LB_NJ

Unfortunately, I believe many things have gone downhill post COVID.

How do you plan to get from Anchorage (I assume you are flying into Anchorage) to the hotel/lodge and then to Seward? Last time I looked one way car rentals were very pricey. Most people take a train or bus from Anchorage to Seward.

Forgot to mention the float tour through the railroad. Spencer Iceberg & Placer River Float | Alaska Railroad Also, for the train ride from Seward to Anchorage get the dome car if it is available.

We did our own land tour in Alaska in 2021. It is a shame you can't spend more time. We tried to do the Kanai Fjord boat tour but the weather was bad and that did not work out. Hope it goes better for you. Bring really good binoculars, stabilized ones if you can afford it. We liked the Alaskan Heritage Center however it is 4 hours at most. Other things to do near Anchorage include Hatcher Pass, the trolly ride (a narrated tour of the anchorage area, you could do this in the morning and the Heritage center in the afternoon, you pick it up right near the Anchorage visitor center), right near the railroad station is the Ulu Factory, next door to the Ulu Factory is a Salmon fishing bridge. It sounds like there may be mobility issues however the BEST non-glacier hike we did was up a small mountain near Palmer Alaska, about 700 feet of elevation gain. I think it was Bodenburg, but not sure. Bodenburg Butte Trail | ALASKA.ORG Carefully look at Google Maps to see where the Anchorage Train Station is. It is an uphill walk to Anchorage center. Plan on a taxi, etc. Given you don't have that much time I would just stop in Talkeetna for lunch if you are not doing a flightseeing tour out of there. FYI, they say you only have a 30% chance of actually seeing the mountain due to weather. If you are doing any type of hiking in Danali you should probably buy/rent bear spray. I would suggest 2 days in Denali for the best possible chance of seeing the mountain. Book the longest possible bus trip available (the one that gets you deepest into the park), you don't need the guided trip, the hop on hop off works just fine for viewing wildlife. On one of our bus trips there was a backup because a mother grisly and her cub decided it was better to walk on the road. Bring looks of bug spray (high Deet content), lots and lots and lots of mosquitos. Again, you need excellent binoculars because some of the wildlife does not get that close to the road. We stayed at Earthsong Lodge, which we loved (MY WIFE ESPECIALLY LOVED PETTING THE SLED DOGS) however it is not for everyone. We did not make it to Fairbanks, everyone told us it was not worth it. Two thing we did do in our trip that we liked (I don't think you have time) was the 26 Glacier tour out of Whittier (you may be glaciered out by then), and the Matanuska Glacier hike with MICA guides. The web site Alaska.org is pretty good for information.

I loved the 26 Glacier Tour, absolutely excellent. However, I think it is College Fjord. The 26 Glacier Cruise | Alaska Railroad

If you want to stay at a B&B (but no real view) Alaska House of Jade Bed and Breakfast in Anchorage was excellent, we stayed there in 2021. Can't say enough good things.

That is a shame. I stayed at Summit Lake Lodge and really enjoyed it. Even the restaurant was excellent. You could stay at the Alyeska Resort although it is a resort. We enjoyed that. Otherwise, I would suggest Seward itself or just outside. We stayed at Exit Glacier Lodge. There are other nice properties just down the same road that Exit Glacier Lodge is on. Not much else in-between Anchorage and Seward but a nice ride.

I bring a travel size onboard.

I thought the Italian restaurant was worth it at least with the first night discount. However, this is a very subjective opinion. I thought the basic internet on Summit was worse than useless. Cafe al Bacio is NOT free unless you have AI.

I will just have to check which if any of mine or wife's cards charge foreign transaction fees and use the ones that don't.

It does look like there will be 6 ships at Ketchican when the QE will be there. Busy little port.

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I booked a shore excursion and the credit card company flagged it as an international transaction out of England (we live in the US). Is this expected? Is there any way to change it so the transaction looks like it is from the US as far as the credit card company is concerned?

It also depends on when. Is it spring break?

Any idea why a tender is needed in Ketchikan?

Thanks to all. However, it seems like I will have to wait until I am aboard and see what the options really are and look at the menus.

In context I would read it as extremely crowded when the doors opened.

Now I am a little bit confused. I know that in Kings Court they used to offer country specific dining options however I was looking at the Cunard website about the Lido's optional dining option and it said in part: "Each night at the Lido introduces a fresh selection of dishes inspired by British and European favorites and executed with hallmark Cunard flair. Indulge in a sharing dish for two with your choice of family-style sides (one per person is usually the perfect amount) or choose your favorites from a tempting menu of appetizers, entrees, and desserts." It sounds like they changed how things work.

This isn't the only cruise line that was slow on the trigger. I was on a Celebrity ship that rearranged its schedule to dock in Bermuda.

You might be happier on another cruise line. You might want an upscale cruise line like Viking or similar. Maybe Oceania which says attire should be country club casual. With Cunard it sounds like you may be trying to be a square peg in a round hole. BTW, I would not call it lazy. You just value something different in a cruise.

As part of my booking on QE I am offered either 2 meals at "Dinner at the Lido" or 1 meal at "Steakhouse at the Verandah." We can't book until onboard. We are in regular Britannia. Any thoughts? Is one choice better value, quality of food, etc.

I have never used it however there is White Star Luggage Service that may make sense.

COVID-19: Cruise ship travel requirements – Travel.gc.ca Shore excursions in Canada during the cruise there is no arrival testing for passengers entering Canada for shore excursions you may be asked to show your ArriveCAN receipt from your initial embarkation you won’t have to resubmit ArriveCAN if you aren’t fully vaccinated due to medical reasons, you’re allowed to join a shore excursion. You must have proof of a valid medical contraindication and a valid ArriveCAN submission. if you aren’t fully vaccinated due to a sincerely-held religious belief, you aren’t allowed to disembark the ship in Canada except in a medical emergency.

I think it depends on which page. On Travel to Canada: Requirements for COVID-19 vaccinated travellers there is nothing about testing be required if arriving by cruise.

It is really the value you place on basic internet access and the drinks since gratuities are pretty much a given cost of cruising.