Assateague Island Princes

Fantastic Alaska itinerary, I've done it three times - albeit on the beautiful Amsterdam. You are in for a treat.

With respect to your inquiry about excursions - here are some of my favorites:

Kodiak - 3 hour van tour w/Dake from Memorymakers (private excursion, you can Google it for his website). Informative and fun, Dake is a quirky and enjoyable individual. Great memories of walking thru the paths at Ft. Abercrombie, picking (and devouring!) the abundant salmonberries along the way.

Homer - My favorite place on earth! If you are fans of the "Deadliest Catch" tv show, be sure to check the large boat harbor - the Time Bandit home ports there, and you can walk right down on the dock for photos. We've also seen several other ships from the tv show there (as well as the large boat harbor in Kodiak). Walk the Spit enjoying the views and the lovely handcrafted items for sale in the shops, lunch at Capt. Pattie's is always a treat - best halibut and oysters ever, take the shuttle to town to visit the Islands and Oceans Center and the fantastic Pratt Museum, rent bikes to ride along the Spit, rent a car and drive out to Dr. Linda Chamberlain's Howling Huskies Homestead for a private and fascinating tour of her recreational dog mushing kennel. Watch for seals and sea otters right off the beach along the Spit. Take a seaplane flight to Dick Proenekke's cabin at Twin Lakes/Lake Clark with Stellar Air - pricey but oh so worth it if you are a fan of this amazing man.

ISP - fantastic port for whale watching/bear searches. We've gone twice with Capt. Dan of Misty Bay Lodge for both whale watching and bear searches. Jackpot! Saw numerous instances of bubblenet feeding and breaching on our whale watches - how lucky is that! And my bear search was a success as well - two huge bruins, one fishing for salmon in the stream just beneath the bridge we were standing on, and one old boar eating his way thru a blueberry patch right next to the road. Misty Bay Lodge also has wonderful homemade ice cream (gotta try the Loganberry!) and halibut pizza, along with delicious chowders, sandwiches, etc. for lunch following your tour with them.

Anchorage - we've always rented a car (take a cab to the Enterprise office on 5th Ave.) and then driven north to Hatcher Pass, Wasilla for the Iditarod headquarters, and a visit to Martin Buser's Happy Trails kennel (Martin is a 4-time Iditarod winner and the tour of his facility, with him as your guide, is not to be missed!). Stop at the Eagle River Recreational Center on your way back to town for a nice hike on their interpretive trails. Drive to Matanuska Glacier and do an ice climb or just walk out onto the glacier. The views along the Glenn Highway are hard to beat! Take the shuttle into town and visit the weekend market - tons of handcrafted items, fresh fruits/veggies and Alaskan fare for sale.

Enjoy your trip - wish I was doing this sailing again this year. Instead we are taking a 15 day land only trip to Fairbanks and Denali in the fall. Looking forward to seeing the National Park in all it's autumn splendor and hopefully (God willing and the creek don't rise!;)) seeing the Northern Lights from our rental cabin near Fairbanks. Smooth sailing to one of our favorite places on earth. Alaska will just capture your heart - trust me, you'll be back!

Happy sailing to you and Mum, Clipper! Thrilled to be following along on your journey. Will be looking for you both at sailaway. Welcome to the east coast. Kick some butt in "Name that Tune" so that our tradition lives on;)!

Personally, I love ISP and the neighboring village of Hoonah. Very 'Alaskan' once you get past the cruise created port of Icy Strait. Whale watching, as previously stated, is our preferred excursion in this port stop. We've gone twice with a private vendor - Misty Bay Lodge.

Capt. Dan and his wife Hope own and operate Misty Bay Lodge, which as the name implies offers lodging on the second floor, and which also includes a lovely restaurant serving delicious Alaskan fare like homemade salmonberry ice cream, salmon pizza, and all kinds of yummy soups, sandwiches, salads, etc. They also operate a fantastic bear search opportunity in their 8 passenger van, which I've done in the past and thoroughly enjoyed. Seeing those huge brownies catching salmon in a creek right below the bridge we were standing on and an old boar eating his way thru a berry patch right off the side of the road was a real thrill. Their whale watch has always been successful for us - on their small, comfortable 6 pax boat we were fortunate enough to view bubblenet feeding behavior, breaching, and the usual - humps, backs and tails - up close and personal. Would highly recommend!

