ALASKA 6/29
sha...@aol.com
It's been a LONG TIME my friends. I have not cruises in a few years,
and I miss you all. But the time has finally come! We are going to
Alaska in June, Carnival Spirit. I have no clue as to much yet about
the Alaska. I am just beginning my research today, and I am starting
with you guys!! We have aft balcony cabins, as always. I have to
research flights to Seattle from NY. I have to research shore
excursions, weather, etc.
PLEASE send me info!!
I am so glad to be back guys!! Anyone want to join and make in another
group cruise??
Charles, Sheree, Sue, are you guys still around??
OXOXO
SHARI
Sue Mullen
Hi Shari, great seeing you here again!!
Alaska is on our "must do" list, but will probably have to wait untill
Kevin retires.
So what ports does the Carnival spirit go to?
sue
Becca
It is so nice to have you back in the group, Shari, we missed you! :-)
We went to Alaska in May, it was my first cruise to Alaska and I had a
wonderful time. I can not wait to go back. Now, my mother is anxious
to go, so it may be sooner than I think. lol
Tell us where you are going and we can talk about shore excursions,
there is so much to see and do. I was surprised by the amount of
daylight hours, so I was up at 4:30, out on the balcony, taking in the
beauty that is Alaska.
I am so happy for you, and glad to know you are cruising again.
Becca
sha...@aol.com
Hi Sue and Becca -
This ship goes to Juneau, Skagway, Kethican, and Victoria, BC, Is
this considered the Inside Passage? What exactly is that?
Thanks for your help - Looking forward to catching up with you all!
SHARI
Carol Eskra
was awesome! A commercial fisherman friend of mine lives in Ketchikan on
creek street, so I know the area well. This street has cute little
houses and most of the homes were brothels at one time. You can tour
Dolly's place on creek st. They also have logging shows, and float
rides. On one of the islands we rented motor scooters and rode around
which was fun. I love Victoria and be sure to visit the Empress hotel.
We also went river rafting, but not as exciting as the Colorado river.
On my 10 day cruise we stopped in Canada and I went fishing and caught
quite a few salmon. Took my catch back to the ship and it was cleaned
and put in the freezer. It was interesting flying home carrying the
fish, especially when it started to thaw. Had a salmon bake and all my
friends loved it. I was the only one that won't eat fish. This was back
in the 1980's on the old Sitmar line, so I don't know today if the ships
allow you to bring back your catch.
Have fun.
Carol
Island Grampa
The "Inside Passage" is actually the stretch of water between the mainland
and Vancouver Island. Most of the cruises that sail out of Seattle never
actually go up the Inside Passage, they sail up the West coast of Vancouver
island in the open Pacific.
If you are visiting Victoria (on Vancouver Island) and sailing from Seattle,
you will likely only come into the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the open
Pacific, then turn around and head back to the open ocean. Ships that sail
out of Vancouver City, heading for Alaska, go up the inside passage, and
back the same way. It is much shorter than going all the way around the
island.
Tobie>>>>on an Island in the Pacific (Vancouver Island)
"Carol Eskra" <CLE...@webtv.net> wrote in message
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Brian K
http://www.butchartgardens.com/
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sha...@aol.com
>
> - Show quoted text -
And where is Glacier Bay? Thanks so much for everyone's input!
SHARI
D Ball
>
> SHARI
Hi, Shari, long time no see! Alaska is a fabulous choice for getting
your sea legs going again.
Glacier Bay is a national park that is essentially a water and coastal
glacier park. You will not get off the ship. The naturalist will
give a talk and/or a park ranger will board to talk. The captain will
stop at one or more of the most spectacular glaciers and do a 360 with
the ship so that all can see the wonders.
Juneau is the port where there's the greatest variety of activities
and adventures--it is hard to choose which ones to do!
Most folks like to do the train in Skagway. And for cruisers who don't
make land extensions, Ketchikan is the place where you can get in a
little salmon fishing if that's your thing. To follow Carol's comment,
I do recall Princess offering to prepare passengers' catches, but that
was several years ago. Of course, the fishing operator will freeze
them and ship them to your home, too. Time permitting, I'd do both
Butchart Gardens and tea at the Empress in Victoria.
Have fun researching and planning your port stops! The Alaska forum on
Cruise Critic is probably the most active forum over there, and you
can sign up for your voyage's roll call, too.
Diana Ball
Austin, TX
Island Grampa
<sha...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:5371d054-e127-403f...@z41g2000yqz.googlegroups.com...
SHARI
Hi Shari
Glacier Bay is just North up the coast from the inlet that takes you to
Skagway. This is a National Park and I believe it is restricted to two or
three ships per day, due to environmental issues.
In my opinion the best Alaska itineraries include Glacier Bay. The BEST
cruise line for viewing Glacier Bay is Holland America, but Princess has
some cruises that include it too.
