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Everything Else Bonaire: A BonaireTalker Cruise in Alaska?
Bonaire Talk: Everything Else Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2004: Archives - 2002-12-02 to 2003-04-29: A BonaireTalker Cruise in Alaska?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3892) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 3:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Since I'm apparently on this communal kick today, let me ask another question...

Are there any BonaireTalkers interested in doing a 10-day cruise together on Holland America in Alaska during the middle/latter part of July, 2004 (17 months from now - need to plan ahead and budget).

Holland America is apparently a no-tipping cruise ship, and they have kids activities programs for ages 6 and older. Port of departure would be Vancouver.

Maybe we could even get in some Pacific Northwest diving? :-)

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2062) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 3:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sounds very tempting, Jake...any idea of the cost of the cruise? I realize there are different rates for different classes of accommodations, but is there a "ballpark" figure? We would be responsible for the airfare, but any idea as to the cruise cost? How many people would the ship hold? (hate those huge puppies!). Thanks. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3893) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Carole,

In a spot check on a 7-day cruise from Vancouver to Seward this summer I'm seeing rates between about $1300 - 2800 without air per person, double occupancy. I'm going to try to get information on whether we could get some sort of group deal.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana girl (BonaireTalker - Post #62) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake,
We are interested. We have been looking at the Alaska Sail\Rail options. Go one way by ship then return by train. We are interested in doing some halibut fishing. Craig would like to dive but leave me out of the COLD water.
Yana

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3894) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cool (literally :-) )!

For any of you interested in going on this cruise, we're wide open to itinerary options, side trips, etc. Haven't done any real planning yet other than deciding we want to go!

Things Linda & I want to do, see and show the kids:

- The glaciers
- Wild orcas
- Maybe wild bears
- The serenity and beauty of the Alaskan countryside
- Lots of good Chinese food somewhere along the east coast of the U.S. (be it Vancouver, Seattle, or San Francisco, depending on the port of departure/embarkation).

Also want lots of good photo opportunities. And, if diving is an option, as a side trip or pre/post trip item, I'd be game (I'd bring my Viking cold water dry suit with me though ;-) )

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kitty @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #186) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Jake,

And where does that ship go to in those 10 days?
I've done this awesome trip on a traditional (not yet cruise)ship in Norway from Bergen to the Russian border in the North and back, while visiting 30something ports. That was breathtaking. But what can I expect from this cruise?

Kitty :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3895) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oops, here's the URL for the Cruise Line:

http://www.hollandamerica.com/explore/alaska/alaska_home.htm

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3896) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The river cruise options look interesting as well...

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5589) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

jake, are you set on Holland Cruise line? The cruise my mom and i went on in November was Royal Carribean, Vision of the Seas ship, and it cruises the summer months in alaska, and is a new ship. i know they have kids programs, but it is a tipping ship (not tipping over)...michael and i have talked about doing the alaska thing...we are supposed to go to st. marteen with my mom in march of 2004...guess 2 vacations close together wouldn't be bad though:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carol Eddy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #337) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bruno and I have always wanted to do the Alaska "thing". I like the idea of a "no tipping" ship. Is it one of those huge ships or a smaller one?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3897) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 4:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The "voluntary" (mandatory) tipping thing we experienced on the one cruise we've done (Carnival) bugged the &^#@$ out of me. I prefer the no-tipping Club Med approach. However, we'd be willing to bow to group momentum on this, providing there's a kids program and either affordable suites large enough to comfortably fit a family of four (us) or two smaller rooms with connecting doors (Holland America doesn't have those, at least not as far as I can tell).

Any cruise ship specialists out there?

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Faith M. Senie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #334) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 6:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake, do you still own enough warm things to fit under the dry suit and still keep you warm enough? You're gonna look like the Michelin man... :-)

Faith

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5592) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 7:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

jake, here is the link to the rc's vision of the seas alaska tour. it looks like they have quite a few interesting shore excursions along the way (i looked at the 7 day trip). prices seem pretty reasonable as well...they also have programs for kids...i remember seeing the adventure ocean program facilities, but as i didn't have kids with me i didn't explore much...oh, tell linda they have a great spa on board...us ladies could go for a facial and massage:-) gee, maybe i can get my mom to go along again and we can get the deluxe wheelchair accessable suite!