The walk into Hoonah along the waterfront is just magical - the views over the water are unsurpassed, the opportunity to see whales very close to shore (or even from your ship!) are numerous. Visit the to totem carving shed while in Hoonah and speak to the native carver about his work. Look for the eagle's nest not far from the carver's shed and hope to see some fledglings learning how to fly. Walk down along the town's pier and chat with the fisherman and locals who are happy to share their way of life with interested folks.

Book an independent whale watch or bear search. Go sea kayaking or maybe fishing w/a private vendor. Walk thru the restored cannery, take the time to read the poster boards describing cannery operations of the past. Sit on one of the many benches placed along the walking path and enjoy the view.

At the cruise ship pier, check for times of the native dance troupe who put on a show, walk along the waterfront toward the bar/restaurant where those riding the longest zipline in the world make their 'landing'. Stop at the fire pit along the walking trail and throw in a piece of wood provided by the locals where legend has it that you will insure a return visit to their lovely part of the world. Grab a cup of Tracy's Crab Shack delcious crab chowder at their little 'satellite' stand on the pier. Soak in the atmosphere of a yet unspoiled Alaskan village and count your blessings to experience the serenity and beauty of the place.

If you want a dearth of souvenier shops and recreated-for-tourists excursions, you're in the wrong place. Get outside the cruise ship dock area, SEE and experience the lovely town of Hoonah and the surrounding area. IMHO, that is what THIS port is about. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy this stop on your itinerary;).

Highly recommend Homestead Guest Cabins in Glacier View near Matanuska Glacier. We've stayed there for three nights in the past, and it was a wonderful experience. Beautifully handcrafted cabins built by the owners from his own sawmill. We had a moose family visit us every morning and every evening - such a thrill! Lovely people who have so much experience to share. If you get the opportunity,talk to the owner's father, an elderly gentleman who is an original Alaskan homesteader - he even wrote a book, which I ordered off Amazon. Clean, comfortable cabins w/all the comforts of home and very close to the Glacier.

Be careful what you wish for! I have SO many favorite Alaska cruise excursions - each varied and interesting and fun and exciting. But I'll give you a few off the top of my head, all done independently, not ship tours. Grab a beverage and maybe a snack, this is gonna be a LONG list;). Here goes:

Ketchikan:

- Misty Fiords flightseeing w/Michele of Island Wings - stunning scenery.

-"Romantic Alaska" w/Ketchikan Outdoors - just DH and I dropped off on an island off the coast w/a roaring campfire, a small tent, a picnic lunch of smoked salmon, fresh fruit, thermos of coffee/tea/hot chocolate, and even Alaska Amber Ale for DH, three hours of secluded bliss to beachcomb, hike the island, and even see whales right off the coast. So unique!

Juneau:

- Harv and Marv whale watching (www.harvandmarv.com) - small 6 pack boat, excellent personalized service from captains who know and love "their whales" - getting up close and personal w/those behomoths is just awe inspiring!

- Mendenhall Lake sea kayaking thru Above and Beyond Alaska. How often to you get to paddle amongst icebergs and right up to the face of the glacier?

- Car rental - drove out to the fish hatchery and enjoyed watching the sea lion at the bottom of the fish ladder having himself a 'smorgasboard', drove out the road to Eagle Beach where the salmon were swimming thick right against the shore - eagles, eagles everywhere! A stop at the brewery for some samples and a tour. A stop at Mendenhall Glacier for the shore to glacier perspective after our sea kayaking. Wonderful, very inexpensive 'excursion' giving us the ability to spend as much or as little time at the stops as we chose.

- Lunch at Tracy's Crab Shack. The humungous crablegs - as thick around as a grown man's wrist - are mouthwatering and oh, so delicious! Pricey, but worth every cent!

