Trip Report, Alaska 2013

[LadyStone50]

OK I was bullied into doing a trip report by my daughter - First let me introduce myself - My name is Lisa and I love cruising - it gives me a great cliff notes version of an area so we can go back to the places we loved and avoid the ones that were not so fab (Jamaica - never again LOL). My husband and I have been married 29 years (so he tells me .. he is the one who remembers anniversaries and birthdays - it is a good day for me when I remember how old I am). We have two daughters - gorgeous creatures who keep me forever young (I am typing that for my oldest who I know will read this ... she's the bully I referred to in the opening sentence)

 

This was our second Alaska cruise, because my oldest couldn't go with us the first time - she was busy doing a DisneyWorld internship (I highly recommend these to anyone reading this who is still in college - great fun, a chance to meet and really get to know peers from all over the world, and if you make it through to the end - it opens ALL KINDS of doors for you out in the real world when you are applying for jobs). She felt left out and terribly deprived (poor thing .. slaving away in WDW).

 

We had such a wonderful time on our first Alaskan Cruise (Carnival) that we decided what the heck - and did it again. Since we have done essentially the same cruise on two different lines, I will do my best to compare the two for y'all.

 

My parents joined us on this trip; my mother is handicapped so I will tell you a bit about handicapped services on this ship compared to others.

 

We had an inside cabin on this sailing; my parents had a balcony suite. We all had early seating for dinner.

 

The first thing I want to say about Alaska is that it is not about the ship ... its about nature. The wildlife and unspoiled views of gorgeous shoreline are the stars of the show. I can't tell you enough how wonderful it was to sit out on my parents' balcony and watch the world (and the occasional whale) go by!

Edited January 9, 2014 by LadyStone50
too long

[PesterGal]

Can't wait to read more!! Keep it coming, this sounds like it will be lots of fun!!

[jo24]

I'm subscribed, can't wait to read as am hoping to do Alaska next year and my mum has mobility issues so will be interesting to read how your mum found things from that aspect.

 

Jo :)

[LadyStone50]

Here is our ship: Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv9%3B49%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B56565252ot1lsi

 

Embarkation went smoothly - Because my mom has mobility issues, we got the airport transfers and their suitcases were in their rooms quite quickly. I have to say I am amazed at how fast the crew moved luggage at the beginning and at the end of the cruise. It was easy to find and use a wheelchair for mom - and one of the crew escorted her on board and answered all her questions about handicapped bathrooms, stairs, etc. This was a HUGE difference from what we had experienced on a Carnival cruise in the Caribbean with my mother. Hands down, getting on the ship with NCL was MUCH better than Carnival.

 

Here is our cabin (affectionately known as "the mouse hole") Crazy small and not a lot of storage - especially for 4 people (ACK!) This cabin felt much smaller than the one we had on Carnival. Our cabin steward was wonderful though - Went above and beyond several times. My youngest got into a towel folding competition with him; she would leave a towel animal and a note that always included a silly pirate or ship joke ("Why didn't the sunken ship want to go to the prom?" "Because she was a wreck!") .. he would do the same.

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv3447%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B48%3B77252ot1lsi

[LadyStone50]

jo24 and PesterGal - thank you! I will try to do my best and give lots of info without boring you to tears. :)

[watson61]

I'm subscribing too. I can't wait to do Alaska and I love your review so far! Keep 'em coming!

 

Carol

[LadyStone50]

My oldest daughter took one look at our room and promptly moved in with my parents - the powers that be were fine with that, even though our room was much less expensive than my parents'. We were not asked for any more money - and life was good for everyone.

 

We rented a scooter for my mom for use onboard and in port from

 

http://www.specialneedsatsea.com/reserve-equipment/scooter-rentals/

 

It was great - mom could get anywhere on the ship she wanted to go. There was room in her cabin (she had a mini suite) for the scooter on the Rhapsody. When she sailed in the Caribbean with Carnival (her cabin was also a mini suite), she had to park her scooter outside the cabin and down the hall close to the elevators.

 

We spent the first afternoon exploring the ship - the Rhapsody has all sorts of little alcoves where you can settle into a cozy chair in front of a great big window with a good book, binoculars, and something lovely to drink and just enjoy.

