Cruising Alaska, not with Disney?

[wabbott]

We’re going out of Seattle because we want time in Washington State, 3 nights before to see Mount Rainier NP, and 3 nights after to see Olympic NP.

Did Rainier and part of BC last year in conjunction with an Alaskan cruise. Rainier is very, very impressive. North Cascades NP is also worth the time.

 

[Karin1984]

Last year Disney had an expert on board to do some Alaska talks. And while she had some interesting things and her pictures were beautiful...

That she quoted Wikipedia as a source on some of her slides, was a turn off.

I do not know how other experts on other lines do this, but I assume official park rangers do a better job at this.

 

[Sakura1017]

Not sure there is a bad cruise to Alaska. We've done two on HAL. HAL has been cruising longer than any other line so has the best permits and docking locations and Naturalists, but Alaska is so beautiful not sure it makes a huge difference.

I’m considering Hal over princess based on latest reviews on princess. What ship did u sail on? Did u do inside passage on Hal or did a combo land/cruise? I’m curious if u have to book things independently for airfare/bus when it’s on the itinerary. I doubt they charter a whole plane/bus for everyone on combo tour

 

[Sakura1017]

It's not that port intensive, though. I don't know about HAL's itineraries, but Disney cruises only have three port stops on a seven-night cruise. Even if we pretend that glacier viewing is a "port", that still leaves a few days at sea.

Even if not port intensive I was doing tons of activities on dcl like trivia, bingo, character meet and greets. So I hardly had time to look at more of the scenery. So if I do another non dcl with Alaska more focusing on ports and scenery and possible glacier bay hoping that might work out. Question is which concierge is better Hal or princess?

 

[tvguy]

I’m considering Hal over princess based on latest reviews on princess. What ship did u sail on? Did u do inside passage on Hal or did a combo land/cruise? I’m curious if u have to book things independently for airfare/bus when it’s on the itinerary. I doubt they charter a whole plane/bus for everyone on combo tour

I just did the cruise, first time on the Amsterdam, second time on the Westerdam, both ships HAL has sold. Not sure how the combo tours operate. We're taking one next year on Princess, only thing I know so far is they suggest you pack one suitcase for the land portion, and second with your cruise stuff, and they will hold the cruise suitcase for you in a secure location so you don't have to drag it around.

 

[Sakura1017]

I just did the cruise, first time on the Amsterdam, second time on the Westerdam, both ships HAL has sold. Not sure how the combo tours operate. We're taking one next year on Princess, only thing I know so far is they suggest you pack one suitcase for the land portion, and second with your cruise stuff, and they will hold the cruise suitcase for you in a secure location so you don't have to drag it around.

Did u have a preference on ships with Hal since you sailed on 2 different ones?

 

[auntlynne]

I’m considering Hal over princess based on latest reviews on princess. What ship did u sail on? Did u do inside passage on Hal or did a combo land/cruise? I’m curious if u have to book things independently for airfare/bus when it’s on the itinerary. I doubt they charter a whole plane/bus for everyone on combo tour

I watched a series of videos of a cruise tour. Yes, they did fly on a small plane (I think it was a charter - and very few people aboard; but it was not a large jet). (EDIT: it was a 737, with only 18 passengers aboard!)

This is direct from HAL website.

In areas from Seward & Whittier to Anchorage, you will see cruise line large, modern Greyhound-style buses.

At Denali, there are lots of cruise-line only large lodge hotels. It’s big business.

Expect to pay for meals and excursions on the land portion.




The transportation included would be that shown below:



Looking at this cruise tour and what’s included, it seems to be reasonably priced for what you get (especially compared to DCL cruise only).

This was the YouTube video series I watched for their Konigsdam CruiseTour:

 

[tvguy]

Did u have a preference on ships with Hal since you sailed on 2 different ones?

No, both were great and very similar. What I like about HAL ships is they have a retractable roof over the pool on the upper deck. While it was warm both times we were in Alaska, low 70s, at night it could get cool and they did a salmon bbq around the pool one evening with the roof mostly closed.....just open enough to let the smoke from the BBQs out.

 

[TheBigErn]

Where do you stay the night before departure when sailing out of Seattle?

 

[auntlynne]

Where do you stay the night before departure when sailing out of Seattle?

My last time was at Hyatt at Olive 8.

Sort of Convention Center area. I considered other hotels, but was pleased with this one. Smallish (versus the mega hotels), felt more cozy. Clean, newer, modern. Was surprised to see dogs board the elevator with me. Not service dogs. Welcome to Seattle.

It’s a few blocks from the Light Rail station at Westlake Center. From there, I was able to walk to Pike Place Market and all around downtown. Chihuly Glass, Space Needle, Monorail, Museum of Pop Culture would be walkable distance.

NCL cruises from the closer Pier 66 on Alaskan Way, with many people staying across the road at the Marriott Waterfront.

Most other cruiselines use Pier 91 (Smith Cove). We reached it by taxi, years ago. Now, it’s probably ride-shares. I took an Uber or Lyft from my Hyatt to Pier 66 (not an easy or quick walk). Smith Cove is north of the city and still seems to need car/ taxi or transfer bus.

For me, a lot of it is a combination of price and activities. Better prices are often in Southcenter/ Tukwila, which is near SeaTac airport. Even near the airport.

The Link Light Rail is clean, inexpensive, and goes from the airport to downtown in about 20 minutes. But on a short pre-cruise stay, I don’t want to make multiple trips back and forth for touring and sleeping purposes.

Arrive at noon, get to town, do a few things, sleep in town, and get to ship the following morning can be a nice enough start. Add a day or more extra, then that $300+ /night downtown hotel adds up.

