grammyprf

You can find us under the "rollcall" blog and click on Celebrity then Solstice...we miss you!:D

just join us....... don't let the cruise bug scare you! :)

Our 1st cruise was in 1987, 1st Celebrity in 1994. 7 diff lines over the years. If your sailings are anything like ours have been, you will be hard pressed to go back to the others unless it is a really really great deal.

 

Please come back after your cruise and fill us in on how it was.

gingersnap123 and Evangaline ........Please join us....our rollcall is posted..... It's our first Alaska cruise too.... Pam & Gary Don't let my cruise bug scare you......

please join our roll call my name is Linda and DH is Mike our second on celebrity but first to Alaska

Is it better to take helicopter tours in the afternoon if possible than in the morning?

Google "sloggers" for an inexpensive pair of waterproof comfortable shoes. Not too bulky for packing.:)

Thank you ladies, for all of your great tips. I plan on using every one of them! I have only one remaining issue that has to do with hiking boots. I do not own any and usually wear Birkinstocks for everything. I did purchase a pair of Columbia sneakers for this trip , but now am concerned that they may not suffice for a whale watch boat trip and a visit to Mendenhall glacier. I own a pair of winter boots , but did not want the extra bulk in my suitcase. Any advice?

 

 

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You should check out you ship's rollcall:D to see if anyone has started a blog/rollcall for your cruise. Easier to find anyone on your same cruise. :D If not then you can start one yourself......

Come on the Holland America. We are going July 22, 2015 on the Oosterdam 12 day D5L beginnng in Fairbanks. Looks like a great itinerary. I have done a lot of research in making the decision between cruise lines and the itinerary. People that are going with us were very pleased with the choice. Let me know if you are coming on this trip.

Thanks for sharing your amazing journey thru Alaska. Our 1st Alaska cruise isn't until August 2015...can't wait!

Several people think the best way to see the glaciers is by helicopter and to walk on the ice fields. Once in a lifetime experience....Time and price range vary....but all look amazing in my opinion.:)

What are some of the other glacier helicopter tours...two hours would be enough for us.:)

Greatly appreciate your input.. We want to take the White Pass/Yukon Train in Skagway so Juneau is it. Looked at Viator's Tour Helicopter and Ice Field. We don't cruise until Aug 2015 but researching now. Thanks!

for me "best" is linked with time. Longer is better than shorter, so, it's about the tour in that case. Extended time out, means seeing more and usually 2 glacier landings. But alternative options could be available. All 3 of the Juneau companies are well established giving excellent tours. I suggest you find out what tours they offer and if their schedules fit your time. 2 are ship contractors, 1 does not. Compare rates.

 

There is one company in Skagway, TEMSCO, so take a look at them too.

 

One suggestion- don't give "Mendenhall" glacier any priority. It is a single glacier in the Juneau icefield, there are many many more. It is no better/worse than any of the others, just more known. Glaciers are in a constant state of change.

Looking for reviews on the best Helicopter Glacier excurison..private or cruise ship? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Not too early...we are booked on August 7 2015 on Celebrity Solstice! Exciting just planning and everyone's reviews and ideas on cruise critic!:)

Sorry....we did book the Alaska cruise on the Celebrity Soltice Aug 2015!:)

:)

This is funny but.....this is the second time I read your posts and saw that little bug on the screen. Last year we had ants and last week was the first time I saw it.....I panicked and screamed to my husband "We have the ants back again." When I saw it this time I just laughed thinking about my first experience. I had ripped off a piece of paper to smash "the ant" crawling on my computer screen before I realized I was not able to because it was not real. lol

 

This is going to be our 2nd trip to Alaska! My husband and I are taking our son and his wife for their 10th wedding anniversary! So excited.

Thanks for sharing! We are going to alaska Aug 2015!:)

We sailed into Glacier Bay late August. the weather was magnificent, cool but very clear.

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain479.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain484.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain499-1.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain500.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain514.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain485.jpg

 

Cheers

 

Len

You are a wealth of knowledge... Looked on the Chikoot site and cant seem to find their prices? We are not cruising until August 2015...but looking at what we might want to do now? Any suggestions? How many times have you cruised and been to Alaska? Watch out for my "cruise bug"! Thanks!