 

My youngest (13) discovered the teen club and I swear we did not see her again the rest of the cruise. She was a happy child - had a great time and, watching her from afar, we were content that the people supervising her knew what they were doing and genuinely liked their job. She still stays in contact with a few of the kids she met.

 

Mom found her favorite haunt by the pool after she introduced herself to the ladies in the spa (they would all be on a first name basis by the end of the cruise).

 

While mom and dad were enjoying the pool area, I checked with the maitre'd to make sure the table was easily accessible and to give them a heads up about the scooter. They were great - and everything looked good. I met my oldest at the schooner bar (on this cruise, we spent a lot of time there - fun trivia games and a hysterical if a little bit naughty comedian) while my husband took a nap in the mouse hole. FYI the Schooner bar makes a mean apple martini.

 

Dinner that night was great - though I do not remember what we had- I do not remember a bad meal ever. Our waiter and the maitre'd were incredibly attentive - got to know our likes and dislikes and had spot on recommendations for us every night. I DO remember the fruit soups were incredible and after the third night - that is usually what I had as dessert. My youngest rarely made an appearance in the dining room, she usually ate with the teen club, but she loved steak and whenever she appeared, her favorite cut of steak would magically appear, even when it was not on the menu. The maitre'd always, ALWAYS had a kind word and a beautiful compliment for my mom. I will never forget that man's kindness and attentiveness to her.

 

On Carnival, the food was similar (that volcano chocolate dessert .. OhMyGosh!) The wait staff was wonderful there also. When my mom sailed with Carnival (in the Caribbean, not in Alaska) they were not accommodating with her mobility issues. I know there is limited space, and I know (BELIEVE me I know) how awkward and bulky they are so I do understand, but the NCL staff on the whole was much more gracious and willing to work with her to make her comfortable.

[LadyStone50]

Breakfast bright and early in the MD - Where I discovered my "go-to-every-single-day-breakfast" .. Smoked salmon, bagels and cream cheese (I asked for capers .. and they brought them) just ... YUM! I mean - how can you go to Alaska and NOT eat salmon?

 

The morning was spent by the pool being lazy with mom. DH and my oldest DD tried the rock climbing wall and had a ball. I met them afterwards in the gym and decided that was not the place I wanted to get my exercise (too small - too many people and kind of pushy staff - trying to sell me their line of products) So we went up top and walked but the wind was pretty crazy strong (side note .. I am easily talked out of exercising .. so this was my first and last on board exercise of the trip LOL)

 

For lunch, our waiter the night before recommended we do the salad bar in the MD - All I have to say is - if you are going on this cruise .. TOTALLY do the salad bar in the MD on at sea days.

 

The night before, we had brought wine to dinner (we had no trouble bring the wine on board - when I went to declare it at embarkation, they just waved me by the table and told me to enjoy .. woo-hoo-hoo!) So the waiter suggested my DH and I should do the kitchen tour - it ends with the cruise sommelier doing a food and champaign pairing in the room where they serve the Captain's Table dinners. We did and it was so interesting! The kitchens were amazing and so incredibly clean - We met the assistant head chef who took us around and explained how everything worked. The time at the Captain's table was fun, and they gave us a signed NCL cookbook at the end. Loved it.

 

*note: this is not an advertised excursion - but if you ask the wait staff they will point you in the right direction. As I recall (but I could be wrong) there was no cost for the tour, unless you bought the recipe book at the end. We did because they have a bunch of the recipes for the fruit soups inside and I was already hooked.

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv756%3Enu%3D%3B442%3E266%3E252%3EWSNRCG%3D3548%3C47484343nu0mrj

 

I don't remember dinner that night - but here's a picture of DD - from the look on her face it must have been fabulous

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv656%3A%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B72%3C%3B%3C252ot1lsi

Edited January 10, 2014 by LadyStone50

[LadyStone50]

OK I lied in the previous post - I did get exercise. I made a pact with the DD and the DH - no elevators... ever. My parents' suite was on deck 8 - ours was on deck 5. I was already regretting this promise, but my inside voice told my head that since we were on a cruise ship and everything we had eaten to this point had been incredible - and I had recently discovered that one of the free ice cream machines was full of the most delicious frozen yogurt - this was probably not a bad plan.

