Alaska Heresy

[Texaslady22]

My husband and I are celebrating our 20-year anniversary this summer! 

 

We're still raising kids, one of whom is medically fragile, and life is stressful. I really wanted to just get a hotel and relax for a week, but then we got an amazing deal on the Carnival Luminosa to Alaska and thought it would be better than some random hotel. We had free Southwest points, so the trip was extremely affordable. And we've never cruised anywhere but the Caribbean, so that's pretty cool.

 

Here's the thing, though. I really don't want to zip line or hike and see waterfalls. I don't want to white water raft. I don't want adventure. I want to sleep in, have a few drinks, maybe play some slots, and relax. We loved the thermal suite on the Dream, so we've already purchased it. We want to hang in the relaxation room. We want to sit in silence and read a book. 

 

So here's my question. What if we don't plan excursions? Can we just hang out at the spa and look out the windows at the nearby scenery? Can we walk off the ship and eat at a restaurant at the port and then walk back on? One day, we might want to go have a real adventure in Alaska, but would we be terrible people if we just spend this trip at a more relaxed pace? Is this a terrible idea? 

[wolfie11]

Alaska is an amazing place.  It provides what you need.  If you need excitement and adventure, there are a myriad of shore excursions that will fit your needs.  If you require tranquility and healing, there is nothing better than watching the amazing scenery slip by the ship, looking for wildlife, or watching a sunset.  To each their own.  Spend your days as you like and enjoy a well-earned break.

[kdakda]

It's YOUR vacation and you can do whatever you choose...... and do whatever you think you need to relax and get rejuvenated.  To me, a cruise is a wonderful opportunity to do this.

 

We're doing our first Alaska cruise, and booked last minute.   Due to mobility limitations, we're also not looking for real active adventures, and also don't like the idea of committing to a 6-8 hour excursion.   So we're planning to enjoy the scenery we can see, explore the town, book a train ride, sample some local food and support the economy by buying fudge and T-shirts.  And if we get inspired to book something else once we're there, we'll hope something is available.  

 

There's probably lots of people who think we're missing out, but we don't see it that way.

[martincath]

You can do (or not do) whatever the heck you want!

 

Our Azamara cruise was a similar opportunity - busy busy, stress, dirt-cheap bargain rate cruise dropped into our laps, and we spent literally not a dime on board beyond the cruise fare nor did we buy a single excursion, not even an independent one. We got off at every port but just pootled around on foot - the odd museum costs us a few bucks to enter and we bought a few beers in local bars, my wife hit a couple of yarn stores, but I think we spent a total of maybe $200?

 

It was superbly relaxing - and the ship was very chill on port days as most folks did pile off to run around doing things, and often deals are available in spas on port days. Some will think you're mad to miss out on doing X, Y, or Z - but you do you!!!

[roupa]

Yes, do your own thing!  As said, ports are easy to meander around if you just want a little walk, shop, eat, drink, feel the local vibe. Passing scenery from the ship will be great!

Don’t be discouraged when you hear shore excursion stories at dinner time.  There are always experiences to hear about, but the reason for different excursions is for different expectations.  One size doesn’t fit all !   Expect a relaxing, well deserved cruise doing as YOU please!   Happy Anniversary!

 

[roupa]

PS.  Just keep an open mind as you just might find an excursion that strikes you.  If so, go for it as this’ll be a special anniversary celebration.

[1025cruise]

Yes, you can just sit around on the ship if you wish. However, I can't imagine doing that in Alaska.

[GTJ]

19 hours ago, Texaslady22 said:

What if we don't plan excursions? Can we just hang out at the spa and look out the windows at the nearby scenery? Can we walk off the ship and eat at a restaurant at the port and then walk back on? One day, we might want to go have a real adventure in Alaska, but would we be terrible people if we just spend this trip at a more relaxed pace? Is this a terrible idea? 

Yes. While it would not be my choice to do so, it is entirely possible and no one would object to your avoidance of all excursions. Treat the vessel as a floating and mobile resort hotel. Use the facilities while in port. Or exit the vessel, remaining nearby, just to visit a restaurant or perhaps peer into some stores. Keep in mind, though, that all meals will be available to you on the vessel, included in your fare, while any meals you take ashore will be at your additional expense.

 

No one outside your party will think of this as "terrible," and the only judgment that will be made will be your own. You know best what you want to do, what you can do, and what you can afford to do. That's the best guidance.

Edited May 4, 2023 by GTJ

[ACorgan]

You can always reserve the right to change your mind. On my first Alaskan cruise, we only prebooked one excursion (in Victoria) and figured out the rest as we went along. At meals, we’d hear what our tables mates were planning to do and if something sounded fun we could usually find the option to buy a similar excursion right on the dock. This allowed us to wait and see how we were feeling that day and what the weather was like.
It wouldn’t be the best plan if there was a particular activity you had your heart set on (in case it was sold out), but we were fortunate not to encounter that problem 

[vswan]

Our first trip to Alaska we prebooked a shore excursion at each port, wanted to see as much as we could figuring it was a one and done. Been to Alaska 4 times now, and am heading for the 5th this summer. Since the first trip we haven't booked any shore excursions through the cruise lines.

