kcdd Posted January 18, 2020 #1 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Help! We have booked an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver RT on the Volendam leaving August 26. I am so excited that i check here every day to learn new things. How do I pass the time until we leave? Seven months seems so far away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJurea Posted January 18, 2020 #2 Share Posted January 18, 2020 OMGoodness, that waiting is going to hurt. 👀😉 I surf the internet for pictures and reviews. repeat repeat 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay888 Posted January 18, 2020 #3 Share Posted January 18, 2020 I’ve booked my next cruise in advance this time still 11 months to go. However, I will be planning and more planning 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcdd Posted January 18, 2020 Author #4 Share Posted January 18, 2020 I have read books from the library on Alaska cruises. Searched the internet. Any books or websites I definitely need to peruse? I guess I need to start a countdown. It just seems so far away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VennDiagram Posted January 18, 2020 #5 Share Posted January 18, 2020 43 minutes ago, kcdd said: Help! We have booked an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver RT on the Volendam leaving August 26. I am so excited that i check here every day to learn new things. How do I pass the time until we leave? Seven months seems so far away! Definitely start researching what you are going to do in each port. Check out the Alaska forum here on CC for lots of interesting ideas and tips. To get a taste of Alaska you need to get away from the cruise ship docks. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/33-alaska/ Obsess about packing 🙂 Make note of what you may need for clothing, that you don't yet own. Then haunt the online sales and 2nd hand clothing stores to pick up what you might need. Decide where you are staying in Vancouver pre-cruise, and what you will do while in Vancouver. What to see, where to eat.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted January 18, 2020 #6 Share Posted January 18, 2020 25 minutes ago, kcdd said: I have read books from the library on Alaska cruises. Searched the internet. Any books or websites I definitely need to peruse? I guess I need to start a countdown. It just seems so far away. Read books and movies set in Alaska (not just guide books). I always try to do this before a trip to a new place. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 18, 2020 #7 Share Posted January 18, 2020 There were times when we booked cruises 2 years in advance. Spent a lot of time researching all the ports -- making notes. Gave us a lot to think about and decide on what we wanted to do in the ports. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAVIP Posted January 18, 2020 #8 Share Posted January 18, 2020 2 hours ago, kcdd said: Help! We have booked an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver RT on the Volendam leaving August 26. I am so excited that i check here every day to learn new things. How do I pass the time until we leave? Seven months seems so far away! Booking another cruise in between? 🙂 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geocruiser Posted January 18, 2020 #9 Share Posted January 18, 2020 I don't know witch ports that you are going too. but this might keep you a little busy. SKAGWAY MUSEUMhttp://www.skagway.org/museum https://www.nps.gov/klgo/index.htm Red Onion Brothel http://redonion1898.com/brothel-museum-tours/ Jewell Gardenshttp://www.jewellgardens.com/ Walking Tour http://www.alaska.org/guide/skagway-walking-tour-non-audio Soopy smithhttp://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soapy-smith-killed-in-skagway-alaska http://tourketchikan.com/listing/ton...orical-museum/ http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/en/Th...and-Historical Creek Streethttp://www.experienceketchikan.com/c...ketchikan.html Dolly's House (Famous Brothel)http://creekstreetketchikan.com/dollys-house/ funicular (cable railwayhttp://youralaskacruise.com/reviews/...ular-1320.htmlhttp://www.explorenorth.com/alaska/i...ular-1168.html I also read some books about the gold rush before my trip. Klondike Fever by Pierre Berton Good Time Girls of the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush: Secret History of the Far North By lael Morgan Gold Rush Women by Claire Rudolf Murphy. http://tourketchikan.com/listing/ton...orical-museum/ http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/en/Th...and-Historical Creek Streethttp://www.experienceketchikan.com/c...ketchikan.html Dolly's House (Famous Brothel)http://creekstreetketchikan.com/dollys-house/ funicular (cable railwayhttp://youralaskacruise.com/reviews/...ular-1320.htmlhttp://www.explorenorth.com/alaska/i...ular-1168.html < 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamOp Posted January 18, 2020 #10 Share Posted January 18, 2020 (edited) You've got 221 days....or 5,304 hours......or 318,240 Minutes.....or 19,094,400seconds But who's counting????😁 It will be here before you know it! Edited January 18, 2020 by HamOp 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcdd Posted January 18, 2020 Author #11 Share Posted January 18, 2020 42 minutes ago, geocruiser said: I don't know witch ports that you are going too. but this might keep you a little busy. SKAGWAY MUSEUMhttp://www.skagway.org/museum https://www.nps.gov/klgo/index.htm Red Onion Brothel http://redonion1898.com/brothel-museum-tours/ Jewell Gardenshttp://www.jewellgardens.com/ Walking Tour http://www.alaska.org/guide/skagway-walking-tour-non-audio Soopy smithhttp://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soapy-smith-killed-in-skagway-alaska http://tourketchikan.com/listing/ton...orical-museum/ http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/en/Th...and-Historical Creek Streethttp://www.experienceketchikan.com/c...ketchikan.html Dolly's House (Famous Brothel)http://creekstreetketchikan.com/dollys-house/ funicular (cable railwayhttp://youralaskacruise.com/reviews/...ular-1320.htmlhttp://www.explorenorth.com/alaska/i...ular-1168.html I also read some books about the gold rush before my trip. Klondike Fever by Pierre Berton Good Time Girls of the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush: Secret History of the Far North By lael Morgan Gold Rush Women by Claire Rudolf Murphy. http://tourketchikan.com/listing/ton...orical-museum/ http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/en/Th...and-Historical Creek Streethttp://www.experienceketchikan.com/c...ketchikan.html