 

Got mom's spa appointments (you name it ... she had it done) tried out the sauna (nice - they have dry and steam) and found this really quiet little lounge behind the spa at the far back of the ship. Oh yeah .. this was my go-to spot for the cruise. Quiet - The best view imaginable probably a 200 degree view out the back of the ship - up high for superb whale watching, and enclosed and out of the wind.

 

The family played a trivia game in the schooner lounge - guessing movies from famous lines. We did not win, but had a lot of fun. We spent the rest of the day eating, playing, swimming, spying on our youngest while she had a ball in teen club (my DH was in there so often, they put a line of tape on the floor and told him adults were not allowed to cross into teen territory LOL). Mom got her first facial and massage, Dad found a quiet spot and read his books. A good time was had by all.

 

That night, after settling the parents in their room with a plate of warm cookies from the atrium we went out after dark and found a hot tub outside to enjoy. My only complaint: the lights on the deck were too bright and we couldn't see the stars.:)

 

Comparison to Carnival ... we did the same stuff .. but I did not find the perfect lounge behind their spa (it might be there .. I just didn't stumble upon it). When we were in the hot tub on Carnival, there were bald eagles in the ship rigging and circling over the water, hunting (gasp!) After our soak and a shower, on the Carnival ship we went to the piano bar. SO MUCH FUN!!! I am not a big piano bar kinda gal, but the musician they had was phenomenal and everyone was, indeed, singing. It was designed so the bar ran around the outside of the piano, you were right there - very intimate and it really led to people talking and getting to know each other. The Schooner bar on the NCL ship was not designed quite so well (but it was still fun).

 

OOH! ... this was the day I discovered the martini bar (grin). OK reading through my posts I sound like I drank my way through this cruise. I didn't - only had 1 drink/day (2 if it was all day at sea). Heheh .. it was just fun :D

[LadyStone50]

First port of call.

After my Salmon breakfast (grin) it was time to disembark and have an adventure. Parents decided to stay on the ship, so we jumped off and headed to Mendenhall Glacier using the local bus. Easy to grab the bus - just walked to the bus stop from the ship.

 

We hiked to the foot of the glacier - it was beautiful, but I could see it had receded quite a bit from the last time we had been there. The guide at the base of the trail said that while Mendenhall is receding (and has been for many years) other glaciers in Alaska have been growing - so I suppose that is good news. Here is a picture of the 13 year old enjoying the view of the glacier LOL:

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv5%3C8%3B%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B93865252ot1lsi

 

After the hike, we split up. The girls went whale watching with "Harv and Marv" tours ( http://www.harvandmarvs.com ) The tour company came and picked the girls up at the glacier, which was awesome, While DH and I caught the bus back into town and had a Duck Fart at the Red Dog (not explaining that except to say ... good times!) before heading back to the ship and worrying about our girls all by themselves on a boat excursion (we needn't have - the people at Harv and Marv were superb and actually messaged us to let us know how the girl were doing)

 

Whales were spotted! My 13 year old took this pic:

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv7747%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B%3A9%3A%3B9252ot1lsi

 

Carnival comparison: We took the Harv and Marv trip (both times, they were scheduled with Harv and Marv directly - not through the cruise line. We don't like shore excursions booked through the ship) and it had to be one of the most amazing experiences on my entire life. Our ship was small, with about 30 people aboard. We saw a mother whale and her calf and they breached repeatedly. We saw Orca (they are HUGE .. I mean .. H.U.G.E.!!!!!) we saw whales hunting using bubble nets, we saw sea otters, bald eagles - the mother whale and her calf came so close to the boat the could have reached out and touched them.

 

Carnival also made a stop in Ketchikan, which I think was my favorite port in Alaska. The salmon were running then and we hiked up this trail by the river and watched the salmon climb the waterfall by the hundreds. So many salmon - it was incredible. There was a line of guys side by side on the footbridge that crosses over the river who were hooking salmon as big as your leg. Talking to one of the fishermen, he told me that these fish were not for eating - they were catching these salmon to use as dog food over the winter (gasp!)