The Carnival Spirit is a nice ship and your choice of date is GREAT! The
weather should be nice (although it's really unpredictable at any time), and
it's only a week and a half past the summer solstice, so you should have
daylight for 20+ hours per day.
Checking the schedule for the Spirit, June 29, I see you will be doing Tracy
Arm. This itinerary takes you to the double Sawyer glaciers. There is
often too much ice in the channels to get really close to the glaciers, but
it is a delightful day anyhow and I hope it will be a nice sunny day for
you.
We did a similar itinerary last year on May 10 on the Star Princess and we
had a lovely sunny day, but didn't get real close. Have a GREAT cruise.
If you have any more questions, or would like to see my pictures on
Webshots, let me know. We have done 10 or 11 cruises to Alaska on several
different lines.
Marcia R.
take to get to Butchart Gardens and to see it? I think it's supposed to
get dark around 9:30 when we're there.
Thanks,
Marcia
Marcia R.
Oh well.
Marcia
Ray Goldenberg
<Mar...@spamlessinlasvegas.net> wrote:
>Never mind. I just looked and they close at 6pm the day we're there.
>Oh well.
Hi Marcia,
Do not lose hope. Some of the cruise lines make arrangements for the
gardens to be open for their passengers. Have your travel agent check
this out for you.
--
Ray Goldenberg 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
Lighthouse Travel http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/lighthousetravl
Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ray.goldenberg
Becca
> Hi Sue and Becca -
> This ship goes to Juneau, Skagway, Kethican, and Victoria, BC, Is
> this considered the Inside Passage? What exactly is that?
> Thanks for your help - Looking forward to catching up with you all!
> SHARI
>
In Juneau, we booked a private whale watching tour and it was
wonderful. We saw whales, lots of them. We saw mothers and babies, we
also saw one whale breach out of the water. We were able to see other
wildlife such as harbor seals, a bald eagle. Orca Enterprises is a
short walk from the pier. It is upstairs next to the T-Shirt Factory
(the building also has an elevator).
http://www.ptialaska.net/~whales/orca2.htm
In Skagway, we booked a ship's tour, it was the White Pass & Yukon Route
narrow gauge railway. This tour is a must-do, you will just love it.
Sit on the left side of the train. You do switch positions, but this
way you will be able to see what the narrator is talking about on the
way up. We took some beautiful photos, and a video. The train cars
are heated, it may not be cold in Skagway, but it will be cold and snowy
as you move up the mountains. In some areas, the snow was higher than
the train.
Becca
Marcia R.
Good idea, thanks. Is it lit up?
Marcia
D Ball
>
> - Show quoted text -
Yes, the gardens are lit at night--it's quite lovely. In fact, I note
on their admission page they feature summer evenings by calling them,
"Night Illuminations." You must be cruising in May or one of the early
June dates when the gardens close at 6p. It looks like summer closing
at 10p begins mid-June, but several early June dates will enjoy the
late close time (see the footnote).
http://www.butchartgardens.com/planning-your-visit/admission-hours-and-rates/hours-of-operation.html
Has your shore excursion list been finalized? Maybe there's a
specially arranged tour, as Ray suggested. If not, you might give them
a call just to see if they can suggest anything.
Just FYI for all interested in Butchart Gardens, their fireworks on
July/August Saturday nights are amazing--a different and sort of old
fashioned sort of show, with music, too. Well worth planning around if
you are doing a pre- or post-cruise extension in the area.
Diana
Marcia R.
We'll be there on June 13th. How far are the gardens from the cruise
ships and how long does it take to tour them? We're only in port from 7
til 11:59. That's why I hadn't paid that much attention, but now I will.
Marcia
Sheree
I too was off for awhile
we've sailed alaska twice and loved it! we did Orca Enterpriese for whale
watching in juneau boh times and took the bus to the mendenhall glacier.
Skagway: railway is a must
Ketchikan: we fished in the creek, did the salmon hatchery
Victoria: the gardens if you're able
we haven't cruised in awhile. between mike's work and marty's school it's
been tough
I jus booked the new disney dream thoug for april 2011!!
and possibly a cruise next august or wdw
sheree
"Becca" <be...@hal-pc.org> wrote in message
news:7ltuouF...@mid.individual.net...
Jean O'Boyle
"Island Grampa" <chez...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:fXBKm.10677$_b5....@newsfe22.iad...
I agree that Holland America is the best cruise line for viewing Glacier
Bay...By the way isn't it time to book another Alaska cruise? Loved the
one leaving from Seward on the Ryndam when we joined you and Barb. After
five cruises to Alaska it still remains one of my favorite destinations!
Shari, you will love Alaska! Have a wonderful cruise!
--Jean
>
Island Grampa
>>
Yep, that was a good cruise (on the Volendam). And the Crown Royal we
bought on the first week, and had in our cabin the second week, really came
in handy too.
We might look for a good last minute price on another B 2 B Alaska next
summer.