Miss Dot
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You could rent a car in Skagway and drive up to Emerald Lake. It wouldn't be as pricey as the train excursion, and you would be able to explore on your own. Then you could whale watch in Juneau and do a float plane tour in Ketchikan.
THAT is exactly what we are doing!
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We are sailing Vancouver to Whittier in May.. We love to spend time on our balcony relaxing & taking in the views. This is our 1st trip to Alaska 1st time on Coral & my question is...We are going to want to take in the ship & all it has to offer but what are the MUST SEE spots while sailing that we need to be viewing the sensory outside? I have read mention of bridges, viewpoints etc I would hate to be checking out the ship & miss an awesome viewing moment..Is there a book I can purchase, A map? I feel like this is such a different cruise than the others we have done. If I'm in the spa or casino although fun I would hate to miss something unforgettable.. Thank You!
Since you have cruised; how would you answer your question? Help those of us sailing soon
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just a word of caution... if you are planning to drive you might not want to pick Radiance of the Seas. our all aboard time was 4:00 and it was stressful getting back in time. I wish I had picked an itinerary that gave us more time because we missed out on several things. btw, the cinnamon bun at the bakery shown above was the best we ever had!
Anyone know the name if this bakery?
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Do you need to dress up or can you wear jeans to the dinners that are included with the land tours in Alaska? What about the Denali Dinner Theatre
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Hi, I'm currently on Radiance of the seas northbound. We were suppose to be in Hubbard glacier today but it was cancelled due to severe weather. Whole ship is moving a lot, stuff was flying in the room last night. Lots of people sea sick. Just a heads up for everyone who is planning a cruise to experience a glacier day.
Also I had an interesting conversation with an official (not associated with cruise line) who told me that glacier bay might get closed to cruise ships in next 2 years.
What was the reason given for the possible closure? So sorry your trip had to cut the Bay
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I forgot to circle back here and post our pictures, so here goes:
Not a lot to see in the set, but those of you on this thread will likely enjoy the series near the end where I show the range of lenses we took. I went up on deck 19 aft, port side, and aimed at the bridge. You'll see shots from the 11-24, 24-105, 100-400, 600, and 600&1.4x. I left lots of other lenses back in the room (too much to carry and nothing truly gained), but you can at least get a sense of what you can shoot with what.
I did feel like even the 840 (600x1.4) wasn't enough for great eagle shots on the tour we chose. Oh well... :(
Thank you so much for sharing your awesome shots with us! Sadly, I only go to 400; so be thankful for your 600 HaHa
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I was able to find a very reasonable hotel (Sandman Hotel for $150) that has a free shuttle to the airport. The best thing is that they are letting us check in at 8AM, instead of the usual 4PM! Also reserved a car at Alamo for $60 (full size so we can fit all our luggage in). We can get the car right at the terminal and drop it at the airport. This seems to be the way to go for us, as we can have time to rest, as well as a car to do some sightseeing or drive to any activities we decide to do.
Now I'll be researching to find things to see or do along the route from the terminal to the airport... or somewhat so.
Thank you so much for this thread & now idea! Since our flight was changed to MUCH later we have been trying to decide what to do; was leaning toward HOHO. Now we too are renting a car for the day! Pick up at dock & drop off at airport
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thanks for the kind words. I'll try to answer some of your questions
what video camera did you use and what software did you use to edit the video. Thanks i used two cameras. Main camera is a sony hxr-nx30. The b-camera is a gopro on a 3 axis gimbal. I edit on avid
[where did your se the bear? Also, i've seen so many photos of the lighthouse at the end do you know the name of it?
/i] we go to alaska almost every year. We have seen bears in may, june july, august & september. Best chance july & august. The bear shown was at mendenhall glacier in juneau. They have a bear watching area. Ask the rangers, they'll let you know if their up and about. Have patience, i don't know how many times people i'm standing with give up after a few minutes and go see the glacier and two or three bears pop out.
