[conn8757]

I am booking a 7 night cruise out of Vancouver to Alaska - anyone have any recommendations for Vancouver since we will arrive 2 days early? Have not made any arrangements on where we will stay, eat, tour(this is for late August). I have never been to the northwest and will probably freeze. I do want to see the whales and hope one of the trips will be successful on that front. Would appreciate any recommendations for Vancouver, Juneau, Ketchikan, or Skagway. Thanks for your help.

[Helene2008]

It sounds like you are doing the same cruise I went on a few years ago. We did a land trip prior to the cruise and flew into Seattle, took a boat from there to Victoria (which is a beautiful town) then on to Vancouver. I don't remember the name of the hotel, but it is where out ship departed from. While there we went to Butchart Gardens which I would recommend..it was beautiful. There is also an old town by the hotel in Vancouver (within walking distance) that was also nice. There are many side tours that you can take from the cruise ship...we took one that was a bus tour into a small town (sorry can't remember the name) stayed there a few hours, had dinner there and then took a small plane back to the ship...flying over glaciers. Hope that helps and enjoy your trip, Alaska is beautiful.

[new peeps]

You are going to love the North East. It was only cold when we got into Glacier Bay. We have been forunate enough to have been twice. I agee with Helene2008 while you are in Vancover take the ferry or fly to Victoria and go to Butchart Gardens. It is hard to beleive it was a portland cement quarry that the mans wife made into a incredible garden. It has to be the best restored quarry's in the world. There is a lot to see in Vancover one of my favorites was the Parlament House. In Juneau take the helicopter tour to the top of the glacier and walk around. It is something to see when you get up there and see fish. You can ask the guide the story so I do not spoil it. I will say I seen more eagles in one day in Kethican than anywhere else I have been. They look like golf balls in the evergreen trees but it is eagles white heads. In Skagway we took the train up through White Pass into Canada. If I remember correctly it was one of two trains still running in the North America with a 2 foot wide track. If you ride it you will see why. The landscape looks like you are on another planet up there with the small full grown trees. A Guide told us a lot of incredible history about the pass on the ride. We also rented a Jeep and drove to I believe White Horse and Emrald Lake. Beautiful waterfalls on the way inland from the coast. We went in July when the snow just started melting. We did see more whales from the cruise ship than we did on the whale tour. We only seen rain for 1/2 day out of 10. We even went snorkling in Kitchikan, we wore 7mm wet suites. If you decide to take a digital camera, I would take 3 times the amount of memory you will think you need as the scenery is just incredible. We will be down at the end of the month for a few days to close on our new house in Duval. If you would like we can arange to bring more information if you would like.
New Village Peeps

[chuckinca]

Got to see the K-Mart in Bellingham, WA where all the Canadians shop. (LOL)

Plenty to see and do in Vancouver. Gaslight Square, Stanley Park, shopping in the downtown area, to the North of the main city there is a place that has a suspension bridge over a deep gorge that you walk across while the bridge rocks side to side. It is a very neat and scenic city - a boat ride around the city is great. The Vancouver area shouldn't be cold in late August; further North on the cruise could be (haven't done that, yet).

The ferry trip from Vancouver to Victoria is really great but needs at least two days to do right.

Don't forget to take your Passport! Think they are now required to get into Canada. If you don't have one already, pay the extra fee to have it expedited - normal handling takes about three months!


And Peeps - it's the North WEST. But since your a newbie, no harm - no foul. Welcome to TOTV!


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[new peeps]

Chuckinca, Thanks for the welcome. I have been reading TOTV since last year when we came down for a visit. I was so busy posting my first response that I missed the Northwest Northeast issue as I was busy proof reading my bad spelling. LOL I guess it is a good thing I have a compass inlaid in the tile floor. Now if I can get the spell check to work on his site I should be in good shape.