link to the alaska info:

Alaska Tour

link to the vision of the seas ship info:

Vision of the Seas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5593) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 7:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

jake, on our trip, the tipping that we did was at the end of the trip, and it was one for the cabin steward, one for our head waiter. when we went to lunch or breakfast we just tipped as we saw fit. i don't remember what they "suggested" though...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3899) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 7:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Faith, still got my polartec/thinsulate dry suit undies that I got with my Viking - combine that with a couple of layers of silk longies for extra warmth I and should be set to go :-)

Cynde - thanks for the links. As far as the tipping on Carnival went, we kept hearing stories about how waiters and stewards were rated based on the tips they received (half of the stories were from the waiters and stewards themselves, of course) - weird and unlikely but unsettling nonetheless.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5594) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 7:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

jake, didn't hear anything like that on ours, in fact they had a very discresionary information packet about the "tipping" process. and, you didn't tip the head waiter or steward until you debarked.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3900) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 7:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What if you simply didn't tip them at all?

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5600) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 8:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I guess you could do that if you wanted to. You just had to put the money in an envelope with their name marked on it and leave it on your bed! The only one i really didn't feel i had to tip (but of course mom did anyway) was the head waiter. we never saw him. we tipped our dinner waiter whom we had every evening, (Lubo) and he was from Hungary, and he was great, and our cabin steward did a great job, so we didn't mind tipping him as well.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #416) on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 9:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I've always wanted to do one of those "adventure" cruises in Alaska, but the thought of one of those floating cities turns me off. 50-100 people max is my comfort zone, I can stay home and go the yuppie malls and restaurants if I want crowds.

Bah humbug!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kitty @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #189) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 9:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I've added all these cruise-URL's to My Favorites. Will be checking them out soon, when I got the time.

This really sounds like something I'd like to do... But I've left most of my warm clothing in Holland... :-(

BTW, can we get a discount as a group? :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5602) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 11:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well i talked to michael about it last night, and he is game. i vote for the vision of the seas, she is fairly new, and beautiful...everyone we met on our cruise said that she was the nicest boat they had been on...i know some folks don't like the crowds, but we didn't experience "crowds" except for when we debarked...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3901) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 11:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde,

Can you take a look at some of the other cruise lines for comparison?

The one drawback I see with The Vision of the Seas is that it has a very limited range of travel (start in Vancouver, out and back to Vancouver). Holland America is one way from Vancouver to Seward, so you spend more time seeing different things and exploring, I think. And I think there may be other lines offering cruises too for further comparison.

Maybe you have a cruise-oriented travel store in your area which could help with comparing options better (we obviously don't have any Alaska cruise specialists on Bonaire :-) )? Also maybe they could help with coming up with some sort of group deal? Linda had a suggestion that we book for lower class of service but buck for the automatic category upgrade...

In looking at Yahoo! - I see that Holland America, Princess, Seven Seas, Celebrity, Radisson, Carnival, Norwegian, Crystal, and Royal Caribbean are among those with Alaska cruises, incidentally. (See http://www.alaska-cruise-discounts.com/ for example - the site also lists some smaller cruise boats as an option).

I think we're going to have fun, no matter how we go, though!

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kitty @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #190) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 11:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I still have to check out all those websites, but one thing Jake just said caught my eye...
Smaller cruise boats / ships are my favorite. I like the boats with fewer people. A whole different type of people on those boats, I presume.
I mean, when I was 'sailing' the Nowegian Seas I noted that the smaller ship I was on, carried the most interesting people who really 'chose' to be on a smaller ship because of its authenticity... Actually, that was my choice as well... (not that I am insinuating that I am more interesting :-))

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5606) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 11:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

jake, i'm all over it!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #993) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 12:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

man, too funny..not me but I have sent clients on HA many times to Alaska..they either loved it or hated it.

Tipping is a very important aspect of compensation for the crew. At the end we gave out envelopes (the cruise lines usually give them) to M'aitre de, waiter, steward, busboy, girls in kids program..on and on..they have a standard tipping policy.

I worked on the illfated SV Fantome (Windjammer) and lived for my tips since I only got 300.00 USD A MONTH (and I had one of the highest wages). If the guests were "frugal", it made for a rough time for all. We worked VERY hard on that boat and a decent tip was always appreciated.

