jce2

21 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said:

How amazing!  My daughters high school band performed in Florence and Venice...it was truly a wonderful experience.  Jane

Cool!! On that trip we visited Milan and sang at Easter mass in the Florence Cathedral...... they start the day with a parade that ends at the cathedral.  Once there they have a float with fireworks.  A firework in the form a a dove is propelled along a wire from the float to the cathedral.  It is designed to hit the end of the wire and return setting off the fireworks on the float.  A successful return means a good harvest.

55 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said:

We will see the Vatican hopefully in August!  Cannot wait!  Jane

I had the distinct honor of singing in the Vatican.  The acoustics are amazing.  When the last note was sung the sound seemed to "roll" to the back of that amazing basilica.  That was 44 years ago yet I remember it clearly.

I dont know if I ever WENT to a YOLO....been to a lot of places but that was in my military career (spent 3 years in Holland and 4 in Gemrnay),  I got to see Rome, Florence, and Venice in my senior year in High school in a choir competition.... but as far as YOLO...that will be next year when I finally get to Alaska!  Totally splurging on this one with an aft corner...havent quite gottem myself to commit to a bear excursion ($800+ per person)

1 hour ago, Flossygirl said:

@jce2 @twangster Do you know whether the buddy tickets also apply when buying the Military Epic Pass or is only available for the Epic Pass?  It's only being offered for another couple of days.  Those buddy tickets could be used for my daughter as I think I noticed spouses don't qualify for the cheaper Military Epic Pass.

Spouses most definitely DO qualify!! So do dependent children

1 hour ago, twangster said:

And look at that, Canadian and Australian qualify:

I'm an Epic pass holder, non-military.  This is a great deal.

Such a good deal that I was convinced there had to be a catch.....Nope!  Have skied 10 times so far this year at Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Crested Butte, and with Breck open until Memorial day hope to get 4 more in.......$99 well spent!

Since we have mentioned a few other military offers I will tell you about one that totally blows my mind.....here in Colorado (and some other states and Canada) we have a season lift pass called the "Epic Pass".  There are many "flavors of this pass but most range in price from $650-$850 and include skiing in multiple locations.  Last year was the 10th anniversary of this pass.  In celebration they chose to offer a special "Military Epic Pass" since many of the ski areas in Colorado had been founded by members of the 10th Mountain Division after their return from World War II (They had been trained in mountain warfare (and skiing) here in Colorado)......The Military pass which includes close to a dozen ski areas and had unlimited/no blackout date restrictions price?.....$99!!!  Needless to say I grabbed one as a single day pass costs more than that!  It is easily the biggest discount I have ever recieved for being military.....much to my surprise they have renewed it for next year (thought he price is now $125!).......Off subject I know but thought I would share as this far into this thread most likely only military folks are reading anyway........Note this pass is good for retirees and their dependents as well 

Did a bunch of research, most of which seems to support the notion that your luggage can be dropped off in Anchorage and delivered straight to the ship regardless of which train you take.  here is one quote that seemed to explain it best...
"I booked the train on my own last year. When you arrive at the train station there will be lines for each cruise line. Get in the Royal Caribbean line and check your luggage. You won't see it again until it is dropped at your cruise room door. When we got to Seward we actually checked onto the ship and then left again to explore Seward, but in hindsight that was not necessary. When we re boarded the ship there was no one waiting to be processed. It took 90 minutes at 1130 am and would have taken 5 minutes at 7 pm."
 

If you look at a photo of the Anchorage depot you wil see a large whote tent structure off to the right of the actual depot.  I beleive that is where you actually drop off your luggage.  I highly suspect the luggage dropped off for the early morning train goes on the same truck as the RC train later in the day.

As retired U.S. Air Force I feel a bit compelled to weigh in here....with a response that may surprise!  I think they should get rid of the military discount altogether!  Here is why...First, it only exists on paper.  It rarely if ever actually gets applied.  Meanwhile you ruffle the feathers of those non-U.S. non-Canadian military personnel.  There is seemingly no problem with state-side companies offering discounts to U.S. service personnel only, as they are stores/restaraunts etc. that are based in thr u.S. and physically located in the U.S. (I would not expect to get a military discount at McDonalds in Japan.....   BUT despite the fact that TC is suposedly a U.S. company, their market is very international including international ports, routes, and indeed crew!  So to only offer the military discount to certain countries defenders slights others and in today's world of reading-to-much-onto-everything could even be viewed as a political statement.  Offering the military discount to ALL military likewise doesn't work..do yo offer the discount to military from opposing countries?  If not, s soon as you elimnate one you make a statement.  Too many pitfalls here.  Get rid of it I say!   (Now, free drinks for veterans i could support!    

19 minutes ago, FManke said:

I'm not worried that I would sail off the end of the world, because I know the world isn't flat.

What I would be concerned about is how does everything stay in place when you get to the bottom of the earth and everything is upside down?

I understand the law of gravity....but what did they do before they passed the law?

