gpb11

Thanks, NoobCruise.

I honestly can't say I'm entirely on-board with branding to that degree, but presumably there are those involved with far more knowledgable of the effects.

http://www.alaskasealife.org/science_research_overview

Thanks, though I'm seeing nothing on that page regarding branding sea lions. Could you clarify please?

Sorting through my photos and ran across one from our Kenai Fjords tour that shows what looks like a sea lion that's been branded with "E207" or "E107" -- the animal is in the shadows in the upper-right of the image.

Am I misunderstanding what I'm seeing? If not, I'm curious who does this and why?

I agree on likely being overkill. On rainy days I wore a pair of breathable trail runners with lightweight thorlo wool socks and my wife did similar with a pair of sketchers. Our feet remained warm even on the occasions they got a little damp.

Look to your real goal and solve for that, which is likely more a matter of staying warm than necessarily keeping your feet dry.

Enterprise, National, and I think Alamo all serve the Fairbanks airport. We got our car from Enterprise using points I had from business travel rentals.

have been reading all afternoon and looks like you are right, no main street like I was thinking. What about museums? Have you been to any of them? I will continue reading, thanks for the link.

Fairbanks is NOT a large town as you've noted. :D It's going to be tough to do a lot without a car. There's a bicycle share called Fairbikes that you might look into, but even then I'm unsure it'd do a lot.

Univ of Alaska, Fairbanks has the Museum of the North that's pretty nice. Not huge, it took me a couple hours to go through most of it, so figure a half day at most.

There's an Ice Museum "downtown" but I didn't visit.

Unsure if it interests you but it does supposedly have the largest Fred's in the nation. We drove by but didn't visit.

Chena Hot Springs Resort is interesting, but it's a pretty good drive out of town. Near there is the Angel Rocks hiking trail that is very pretty;be bear smart on that trail though.

Also consider a visit to The Santa Claus House at North Pole, Alaska a few miles east of Fairbanks to get a big dose of kitch. ;) They have forms you can fill out to have a letter sent to someone from Santa and postmarked from North Pole AK.

FWIW we enjoyed the Thai House restaurant for dinner one night, its on 5th ave.

not you. Some driving claims. I'm talking very "general" and not just on this post.

If any claim is specious, it is that the driver is at "no" disadvantage. The driver still has to watch the road, though not as intensely as may be required elsewhere. This fact remains as true in Alaska and the Yukon as it does in any other open/scenic locale in the US. It was emphasized to us as we drove past the aftermath of a woman hitting a moose on Chena Hot Springs Road.

Let's certainly correct factual errors, but let us also remember some things are opinions and one individual's does not necessarily trump others.

BTW, just in case it isn't clear: any frustration sensed in my post is directed at the unnamed AT&T rep and NOT at TheTonkster

He spoke with an AT&T rep today and here is a recap of what the rep said:

That's his first mistake. :D Second was believing them.

"AT&T does not have a special cruise ship package.

Funny, AT&T has a whole web page devoted to that: https://www.att.com/shop/en/wireless/international/roaming.html?tab=4

Now they likely don't serve Princess, but still bad info in a general sense.

With the cellular data turned off, you can still get calls when accessing cruise WiFi, but calls are charged at two dollars per minute.

Never tried that, but we did use AT&T Wifi Calling when in Vancouver using the hotel wifi and there were ZERO additional charges. Yes you'd burn up your Wifi time you paid the ship for, but I'd be surprised for any piggyback AT&T charges for wifi calling.

When on land in Alaska, your standard ATT domestic package works.

Well, yeah. You're in one of the fifty United States. :D AT&T coverage was pretty good in ports, though Seward was just 4G not LTE if I remember right. Coverage once you get away from port (land or sea) can become limited.

Thus, you can turn on cellular data and phone. However, this does not apply until you are actually on land. Thus, if boat is docked in Alaska, still need to keep cellular data off as it is the cruise's system that applies.

100% false for the HAL Noordam seven weeks ago. I can't speak for Princess. We had AT&T domestic coverage from our balcony room as we were approaching and departing each port.

So for all you Alaska veterans out there, is this data accurate?

See above. No worries, you're just going on the erroneous info you were given by someone who ought to either know better or not give you info they're not positive is true.