Have fun..I highly recommend the combined Canadian Rockies trip if time allows.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1345) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 12:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake may not have pointed this out but since we plan on taking our two monsters we need something with a children's program that is more enjoyable than babysitting. Although I like the idea of a smaller ship too, I haven't found one that offers a kid's program. Some don't even allow kids at all. So Cynde while you are at it, could you check on the kid issue. They will be 7 and 9 in summer 2004.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5607) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 1:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi linda, absolutely! not to keep going back to the vision, but their ocean adventure program had a lot of activities and stuff to keep their minds and bodies busy...i was thinking how i wish i were a kid so i could go in and have some fun! i will certainly check out all the options for bas and yana:-) when i do my search of what ships/packages are available!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #418) on Friday, February 21, 2003 - 3:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What does our new BT'r from Juneau have to say? He probably sees more cruise ships than anyone, even if it is from the shore.

I keep flashing back to a J. A. Jance mystery novel I read a couple of months ago, a kind of Murder on the Orient Express set on an Alaska cruise.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #119) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 12:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, everybody. Jake sent me an e-mail about this Alaska cruise you'al are a-planning and asked if I would weigh in on it.

Right now, however, is a bad time because I have a ton of things to do tonight. Can I hold off answering until, say, Saturday or Sunday? Will then provide huge amounts of info--well, some info, at least.

I have another option I'd like you to explore. Its called the Alaska Marine Highway. Not fancy, not fast, no children's program, but its a way lot less expensive. It is, basically, an ocean-going ferry system. Check it out at
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html

I realize it is not what some of you are seeking, but it has its advantages.

I'll get back to you all.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3936) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 8:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks, Dan.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5651) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

hi dan, i will check it out! i talked to my mom to see if she wanted to go, and she is game! only thing is that the ship would have to have wheelchair accessiblility

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #775) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Linnea:
I think I read that book -- was it one of the Jesse Arnold series -- it was set on a Cruise West ship, and I was fascinated. Alaska is on our "list", but I think it'll have to be Cruise West, together with a long shore trip. CW is very expensive, but sounds WONDERFUL!!

I'm addicted to mysteries, and LOVE all the series set in Alaska.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 12:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We've always thought about an Alaskan cruise. It's probably the only cruise we'd go on since we're not into crowds. We've only been on one cruise....the Fantome....yes, Ann, when did you work for Windjammer? We did the Antiqua loop back in '94. A beautiful ship now lost at sea!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #142) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Okay. Here's some info on touring Alaska. Its split into several posts, so finish one and continue onward:

Let us begin with a small geography lesson, just so that you know what you’re up against.
This is an image of the State of Alaska superimposed on the United States. Yes, it is to scale. Usually, its tipped to show SE Alaska touching Florida, but this is more true as it would appear on a globe

alaska

(Message edited by eliff on March 3, 2003)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #144) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alaska is encompasses 586,412 square miles (1,518,807 sq. km). It is 1,400 miles wide by 2,700 miles long (2253 km by 4345 km). The main portion of the state is about 1,000 miles square (1,609 km square). This is one big state, and there is no way that you will be able to see all of it in a couple of weeks.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #149) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ideally, you should spend a couple of months in each of the regions to really get a handle on what this state is. However, I understand that’s not really practical, so let’s get down to the practical stuff.

Jake probably has the best idea if what you want is a quite overview of most of the state. Take a cruise up the inside passage (Southeast Alaska), take the boat on over to Seward, where you can board a train that will take you into Anchorage, and then onto Fairbanks, flying home from there.

Let’s examine that itinerary a little more in depth: Leaving either Vancouver or Prince Rupert, BC, Canada, you will sail north stopping probably in Ketchikan and Juneau in Southeast. These are the two largest cities in SE. In Ketchikan, you will have the options of several land tours by various means. In Juneau, likewise, except I would hope you would like to save some time for diving. Also in Southeast, you will probably visit Glacier Bay. It is spectacular! In general, think of SE like the fjords of Norway. Much the same.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #150) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

From SE, you will sail across the Gulf of Alaska to Seward, where you will board a bus and travel to Anchorage, touring along the way. In Anchorage, you will also have the option of land tours.