We also saw a bear this time in skagway.
the light house is eldred rock light house. It's about two hours outside skagway, if you want to see the best scenery it's as you leave skagway for about 3 hours during the transit of lynn canal. Hopefully you have daylight eat late and light house is on starboard.
have fun in the great land
thanks!
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I have looked at my paperwork and we do have transfers from the airport in Fairbanks to the hotel included with our tour. Also, we called the hotel today to confirm.
Don't think it was this thread but also we do have a lunch voucher included with our tour while on the train out of Whittier.
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Yes, it's a huge price difference; the shuttle to Eielson is such a bargain !!
The reservation web site provides detailed information about the Tundra Wilderness Tour and Eielson shuttle. AND a map that shows the location of the major stopping points.
Basically :
- the TWT is 8 hrs and goes to Mile 53, Toklat. If the mountain is out the tour goes to mile 62, Stoney Hill. The bus stops every 90 minutes for a restroom break and for any wildlife sightings. The driver has a prepared narration to share with passengers. If wildlife is far away, the driver has a camera to zoom in, and will project that sight on a drop down screen. Toklat has a large tented store, pit toilets/chemical toilets.
- the Eielson shuttle is 8 hrs and goes to Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66. The driver stays there for 30-40 minutes so it's good place to have your picnic lunch. The VC has awesome views of the mtn if it's out, rangers, displays, trails, a bus dispatcher in case you want to take a later bus back, flush toilets, drinking fountains, seating areas. The bus stops at the same restrooms, stops for wildlife. I've always had great drivers who shared lots of info about the history and geology of the park , but if you get a quiet driver you can hop off then flag down the next bus. You need to bring your own beverage and lunch/snack (your hotel can prepare one). And you need to make arrangements to get to the park (Princess has an hourly shuttle). An added benefit of the shuttle is that it leaves every 15 or 30 minutes so you can pick a departure that works best for your schedule.
I've taken the shuttle several times and LOVED it. I have no experience with the tour. As a budget traveler I couldn't bring myself to spend MORE money but get a shorter trip.
The reservation page which will open to the park road map is below. Look at the locations of Toklat, Stoney Hill and Eielson. Click on PLAY to find details about the TWT and Eielson shuttle. http://www.reservedenali.com/shuttles.aspx
Thank you
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It's going to sound harsh- but there are NOT "crowds" in Alaska, expect at the port shopping areas. :)
Wrong assumptions are being made. You NEVER see more than a few cars/buses at any single, scenic stop, the numbers aren't even 100. :) My above "huddled" description is very accurate- I've seen this numerous times. So what there is a bus load of people next to you?
You do want to be flexible with Caribou Crossing. I don't recommend independents, lunch here, it's just OK. IF you see a stack of tour buses, they could all be at the included lunch, which offers good viewing of the sled dogs or museum as an example. Even at the peak of buses, there is still plenty of space. This is very touristy by it's nature anyway. An, overall, small portion of the journey.
Do you have a recommendation place for lunch on this drive?
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Chemical toilets/outhouses. Some worse than others. I would suggest bringing a decent size package of baby wipes. (sanitizer isn't enough)
It's a significant reason I always recommend Eielson shuttle buses in Denali. running water and flush toilets- in a building. You are getting the outhouses. If you're on Princess- consider a sizable refund, and booking Eielson on your own.
There is a big price difference; is there that much tour difference? We are scheduled with Princess as part of our land tour!
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My review is now posted in 2 parts. The first deals with the land tour, "From Anchorage to Skagway" and the second part is listed under "Review of HAL Cruise from Skagway to Vancouver".
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2216641
Thank you for taking the time to post these reviews
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Sorry but I have to disagree with you. Airport transfers were included. It is right on my itinerary plus we received transfer vouchers on board ship before docking in Vancouver.
