travgurl

What ship are you on? We are on the Ossterdam in one month out of Seward. In Juneau we are doing a whale watch with Harv and Marv first thing, with a stop at Mendenhall Glacier. I talked with others who traveled to Alaska last summer. They got off the ship walked up to a vendor and they were taken on a whale watch and loved it. So explore your options. In Juneau we are doing something on the water, in Skagway seeing as much as possible on land and in Ketchikan seeing the beauty of the Misty Fjords. Of course we will explore each port with what time we have left. Enjoy your trip.

We leave in July on the Oosterdam. I have already been gathering things together for the trip and doing a mock packing. Yes, I have added and taken out things. I was advised to be prepared for all sorts of weather. I met people yesterday who said the port temps are comfortable but when you are cruising, it can be quite cold. They wished they had been better prepared in the leg area (knee socks or like cuddle duds to wear under pants.) I have 4 pair of jeans I plan to take. I have spent enough money and I do not want to spend more money and buy other pants. For each of us we are taking a 22 inch roll on for the land, a back pack plus one 28 that will be packed for the ship. Have a great trip!

Today I spoke to 2 people in a store who did an Alaskan cruise last summer. I asked them what is one thing they wished they took with them. They said they had a fleece, jacket, gloves, and hat but they wished they had brought warmer clothes like knee socks or women cuddle duds that go under your pants or sweat pants. When you are walking around in port the temps seem comfortable, but when you are cruising it can get quite cold. You will be spending a lot of time outside enjoying all of the scenery. So I will be adding more to my pile of what to pack.

I loved reading your review. We are traveling on the Holland Oosterdam in July doing the cruise tour. We are doing a lot of the same activities. In Juneau we are doing the whale watch with Harv and Marv, Skagway-trip up the Klondike highway with Trails of 98 and in Ketchikan-Misty Fjords with Island Wings. Loved your beautiful pictures!!! Amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

We are booked with Island Wings next month. We can only carry on phone, camera, and wallet (small fanny pack). We will have back packs with us that we will leave in a locked and secure office until we return. We are very excited and yes it is costly. But it is a once in a life time opportunity.

Sounds like you have fun filled packed schedule with lots of different activities what all ages would enjoy. We leave in July with a group of 10 adults.

I have scheduled the following for us to do after lots of research and reading reviews--Skagway-Trails of 98 (reviews have stated that they have toured with families of all ages), Juneau-Whale watching with Harv and Marv/Mendenhall glacier, Ketchikan-explore the town on our own and 6 of us are to the Misty Fjords tour with Island Wings. These are some ideas you can consider. Check out their websites. Good luck, but make sure that you book your excursions ahead, the ones you have mentioned and mine are very popular. I booked all of ours independently. Enjoy your trip!

When is states that we dock in Haines at 6:30 a.m. do we really dock earlier than the stated time? We need, as well as others to catch the ferry to Skagway that leaves from Haines at 6:45 a.m. I am concerned about the logistics getting off the ship and making the ferry in time to get us to Skagway. I know that they are located next to each other and we need to be down in the area to get off the ship by 6 a.m. I have told everyone. Any advice? Traveling on Holland in July, almost time to go! Very excited and looking forward to the trip! Thanks

Sounds like you have a great day planned! Enjoy!!!

We are going on the Holland Oosterdam in July. I was considering on booking that particular excursion. It looked really good, but we are doing a whale watch in Juneau, we will see Glacier Bay National Park for a whole day, so I wanted to see as much as possible of the land in Alaska also. So after lots of research and reading reviews I chose for our party of 10 http://www.tntours98.com/, the 7 hour tour. Check it out, hope this helps!

Well we are traveling in July with a group of 10. I have with their permission booked all of the excursions for the trip. I am hoping that all goes well with what I have chosen for us to do and that everyone is happy in the end with the trip. I picked out what I booked from doing a lot of research and reading reviews. You have done your best to make recommendations and encouraged your friend to book excursions. At this point of time, you need to just go and enjoy your trip and the excursions that you will be on. At each port there are always vendors or companies waiting to get people to choose them for different activities. Your friends can always do there own plan that way or just explore the town. There are plenty of free or inexpensive things to do at each port. Your friends have time to google these type of ideas at each location. That is something you can suggest. Enjoy your trip!!!

http://vancouvertours.com/ Just go to this website and phone them on the toll free number. This is what I did and I got great service booking our excursions. Check out which one interests you the most. Enjoy!

