cruising will be halted.

 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/florida-cruise-lawsuit-alaska-impact/

 

Right now, the judge has issued a temporary injunction against the CDC in this case, and a final ruling could come mid July.

[DenaInWyo]

25 minutes ago, evandbob said:

The Points Guy had an opinion article mentioning that if DeSantis wins his case against the CDC, Alaskan cruising will be halted.

 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/florida-cruise-lawsuit-alaska-impact/

 

Right now, the judge has issued a temporary injunction against the CDC in this case, and a final ruling could come mid July.

 

I've been following this pretty closely.  The judge specified this only applies to the CSO in Florida and so will have no effect on Alaskan cruises.  

[kwbrad]

27 minutes ago, evandbob said:

The Points Guy had an opinion article mentioning that if DeSantis wins his case against the CDC, Alaskan cruising will be halted.

 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/florida-cruise-lawsuit-alaska-impact/

 

Right now, the judge has issued a temporary injunction against the CDC in this case, and a final ruling could come mid July.

 

I think where the cruise lines are safe in Alaska with the way the judge wrote his ruling is he specifically says it is a ruling about Florida only.  Also he states something to the effect of the CSO still being guidance (so how I think the cruise lines will argue it, is that the CSO still exists, so they can what they need from the CDC to sail and meet the requirements of the bill that was passed) 

At least that is my positive spin on things, I pray our cruise still happens.  

 

[Elaine5715]

On 6/16/2021 at 1:53 PM, ProfCruise said:

I'm booked on the first sailing from Seattle to Alaska on the Miracle on July 29th.  I'm live journaling about my experience from booking all the way through embarkation.  So far I've covered:

• My initial communication from Carnival regarding safety protocols
• Researching travel insurance
• Claiming my shareholder benefit
• My impressions of our announced Cruise Director
• Latest news regarding the first ship to sail from North America
• The 2.0 upgrades on the Miracle
• How to track where the Miracle is currently located
• Shopping for a mask for my cruise (which will be required in the terminal)
• Issues with excursions booked for Skagway that normally travel into Canada

 

So my question is, what would be helpful to know going forward for those of you traveling on a later sailing?  Anything you want me to pay special attention to onboard or as I prepare?

 

Thanks!  If you want to follow along with my journey you can do so here.  And feel free to share any other tips or information you have about these EXCITING summer cruises to Alaska!  I'm sooooooooo ready for this!

I am on the Aug 10 sailing so I am interested in both Embarkation and Debarkation methods.  What about customs?

[ProfCruise]

13 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

I am on the Aug 10 sailing so I am interested in both Embarkation and Debarkation methods.  What about customs?

 

I'm curious too.  I'm assuming no customs for US citizens since we're leaving from and returning to a US port and aren't visiting any foreign ports.  First time I've (or any of us) have ever done that!  I'll be sure to report back with all the details!

[Dunk]

2 hours ago, ProfCruise said:

 

I'm curious too.  I'm assuming no customs for US citizens since we're leaving from and returning to a US port and aren't visiting any foreign ports.  First time I've (or any of us) have ever done that!  I'll be sure to report back with all the details!

The only thing I think that would make customs a thing is that you're out in international waters, buying a bunch of duty free stuff in the onboard shops. But who knows!

[CC Rider 69]

3 hours ago, ProfCruise said:

 

I'm curious too.  I'm assuming no customs for US citizens since we're leaving from and returning to a US port and aren't visiting any foreign ports.  First time I've (or any of us) have ever done that!  I'll be sure to report back with all the details!

FWIW, We have a casino ship that use to go out of The Corpus area, don't know if it still does. But they would go to international waters to gamble then return the same night, same port,  no passport required for that. 

[ProfCruise]

1 hour ago, Dunk said:

The only thing I think that would make customs a thing is that you're out in international waters, buying a bunch of duty free stuff in the onboard shops. But who knows!

 

Those are good points.  I'll be very interested to see how it all works!

[ProfCruise]

1 hour ago, Dunk said:

The only thing I think that would make customs a thing is that you're out in international waters, buying a bunch of duty free stuff in the onboard shops. But who knows!

