Eschew

The Coral and the Island are sister ships, identical lay out. Deck 10 and Deck 11, up front outside of cabins #201 and #202.

mlgb

Actually Eschew, while Island and Coral were identical when first built, after the remodel of the Island, it is now different from the Coral. They decided that the unpopular changes made to the Island should not be implemented for the Coral. Often the Island fares are less than Coral for this reason.

Eschew

mlgb, thanks for the comments re the Island Princess. The Island Princess update in 2015 did not affect the area that I talked about. Also, the renovation minimally changed the deck plan except as noted (as I see it) below:

Expanded and redesigned Horizon Court
International Cafe replaces La Patisserie
Expanded Sanctuary
Removal of Universe Lounge (suites are there now)
Reduction in size of casino
Aft public viewing areas on decks 7-11 (cabins are there now)
Gym without outside windows

EJG54Him

Thank y'all so very much!!! We are so excited and we leave tomoorriw!!

mlgb

AFAIK, there is no International Cafe on Island Princess. I recall the dining hours were quite limited, the only one of the 4 cruise lines I have used that had no late night options, but maybe that differs depending itinerary..I was on the US coastal leg that was the last 4 nights of a repo cruise.

If they expanded Horizon Court, it still was not adequate for the demand, especially as there was no other choice for casual meals to speak of. I think just some soft serve near one of the pools. Or if you were having drinks or wanted to pay for a latte.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2009434

mlgb

BTW the insertion of extra cabins really messed up the circulation on those decks. Also, I don't know if Coral still has enough in the way of public access to allow one to walk laps without cutting through the interior spaces, but Island doesn't, on any deck.

Eschew

mlgb, you are right. Those extra cabins really messed up the circulation, especially those located at the old Universal lounge location. You can't go full laps on the promenade deck anymore. Both Island and Coral are purpose built PanaMax ships. With the canal locks can accommodate bigger ships now, those PanaMax ships will go the way of the dinosaurs. The configuarion did not work as well as the other Princess ships is due to the size limitation. And that 2015 renovation really messed it up on Decks 6 & 7.

lyn17

Hi, What a wonderful source of information I have found on here !! I am in New Zealand and going on a trip departing August. We have 2 weeks doing Rocky Mountaineer stuff then have Alaska 7 day cruise on 2nd September [ finding now that is late in the season !] Cruise ship is HAL Nieuw Amsterdam. I have read just about all the posts on here ...And have learnt so much. We are 2 couples in 60's/70's so not into lots of energetic stuff. Will have to digest all I have read now.... But any further advice would be great . Many Thanks !!

lyn17

Wondering about doing the Tracy Arm Inlet tour. Its 6 hrs long I believe. Picked up from the cruise.....A bit pricey ... Is it a "must do" Has anyone here done it ?

lyn17

Another question !! Hope somebody is reading these LOL.
We are booked to sail on 2nd September and I am now realising its very late in the season..... Will it be really really cold ?? Thanks

jacketwatch

Our cruise ended late August, around the 28th I think. When we went it was really ok but weather is so unpredictable so the best advice is to bring layers with the outer most layer being water proof and wind resistant.

I recall that when we stopped in Victoria we took a small boat out to look at Orcas and there is a pic of me on that boat in a polo with my jacket tied around my waist so really ok.

Hope that helps.

Larry. .

dtph

Amazing post and so happy it's still going on. Are there enough excursions for a 5 year old child to participate in?

mlgb

I don't know anything about your boat or Tracy Arm, but the weather is crazier and less predictable every year. I went in September 2015. The only rain we had was the Inside Passage approaching Vancouver. It didn't even rain in Haines. We were in Glacier Bay on September 1 and it was brilliant sunshine. I was on an older smaller ship (HAL Zaandam)which I liked.
But as a word of caution, be sure to fly in early, or have good trip insurance. I nearly didn't make it despite a scheduled nonstop flight into Anchorage the prior night. Although the weather was good in Anchorage, there was a huge windstorm in the Seattle area and many flights were delayed or cancelled, causing ripples throughout the west coast.

runwaycat

This thread is amazing. We are taking a cruise to Alaska next month (Carnival Legend) July 18-25. While my daughter and I have cruised before, it will be the first time for my mother and sister. It is part Graduation present for my daughter (she will turn 18 just before we go) and part Bucket List for my mother (she, although only 63, has COPD and A-FIB). My aunt and another distant relative are travelling separately but on same cruise ship with us. Due to the COPD, my mom cannot walk long distances AT ALL, so I am wondering how best to mesh my daughter's experiences with my mom's. The rental and drive in Skagway seems like a great plan to be able to see perhaps more than the train ride allows for. I definitely want to do Mendenhall with my daughter in Juneau - any thoughts on best way to get mom as close as possible? Appreciate so very much all the thoughts and tips here.

Eschew

Mendenhall interpret center is wheel chair accessible, if she doesn't mind the wheel chair. Her condition may not warrant a wheel chair but it will save her a few hundred feet of walking from the parking lot to the view point. My Mom hated walking the distance in the airport, she always asked for wheel chair assist or a ride on the service cart from gate to gate.