Sitka:

- a private boat tour with Capt. Davey of the Ester G (www.puffinsandwhales.com) - just an awesome experience! Not only did we see puffins, sea otters and humpbacks, I saw my first Gray whale! What a thrill! (PS - Davey's wife's homemade chocolate chip cookies didn't suck either!;))

- Numerous visits to the Raptor Center followed by a walk thru the forest down to the Totem Park, and then along the waterfront back to town. Be sure to visit the aqaurium along the waterfront (it just got upgraded and expended last year - its quite large now) to see the salmon spawning pools, the touch tanks for the kids, and the views from the property itself. Lovely...

Homer:

- First time there we rented motorized bikes and had a ball zipping up and down the Spit, going over to town, watching the sea otters floating right off the beach at Lands End, enjoyed THE best Halibut and Chips at Capt. Patties, visiting the lovely Pratt Museum in town, along w/the Islands and Oceans Center, purchased lots of handcrafted jewelry and pottery along the Spit, searching for the crab boats from the "Deadliest Catch" tv show in the large boat harbor. HUGE thrill for this Deadliest Catch fan - even got my picture taken with Eddie from the Time Bandit - woo-hoo:p!

- Rented a car and drove to the Homer Brewery (get yourself some of their Chai tea to take home as a souvenier - delicious!), then drove out East End Road to Dr. Linda Chamberlain's mushing kennel (www.howlinghuskies.com) for a wonderful tour of the homestead and kennels, learn about the recreational aspect of dog mushing, even got to harness the dogs and see her husband make honey! Afterwards, we stopped at a little general store/post office that Linda had recommended, Fritz Creek General Store, for the most amazing homemade pizza in a surreal setting overlooking Kachemak Bay sitting on the deck w/locals who were stopping in to pickup their mail.

- Went flightseeing with Stellar Air to Dick Proenecke's cabin (Google it - what a pioneer, he is our Alaskan hero!) on Twin Lakes. Flying over active volcanoes and the beautiful Kachemak Bay and then descending onto the carribbean blue waters of the Twin Lakes and taxiing up to the beach to be met with the incredible cabin that Mr. Proenecke had built was probably the most memorable thing we have ever done. Priceless!

Kodiak:

- Driving tour of the island with Dake from Memorymakers - an eccentric, interesting guy who married his bride just last year - with both of them and all of their wedding party outfitted in hipwaders while in the middle of a salmon stream! Fun guy! We drove up to the wind towers for stunning views of your ship docked in port, drove out to the river to look for bears (lots of footprints, but sadly, no bears:(), a stop for a hike at Ft. Abercrombie - feasting on salmon berries all along the trail, a tour of the harbor (again looking for Deadliest Catch boats - jackpot!). Going to Cy's Sporting Goods and Mack's Sporting Goods for the best Alaskan souveniers ever, and finishing up our tour with a stop at the Kodiak Brewing Company before walking back to the ship.

Skagway:

- Rented a car for a drive up to Emerald Lake in the Yukon, purchasing "Murray's Guide" (google it) which provides a mile-by-mile interpretation of what you will see. We stopped at Carcross, had lunch at Spirit Lake cafe with the best blueberry pie you'd ever want to have, visited the littlest desert, took a ton of photos of several bears we saw feasting on dandelion right next to the road, and just soaked up the gold rush history and the spectacular scenery along the way.

Anchorage:

- Twice we've rented a car and drove to Independence Mine and Hatcher Pass (saw our first moose on the drive up to the Pass!), then drove to Martin Buser's Happy Trails Kennel in Big Lake, after a stop in Wasilla to visit the Iditarod Headquarters. Martin is a four time Iditarod winner - just a sweet, intersting guy who adores his dogs. Hearing his stories of life on the trail, cuddling his puppies, and having a personal conversation with this amazing man was well worth the drive. Each time we had an amazing day exploring the area north of Anchorage in the Matsu valley, so much to see and do. Stopped at the Eagle River recreational area for a long hike, even visited a fellow CC'er who lives near Big Lake where she gave us a tour of her family's poppy farm and sent freshly baked salmon berry pies with me to the ship for our fellow Roll Call members!