I assume that the expensive roaming fees the rep was speaking about was roaming you pick up from the actual ship?

That'd likely be the Cellular At Sea roaming service. I believe that is turned off once within 12 miles of US shore (on ships so equipped) but may be misremembering.

Did all of you wait to turn on your phones until you set foot on dry land?

I just put mine in airplane mode when in Vancouver and until we approached the first port. I never used the shipboard wifi. When approaching port I'd see if I had service and it'd either say No Service or start to pick up AT&T signal. I freely used my cellular data anytime it said AT&T (and it never said different except No Service) from within our room, on deck, etc. It's been nearly two billing cycles so I'm confident there are no surprises.

Granted, this was with HAL. Princess may be different. Turn off cellular roaming data, and watch for what it says you're connected to.

Thanks for posting, I'm glad I was able to help.

You might find you end up keeping the camera, it's fun to take to the beach/pool/etc as well as when cruising.

FYI, I found the Sports Holder to be really handy. It easily attaches to a daypack shoulder strap making the camera very easily accessed yet also securely held. https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Sports-Holder-CSCH-123-Orange/dp/B00T2WY9ZO

Can't do anything about rude inconsiderate people except feel sorry for them.

Yep. On our TWT in general everyone was very accommodating and conscientious, making way at the windows for the folks on the other side of the bus and so on. That still didn't stop one woman from getting rather upset at another guy over him leaving his window open. She was cold and he was warm. Bus driver had to intervene just like back in middle school. :rolleyes:

Denali visitor center has a nice indoor exhibit that can occupy a bit of time.

They also have free sessions/demonstrations with the Park Service's dog teams. Although I don't know if heavy rain will affect that, light rain didn't seem to deter anyone when we went.

I believe the Wilderness Access Center also has 20 minute interpretive film.

There are plenty of shops in "Glitter Gulch" across from the HAL/Princess properties about a mile from the park entrance. Main lodge also has various board games and plenty of open space in which to play them. I don't know if you have to be a HAL/Princess guest to access them though.

Having done the train up to Carcross and coach back down, here's my thought. Take it for what you will, this is just my opinion about what we did.

First off, the train takes a different route for part of the trip and renting a car doesn't get you to Bennett Lake as far as I know. Decide if that's important.

There's NOT a lot "to" Carcoss. Wide spot in the road is generous. The scenery is fantastic of course, just don't expect a substantial town.

With the trip being my wife and I, had we rented a car yes we could have stopped wherever/whenever, *but* at least one of us would have been driving and focusing on the road. Additionally, the drivers/guides tell a lot about the history and other aspects which is a nice addition; granted you can always read a book, but it's kind of nice hearing the narrative in real time.

For a first trip, I really enjoyed being able to truly enjoy the scenery while someone else did the driving. I might rent a car if we go back, but am pleased with our choice not to DIY this one on our first trip.

It sounds fun to me. I get the you are only there once thing but how is sitting at a cafe drinking coffee and watching people not something you could do at home.

Well, at home I'm unable to drink Alaskan beer while look at Alaskan mountains in the background of the Alaskan shops as various locals and tourists wander around. :cool: Plus to be specific, that suggestion was secondary to simply enjoying the atmosphere and shopping the shops in in town.

My perspective is coming from having done glassblowing a couple of times. First time was on a trip, though at the Corning Museum of Glass a glass blowing activity is rather apropos. :) Second time was here at home at a studio (activity was gifted to us). Don't get me wrong, it's fun enough, and if you have no opportunity to do that at home then perhaps choosing to do it on a cruise to Alaska is the better choice for you.

I was just remembering that after spending all day on the train and bus we were about done and wouldn't have enjoyed stacking another planned activity.

Couple suggestions here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=50300668

Also check out: http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=lunch&find_loc=Skagway%2C+AK&ns=1

We didn't eat, but service for our frosty beverages was at Bonanza Bar & Grill and the menu options seemed decent. http://www.yelp.com/biz/bonanza-bar-and-grill-skagway

FYI, Olympus has a 20% off flash sale on refurbished equipment today and tomorrow, code is FIREWORKS.

This puts the refurbished TG4 at $224 plus tax. 90 day warranty.

