silly2003

What date are you going to be in Anchorage? Check to see whether the salmon are running yet.

I would leave some downtime just rest and relax. You might want to have a half day for the 8 yr old to play

in a park or on the beach. Instead of a dog sled ride , take the 8 yr to the Seward wildlife center to sea the fish and other animals.

We will be in Anchorage, last 2 days of June, first days of July. So I think the salmon are running in Ship Creek. Is this something you need to bring boots to see or can be seen from the shore?

Here is my 4-day itinerary with 8 year old boy.

Our cruise leaves from Whittier, but I could not get a hotel room in Whittier on the night before we leave so I am opting to go to Seward to see Prince William Sound.

Nothing is in stone yet, still in planning stages, but working hard on getting the itinerary. I am doing some things in Anchorage or Seward, that we could do on the cruise for twice the price. Suggestions? Comments?

Day 1

Arrive @9:30 pm - flying from East Coast

pick up car

stay in Anchorage

Day 2

shop for snacks and lunch for 2 days

Ship Creek to see the Salmon

afternoon: Alaska Native Heritage Museum (mom's pick) or

Alaska Aviation Museum (dad's pick)

stay Anchorage

Day 3

Hike Flattop Mountain - 3 mile hike 30 minutes outside of Anchorage (giving ourselves about 3 hours for the hike plus travel time

afternoon: Alaska Zoo

stay Anchorage

Day 4

Get up early, leave at 8:00 am for Seward

2.5 hour drive to Seward

noon cruise on Resurrection Bay (includes lunch) (12:00 pm - 4:30 pm)

stay night in Seward

Day 5

10:00 Dog Sled Tour (on wheels) in Seward

Lunch in Seward

Drive back to Anchorage in the afternoon, arriving Anchorage at about 4:30 pm

stay night in Anchorage

Day 6

get rid of car and get on transfer to Whittier for beginning of cruise.

Begin 7 day cruise Whittier, AK to Vancouver, BC

(we have 1 day in Vancouver at the end, but we have already spent a week in Vancouver 4 years ago, so nothing big planned for Vancouver)

I have left time at the end of each day for a little wandering around.

OP here --All great ideas, folks.

I already have for my son, tan slacks and a black double breasted suit jacket (the later I got at a consignment sale for $4.00 for a Zombie Halloween costume). And a blue shirt. (I will have to get a tie.) I'm not sure if a black double-breasted jacket goes with tan pants.

Can any fashion police help me out?

Greetings,

I'm doing some research and trying to get a half day hike while we are in or near Anchorage. We are two adults and an 8 year old, who is not much of a hiker, but if we go slow, will enjoy it.

There are two hikes, which I'm having a hard time comparing because they are in different places.

1. In Anchorage - hike to Flattop Mountain about 3 miles - lots of elevation change, drive from Anchorage.

2. Near Palmer - 1 hour outside of Anchorage is the Bodenburg Butte Hike, also about 3 miles also considerable elevation change.

Has anyone done both hikes and can recommend one for a family. On trip advisor they are both well rated, but since they are in different cities, they are not rated against each other. I'm leaning toward Bodenburg Butte, mainly because it seems to have a lot of varied vegetation and also because it is near a Reindeer Farm I want to visit afterward.

Can anyone advise on how to choose. We will not be able to do both hikes as there is too much to do in the 4 days we are going to be in Anchorage before our cruise.

Thank you,

Thanks for all the replies, I learned more than I could have expected. So "formal" on Alaska cruises isn't always so formal and may be a long dinner for an 8 year old will be a pain. I will ask our travel agent her opinion or how long a formal dinner lasts.

I do get one free night to dine at some other restaurant, so maybe doing that on formal night is something to consider. That means only one night would my son have to sit at dinner for so long.

It should be no problem to buy some nice slacks, I'm not sure where to get a tie for a kid, but I'm sure I'll find one.

I have not been on a cruise with my child. He will be 8 for a Princess cruise to Alaska. I would like to participate in the formal nights, mostly because I think the food selection is better in the dining room.

What is expected for formal clothes for an 8 year old boy? I have read the question, before, but most people were suggesting to go to another restaurant, do room service or send your children to eat alone at another restaurant.

Well, we only have one child and I'm not going to have him eat alone in the room or send him to another restaurant alone. So that leaves having to determine the appropriate clothes for my child to eat in the regular dining room on formal nights. Please help.

Thanks,

Silly2003 - haven't been on a cruise since 2005