wolfie11

7 minutes ago, dmwnc1959 said:

I imagine the turnaround day passengers will be back on board roughly by 1030am. Would love to get out and off of the ship for several hours and enjoy the local economy and some tasty lunch. According to Google maps it is about a 12 minute walk over to the Swiftwater Seafood Café. There doesn't look like there's anything at all in regards to a 'town' where some of the things you mentioned are available, are there local shops that you can specifically point out?

These places are all located along the dock on the walk to the Swiftwater Cafe.  There are no customs or immigration to clear in Whittier.  You can get on and off the ship all day.  I also really like the shorter boat tour offered to Blackstone Bay.  There’s a small museum in Begich Tower, which is where 95% of the residents live and a dive bar in the old hotel.  In the old days they used to let the crew off at around 2am to go party at the bar, but I don’t think they do that anymore.

1 hour ago, dmwnc1959 said:

Lots of great suggestions on tours, including the option to eat at the Swiftwater Seafood Cafe. For those that have dined there, how was the walk from the cruise ship terminal?

 

 

Expensive.  Stops for coffee, ice cream, home made fudge, local gifts, and a really cool hardware, marine supply, and souvenir store.

No idea.  Probably late 2024?

Love Whittier!  I have been on the 26 Glacier cruise many times.  I’ve also spent a lot of time in Seward, and done most of the tours as well as spending quite a bit of time in both places on private and research boats.  I much prefer Whittier.  It’s great on a turnaround day.  I can do laundry, wander through town, eat at the Swiftwater Cafe, go for a hike, or just sit somewhere and enjoy the day.  

You can usually purchase the transfer on board from shore excursions.

On 4/27/2024 at 6:45 PM, libtrek said:

well, bummer.wonder if that will make our troll shirts collector items? Travel day interesting starting with Detroit airport where cops tasered a guy trying to slit his own throat near us. Then R falling in the plane aisle, no damage. Now in beautiful 1-bedroom suite in Sutton Place. Going to borrow hotel wheelchair for falling-down boy to tour Granville, rain or shine.

Well, bummer… will ask Cruin what happened. We are cozied up in our beautiful one-bedroom Sutton suite.

Ray Troll retired.  He’s still doing art and tee shirts but the shop is closed.

6 hours ago, Vacple30 said:

Going Alaska first time aboard Norwegian Sky sailing 9 Sept 24 out of Seattle Ports are:

1. Icy Strait Point

2. Sitka

3. Skagway

4. Juneau 

5. Ketchikan 

6. Vancouver 

 

Does anyone have recommendations on Halibut Fishing trip this time year. I think Norwegian has an excursion out of Ketchikan. Has anyone been on that one or has booked their own?

Icy Strait Point or Sitka have the best halibut fishing.

It’s weather dependent. On clear, warm days it’s nice.  On cold, rainy days you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do.

8 hours ago, RebekahJP said:

Wow, thanks! That's interesting! How did you find that out? I couldn't track him down on Google.

I’m a marine biologist.  I worked on a similar project and knew where the data was. 😁

My favorite cruise line is coming to my favorite state!  Can’t wait to watch the glaciers go by from my red hammock.

2 hours ago, RebekahJP said:

 I have a photo of the same sea lion. Taken just a couple weeks ago on the Marine Mammals boat tour in Kenai Fyords. Ended up here looking for info about him/her just like you were. Did you ever find out anything?

E107 is a male and was branded as a pup in 2007 at the Chiswell Islands, which are near Seward.  He’s 17 years old, which makes him a senior citizen in male sea lion years.

On 4/26/2024 at 12:32 AM, milogurd said:

@Ken the cruiser I just checked the Princess app, and they added naturalist and North to Alaska presenters for the 5/15 - 5/22 southbound cruise.

The North to Alaska presenter should be Nick Jans - the author of "A Wolf Named Romeo".

The naturalist should be Pete Griffin - https://www.thestorytellingranger.com . His online schedule indicates he is on the Grand from April 21 through July 17.

I know Pete.  He’s an excellent naturalist and has great lectures!

Don’t forget the local Doughboy for dessert.

2 hours ago, dmwnc1959 said:

 
This may be a crazy ask, but do you remember if there is cell phone service here? Thought maybe it would be a good place to post cruise updates without using the ships Wi-Fi. 

Yes, although I think it was a bit spotty.

There’s no guarantee they’re ever going to be able to fix the road, although they say 2026.  I’m going this May and taking the shuttle in as far as I can.

Way too many sea days.  Other cruise lines on that route are offering stops in Reunion, Madagascar, Durban, Gambia, or Casablanca.

7 minutes ago, Mary loves to travel said:

I see now they are doing a "turnaround" at Mile 43, due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide at Mile 45.

How far did the Tundra Wilderness Tour go before the landslide?

 

Thanks,

Mary

 

67?  Depends on whether you were turning around at Stony Overlook or at Eielson.

The shuttle runs continuously.  $3 per ride or $5 for the day.  Halibut and chips at Skagway Brewing is great!

Highly recommend using your smartphone to pay.  I’ve travelled literally around the world in the last few years and it is accepted almost everywhere.  Very secure.  You never have to get out or hand over your credit card.

27 minutes ago, Kirsten T said:

Check out the Ketchikan port site - there's an explanation of the tendering floats on the main page: https://www.ketchikan.gov/port

 

Looks like ANR is the Ryus float at the north end of Berth 2 (KTN ANR ANCHOR-TENDER TO RYUS FLOAT) according to the Cruise Lines Agencies of Alaska https://claalaska.com/?page_id=1551 which is a pretty good schedule source for all Alaska ports. 

Looks like a very, very busy Alaska cruise season this year. I've never tendered in Ketchikan before, but we'll be doing it a few weeks after you, also on Kdam. As you say - it'll be an adventure 🤣

68 ships this year vs 50 last year

23 hours ago, memoak said:

Then I would be finding a different 🏨 

Oh, I’d never stay at Pan Pacific at those prices.  I got a room at the Holiday Inn Express at the airport for under $200.

No, one is not better than the other.  However, the weather and snow conditions may be better on one versus the other.

16 hours ago, Paddy1253 said:

Thanks for the comment (and to everyone else). Yes, all things considered, it is REALLY cheap, i.e. £3Kpp for the return flights, 12 night cruise incl drinks package, 2 nights in Vancouver, 3 nights in Las Vegas plus other stuff. We appreciate by the time you've done with upgrades, excursions, off-cruise meals etc, it'll be a lot more then £3K but for us in the UK, that's an amazing price. We're used to the naff weather living in the UK and I know where we live in Yorkshire, even with bad weather, it's still a beautiful area to visit.

We'll take your comments on board and give it some thought. 👍

Early October is not a terrible time to visit Alaska.  As mentioned, many shops and shore excursions might not be open.  The odds for bad weather increase quite a bit starting in mid-September, but if you are used to UK weather you should be ok.  Bear in mind though that’s it’s not just the weather on land, it’s the hurricane-force winds and 10 meter seas you have to contend with.

14 minutes ago, memoak said:

I can easily live without a suite and club access on the night before a cruise I am not looking to impress anyone. We book early and then check weekly for new pricing. Our room for July has gone from over $700 to under $500 in a matter of a few months

Those are the only rooms available on that date.

12 minutes ago, memoak said:

I would like to know what kind of room you stay in. Even high season late July for Alaska cruise we are paying under $500 US for a harbor view king

Nice price.  Pricing is dynamic and changes all the time.