Hi,
Just came back from our Alaska sailing this morning. I wanted to pay forward what I could to these boards. I've learned so much from so many trip reports and tips and tricks that I've read all over these boards.
That being said, I have to say I give major props to those who write up day by day trip reports... how you all keep track of what you did is amazing! Details are all a blur to me, haha...BUT, I would love to answer any questions that I can if anybody has them.
I don't have any navigators, sorry. My hubby said that's extra paper we don't need to drag home! Lol!
Our weather was fantastic. Warm actually. We went to Mendenhall Glacier and were sweating on our walk up to see it!! Every morning was slightly chilly, but as the day went on, the weather was pretty perfect.
For those ANNA & ELSA fans-it states in your very first navigator that they give you at check in to get tickets to see them at Studio Sea from 12-3 and that will be the only time you can get tickets to see them. My husband ran up there first thing and we saw them the very next morning. (Tues at 930am) the process was so easy and quick, it was awesome. I've heard stories of people waiting in line for hours at Disneyland to meet them. We got to sit at a table in Animator's Palate with crayons and coloring sheets while we waited for our groups turn (we were group #3 if that means anything) and waited no longer than 10 minutes, if even that long. They set up a nice little "Frozen" backdrop for your pictures too.
They advertised tickets for them AGAIN in the Navigator in the later part of the week. And even put them in the Navigator for character appearances... they were in Studio Sea that 2nd time.
For those who like to get things signed-I turned in pillowcases and they allowed me to request ALL AVAILABLE. I had read from previous posts that they changed their policy and you had to choose Mickey and Friends OR Princesses... not this time. They had no issue with me asking for all available. Wish I would've known that so I could've brought a photo mat! Anyway, along with all the signatures, one pillowcase had Anna and Elsa and one just had Anna... go figure.
Movies showing-Maleficent, Bears, Million Dollar Arm, Captain America, Muppets Most Wanted, and the new Planes Fire & Rescue movie.
PICTURES-For those of you traveling in big parties with multiple staterooms who want the photo CD... we pre-ordered ours online and paid the $300, which qualified the other people in our party to purchase a CD for 50% off!!!! I thought that was a great deal, so be sure to ask about that at Shutters. It may even be on the website for ordering your CD. If you buy the CD, then all your prints are $100.
The only excursion our family did was my husband and son riding a helicopter to Norris Glacier. They had a complete blast and said the experience was totally worth it, though we all know how expensive it is! Haha. We actually almost cancelled because of the price. I'm so glad we didn't.
Juneau-I read about the "$9 Blue Bus/White Bus" to Mendenhall and that was our plan, until you get there and 10 people are yelling at you from their booths about all their tours and prices! So we went with a guy that runs "Last Chance Tours" and theirs isn't a bus but a...motorcoach? I'm not sure what it's called. Smaller group of people and the soft cushioned chairs, so more comfortable. Anyway, I'd suggest talking to these tour guys and negotiating with them.
Our whole drive around town and round trip to Mendenhall was 2.5 hours. The only hard part is that you get just 1 hour at Mendenhall and if you are planning to walk all the way to the glacier and waterfall, you better be walking fast. The one hour is just enough time to walk there, take pictures, and walk back.
Ketchikan-there is a free shuttle that picks up right near the ship and goes around the whole town. The shuttle bus driver is informative and fun and its a good way to see the small town. We actually visited the totem pole museum too ($5 adults, 12 and under free) it's very small... but if you are interested in totem poles at all, may be worth a visit as original poles are housed there. Apparently the ones in the parks, like saxman village are the replicas, which makes sense, right? Haha.
Those are just a few quick things I always look for quickly in trip reports, but if I can answer any questions for anybody, ask away. I'll answer what I can!
Just came back from our Alaska sailing this morning. I wanted to pay forward what I could to these boards. I've learned so much from so many trip reports and tips and tricks that I've read all over these boards.
That being said, I have to say I give major props to those who write up day by day trip reports... how you all keep track of what you did is amazing! Details are all a blur to me, haha...BUT, I would love to answer any questions that I can if anybody has them.
I don't have any navigators, sorry. My hubby said that's extra paper we don't need to drag home! Lol!
Our weather was fantastic. Warm actually. We went to Mendenhall Glacier and were sweating on our walk up to see it!! Every morning was slightly chilly, but as the day went on, the weather was pretty perfect.
For those ANNA & ELSA fans-it states in your very first navigator that they give you at check in to get tickets to see them at Studio Sea from 12-3 and that will be the only time you can get tickets to see them. My husband ran up there first thing and we saw them the very next morning. (Tues at 930am) the process was so easy and quick, it was awesome. I've heard stories of people waiting in line for hours at Disneyland to meet them. We got to sit at a table in Animator's Palate with crayons and coloring sheets while we waited for our groups turn (we were group #3 if that means anything) and waited no longer than 10 minutes, if even that long. They set up a nice little "Frozen" backdrop for your pictures too.
They advertised tickets for them AGAIN in the Navigator in the later part of the week. And even put them in the Navigator for character appearances... they were in Studio Sea that 2nd time.
For those who like to get things signed-I turned in pillowcases and they allowed me to request ALL AVAILABLE. I had read from previous posts that they changed their policy and you had to choose Mickey and Friends OR Princesses... not this time. They had no issue with me asking for all available. Wish I would've known that so I could've brought a photo mat! Anyway, along with all the signatures, one pillowcase had Anna and Elsa and one just had Anna... go figure.
Movies showing-Maleficent, Bears, Million Dollar Arm, Captain America, Muppets Most Wanted, and the new Planes Fire & Rescue movie.
PICTURES-For those of you traveling in big parties with multiple staterooms who want the photo CD... we pre-ordered ours online and paid the $300, which qualified the other people in our party to purchase a CD for 50% off!!!! I thought that was a great deal, so be sure to ask about that at Shutters. It may even be on the website for ordering your CD. If you buy the CD, then all your prints are $100.
The only excursion our family did was my husband and son riding a helicopter to Norris Glacier. They had a complete blast and said the experience was totally worth it, though we all know how expensive it is! Haha. We actually almost cancelled because of the price. I'm so glad we didn't.
Juneau-I read about the "$9 Blue Bus/White Bus" to Mendenhall and that was our plan, until you get there and 10 people are yelling at you from their booths about all their tours and prices! So we went with a guy that runs "Last Chance Tours" and theirs isn't a bus but a...motorcoach? I'm not sure what it's called. Smaller group of people and the soft cushioned chairs, so more comfortable. Anyway, I'd suggest talking to these tour guys and negotiating with them.
Our whole drive around town and round trip to Mendenhall was 2.5 hours. The only hard part is that you get just 1 hour at Mendenhall and if you are planning to walk all the way to the glacier and waterfall, you better be walking fast. The one hour is just enough time to walk there, take pictures, and walk back.
Ketchikan-there is a free shuttle that picks up right near the ship and goes around the whole town. The shuttle bus driver is informative and fun and its a good way to see the small town. We actually visited the totem pole museum too ($5 adults, 12 and under free) it's very small... but if you are interested in totem poles at all, may be worth a visit as original poles are housed there. Apparently the ones in the parks, like saxman village are the replicas, which makes sense, right? Haha.
Those are just a few quick things I always look for quickly in trip reports, but if I can answer any questions for anybody, ask away. I'll answer what I can!