Leaving Anchorage, you will board the Alaska Railroad. Both Princess Line or Holland America Line have their own private cars on the railroad, so you can expect the service to be the same fine service you had on the ship. Traveling north, you will spend the night in Denali at either company’s private hotel. Boarding buses, you will go into Denali National Park (deeper into it than the average tourist gets to go). Denali is, of course, where Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, is located. Hopefully, you will get to see it. Like Mt. Everest, it creates its own weather and it may or may not be hidden by its own clouds.

From Denali, you will continue north to Fairbanks, where there will be a variety of optional land tours. Again, you will stay in your company’s hotel. I highly suggest you take any tour that will take you into the arctic region—maybe up to Prudhoe Bay or Kotzebue or Barrow or Nome. Out of Fairbanks, be sure to take the river cruise if you have time. It’s a good look into the past.

From Fairbanks, you will board an airplane back to Seattle and home.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #151) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

There are variations of the trip, of course. You can fly to Fairbanks and run the tour the other direction. You can add on various optional excursions and land, sea, or air tours. When you get to the point of doing some serious planning, I can give you some ideas of what is available out of Juneau, and some of what is available out of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and any other stops you may be making. Juneau will be fairly complete. The other communities will be only what I know about, and you can find lots of info on them, as well as Juneau, on the Internet. I’ve added a few web sites of interest. They will lead you to others.

That would be the best way for you to see a goodly amount of Alaska in a limited amount of time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #152) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Now, as to other options. I had mentioned the Alaska Marine Highway. As I said, it is an ocean-going ferry system. It is for the independent traveler.

The advantages are, first, that you see more communities along the way. You would board at Bellingham, Washington, north of Seattle. Sail north, stopping at Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, maybe Sitka (would recommend getting on a sailing that stops in Sitka), Juneau, Haines, and Skagway. Now comes the tough part. From Skagway, you would be best advised to either take the day boat or fly back to Juneau, and then fly to Anchorage, where you could independently do what the cruise passengers would be doing. Another advantage is that you can get off, stay for as many days as you would like, get back on and go to the next community. There is one ferry once each month during the summer that goes to Seward and back.

The disadvantages are that it has no children’s program, per se, but does have naturalists on board to explain a lot of what you’re seeing along the way. There are some limited children’s programs. Everything is priced separate—your ticket, your stateroom, your food. It’s a great deal if you have the time and want to be independent.

Yet another option: Holland America Lines offers a tour that goes up the Inside Passage, then via bus to Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada, (don’t confuse it with Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada) by boat down the Yukon River to Eagle, Alaska, by bus to Fairbanks, train to Anchorage, and then plane on home. A great way to see a bunch of the country, including the gold fields of Dawson City

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #153) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:38 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Now, as to larger or smaller vessels. There are a couple smaller vessels that will sail across the Gulf. For my money, I would prefer the smaller ones because I like intimacy and they go into smaller—less touristy—places that the larger ones do. They do not, however, have the programs that the larger ones do, and they are generally much more expensive. Whether you take a large ship, a small ship, or the ferry, I can assure you that you are in for a trip that will boggle your mind. Be sure to bring at least (I’m not kidding) 20 rolls of film, or be prepared to buy that many along the way.

Climate: In four words—there is no guarantee! Southeast, particular, is prone to fast, extreme weather changes. Generally, however, we have more sunshine in May and September than we do the rest of the tourist season. April and August can be good. June and July may be good. Don’t know why. Just works out that way. Of course, if we’re under the water, who cares what the weather topside is! On the other hand, I’ve known some Julys that were pretty hot, as SE Alaska goes. Again, generally, SE temperatures in the summer run from about 65F/18C to 80F/27C degrees. Be sure to bring rain gear! As well as shorts!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #154) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think that is all the information I can give you for now. If there are any questions, feel free. As I think of other things I’ll post it. Here are some relevant web sites I found:

www.state.ak.us - on the right side, there are links into tourism. Each of the links will lead to info and even more links.
www.alaskaone.com – a comprehensive site, but not all-inclusive
www.cruisewest.com – a nicely done site, offering great trips with smaller ships. Would probably be my choice because of the size of the ships.
www.hollandamericaline.com – and, to be fair:
http://www.princess.com/destination/alaska/index.html
And to see what Alaska is like, check out these:
www.juneauphotos.com – mostly Juneau area, but updated every other day and has an extensive archive.
http://www.eljay.org/alaska/ - a private gallery of a person who went to Alaska on a cruise/land tour. Some pretty nice pics.
http://www.welcometoalaska.com/Pictures.htm

