what excursions to take in upcoming cruise to alaska???

maggie_wilson
maggie_wilson Member Posts: 596
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
sisters,

since this board seems to be very savvy re: cruises, thought i'd ask if anyone has taken the inside passage through alaska? my partner and i and sister and brother-in-law are taking the norwegian star from seattle to alaska, and will have port of calls in ketchikan, juneau, skagway and prince rupert. if anyone has taken this cruise, or has been to one or more of these places, please let me know what you think is a sight/excursion not- to -be- missed. i've never been on a cruise before, nor have i been to alaska, so i'm really looking forward to this trip. (be happy to give a shout out to sarah palin for anyone here!) i just learned, however, that the ship has poker games, which is a mixed blessing given my love of this sport. i just don't want to be up half the night playing, and then sleep through all the sights-- like whales, and glaciers in the morning! what a waste that would be!!

we're leaving 7 august, back the 18th, so will probably be off line during this time (unless i can check in at an internet cafe along the way, which i may do, since it will be difficult to not be in touch here for that long).

sisterhood,
maggie

Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    Never been, but it's on my Bucket List!
    I am shooting for an Alaska cruise in late spring 2011 if I can get myself in a remission at that time. I was really planning on it for this past spring and bought the Frommer's Guide to Alaska (you might want to get it from Amazon; last year's guide will be just a couple dollars now) so I'd know what to see. Then, as spring neared, it was such an endlessly snowy winter here that MORE snow didn't look as appealing as some place tropical. And the long flight to Greece last fall didn't make me relish another long plane ride, so we opted for the Caribbean. (Plus a crusie to Alaska was TWICE as expensive as the cruise we took.) Now, of course, I wish I'd gone!

    What I have decided about my eventual cruise to Alaska is that I want to take a cruise that includes lots of days on land, and I'm hoping to take a smaller cruise ship where it can get into smaller ports.

    It sounds so WONDERFUL! Have a GREAT time! LIVE!!!

    (Love your new poker photo!!)
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    Cruisin
    We took the Norwegian Pearl. We took a bicycle tour, kayak tour and rain forest tour. This was before I got the uterine cancer. We went with some friends. We loved watching the the ice walls fall and spent alot of time outdoors. The ship reminds me of a mall; I like the outdoor excursions best.

    Diane
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member

    Cruisin
    We took the Norwegian Pearl. We took a bicycle tour, kayak tour and rain forest tour. This was before I got the uterine cancer. We went with some friends. We loved watching the the ice walls fall and spent alot of time outdoors. The ship reminds me of a mall; I like the outdoor excursions best.

    Diane

    Bucket List
    It's on mine too!! I'm jealous Maggie!! I just got your new picture today - cool!!
    Enjoy it all. Mary Ann
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    We did a land tour/cruise to Alaska several years ago
    We flew to Fairbanks and then took a train through Denali Park and then to Anchorage and embarked the ship in Seward. Great tour. We went in June and unfortunately it rained most days, so some of our shore excursions were cancelled. We usually pick shore excursions that involve nature. I think any excursion that interests you would be worthwhile. My favorite day on the cruise was to see the iceburgs floating by the ship, the glaciers calving (falling) and seeing the whales. We saw all of this one day. Seeing the glaciers, all the bald eagles and just the countryside was wonderful.

    All of the ships do have poker, so I hope you do not spend too much time there. I do love your picture from Las Vegas.

    Today we planned our trip to Niagara Falls. We are doing a 10 day cruise from New York and to Canada before we go to Niagara Falls. to see Niagara Falls was on of the things on my bucket list.

    Enjoy the cruise, it sounds wonderful. In peace and caring.
  • maggie_wilson
    maggie_wilson Member Posts: 596

    Never been, but it's on my Bucket List!
    I am shooting for an Alaska cruise in late spring 2011 if I can get myself in a remission at that time. I was really planning on it for this past spring and bought the Frommer's Guide to Alaska (you might want to get it from Amazon; last year's guide will be just a couple dollars now) so I'd know what to see. Then, as spring neared, it was such an endlessly snowy winter here that MORE snow didn't look as appealing as some place tropical. And the long flight to Greece last fall didn't make me relish another long plane ride, so we opted for the Caribbean. (Plus a crusie to Alaska was TWICE as expensive as the cruise we took.) Now, of course, I wish I'd gone!

    What I have decided about my eventual cruise to Alaska is that I want to take a cruise that includes lots of days on land, and I'm hoping to take a smaller cruise ship where it can get into smaller ports.

    It sounds so WONDERFUL! Have a GREAT time! LIVE!!!