- Have gone to the weekend market, which is chockfull of authentic Alaskan crafts, food, and people! Also went to the Aurora Show at the theater downtown twice seeing a film of the Northern Lights set to music - fantastic!

Icy Stait Point:

- Whale watching with Capt. Dan of Misty Bay Lodge - WOW!!! Again, a small, 6 pack boat with a covered aft, a confortable interior with a bathroom and small kitchen, and a flying bridge on top for excellent viewing if the weather is good and the seas are fair. Our first time we were lucky enough to see numerous instances of bubblenet feeding, spy hopping and lunging - wow! Just Wow! there are no words!

I've also gone on a bear search w/Misty Bay Lodge - and again, we were lucky enough to see two brown bears - one a young male working his way up a salmon stream to pass just beneath the bridge we were standing on, and the other, an old boar eating his way thru a berry patch right next to our van along an old logging trail. Breathtaking!

Be sure to stop in at Misty Bay Lodge after your tour to enjoy some of their delicious halibut pizza, homemade seafood chowder, fresh blueberry or salmonberry homemade ice cream, or any of their yummy sandwiches.

I could go on and on, but I see that I've already typed the first half of a rival to 'War and Peace' so I'll quit now. Suffice it to say, I love Alaska and all that it has to offer. After two 7 day cruises, three 14 day cruises, and one land only trip of 17 days back in 2013, we are now anxiously firming up our plans for a September trip this year - land only - with two nights near Denali National Park so we can see the park in all its Autumn glory, and then 7 days in a rental cabin just north of Fairbanks with hopes of seeing the Northern Lights - woo-hoo! Can't come soon enough.

Enjoy your trip to magical Alaska! Trust me, you'll be back!

Very happy for you Jim, that you were finally able to book! I've been following your tale of woe ont he boards for awhile now, and was hoping it would happen for you soon!

I've done this amazing itinerary three times now on the Amsterdam - 2010, 2011 and 2014 (with Alberta Quilter aka "Clipper" on my 2014 sailing;)). It is truly the best 14 day itinerary out there - no repeat ports (by putting together two 7 day cruises), and gets you to some really spectacular ports that most others don't get to visit - Kodiak, Homer, and the city of Anchorage itself. You are truly in for a treat!

Best wishes to you and smooth sailing on this magnificent itinerary!:D

You're welcome - glad to help give you some ideas and suggestions. BTW, the HAL's shuttle to the Spit is free, but I believe the shuttle to town had a cost - I'm thinking $10, but not really sure since we didn't take advantage of it last year.

On one of our visits to Homer on the HAL 14 day itinerary, we rented a car - very inexpensive 'excursion.' The man from the rental agency brought the car out to the Spit, meeting us at the Fisherman's Memorial. We had a good hour or so to walk the Spit, visiting the lovely shops and enjoying the view. We then spent time looking for some of the Deadliest Catch crab boats in the large ship harbor - if you are a fan of the TV show, it is thrilling! Jackpot! We saw several - the Time Bandit , (which is homeported there - and I was able to get my photo taken with Eddie from the crew:D), the Ramblin' Rose, and the Cape Caution.

Once we picked up the car, we went to the Homer Brewery for some samples, then drove out East End Road to visit Dr. Linda Chamberlain's Howling Husky Homestead mushing kennel. Wonderful, private tour of their recreational mushing kennel, we got to harness a dog, spend time in their small, but very well-done museum and recreated Iditarod checkpoint, even watch them make honey! On the drive back to town, Linda had suggested a stop at Fritz Creek General Store for some delicious early dinner of homemade pizza. Really funky little place which is part general store and part post office - lots of locals to chat with and superb, really unique food offerings. We returned the car to the airport location, and they drove us back to the ship. All in all, a great inexpensive day in one of our favorite places - Homer!

