KJ1231

We were on the port side. At Hubbard it won't matter much since the ship should rotate 360 degrees giving both sides good views. For me it was the southbound cruising from Hubbard that had great views of the mountains and a couple other glaciers that would not have been seen from the starboard side. Who knows - there could have been something cool over there - but we were never at a loss for great views from our balcony on the port side.

I read Matt's blog post from December 2014 but thinking things may have changed and hoping to learn before we embark. We have 2 upcoming cruises with balcony rooms next to each other. We're on Brilliance (Radiance Class) with 2 rooms on 12/28 and Anthem (Quantum Class)with 3 rooms in July. Can the dividers be opened on these ships? If they can - is it just a matter of asking the cabin steward? Can we make arrangements ahead of time?

There is an afternoon train from Anchorage to Seward and (AFIK) is only for cruise passengers and booked through the cruise line. Not sure how you would get from Denali to Anchorage. Bus? But you would incur more costs for transportation that you already paid for. Are there pre-cruise tours that end in Anchorage?

I'm on this one.... will have to get together.....

We booked the train from Anchorage to Seward through RCCL. It was their afternoon train so you meet in downtown Anchorage in the morning at the Egan Center and they take your luggage by truck to the cruise ship and bus you over to the train depot for the great train ride. There is also a train that leaves before 7 AM if you want to get to Seward and do something in Seward before boarding the ship. The afternoon train pulls up along side the ship so short walk to get on the boat (you actually check-in for the cruise back at the train depot before you get on the train). If you take the morning train you have a little longer walk or shuttle from train station to the ship. I have more info starting with this post in my live blog from last June:

So The Key has shown up for our 3-night to the Bahamas on Enchantment in March for 24.99 pp/per night or ~$150for my wife and I. I have Voom for 1 to share for $36 so is The Key worth the $114? Chops Lunch is currently $22 so another $44 from $114 is $70 net for both to have Voom (instead of sharing 1), priority boarding, seats for shows, debarkation breakfast, etc. Might just be worth it....

Oh no! Just what I need - more trains. Have any suggestions for cruise/train combinations?

So last year at Christmas I dug out some old trains and added some new ones for the grandkids. I have always enjoyed the trains but never had the time for an extravagant layout. Still don't.... When thinking about getting the trains out this year it reminded me of our Alaska cruise with the fantastic Alaska Railroad ride from Anchorage to Seward, a ride I'll not soon forget. I started to look around to see if anyone made any similar to what we rode. Well I almost the exact locomotive! Ours was a GP40-2, No. 3013. Atlas makes a GP40-2 No. 3008. Had to have it and since it only comes in DCC (sound, etc.) I had to upgrade my controller, too! It really is cool how close the model is to the real deal.: Here is my wife with No. 3013 in Seward: Here's the model: And here's a video of today's purchase: Alaskatrain video

I checked mine - nothing cheaper that what I already have, BUT there is a BOGO 2 Night Dining Package $49.99per person, so $25/night. The first two night's of the cruise. We're cruising day 2 (Anthem to Bermuda, 7/13/18). Looks like we can bring the grandkids (3 and 2) but we pay for them initially and then get their payment reimbursed to our OBC? Thinking it just might be worth it. I got to the checkout and they don't include an extra gratuities either?

Thanks for the insight, @Pima Can't imagine what that's like.... in my 57 years I've only experienced minor tremors.

Is this still offered on Brilliance? We're sailing in December and have not seen it in the planner...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/powerful-quakes-buckle-alaska-roads-trigger-tsunami-warning/ar-BBQjfcl?ocid=ientp Apparently not uncommon in Alaska though they seem to occur away from populated areas.....

