Just back from Alaska, a few random things

[cmph]

Thank you! I wanted the name of the broadway performer, but i see it just generically says "Broadway guest artist presentation".

Oh, darn! His name was definitely given on the app's event description. I don't remember it, unfortunately, but it was the man who plays Olaf.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Oh, darn! His name was definitely given on the app's event description. I don't remember it, unfortunately, but it was the man who plays Olaf.

Greg Hildreth?

 

[cmph]

Greg Hildreth?

Honestly, I'm never going to remember. I was at mojitos tasting and didn't attend, so I didn't pay much attention other than glancing at the app's description. DH and my dad caught the tail end of it only b/c they were going to the trivia event that followed it, but he doesn't remember them saying a name at that point. Maybe someone will read this who went?? Whoever he was, he was not Lopez-famous b/c they had their thing in the Walt Disney theater (with their names actually written on the Nav, ha!), and he was in the Crown and Fin.

 

[dcassetta]

I've sailed to Alaska on DCL before, but next month I'm taking an Alaskan cruise on Princess due to booking it last minute and it is within driving distance for me. I would LOVE to know who you used for your private excursion in Juneau? DH is fishing, so I'd like to do whale watching? Would you recommend the company for someone going alone?

I have done two tours with Captain Alan on the Scania. One I went on with family members and we were the only family on his vessel. The second time I went on my own, and there were two other couples on the ship that day so five people total. Alan is an amazing guide, he knows all the wheels in the area. His boat is very comfortable, with an upper deck viewing area, A main deck viewing area, and an inside area with seating and big windows. We were picked up right at the dock area. Www.whalewatchingjuneau.com

 

[kickash]

I know this can vary by cruise, but how were the water conditions? I am prone to motion sickness so I prepare for the worst with medication, etc but I am curious about it. We leave in a few weeks for our Alaskan cruise and I just am not sure what to expect in terms of choppiness, rough waters, etc.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

...there are no solid doors in the bathroom area or bathroom fan (so, um, zero bathroom privacy)...

Deal breaker, right there!

 

[dcassetta]

I know this can vary by cruise, but how were the water conditions? I am prone to motion sickness so I prepare for the worst with medication, etc but I am curious about it. We leave in a few weeks for our Alaskan cruise and I just am not sure what to expect in terms of choppiness, rough waters, etc.

Most of the route is through the inside passage, where you have land on both sides, and so is likely to be pretty calm.

 

[Geomom]

I know this can vary by cruise, but how were the water conditions? I am prone to motion sickness so I prepare for the worst with medication, etc but I am curious about it. We leave in a few weeks for our Alaskan cruise and I just am not sure what to expect in terms of choppiness, rough waters, etc.

Alaska was our first cruise, having not cruised, and hearing that 'it's smooth as glass', we didn't bring any meds, other than Dramamine Natural (ginger pills). I felt a little queasy once we set sail, but after having ginger ale and dinner, I felt fine--I just had to get my 'sea legs.'. DD16 felt queasy that first day, both days at sea, and the morning of the 'glacier' day. The port days/nights were all within the inside passage and she was fine then. Those days at sea have times that the ship has 1 side facing open ocean, so there can be movement. DH and I felt the movement those days (even a cast member was hanging onto the railing when giving us the 'Art of the Theme Show' tour.) For DD16, I went down to deck 1 to get her some seasickness med. Outside the health center is a bin with free samples of chewable Meclizine (active ingredient in Bonine.) So, if you know you're prone to motion sickness, I'd suggest that youtake meds on day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7.

The servers were happy to get DD16 sliced green apples, and said to take them back to the room to help with seasickness.

 

[cmph]

I know this can vary by cruise, but how were the water conditions? I am prone to motion sickness so I prepare for the worst with medication, etc but I am curious about it. We leave in a few weeks for our Alaskan cruise and I just am not sure what to expect in terms of choppiness, rough waters, etc.