Red: http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-cameras/tg-4-red-reconditioned.html

Black: http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-cameras/tg-4-black-reconditioned.html

(If the links turn into 404's that's on Olympus' end, usually happens on out of stock)

Whatever / however you're obtaining coverage, it's up to you to READ the fine print and understand the details. That's what count far more than what some random customer service agent on the phone might claim.

Not true. All HAL ships allow running on the top deck. Just not on the Promenade Deck.

Well, all I know is that eight weeks ago when I was aboard the Noordam and looking to run there was an emergency/auxiliary generator installed on the port side of the Observation deck, just aft of Club Hal, and thus that portion of the deck is blocked with do-not-enter signage preventing any sort of "loop".

Even had the way been clear for a loop, it would have been irresponsibly dangerous to run among the people out on deck due to the lack of any markings or signage delineating a track, as well as the various choke points / wind blocks.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/noordam-deck-plans/dp/?shipID=362&deck=10

We did end of May / early June this year. I'd be happy to do it again; nice to see snow on many of the mountains, and lots of flowers out. Weather was neither too cold nor too warm. Some rain, some sun. Great trip.

I'd probably avoid the very first couple cruises of the season; I've been on a first cruise after a reposition and won't do so again.

The biggest thing for a May trip is to ensure any important things you want to do will be up and running by then. For example, in Denali the Tundra Wilderness tour runs a shortened version prior to June 1st I believe.

Seriously, just walk around town and enjoy the various shops and so forth. Stop have have a cold beverage and people watch. :)

We did the Bennett Lake / Carcross train/bus trip and loved it, but stacking another activity afterwards wouldn't have been enjoyable for us. YMMV.

First and foremost, choose whichever has the better itinerary for your desires. Only then get down to line/ship differences.

I've been on the NCL Star out of Tampa and on the HAL Noordam to Alaska.

I don't particularly recall any substantive differences in fitness facilities except that Noordam has no outdoor running track. Only option is indoors on a treadmill (which I abhor). That may be different for different ships though, so check.

I don't recall any substantive food differences, I enjoyed both ships fare. Similarly I don't recall any substantive differences in terms of onboard activities. I can't speak to casinos, and I bring my own books via Kindle.

Where you'll find a significant difference is that NCL no longer allows bringing your own sodas or bottle water aboard. HAL does. Also, HAL has relatively reasonable prices for ordering a bottle of liquor for your cabin. I think I paid $37 for a liter of Seagrams VO via HAL's website before the cruise and it was in our room at boarding; it paired perfectly with the twelve-pack of cokes we carring aboard. Is that difference enough to choose one over the other? Probably not, but it is a notable difference that's not readily apparent from the marketing slicks.

The rainy days on our cruise held their own special sort of beauty, just as did the days we saw sunshine.

Southeast Alaska is a temperate rainforest, so rainy days are likely. Check out Ketchikan's average annual rainfall.

When you get to Vancouver... don't ask to "Ride the Roof".

https://www.grousemountain.com/skyride-surf-adventure

Ha, nice. I'm putting that on the to-do list along with the CN Tower EdgeWalk: http://www.edgewalkcntower.ca

No way you will need an umbrella in Seattle in the summer! It's been sunny and mid 70's (unusually chillier) and forecast won't be changing anytime soon! Summer is amazing in Seattle!

When we got into our hotel room in Vancouver, I noted the Hampton Inn branded umbrella hanging in the closet and realized that was a sign. Sure came in handy since it was raining the rest of the evening. :cool:

We were in one of the deck ten Verandah rooms on Noordam this spring, down the hall from 10026.

The room location was absolutely fantastic. We had super quick access to the outside decks above the pool level and could cross to the other side, as well as super quick access to the Crows Nest. There was little traffic or noise in the hallway, and it was simple to head to the Lido market buffet. We'd grab one of those rooms again in a heartbeat.

Plus on the day we visited Glacier Bay it was nice to be able to quickly/easily retreat from all the on-deck chatter and quietly enjoy the scenery from our own balcony at times.

With all that said, as others mention the FIRST thing is figure out where you want to visit and choose the ship that goes there. I just wanted to attest to really enjoying that particular room location on the Noordam.