Help required with pre/post cruise

[Diver Widow]

We are a group of 4 adults booked on a round trip cruise departing from Seattle.:) As we are travelling from the UK we'd like to make the most of our time in the area and I'm looking for suggestions for a week long itinerary either pre or post the cruise. Should we spend the entire time in Seattle - is there enough to do - or travel to Vancouver? Can we get further into Alaska? I'm getting so confused with all the expert information and I want to try and do it all!! Any help would be much appreciated.

[Budget Queen]

There is plenty to do in both Vancouver and Seattle, but I would spend a week in either. Take a look at a Washington, visitor information site, and Vancouver. Is that your priority interests and touring preferences??

 

But frankly- a round trip Seattle cruise is not the best choice, with you coming from such a distance.

 

It is the least scenic routing and roughest potential sailing. You would be FAR better off, canceling this, and getting a one way cruise to/from Vancouver, and spending your time interior Alaska- IF that is of any interest. You need to take a look at a map, you have no opportunity, unless you do a round trip flight to get any "further" into Alaska.

 

A one way cruise is an excellent opportunity for some simple planning, touring interior Alaska.

[uncleah]

I would absolutely agree with Budget Queen. If you are going to have the extra time you could fly into Alaska early and spend some time there and then cruise to Vancouver and spend some time there. I think you will like it better than round trip from Seattle.

[Giantfan13]

The suggestions you have gotten, as far as a one way crusie, are the best.

 

That said, if you are intent on doing the round trip from Seattle, and are looking for a week pre or post cruise, here are my suggestions. When we cruised last year, we also wanted to do some exploring of the area. We flew into Seattle and rented a car and off we went. We spend a week, touring the State of Washington and Oregon. Just magnificent country.

Some suggestions, Seattle can be seen in a day. From there head out to Mt Rainier National Park. Just a magnificent place to spend a day, and an easy drive to and from Seattle.

We also spent a day by Mount St Helen's, a volcano that erupted about 30 years ago. Really stunning visuals here, with much of the devastation still around.

We then headed to Oregon to spend a day around the My Hood area. Many lakes around here to fish, swim or just relax.

We spent a couple of days in the Columbia River Gorge area. This is a gorge that separates Washington State for Oregon, and some of the most gorgeous waterfalls,and scenery that you might see in this area. Some good hiking, and windsurfing on the river.

We also spent a day or so in the Cascade Mountains which is in Northern Washington State.

 

here are a few of my pix from our tour

 

Mount Hood in Oregon

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain087.jpg

 

Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain176.jpg

 

Mt St Helen's from a distance (we got a lot closer)

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain195.jpg

 

Mr Rainier, in the National Park

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain262.jpg

 

In the Cascade Mountains

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain003.jpg

 

There is a town in middle Washington, Leavenworth, which is a miniature Bavarian Town. Definitely worth a visit

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain039.jpg

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Len

[BCHappyGal]

Vancouver has a lot to offer the visitor - and the surrounding country is super natural. The drive to Whistler site of the 2010 winter olympics offers up breathtaking scenery - for some relaxation we have the Harrison Lake Hot Springs set at the head of Harrison Lake and surrounded by snow capped mountains.

 

And if you have the time you can always catch a ferry to Vancouver Island to visit the capital of British Columbia - Victoria

 

Here are some of my favorites in Vancouver

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock. During the summer months there is a free walking tour of Gas Town for times call 604-683-5650

8) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

9) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

10) The city of Vancouver has laid out self guided walking tours of 4 distinct historical neighborhoods in Vancouver – Gastown; Chinatown; Yaletown; & Shaughnessy – these walking tours along with a historical introduction to each neighbourhood can be found at http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/heritage/walks/index.htm

11) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

14) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

16) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

17) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

18) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from Africa, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

19) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

20) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

21) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.mintergardens.com

22) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. This 2 hour tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. This tour runs Tuesdays & Saturdays at 1pm and reservations are required. Check it out at http://www.tourguys.ca

[Goldiedog]

We spent most of September as follows:

 

Flew to Toronto, spent 4 days there, Niagra Falls, CNN Tower, boat trip to park which is an Island, beautiful place.

Next stop Seattle then onto to Fairbanks for 3 days before starting cruise tour to Denali/Anchorage/Seward, then on ship southbound to Vancouver. Three days in Vancouver and Victoria, float plane to Victoria, amazing place, Grouse Mountain is a must in Vancouver.

We went on a Holland America ship, Princess also to very similar cruises.

[rdnpdx1]

The suggestions you have gotten, as far as a one way crusie, are the best.

 

That said, if you are intent on doing the round trip from Seattle, and are looking for a week pre or post cruise, here are my suggestions. When we cruised last year, we also wanted to do some exploring of the area. We flew into Seattle and rented a car and off we went. We spend a week, touring the State of Washington and Oregon. Just magnificent country.

Some suggestions, Seattle can be seen in a day. From there head out to Mt Rainier National Park. Just a magnificent place to spend a day, and an easy drive to and from Seattle.

