Sea-level

On 9/17/2023 at 9:59 AM, slidergirl said:

I had no problems with her reindeer hotdog back in May.  She was a very nice person.   

Food poisoning is a small, localized issue.  Because one person may have had a gastro issue with something, no need to hyperbolize it and paint the business with a broad brush.   It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes gastro issues - breakfast, milk/cream in the coffee,  bad water, etc.  

This is true! And the guys has no absolute way to know it was from her reindeer dogs, it's just his guess and he goes with it.  While what the gentleman said "may" be true, getting sick while  on a cruise is a very common event. I just have a problem with people putting hard working people on blast with no way for her to defend herself.  So uncalled for.

It's not ICP, it's ISP short for Icy Strait Point.

ISP is not a downgrade for anything. In fact, ISP has the, THE, greatest zipline in the world which pretty much rules out other Alaskan towns in this category. Not only that, your zipline experience will involve a gondola ride - a scenic ride - to the top of the mountain - and these are mountains, not hills. If the Zipline is not for you, you can return to sea level on the gondola too, it's a great ride.

ISP is different because it represents what most with an opinion call the real Alaska. You won't find jewelry stores back to back to back. I hope that never changes.

Each stop along the way you will find something interesting. Southeast Alaska is a great place, but I hope you brought a raincoat. We are now displaying our "Temperate rainforest status". Climate change is no joke. 

On 4/8/2019 at 4:43 AM, AFJB said:

 

Thank you for letting me know - I was wondering why I couldn’t find a single review 🤔.  The description sounds pretty neat; they actually describe a separate section for 4-6 year olds which looks really cute.  Oh well!

Yes, 

*Now I wish I could edit my post above to remove the bad info I gave you.

You are right on your original post - there are separate sections for different age groups and I think they can accommodate your young ones. Shoot,  I didn't mean to implied that it was "one" package as it is quite spread out with different challenges. Looks like a lot of fun. 

The tree top adventure is not quite complete as of yet. I've seen the progress and it is quite the collection of climbs, cable walks of many kinds, somewhat a elevated (8-10' and higher) playground type adventures between trees. It is right in the middle of the (original) nature trail and looks to be fun - I don't know.......  (although I would say above the skills of 5-8 year olds I'm afraid but that's just my opinion). 

*You can see one of the platforms in the photo.

In Juneau I believe there are excursion options to kayak up to Hubbard Glacier. Haven't looked at your other two AK stops (my cruise is going to Skagway).

 

Victoria doesn't look to have as much 'active' activities, but does have ziplines. The gardens are what people say are the 'must see' destination in Victoria, it's pretty pricey though. With RCI the ship excursions are 2x the price for the gardens vs buying direct but you have to get yourself there.

Juneau to Hubbard Glacier (which is near Yakutat) on a kayak would take a month at least to complete. heehee.

Pods? Sounds like Orca talk.

You might see a single Humpback whale or a mama and baby. Sometimes you see a group of 4-10-12 Humpbacks together on the hunt for food with bubble feeding a pending tactic.

If I wanted to see humpbacks, I would chose Fredrick Sound or Point Adolphus - the latter offered by Icy Strait Point.

Juneau is great for seeing a glacier (Mendenhall Glacier, Tracy Arm), helicopter tours to the top of the glacier, a great fish hatchery tour.

If you want to shop, Juneau hands down. Juneau will not fail you on whales either.

I would vote for RCCL. I would further look for the Radiance of the Seas. When I finally make it on the Radiance, I would look for Juan Diego a concierge aboard the ship and let him enlighten you. Hehe He is a great guy.

You might see Orca's or Killer whales, Sea lion, seal, porpoise, Salmon jumping, various birds, Sea Otter. Maybe see a bear walking the beach or maybe some Sitka Black tail deer and spectacular beauty if you chose ISP. But one thing is for sure, you will see a humpback whale if you choose to go on a whale tour without a doubt.

In the mean time on land and air, ISP has the WORLDS most incredible zipline. Where else can you drive to the top of a mountain and zipline back down to sea level? No where but Hoonah, Alaska.

There is only one dock. There is golf cart shuttle service to the port building which at low tide would be an uphill climb. . All the ship tours leave from that building. IF you want an independent you will have to walk, probably 1/4 mile to the pick ups, with having arranged the tour ahead.

 

There is one restaurant next to the port building but, I mostly go to the Cookhouse, which is a walk, along with getting to the Cannery Museum (farther than the independent tour pick up location I mention above.

