SEPyle

We are taking our first cruise out of Vancouver to Hawaii on the Solstice September 9th. Will the weather on the sea days be cooler on the first few days similar to sailing out of NY to Caribbean? We are trying to determine packing needs.

 

This is also our first cruise on Celebrity. Any suggestions for must see/do/eat while on board?

 

Thanks !

Welcome to Celebrity. It's our favorite cruise line and we'll also be on the same sailing.

Now about packing: As a local mentioned, it will most likely be cooler on 9/9, but you never know. I'm going to bring a cotton jacket, a fleece vest, and a windbreaker type pullover. If the evenings are cold going across to Hawaii, the above items will be great if going out on the deck! After the cruise we're going to the Big Island, and staying up within Volcano Nat'l Park, where cold nights are the norm. Otherwise I wouldn't bring the fleece vest, but just in case...I'll be I'll be ready. Oh yes, since we're spending the night in Vancouver, I'm also bringing a folding umbrella. Hope this helps. Sharon

well thank you SEPyle

 

Finally some good advice.. BUt may I ask how is anyone suppose to get around at all with no cabs in ISP? It would seem to me that you have no choice but to buy a tour.. AGAIN from the cruise line. Yes I know all about the whole Diamonds International thing. I have been to the Caribbean many times. I usually just walk past it.:confused:

Like Budget Queen said, there is a shuttle from the Icy Strait dock into town. Last year it was $5 round trip. With that said, unless anyone in your party has mobility issues, it's a very nice walk into town. Reason for no taxi companies: Hoonah is really a small community, and taxi drivers simply would make very little money...yes, Hoonah is that small!!

The reason I designate Icy Strait Point and Hoonah is my way of honoring the local residents. They are very proud of their town!

sqeekey336, I understand how you feel about over-priced tours, however as others have mentioned, those are through the cruise line. We first visited Icy Strait Point in 2005 and on May 25th we'll be visiting this incredible port for the fourth time. Icy Strait Point is where I fell in love with Alaska. By the way there is really a lot to do that is free! No tee-shirt factory stores or Diamond's International stores, but some special shops and at least when we were there last, affordable too!

As you sail into this port, I hope you are an early riser because the beauty is absolutely breathtaking! We witnessed Bubble-net feeding. To see a pod of whales working together to swallow vast amounts of krill (their food source) some with their mouths at almost 180 degree angle is a sight to see! All right there in the harbor off Icy Strait Point! Of course, you'll have to be at the right place at the right time, however there are nice walks on along the waterfront...no cost.

I hope this pic will work so you'll see what I'm describing: If it comes through as a link, just click on the link.

http://cornforthimages.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Humpback-Whales-Bubble-Feeding-126.jpg

There is a very peaceful walk through a temperate rainforest that Budget Queen mentioned. Part way through, you are again along the waterfront. I remember a bench there and a perfect moment to take in the sheer beauty of it all...and possibly more sea life!

Now to the people of Hoonah. By the way, Icy Strait is the port area/the cannery, and the name of the town is Hoonah. The people of this town have such a great history, and I have found them very friendly and willing to share their stories.

One thing I highly recommend doing an it does have a charge; is the Tribal Dance and Traditions performance...I think that's pretty close to the right name anyway. We went to the program on our 2nd visit and let me just say witnessing the people of Hoonah celebrating who they are as a people to me was a very special experience.

On our third visit we made the decision to stay in Hoonah some time before cruising Southbound. We almost missed our plane because we had an amazing whale watch with one of the local boat captains. Budget Queen also mentioned there are NO taxi's in Hoonah...and thank goodness one of the friendly locals drove us to Hoonah's little airstrip, which by the way, was lined with Eagles...where else could anyone experience that? I have to say the weather was 'iffy' and I sat there hoping we just might have to stay another night...yes, we love this little piece of heaven that much!

I hope I haven't bored you with all my details, however I just want to say a long day in this port will go quickly and I hope you end up not going back to the ship too early! We also have the Beverage package, and I plan to make good use of it, but I'll be staying in this special port as long as possible!

Have your Travel Agent call NCL about the details, and they should be able to give you the details as to where you will be staying. The actual tour details should be sent to you already. If you booked through NCL, call them directly.

Enjoy your trip!

What I said was that there are NO transportation options from Seward to Whittier unless you hire private transportation (which seems to run around $450?).

