More alaska info needed :)...please...

#1 (**permalink**) April 2nd, 2003, 07:59 PM

Hello,
I may be asking seveal questions these next few months since we are about to take our first cruise to alaska at the end of June.

Now I was wondering if I could get some feed back on places to visit----my husband will view this trip as a VACATION---he will just want to chill out & not want to be on a time schedule. Me, on the other hand usually packs everything into each day, not wanting to miss a single thing!

What shore trips would be best for one who would be happy staying on the ship everyday and lounging and one who would hit 3 places in one day??? Husband will need to go on at least a few shore trips----so which ones would be the ones NOT to miss??

Here is our times at port:

Juneau --12 noon to 9pm
Skagway---6:30 am to 7:45pm
Hubbard Glacier (cruising) 11am-3pm ---humm, does that mean we cruise 11am-3pm?
Ketchikan---1pm-8pm

Now I read so many things i am starting to get confused..lol....but, it sounds like if I want to do a good shore trip, I should book now?

We are on the RCI Raddiance......jmarie

Davida · #2 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2003, 12:27 AM

jmarie - we are on the Radiance the 7th of June. You still have time to book excursions but gather your information and spend wisely. The two websites with the most info are this one and cruisecritics.com. Both have great message boards. So far we have not booked anything from the cruiseline but instead from outside companies as greatly recommended by users of these boards. Unfortunately cruising in June, we miss out on most of the salmon and bear excursions but there is still plenty to do. Don't be afraid to post questions. People here love to respond.

laurik1ke · #3 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2003, 07:01 AM

jmarie and davida,

Please tell me all about it for my trip on radiance in Aug. Both bad and good. I am so excited! We are going to book our whale watching excursion through the ship this time, just to have one less headache. Since we aren't going on too many excursions figure we could pay the extra. Hubby might go on the train trip in skagway. I am just going to enjoy the ship and maybe walk around town.

Lauri

laurik1ke · #4 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2003, 07:01 AM

what happened to my clock?

Karen16 · #5 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2003, 07:03 AM

You need to look over a shore excursion list and narrow down your interests. There are just too many choices. Is it possible to split up from your husband during touring???? I always do this myself. Some tours are just too costly to go with someone who is not interested and to miss out on something you really want to do is a shame. Look over a list and repost, strongly consider your budget- it is a waste of time to get ideas and find out they are too costly.

laurik1ke · #6 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2003, 07:07 AM

I think it's back. Need that clock!

#7 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2003, 05:06 PM

Hi Karen16,
Yes, I could split up from my husband (have done it on numerous trips

. But, the thought of him going all the way out there & then wanting to relax on the boat---UGGGGG----

, i just thought some might have a excursion which CAN NOT BE MISSED

~!!!

My Sis-In-Law is planning the trip, so, i wasn't aware of a excursion list?? Is that something we get from the travel agent?

I agree a few of the excursions i've looked into from links i found on these boards---are very pricey--so I want to make a good decision. One was almost $600.00 for the two of us?? Is that right???

Lauik---I'm excited too! My first cruise===I think it will be wonderful

thanks to all~jmarie

MaryEm · #8 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2003, 06:53 PM

Just a reply - We booked through Dolly Varden - a three tour package for $407pp.

Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Raft Trip in Skagway, Misty Fjords Flightseeing in Ketchikan, and Whale Watching in Juneau....easy package, not taxing on that vacation attitude. My husband also would be very comfortable chilling on the ship, except its too exciting to let him sit.

You can get to Dolly Varden Tours by doing a search on the web under the same.

Hope you have a great time. We are on our first trip to Alaska (with two teen sons) in July.

Karen16 · #9 (**permalink**) April 4th, 2003, 03:23 AM

There are plenty of excursions that shouldn't be missed.

Excursion lists are available on line- any cruiseline will do as they are port based. Look them over carefully and YES there are quite a few $300pp tours. I strongly feel it is vitally to have plans and reservations in place before you leave, time is just too short to wait and decide. As for the Eagle Preserve- for clairfication it is in Haines not Skagway.

#10 (**permalink**) April 4th, 2003, 05:00 PM

I sailed in mid-June last year and we had fabulous weather. One benefit of going in June is there's still a lot of snow on the mountains. Beautiful scenery!

Karen16 · #11 (**permalink**) April 5th, 2003, 08:59 PM

We are going to book our whale watching excursion through the ship this time, just to have one less headache. Since we aren't going on too many excursions figure we could pay the extra. Hubby might go on the train trip in skagway. I am just going to enjoy the ship and maybe walk around town.

One thing to consider with ship booked whale watching is that these boats usually are filled with 120 passengers. Independents less than 25. A major benefit I always take advantage is "sticking close to the naturalist". Invaluable for unique information and the ability to have a lot of 1-1 time. The White Pass is an excellent trip. But you are making a big mistake not having plans and just walking around town. Far more is off the ship compared to sailing the Caribbean- do take advantage.