Just talked to friends who returned yesterday from AK. They were supposed to do the helicopter/glacier tour but I think the weather didn’t cooperate. We are doing a whale watching/Mendenhall glacier thing in Juneau and dogsledding in Skagway. Other tips?
Our cruise is coming up the end of the month. I have read the HAL and other online info. Look at requirements for your ship- thank goodness things are more relaxed than in the past. I saw more than one source stating NOT to bring winter jackets. Makes sense to me ( I shake my head at the people I see with winter jackets out at restaurants in FL when temps are in the 50’s). LAYERS. Having lived in WI and now FL we do own the suggested gloves (will have to find them hidden away ion a closet). Packing for Seattle as well- before and after (see son, nephew I hope) so weather could be very hot or nice. Binoculars- unless of course you are in the ritzy suites that provide them (not us, we sprang for a balcony because seeing the coast is why you cruise Alaska). I just made sure I’ll have enough underwear and tops to not have to do it in the sink. Otherwise what we own works- definitely not into fashion. Sandals are my dress shoes- I refuse to wear heels.
I have been checking on temps. Seems to me being prepared for highs in the 60’s, 70’s with a heat wave and cool/cold nights.
Not in favor of cruises in general but this is the one I want- to see the glaciers et al.
Is there really enough time to do onshore trips by the time one gets on/off the ship? Do you need to hustle? I’m thinking Butchart Gardens in Victoria will have to wait for another Seattle trip because our ship will be there in the evening (still light, but).
Seasick anyone?
I LOVED the Butchart Gardens but we were on an afternoon excursion. Your HAL ship may have an evening excursion- that is what I had signed up for but my mom wanted to change to afternoon. The gardens have an illumination in the evenings that is reportedly lovely. Victoria runs the shuttle buses that go into the downtown. I think it was $10 to use it.
Take an insulated mug to use on glacier viewing days. I ended up purchasing one and filling it at the buffet. I would refill it right before the buffet shut after lunch. On the prow’s deck it could be quite breezy and chilly.
We were on the Amsterdam. In the buffet people would show up about half an hour before lunch started to grab a window table - the Alaska version of folks trying to reserve a pool seat. They lingered so long it became quite difficult to get a table. I had not before been on a ship that size and the whole busyness of the buffet made me nuts.
What do you put in that mug? I dislike coffee and tea. Found out HAL does Coke products so I’ll have to forgo my diet Mt Dew caffeine fix onboard- won’t pay a lot for diet Coke. Healthier, sigh.
I guess having a verandah like was suggested will be a good thing for that view. Hope the food is better than in town buffets. Figure there will plenty of fresh seafood.
Re: the buffet … one in our group nicknamed it “the trough” after being elbowed by a large lady at the pasta station one lunch. We avoided it as much as possible. The regular dining room for breakfast and lunch was virtually empty. We had a window table every morning.
Do get a balcony cabin!
Regarding the mug-
at the buffet coffee and tea station there were herbal teas in addition to herbal teas. I like mint tea. Hated the coffee.
Edited to add that I think there were packets of instant hot chocolate too.
The dining room did have better availability of tables. We are breakfast there every morning. The dining staff in the dining room did a super job taking care of my mom’a celiac gluten free food. We had more issues at the buffet with mislabeled foods.
On HAL the pool has a retractable cover making it comfortable to sit there. Children were really having fun. There is a small buffet there and also has burgers etc. the time I looked at it there was a selection if faux Mexican food. People seemed to be enjoying it.
I wish we had a balcony but the relatives I was traveling with were happy with the ocean view. I was there to be the “young” one that helped with logistics. We did have a nice time connecting again with each other.
Again- I was on Holland America. My normal cruise lines are Windstar and Azamara. They will be cruising in Alaska starting in future seasons.
Near Anchorage is Turnigan Arm which is a tidal bore. I wish I had looked into the tide tables to see if I could have seen it. If you rent a car and drive to Portage Galcier you will be driving along it and there are many pull offs for scenic viewing.
You can sometimes see folks surfing on the bore tide. If you drive down Turnagain Arm, make sure you keep an eye out for the beluga whales, and the Dall sheep on the hillside (if you are not the driver!). There is also a great little hike called the Winner Creek Trail that starts behind the Alyeska Hotel in Girdwood.
We will be on a Princess, which is part of the HAL line. Can’t wait!
Princess and HAL are under the same corporate umbrella but are run separately.
My dog groomer went on the Princess Alaska cruise for her 30th wedding anniversary. She was glowing when she spoke to me about it. Clearly it was a wonderful experience.
We were on Golden Princess–had a great time!
I’m going on Princess. No idea of then name of the ship. Have a room with a balcony. Hope it is good. Should we b
buy the drink package? Any suggestions? And I believe there are two formal dinners on Princess if cruise over 6 days. Just a bit dressier is ok?
We loved the princess and a balcony. For formal night, I wore black slacks and a nice top. My friend wore a dressy dress. H wore a tweed sports jacket. Friend’s H wore a suit. We saw a huge range of dressing all nights, especially the dressy nights.
Looks like you have to drink like a fish to make that package worthwhile. We are not buying it. You have to pay like $57 each day, and several of the days you’ll be in port. Does not look worth it. That said, we did buy the 12 pack of bottled water to be in the room so we can take them into town/on excursions and have on the boat. The 12pack was only $6.90.
Checking in from Ketchikan. Weather so far has been great. A light sweatshirt over a tee has been enough. But we haven’t headed farther north yet.
Not sure why bottled water should be necessary, since the ship’s tap water should be potable. If the ship’s tap water is not potable, then it can be quite annoying to have to worry about boiling the water before brushing your teeth, whether the dishes in the restaurants are perfectly dry before using them, or whether any raw fruits and vegetables or other uncooked food in the restaurant can be safely eaten, etc…
there are water dispensers in the dining area that are opened 24/7.
Using water bottles to take in the gym, on excursions, etc. it’s not about the purity of the tap water. Its not a necessity - it’s merely a convenience.
And not aware of more than one place open 24/7 on the ship. You can order room service 24/7 but they’d charge for a bottle of water. And there are 12 of us on this trip. 2 of us happened to get the water package.
The sink in your room’s bathroom dispenses potable water. (If it doesn’t, then dealing with boiling water before brushing your teeth, etc. would be a rather big annoyance.)
Perhaps it is just that I normally bring my own water bottle on trips (empty when going through airport security) that I tend not to think of bottled water as useful.
I use every inch of packing space for clothes, etc. no room for a water bottle. $6.90 for 12 was perfectly fine. Don’t carry a backpack and while the purse has a potential place for a bottle, which I used today, the bag was too full when we were flying.