    (Love your new poker photo!!)

    linda, diane, ro, mary ann

    thank you for your responses re: alaskan cruise. interesting, i've never heard the term "bucket list" before. i can guess what it means, but i wonder where it came from.

    linda, our being on the west coast makes this cruise very affordable, as well as making reservations more or less at the last minute. they have much better deals the closer to the date of departure you make your reservations. turns out, the ship norwegian star out of seattle was no more expensive than the one leaving from san francisco (much more convenient for us), and the rooms are much nicer, each with its own balcony. since we hardly ever get snow in berkeley, the idea of cold and snow and glaciers really appeals to me. in fact, growing up in l.a., and living my entire life in california, i'm kinda sick of sunny days, one after the other, endlessly......the cruise we're on has 4 days on land, but is a very big ship. still, they have on demand dining! so don't have to eat with everyone, and 24 hour a day room service! my cup runneth over....when you go on your alaskan cruise next spring, linda, i'll hopefully be able to give you lots of info and pointers, etc., re: alaska, will look forward to that . really, i wish we all could go on a cruise together. maybe we can one day; wouldn't that be great?? or maybe meet up in some central place?? do you think we'd all like each other as much in person as we do on line?????? lol.

    glad you like my new poker photo. gotta go now and try to get a good night's sleep; having a big yard sale tomorrow in my endless quest to clear out the garage.........

    hugs and sisterhood,
    maggie
  • MoeKay
    MoeKay Member Posts: 476 Member
    Ro10 said:

    We did a land tour/cruise to Alaska several years ago
    We flew to Fairbanks and then took a train through Denali Park and then to Anchorage and embarked the ship in Seward. Great tour. We went in June and unfortunately it rained most days, so some of our shore excursions were cancelled. We usually pick shore excursions that involve nature. I think any excursion that interests you would be worthwhile. My favorite day on the cruise was to see the iceburgs floating by the ship, the glaciers calving (falling) and seeing the whales. We saw all of this one day. Seeing the glaciers, all the bald eagles and just the countryside was wonderful.

    All of the ships do have poker, so I hope you do not spend too much time there. I do love your picture from Las Vegas.

    Today we planned our trip to Niagara Falls. We are doing a 10 day cruise from New York and to Canada before we go to Niagara Falls. to see Niagara Falls was on of the things on my bucket list.

    Enjoy the cruise, it sounds wonderful. In peace and caring.

    Maggie:
    I can say that we

    Maggie:

    I can say that we had the most magnificent time in Alaska, and that's after having had a magnesium pill stuck in my throat for 3 days and having to go for emergency medical treatment at Denali National Park, followed by a case of norovirus contracted on the ship (my husband too!) and being quarantined for a few days. Despite these little bumps in the road, Alaska was truly spectacular and we have wanted to return ever since.

    It sounds like we took a trip similar to Ro's. We did a week on land and then a week on the ship. We flew into Fairbanks, then took the train through Denali National Park, then on to Anchorage, and embarked the ship in Seward. I don't recall taking a lot of tours, other than an interesting city tour of Fairbanks. Unfortunately, I was at the clinic during the tour of Denali, but the park was still great.

    You will love Alaska whatever you choose to do! Have a wonderful time!!

    Maureen
  • maggie_wilson
    maggie_wilson Member Posts: 596
    MoeKay said:

    Maggie:
    I can say that we

    Maggie:

    I can say that we had the most magnificent time in Alaska, and that's after having had a magnesium pill stuck in my throat for 3 days and having to go for emergency medical treatment at Denali National Park, followed by a case of norovirus contracted on the ship (my husband too!) and being quarantined for a few days. Despite these little bumps in the road, Alaska was truly spectacular and we have wanted to return ever since.

    It sounds like we took a trip similar to Ro's. We did a week on land and then a week on the ship. We flew into Fairbanks, then took the train through Denali National Park, then on to Anchorage, and embarked the ship in Seward. I don't recall taking a lot of tours, other than an interesting city tour of Fairbanks. Unfortunately, I was at the clinic during the tour of Denali, but the park was still great.

    You will love Alaska whatever you choose to do! Have a wonderful time!!