Search the internet for “cruises to alaska”

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #155) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 1:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I knew I should have read it over before I cut and pasted.
Errata sheet:
>>>>>on the 1:35 a.m. post, change "quite" to "quick" in the first line of the second paragraph, and in the third paragraph change "Prince Rupert" to "Victoria";

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3963) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 5:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dan,

I consolidated your duplicates. Thanks for the great overview! Can't wait to go and see it for myself!

Cynde - any luck with the travel agency? If not, I've got one in Florida that was recommended to me...

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #156) on Monday, March 3, 2003 - 6:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for consolidating, Jake.

Cynde, all of the larger ships have elevators and are completely handicap accessible. I would suspect that most, if not all of the smaller ones are also. Some of the land tours may not be easily accessible, but I believe all of the bus companies have made some arrangements for that. Sort of required these days. If nothing else, two strong guys will do the trick.

One other thing I wanted to mention. In SE Alaska this is of particular concern. Juneau has a total population of about 30,000. The main downtown area encompasses only about eight to ten city blocks. When we get three or four of those mega-ships in town, our "population" can swell by half that or more. That makes for very crowded conditions in the downtown area. Ketchikan is even smaller. If you're looking for a little bit easier, less crowded, less frantic traveling, I would suggest the May or September sailings. As I mentioned, those months are also less expensive.

From a friend who works in the industry, both Princess and Holland America offers children's programs. He believes, however, that Princess' program is for a wider age-range of children.

Yet another thought; Jake's right. If you're thinking of doing any diving here, you'd better be tough or bring a dry suit. I've known people who dive with a wet suit, but their time down is limited. Of course, even with a dry suit, your time is somewhat limited because you will, perforce, use more air just because the water is colder. Generally, I've found water temps to be about 42F/6C in the summer.

That's all for today.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #159) on Thursday, March 6, 2003 - 2:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

for those of you thinking of taking the BT cruise to Alaska, here's a little preview. Depending on the specific ship you will be on, you would dock right here. (The crane is working on an upgrade to that whole area.)
jnu}

(Message edited by eliff on March 6, 2003)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #160) on Thursday, March 6, 2003 - 2:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Try the pic again:
show

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #872) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 12:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kit, why haven't you told me about this thread before? It sounds like a great idea and a fantastic voyage. I'm sure we'd be able to get our hands on some fleece sweaters in the next year and a half :-) And the photographic possibilities... [DROOL]

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3982) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 12:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Maybe Kitty wanted to go without you, Marc? :-)

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kitty @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #200) on Friday, March 7, 2003 - 2:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ROFL!!! [angelic smile]

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By cindy nolen (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 10:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We did the Alaska Holland Am. Cruise--Statendamm
in May 2001. AWESOME We flew Fla. to Ankorage and spent the first 8 days driving around on our own. Drove to Denali and did the bus tour in the park, drove to Seward and took an 8 hr, boat trip to see whales (Orca and Humpback,, yes saw both) boat trip included breakfast and lunch-=-Worth every minute and penny (dollar!) also had a Salmon bake at an island and saw MANY glaciers up close and personal. This trip is a must. Also went to Homer and stayed at the Lands End hotel, took a boat trip from Homer to Seldovia about 1 hr trip and stayed there overnite. Not much going on there-very small accessible only by boat. Drove all around from Denali in the north to Seward in the south. Kenai Peninsula area is gorgeous! We never got bored those 8 days. Saw sooooooooo many eagles and Moose that it was "oh, another one" literally. Then took the Alaska railroad from Ankorage early morning to Seward to board our cruise ship.This was a 7 day cruise from Seward to Vancouver. Our first two days was "cruising" woke up the next morning in College Fiords (Glacier bay), spent much of the morning seeing the glaciers (hundreds). Our ports of call was Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka. In Juneau we were going to do an excursion t hat included a dog sled ride and helicopter ride but visibility was too bad to get the helicopter up to the dog sled camp so we only got to do the helicopter ride. Words could not describe that. We landed on a glacier and walked on it and flew over many others. Since we went in mid May there was soooooooooo much snow still ALL over Alaska. Being from Fla. we really loved that. In Sitka and Ketchikan we only walked around town on our own since we had seen and done so much driving those previous 8 days. These towns are major tourist traps full of Tee shirt shops etc. Cruise ship was great, my daughter was 13 at t he time and met a friend in the kids club and still keeps in touch via email/chat to this day. In fact my Mom and I got deathly sick with the flu the last full day on the boat that the family of my daughter's friend invited my daughter to spend the last nite in their cabin so she would not be near the germs thru the nite......it did'nt work, she got "it" 2 days later. I came away with the conclusion that when I retire (young enough I hope) I would like to spend the summers in Alaska (May-Sept) as there is so much to do. We missed fishing for Salmon because that season began after us. Wild berry picking is also popular Sept. If you have a motor home and 4 wheelers you have all you need for a great summer in Alaska!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5929) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 7:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

