FaithPlus1

I'm taking a Kenjai Fords tour that ends at 5:30. The Seward train departs at 6PM. If I'm one of the last ones on the train, does this mean I get a bad seat if I reserve in Adventure class? I know they are assigned, but I don't know if the assignments start from best to worst seats (sort of like SouthWest Airlines). Just not sure if I should expect that and should pay the $108 more for the Gold Star as I planned on eating dinner on the train anyway (I don't need 2 alcoholic drinks before boarding a plane as I want to stay hydrated!). Does the dinner include soup or salad, and a dessert? Do you need to share a table with other people??

What time does the ticket office at Seward Rail Depot actually open (cannot find this info online)? My tour doesn't meet until 8:30, so maybe I could pick up the ticket earlier if the office is open?

Help!

Sadly all the fjords tours with MM end at 5:30 unless you do the 5hr wildlife cruise which is from 12-5. I figure I need to be off the cruise by 10AM so would have to kill time for 2 hours. 

Did you take the 6PM train to Anchorage after your tour? If so did you have to run to make the train?

I just purchased a tour on Kenjai Fords that ends at 5:30. The Seward train departs at 6PM. If I'm one of the last ones on the train, does this mean I get a bad seat if I reserve in Adventure class? Just not sure if I should expect that and should pay the $108 more for the Gold Star as I planned on eating dinner on the train anyway (I don't need 2 alcoholic drinks before boarding a plane as I want to stay hydrated!). 

Does anyone know what time an operator is actually at the train station to give out the tickets? Maybe if I show up before my tour I could pick a seat on Adventure class?

21 minutes ago, AKStafford said:

I think I'd rather miss out on what Seward offers in order to take a Kenai Fjords cruise. Either way you'll miss something, and I would choose the cruise over Seward.

Thanks. I read this as you would never take a Kenai Fjords cruise hah hah. 

Decided to book the 9 hour cruise. Major Marines sold out. 

I reached out to the 2 bike shops. One is adjacent to the berths and they haven't gotten back to me, and one that is by Totem Brite, but requires taking a bus to get there. Is one area better than the other?

I'm planning on doing a Kenai Fjords (sounds like you and I are both on the Jewel on July 29!) followed by the 6PM train ride to Anchorage before I fly home. 

I'm debarking from my NCL cruise in Seward and I'm definitely wanting to take a Fjords cruise to see glaciers and wildlife. I was planning on doing the 9 hour one with Kenai Fjords Tours (Was thinking about Major Marines, but I don't like how they assign you a seat), but I'm thinking maybe it's better doing a shorter one so I have time in Seward? Would I be missing out on Seward if I just get off the cruise ship terminal, go straight on the tour, and then take the 6PM train? In Seward I have no desire to eat or go shopping. 

Thanks

UPDATE:

I book my cruise for 7/29 on 7/21 and this morning I got an offer to bid! I did very low offers since they charge double for me (I'm a party of 1). Bid $200 for oceanview and $330 for balcony. I doubt they will accept either, but I honestly am so curious about what you get when you don't know your room #. 

Cruisenext is a program NCL has where you can buy deposits onboard the ship. You essentially are buying 50% off vouchers (think Groupon). They are transferable and good for 4 years. 

Georgia, it's not for everyone for sure :)

I'm a bit confused. I have many time slots available between 30-60 minutes available from 10AM to 3PM. 

What happens if I select 10-10:30, but decide to arrive later?

So I researched 2 bike rental shops in town. One is right by the cruise berths, and the other is not far from Totem Bight State Park and right off a bus stop. 

I'm debating which location has easier trails than to ride on highways (makes me nervous) to hopefully be in or near the woods. 

Is one location better suited for bike riding? If so, which area in particular is more suited for a leisurely, flat bike ride?

Thanks

1 hour ago, browniegirl said:

  Wow, that is amazing!  The cheapest so far I have found for August Alaska cruises for 1 comes out to $1900 taxes in and that is with $700 Canadian cruise next certs taken off!  I'll keep looking!

Not sure what your room preference is (these are all interior) but found these!

NCL NB- $802USD includes taxes and fees 8/12

NCL NB $727 " " 8/26

NCL SB $727 8/5

Golden Princess SB $774 (honestly, I would have preferred Princess for myself) 8/31

1 hour ago, browniegirl said:

Wow, impressed!  When you booked solo, was the $727 twice what the rate was? I have been keeping an eye on the last minute Alaska cruises also but once you put 1 cruiser the rooms double of course, so it still hasn't worked out to a great yet for me.

 

Leah

No it was $727 as a party of 1. NCL tends to drop the solo supplement or at least lower it significantly closer to sailings. I would never cruise if the solo supplement was that high. 

