Jan115

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

We occasionally tip extra to those who go above and beyond and leave the auto tipping in place. We've never decreased or removed the auto tip.

Purchased future cruise credits on board the Grand 2 weeks ago, which means the wheels are already turning for 2015!

This was it, the reason for our cruise to Alaska - to see glaciers before they melt. We were aboard the Grand Princess, on a 11-day cruise which left San Francisco on July 29, 2013. The Captain told us the previous day that the best place to initially observe the glaciers would be port side, and a naturalist from Glacier Bay National Park would be on board to narrate about our wondrous surroundings. We reached Glacier Bay about 6:00 a.m., and as the morning wore on, the skies became sunnier and the water bluer than we could have imagined, setting up what would become one of the most breathtaking visual displays of nature that we've ever seen. We woke up early, grabbed our cameras and binoculars, donned a couple of warm layers and headed up top, where we could get a good panoramic vista. There were already a few hardy souls up there when we arrived, wrapped in blankets sitting in chairs by the railing. This looked like a good idea, so we did the same. I won't lie. It was freezing up there on deck! It wasn't long before we ran back to the cabin for another layer or two. We purchased a nice hot Irish coffee from the nearby cart to warm our insides and hunkered down bundled up in our chairs as the ship slowly glided through the bay. My new high-powered binoculars did not fail me as I scoped the waters for wildlife and calving glaciers. I spotted a few sea lions swimming by and a few whale spouts in the distance, and I heard from others that a moose was seen swimming from one shore to another. As beautiful as the hills of Ireland and Scotland were on our cruise last summer, they were no match for the beauty of these snow-covered rugged peaks, mountains, inlets, majestic glaciers and crystal-clear waters. The mix of clouds, sun, shadows and mist lay over the glaciers and mountains in such a way that they sometimes appeared to be magnificent works of art. As the ship made its way through the bay, we marveled at the splendor of it all, including two glaciers - Margerie Glacier and then John Hopkins Glacier - and were lucky enough to witness calving at Marjerie. One especially large chunk of ice starting from the top of the glacier came down crashing into the sea below and, fortunately, was captured on video by my husband. I had gone inside to warm up and, of course, missed the whole big calving event, but we are so lucky to have it on record! Our day in Glacier Bay truly exceeded our expectations. It was humbling to stand in the presence of some of nature's finest wonders, I and hope to some day return again for another glimpse. This is just a taste of what we experienced on our recent Alaska cruise. For the full report, READ MY FULL REVIEW. Check out my "Best of Alaska" Photos

I agree with many of the comments here. Regardless of the dress code, I just wish people would read it and abide by it. The endless questions about what to wear in the dining room can be answered perfectly by following the dress code. If it says "no jeans", then, no, you can't wear jeans. If it says "no ripped jeans", then, no, you can't wear your favorite pair with the knee holes. The problem arises when the cruise line doesn't enforce the rule. Someone comes to the dining room in the evening wearing a t-shirt and shorts, the dining room lets them sit, and then other people want to know why they can't do the same. Exceptions shouldn't be made, even for teens. If the family doesn't want to dress according to code, there are plenty of other options besides the dining room. I agree with the anything-goes dress code in this country, especially with young people. Parents, please teach your kids from a young age - and set an example - of what and what not to wear out to dinner. And don't get me started on baseball caps in the dining room. My brothers were taught very early on - remove your hat. We were goofing on a grown guy in the dining room on the Grand Princess two weeks ago wearing his baseball cap. Not a good example for kids and teens. I don't consider myself a prude. I love my sweats and torn jeans - and my caps. But I also like good manners. :-)

I have Southwest points and they get me to the American ports mostly free, but doesn't help me with international flights. :(

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

This is a big area where my husband and I differ – especially on a cruise day at sea. He is up early, out the cabin door and ready to see and do everything there is aboard the ship. I, on the other hand, like to linger over a cup of coffee in my cabin, sit out on the balcony (if I am lucky enough to have afforded one) and watch the world go by. I am in no particular hurry to do anything. So while we attend shows together, hang out side-by-side by the pool for a little while before attending, say, a ballroom dancing class, we often find ourselves going our separate ways. He’ll go to the casino or an art auction, and I’ll find a quite place somewhere to read or write or just people watch. One not-to-be-missed event we both agree on, however, is a beautiful sunrise or sunset. There is no work of art more beautiful than that of a setting or rising sun at sea and the spectacular soft glow of white, orange and yellow streaks in the sky. Just because the ship’s daily newsletter lists more activities than there are hours in the day doesn’t mean you have to do it all – or much of it at all, for that matter. Yes, cruising is a social event in many ways, a great way to meet people and expand your horizons, but it’s important to remember that it’s your vacation. Do what you feel is right for you. If that means a day full of hairy chest and belly flop contests, by all means – enjoy! But, for you, if that means lounging in a deck chair gazing out at the deep blues and greens of the mesmerizing sea and dreaming the day away, then I say pleasant dreams!

Princess has had the no balcony smoking policy in effect for a couple of years, and on our most recent cruise I was very grateful for no tobacco smoke permeating the beautiful, crisp air of Glacier Bay!

Sarge - I just updated the "Cruise Line Policies" section of CruiseCrazies to reflect the new Disney smoking policy, and I think I can answer your question. The lingo about the filter replacement, carpet cleaning, and everything else that would apply to a cabin was already in place when the policy only applied to the stateroom. Now that they've added the balcony to the no-smoking policy, they retained the same language, now encompassing the entire stateroom/balcony. All they did was add the words "and verandah".

Yes - I think a romantic honeymoon after the "family & friends" honeymoon would be in order. :)

We both cruise on the Monday-Friday home schedule. David gets up at 5:00 am goes out for a walk, gets coffee and goes to the gym, takes a shower and goes to get breakfast. I move much slower. I wake up about an hour later and hang around in my Jammie's, order breakfast in the room and spend time on the balcony (if I have one), read, write in my journal, take a shower and I'm ready to go by 9:00. Less Jammie time if we have an excursion, though! At least once or twice I'll make an attempt to join him at the buffet. :) Staying up late requires a power nap in the afternoon!

I hear you, Debbie. We will be facing the same obstacle to reach our Mediterranean cruise next summer. Ugh!

No need to apologize, Sarge. It's OK to ruffle a few feathers from time to time! Here's my take in the subject. Maybe people don't complain to airlines about delays, canceled flights, cramped and crowded seats, bad connections and crazy fees because bad service has become so commonplace and we don't expect anything different. Flying is a necessary evil and a few hours of inconvenience we put up with to get from Point A to Point B. Then we forget about it until the next time we fly. A cruise, on the other hand (and I have to agree with Jacketwatch on this one) is a carefully planned and much anticipated week-long investment involving meals, entertainment, shore excursions or even prepaid shore independent touring. The inconvenience and disappointment of missing ports is felt much greater over a span of a week than if it were just a few hours. The difference is that the airlines don't care. Planes are flying full, and people will still fly crappy flights. Cruise lines are more generous with compensation because they DO (emphasis added) care about keeping their clients, and are more apt to provide compensation. Happy cruisers are repeat cruisers. Now if the airlines would just throw us a few peanuts!

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.