You can also take the HAL shuttle over to the Spit, walk out to Lands End Resort for some amazing views and look for otters in the Bay, or watch people (and eagles!) fishing from the beach, have a wonderful halibut lunch at Capt. Patties on the Spit, go to the Seafood Co-op and get some fresh Kachemach Bay oysters (which my DH declares the best in the world;)); maybe rent bikes to ride on the Spit or into town; or take the shuttle into town and visit the very worthwhile Pratt Museum and the Islands and Oceans Center, and stop in some of the local pottery shops. Take the ferry to Seldovia (cheaper to book on your own rather than thru HAL). The possibilities are endless.

I'd suggest ordering Homer's Visitor's Guide for even more suggestions of this beautiful port. We fell in love w/Homer on our first visit back in 2010 that prompted us to rent a house there for a week in 2013, right on the shores of Kachemak Bay overlooking two glaciers. We had an amazing week there and filled all our days with so many things to see and do. Have fun!

The problem w/early May cruisetours is that the shuttle bus in Denali doesn't run far enough into the park (Eielson Visitor's Center) until the first week of June. How many nights are you staying in Denali, and what have they offered for your stay there? If it is only the Natural History Tour, which is basically worthless - getting less than the drivable distance into the park and not much chance of seeing wildlife - then I'd reconsider the date of your land portion of the trip.

BQ - I believe the 4X4 excursion the OP is speaking of is in a Rhino or Mule type vehicle going up a mountain trail, not a Jeep. Correct me if I'm wrong, OP.

If that is the case, I recall reading very favorable reviews of the 4X4 excursion here on CC and on Trip Advisor as well - though it was several years ago. You might want to try the "Search" feature here on CC and type in "Takshanuck 4X4" and see what comes up.

Lulubelle - you can order Tracy's crab legs, bisque, crab cakes, etc. thru their website and have it shipped directly to your home. That way, when you have a 'hankering' it is waiting in your freezer. I order the bisque every year to take to my family's christmas celebration, and everyone is most appreciative!;) The website is www.kingcrabshack.com. Enjoy!

Thanx for posting your experience in Denali in the fall, Elaine! We're hoping for the best. All reservations are now in place - rental car and flights booked, two nights in Healy Height's Cabin for two shuttle bus trips into the park. Then 7 nights in a cabin near Fairbanks. We're very excited and looking forward to our latest Alaska adventure.

I just know you will enjoy that spectacular 14 day itinerary. Having port stops in Homer and Kodiak especially are big selling points for me....and the rest of the itinerary doesn't suck either;)! I hope you have a wonderful time! I've never sailed on the Statendam, but it is even smaller than the Amsterdam, which to me for Alaska is a huge plus. We went on the May 18th sailing in 2014, and loved that time frame for the long hours of daylight. Enjoy!

Nancy - Ketchikan Taxi Cab tours are $74/hour. Most tours are 2 to 3 hours. If you have several people like we did (four of us), it was a very inexpensive and enjoyable excursion. No deposit. You pay after the tour - they take both cash or credit card. Google "Ketchikan Taxi Cab" for additional information.

7055 definitely is the most obstructed with the staircase crossing right in front of the window. I wouldn't say that 7056 is obstructed at all from a full on straight view out the window. The staircase is to the left of the window and does interfere w/your direct line of sight to the aft. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to book either of these 2 cabins due to the quick access to that aft deck, which is indeed peaceful, never crowded and quite large with several loungers and small tables. Wonderful for a quick and quiet nap while staring at the wake. Believe me, I know;)....

I since asked my friends who sailed in 2715 last May and they said they had experienced no noise issues from inside the cabin. Granted being out on that aft deck on the Main isn't ideal for several reasons - there is a constant mechanical noise (almost like a fan sound?), as well as the solid super structure of the aft of the ship, which requires you to stand to see out. Whereas, the open railings on the aft of the Navigation deck (7) are such that being seated is not an issue. That being said, the aft on the Main deck provides easy access to the great outdoors, and as I said previously, just one short flight of steps up to the Promenade.