    Maureen

    maureen

    thanx for your response. yes, your trip sounds like ro's, and not like mine, but it's still alaska, and i know it will be gorgeous. sorry to hear you had those bumps, didn't sound so minor. what's norovirus? hope it's not something one catches specifically on ships!!! glad you were still able to have a good time, though having a big pill stuck in your throat couldn't have felt very good. whoa, alaska must be out of this world for you to still be raving about it.

    sisterhood,
    maggie
  • MoeKay
    MoeKay Member Posts: 476 Member

    maureen

    thanx for your response. yes, your trip sounds like ro's, and not like mine, but it's still alaska, and i know it will be gorgeous. sorry to hear you had those bumps, didn't sound so minor. what's norovirus? hope it's not something one catches specifically on ships!!! glad you were still able to have a good time, though having a big pill stuck in your throat couldn't have felt very good. whoa, alaska must be out of this world for you to still be raving about it.

    sisterhood,
    maggie

    Hi Maggie
    Here's some information on the norovirus and cruise ships. Looks like things are a lot better now than when we took our cruise six or seven years ago:

    http://www.cruiselinefans.com/healthy-cruising/38230-norovirus-outbreaks-cruise-ships-decline.html
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member

    maureen

    thanx for your response. yes, your trip sounds like ro's, and not like mine, but it's still alaska, and i know it will be gorgeous. sorry to hear you had those bumps, didn't sound so minor. what's norovirus? hope it's not something one catches specifically on ships!!! glad you were still able to have a good time, though having a big pill stuck in your throat couldn't have felt very good. whoa, alaska must be out of this world for you to still be raving about it.

    sisterhood,
    maggie

    HAVE A WONDERFUL CRUISE!!
    Maggie....how exciting...a cruise to Alaska. I have never been there but everyone I know that has, simply raves about how wonderful it is. The scenery is breath taking!

    Have lots of fun....and wishing you good luck in the casino's! You are a winner no matter what!!

    Safe sailing....We will be looking forward to your posts upon your return.

    Big hugs....Karen
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    MoeKay said:

    Hi Maggie
    Here's some information on the norovirus and cruise ships. Looks like things are a lot better now than when we took our cruise six or seven years ago:

    http://www.cruiselinefans.com/healthy-cruising/38230-norovirus-outbreaks-cruise-ships-decline.html

    P.S. Maggie
    Maggie, you had questioned where the term “Bucket List” came from. That was a movie, I am thinking about 2007 or 2008 starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman (directed by Rob Reiner). The premise is that you only live once, so why not go out in style?

    The two were cancer- ward roommates, and decide when they get the bad news the they want to do lots of things yet before they kick the bucket…so they compile their bucket list and head off for the around-the-world adventure of their lives.

    Am thinking a cruise to Alaska was definitely on your “bucket list” even if you didn't call it that! My "bucket list" gets longer all of the time!!

    Have a great time!

    Karen
  • maggie_wilson
    maggie_wilson Member Posts: 596
    kkstef said:

    HAVE A WONDERFUL CRUISE!!
    Maggie....how exciting...a cruise to Alaska. I have never been there but everyone I know that has, simply raves about how wonderful it is. The scenery is breath taking!

    Have lots of fun....and wishing you good luck in the casino's! You are a winner no matter what!!

    Safe sailing....We will be looking forward to your posts upon your return.

    Big hugs....Karen

    thanx karen!

    so, that's where "bucket list" comes from! i've seen trailers for that movie, but never did see it. hope the guys had a good time....and yes, i have lots on my bucket list, some known, and some unknown as yet! thanx also for your good wishes, will give a full report upon my return, unless i happen to post along the way at one of the internet cafes.

    hugs back, sister
    maggie
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member

    thanx karen!

    so, that's where "bucket list" comes from! i've seen trailers for that movie, but never did see it. hope the guys had a good time....and yes, i have lots on my bucket list, some known, and some unknown as yet! thanx also for your good wishes, will give a full report upon my return, unless i happen to post along the way at one of the internet cafes.

    hugs back, sister
    maggie

    Wishing you lots of
    Wishing you lots of adventures on your 'bucket list' item Alaskan cruise. It's on my list too - I'll be close shortly, heading to Vancouver Island for my biennial family reunion. Have buckets of fun, Annie
  • maggie_wilson
    maggie_wilson Member Posts: 596
    MoeKay said:

    Hi Maggie
    Here's some information on the norovirus and cruise ships. Looks like things are a lot better now than when we took our cruise six or seven years ago:

    http://www.cruiselinefans.com/healthy-cruising/38230-norovirus-outbreaks-cruise-ships-decline.html

    maureen

    sure glad to hear the norovirus situation has improved, though now i hear ships today can still have an outbreak. i asked about how the buffets are served, and apparently the food is under glass and there are servers behind to help you. that makes me feel a little better. ever since i read on this list how unhealthy buffets can be with people coughing and sneezing on the foods, i've stayed away from them. it's so obvious a health hazard, though i'd never even thought about it before. funny, the things we learn , or pay attention to, when our lives change.
    sisterhood,
    maggie