[chuckinca]

Peeps - when you get that spell checker working please let me know how it is done. Tanks


Chuck

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[another Linda]

Originally Posted by conn8757

I am booking a 7 night cruise out of Vancouver to Alaska - anyone have any recommendations for Vancouver since we will arrive 2 days early? Have not made any arrangements on where we will stay, eat, tour(this is for late August). I have never been to the northwest and will probably freeze. I do want to see the whales and hope one of the trips will be successful on that front. Would appreciate any recommendations for Vancouver, Juneau, Ketchikan, or Skagway. Thanks for your help.

Wow! We are also booking an Alaska cruise for late August. My soon-to-be new daughter-in-law is from Alaska, and she and my son will be joining us. We chose to to a Holland America cruise since the ships were smaller (about 1200) than Princess, Celebrity, etc, but still more affordable than the real small ships. Also, we are doing an itinerary that includes Sitka, the former Russian town. A friend who did a similar trip a few years ago said that the towns were all pretty similar (except Sitka) and the best part for her was a kayaking excursion they did.

Once we get to Anchorage, my son (former Eagle Scout, winter camper, general outdoor enthusiast) is trying to talk us into renting a pop-up camper and taking off into the wilderness. Hm-m-m. Late August. Alaska. Can't we rough it by checking into a Holiday Inn instead of a Hilton?

[784caroline]

You received aot of good advice for Vancouver..it is a great place to visit for 2 days prior to sailing. Not knowing if you are adventuresome, but at many ports of call you can book your own tours and save on the outrageous cost of booking through the cruise line. In Juneau for example, if you can afford it the helicopter tour of the glaciers is outstanding but booking on ship will cost you close to $300 per person (not certain of the rates for 2009) while booking once on land will cost at least 20-25% LESS and they all use the same companies. I would be careful and NOT PREBOOK a Helicopter tour... the weather is unpredictible and if it is raining or foggy, the ship tours will most likely still go...but you have to ask yourself will you really see what you expected to see for the cost you paid never mind the potentially dangerouos situation you are putting yourself and family in by flying in not the best of weather. Granted once on-land the availability of helicopter tours may be limited but at least you can see if the weather is cooperating..and from all I have seen and read availabilty should not be a problem this year. OF course if you cannot get on a helicopter you can always take a local bus or TAXI to the Mendenhall glacier which is just outside the city of Juneau. Again do this on your own and DONOT book on board the ship simpy for price and convience reasons. This is an easy one to do on your own.

In Skagway, the National Park Service have great museums that are Free showing how the gold miners rushed to Skagway and used this city as a base of operatins to get into the hills where the gld mines were. There is also a great story told by the NPS of the role of Women during this time period...not to be missed. NOw many have mention the narrow guague rail that takes you up the mountain. This train meets you right at he ships docking location. The Ride is good but not without faults. UNless hey changed things the windows donot open so people try and cram onto the open areas between cars to take pictures. It is narrated and all the good points are noted. Another option and better in my mind would be to take a land operated tour arranged at the port, using a AIRPORTER bus that carries 12-15 people with a center aisle. You actually travel the highway directly across from where the train goes up the mountain but now you are travelling in airconditioning and some comfort, its cheaper, you travel deeper into the Youkon territory and still have a tour guide directing you, YOu can stop and get out of the van, to have your passport Stamped with a Youkon Territory stamp, to take pictures of the water falls and other scenery, AND most of these operators throw in a City tour that takes you to an old Cemetery and other highlights...This is HIGHLY recommended over the Train. Another option in Skagway is to simply rent a car or a van if there is more than 4-6 passengers...AVIS will route the roadway again across from the train route..Much cheaper for a group but his has its downside of no travel guide...you are on your own. There are also some great Honk-tonk bars with piano entertainment and ladies in "era" dress in town...well worth a visit and a quick drink.

In Ketchikan, expect rain, but I would highly recommend Salmon fishing especially if the Kings are running...an experience you will never forget....but be aware the processing and shiping your catch home can be costly. A party in our group did the float plane ride to the Misty Fiords and they said it was disappointing for the cost...again that is truely dependent on weather and the wildlife agreeing to be seen. Otherwise Ketchikan has Eagle preserves or just a nice city to walk around, You can even fish from the local docks and rent equipment locally.