No personal experience, however I sailed to Alaska on the Amsterdam's wonderful 14 day itinerary last May with friends who happened to book 2715 - the cabin right next door to the one you inquired about. I visited them in their cabin many times, and it appeared so much larger than a regular oceanview. They chose to have the beds remain apart rather than together as one large bed, and that afforded even more room and the ability to go right up to the window to look out over that small 'secret' public deck on the aft of the ship. Just one flight of steps up to the largest balcony on the ship;) too! They had no issues w/noise, etc., loved the size and location of that cabin and said they'd happily choose that cabin again.

I have stayed in an ocean view on the Main deck, just three cabins from the aft and it was very convenient to get outside quickly to enjoy the spectacular aft views - particularly in Alaska. I've also stayed in one of the two 'secret' cabins on the aft of Deck 7 (7056)and LOVED it. To me, 7056 was better than a balcony cabin because just five steps out the cabin door to that little known and little used aft deck that spans the width of the ship. Just one flight of stairs up to the aft Lido pool/Seaview Bar/Lido Restaurant. Excellent location as well. Would book 7056 (or even its sister cabin, 7055) on the Amsterdam in a heartbeat!

Re: the episode of Alaska Bush People filmed at Misty Bay Lodge - for those of you going on a whale watch w/ them this season - that is Hope serving the cast the pizza in the Lodge, and that is Capt. Dan who offers to help them out when their boat won't start as they are leaving Hoonah. Both Hope and Capt. Dan are great people who love Alaska and love 'their whales' so I was happy to see them get a bit of exposure on the Discovery Channel...despite the show they were on;).

To the OP - as BQ stated, if you would end up seeing any bears in the May time frame, it would purely be by chance. That being said, I did do a bear search w/Misty Bay Lodge following a whale watch on one of my visits to ISP in August of 2011, and we were fortunate enough to see two bears - one fishing in a stream feasting on salmon, and the other, an old boar, filling his belly with blueberries on a hillside right next to the road. Getting out there to see the back country of Hoonah is fascinating and very pretty. We saw lots of deer as well as our two bears and really enjoyed it. But if you're counting on seeing bears, I'm afraid you'd be disappointed in that time frame. Sorry. Do the whale watch with MBL, you won't be disappointed!:D

I've gone w/both vendors several times - Harv and Marv and Misty Bay Lodge - though unfortunately due to funds, not on the same trip. Enjoyed each and every whale watch w/these two vendors - love the 6 passenger limit and the personalized tours given by the captains (Capt. Jay w/H&M and Capt. Dan w/MBL) every time. The ability to ask questions and learn from their personal experience, I believe, very much enhanced the experience. I've also done a combination whale watch/bear search in mid-August of 2011 w/Misty Bay Lodge and that was wonderful as well.

My advice would be to look at your other options for excursions in Juneau - simply because that port offers a wider variety of activities/interests and more vendors to provide those services. Then, if something intriques you other than whale watching in Juneau - book it and cancel H&M. Or if expense is not a factor - do whale watching in BOTH ports, and consider booking a second excursion in Juneau that pairs up with your whale watch excursion and time in port.

Believe me, if funds were not a factor, I'd whale watch in every port I could - but that is me....something I find very enjoyable and fascinating. I'm one of those people who spends a majority of my time on the ship outdoors on public decks (or my balcony, if I'm so fortunate) scanning the seas for whales. Even distant, short-lived views of a hump or tail is thrilling to me!;)

gracebest - to answer your question about the eagles, we didn't go to any one place to specifically see eagles - they were everywhere! (Kinda like seagulls on east coast beaches if you catch my drift;)). Just look in the trees for what appear to be white golf balls, those are the heads of these magnificent birds. You can't miss 'em!

Hope you and your grandkids enjoy your visit. A rental car is a wonderful option for family groups w/children!

I'm a big fan of Clark's low hikers - I have two pairs, one lighter than the other, but both very light and cushiony (and waterproof;)). I've also done Alaska w/just leather sneakers that I sprayed w/waterproofing before going. Boots are not necessary.