Edited January 10, 2014 by LadyStone50
fact checking

[tyry]

Looking forward to the rest of your report. We are doing the same cruise on Rhapsody in May and I'm trying to learn all I can.

[LadyStone50]

Serendipitous day. Did not do what we had planned but it turned out to be great!

 

Original plan was to take the ferry to Haines then tour the Kroschel Wildlife Refuge (http://kroschelfilms.com) and then do some bear watching along the Chilcoot river. Dad was joining us while mom spent another day on the ship being pampered. Mani/pedi scheduled for today :)

 

But ...

 

I waited too long to get ferry tickets and they were sold out. (There's a lesson to be learned there)

 

So on to "Plan B": We walked into town and purchased all day passes on the SMART Bus. While we were walking to the bus stop, we saw a sign for "Dawson Dolly's Wildlife Tour" and remembered doing that last time we were here. Dolly is a character - dresses in period costume and tells wild stories. We thought Dad would like it so we bought tickets for the afternoon tour. (http://dawsondolly.com)

 

We got on the bus and rode it out to Jewel Gardens (http://jewellgardens.com) and watched glass blowing demos and toured these amazing gardens. Because the days are so long, you would not believe the size of these plants. The Rhubarb ... OhMy!

 

Second stop was "Gold Rush Restaurant and Brewing Company" http://www.tourdispatch.com/component/content/article/10-footer-content/388-gold-rush-restaurant.html where we had the best home brewed root beer and BBQ ribs. After lunch, we explored the grounds - there is a LOT to do here; gold panning, a museum and a kennel for sled dogs. We were just in time for a talk given by an Iditarod racer who runs the kennels and raises dogs for the race (he happened to be stinkin' cute .. but I digress). The girls got to hold racing pups and we watched them take the dogs for a training run. Amazing

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv8%3B5%3A%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B72%3C%3B5252ot1lsi

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv478%3C%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B56569252ot1lsi

 

We caught the bus back into town and headed out with Dolly. She was a HOOT! Very campy and corny and sweet. Wish I had some Dolly Pics, but my camera died. My dad still giggles and shakes his head when we bring up the Dolly tour.

 

When we got back into town, Dad bought Mom a beautiful opal and gold necklace (he is so dang cute!) It turned out to be great day that was totally unexpected.

 

**Addendum to the Juneau Day: When we were in Alaska on Carnival we broke tradition and did the Gold Creek Salmon Bake excursion. Big Mistake. Salmon was overcooked then served cold. Everything looked like it had been sitting in the sun all day,. Not recommended

Edited January 10, 2014 by LadyStone50
because I cannot spell

[LadyStone50]

OhMyGosh.

 

When we turned to go into the fjord, whales bubble net feeding off the port bow. Seals and otters lying on small icebergs in the water, Eagles overhead, and in front of us ... this amazing glacier.

 

It is hard to describe it - the ice is this intense blue color covered with a white glaze. When it calves, the iceberg does this slow motion slide into the water. Only when you see the incredible wave of seawater arc up do you realize just how massive that chunk of ice is. Then you hear this *CRACK* that sounds like a large gun or cannon has been fired. It is phenomenal. And it makes you feel very very small.

 

Something cool RCL does (and it involves alcohol again ... LOL) You start the journey down the fjord early in the morning. They serve this delicious hot chocolate (it is served special that day only - usually the hot chocolate on the ship is the powdered stuff) and you can have your liqueur of choice added if you wish.

 

So there you are, outside (because no way do you want a window between you and this glacier) and freezing your ears off, sipping hot chocolate and watching the glacier do its thing.

 

The ship turns in circles so everyone gets a chance to see everything. Breathtaking.

 

On Carnival, we got to the glacier in the early evening - so we scheduled dinner in "Nouveau Restaurant" that night. They have this giant wraparound glass crow's nest all around the dining room so we watched the glacier while we ate. It was really beautiful, but I missed the *CRACK* and the powerful surge of the water when the glacier calved that way. I would much rather be out freezing on deck.

 

Here's a picture of the glacier but this is definitely a "you just had to be there" kind of thing:

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv3327%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B72%3C%3A%3C252ot1lsi

[LadyStone50]

We finally got mom off the boat!