Have a great trip we have done it a number of times and look forward to our returun

[swrinfla]

conn:

Alaska seems to be a part of the world where anyone who has come anywhere near, geographically, will have a strong opinion!

If you can afford to take a tour [B]AND a cruise, I urge you to do the tour first. When that's over with, you'll have time to relax on the cruise ship.

On the cruise portion, I recommend these, which I took in early June 2007:

Haines/Skagway: "The White Pass Summit Scenic Railway" shore excursion is wonderful. Yes, the train's windows don't open, but that certainly wasn't a big deal when I went. Indeed, most passengers were wearing extra jackets as a hedge against the cold, not the heat!

Juneau: "Taku Glacier Lodge, Feast & Flight by Floatplane" was definitely pricey (more than $250 per person), but, IMHO, worth every penny.

Ketchikan: "Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer" was a super boat trip to see some spectacular scenery and experience some wonderful sights.

I agree with some of the foregoing comments that, monetarily, you may do better by booking things separate from your cruise. However, I am inclined to question whether your savings are significant enough to outweigh the disadvantages of booking outside cruise line providers.

This latter may well be a matter of strong disagreement among those of us who have previous travel backgrounds. But, from your point of view, the bottom line is that you research your own trip!

Whatever, have fun and enjoy this special part of the world!

SWR

[conn8757]

Thanks to all who posted - I am really excited about this. Haven't decided which side trips to take since we are going with my brother inlaw & sister in-law. If it is late August (actually will be September when we return) will the leaves be changing that far north? I hope so, it will be like getting a 2for1 trip. Also, does the shipline tell you what to bring - I mean do I need to take boots?? people were talking about walking on glaciers-I don't think I can do that unless I have on spikes of some sort- I can fall in water let alone ice. Thanks again to all who responded - we must be almost the only couple who has never been up there. (We never get past Vegas)

[784caroline]

Believe it or not the weather in late august early sept WILL most likely be different than say june or july for this cruise. In Early july we had 70 degree days while cruising and used the hot tubs. In late August you shouod expect 50-60 degree days while cruisng the inside passage (But weather changes fast and dramatically the farther north you travel) and will need to use wind breakers and a warmer jacket more often than in July......Im not talking a winter snow jacket here but definitely dress in layers. Regarding clothes for a glacier walk...when we went on our helicopter trip to a glacier in early July, their was one guy and his wife dressed for Artic cold weather with heavy coats, winter boots scarfes, gloves .. the works. And when we landed on the glacier the weather was beautiful, clear sky and probably in the upper 30s..cool but nothing a light jacket or windbreaker could not accomodate during your 20 minute stay on the glacier. You will land on hard packed ice so the need for boots is unlikely but you should not wear sandals or open toed shoes either. I wore sneakers while some brought along the lightweight totes to cover whatever they were wearing and that was fine. YOu may see or land near cravases but you will be advised to stay away from those areas.

With airline restrictions on luggage and weight, you have to pack smart and that means take only what you really need and make it light weight. WE were actually colder while on deck when we were crusing Hubbard Glacier....the chill in the air comming from the Galcier was unbelieveable and it was windy adding to the uncomfort. However the cruise line provides good size blankets for you to use while on deck during this period of time but you also need to dress warm (Sweaters and windbreakers) if you are going on deck..... AND you want to be on deck to see and HEAR the glacier calving ..even though you may be 1/4 - 1/2 mile from the glacier depending upon the weather the roar is tremendous. As an option, you can simply go to the front upper deck lounge and look through the glass windows enjoying a hot drink of your choice.

Another great moment was in the mornings while cruising, especially if you are comming in and out of fog banks and you hear the ship's fog horn blarring while half asleep. Go top side or on your balcolny..its definitely an errie sight and feeling moving when you cannot see where you are going but quite and adventure...and its very cool in the mornings at sun rise.