travelin_nat

If we could only do a 7-day cruise we would do a south-bound rather than north-bound out of Vancouver (cruises out of Vancouver provide splendid scenery for a much larger part of the cruise). On the north-bound we found all flights home from Anchorage were late late at night and we were exhausted. If we did a south-bound only we could fly to Anchorage, play for a day and then head to Whittier for the cruise - lots more flight options out of Vancouver at the end of the trip. A pal recently took the north-bound cruise and booked a hotel room at Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage - gave them a place to relax, rest after wandering the town before their midnight flight and that worked very well for their family. Our solution to the dilemma is doing B2Bs out of Vancouver - love spending 2 days in each port and the wildlife viewing remains a huge draw for us. Like other posters, we've booked our 6th "one and only" Alaska cruise for next year - never gets old! This year we're splurging on the helicopter/dog sled excursion in Juneau which is pricey but sounds like a spectacular experience. We're also huge Juneau Whale watch fans, and Skagway Chilkoot Tours where you take a van up to the Yukon and down via White Mountain Pass rail road. SO much to see and do in Alaska!

You are so right about the flight options. Wish we had booked a south bound instead. We booked an early morning flight and got a hotel for the night. Neither one of us are willing to take a red eye flight. Taking a bus to Anchorage as soon as we dock so we can relax, check in to the hotel, and get to bed at a decent hour.

Some day when we can take more time off work, we will add a land tour to a cruise....

Our first Alaskan cruise was a RT out of Seattle. We also felt we didn't see enough of Alaska this way. We are going again next month doing a one-way out of Vancouver. The one excursion I am repeating is the helicopter tour in Juneau. My daughter went with me last time, taking my hubby this time.

On our last trip, we got extremely lucky with an Outside cabin that had recently been renovated, and the window was actually more like a glass wall - floor to ceiling window. We booked a balcony guarantee this trip since we are celebrating out 30th anniversary. Hope it's worth it!

We purchased a cream from REI for a trip to Honduras. It worked great, will definitely use it again.

Living in south Texas, we also have warm/hot weather most of the year. I spent too much money on special clothes for Alaska and regretted it. I agree with the suggestion to layer. There will be days where you are good in a t-shirt, and conversely a day when you will need a heavy coat (glacier sailing - as mentioned). This trip I am packing mostly t-shirts with a zip-up fleece jacket and a heavier coat.

Have fun!! :)

We are traveling on Radiance 6/26. Considering Halibut fishing end of June in Icy Strait Point. Is this a good time to do this? If so, any recommendations on booking through the cruise line vs. Ear Mountain Charters? TIA.

In the summer, the Anchorage airport is almost always busy...

Other than Alaska Air, a lot of the carriers just do one or two flights a day from Anchorage. So if you miss your flight, it may be a nightmare finding another. So I personally would err on the side of caution. If you get checked in and through security quickly, take some time to explore the art work on the 2nd level of the concourse.

I noticed that. And it seems most flights leave late at night or in the middle of the night. Seems odd to me given the number of cruisers they must have flying out of there. We're just not up for a redeye flight. So....we'll take the bus to town so we can check in to the hotel and turn in early and get a few extra hours of sleep before we get up at (before) the crack of dawn. :D

From where are you needing a car?

From Seward to Anchorage. I went ahead and booked the bus transport. I know it's not the preferred option, but we want to get to the hotel before 11:00 pm so we can get some sleep. Going to try to meet up with a friend in Anchorage and maybe catch the museum or something.

There are other agencies besides Hertz. I just reserved a car for late May from National and there is plenty of availability for just 3 weeks from now.

Surgie - what agency are you using? I just checked Expedia and it is showing no cars available...

I would still recommend a 2 hour window. Are you also turning in a car? You can shave a few minutes off this time. But, all you'll have to do, is be short on time, then behind several people with crates of fish that all have to be weighed and logged, etc then have to get to the last gate in one of the concourses. If you aren't checking any bags then a little less time.

Thank you Budget Queen. I had no clue about the logging of the fish - now it makes complete sense.

Not renting a car. Unless there is another agency besides Hertz, there are no more cars available. Now the dilemma is whether we take a tour + airport shuttle from the cruise line, or book on the train ourselves. I've read that taking a bus is the least preferred option...

We are flying out of Anchorage at 5:00 am on 7/4/15. Most suggestions say to arrive 2 hours early, however some have said this is overkill for off-peak hours. So is our flight in peak time or slow time? Would rather be safe than sorry, but would also like to sleep as late as we can....

How cool to find this thread! Azure Seas was our first cruise - sailed out of Long Beach for our honeymoon in August, 1985. We haven't cruised since for multiple reasons, but are now booked for two. Our waiter made such an impression we still remember his name - Sabino. We have such fond memories of that cruise, I'm super excited to be cruising again. Hope it lives up to our expectations.....

Nat