1 hour ago, K_e_short said:

I'm on the same cruise and super jealous you got such a great deal.

 

There is something wrong with airline travel in Canada... The cheapest flights I could get cost $2400  CAD.. and just checked and they are almost double that now ($1200 per person just Ottawa to Vancouver)

 

Air Canada? Their prices seem to have more a bizarre range than American based airlines. I was surprised. 

3 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

good post, interesting how people can find ways to travel on a tight budget and sounds like the op really enjoys making plans that will save money. It can almost be a game for some. 

It kind of is a game for me lol. While I'm by no means rich, I don't need to do things like this. I often like to see what I can get for $. One of my favorite thing to do are food challenges actually. I see youtube videos where people are on a $10 for 5 day challenge I do these fairly frequently and while I may not have the most variety of foods to select from, I don't starve. 

I love Slickdeals too!

1 hour ago, kodesthemoose said:

Sounds like a fun and cheap trip. But what is TK maxx? I live in Vancouver and have never heard of it ? 

I watch too many Youtube hauls! I meant Winner's! TK Maxx is in the UK!

1 hour ago, Newleno said:

many other money savings ideas-  are you taking the sky train in Vancouver instead of a taxi?, renting a bicycle for Stanley park is a blast,   you will probably see plenty of whales on board so do you need an excursion for that?, are you stopping in Juneau if so the public bus system will take you out very close to the mendenhall glacier -  or pay for the  shuttle bus - much cheaper than an excursion.  Great job so far have fun

LOL...you and I speak the same language!!

1. Only public transportation in Vancouver for me! I still have the re-loadable card from last time. I think it should work. 

2. I would like to rent a bike in Stanley Park as long as I have time

3. You know with the whales, I kept going back and forth on that. I plan on doing a full day excursion in Seward and people often see whales. I figured I probably will see some whales on the cruise itself. I don't know if it's necessary to keep going on more boat tours strictly for whales, but that's just me!

4. In Juneau last time I took the public bus to the fish hatchery, and some Glacier bus to and from Mendenhall. I think I might splurge on this and do the canoe trip. 

Thanks everyone :) Okay look for a banner after logging in, but no email to bid yes? I probably won't get one since I booked 8 days before the cruise, but you never know!

Stupid question that I didn't think of. 

Do you need to check in before you can bid (assuming you get invited to bid)?

14 minutes ago, CarrieAP said:

I’m a fan of deals so very impressed! Working at downsizing my expectations for items such as stateroom category to maximize my travel budget now that we’re unexpectedly retired. Thanks for the inspiration and wishing you a wonderful journey!!

Thanks =D I like deals!

I kept putting it on hold because I was between the interior and the oceanview. Both were sailaway rates (I don't like to prepay and I know what I want). The oceanview was $300 more so I decided to save the $$$ instead. When I did this cruise 2 years ago on the Sun, the difference in price was only $100 and I had a great oceanview. I also kept thinking it would drop from $524 to $359 and then $299 which happened for the Southbound trip that leaves tomorrow, but as much as a gambler that I am, I got scared!

In any case I'm a frugal person and doing this solo. 

I paid (strictly for the room):

$727-$130 (bought the $250 Cruisenext on here for $120)=$597

My flight to Vancouver was $105 on United. Includes the seat assignment. Good flight time for me. Spending 2 nights in town. The first night I will be in a shared room with 1 other female at a hostel for $70 (hotels were really, really expensive!). The next night I was able to get at the Hyatt for "free" (really $75 since I have a Hyatt credit card and you pay $75 a year for your "free" night). My plans on doing a few short tours, eat poutine, go to Granville Island, and go to TK Maxx (I have always wanted to go there to see how it compares with TJ Maxx!). I would have liked to have done Victoria for 2 nights, but it's actually a bit less $$ me going as another trip in the fall doing for a 3 night trip so decided to take it as a separate trip most likely in October or November. 

My flight from Anchorage was $150 on Delta. I chose to go Economy Basic which I have never done.  Anchorage to SLC, and then SLC to LAX. To me the flight times aren't that long so if I et the middle seat, I will just deal with it. When I look at the flights on Delta from Anchorage to SLC, the flight wasn't that full and it looked like Delta was holding on to most aisle and window seats for their "elite" passengers (I'm not elite...I'm cheap).

Now to book excursions and to pack!

I've been to Seward off the Sun years ago. The "stuff" walking distance from where you get off were just a lot of stores. I just would rather relax on a ship longer than to walk around souvenir shops. To each his own! 

Thanks everyone! I will do a longer tour. Kenai Fjords Tours is longer and $80 cheaper than Major Marines. I imagine the experience with what you see is similar. Not sure yet!