I book virtually everything at the earliest opportunity.  Booked my April 28th cruise last January and the price has steadily climbed ever since.  Booked my Galveston Hotel last June and it has doubled in price since!! Booked my Southwest air fare as soon as the dates opened and the price has pretty much held steady ever since.
For my Alaska 2020 trip I have good reason to believe I was the very first person to book a room (the RC operator wasnt even aware they were on sale yet!).  Will book my anchorage hotel as soon as it opens (July 2019) and likewise will book air as soon as it opens (August?).  I have read the 120 days rule but have never noticed it really make a difference...certainly dnt wait until AFTER the 120 mark to book but booking earlier seems to be fine

Sailing out of Galveston makes this question easy!!  Simply jump on the trolley ($1) and run down to the Walmart on the beach front and grab everything you need.  Last year we did just that....we packed with no liquids...took trolley down to Walmart and bought what we needed (and some we didn't), grabbed BBQ at an award winning BBQ hole-in-the-wall in front of it and headed back to the hotel.  easy-peasy!
For my sailing in 27(!!!) days i plan the same thing only this time we are also stopping at a sports store along the route to grab flippers (saves packing them!).

I think it is pretty clear from the OP's tone where the real problem lies here.  Thanks Twangster for you invaluable tips and views.  Your Alaska periscope VBLOG has been the singular best item I have encountered so far in my search from cruise knowledge

I am kind of hoping this doesn't affect Radiance.  Currently our plan is a whale excursion in Icy Strait and do no excursion in Juneau and head out to Mendenhall and the Salmon bake on our own.  If Icy Strait were replaced with GB we would need to cram a Whale Excursion into our day at Juneau

The National Parks Department awarded the next set of 10-year licenses for Glacier bay.....And RC got one!  It is believed the leases take effect this October.  It will be interesting how RC uses this.  I am on Radiance next June and won't be surprised if our itinerary changes to include it (probably at the cost of losing Icy Strait Point  ;(      )

https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/news/glacier-bay-issues-new-contracts-for-cruise-ship-services.htm

I wear progressives and ordered a prescription goggle on-line last year for under $50.  All you really need is the prescription for you 12' range, not the entire spectrum.  Worked out well for me.

6 minutes ago, DublinFC said:

dangit 1 yes 1 no, can I get a tie breaker over here?????

Its not 1 yes and 1 no, its answering two different things.....  Yes, the cup will work without the pass ...BUT....if caught the cup will be confiscated and if they can trace back to your sail pass they will also discontinue your drink package.  In other words, physically it is possible, legally it is not

5 minutes ago, DublinFC said:

Back again, so another question about the Coke cups My wife doesn't drink soda, can she give her cup to her mother to use or is the seapass card needed to operate the machine?  I'm guessing the cup is all that is needed?

No!!!!!!  That would be "sharing" your drink package which is strictly forbidden 

You guys scarfed the crap out of me with this 202 Dry-Dock talk!!  My #1 bucket-list trip is on Radiance in 2020 to Alaska in late June......but sounds like Dry-Dock wont be until later in the year....

We booked "Glacier Winds" for the Whale watching on a small (6 person) boat in Icy Point for our 2020 trip

2 hours ago, Mathew Jones said:

We are going on Liberty on Cinco de Mayo.  The night before we are staying at the Four Points by Sheraton.  They have free parking at the hotel for cruisers and a $5 per person shuttle.  I reserved early to we got a pretty sweet deal on the room. 

Really?  I stayed at Four Points last year and are staying there again this year and to my knowledge they have no shuttle service of any kind.  It is a $10 Uber ride to the cruise terminal

I have yet to be in an aft but logically cant reconcile the concept that aft rooms have  a more "limited" view!  quite the opposite should be true.  My balcony on Liberty is on one side of the ship.  I can only see what is out that side of the ship.  True, I can look a bit left and right but it is still the same basic view.  same holds true for the other side right?...so now let's talk aft....at the very worst it is like the sides, all I can see if out from my balcony and a bit left and right BUT I CAN see what is to both the right and left of the ship as well as straight behind it when leaving port.  seems like aft is ideal!  Hope I am right as I have the aft corner on Radiance in Alaska in 2020.

28 minutes ago, TinaLouise said:

I will be on the cruise with five other people. Will we all be able to sit together at dinner?

Only if you promise to behave.......seriously, you should have no problem getting a table for 5

Got to admit I am intrigued about this "other site".   I do love this blog.  Unfortunately one consistency I have found over on the RC facebook groups is weirdly overbearing admins.  There seems no rhyme or reason to their rules.  I am admin for several groups myself and have yet to understand why they do  what they do.  Feels much more "friendly" out here.

There is a whole lot of activities on-board that I don't understand why anyone would do them.  Not judging or criticizing, but for example, almost anyone can play bingo in their home towns, why waste precious cruise time staring at bingo boards?

I would take a past cruise compass......look at what's offered and make two lists...one of activities you could just as easily do at home, and the other activities that are unique to being on the ship (for example, many of us do NOT have easy access to pools, slides, and loungers!),  Then look at that second list for activities you think you would enjoy.

Agree with others...skip ALL the lectures about shopping, watches, art, jewelry etc....they are elaborate sales pitches.  Finally, they will CONSTANTLY have watches for sale...feel free to look and sure, if you see one you like and have access cash go ahead and buy it BUT if money is a bit tight....document the watch you like and look for it on-line when you get home.  I can almost guarantee you will find it for the same or better price.  Thats what happened to me.  Saw Invictas and fell in love but was skeptical that the prices they were showing were a rip-off..  Got home and did my research.  Turns out their prices were completely fair.......and the same price everywhere else.  In researching, I actually found an Invicta they didn't have on the ship and bought it instead.

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!

JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!