mom2mybugs

I find that I just can't eat the udp and drink the dbp. Too much, and I'd feel compelled. Maybe on a really long one that I get to do someday (dang work), but right now 3 is pretty good, and half the time by day 6 we are windjammering because even mdr is too much! Jane

That is surprising that they are often closed, and it doesn't take much to store a blender! We had an aft balcony on Voyager, and I laughed that I needed a bar closer! This will be the same! I'm starting to look at the compass... It's finally almost all lucky on the app, and pub didn't seem to have much music. This explains why. My first cruise was on vision and I remember a very rainy day with a book as one of my favorite vacation moments. I really don't like schooner on the Oasis class, and I'm guessing I won't on icon next spring. But it looks amazing on radiance! I was going to ask about viking crown, so that's disappointing to hear as well. Seems a match to hang there and watch scenery!!! Thank you so much for all your insights! This week needs to go faster and reading these keeps me patient! Jane

Please add me! July 25-Aug 1 2025 radiance of the seas (northbound Alaska) March 28-April 24, 2026 Icon of the seas (Eastern Caribbean) Thanks! Jane

Thank you! Schooner is our favorite and the last ones on Voyager and navigator were meh. I wonder why the difference in kids since both are off school anyway. I teach preschool married to a high school teacher, so we don't care either way, but it's interesting! Jane

I've been buying quick dry pants, waterproof shoes and I think only talking one pair of jeans. After a 2 hour torrential downpour last month at an outdoor weird Al yankovich concert, I realized that wet jeans feel awful and never dry! Good to know we should hit windjammer for breakfast and views!!! Jane

We are booked for the 6 hour dinner cruise through viator! It's expensive, so it's so good to hear taking the cruise is worth it! Very excited! How was your b2b? What did you like the best and how is the schooner bar piano player? Jane

Is glacier brewhouse worth doing? It's on our short list for our one day in Anchorage and it's right near our hotel. Going to be totally following. We leave for Vancouver next week and board radiance on Friday when you get off! We have a couple different ports and are going the opposite direction! So excited as this is our first Alaska trip and our 35th anniversary with our kids and son in laws family! Jane

That sounds like an amazing, if stressful, trip. I hate being cold, and wet. I'm not sure I will get back to Alaska so I want to experience and be out there, but I'm trying to give myself grace to be ok inside with a book and an adult coffee!!! I just keep throwing more layers and sweaters on the packing list. And more shoes...I hate wet cold feet! Jane

We are on radiance and I know it has that seating! Great to know! I have an ear band somewhere... Will try to find, or Amazon is becoming my best friend this week . We were planning on aquarium in Vancouver but will check into it for Seward. The dinner cruise we have scheduled is for kenaii fjords so I'm excited! Thank you:) Jane

I will definitely pack the hat and gloves! Thank you! Jane

Ugh. We are sailing icon first week in April. We disembark Easter weekend. Should be fun . Jane

Yeah, I'm not a fan. First of all, yes, souvenirs. But I'm also the person that likes my printed airplane boarding pass. I never quite trust my phone not to fry out the second I'm walking up to security or a concert venue. I'm never convinced the wifi will work and I haven't truly figured out Samsung/Google wallet. I get the load on sea pass card, but it does mean I will be constantly checking my phone app to be sure I'm meeting in the right place. Jane

Hi everyone, been back about 3 weeks from my Voyager Italy/Croatia cruise and off to Alaska next week! I have got to not overpack this trip, because the 20 lb backpack on the way home because my suitcase was at 50 was just too much! I'm really trying to figure out what I need in terms of dress clothes and also, what's the temp on the ship? I know layers, layers layers. Does anyone dress up for formal night (I know, subjective, and be me, but I don't want to be the only one dressed up and I hear it's way casual compared to Europe/Caribbean). I'm normally cold with AC and being a sweater, but will it be too warm inside with jeans? Our temps are looking upper 50s-low 60s highs with pretty much nonstop train. Is it at all humid, or will it feel chillier? Outerwear? Planning on a light puffer, a windbreaker and a rain poncho. Will I need hat and gloves? I am always cold lol. Bringing thin sweatshirts as well. Does anyone have a quick shoe drying hack? I'm taking my hoka water resistant hikers, gym shoes and water hikers. Anything that I shouldn't miss on an Alaskan cruise? Do you have to be outside to really appreciate the inner passage day, or is a schooner window seat a great option? And if I'm outside, will I have to watch for chair hogs like a Caribbean beach day. Will I need to bring a blanket? Do they sell fun ones on the ship? Seward and Anchorage: thinking of doing the fjord dinner cruise, and wandering the city path in Anchorage. We are only a day and a half in Seward, and less than a day in Anchorage... Any amazing good recs? Thanks for any and all advice! I will go scan Matt's old posts, etc, but look hearing people's experiences! I'm feeling a bit out of my planning element. We are celebrating 35 years in icy strait point with all our kids, and reaching diamond, so it's an exciting time! Jane

Good to know. We did the same time for 11 am! I will say I was on at 2am, and it wasn't open by 210 Central, but it opened before 3am (midnight at the time ship time!). It was confusing but all worked out Jane

I've heard this bathroom is epic! Jane

So I guess just so everyone doesn't get upset, I will thank everyone and guide us back....I will be tipping private guides, it was more a question of how. I will definitely pull some Euros. Back to the ship. We have the drink pkg and I know gratuities are in there. I still like to give a little extra to great bartenders and wait staff who bring drinks to my pool chair, etc. I give dollars in the Caribbean... Can I still do that here since it's easier than a bunch of Euro coins? Or Euros for the win? Just curious what people do. Jane

I do know the tipping culture is very different, but I also know every tour I was on last time had the tip jar on the bus ready to go! Just don't have a lot of time pre-trip to organize ordering at the bank but want to be ready. Thanks! Jane

I will be enjoying reading, as it will keep me happy right up until I board on June 16! Our itinerary is very different than yours, but we will do Sicily and Naples! Have a wonderful cruise! Jane

We did this excursion a few years ago and it was fantastic! Jane

Rhapsody for us was June 2024! This June 2025 we are 6/16/25 on voyager Italy and Croatia! Jane

Hi! We are headed out for our 2nd European cruise through Italy and Croatia. I don’t remember how we handled tips last time. We usually have a bunch of $1s and use those with drinks. However, the euro coin thing is a pain. Can I tip with ones or do I need to hit an atm for euros? Will I be able to take the big bills and exchange for smaller currency at guest services? In addition, how do we tip on tours? American dollars or euros? Does it make a difference if they are rec tours or viator? Thanks! Jane

We are planning on an icon cruise next April. I decided to embrace the loud one day and booked one of the daybeds. I have a feeling we will spend a lot of time in the dome area... Just not in a swimsuit. Hoping overall icon won't feel overwhelmingly crowded. Jane

I assume you've been notified about the itinerary change for day 2 from Naples to Salerno. I was very disappointed since I'd gotten a good deal before. However I decided to go with a Viator tour instead. More expensive but a much longer and better tour of Pompeii. Jane

I’m still heartbroken over our majesty cruise. We picked it just for cuba and that port was literally cancelled less than a month before. It was too late to change flights, the weather was awful and they substituted naussau. Not a great cruise…we shouldn’t have risked it and just did oasis. Jane

We are sailing Vancouver to Seward July 25! Our first. Alaska cruise so will be watching for cruise compasses and any advice! Jane