Alaska Cruise Tour - Time Zone Change

[SuzD123]

This is something that I have been wondering about in the background, but as we have been preparing for other things related to our first Alaska sailing/cruise tour...it has kind of fallen by the wayside.  Fast forward to this week when I saw a slightly related question in a separate thread.

 

With several Caribbean sailings under our belts, we're well aware of the concept of "ship's time" and the need to know which time/time zone to follow so as to not miss all aboard.  As we have been watching several YouTube videos and reading CC threads...there have been a number of mentions about time, but as we are now days away from stepping onboard...we are finally thinking more about it.

 

Specifically on a RCCL Alaska itinerary...is the time zone followed solely at the Captain's discretion?  Is how it is followed different between Alaska and Caribbean sailings?  Do we follow the original departure time zone (in our case Pacific Time) or does it shift to local times as we move through time zones (into Alaska Time)?  The alternative is to pay close attention to ship announcements and the daily Cruise Compass too.

 

I guess through our past experience, we believed that the time/time zone question was pretty standard...sticking to ship time at the departure port...but maybe not?  As much as I love my smartwatch, I'm wondering if I need to dig out my old analog watch and make sure it has a new battery?

 

Any thoughts or guidance regarding time changes/time zones from others who have previously sailed Alaska itineraries?

Edited April 19 by SuzD123

[smokeybandit]

I think those routes always have the ship time changed to match the local time zone.

[SuzD123]

1 minute ago, smokeybandit said:

I think those routes always have the ship time changed to match the local time zone.

Thank you...that's what we have been starting to wonder.  I'll be interested to hear of others' experiences too.  Obviously we'll be paying attention and following whatever instruction we get from the crew, but it is always nice to be a little prepared and aware ahead of time.

 

Thank you again.  🙂

[smokeybandit]

Any time zone change is very well communicated on board. You won't miss it.

[janabellev2.0]

I've sailed in Alaska extensively over the years, both on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, and the ships have always changed from Pacific to Alaska time.  I would be surprised if the time onboard didn't change to local time.

[BirdTravels]

On our Alaskan cruise, there was a note in the cruise compass and a card. 

 

[RedSails1968]

If you are going to be out and about, it doesn’t hurt to dig out the old-fashioned watch. 

[crzndeb]

Alaska is 1 hr behind Pacific time. You will only have 1 time change going north. On my numerous cruises to Alaska, they have always done the time change.

[SuzD123]

Thank you everyone for your responses.  This is exactly what we needed.