 

We all jumped ship together (for the first time the entire cruise) and hired a car just outside the terminal for a couple hours. The car we hired was an antique English cab. The driver and his wife were our guides.

 

First was a trip to Peacock Hill to see the Victorian houses and visit the park. We got out and fed the peacocks.

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3B86%3A%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B5655%3B252ot1lsi

Then we went to the Government House and wandered around the gardens for awhile. http://www.tourismvictoria.com/listings/Government-House/64484/

 

When we got back into the car they had cold drinks for us and they told us a little of the history of the area as we drove to our next destination.

 

Next, we visited Craigdarroch Castle http://thecastle.ca We took the tour of this place because I love old houses - this one was so beautiful. No expense was spared on building materials or furnishings. Amazing workmanship.

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv78%3B7%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B5655%3A252ot1lsi

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv7%3A65%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B653%3A7252ot1lsi

(That's our cab parked out front)

 

The cab dropped us off at the Empress Hotel just in time for High Tea :) Before they took Mom and Dad back to the ship. Then we strolled the waterfront area and leisurely made our way back to the ship. It was a very nice, low key, relaxing day.

[LadyStone50]

Our last stop was, of course, Seattle. Very funny story about our disembarkation process (well, it is funny NOW...)-

 

We had packed everything up, I had settled our bill with the front desk, tipped the people who made every minute of this trip so amazing (teen counselors, maitre'd, servers, cabin boy, etc). While I was there, I had purchased bus transfers for my mom and dad to make things easier for them. We had come to Seattle earlier by car (our oldest lives there) so we had to go pick up the car. I was flying home with my parents, and the plan was that DH would drop me off at the airport after we got the car and said our last good byes to our DD. This was not to be :(

 

Mom wasn't feeling well, so she was going to stay in her room while we had breakfast. Dad came with us, we had our last breakfast on the ship (I of course was all set to have one final salmon and bagel with cream cheese and capers - but this morning the chef that we had toured the kitchen with earlier in the cruise saw us and brought me an eggs Benedict dish with salmon instead. Delish!

 

We had a relaxing breakfast and laughed and talked about the cruise. Then it got close to the time we needed to get Mom and head for the door. We go up to the cabin - the scooter is there, but no mom. We went down to the lobby area where we told her we would all meet if we got split up - no mom. Uh Oh.

 

We go to the showroom where the rest of the passengers were collecting to wait for their disembarkation number to be called, still no mom. DD joins us now and is panicked - her carry-on is no longer in the cabin, and she had her passport inside. Dad's passport is also with mom and at this point we have a ship wide search going on for her.

 

I leave everyone in the showroom and go to the desk to see if the records showed she had left the ship. Yup, she had - along with two family members' passports. I look outside on the curb and there she is - sitting in a wheelchair and looking VERY angry.

 

Well - no one can leave the ship without their passport, mom is refusing to give them to a man they radioed to help, so one of the wonderful NCL people escorted me all the way down to get the passports for Dad and DD. It was kind of cool to bypass all the customs lines - I felt sort of important (grin). We get the passports and head back onto the ship. We all got off ASAP so we can get Mom where she needs to go next. DH and the girls sprint to get the car because by now we have missed the transport bus and we will have to shuttle people to the airport in 2 trips (side note here: the airport is a LONG way from the pier). To this day I have no idea why no one thought to grab a cab for the other half of our group. 1st trip was DH, the girls, and my mom, and all our luggage (because it could go home in the car with DH). This left Dad and me sitting on the curb waiting for over an hour. DH and Mom came back to get us after dropping the girls off at DD's apartment in Seattle along with most of the luggage. My mother was still LIVID - it was not the greatest way to end a trip!

 

To make a long story short, we made it to the airport in plenty of time to make our flight, and we all made it home safe and sound. Ooh - and I got myself a bowl of Ivar's clam chowder in the terminal - so life was still good!

 

Because our disembarkation was so screwy - I cannot comment on how it was SUPPOSED to go or how painful/painless the process actually was. When we did the Carnival trip - we disembarked in Seward and flew home from Anchorage (you know how in cities there are stray cats and dogs? Well, there are MOOSE wandering the streets in Anchorage .. seriously!)