I try to focus on hitting a few highlights. And then hope to return to Seattle for another round. (Disembarkation Day would be a great time, too, to see some sights).

My room was just over $200 with Hyatt loyalty rate (similar to AAA discount), but had been a little cheaper when I first considered it. And that was in the matter of 24 hours.

Book early for hotels. As soon as you find something that is a possibility. Then watch to see if prices drop. More likely, they go up. Just don’t book non-cancellable rates.

Belltown gets a nod from many cruisers. Check TripAdvisor for good recommendations. Seattle has some unique hotels. Historic or small but good. You won’t see a lot on this forum (I have never seen a DCL cruise from Seattle).

We have stayed in Renton (Hilton Garden Inn) and Federal Way (not a recommendation based on distance). Consider Pioneer Square on the South side of downtown, near the stadiums and International market area (think Asian food).

Lots of choices. You can stay where the Beatles did, the Edgewater.

 

[auntlynne]

Where do you stay the night before departure when sailing out of Seattle?

Cedarbrook Lodge

 

[RedHead0186]

One other big plus... the Medallions. My kid doesn't have a phone, but I could use the Medallion to locate him, and he could locate me. (Note: doesn't work for strangers, just members of your family.). The wait staff could use it to bring you drinks that you ordered off the app while sitting in a hot tub.

You can set it up to track others, IIRC. You have to go in and 'request' to follow someone, and then they have to approve. I think we did that on a PC cruise on Princess earlier this year; as we wanted to meet up with some friends later on and that was the only way to find them (since there's no chat feature in the new app).

 

[lilsonicfan]

I’m considering Hal over princess based on latest reviews on princess. What ship did u sail on? Did u do inside passage on Hal or did a combo land/cruise? I’m curious if u have to book things independently for airfare/bus when it’s on the itinerary. I doubt they charter a whole plane/bus for everyone on combo tour

Just to chime in, we sailed with HAL on the Koningsdam. I loved this ship, it's one of HAL's newer ones yet I think it's comparable to Magic/Wonder in size. The retractable roof was a huge bonus as my kids swam every day regardless of the weather. We did the inside passage from Vancouver to Vancouver.

 

[TheBigErn]

Looking for recommendations for excursions in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. We are 4 adults. First timers to Alaska. Not really interested in cultural shows. Thanks.

 

[Chemist]

Looking for recommendations for excursions in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. We are 4 adults. First timers to Alaska. Not really interested in cultural shows. Thanks.

In Ketchikan we did the deadliest catch tour.
In Juneau we did a helicopter excursion with Coastal Helicopters.
In Skagway we rented a car with DIY jeep tours and drove to Emerald Lake, with multiple stops including Michelle Phillips sled dog camp.

None of it was cheap, but we enjoyed it all.

Note: booked everything independently.

 

[auntlynne]

Looking for recommendations for excursions in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. We are 4 adults. First timers to Alaska. Not really interested in cultural shows. Thanks.

Victoria - The Butchart Gardens are beautiful. Grayline Tour: RT bus and entrance to gardens. Leaves from Fairmont Princess. Would like to do orca cruise but timing needs to be right (and daytime )







On a short night stop, we went to the Bay Company and then had dinner at a Thai restaurant.

There’s a small Chinatown. The provincial capital building and Harbour are a nice walking area.

 

[auntlynne]

Juneau - I have done whale watch + Mendenhall two different ways. One was a larger boat. I prefer the excursion (due to smaller boat, lower to water, fewer passengers, shown here) that is packaged as photography focused.



At Mendenhall, we walked the Trail of Time. It has markers to indicate the glaciers edge over many years.



And, of course, checked out the Mendenhall Glacier itself



And visited Mendenhall as single destination



Had lunch at the Hangar on The Wharf and at Tracy’s Crab Shack:



Things I have considered, but glaciers and whales keep winning:

The tram up Mt Roberts is subject to closure due to fog. One day, I may get there. You can hike/ walk around.

There is a Botanical Gardens in a natural setting.

Summer dog sled camp.

Others enjoy the Red Dog Saloon.

 

[auntlynne]

Skagway - this town could fill in for a frontier town. One Main Street, straight up from a ship dock.

White Pass & Yukon Railway. We did an up & back ride on the train. Some excursions do bus for one leg.




Skagway



Most of main street


Helicopters to glacier:




Did both of these in the same day.

Meanwhile, part of our group did a hike, bike, and raft (or kayak) excursion. Lately, have seen that the bike part is not included.

 

[auntlynne]

Skagway, another year

We rented a car and drove to Whitehorse, Yukon.

Emerald Lake:







River through Whitehorse. Had a tasty lunch downtown. Just a roast beef sandwich, but better than ship food.



The lighting was other-worldly at times



Overlook view of Skagway:



There was a suspension bridge along the way. And sled dog summer camps, too.

We stopped in at the Skagway Brewing Co restaurant. Others enjoy the Red Onion Saloon. Fudge and knives are popular souvenirs.

 

[auntlynne]

Ketchikan - the best thing we did there was a float plane tour over the Tongass National Forest with Island Wings. Landed on a lake. So quiet, peaceful.





Different year. Zodiac boat. Gear supplied.


I have been to Creek Street, but have little interest in trinket shops or brothel history.



Always walk through this tiny park:



I have a hard time with Ketchikan. Just haven’t found something that grabs me. Have gone to the Lumberjack Show (somewhat cheesy, good for families, and not too long). And did a boat excursion from Ward’s Cove when docked there with NCL. It was a beautiful day, but nothing I would repeat.

And have grabbed a photo of this sign several times.

It is a very walkable town. You can go above the city and walk some trails.