As for luggage you can keep vs sending to the ship, note that EACH person can keep one suitcase. We had only two suitcases between us so we could have kept them both. Decided not to and sent one to the ship.
The info regarding arriving late and waiting to get your luggage is correct. I took a small rolling carryon (in addition to our two checked bags) and I packed that with our sleepwear, kit bags and change of clothes so we could shower and go to sleep without worrying about the luggage. Best move I made.
We arrive like 8:30 PM
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Our experience on a Connoisseur tour in Alaska with Princess
see above in red
Thank you!
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You won't need to filter anything out - it will be the only excursion offered in Tracy Arm. :)
If you'd like to experience it vicariously, take a look at our photos from last year:
Photos from this particular excursion are BECA-BFAB.Again Thank you for sharing your awesome photos! Have you posted 2015 photos yet?
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Hubbard Glacier viewing is forward. same as above with Glacier Bay, except, staying out after you leave Glacier Bay, until dusk, is all scenic sailing and also goes past Point Adolphus which is a humpback feeding area.
Same with Juneau. Since you may have a later Ketchikan port day? Being out from dawn, may give you a chance for Snow Pass. Ask the naturalist, or inquire at guest services to ask the bridge.
Last sailing day- keep an eye out for when you get to the Queen Charlottes. Seeing land, then stay out, rest of daylight. This is a jackpot for close up scenic viewing and good chance of orcas. And depending on the schedule, I have gone through the Seymour Narrows during daylight. A few trips, I could see Vancouver off in the distance.
Thanks for this info!
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THANK you so much for your quick response to all my questions. Will be watching for your blog update
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Thank you so much for your posting!
Our tour starts June 11th; just a few questions if I may.
Were you picked up from the airport in Fairbanks? Must you send some luggage on to the ship? On the train to Denali is a meal included with the Tour? We weren't happy when we saw the dinner theatre on our tour; tried to change to the covered wagon dinner but they wanted to double the price, was told we may be able to change when we get to the lodge??? Now which trip were you saying there was no lunch included and you wish you had brought lunch?
We have early setting dinner too, not so sure we should keep it. I want to be sure to make crab leg night LOL
Any suggestions for seating on the stern wheeler or the train?
Again, thanks for your time!
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Does anyone know will they still sell you a one-way shuttle ticket? Last time, we paid the round trip price and were stuck waiting on a white bus when a blue bus was already there. We decided next time we would just purchase a one way there, and pay the first bus that comes along to get back.
If so, is a one-way 10?
I contacted the office &'was told yes we could purchase our ticket back from the bus driver. Said it was raised from $8. To $10. this year.
BTW my friend grew up in Plainfield
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We did a Seattle round trip last July, no 4GLTE but did have 3G Sprint in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan (roaming but no roaming charges with our plan). Did not use voice or text but did upload photos to Facebook. Also, with Sprint, we got a special Canada package (special lower rate) for the month ($3.99) "just in case" when we were in Victoria, Fraser and Carcross.
Thank you for the update; good to know. I'll have to check that out for only $3.99 worth it
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It is generally agreed that the left side of the train is best when departing Skagway, the right side when returning (note: at the summit, the train is not physically turned, the engine is "run around" to the other end so the left side up is the same as the right side down).
When we did Bennett Scenic Journey (Skagway to Carcross) last July, we were in a group of 20 with Chilkoot Charters and had our car to ourselves. Only one other and myself on the open platform along with the conductor who provided a lot of interesting info about the line.
The climb up out of Skagway, there are several areas, including bridges, to look down! Otherwise, just look straight out across the canyon. Looking forward, you will only see the inside of the car you are riding in.
Still photos ...
GoPro video clips ...
THANK you for sharing your beautiful photos!
Getting on and off floatplane
in Alaska
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Used Island Wings this week and I too have balance issues plus a knee replacement last year. Michelle was there with a helpful hand as were other guests on the plane. We LOVED this trip .