 

Some Seattle tips: -Ivar's by the Aquarium is the best one of all of them.

. -If you go to the aquarium, find someone there who can tell

. you the story of what the octopus used to do before they

. redesigned the tank.

. -Chihuly Glass Exhibition by the Space Needle is amazing.

. -Seattle Zoo - best I have ever seen (LOVE the grizzly bears)

. -Take a ferry ride - its the best tourist thing in town.

. -They still throw fish around at Pike's Market

. -... and last but not least -

. Molly Moo's Salted Caramel Ice Cream... 'nuff said

 

http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv89%3B%3B%3Dot%3E%3A533%3D357%3D343%3DXROQDF%3E2639%3B56579252ot1lsi

Edited January 10, 2014 by LadyStone50

[sms2874]

wow, your cruise report brings back stunning memories of our trip to Alaska. Absolutely beautiful. We did a 5 day land package with our trip. A must do for anyone going to Alaska. We went on Princess and it was so much fun and unbelievable scenery. Loved your overview of your trip. Thanks so much.

[hollon]

Loved the review, can you tell me a little bit about the scooter, I need one for my sister for our alaskan cruise. Can you tell me about how much they cost, where do you pick them up at, etc? Thanks

[LadyStone50]

Loved the review, can you tell me a little bit about the scooter, I need one for my sister for our alaskan cruise. Can you tell me about how much they cost, where do you pick them up at, etc? Thanks

 

Hollon:

Check the link for prices. The company will deliver the scooter directly to your cabin onboard the ship. After the cruise they will pick it up, you just leave it in the cabin. Very easy. Prices change, so I suggest you go to the scooter rental site. The thing you need to know is how wide the door is into your cabin and how much the person weighs to determine the best scooter for you. We have never had trouble with them running out of power in port, but as you read, my mom does not go off ship often. She really loves hanging out on the ship once most of the people clear out - she gets treated like the princess she is (grin).

 

Also, in Alaska, the ports are not super scooter friendly. Make sure you research them before you venture out for accessibility. If they are wheelchair accessible you are usually good to go.

 

Another thing to do: If she cannot walk far, make sure you note that in your reservation so they seat you in a good spot in the dining room. One little step up or down to your table can be a big deal. It never hurts to go and give the maitre'd a heads up when you first board also.

 

On the plus side; Traveling with a handicapped person gets you big cabins with HUGE bathrooms. My mom's bathroom is frequently larger than my entire cabin when we cruise together (I kid you not!).

 

Also - there are always wheelchairs available for embarkation and disembarkation. They are not always easy to find though so your first cruise challenge will be to snag a wheelchair ASAP when you are checking in. In my experience, you need to be really proactive with this because every time we have gone, it is kind of a free for all when you are talking wheelchairs. If anyone from the cruise line is reading this - this is something y'all need to work on. It can get ugly! (Carnival especially - they are the absolute worst when it comes to disabled services of ANY kind)

 

The scooter service I like best is: Special Needs at Sea

 

Their link is: http://www.specialneedsatsea.com

 

They are great about knowing door sizes and whatnot (the cruises shave a little off the size of the door opening when you ask - and I always panic because the scooter is larger than the dimensions the cruise line gives us; but we have not gotten stuck yet!)

 

Something else to note: If your sister needs to keep medications cold, if you inform the cruise line they will usually arrange for a small fridge to be put into the cabin for your use. The was very handy for us last cruise!

[LadyStone50]

Some things to consider when cruising Alaska:

 

1) The salmon run in mid July through mid August. There is more than one type of salmon and each one has a different run time so you never know quite when it happens, but you want to be there when it happens (you definitely do NOT want to be there right after a big one finishes - the entire port area smells like rotten fish!) The salmon in the rivers are amazing to see, and they are what attracts the other wildlife; bear and eagles especially. So when the fish come, everything else shows up also.

 

2) Balconies are lovely on Alaskan cruises. We usually do not get one but for Alaska they are amazing. Like I said before, the star of this cruise is Nature - and it is everywhere to be seen through almost the entire cruise. The inside passage is narrow enough so it really does not matter which side of the ship you are on - it's all good.