There is ONE Lake Bennett train run. All the "tours" contract with White Pass. rs

 

I suggested you compare the tours, reading the various differences with one vendor- meaning Chilkoot. I already explained that the ship tours use full size touring buses which aren't as nice touring this area.

Think we will book this cruise....our first Alaska cruise!:) Looking forward to seeing the glaciers, whales and taking the train ride!

What's the price for a rental car? And can the tour guide go with you?:)

Thanks for sharing picture...which port was this? And what month? Love biking as long as not too many hills!:)

Just don't overdo the "samples" if you are going whale watching right after. ;)

 

We did this back in 2009. I'd say that it's good for casual, experienced bikers. We had a few on our tour that obviously hadn't been on a bike in years and didn't know how to work gears. They had trouble keeping up, particularly on the few small hills. There were also a few who were apparently ardent cyclists, and this was a bit tame for them. Overall, it was very enjoyable. Of course, we were blessed with beautiful, sunny weather. Not sure if it would be as fun in the rain.

 

Remember us

...Pam and Gary?

How you been? We 're cruising on NCL DAWN western Caribbean.Jan 26 2014

Coming up soon.....we are both retired and enjoying travels. Please Stop in at our roll call and say hello.

Pam :)

The curtains are good but not 100% on keeping the light out, the sleeping masks are so small I would bring them.

 

Have a great cruise

This tour carries the tubes for you which may help. And tubes are attached don't need to hold hands. We are doing this tour.:)

Thank you for the replies!

All excursions are booked! Did Bar Hop excursion in Cozumel a few years ago on another cruise line...Loved it! Enjoy!

Hey Pam thanks for the info. We booked victor and the group tour, Belize is just going into the shops and back to the ship, Costa Maya is Nohock Kay AI, and Cozumel is the Bar hop. All are booked and paid so guess were done for now, lol.

Hope all is well. We are enjoying cruising. Cruised NCL Dawn April 21-May 3...Repo Tampa to Boston. Cruising on the Dawn again in Jan 2014. May meet up again someday?:) Pam

Thanks Pia

Is this excursion only available on Royal Caribbean? The unknown must have been alittle scary?! How far from the cruise pier? Could you take a taxi there?

The beach around noon. The Allure was in port with us that day as well so it got a bit busier than this but it was never annoyingly busy. Lots of trees for shade, not a piece of trash in sight, they were even raking the beach while we were playing in the sand.

 

Snorkeling: The water was roped off with buoys so you couldn't go out too far. Nothing grand regarding snorkeling in that area, a couple patches of turtle grass but that's it. A member of our party spotted a large flounder but nothing else to write home about. Along the left side of the beach (looking out at the water) were more turtle grass beds with what seemed like pretty good snorkeling beyond that but it was very shallow and I never saw anyone venturing out.

 

The beach and water. Note the sign on the far right. Directly behind the sign is a local with a table of goods set up. We never saw anyone go over to him, nor did we pay any attention to him, but he was there all day.

 

On the other side of the beach you could walk for what seemed like forever without another person in sight. It was just virgin beach and water.

 

Lifeguards chair and beach. The lifeguard literally watched the water while dancing and singing all day. He was such a nice guy. He loved interacting with my 16 month old daughter.

 

We had a great day and got good reviews from everyone in our party. We are so glad we didn't listen to reviews that said to just stay on the ship, we never felt unsafe, even with a baby with us and the facilities were fine, no complaints! We would definitely go back again if given the opportunity.

What a wonderful excursion...Devils Bridge and the scenery! Lawrence was not available but we had a great guide named Hazel. Highly in favor of this excursion!

We will do this tour on the vision in january...wiill give a review when return. Heard nothing but rave reviews.

QUOTE=Grimsby;36123068]Thanks everyone for all of your comments about your favorite Antigua tour operator. You've been very helpful in expressing your views. In some cases these were expressed rather passionately with conviction. After careful consideration we have selected Lawrence for our tour when Vision of the Seas stops in that port in February, 2013.

Keep posting your reviews on all subjects cruising, they're extremely helpful to those of us with limited, or no experience in a particular cruise related subject or port of call.