DennaBeana

I've just heard horror stories about being ripped off and such. But then I wonder if I missing some nice excursions by not looking. Are there reputable excursion companies that any one can recommend? Althoug I thinkI'll just comtinue to play it safe...

When i was on the Enchanment there was one late night place to grab a snack. They had hamburgers, cheeseburgers and pizza. Tea, lemonaide and coffee. If I remember right it was the cafe at the Solarium. I just looked at my cruise compass, (I kept them all :) ) late night snacks 10:30- 4am and it is in the Solarium

I've always booked the excursions that were offered through the cruiseline. Is it safe to book outside? I'd worry about being scammed or miss my time to get back to the ship. Thoughts/ Advice?

That's one reason i wanted to get everyone's thoughts on brand loyality, I was thining of booking my Alaska 2008 while on my next cruise in Septmeber to get the perks. Although I'm thinking that with the deals and all it'll probabaly make it a better deal than other cruise lines. Maybe I'll do a 3 or 4 day cruise on some of these other lines and try them that way! I don't think you can go on too many cruises!

Welcome! Dive right in!!![/size]

Welcome! Dive right in!

I spent 2 weeks in the Dominican Republic and remember seeing the children, poverty and coruption. It really opens your eyes to what we have in the US. When we went to Jamica there were 4 people rrested for trying to buy drugs. They were left in Jamica. I didn't enjoy that port. The people were soooooo pushy! I know th poverty level is so high that they really go after the tourist to try to make a living but I felt totally bombarded! I even was hair mugged! This "nice" lady approached me as soon as I passed the gate that surrounded the dock and was asking if this was my first time, my name and what not. She told me she wanted to welcome me to her island with a free hair braid. Then when I sat down 2 other girls came out from behind me and they all started braiding my hair! I told them I didnt want any and she said that they were $2.oo each, I was shaking my head and saying I didn't want them. Finally I yelled out I am not paying for these and the 2 other girls left. The oriinal lady also stopped but then started showing my necklaces she pulled out of her bag. It all happened in like 4 minutes and in that 4 minutes those girls got 3 braids in my hair as u was shaking my head!!!I got back to the boat as soon as I could!

You know before my first cruise all of my friends were all saying "don' fall off" and I was beginning to think it was a real possibility or an easy thing to do. Then once on the ship I saw the rails. Falling off" seems to be a hard thing to do unless you are tryng to or if horse playing or alchol is involved. In chatting with a staff member they said that if foul play isn't involved that it's usually alchol. Sad, I hope I never have to experience it.

This is a great disscussion, thanks everyone for chiming in!

Sounds oh sooooo nice!

Very cool, people I chaed with on my crises seemed to really love RC and kind of down talked other companies. Thanks for sharing

Notes Recap.... -September is cold -book excursions early -sail north to south -bring lots of layers -and most importantly avoid reindeer sausage!!! This is all good! Keep it going!!! Although I kind of want to have some cold weather to really feel like I'm in Alaska! It looks like April and May have the best prices. This is going to be a big trip for me so some of the excursions I'm looking at are: whale watching!!! glacier tour, dog camp, dry suit snorkeling. One of the iteneraries I'm looking at does start or stop in Vancover so who knows... might be looking you up!!!

So my first 2 cruises were both on Royal Caribbean and I am a proud Crown and Anchor member but my question is this.... Do you stay with one company? Or do you try based on what the ships offer? My friend,who happened to go one my first cruise (her second) just got back from a sail with Carnival and she loved it. So now I'm wondering if I should forsake the "goodies" they offer when you book your next cruise and go with a different company all together and try something new. Any thoughts??

Too funny... me too. I collect frig magnets from where ever I travel and if I find a cute Chrismas ornament that says something about my life (where I've gone, what I'm going or a project I'm working on) I'll add that to my Christmas stuff! And I already collect dolphins! I have always loved the ocean and dolphins and I got tha chance to work with them for almost 3 years at Discovery Cove! SSo my frineds like to buy me dolphin stuff. On of my favorite dolphin things is an autographed print "Dance" by Bob Talbot my absolute FAV underwater/nature photographer!

thanks!

anyone?

I am planning an Alaska cruise in 2008. Any tips? Like which is the better time to go? best exsursions? So on and on and on... Right now I plan on booking it on my next cruise in September to get all the bennifits but if there's a better cruise line I'd like to look in to it. I've only been on Royal Caribean. Thanks in advance!

This was my first cruise, 4 day on Enchanment and I loved it. My second cruise was on the Freedom and people said I'd never want to go back to a "smaller ship" like Enchantment but I'd go again! I never got to do the trampoline thing because of high winds most of the time but I really had fun! Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any specific questions

I unfortunatly (would be a big gambler if I had money) like to gamble. I like playing Craps and Roulette. I give myself a budget to play with and always keep whatever winnings I get. I taught my friend how to play Roulette, he left with over $150 in winnings... I just left happy I think of it as entertainmnet, expensive entertainment. But it's fun to me.

I've only gone to East Caribean. I love Cozumel but Sting Ray City (Grand Caymen) has been my favorite so far!

Very nice slide show!

I love love love playing triva! I also got hooked into playing Bingo which was fun. I like to play the Quest game too!