wesp

Lake Bennett is a stop on the way to Caribou Crossing (Carcross) on the same track. Depending on the train, you either turn back at Bennett or go all the way to Carcross. See map link.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Map_White_Pass_and_Yukon_Route_en.png/300px-Map_White_Pass_and_Yukon_Route_en.png

Wesley

We rented a Jeep for a self-drive into Yukon from Skagway. The border crossing was easy in both directions. A few simple questions, including where have you been/where are you going and we were off again.

Wesley

We did land first (Canadian Rockies) with different hotels each night, etc. before our NB cruise on Radiance from Vancouver to Seward. Based on that experience I recommend land first so you can settle in on the ship for the remaining days of the trip. Hubbard Glacier was stunning. We did not go to Glacier Bay on our cruise.

Wesley

The Washington Post August 26 Travel section included an article about restaurants in Juneau

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/in-juneau-locally-minded-chefs-are-redefining-alaskan-cuisine/2018/08/23/ebb3e118-9cda-11e8-8d5e-c6c594024954_story.html?utm_term=.ae88987833f1

Wesley

We booked a combination Kenai Fjord and airport transfer with the ship. The cruise by Major Marine covered only Resurrection Bay. A Major Marine brochure posts the full Kenai trip as an 8 hour tour whereas our tour was 5 hours. And at 5 hours we were ok with the area covered by the tour.

Wesley

On Radiance of the Seas (August10) every night was casual night in the Cascades Dining Room. I upgraded to a sweater vest on Formal Nights. Leave the coats, jackets, dresses, and fancy shoes at home.

Wesley

I think I combined two fires when commenting. There is a large fire at Watson Lake that has closed the Alcan Highway.

The fire I saw last week was the Windy Arm fire, south of Carcross on the Klondike Highway between Skagway and Carcross. Here is a report from local news:

Yukon Wildland Fire Management says the Windy Arm Fire south of Carcross is sending smoke into the Southern Lakes area and Whitehorse.

That fire is 1,200 hectares in size, but is not a threat to any structures or communities as it burns in the wilderness.

Some preventative burning was done late last week near the mouth of Lime Creek, which stopped fire growth to the north.

Wesley

My last two cruises on Grandeur and Radiance have included begging for 10's on the survey as part of the sentimental last night waiter concert. The pitch went on and on. Is this true across the fleet? Our waiter and assistant were good, but not a 10. Since when is average not acceptable as an evaluation response?

Wesley

We rented a Jeep from Hoonah Adventures and did a self-tour using the route they provided. Great scenery and lots of bear-sighting opportunities.

Wesley

We drove through Tagish last Wednesday (August 14) and saw the fire. At that time the smoke was not bad and the main fire seemed concentrated in one spot. Looks like it was worse by the time you went through.

We were in Jasper, Canada and were smoked-in a week before from fires in British Columbia. Visibility in Jasper was so bad you could not see the mountains surrounding the town.

Wesley

Can one get to Saxman Village by bus? :confused:

Thanks!

Wesley

Copying this question over from the Alaska Forum. I have done a few searches using the search tool but have not found detailed info or a review. Thanks for posting new information about the pre-cruise tour.

I have questions about luggage handling at the hotels. DW and I are thinking about packing a cruise-only suitcase that we won't need during the first part of the trip.

Wesley

Want to give this a BUMP to see if anyone has booked this RCCL cruisetour in 2018?

I bought a used copy of The Milepost for $5 including shipping. Over 300 pages of very detailed information about all major highways in Alaska and the Yukon.

Wesley

From my TEMSCO reservation for the same tour.

 

What to wear?

It is very hard to predict the weather on a glacier. Expect at least 10 degrees cooler on the glacier than in town, with heavy winds. Dress in warm layers– hats, gloves and sunglasses are highly recommended. And don’t forget a raincoat!

 

Prohibited items

We provide locked storage for the duration of your tour as we do not allow the following items:

 

 

• Bags, purses, backpacks, camera cases.
  
• Selfie or GoPro extender sticks (small or large.)
  
• iPads, Kindles or any other Tablet device.
  
• Drones
  

 

Wesley

At the recommendation of someone somewhere on this board I read The Floor of Heaven by Howard Blum (2011). I later learned this "true tale of the last frontier" contains a bit of historical fiction, but I found it to be a good read and look forward to visiting some of the locations mentioned in the book especially Skagway and Dyea.

I am now reading Gold Diggers by Charlotte Gray (2010). Like The Floor of Heaven, this book also follows the saga of several real life characters whose paths crossed in the Klondike.

I also picked up a used copy of The Mile Post, a 700-page guide to roads and highways in Alaska. This book has very detailed descriptions of sights along major Alaska highways.

What books have you found helpful?

Wesley

If any comparison, DW and I did a similar first class car on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR in Colorado. The splurge was worth it for a one-time experience. Our coach was at the back of the train and the 180 panorama view from the rear platform was spectacular.

Wesley

Dogsled.

RCCL offers a morning and afternoon time for the Mendenhall Glacier and Bobsled tour. Other than the early hour does one tour offer better chance of actually going due to fog, etc.? Since the tour is half-day or less are there things to do on our own during the rest of the day?

Thanks!

Wesley

Help me decide which Seward post-cruise with airport transfer: Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise (SW14) or Seward Wildlife Cruise Kenai Fjord (SW10).

Thanks!

Wesley

I am looking for information to help me decide between a Jeep or ATV rental in Hoonah. Given weather, I suspect a Jeep offers creature comforts of an enclosed cab with heat! Are both vehicles allowed on the same lumber roads in the forest. Given weather I suspect a Jeep offers creature comforts of an enclosed cab with heat!

Thank you for your replies!

Wesley :cool:

About $2000 pp.

We always wanted to see the Canadian Rockies, including a ride on the "Canadian" train. We opted for this pre-cruise vs taking a chance on a sunny day in Denali. :confused:

Jimbo,

Thanks for the reply.

I have searched CC for reviews and comments on our cruise tour and found little information. Our roll call for the actual cruise is very quiet with little activity.

I'll keep looking around. Enjoy your cruise on Princess.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

DW & I have booked RCCL Cruisetour 2CB in August 2018. Has anyone done this tour? RCCL web info is pretty thin on details. It appears to be un-escorted, but includes some scheduled tours in various locations between Calgary and Vancouver.

1. I would like to know about hotels and travel arrangements.

2. Is there enough free time in Calgary to visit Heritage Park on the day after we arrive in Calgary by plane?

3. How do you pack for the trip (layers? # of bags)?

Thanks!

Wesley

Frank,

Many thanks! Please look for an email with photo from wesconnie55.

Wesley