It was pretty smooth sailing! You could tell we were moving quickly the first day, but it wasn't at all choppy. The ships are so close to land and nature that they don't move quickly through open water most of the time, the way they do in the Caribbean. I take one meclizine at night before bed no matter what, but I get motion sick pretty easily and am not willing to risk feeling seasick. And that was fine for me.

 

[gourt]

It was pretty smooth sailing! You could tell we were moving quickly the first day, but it wasn't at all choppy. The ships are so close to land and nature that they don't move quickly through open water most of the time, the way they do in the Caribbean. I take one meclizine at night before bed no matter what, but I get motion sick pretty easily and am not willing to risk feeling seasick. And that was fine for me.

This is exactly the strategy we've used on our last few cruises, no matter where we are. Rather than choosing which days to take meclizine (Bonine), our whole family takes one pill every night before bed, starting with two days before the cruise (on my doctor's suggestion). It makes us sleepy at night but not groggy during the day. I am very prone to motion sickness and you'd never know it!

 

[kickash]

Most of the route is through the inside passage, where you have land on both sides, and so is likely to be pretty calm.

Alaska was our first cruise, having not cruised, and hearing that 'it's smooth as glass', we didn't bring any meds, other than Dramamine Natural (ginger pills). I felt a little queasy once we set sail, but after having ginger ale and dinner, I felt fine--I just had to get my 'sea legs.'. DD16 felt queasy that first day, both days at sea, and the morning of the 'glacier' day. The port days/nights were all within the inside passage and she was fine then. Those days at sea have times that the ship has 1 side facing open ocean, so there can be movement. DH and I felt the movement those days (even a cast member was hanging onto the railing when giving us the 'Art of the Theme Show' tour.) For DD16, I went down to deck 1 to get her some seasickness med. Outside the health center is a bin with free samples of chewable Meclizine (active ingredient in Bonine.) So, if you know you're prone to motion sickness, I'd suggest that youtake meds on day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7.

The servers were happy to get DD16 sliced green apples, and said to take them back to the room to help with seasickness.

It was pretty smooth sailing! You could tell we were moving quickly the first day, but it wasn't at all choppy. The ships are so close to land and nature that they don't move quickly through open water most of the time, the way they do in the Caribbean. I take one meclizine at night before bed no matter what, but I get motion sick pretty easily and am not willing to risk feeling seasick. And that was fine for me.

This is exactly the strategy we've used on our last few cruises, no matter where we are. Rather than choosing which days to take meclizine (Bonine), our whole family takes one pill every night before bed, starting with two days before the cruise (on my doctor's suggestion). It makes us sleepy at night but not groggy during the day. I am very prone to motion sickness and you'd never know it!

Thank you all very much! I take Bonine every day along with natural ginger pills and that seems to work for me. I also start a few days before our trip. Our 2nd cruise was a little rough as we sailed around the outskirts of a tropical storm so this one should be a little less rocky!

 

[Sakura1017]

I have sensitive ears & still found it terribly loud while they played, although I loved the ambiance and Tiana herself. I hope DCL doesn't apply the "club" concept to any more restaurants. I prefer dining without earplugs. I am glad they at least didn't play the whole time, though.

I just don't understand why everyone who puts on a show these days thinks that live music needs to be amplified in a relatively small room (or in a natural amphitheatre). If they would just play their instruments without the microphone & speaker system amplifying them, everyone would still hear it, and those of us with sensitive ears wouldn't be in pain. This is an issue everywhere live music with loud instruments is played: clubs, churches, etc.
Interesting. You said "deluxe". Did you happen to stay gold level (concierge level) at the Fairmont Airport Hotel? We did 2 weeks ago, and our floor & room were lovely. Flawless room with elegant decoration and furniture. Plenty of bathroom privacy: in fact, the bathroom was great. The service was excellent on our floor. Probably our best hotel stay ever, and that's saying a lot.

For the Alaskan ports of call, I completely agree! We did enjoy DCL's post-cruise Vancouver excursion, though.

Where were you seated by chance? Was it under the speakers?