Dolly's House (Famous Brothel)http://creekstreetketchikan.com/dollys-house/ funicular (cable railwayhttp://youralaskacruise.com/reviews/...ular-1320.htmlhttp://www.explorenorth.com/alaska/i...ular-1168.html < Wow! Thanks for taking the time to give me so many suggested areas to check out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Harters Posted January 18, 2020 #12 Share Posted January 18, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, kcdd said: How do I pass the time until we leave? Start the planning now. There's ports to research, pre & post cruise touristing to plan. Some things you might want to book early. For example, the "big trip" at Skagway is the train ride into the mountains. We looked at that and decided that the excursion was poor value for money, not least as it's staright there and straight back. So, a bit more research found a bus tour going on the same route. Half the price of the ship excursion and it stops several times for photos. I booked that a couple of weeks ago for our cruise in May - just to make sure we werent disappointed. Then, when you've done that. Take a break. Go on another holiday. Do something else. If you keep researching from now till August, you'll not only get bored yourself but you'll bore everyone else around you. Then when it's nearer the time, start planning again to fill in the gaps. Edited January 18, 2020 by Harters 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geocruiser Posted January 18, 2020 #13 Share Posted January 18, 2020 52 minutes ago, kcdd said: Wow! Thanks for taking the time to give me so many suggested areas to check out. Here is some for Juneau. Do do some reading. It make Alaska come alive for me. https://museums.alaska.gov/asm/asmhome.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqC7-LrMM9g Robert Moses tramway Juneau http://mountrobertstramway.com/ Mendenhall Glacier https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5400800 https://www.travelalaska.com/Destinations/Communities/Juneau.aspx?tab=2#attractions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geocruiser Posted January 18, 2020 #14 Share Posted January 18, 2020 (edited) https://museums.alaska.gov/asm/asmhome.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqC7-LrMM9g Robert Moses tramway Juneau http://mountrobertstramway.com/ Mendenhall Glacier https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5400800 https://www.travelalaska.com/Destinations/Communities/Juneau.aspx?tab=2#attractions Patsy Ann Greeter of Alaska https://patsyann.com/ https://skagway.com/ Skagway Saloon https://skagway.com/listings/mascot-saloon-exhibit/ Park Dept. https://www.nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htmFree tours. https://www.nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/walking-tours.htm Edited January 18, 2020 by geocruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTcruisenut Posted January 18, 2020 #15 Share Posted January 18, 2020 I have no advice! We leave February 5th and I am on here constantly, checking my reservation, going over my packing list, and the Roll Call. It is nerve wrecking! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcdd Posted January 18, 2020 Author #16 Share Posted January 18, 2020 16 minutes ago, VTcruisenut said: I have no advice! We leave February 5th and I am on here constantly, checking my reservation, going over my packing list, and the Roll Call. It is nerve wrecking! Jealous! Enjoy your time and tell us how it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevingastreich Posted January 18, 2020 #17 Share Posted January 18, 2020 5 hours ago, kcdd said: Help! We have booked an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver RT on the Volendam leaving August 26. I am so excited that i check here every day to learn new things. How do I pass the time until we leave? Seven months seems so far away! Savor the wait. Before you know it the cruise will be over and you will wish you were still waiting for it. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted January 18, 2020 #18 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Don't wish your life away. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuolumne couple Posted January 19, 2020 #19 Share Posted January 19, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, HamOp said: It will be here before you know it! Quote LOL, HamOp....you have no idea how many times that bug of yours has freaked me out. there must be a back story on that... Edited January 19, 2020 by tuolumne couple 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senoragilbert Posted January 19, 2020 #20 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Oh, there are lots of things to think about! Watch YouTube tours of your ship and ports, make a list of the stuff you need to pack that you wouldn’t for other trips (like luggage tag holders, insulated travel mugs, magnets, etc.), make door decorations and/or rubber duck tags, plan your meet and greet (or offer to help whomever is planning it). I can fill months with the unnecessary junk mentioned above. 😜 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
510picker Posted January 19, 2020 #21 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Enjoy the pre-cruise anticipation. Your vacation will be here and gone before you know it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamOp Posted January 19, 2020 #22 Share Posted January 19, 2020 (edited) 21 hours ago, tuolumne couple said: LOL, HamOp....you have no idea how many times that bug of yours has freaked me out. there must be a back story on that... Not really, I just like to make people nuts😈 Edited January 19, 2020 by HamOp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted January 19, 2020 #23 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Get the Alaska Cruise Handbook - a Mile by Mile Guide by Joe Upton. Make sure to get a new copy with the pull out map. I found the map to be invaluable on my cruises and have lent it out to others. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Boston Posted January 20, 2020 #24 Share Posted January 20, 2020 While most Alaskans would roll their eyes, reading Alaska by James Michener helped to make the time pass and set the stage from a natural history perspective. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leerathje Posted January 20, 2020 #25 Share Posted January 20, 2020 I recommend reading posts on CC.....I have learned so many things! Even though the thread may not be about your cruise, there's still lots to learn. L. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now