I booked two cruises next year before telling my DW. One for our anniversary and her birthday; the other with our 4 kids, SIL and 2 grandkids - she got over it pretty quickly

Hmmm... It looks like it might be confirmation for all the "stuff" on that page in the Cruise Planner. Did it include the casino chip info? RCCL probably went the cheap route and created one generic form for the email instead of a customized one for each item.... Just my $0.02

This may sound awful - but Ketchikan was my least favorite port for excursions so if you have to volunteer to stay behind then I would opt for Ketchikan. Or bring a stroller. all of the ports had places where you can get off the ship and walk around. As someone else mentioned - I think a toddler can definitely do the train ride in Skagway and will probably enjoy it. Junuea woudl be good to take them to Mendenhall Glacier and up on the lift. As an aside - I think it's all about expectations - if you think the toddler will ruin the cruise, they will. If you go in knowing that you may have to make some adjustments along the way and that your disappointments are divine appointments, then all will go well! I would not hesitate to take my grandkidsr if it meant being with them for a week on a cruise. I'm taking mine (3 and 2) to Bermuda next summer ? Wanted to add that I always volunteer to take them at nap time so pe-pop can take a nap, too ?

I have sent an email with your question about the chips. The way I understand it is that you need to bet all the chips. If you win, they replace the "free play" chips with real chips. If you lose, well, you lose. You must bet each chip by the end of the cruise that they were purchased for. So you last statement is true - You will gamble at least $1,000. AND it may not count towards achieving a tier level or certificate for future cruise if that's what you were hoping for. Personally, I don't see it as a viable option unless you go for the $2,000 option with $200 additional. But again, you may sacrifice the points that come along with betting $2K.

You get the promo/free play chips at the cage: Offer must be redeemed at Casino cage during casino open hours by the guest who purchased Offer. More info is in the "Terms & Conditions" link in Cruise Planner after you select a denomination.

Piecing things together, I don't think the Promo/Free Play chips count towards tiers. Overview in Cruise planner for $500 in chips: Overview Score more for your buck when you purchase casino credits before you sail. Buy $500 in Free Play chips and get $25 in additional free play credits (emphasis mine) and a $5 scratch card— available for pick up at the Casino on Day One of your sailing. Up the ante with pre-cruise savings only available here. From CR Terms & Conditions (link below) 9. Club Royale Rewards benefits are based on a Member’s expenditures for gaming play at participating Club Royale casinos with presentation or use of a Member’s Club Royale Account number. No Tier Credits or Club Royale Points are earned on free play or promotional offers.(emphasis mine) https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/casino/club-royale-program-terms-and-conditions.pdf

If I'm not mistaken you get automatically enrolled when you give the pit boss your Seapass card or insert it in a slot machine. I didn't talk to anyone on our first cruise in June. Just played blackjack for a few hours on two occasions and got an email from Casino Royale in July with an offer code that translated into ~10% discount on an upcoming cruise.

I'm hoping my granddaughter who will only be 3 when we cruise to Bermuda on Anthem next July (not the group cruise) starts saying, "Pe-Pop, when can we go another cruise?" "Well, Julia.... Pe-Pop was going to open a 529 account to help you save for college but if you would rather go cruising every summer......" And the title of the thread should be "I created a mini-me"!

Or put the Kindle (nook, other?) app on your phone. I use the Kindle app on my iPad which works out great. KIndle on iPhone is doable but iPad is better.

I don't have ideas. I do know that sailings on holidays cost a whole lot more than non-holiday's. I'm paying double to be on Brilliance for New Year's. I wasn't necessarily looking to be on a cruise for New Year's but that's when our schedules (wife works in a school and college/high school kids). I also booked a Bermuda cruise in July and paying full fare for a 3 and a 2 yo - again because of school schedules and summer sailings don't get the Kids Sail Free.

Ornaments arrived in 1 day via UPS from NJ->PA. I'm done my Christmas shopping now......

Thanks, Mark, for the picture! I believe the min-buses are different from the "pink" buses. They are shuttles that go directly from the dockyard to Horseshoe Bay Beach and back. At $7 each way they are a bit more than the regular bus but I understand that they drop you much closer to the beach than the pink buses.

As Sweety mentions, there are a number of live blogs on here, including my own ? Highly recommend the White Pass train ride in Skagway, whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Also in Juneau, the crab at Tracy's was great, though pricey. Frankly, I would get off the ship and explore at every stop unless you plan to return a few times. You can always find another, much cheaper cruise where you can stay on the boat.