Finally Retired

Owwww, that's a lovely thought.   I'll find out if they'll deliver that early.  Much better than something I saved the night before in a ziplock!

On 7/29/2019 at 6:20 PM, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said:

Thanks! This will be my longest trip ever. My BF and I are planning on trying to pack in one large suitcase instead of two small ones (idk if that will happen bc I want to bring back cheese from St. Maarten). 

I can rock out a 3-5 night trip but for some reason this 8night is just throwing me for a loop.

I agree - most things can be worn twice, but be careful about packing only one bag.  if it gets lost (airline) and you don't get it back before ship leaves, you're up the creek.  Take two and pack some things for each of you in each bag.  If one gets lost, you both still have something to wear:)  And, it will leave more room for souvenirs:).

Also, I start putting stuff in a "cruise" pile in a separate room as soon as I have picked shore excursions (they may require unusual attire, e.g., hiking boots). That way I can see if I need to order anything special to take (i.e. water resistant pants for our Alaska outings!) and have them in plenty of time instead of discovering the week before that I'm missing something.  I start packing the suitcases the week before, leaving.  Laying stuff out to see what can be mixed/matched helps pack less too:)

On 7/29/2019 at 6:20 PM, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said:

Thanks! This will be my longest trip ever. My BF and I are planning on trying to pack in one large suitcase instead of two small ones (idk if that will happen bc I want to bring back cheese from St. Maarten). 

I can rock out a 3-5 night trip but for some reason this 8night is just throwing me for a loop.

I agree - most things can be worn twice, but be careful about packing only one bag.  if it gets lost (airline) and you don't get it back before ship leaves, you're up the creek.  Take two and pack some things for each of you in each bag.  If one gets lost, you both still have something to wear:)  And, it will leave more room for souvenirs:)

I can't speak to a lot of the post but I can say that a segway in old St. Juan might not be a good idea.  If you can't ride on the sidewalk, much of the roadway is brick or cobblestone and that could be very dangerous on  segway.  We were there several years ago on a motorcycle cruise.  It had rained on/off that day and motorcycles on those narrow, wet brick/cobblestone roads was nerve wracking to say the least.  I too have foot/ankle issues and use an ankle brace (mueller).  Seems to help a great deal.

5 hours ago, whenismynextcruise said:

No steamers allowed either just in case you were thinking of alternatives. Besides the wrinkle releasers someone here has mentioned something about using a flat iron (hair straightener thing) as a plausible alternative. I have no experience with that myself. Maybe someone can chime in here for you.

Thanks, I was thinking steamer.  Flat iron idea is interesting but I too don't have any experience with them and I'm afraid I'd scorch something and be out of luck:)  Thanks again.

19 hours ago, Rose City Cruiser said:

No irons are allowed or supplied in the staterooms.  They do offer press service onboard for a fee.  Some members here bring Downy wrinkle releaser.

Thanks so much.  I seemed to remember no iron last time we cruised but went completely braindead when packing this time.  Great idea on the downy wrinkle releaser.  Only packing a few things that might need touching up:)

Dumb question, but are irons supplied in the staterooms?  Might need to touch up something for formal night

On 8/16/2019 at 10:06 AM, ScooterScott22 said:

Clarifying as the pp is referencing a different experience.  This is a trip to the glacier, probably by helicopter, Right?

We did a different glacier but similar trip earlier this year during our Juneau stop.  Jacket and pants are probably most likely.  Since it can be warm in the sun but cool if it clouds up a packable outer layer works best. You probably could do jeans but as the snow gets churned up by the sled it can get on the seats, so waterproof or resistant is probably better.  On our excursion our family took turns as passenger and driver so you may not have to be in the seat the whole time.  Since you are on snowpack boots or waterproof shoes can help but they most likely will provide you with boots that go over whatever foot wear you have on.  Attached is a pic of the musher we were with and what they had on since they are living at the camp it is the best reference.

Great photo!  Thanks for the tip on the waterproof.  We were going for the boots and hubby has water resistant pants - might need to look into those for me too!

