Cruising again - Royal Caribbean through the Alaska Inside Passage

The last time I was on a cruise was August of 2015 and before that, I sailed on over 15 different ships and itineraries.  Cruising for lack of a better term is just different.

Many of the changes made have enhanced the cruising experience positively.

Below are my observations and tips for a smooth sailing

SETTING SAIL TO ALASKA

This was a last-minute cruise decision so there was not as much time to research and plan as I am used to, but we made it work.  Alaska is beautiful.  As we sat on the balcony of our room sailing through the passage, we felt like we were seeing fake images from a Hollywood TV set.  Simply breathtaking.

At present, vaccinations and pre-testing for Covid are mandatory.  There is talk of this lifting soon.  Masks were optional on the ship and in the ports of call, Sitka, Skagway, and Juneau.  The staff onboard were all masked and there are plenty of areas to wash hands and get a squirt of hand sanitizer on board.  

Let's start from embarkation in Seattle 

The Royal App is the way and means of documentation and checking in.  No more hard copy documents are sent out unless your travel advisor or the client prints them out ahead of time.  I'm not that old and I still like having paper documents in my hand.  I am concerned about just how much technology is required for travel now.  I can see where older travelers would have challenges navigating the cruising apps.  As a service, I walk through these steps with my travelers.   

Checking in took a long time.  Only one line was moving through an area that use to have 4 lines.  After talking with the staff, they too have been hit hard with the lack of personnel returning to their jobs.  They were doing their best under the given circumstances.  Unfortunately, my mom had to stand in line for over 2 hours to get checked in.  I would choose to get her wheelchair assistance next time even though she is very mobile and fit for her age.  I would also consider "The Key" as well to secure priority boarding.  

From the moment we boarded, we were met with smiles and service.  Our bags were already in our balcony room (you do not want anything less than a balcony on the Alaska Itinerary).  We unpacked and began exploring the ship and all it has to offer.  Below are the nuts and bolts of the ship

4905 Maximum Guests

2094 Staterooms (1571 balconies)

1500 International Crew

1141 Feet Long - 136 Feet Wide

16 Total Decks (14 guest decks)

20 Dining options to choose from (some with a cost)

Registered in Nassau, Bahamas - Built in Germany - Maiden Voyage November 2, 2014

We chose "My Time" dining which is very common on ships now.  We were able to select our seating preference time and table through the app.  Instead, I went to the Maitre D once we boarded to secure our reservations.  You can also look at what was purchased before the cruise on your app.  For example, excursions, drink packages, gratuities, and specialty dining.  The app can also be used to secure reservations for onboard shows and times. 

Contactless measures have increased the need for technology literacy.  

The weather was beautiful which was unexpected for the early season, and the ports of call were interesting.  We did not do an excursion on this trip because most of them are adventurous and probably too much for my mom.  We had a wonderful time exploring the towns.  There is lots to do or nothing to do during the "at sea" days.  The shows were fantastic but Paul the piano man in the Schooner Bar was our favorite.  We spent this time poolside, playing cards in the solarium sipping pina Coladas and just relaxing.  Something we both needed.  

Ports of Call Highlights - A mix of adventure, beauty, and history

Sitka - with a Russian influence due to the fact it was part of Russia until 1867.  Home to wild life and adventures.  Bears are often seen in town and bald eagles are plenty.  We saw several.

Skagway - The town was like walking back in time to the Gold Rush.  A highlight is the Yukon pass vintage locomotive tour.  Lots of shops, historical sights, and even an old style saloon

Juneau - The state's capital and close to over 30 glaciers.  The Mendenhall being most famous.  It has a classic port dock lined with shops and eateries.  Another favorite stop

Fun fact:  All 3 ports can only be accessed by air or water - So that means all their supplies are either by plane or ship.

Victoria, Canada - This stop was short and sweet.  Many got off to view the Butchart Gardens or have high tea at the Empress Hotel.  It's an exquisite city with an international flair.  

Disembarkation was another story.   Many opted for the early bird departure.  This means you keep your luggage and stand in line early (like 6:30-7:00 am).  The problem was it was taking a much longer time to disembark than normal.  Since we drove to the port, we were in no hurry to get off for a flight home.  When arriving in the luggage area, there again wasn't as much help as needed and our bags were put in area 7  when they should have been in area 2.  No worries though, with help we were able to find them.  I imagine once they can hire more service personnel at the dock, things will go much smoother.  

Overall I thought the cruise was a good value for the money.  It is by no means a luxurious ship but it was clean, well serviced, and had lots of activities to participate in.  Royal Caribbean attracts adventure-seeking singles, couples, and families with a medium age of around 40.

Tips for Cruising:

Find a travel advisor you trust to help determine your best cruise itinerary and value

Get priority boarding and secure must-do excursions ahead of time. 

Secure dining reservations soon after you board (if on my time dining)

Download a ship map ahead of time to gain a good understanding of the layout before you arrive.

Check your room tab daily for any errors

Do the math on the drink packages - it may or may not be a good value

Expect that things are taking longer than before the covid shutdown.   (longer lines).

Try not to eat in the buffet - too many people and the food is not very good

Talk through all the questions and scenarios with your trusted travel advisor