Whatever comfortable walking shoes you may already own - sneakers, etc. - will be fine. Just bring a second pair in case you choose not to waterproof and that first pair gets wet. Nothing worse than soggy, wet, cold feet when you're in port.

In addition to what others have offered, here are a few of MY 'must haves':

1) Insulated coffee mug w/lid - to fill up and use for your morning Joe/tea or an adult beverage as you are out on deck;

2) Battery operated candle to use as a night light in your bathroom - you won't take up precious outlet space, and it will save you (and any cabin mates) from blinding light shock when nature calls during the night;

3) Wristlet-type wallet for your ID, cruise card, $$$, credit cards, lip balm, etc. for days in port or walking around the ship. Small enough to toss in your backpack while on excursions or even just hanging off your wrist for easy access while leaving you relatively hands free.

4) Knit headband and gloves for glacier day or chilly mornings outside on the ship.

5) Extra batteries and cards for your camera.

No, I don't think so, Mapleleaves - I just scrolled back, they're looking for transportation in and around Seattle - to the port, airport, etc. Maybe you are thinking of another thread?

BQ - I believe the shuttle service you are referring to is Matt Schmer from Seattle Express. The cost is $12/pp with payment expected day of service.

For the OP, the phone number for Seattle Express is 206-793-8430. We've used them numerous times and have always had excellent service with them picking us up at our hotel (Sleep Inn Seatac) and taking us to to the pier, or vice-versa following our cruise.

Hi Barb!

Yes, those first 2010 sailings of this itinerary turned out to be like one happy family, didn't it? It was so enjoyable to log onto CC and see all the different postings on each Roll Call for each sailing. Excited, giddy chatter back and forth! And I think we all gained so much by sharing information. Ah....those were the days!:p

Good for you booking the later flight - that should work out just fine, particularly since the port time in Anchorage is til 11PM - you've got lots of wiggle room:D.

Next trip you ask? Back to Alaska - where else??? LOL! This time, we're firming up plans for a land only trip in early to mid-Sept. to Fairbanks and Denali. Our main priority is to catch Denali in all its stunning Fall color glory; and hopefully (please God:o), the opportunity to see the Northern Lights in all THEIR glory. Renting a cabin on a lake for 3 nights near Trapper Creek or Willow, then renting another cabin outside Fairbanks for about 8 nights. While in the Fairbanks area, we want to be able to journey down the Richardson Highway on day trips to see the spectacular views we've only been able to see second hand, a walk thru the forest with reindeer at Running Reindeer Ranch, a visit (or two....) to a couple of musher's camps in the area (gotta get me some puppy loving while I'm gone), visiting the museum at the University of Alaska, and a few evenings soaking in the hot springs at Chena Hot Springs with perhaps the Aurora dancing over head.

I wish you and yours a magnificent journey back to the Great Land. Enjoy each and every moment, and hope to hear all about it when you return. Smooth sailing, my friend.;)

Zelker - I've done this itinerary 3 times, the most recent being this past May 18th (2014). Due to unexpected forest fires on the Kenai Peninsula as we were sailing up Cook Inlet, we were delayed in docking in Anchorage by about 1 1/2 hours. The first bus wasn't there til after 9AM for pick-up. Plus on the past two trips we didn't dock on time in Anchorage. I would definitely try to re-book your flightseeing excursion for a later time. An alternative to getting the bus into town would be to get a cab at the port. They were lined up there on all three of my cruises, the port employees would fill one, wave them off and then wave the next cab in to pick up.

Yes, I've bought some several times to bring home for my Mom who has severe arthritis. She loves the stuff and says it really helps. I buy mine in Sitka, at a small shop run by a young family. It is located near the bridge, sorry can't remember the name. BUT, I've seen Devil's Club cream/lotion in every Alaskan port in the various shops, you shouldn't have any problem finding it in Juneau, Ketchikan, or Skagway, depending on which ports your ship calls.