 

Now that I think about it, when we've done the 7-day Hawaii cruise on the Pride of America (the only US flagged ship that doesn't have to stop at a foreign port), I don't think we've gone through customs.  I'm wondering if the same rules would apply here? 

[sgttami]

On 6/16/2021 at 3:11 PM, ProfCruise said:

 

Will do!  Thanks and I hope you have a great time too!!!

Carnival switched to Pepsi products in Jan 2020.  I was on one of the first sailings.  No Dr. Pepper since it's a Coke product.  You can bring your own.

[Love being Mimi]

On 6/19/2021 at 3:29 PM, sgttami said:

Carnival switched to Pepsi products in Jan 2020.  I was on one of the first sailings.  No Dr. Pepper since it's a Coke product.  You can bring your own.

It's not coke, it's snapple

[deliver42]

Dr Pepper isn't a Coke product. In some parts of the country, Dr. Pepper is distributed by Coke, but in other parts it's distributed by Pepsi. 

[Dunk]

16 hours ago, deliver42 said:

Dr Pepper isn't a Coke product. In some parts of the country, Dr. Pepper is distributed by Coke, but in other parts it's distributed by Pepsi. 

Correct. Coke's product is Pibb Xtra. I've had it on Carnival ships in the past. 

[sgttami]

I did read on the Carnival website that they  will continue to serve Dr. Pepper on sailings from Galveston and New Orleans only.

Good that you can bring your own if it's that important.

[ctuttle]

On 6/16/2021 at 2:16 PM, ProfCruise said:

 

We are booked on the Alaskan cruise on August 24th - can't wait!  I'd love to be able to book excursions but whenever I check there are only 3 listed.  Anyone know when  others might be listed?

 

[ProfCruise]

On 6/23/2021 at 4:29 PM, ctuttle said:

 

 

I can't answer your question about when more will be listed for your sailing, but I'm happy to share what's available for my July 27th sailing if there are any particular ports or types of excursions you're interested in.

[crncrsr67]

We are on the 8/17 sailing on Miracle.  As we have mostly cruised out of galveston and san juan, we are interested in knowing how cold it will be on the ship balconies / deck, and sea state encountered on your trip.  Right now we are planning on rainproof windbreakers, long sleeve shirts, but not actual coats??

[BlerkOne]

24 minutes ago, crncrsr67 said:

We are on the 8/17 sailing on Miracle.  As we have mostly cruised out of galveston and san juan, we are interested in knowing how cold it will be on the ship balconies / deck, and sea state encountered on your trip.  Right now we are planning on rainproof windbreakers, long sleeve shirts, but not actual coats??

You won't get snowed on, but the weather is unpredictable. That is why they say pack layers. It will probably rain at some point, and you might even need shorts or some sort of warm weather clothing.

[pnwredhead]

Hi There! Ours leaves Seattle on Aug 24th and it can't come soon enough! 

I have read in a few places that the menu is a bit different when cruising north. Would you be able to screen shot the MDR menus on your cruise? I would love to get an idea of what to expect. 

Thanks so much and I look forward to seeing your review. 😃

[nwcruiselover]

I’ll be on the August 24th sailing, cruising solo.  I have been on 6 prior Alaska cruises but am definitely looking forward to this one after 18+ months of not cruising.  I will be watching for your experiences on this cruise and the differences since covid.  Thanks for doing this!  Nancy

[freeholdfriends]

We just booked the Sept. 7 sailing. We were originally sailing from Italy to Greece but ultimately decided it might be too risky to sail overseas right now. We have been on the Miracke twice before but it was about 10 years ago. We are debating on whether or not the Cheers package will be worth it for us. Could you please post the cost of wine/glass and perhaps, a frozen cocktail or martini? Thanks in advance and please enjoy your trip.😁

[Dwright826]

Any vloggers?

[Elaine5715]

Another question...or two

Are porters working for embarkation and debarkation?

Priority debarkation ?

Embarkation photos?

Gangway photos?

[CC Rider 69]

Please find out if Carnival is using SEATAC Port Valet on debarkation day, and if you complete the paperwork at GS.

Thanks