jake, i am just now getting to this task! I have a travel agency I have worked with in the past, I am going to give them a call and see what they can come up with.

dan, thank you for your wonderful tips and links...and i have to say that i had NO idea that alaska was that big!

the wheelchair access for my mom if we go will be a must (or 2 strong guys, which she wouldn't mind i am sure!) i am now going to check out the links and begin making a list of our options (boats, what they offer, days, kids activities, etc.) i too like the idea of a smaller boat, as long as they have enough activities for bas and yana, and the accomodations for mum:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5930) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 8:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ok, ordered some brochures and videos from the websites dan posted, and dan, the pictures of juneau www.juneauphotos.com are fabulous...although it does look cold! thanks again for the links...i plan on putting a "spreadsheet" of sorts together with all the information i gather, then i can post it (it will take me some time to gather the info) then we can all share our thoughts...gee, maybe i better try to get a job as a travel agent:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #908) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 3:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kitty suggested (from her experience with a cruise through the fjords of Norway) that maybe a cruise on a not-so-huge ship would be more fun because it would be able to get closer to the shores? It might be a bit less luxurious, but it's a consideration...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4102) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 3:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It's certainly worth consideration as long as there's a kids' program for our kids and wheel chair access for Cynde's mom.

I really like Cindy's description of her trip incidentally, and like the idea of doing a week on land followed by a week on the cruise ship back to Vancouver (and then a few days in Vancouver probably too :-) ).

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kitty @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #217) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 7:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Actually in the short moment I checked out "small ship cruises" on http://www.alaska-cruise-discounts.com I realized that it's only with the smaller ships that you can cover the whole coastal area. The bigger ships tend to turn around at or pass by some places because they cannot pass.
I guess there would not be a kid's program, but I'm still working on getting that question answered.... :-)
But this would be the cruising style that would get my immediate vote...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #272) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 4:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glad to see you're still working on this. I haven't been here, as you can see, for quite a bit of time, and hadn't realized there had been some new posts.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6003) on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 1:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

yep dan, waiting for some videos and other print information to come from several placed i ordered (that didn't sound right, i'm going back to bed).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #273) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 1:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I got the drift of what you were trying to say. Anything I can do to help out?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6016) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 8:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

dan, i am sure once i start putting together all the info so that we can all make a "choice" your input will be NEEDED BADLY again! There is sooo much to see, and i think that in any case, we will need to make a stop in Juneau:-) So keep checking back:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kitty @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #223) on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 - 9:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The small ship cruises are via www.cruisewest.com. They carry a 100 passengers and no, no kid's program :-(

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #281) on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 - 2:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde, if you all come to Alaska via cruise ship, you will stop in Juneau. They all do, which can create quite a traffic jamb during the height of the tourist season. (See my March 3, 6:23pm post)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6021) on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 - 3:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

jake, how firm are you on the July date?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4150) on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 - 4:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I believe our kids have vacation from July 1st until approx. August 8th. We would like to spend a week prior to the cruise touring Alaska, a week on the cruise (from Seward to Vancouver) - we will want that week to relax a bit from the stress of the previous week's touring with the kids, hence the need for a kids program with lots of activities to distract our cute terrors, and then at least a few days in Vancouver - so that leaves us with a pretty small window of opportunity. The kids only have 5-6 weeks of summer vacation, unlike U.S. kids.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6023) on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 - 5:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

jake, i forgot about the summer vacation deal..duh! i haven't received any of the videos with information yet, but will make sure that programs that will keep yana and especially bas busy busy busy so they will be purley exahusted and sleep like angels every night:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #290) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 1:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake, since the plan, as I understand it, is for the group to cruise through SE Alaska and across the gulf, and then take the train to Fairbanks, have you though of anywhere particular that you would want to travel on your solo week tour?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #4157) on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 2:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Not yet - we're waiting to survive our family expedition to Orlando in two weeks before delving deeply into exactly what we want to see/do in Alaska (although Salmon fishing and eating is on my personal list ;-) )

