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Post by drawkcab on May 29, 2015 20:53:25 GMT
I've wanted to visit Alaska for as long as I can remember and it just could happen this summer, yeah!
What is the best way to see the best parts of the state?
Is a cruise the way or are there land and/or land and sea tours?
If a cruise is the best way, whats the best line to cruise on? I've never been on a cruise and want to skip "spring break" type sails. Having fun is one thing, being stupid drunk is another. What things should I look for when looking for a cruise?
I get excited thinking about seeing the glaciers and wild life up close. What are must sees? What are hyped up and are ok to skip?
Learning more about photography might be on my list of things to do before this trip, but first I've got to get it planned.
Thanks for any suggestions you are willing to share!
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on May 29, 2015 20:59:36 GMT
Do you enjoy running/walking? This is how I plan on seeing Alaska. |
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Post by drawkcab on May 29, 2015 21:10:17 GMT
Seriously, there is a running cruise?
I've been trying to talk myself into getting healthy and you just might have the ticket!
No way I could do it this year but it could be the best reward ever for achieving my goal and doing it next year.
I love it... so glad you shared it, thank you scorpeao!
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639 
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on May 29, 2015 22:38:16 GMT
I've done a cruise and land tour two times - both with Princess Cruise Lines. Both start in Fairbanks, travel (bus or train) to Denali, the on to a port city (first time was Anchorage, 2nd time was Seward.) We like the southerly inside passage, and go IN to Glacier Bay with other stops at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchican. It is a lovely tour -- check the Princess web site for more particulars. The 2nd time, my sister and I went a couple days early and took a land tour over the Dalton Highwayup to Coldfoot- beyond the Arctic Circle, then a plane ride back to Fairbanks. That was the time that we really notice a change in scenery in Alaska.
I'd love to go to Alaska, rent an RV and just drive -- but look at distances! Alaska is HUGE! Feel free to ask any questions ...
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Post by librarylady on May 29, 2015 22:46:08 GMT
We took a short (1 week) cruise. Loved it. The scenery was marvelous.
Longer cruises (2 weeks) offer more inland tours--those would be fun, I think.
One of my sisters (who has a camper) drove to Anchorage (that spelling does not look right)and back. It took her about 6 weeks and she says the scenery is stunning. --make sure you are back before October as the snow arrives.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,333
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Post by amom23 on May 29, 2015 22:47:43 GMT
We did a family Alaskan cruise last July on the Norweigan ship the Pearl. We sailed from Seattle up to Juneau then made our way back down through Skagway, Ketchican, Glacier Bay and Victoria, BC. It was lots of fun, but I know we only saw a tiny little bit of Alaska lol! BTW we booked our cruise through a travel agent. And I seriously doubt any of the cruises to Alaska would be considered "party" cruises.
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Post by peajays on May 29, 2015 22:49:33 GMT
I'll let you know in 2 weeks when we get back!!! We leave on June 7th to Vancouver, and sail with Holland America for 7 days, and then 3 days inland at the end of the cruise before coming home! Im getting SO pumped!
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sarahruby
Full Member
Posts: 300
Jul 1, 2014 0:40:17 GMT
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Post by sarahruby on May 29, 2015 22:56:59 GMT
We are doing a cruise & land tour next month! Princess cruise, out of vancouver
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Post by lindah on May 29, 2015 23:12:42 GMT
I, too, have done 2 land tour/cruises with Princess. The first time, we cruised first, then did the land tour ending up in Fairbanks. Last time, we did the land tour first, beginning in Fairbanks, then cruised.
I feel that we got to see the best of Alaska by doing the land tour/cruise. I loved going into Denali National Park, where we saw grizzly bears & lots of other wildlife. Everyone was so friendly.
Cruise Critic is your friend when investigating any cruise. It has a wealth of info.
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Post by ajsweetpea on May 29, 2015 23:45:03 GMT
I'll be following this thread! I would love to visit Alaska... even more so now that I started watching the show Buying Alaska! I am totally awed by all the natural beauty there! We are thinking of eventually taking a cruise there, but it probably won't be for a few years.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,294
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on May 30, 2015 4:02:17 GMT
We did a Cruise Tour with Princess in 2009. So 7 days cruising from Vancouver to Whitter with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. In Whitter we got on a train to the Princess Lodge for a couple of days, then Denali NP for a couple of days. Then on to Fairbanks for the flight home. It was a great trip.
In 2014 we did a round-trip cruise out of San Francisco. It wasn't as spectacular as our first Alaskan cruise. I think we really enjoyed the land/Denali portion of our first one.
I would recommend the cruise with the land tour attached.
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Post by deafpea on May 30, 2015 4:03:44 GMT
I went on an Alaska cruise with my in laws in 2009. We went on the Norwegian Star. We left from Seattle and went up the Inside Passage, with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Prince Rupert Island. The ship went up one of the arms to a glacier so we did see that. We also saw quite a few on the mountains as we passed. We did two shore excursions--the White Pass Scenic Railway train ride at Skagway and the Mount Roberts Tramway in Juneau. In Ketchikan and PRI, we chose to walk around ourselves and enjoy seeing Alaska at our own pace. We did have time to walk around Juneau and Skagway too. What I loved most was sitting on the decks of the ship, watching Alaska go by. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before so it was pretty entertaining just to sit and absorb it all. We also enjoyed taking our time walking around the towns. We did see some wildlife. I know there are excursions you can sign up for to see specific types of wildlife.
I liked Norwegian. It's very informal and seemed pretty family-oriented. We didn't take our kids--this was the in-law's 50th anniversary so they paid for all six of their children and spouses to go. But I remember there were some kid-oriented ship sections and activities.
Have fun!
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marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282
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Post by marimoose on May 30, 2015 5:55:39 GMT
I have nothing to contribute but wan tot say that you are making me want to revisit Alaska. I lived i Ketchikan as a child when my dad was stationed there with the Coast Guard. I remember we took a cruise, long before cruises were the thing and vaguely recall how small the ships were in comparison to the ships of today. I do remember watching the cruise lines docking down the end of the hill form where I lived. We cruised up to the glaciers and even so many years later remember the majestic blue of the ice and the thunderous sound as pieces broke off and crashed into the bay. I wonder if Juneau still has th sold time feel that I remember as you walked the streets. Ketchikan has a totem park. The thing I remember the most about living in Ketchikan was how much it rained and how dense the foliage was on the island. I have seen that there is an airport across the water from Ketchikan. When I lived there we had to take a ferry or fly up in a seaplane, the kind that lands on the water. I didn't appreciate all of it until I was much older. The White Pass Scenic Railway that deafpea mentioned is a must. My in-laws did an Alaskan cruise a few years ago and loved Denali. Alaska is a magical place. I hope you are able to make the trip soon. |
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on May 30, 2015 12:15:10 GMT
I am looking forward to an Alaskan cruise next year. We are booked on the princess cruise leaves from San Francisco. Unfortunately, the land portion is not really an option for us because I am traveling with my younger sister who is physically handicapped. From experience, I've learned that she would rather just stay on a cruise boat. We are zipping down to San Diego after the cruise to visit a relative before we head back to the Midwest.
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Post by drawkcab on May 31, 2015 16:30:56 GMT
If I could go today, I would! Your suggestions and experiences have really helped me. I think I'll stop by a travel agent and see if there is any chance to go this summer or if I'd be better to plan ahead for next summer. I was looking at both and see lots of sold outs already.
Thank you all!
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