On 8/16/2019 at 6:42 AM, arebee said:

We did one in Juneau last Sept but not with Royal.  If its like ours, the team pulls a sled on wheels that hold about 8 people.  It was fun and they can pull.  We also got to hold several puppies from 4 weeks old to several months.  They do this to socialize them.  If yours is the same, there should be a dog there named Guda (like the cheese) he is a retired sled dog and just lays around now being spoiled.  If hes there, give him a scratch on the head for me.  As for clothes, since it August I'd say a light jacket.  No need for hiking boots but no flip flops either.  To be sure you can check the weather to see the history at Juneau for you week.  Thats what we did.

Thanks so much.  We're taking helicopter over to Mendenhal and then sledding on the glacier.  Glad to hear the weather's not going to be frigid!

On 8/7/2019 at 7:06 PM, Baked Alaska said:

I wore guide pants from Orvis. They have loops on the sides to convert to capris. Wore those fishing, hiking, specialty dining. . . everywhere. Colors great, goes with everything. Love them. Here's what they are: https://www.orvis.com/p/women-s-guide-pants/17n2 

 

Perfect - I was actually looking at some of the convertible pants!  Thanks!

On 8/6/2019 at 8:18 AM, HeWhoWaits said:

On our last Alaska cruise, the only time I wore long pants was to MDR dinner. Otherwise, shorts for me the whole trip - inside and out.

My husband will be SO glad to hear that - he's balking at bringing too many long pants.  I'm thinking something nice for MDR and long pants for dog sledding on the glacier, probably for salmon fishing too!

1 minute ago, ChessE4 said:

Your tickets in your stateroom will indicate the "muster" time, which is generally 15 minutes earlier, but some excursions gather at the pier.  You know your estimated port arrival time, and if it says 7 AM, I'd bet you are meeting inside.  But if it says 6 AM arrival, you may be on the pier.   At any rate, you need to check the hours of the meal venues (cruise compass) to see when they open.  If you can't grab something quickly on your way to your meeting, then I'd get something the night before that you can keep in your room "cooler", if you have one.  Some coffee places open at 6:30 and others are 6 AM, so I refer you back to a recent cruise compass. 

Thanks so much.  I hadn't thought about checking the port arrival time, still fairly new to cruising and it never really mattered before because I don't usually book anything before 9:)  I'm taking along a few ziplocks just in case I get an urge for a late night cookie or snack so I'll be sure to have one available in case i need it for some morning goodies!

My hubby and I are sailing on Radiance next week and have booked the Dog Sledding excursion out of Juneau.  Has anyone taken this excursions?  Recommended clothing?  i'm thinking warm jacket, gloves, hat and scarf.  Also hiking boots.  Is all that necessary or am I just being a sissy:)

RC just changed our excursion time to a 6:30 a.m. excursion from something more reasonable.  This is for a Salmon Fishing excursion from Radiance of the Sea next week.  Checked with RC about this and they indicated provider has eliminated the later excursions - my guess not enough interest.  This is the only time available. 

Has anyone taken this O'dark Thirty excursion?

Question:  What time would we end up leaving the ship to get there that early or does the excursion "start" time mean the time we gather to go to the excursion site?  When the heck would we eat breakfast?  Bring something back from dinner to eat in the a.m.?

Fares are disgusting.  Alaskan cruise has been on my bucket list for years.  Flights to Vancouver were actually half of what it was to come home from Anchorage!  Fortunately,  I had about 100K frequent flyer miles and that paid for most of the airfare.  Investigating other options for traveler cards - mine was American Airlines and their flights are not really comfortable and couldn't use Alaskan (partner with AA) because flight times were horrible.  

YUMMMMMM cookies for later!  Just a thought, but think about bringing a few small ziplocks with you so if you do bring cookies back to your room you can keep them in the ziplocks.  They'll stay fresher and avoid tempting any critters (ants) from invading:)  Not that I've ever seen a bug on any of my cruises, but why tempt fate.

Thank you Sooooooooooooooooooo much.  I'm packing the capris right now!

I have only cruised southern (Caribbean) destinations and naturally onboard attire was shorts or capris and a t-shirt/tank top.  We're sailing to Alaska in 2 weeks and I don't know what to pack for inside (e.g., casino, theater, general inside areas).  Are they warm enough for capris/t-shirt or should I be wearing long pants (e.g., jeans, yoga pants).  I know for any outside activity I should be in long pants and/or layers but hate to be hot inside because I only packed for "outside."  I already know layers and prepare for damp weather for off-ship activities.  

Thanks so much for any help or advice you can give me!