If you go on ship's excursion to Mendenhall, you will have limited time there. Better use a taxi there and confirm returning pick up time to maximize time spent there. Your mom can enjoy the interpret center and the surrounding area while your daughter can go for a short hike. Mount Robert is easily accessible and should be considered.

I wouldn't rent a car for Skagway. The view from the highway and the view form the train is totally different. See if you can book an excursion that will take you up by train and down by bus. Your mom may enjoy Jewell Gardens in Skagway, check it out.

Lk123

I love this thread! Soo much great information!
My husband and I are leaving this Sun on our first Alaskan Cruise on the Emerald Princess!! We're going to visit the Mendenhall Glacier and I've read that there are falls that we can visit as well. Is the only way to get to them by foot and if so about how far or long of a walk is it? I can walk but not for extended distances (miles). I would appreciate any suggestions!

Also, has anyone gone on the Ketchikan Duck Tour? I've seen mixed reviews.

Any insight, advice would be greatly appreciated

Eschew

I hope my answer is not too like. The water fall is less than an hour from the trail head and it is easy walking. The view by the fall is spectacular.

MASRAE

Help with excursions please!

I am going on an Alaskan cruise on Norwegian (Aug 26 sail date) with my husband and both our moms. Age range 30-55 and we are all 1st-timers to Alaska. We want to do everything that is a staple or highlight of each port as we don't know if or when we will get the chance to revisit. I am thinking about booking excursions through viator and/or using local companies because the ship offers excursions that are not of interest to us or too pricey. We are trying not to be too worried about cost but also want to be reasonable in our expenditure. We are usually pretty frugal and money savvy but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all of us and we want to see the main attractions with plenty of time to take everything in. I just want to do it without breaking the bank. My husband and I are in great shape and our moms are pretty healthy as well with no problems walking, although rough terrain may be a fall risk for them. The problem we are having is deciding whether the experience and cost are worth booking these excursions. I don't know if there is a cheaper way to do everything.

Our cruise ports are:

Ketchikan - hiking a rainforest in Tongass National Forest
http://alaska-shoreexcursions.com/ke...adventure-tour

Juneau - mendenhall glacier trek and climb for my husband and I (this was on my must-do list but I'm afraid the time frame won't allow it. Our ship is docked 7am-1:30p) and the glacier from a far for the moms

me and husband:
http://alaska-shoreexcursions.com/ju...adventure-tour
If we take our own transportation to the glacier as others have done, will we be able to climb the glacier, trek through ice/snow, go through ice caves, etc?

the moms:
https://www.viator.com/tours/Juneau/...XGLACIERSALMON


Skagway - Yukon Rail and Bus Tour
this was pricey but from all the reviews I had read, it seemed like the best way to see everything was to take the train, then a bus that would allow for stops and visit to Emerald Lake and Carcross desert

https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com.../AKSGCCBUSTRN2

Victoria, BC - Butchart gardens
we were thinking of just walking around the town here but found there are gardens that most people loved and our moms are into that as well

https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com...a/AKVIBUTCHART

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Eschew

MASRAE, I am totally floored by the legs on this thread. Your post wad #177 after my original post.

For Ketchikan, if you like the rain forest, that's perfectly fine. You should be able to see lots of bald eagles and sea mammals such as sea lions etc. You may see whales depending on where you are. Ketchiken most famous landmark is Misty Fjord. A lot of people also go to the so call bear island as well. Since your excursion is only half day, if you don't care about expenses, you maybe able to squeeze in a trip to Misty Fjord. Be fore warned that the trip is weather dependent.

Form 7 am to 1:30 pm in Juneau is a shame. You barely have time to get to Mendenhall, hike to the fall and back and that's about it! This is a very easy do it yourself trip.

If you want to see the ice cave, there are "tour desk" that you can approach at the Mt Roberts tram station. You need a guide for that tour and is not a do it yourself. It typically takes about 5 or 6 hours for the entire trip so you will not have enough time even if you rush.

For the moms would be good. You don't need viatour to take them along, it is easily do it on your own. The only problem I see if that they will only get to the interpret center at Mendenhall Glacier, spend maybe an hour there max. Same with mount Roberts, but they should enjoyed both locations.

Everyone do that train/bus thing at Skagway. Skagway is located inside a National Park. There is a ranger station right in town and they provide a FREE guided walking tour ( 1 hr). The walking tour is very informative.

If you love gardens, and have time, go see Jewell garden in Skagway. It's different since their day time hour is so long but a shorter growing season. You'll be amazed at what they can grow.

Butchart garden is great. Spoiler: it was a rock quarry that transformed into a beautiful garden. Haven't been their for a while now. If there is still time, stop by the harbor front in front of the Empress Hotel and the legislative building.

Looks like you have everything under control and don't need much help.

One last advise: dress in layers, stay warm and have rain gear and binoculars. The best scenery is while you are "scenic cruising" and into the fjords.

And guess what? I just realize an old web page that was set up years ago to share some Alaska pictures with friends is still accessible! There are more than a handful of pictures of Alaska there. Feel free to look through the pictures of Alaska if you want.
http://www3.telus.net/eschew/places/places.html

Good luck with your cruise and feel free to ask questions!

MASRAE

Thank you for the detailed reply--You've been so helpful!!