 

3) Due to the latitude, days are LONG in the summer in Alaska - especially in July/August. Plan accordingly.

 

4) It is cloudy a lot in Alaska but that is not necessarily a bad thing. On overcast days, you can really see the deep blue color of the ice on the glaciers that you don't see on sunny days.

 

5) This is the most important thing of all. Attitude is everything. If you look for the bad, you will always find it. Same thing with looking for the good. Every single vacation has the potential to be magnificent or a disaster. If you actively look for moments of magnificence, you will ALWAYS find them.

[hollon]

Hollon:

Check the link for prices. The company will deliver the scooter directly to your cabin onboard the ship. After the cruise they will pick it up, you just leave it in the cabin. Very easy. Prices change, so I suggest you go to the scooter rental site. The thing you need to know is how wide the door is into your cabin and how much the person weighs to determine the best scooter for you. We have never had trouble with them running out of power in port, but as you read, my mom does not go off ship often. She really loves hanging out on the ship once most of the people clear out - she gets treated like the princess she is (grin).

 

Also, in Alaska, the ports are not super scooter friendly. Make sure you research them before you venture out for accessibility. If they are wheelchair accessible you are usually good to go.

 

Another thing to do: If she cannot walk far, make sure you note that in your reservation so they seat you in a good spot in the dining room. One little step up or down to your table can be a big deal. It never hurts to go and give the maitre'd a heads up when you first board also.

 

On the plus side; Traveling with a handicapped person gets you big cabins with HUGE bathrooms. My mom's bathroom is frequently larger than my entire cabin when we cruise together (I kid you not!).

 

Also - there are always wheelchairs available for embarkation and disembarkation. They are not always easy to find though so your first cruise challenge will be to snag a wheelchair ASAP when you are checking in. In my experience, you need to be really proactive with this because every time we have gone, it is kind of a free for all when you are talking wheelchairs. If anyone from the cruise line is reading this - this is something y'all need to work on. It can get ugly! (Carnival especially - they are the absolute worst when it comes to disabled services of ANY kind)

 

The scooter service I like best is: Special Needs at Sea

 

Their link is: http://www.specialneedsatsea.com

 

They are great about knowing door sizes and whatnot (the cruises shave a little off the size of the door opening when you ask - and I always panic because the scooter is larger than the dimensions the cruise line gives us; but we have not gotten stuck yet!)

 

Something else to note: If your sister needs to keep medications cold, if you inform the cruise line they will usually arrange for a small fridge to be put into the cabin for your use. The was very handy for us last cruise!

Thank you so much for your helpful information, It really is hard for people to walk and step up per su as you described. My sister uses a walker and walks slow, I thought a scooter would be really helpful around the ship. We are whale watching in Juneau and train in Skagway and 26 glacier tour before cruise. I just hope all theses excursions will work w/ her, does anyone know about these tours? When your not handicapped, you don't normally pay attention. Thanks again and for the review

[hollon]

Oh, just wanted to say, that was very sweet what you said about your mom, being a princess :) Hopefully one day, my kids will think the same.

[LadyStone50]

It is going to be really tough getting her onto a whale watching vessel. My advice is to contact the tour companies directly (I HIGHLY recommend "Harv and Marv's - they are wonderful people and very accommodating) and let them know your sister's limitations. Their boats are smaller than the ones the cruise ships generally use so the draft is less and there will be fewer stairs. and ... BONUS .. smaller vessel = fewer people = better whale watching. They might even have one with a handicap platform - but I don't remember for sure.

 

http://www.harvandmarvs.com

[hollon]

It is going to be really tough getting her onto a whale watching vessel. My advice is to contact the tour companies directly (I HIGHLY recommend "Harv and Marv's - they are wonderful people and very accommodating) and let them know your sister's limitations. Their boats are smaller than the ones the cruise ships generally use so the draft is less and there will be fewer stairs. and ... BONUS .. smaller vessel = fewer people = better whale watching. They might even have one with a handicap platform - but I don't remember for sure.

 

http://www.harvandmarvs.com

 

thanks so much, i will call them, and yes, i've heard good things about harv and marv :)

[mmadhatter]

Thanks for the review. We leave in 128 days on the Rhapsody. Looking forward to the nature!