Cali Viajera

The roll call for our recent Alaska Majestic cruise was very inactive, sorry to say. Perhaps it is the destination? On our Mediterranean cruise it was active (before Covid), as many exchanged tips on making group tours for independent tours to bring costs down. Haven’t seen anything like that on Roll Calls for Alaska. It was fun to meet and say hi to those you have corresponded with. But that was it.

We did the Tundra wilderness tour a week ago. Yes, you don’t go as far as before, we turned around and could see where the slide is. However, we had an excellent guide and saw the state bird, Dall sheep, caribou, and moose. It’s a 5 hour trip but still well worth it.

Yes, you are correct. We went toHaineson the Majestic last week. Those that had the Princess Skagway excursion were able to be taken there. We chose the Steve Kroschel wildlife preserve. Family later said they enjoyed that more than they would have the train ride. Go figure!

Snow City cafe! Great vibe and delicious food!

Alaska Shore Excursions Mendenhall canoe trip. Paddle your way close to the glacier, put your hand in the 33 degree water and feel the spray of Nugget falls. Can’t beat it!

Independent tours cost less and have smaller numbers. Do check out Alaska Shore Excursions Mendenhall canoe trip. Paddle close to the glacier!

We returned from Princess Majestic Princess cruise. We did the land tour first; Fairbanks to Denali, Mt McKinley lodge to Kenai. Land first is one way to get the fast paced, lodge to lodge travel out of the way to then unpack and Relax for the cruise🛳. Each Princess lodge served it’s purpose. Yes, Mt. McKinley is remote, but what a view of Denali if you are one of the 30% who can see her. The bus to Talkeetna was not problem. Denali lodge is centrally located to the action, and the Fairbanks Riverside is not near town but located right on the river. Look into Kenai, the Kenai Fjord boat trip was a highlight of our trip. The captain was informative and they keep each other informed about where the wildlife are. Bubble feeding of humpback whales, seals, orcas, puffins. A highlight for sure.

I believe the port can take 3 of 4 ships. We were scheduled for the the berth with the rock slide, so no go. If less than 4 ships are scheduled, should not be a problem.

We overpacked, however, weather is unpredictable. We had sunshine and warm weather through the last two weeks. Talkeetna 86 degrees and Juneau had 93 the day before we arrived. Best be prepared for anything as glacier days are cold.

YES! Loved the cruise and land tour! Alaska is a destination like no other. Vast, wild, with mesmerizing nature. I too was freaked out about testing before the land tour and then before cruise after reading so many posts. But, what a trip! We were cancelled and delayed in LAX, TA transferred flights to another airline to get us to Anchorage then Fairbanks (including sleeping at Anchorage airport) and arrived with 2 hours to spare before excursion. But the moment that excursion began, we were there! That’s what counts, sit back and enjoy an incredible experience, which is Alaska😀

Sky train! $11.95 for the three of us. As a 65 year old, concession button is a lower fare. Fast, easy. From YVR to Waterfront station and Waterfront to YVR.

Just stayed at the Metropolitan Hotel on Howe st. Pulled our luggage up 3 1/2 blocks, easy peasy! Nice boutique hotel and centrally located to port, Gastown, and Robson st.

Mendenhall canoe trip. Outstanding 🛶What a way to experience a glacier. We were able to get even closer than a competing company. As we paddled past them, we could hear their guide telling them why we had the right to go further! It turned out to be a private tour as it was only DHand DD and I with Kevin and Mike our super guides. Favorite excursion!

Just use your debit or credit card. That’s what we did last week, even a food truck took a card.

We stayed at the Metropolitan Hotel on Howe street, very centrally located. Very nice! Cafe Medina! Oh, my gosh, the waffles with caramel topping and maple syrup! To live for! I made the reservation when we arrived in Fairbanks-online only and two weeks ahead. Thank-you Martincath for the reservation tip😀Peaceful restaurant for Chinese was so delish too! Blarney pub in Gastown-lunch of Bangers and mash with a Harps, out of this world! HOHO on first day gave an excellent view of the city. Clean, diverse city, looking forward to visiting again.

The motor coaches did not enforce mask wearing. We wore our KN95 on train, motor coach and cruise.

No, and no possibility of it. They picked us up at the Denali lodge and stopped for a bathroom break at a rest stop.

We just did this trip on Tundra Wilderness tour. We were all given given a box of snacks and they provided bottles of water.

We kept all our bags with us the whole la d tour. The big luggage went in the belly of the train, and we brought the carry ones with us into carriage. Easy Peasy!

We did Arrive can two days before Vancouver. No one at all ever asked about it.Guess it goes into some black hole’ of the cyber world.?

Kenai Princess tested us before we ere to board Majestic. We used our CVS home tests first . 27 year old DD tested positive and we went into freak mode. Best excursion to Kenai Fjords was next day. We went together to face our fate with Princess testing, all negative! My TA said home tests can be unreliable.Another family before us had one member of their group tested positive. They were going to do another test, the health care person told them that sometimes a person’s blood type can cause false positive??!

Masks were required on the Majestic. About 95% compliant.

We did the land cruise from Fairbanks and boarded the Majestic on the 25th. We did pre land cruise testing the day before we flew. Uploaded results and nothing more was asked about them. Most didn’t wear masks on land tour, though we did. Kenai Princess did testing before cruise for us. No one at embarkation asked about results.

We just did land tour first then cruise on Princess. Fairbanks to Whittier. Denali Wilderness tour doesn’t go all the way in due to a landslide, but we went as far as there. Saw moose, caribou, their state bird, Dall sheep.Bus looks like school bus and is but is luxurious inside with drop down screens to see the animals close up. Did Denali atv, excellent! We rode on the Alaskan rail cars, Gold level with Princess with breakfast provided. We were part of the 30% and saw Denali, she is spectacular. McKinley lodge and shuttle to dusty Talkeetna. Motor coach to Kenai. Incredible Kenai Fjords with humpback whales, orcas, puffins, seals!

From what we were told, should be quite awhile before the fourth berth is repaired. Lack of staff, supply issues. There still isn’t a contractor to repair the Denali road.