 

There are ways to get to the B&B's without a car - many of the hosts will pick you up/drop you off at the train stop. Additionally, the shuttle will bring you within a half mile of most of them.

 

My question really revolves around, in the event that I need a backup plan to get to Whittier, will I have any options? In Anchorage, I can get a one-way car rental, get on one of the 10 other shuttles that are doing cruise transfers, or maybe get a taxi. But I really, have no reason to go to Anchorage.

 

I don't know what options I have in Girdwood. I am not necessarily saying that a shuttle company will forget me, but there are lots of things that can go wrong that result in me missing the shuttle. Any other day I wouldn't mind improvising, but I sure don't want to miss the ship.

I really don't think $450 from Seward to Whittier is accurate. You mentioned PJS Taxi...why not email them or give them a call for a quote...unless of course you are set on staying in Girdwood.

You mention wanting to have a back up plan. A back up plan isn't realistic since any provider would not want to want to wait for your call...just in case. Unless I'm missing something, you need to feel confident with your transportation and then go with it.

The reasons for wanting to stay in Girdwood are:

 

1) Not having to backtrack from Seward to Anchorage and then back to Whittier.

2) Getting to stay in a nice B&B instead of a dumpy motel

3) Seeing something other than Anchorage

 

I am not against going on to Whittier, but as I mentioned, it is difficult to get there. Most people going there are for a cruise ship, and therefore the shuttles/train/etc. all run in the morning.

We've really enjoyed Girdwood. This last August we stayed in a nice B&B: Glacier View B&B...however w/o a rental we would not have considered staying in there, or for that matter anywhere in Girdwood. On our first trip to Alaska we did stay at the Alyeska Resort as part of a cruisetour. It's a nice place to stay; however I would NEVER pay the price they charge. A B&B is much nicer; but w/o a car????

You mention not wanting to backtrack from Seward to Anchorage and then back to Whittier. I'm a bit confused: Do your plans include time in Seward? If so, why not stay there, since you mentioned good transportation options for getting from Seward to Whittier. Seward is really easy to get around; and a Kenai Fjords cruise is amazing plus so many other options to experience!

You also mentioned wanting to stay in a nice B&B rather than a dumpy motel. Are you referring to Seward? If so, there are so many places to stay in Seward including some really nice B&B's.

With all that said: I'm just adding a different perspective to give additonal options that you may want to consider!

I find when plans start getting complicatedl, it's often time to step back and re-think things.

Thurs. 8-7-08: Fly CLT to Juneau; Fly L.A.B Flying Services to Hoonah

Fri/Sat/Sun:8-8-07 - 8-10: Staying in Hoonah thru Alaskan Raven Charters above the Galley Restaurtant thru Alaska Raven Charters; will bo Halibut Charter; Whale Watching; and Wildlife Search thru Ora/Alaska Raven Charters/& kayaking too! Staying for 3 nights.

8-10-08: Fly back to Juneau then fly Alaska Air to Anchorage: Meet up with daughter who lives in Anchorage and pick up rental; drive to Girdwood, staying at Glacier View BnB for two nights Will be late when we arrive); will do activities depending on weather (possibly Prince William Sound cruise; Glacier Jet Boat Adventure; or just hike around the Girdwood area and pan for some gold...cheesie but want to try it)

8-12: Drive to Homer, staying at A Memorable Experience B&B for two nights. Wildlife excursion or kayaking/water taxi and of course taking in the sights/good eats around the Homer Spit.

8-14: Drive to Soldotna, staying at Stillwaters Chalets for two nights. 1/2 day Fishing excursion with Widespread Fishing on the Kenai River into the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge;

8/16: Drive to Seward; staying at Berry Patch B&B; 6 hour Renown Tour

8/17: Board Holland America's Volendam

8/18: College Fjord

8/19: Glacier Bay

8/20: Haines - Looking seriously at 4 wheel drive up the Takshanuk Moutnain Trail. Plus visiting the local museums and discovering a port of call we have not visited!

8/21: Juneau - Shuttle to Mendenhal; Tramway if weather cooperates; Thane Ore house for a great Salmon/Halibut feast!

8/22: Ketchikan - Walking tour considering other options.

8/23: Inside Passage

8/24: Disembark: Vancouver; pick up rental; drive to Seattle; visit downtown; fly back to Charlotte

8/25: Report to work...half awake and ready to start saving for next cruise!