Alaska Questions

[Disnsyncey]

Thank you! Our current plan is to fly into SEA and then take the train to Vancouver but we're waiting for the MLB schedule (my DH is trying to get to all the MLB parks and doesn't have SEA yet) to decide as we might end up doing that in reverse instead.

ooooo Tmobile is one of my favs!

 

[Disnsyncey]

We go to Fairbanks next month. We're hoping to see the Norhtern lights. If you have any Fairbanks recommendations, I'd love them.
I have a feeling we'll most likely be doing another Alaskan cruise. Hopefully we'll be able to get my parents to join us.

I think we might try for a bear excursion in Ketchikan. Sounds like that's our best bet!

Thank you!

so....there's not much in Fairbanks There is the REALLY FAMOUS antique car museum though! And the University museum has some things to see maybe? We had some delicious crepes downtown! There's like nothing there.....fanciest hotel IN TOWN is a Springhill Suites

I think a bear excursion in Ketchikan is a great idea, as MOST of the Ketchikan excursions don't excite me much....the lumberjack show was fun though! hahahah

Just use this trip as a scouting trip for your next visit to Alaska! hahaha

 

[Disnsyncey]

No idea how hard verandahs are to get, just know on an Alaskan cruise the best views are going to be on the top decks because you are SURROUNDED by beauty and if just stay on your verandah you will miss half of it.
The whale and wildlife watching excursions are best, some even offer a money back guarantee that you will see three different kinds of wildlife.

Yes, the guides really do want you to see the wildlife! hahaha

I'm pretty sure that the decks are large enough for everyone not to be too squished! Don't make your first priority to be on your verandah! It's a backup when you are tired of spinning while standing up looking at all the beauty surrounding you

I think our first glacier day I was on deck for 1.5 hours then I brought a hot dog back to the cabin to sit down

 

[amythecat]

We did our cruise the first week of August. Weather was perfect all week long except for our first sea day which was rainy and cold. Glacier day was perfect and sunny.

Flew in and out of Seattle and took the train to Vancouver. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Seattle right next to the Amtrak station--perfect location! There was a free shuttle bus from our hotel to the waterfront and space needle. Took the light rail in Seattle and Vancouver, so we had no need for car rental. After the cruise, we went to Grouse Mountain in Vancouver on the free shuttles

Our kids are 5 and 8 and we had early dining. With the time change from Eastern time, we woke up early and went to sleep early.
Skagway we did the Chilikoot Charters bus first, train second and had no trouble with timing. We saw a bear on the side of the road
Juneau we did whale watching with Harv and Marv on a super small boat for 6 passengers. Choppy water, but we saw lots of whales.
Ketchican we did the George Inlet crab feast and boat tour. Kids loved this the most.

On glacier day, the top decks were way too crowded, but deck 4 was better for views and not as crowded.

 

[KatieKepic]

so....there's not much in Fairbanks There is the REALLY FAMOUS antique car museum though! And the University museum has some things to see maybe? We had some delicious crepes downtown! There's like nothing there.....fanciest hotel IN TOWN is a Springhill Suites

I think a bear excursion in Ketchikan is a great idea, as MOST of the Ketchikan excursions don't excite me much....the lumberjack show was fun though! hahahah

Just use this trip as a scouting trip for your next visit to Alaska! hahaha

Ha! That's what we've learned. We have 2 nights there before we go to our auroa viewing hotel for 4 nights. It'll be an adventure I'm sure

I've seen a lot of recommendations for teh lumberjack show! One review I read did the bears in the morning and then lumberjack show in the afternoon so that might be an option too.

Love that idea! At the AK cruise & excursion prices, I'm sure my husband will be thrilled when I tell him this trip is my scouting one to plan my next one

 

[KatieKepic]

We did our cruise the first week of August. Weather was perfect all week long except for our first sea day which was rainy and cold. Glacier day was perfect and sunny.

Flew in and out of Seattle and took the train to Vancouver. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Seattle right next to the Amtrak station--perfect location! There was a free shuttle bus from our hotel to the waterfront and space needle. Took the light rail in Seattle and Vancouver, so we had no need for car rental. After the cruise, we went to Grouse Mountain in Vancouver on the free shuttles

Our kids are 5 and 8 and we had early dining. With the time change from Eastern time, we woke up early and went to sleep early.
Skagway we did the Chilikoot Charters bus first, train second and had no trouble with timing. We saw a bear on the side of the road
Juneau we did whale watching with Harv and Marv on a super small boat for 6 passengers. Choppy water, but we saw lots of whales.
Ketchican we did the George Inlet crab feast and boat tour. Kids loved this the most.

On glacier day, the top decks were way too crowded, but deck 4 was better for views and not as crowded.

Thank you! After all the advice I've gotten, I think we're leaning toward late July/early August and hope for the best with weather and wildlife.

Thank you so much for the Seattle info! I'm definitely going to look into the Embassy Suites as that sounds great.

Chilikoot and Harv & Marv are two that we were looking at so perfect! Did y'all do teh George inlet through DCL or someone else?

Love the tip about deck 4, thank you!

 

[amythecat]

Thank you! After all the advice I've gotten, I think we're leaning toward late July/early August and hope for the best with weather and wildlife.

Thank you so much for the Seattle info! I'm definitely going to look into the Embassy Suites as that sounds great.

Chilikoot and Harv & Marv are two that we were looking at so perfect! Did y'all do teh George inlet through DCL or someone else?

Love the tip about deck 4, thank you!

George Inlet was with DCL