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Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

RFDiana — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:47:13 GMT

No worries -- FEEL FREE

Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

LezBn — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 16:52:35 GMT

Best piece of advice is to just ENJOY it ALL!

Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

sleddog — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:22:39 GMT

lots to go thru...enjoy the reading!

Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

L_D — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:45:20 GMT

I'm late getting on this group - so I'm just now going through all the good advice.

Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

RFDiana — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 02:14:17 GMT

Ladies of Majestic (I just love saying that) There are lists of things to bring/not to bring, pack/not to pack, ect/ect on previous connect group posts for other cruises and there will be an extensive list on this one as well closer to sail time. There are lots of new "cruise rules" from ships concerning what you can and cannot bring on board (liquor, bottled water, soda) but this too will be discussed further down the road. It's going to be great to shop for the cruise during the after winter sales 2012 so those winter items on a list that you will need in Alaska is a great list to start now. (I know I'll be needing some new outer gear like a good all around winter coat for excursions) Other than those kinds of items you can get on sale, like I said, that list will be extensive in July/August/Sept 2012. So for now Ladies of Majestic, sit back, dream of Alaska and those excursions -- and we'll worry about what to pack and bring in 2012 !!

Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

Equiger — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 08:52:02 GMT

This is my first trip to alaska but after the riveria trip, it will be my second olivia cruise......somethings i forgot on my first non olvia cruise were extra batteries for my camera AND adaptor to download photos...you may also want to bring exta mem cards. i also forgot my cell phone charger..unless you are on an international plan, your phone may not work the whole trip until we get up in alaska, and then it may depend on your service provider......so your phone may lose battery power trying to find a signal.....make sure you bring all your plugins! You will def want to take photos or videos but remember that your camera or video may get a lot of wet sea air in it so be careful out on deck w/ it. We ruined a video camera on a bahamas cruise by not realizing that. You will be able to buy things at the ports that you may have forgotten and dont want to pay ship prices for-esp since we will be in the US/Can still. the ship provides soap but not always shampoo but you can buy things like that in port if need be and also bring soda on board too. Those are just some lil tips Ive learned.....there are different levels of excursions too.....and they describe whether there is a lot of walking or climbing or steps involved and how much if any so you have some idea....a lot of them are just sight seeing tours-like sea planes or boat tours or coaches so you can enjoy the view, get off at photographic stops, have lunch, etc....but get a great tour....alaska will be so amazing it will be hard to find a boring tour! Hope this helps......J/equiger

Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

kathndeb — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:13:57 GMT

Welcome new members to the group!!! This will be our 3rd cruise with Olivia and we learned the first time NOT to over pack at all!! This one is going to take more planning due to the fact that we will need coats, sweaters and more bulky items so we will pack less for sure!! When we went to the Bahamas we got by on shorts and tshirts a lot of the time.. dont think we will need those items on this trip! LOL

We are really looking forward to going but in the meantime we are looking forward to chatting it up with you ladies and getting to know you all!!
WELCOME TO THE GROUP!!!
Kath n Debi

PS.Zisseh dont you worry about being a little chunky monkey! We are as well and I have 15" of metal in my spine that keeps me from doing a lot of the things that I want to do.. so you dont worry about your mobility issues hon.. you can lounge with the rest of us chunky monkeys!! LOL
We will all huddle and keep warm and enjoy the sites!!!
Big hugs from Kansas!!!

Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

RFDiana — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:50:17 GMT

Personally, this will be our first trip to Alaska but our 4th cruise with Olivia, so we are gonna hafta call on Sleddog to post what to bring to Alaska :) I'm sure there are more than a few "must haves" like binoculars and such, but it'll be posted here as we get nearer to sailing. The best advice is don't over pack, and this will probably ring even more true since we'll be needing winter gear, coats, hats, gloves, etc.and probably shorts and Ts are out of the question LOL

Welcome to the thread and for now just start thinkingabout forming an action plan and the thread can go from there. Check out the cool videos Olivia posted on each port. That will give us all an idea of what to start thinking about packing. Also you can go to Holland American and search the excursions and get a jump on thinking/planning/saving for the ones you may want to do.

Happy planning! Diana

Re: First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

Dpertschy — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:39:16 GMT

Last year my gf and I had our first Olivia cruise. something we already knew, but not to the extent we do now is that once you've been on an olivia cruise, no vacation is ever the same!

something else we learned, is not to pack so heavy lol, we packed everything i swear.

also make friends talk to people everyone is very friendly, and mobility issues aren't a big thing there is something for everyone, I have problems with my legs sometimes.

My gf and I will also be celebrating my birthday and our 4 year anniversary (my bday is the 16th the day we leave!)

- Jacqueline

First time cruisers, First time to Alaska -- advice?

Zisseh — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:08:17 GMT