HAL/Alaska Cruise - Suggestions?!

[rae519]

Considering using our DVC points for a HAL cruise to Alaska in 2005.

If anyone has done this and has some suggestions/advise, I'd love to hear them!

We would be flying there and back - me, DH and DS (10 then)

Thanks!

Rae

 

[JimC]

When my wife's parents took our daughters on an Alaskan cruise they combined it with a land trip that took them on a train through Alaska. I forget the route and itinerary, but the girls loved it. They went out on a glacier, panned for gold and the like.

We are hoping to do something similar, maybe in 2006.

 

[rae519]

What a great idea! Thanks!!

Rae

 

[Laura24]

Just wondering??? Is this in place of the Rae and Andy 50th Birthday Bash Cruise or and addition to it? I may have mentioned a short while back that DH and I with some DF's are hoping to cruise Alaska in Aug. 2005. I say hoping because DD #2 has hinted at wedding bells possibly that year. DD#1 will follow soon after! Be still thy heart and wallet!LOL

 

[rae519]

This will be the BIG Andy and Rae Birthday Bash!!! We want to go when his daughter is out of school, and personally my DH and I have always wanted to cruise Alaska. So as long as Hazel, Andy's DW agrees (PLEASE HAZEL) - we should be doing it.

My MD told me that he and his SO were on a HAL in the Caribbean and it was "all oldsters" ------- so he was laughing that we need to get some bluehairs - then he remembered my DH has white hair (since age 21) and and that was even funnier!!!!

Keep this in mind -

Rae

 

[NCRedding]

We cruised Alaska July of 2003 on RCCL Radiance of the Seas. At most of our ports, there was a least one, sometimes 2 HAL ships. The scenery was amazing!! Our DD (10) was too keen on the scenery, but she had a great time on the ship in the kids clubs. Because of the smaller number of kids aboard, she was able to meet some friends that she hung around with in the club. We did Skagway (no excursions here for us, and I wish we had, It is a beautiful little town(; Ketchikan (we did the Lumberjack show and the "Duck tour"); Juneau (whale watching--awesome!). We flew in a few days early to see Vancouver and to get our time zone readjustment. Being East-coasters, we missed most of the late night entertainment because of the time change.

 

[travelbug]

I took a southbound Alaskan cruise in 1997 on Celebrity Cruise Line's "Horizon." What a fabulous trip! We flew into Anchorage the day before departing, and had time to stroll around and shop near our hotel that first day. Our ports were Sitka (gorgeous scenic community - we did a bus tour), Skagway (the train excursion was awesome, and we panned for gold on another excursion that same day), Juneau (trip to Mendenhall glacier and up a mountainside in a cable car--can't remember its name), and Ketchikan (narrated boat trip in the area). The scenery is so grand and spectacular. Everything is huge, and pictures don't seem to do it justice.

We could have done a trip extension before the cruise, going to Denali Park to see Mt. McKinley. But it was more than we felt we could spend at the time. Now I kind of regret it, since I don't know when or if I'll get back up there.

At the end of the trip, we stayed a couple nights in Vancouver. We took the boat to Victoria Island, visited Butchart Gardens, and explored the island. Very beautiful!

If you go, my best advice is to take advantage of some of the side trips and excursions. It's hard to really see the area by just strolling around the town by the cruise docks. The side trips were worth every penny!

Truly a trip of a lifetime! I hope it works out for you to go. I think you'd love it!

 

[rae519]

Thanks - sounds like it could be the trip of a lifetime!!! Definitely want to do the side trips!!!

Thank you!!!!!

Rae

 

[Tarheel Tink]

In Skagway you may want to pass the Jewel Gardens Tour- not what I anticipated (young garden, small, not worth the time spent there). Our group enjoyed horseback riding, sportsfishing, glacier flights, otter and whale sightings, etc. Prices in Sitka seemed higher than Skayway, Juneau and Ketchikan.
In Juneau we took the tramway up Mt. Roberts and hiked the well-marked trails and had a nice lunch at the restaurant.

Note- believe the information the cruiseline sends and pack accordingly. A couple at my table packed for the Carribean in July- DUH! They had to find a Walmart at the first port and buy long pants and jackets, LOL! Wonder what they thought the icebergs floating in the water meant?

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Tarheel Tink
A couple at my table packed for the Carribean in July- DUH! They had to find a Walmart at the first port and buy long pants and jackets, LOL! Wonder what they thought the icebergs floating in the water meant?

Now that's hysterical!!!!!!

Rae

 

[shoes99]

We just booked the Diamond Princess for June 2004, Seattle RT Inside Passage Alaska. We will be visiting Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm, Kitchikan and Victoria.
The cruise brochure has everyone wearing fleece and sweats.
I'm going to check out the Lands End sale at Sears tomorrow to buy some warm weather, OOPS, cold weather gear. Our last four cruises were on DCL.
Have fun on whatever you choose.
Michele

 

[travelbug]

We were glad to have packed short sleeved shirts as well as sweatshirts and jackets. Some days were springlike and sunny, so that short sleeves and light slacks were just right. It even got up to an unexpected 86 degrees when we were in Skagway. We were wishing for shorts! Other days were chilly, so that the warmer clothes were the only way to go. This was end of June, by the way.

Got a good chuckle thinking about the people that packed like they were going to the tropics. ROFLOL!

 

[BVC4us]

We went last July on the Holland America Volendam. It truly was a vacation of a lifetime. There really are no words to describe the incredible beauty of Alaska! And cruising...wow!!! we're hooked now! We packed for all kinds of weather. Everyone said glacier Bay would be very cold...fleece, mittens etc. Well, we were swimming in the pool with the glaciers behind us. it was awesome. We must have had a rare week of warmth. We were in shorts and shortsleeves the whole week. In fact, we hiked in Skagway in sleeveless shirts. I'm sure that isn't the norm though. Anyway, you will have a great time!!! Take lots of pictures.

 

[WDWguru]

We've been twice to Alaska, both times on HAL, once before owning DVC and once on points. On this last trip (this past summer) we upgraded with extra points to a vernadah cabin, then got one of those rare cheap upgrades to a suite -- it was heaven!

Rather than repeat many things that have been posted in the past, I'll refer you to this thread. It's got tons of information on it and is still up-to-date.

 

[rae519]

Thanks!!!!!!

Rae