Too early to talk about Alaska?

[myangel]

We just booked the Sapphire to Alaska for September 18th, the very last week of the season. We are excited, as we have only cruised the Caribbean.

What are the disavantages besides chilly weather, booking the cruise that late in the season as opposed to the summer months, if any? We are planning on doing our own airfare & Hotel pre-cruise since we are flying from Panama City, Florida. Any info and advice from you seasoned Alaska cruisers would be much appreciated! Is it better/cheaper to book excursions on your own? Thanks for your help!

[SPI_Rick]

My main worry about booking Alaska late in the season would be concerning excursions. Some excursions may not operate at the very end of the season. But, if you check and find that all the excursions that you would like to do are available, then you should have a great time.....fewer crowds and lower prices at the stores as they try to unload the last of their summer inventory.

[cruisingfreak]

You can also ask this question over on the Alaska Boards. Get more answers.

 

 

Minette

[myangel]

Thanks!

[CaribbeanBound]

We cruised Alaska and had a great time. We did not book any cruise ship excursions —– yet we saw more scenery and wildlife than most passengers. We were a family of four staying in one inside cabin aboard the Star Princess. We would do it again. Intrigued? Read on!http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/alaska.html

[cruiser2004]

Myangel,

 

We have cruised to Alaska in the spring and the late fall. Each has its own

good points. In the spring you will see a lot of snow in the higher elevations and the wildlife tends to be at a lower elevation. In the fall you will see the fall colors. I would highly recommend renting a car in Skagway and driving to Whitehorse in the Yukon. As far as the weather in September it is as uppredicatible as it is the rest of the year! As that old Alaskan joke goes it is always 80 degrees in the summer in Alaska ...........

40 degrees in the morning and 40 degrees in the afternoon. Be sure and bring rain gear and dress in layers. The morinigs can start off in the 40's and can climb to the 60's by the afternoon. Since the weather can often influence what the best activity is on a given day we always book tours on shore. The cost for many tours is usually less if you book on shore, our experience has been that the major tours like flightseeing are priced the same as they are on Princess.

We are on the May 14 Island Princess sailing this spring. If you have any other questions hop on the "Roll Call" board for the May 14, 2005 Island.

Enjoy your cruise. I am sure you will love Alaska!

 

John & Suzanne

[myangel]

Thanks all! I loved your review Caribbeanbound!!!

[bluehorizonlover123]

Alaska actually has a milder climate than Chicago. WE have been checking their temperatures. We did whale watching in Juneau thru the ship. It was not expensive. In Ketchikan we did a float plane to Misty Fjords on our own. In Skagway we took a motorcoach to follow the gold miners route and drove into the Yukon. Also saw Mendenhall Glacier. All on our own. go to each places website and you will find the vendors listed on their websites.

[mii]

Frankly it is not too late to look into excursions. As for sailing in September we did that two years around the first part of Sept. and it was the best weather, you saw fall colors that were spectacular. As for excursions, we do mostly ship excursions. In Skagway on two different trips the railroad trip and Experience the Yukon on another trip. The Yukon trip was amazing. In Juneau we went to Mendenhall glacier on our own. We are going back this May and in Juneau we are doing Capt. Larry whale watching on our own. That excursions is extremely popular so make reservations early. You will find a wealth of info on the Ports of Call board for Alaska. Hope this helps.

 

Marilyn