We also spent a day by Mount St Helen's, a volcano that erupted about 30 years ago. Really stunning visuals here, with much of the devastation still around.

We then headed to Oregon to spend a day around the My Hood area. Many lakes around here to fish, swim or just relax.

We spent a couple of days in the Columbia River Gorge area. This is a gorge that separates Washington State for Oregon, and some of the most gorgeous waterfalls,and scenery that you might see in this area. Some good hiking, and windsurfing on the river.

We also spent a day or so in the Cascade Mountains which is in Northern Washington State.

 

here are a few of my pix from our tour

 

Mount Hood in Oregon

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain087.jpg

 

Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain176.jpg

 

Mt St Helen's from a distance (we got a lot closer)

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain195.jpg

 

Mr Rainier, in the National Park

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain262.jpg

 

In the Cascade Mountains

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain003.jpg

 

There is a town in middle Washington, Leavenworth, which is a miniature Bavarian Town. Definitely worth a visit

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/new%20alaska/alaskamain039.jpg

 

Hope this helps

 

Cheers

 

Len

 

 

While I live in Oregon, I agree with Len and the prior posters about doing a one way using a week to tour inland Alaska - Denali and Kenai Peninsula primarily. Both are extremely scenic and worth the time. The North Cascades NP, to which I believe Len refers, is an unspoilt, lightly visited wonderland. The remainder of the Cascades, including Ranier, St. Helens and Mt. Hood, are all part of a beautiful mountain range which divides both Oregon and Washington into western, wetter half including Portland and Seattle, and eastern side which is dry, semi arid rangeland and orchards, with excellent vinyards along the Columbia River in the Tri Cities/Walla Walla area of Washington.

 

For wine lovers, the Oregon Willamette Valley south of Portland has hundreds of award winning wineries specializing in pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. The Washington wineries are in a hotter, drier area and tend to have more cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay wines.

 

If you do a R/T Seattle, also consider the Oregon Coast. Incredibly diverse coastline with quaint towns - we especially like Manzanita and Cannon Beach. Astoria is an old fishing town with a major Scandanavian influence. There are lots of things to see and do there also.

 

Another option near Seattle is the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic NP is a wonderful park with rainforests and fir trees you cannot imagine. There are lodges within the park in which you can stay and do day hikes, fish, etc. The towns of Sequim (pronounced SQWIM), Port Townsend and Port Angeles offer a very pleasant contrast to Seattle, Vancouver and Portland.

 

Also the San Juan islands, on either side of the border in BC or WA are magnificent places to visit.

 

This part of the US is amazing in its diversity and beauty. But so is Alaska, on a grander scale. If you can swing a one way, do it. If not, the BC, WA, OR areas are fabulous places to visit, especially in the summer.

[JamesEM]

To order a free copy of the Seattle 2011 Offical Visitors Guide, go to http://www.visitseattle.org.

[Cruise_More_Often]

If you choose to stay in Seattle, one day you could venture out and do a trip to Victoria BC via the Victoria Clipper Ferry. It winds its way through the San Juan Islands and over to Victoria. It's a stunningly beautiful trip.

 

I am also a big fan of Vancouver and have spent a day or two there followng several of our cruises. I never get tired of that city. Take the morning Amtrak up, spend a night or two there, and return to Seattle on either the morning or evening train.

 

Have fun, whatever your decision.

[robbinsca]

I have to admit- I didn't come up with things on my own. I owe a big debt to Budget Queen.

 

In 2004 we went on our first cruise and got a lot of tips from her. They ALL turned out well. We spent a week after our cruise in Alaska and simply rented a car. We drove up to Denali and spent a day in a charming little town called Talkeetna. We followed her advice and got a Toursaver coupon book and went flight seeing in both Ketchikan and around Denali. I don't know if they are still in business, but if they are you should get a couple of their books.

 

Alaska is a unique and special place, spend as much time there as you can. It is easier for me to get to than for you, and we are going back next summer.

 

Oh, about the debt- gratitude to BQ is part of it. The other is how much I have spent on cruising because she pointed me in the right direction! VISA and my bank love me.....

[Budget Queen]

I have to admit- I didn't come up with things on my own. I owe a big debt to Budget Queen.

 

In 2004 we went on our first cruise and got a lot of tips from her. They ALL turned out well. We spent a week after our cruise in Alaska and simply rented a car. We drove up to Denali and spent a day in a charming little town called Talkeetna. We followed her advice and got a Toursaver coupon book and went flight seeing in both Ketchikan and around Denali. I don't know if they are still in business, but if they are you should get a couple of their books.

 

Alaska is a unique and special place, spend as much time there as you can. It is easier for me to get to than for you, and we are going back next summer.

 

Oh, about the debt- gratitude to BQ is part of it. The other is how much I have spent on cruising because she pointed me in the right direction! VISA and my bank love me.....

 

You are most welcome. :)