I have recently received a bunch of Alaska material - both 2003 travel guides and a bunch of stuff from Cindy Nolen (thanks!) when she came down here a couple of weeks ago, so we'll be looking through that.

We have looked at the "CruiseTours" that many cruise ships offer, and the 13-day itineraries seem rather touristy (gold mining towns, river boats, etc.). I'd say we'd probably want something a bit more real, like glorious views and vistas, wild animals, good nature photo ops, etc. :-)

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #295) on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 1:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yup. I agree, the cruisetours do get a bit touristy, but you get a lot of history along with it. And, have no fear, along with the touristy, at no extra charge you also get glorious views and vistas, wild animals, good nature photo ops, etc. Just comes with the package.]

But I get the impression that the group thing will be a cruisetour. So you are, I assume, looking beyond that for your solo week. One week in Alaska is not very long and if you are looking to cover a lot of ground during that week, you will spend a lot of time just traveling. On the other hand, if you are looking to stay in one or two spots during that week, you would be able to delve into the area in depth.

Juneau, of course, is great and I could plan an itinerary for you here that would keep you moving--flight-seeing, glaciers, grizzly bears, salmon fishing, diving, and more. Juneau is land locked, however. You want to drive somewhere else? Great! You can go 48 miles north and 12 miles south. That's it; no more.

If you want to do some serious driving and see more country in less depth, then a trip from Anchorage to Anchorage via a circular highway trip might be the answer. But that's a lot of driving, although there is a shortcut that would shorten it considerably. I've never driven the shortcut so have no idea what it's like.

Speaking of fishing, do you prefer salt-water fishing or stream/river fishing.

There are other options as well, but I realize that its still early in your planning; just giving you some things to think about while you're thinking about Orlando.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6087) on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 - 9:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

i received 2 packages in the mail today from the travel agent, and a brochure for "cruise america" so i can begin my spreadsheet listing each cruise, and the options they provide:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #334) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 12:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde, if you haven't already, you might also order the "official" travel guide at http://www.travelalaska.com/

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6147) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 1:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

dan, thanks. This will be very helpful as well!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #386) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 8:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde:

They've posted the cruise ship schedule for 2003 on the internet. Not in a calendar form, which they used to do and how I prefer it, but let's you know what's happening.

I know this is this years, but you can get some idea of the various landings of the various ships.

If you click on the "Juneau" button, you will get a chronological listings of the various landings. If you click on the "2003 Port Schedule.xls," you will get the landings by ship.

Hope this helps some.

http://www.alaskacruises.org/ports/scheduleintro.cfm

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6333) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 1:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dan, thanks! at this point, i need ALL the help I can get! This is fantastic, as i can just to to each ship on the schedule and gather the information! thanks again!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #395) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 12:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde, was listening to the radio this morning while trying to wake up. The announcer was giving a little climate history. By far and away, May has historically been both the warmest and driest month of the summer season since records started being kept way back when.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6356) on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 1:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

dan, i was watching a program over the weekend about the white pass train express. it was done very well, and very interesting. beautiful country!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan A. Kassner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #416) on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 3:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

An excursion I would definitely recommend. Have been on it a couple of times, myself. Never tire of it, because there always seems to be more to see that I had not seen before. And the chance to walk around the old Lake Bennett camp, where the miners would gear themselves up for the trip down the Yukon River to the gold fields is worth it. Still a lot of history there.

Of course, the "preferred" way is to hike the Chilkat Trail to Lake Bennett and then take the train back. Never done that, but two of my sisters have. Maybe in a couple years after Lorinda retires we can do that. (Its at least a three day hike, so I don't think that will fit in your plans.)

 


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