 

Only a suggestion, but, I'd also suggest, perhaps, picking up a "craigs list" type, transfer chair. They are light weight and fold, Even though people are "fit as a fiddle", unexpected changes simply occur, some unexpected.. Simply offers a seat as well, for rest.

___________________________________________________________________

It used to be about a 1/4 mile but now independents are allowed to drive right down fairly close to the adventure center and Duck Point restaurant. Still about a block or two away though.

Both are good. I know them well.

ISP

Verizon works there - surprisingly good. I think they use a shared tower. It's better than AT&T for sure :mad:

Seasickness.

It is unlikely that anyone will get seasick doing a whale watch tour on the inside waters which is where ISP-Pt Adolphus is. However, there is always that one person.

I wouldn't worry about it. As a boat owner for most my life I've never seen those patches work miracles anyway.

Save your money.

Google the ISP Zip rider.

It's world class and world renowned as a most impressive zipline. You have to drive up a mountain road to get to it sometimes snow is still present up there because of it's height.

Hubbard is a massive glacier and it's size is impressive and quite worth it once you're there. If there was a problem with it I would say it requires a long ocean ride off shore to get there. Maybe that's no problem...but if it is, get the patch lol.

Glacier Bay has many glaciers but you will probably beeline to one. You may see a few far in the distance. The good news would be that there is beauty in Glacier bay that you won't see 15 - 20 miles off shore that the Hubbard would require (in travel) in the ocean but again, the Fairweather Mountain range (and Elias ) is pretty impressive if the weather is clear and you travel in the daylight to Hubbard.

But honestly, there will much more to talk about in glacier bay. Some lines have a naturalist from the park aboard the ship to talk about the history of Glacier Bay if that interests you.

$0.02

You might check out the community site that lists some private charter operations. "visithoonah dot com". click on the charter tours link.

As a fisherman from the area I can tell you you don't have to run very far from ISP to find fish. Icy straits has some of the best halibut fishing holes around.

Salmon fishing is very dependant on the time of year, strength of the run and what species you are fishing for ( don't fish Silver's / coho in May for example).

Alaska air group (Alaska airlines) has a membership group called CLUB 49. Check it out.

This year: May was dry.

June is glug....wet. Windy. Fallish. El nino ish. Warm ocean waters are being mean to us...

Posted already but what the hey...

Straight scoop This guy has the best summary I've seen and HAS done his homework.

Nobody here in Southeast Alaska has had any problem so far. But if your captain decides he isn't going to Alaska I'd get concerned. haha.....J/K

:)

My DH likes to talk! He thinks that he also has a sense of humor.

Which captain talks the most?

Which company is the most fun?

I agree with Budget Queen about Teckk.

Although Teckk will at times leave a customer unhappy (with a occasional error), he does a good tour. So........

1. Keith (with Teckk) is a mighty fine talker........he can talk, yes.

2. Keith enjoys a good laugh

3. talks? *refer to 1.^

4. Fun...? Not sure, what's your pleasure?

But its hard to go wrong with your choices.

If May is your schedule, then you may see a bear on the beach while out whale watching. "Up close" is not a good definition here though if you see bear while on a boat but you will be safe for sure :-) .

Let me say that teckk probably has the best/successful "Bear search" of all land tours - he is a licensed Bear Guide I believe when he can fit a client in. Check out their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TECKK-Outfitters/199043773475516.

Keith's Dad is also a master hunter/ guide specializing in trophy Bear - but you won't do any bear hunting while on a tour but just so you know they know their stuff.

Of all the whale guides, FISHES is by FAR the most experienced. You might like his whale tour because he has a story for every inch of Icy Straits - after all, he is a fisherman too. Floyd knows his stuff.

Glacier Wind......grew up in Hoonah and is also well informed on the area. Nice people, nice boat. Prompt!

Misty Bay also excellent. Of all businesses they are the best equipped - boat, tour van(s). The Captain is a genuinely nice person.

You can use googles free program called picasa. One you've loaded your pictures simply "export" the picture or folder and it will prompt a image resizer.

Just drag the pointer to a desired size and push okay.

Very nice pictures, btw.

:)

Curious, what would Russian food be? I've been to Sitka a few times and have never seen anything advertised as such.

Plenty of chinese/Asian food and Smirnoff. :o

It's over a 5 mile ride up the mountain on a bus. Plus, I think they can only ride 3 maybe 4 down at a time on separate lines.