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

lindaprocopio said:

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 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

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

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