We have booked this company for 2 days. I personally booked them on the phone with Land Sea Tours. We are going to do the Sea to sky tour and the 4 hour city tour the next day. We are using them for convenience and logistics. We will be there on Aug 2nd, the day of the Pride festival parade. So knowing that they will pick up right at the ship, keep us and our luggage for the day is a great help to us all. The reviews for their trips are wonderful.

Thanks for the great review. We will be traveling on Holland in July. Looking forward to it!!

Check out Land Sea tours. We have booked the Sea to sky tour and the next day the 4 hour city tour. They have many options to choose from. Whatever you choose, they keep your luggage with you and will drop you off right at the airport. Hope this helps.

Enjoy your trip!!!

Juneau-contact Harv and Marv

Skagway--contact Trails of 98

Ketchikan-just explore the town on your own. Or check out Island Wings.

We did not plan to book any excursions there, but this is our chance and opportunity to just do it. So we are doing it.

Our trip is in July. Enjoy your trip.

But, if you are going to book, then do it today.

We booked months ago. Or just book when you are on the ship or come off the ship. Plenty of vendors, I am sure. But I like to have things all booked before I travel.

Juneau--contact Harv and Marv

Skagway--contact Trails of 98

Ketchikan--just explore the town on your own We have booked with Island Wings, we added that on not really planning to do an excursion at this port. But, I this is our chance and opportunity to just do it. So we are!

We are booked to do the Misty Fjords tour with Island Wings the end of July. Looking forward to our trip. Can hardly wait!!!

We will be going on a cruise tour with Holland in July. I have a question in regards to luggage. We are planning to take a 24 inch carry on, plus a backpack for each person for the land portion of the trip and hopefully just 1 larger suitcase that will be sent on ahead to the ship. Will this be acceptable traveling for the trip? Thanks

We will be there in July for the first time on Holland cruise tour. After lots of research and reading reviews we have chosen the following private tours. Juneau-Harv and Marv whale watch, Skagway-Trails of 98 tours, Ketchikan-Island Wings. Check these out to see if they are of interest to you. We are very excited about our trip and looking forward to it! Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!!!

Thanks Budget Queen for your reply. On Holland, you take the train to Seward from Anchorage around noon and then once you arrive we board the ship. They offer their upgrade to take a bus early in the morning so you can do the Kenai Fjords tour, then board the bus. That is what they call their upgrade. I think we will just stay on the train option from what you said about the scenery. Thanks!

Our itinerary plans for us to go on the train from Anchorage or leave earlier and upgrade riding a bus to Seward so we can take the boat tour of Kenai Fjords for the day before boarding the ship. We are going on a whale watch in Juneau and riding the ferry from Haines to Skagway, so we will be on boats in other areas. What are your thoughts concerning this decision? Thanks

We are in Vancouver 2 post days. We are using http://vancouvertours.com/

We are going on the Sea to Sky tour and the 4 hour city tour the next day. They pick you right up from you location whether the hotel or ship dock. One couple is going on the Victoria the second day. Enjoy your trip. We are there in July, looking forward to it.

Check out Land Sea tours in Vancouver. They will pick you up and all of your luggage for the day. There are a variety of tours to choose from. When you are finished they will drop you off at the airport. We are going on tours with them in early August, the Sea the Sky tour and the 4 hour city tour the next day. They have great reviews. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

We are in Vancouver for 2 post days. We have scheduled 2 tours through http://vancouvertours.com/. After lots of research and reading reviews we chose that company. We are doing the Sea to Sky tour and the 4 hour Vancouver city tour. Check the website out to see if any of the tours interest you. Or you can use the Hop on Hop off bus to tour all around the city and get off at the stops of your choice. Good luck, enjoy your trip!

That sort of decision is a personal one that your family will have to make. For me I would not want to spend that kind of money that this trip is costing and not be able to enjoy Alaska for myself to the fullest. I loved traveling with our 4 kids while they were younger, but we took them places like the beach or Disney World. Our first priority was the children at such a young age on vacation. They will not remember, nor appreciate such a wonderful trip to Alaska. In the end that choice is certainly up to you. Whatever you decide I hope that you have a wonderful time!