 

If you want to get off and walk around, fine. If you don't that's fine too. Most ports have tours available as you get off if you want. We have also just taken the city bus in Juneau, it was very authentic. To me one of the best things about Alaska is the views from the ship - glaciers, just passing the scenery.

[slidergirl]

Nothing wrong with that.  It’s what I’m just finishing up doing tomorrow.  Alaska wasn’t on my radar (have bear, moose at home and I’ve hiked on glaciers while backpacking), but a friend found a good fare for a solo and told me about it.  After a hard Winter Season this year and blowing my shoulder (surgery coming in the Fall), I just wanted to relax.  I only planned one excursion.  In Sitka, I went to the Bear sanctuary (they rescue orphaned bears) and the Raptor Recovery Center to see the bald eagles and others rehabbing after injuries.  I do this kind of trip if I hear of a facility where I’m going, so this interested me.  Also stopped off for a little time at Sitka National Historical Park for a walk in the forest there.  Exactly a nice, relaxing couple of hours.   In the other ports, and the rest of the day in Sitka, I just wandered around and seeing what I found,  Picked up some halibut and salmon tacos and drank some excellent Sour in a little outdoor Biergarten set up in Juneau.  Dockside Dave’s and Devil’s Club Brewery has a nice little setup.  In Ketchikan, I walked up to see the fish ladder, but no fish yet.  Other than those things, I relaxed on my balcony or my sofa, put on the headphones and listened to music, and nap.  Exactly what I wanted to do and exactly what my body needed,

 

No need to fill up up every day with some excursion or activity.  

[SightCRR]

That is what is great about AK is that you can do whatever you want. No one cares what you do except you. Don't bother with trying to find food on shore when you have so many great food places on the ship that is included or some upcharge and far fewer people than normal. No issues worrying about food allergies.  fyi the casino likely closed in port. sightcrr 

[cabland]

While I would not be inclined to do it, you obviously can.  A few comments though:

 

1. Endicott Arm - I THINK your ship goes through Endicott Arm.  This is, effectively, your glacier day as you will likely see Dawes glacier from the ship (albeit at a distance).  The "Arm" itself should also offer good sightseeing (probably better than any number of excursions).

 

2. Low Effort Tours - So there are a number of decent "low effort" tours/activities you might consider like:

a. Juneau - Whale watching tour or trip out to Mendenhall glacier

b. Skagway - The train is the epitome of low effort.  It is right there at the port.  You get on, sit down, and ride it.  Walking in town (which is tiny) is also low effort.

c.  Ketchikan - We really liked the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's tour.  It is basically a crab boat converted to be a tour boat.  You just sit , listen to the guys, look for whales and go to see an awesome Eagle site (they chum the water and DOZENS of Eagles are are swooping down).  Boat leaves from right there at the dock.

 

In short, you don't have to zipline, take a long walking tour, ride an expensive helicopter, etc. to get a bit of a taste of Alaska.

 

Good luck.

Edited May 7, 2023 by cabland

[kitkat343]

Our favorite excursions in Alaska were the bering sea fisherman tour and taking a helicopter to a dog camp on a mountaintop.  I was pregnant so it was a non adventure trip and we loved it.  If you post your itinerary we can give you advice as to easy tours you might enjoy.  But ultimately its totally up to you - on my second cruise, there was a florida resident who had been on that exact cruise 15 times before (it ran weekly from Tampa where he lives)  When last minute fares were cheap enough, he'd go because he loved the golfing in the 4 ports.  He was actually upset on my cruise because the golf excursion was cancelled due to low enrollment.  On another cruise, we booked it specifically because we wanted to visit Guatemala, but ran into a lot  of other passengers who didn't even get off the ship there because they were scared (which was a shame because it is a beautiful country and our private tour felt really safe although I understand there are parts of the country that are dealing with violence issues).  But that's totally up to them and its totally up to you to do whatever you want as long as you are happy.   I would consider the easy tours, but it's not required that you ever get off the ship.

 

 

Edited May 7, 2023 by kitkat343

[geepmaley]

Looking like the dog sled/helo tours in Juneau stop before we get there 9/13. What are everyone's favorite Helo tour companies in Juneau?

 

[latebuyer]

Sorry i'm not clear what cruise line you are on? My only comment is sometimes you are not right in port to be able to walk off, you need to take a bus. I think it depends on the cruise line.

[Ferry_Watcher]

You do you!

 

A photo of the Luminosa in Skagway last week taken from the Solstice.

 

 

 

[BigMattT]

Last year, Husband and I only got off the ship for 30 mins in Ketchikan to buy a stuffed toy otter for a niece.

 

It was still a fantastic, relaxing time. The scenery from the ship was excellent, and the spa was practically empty in ports.

 

Granted, it was our 3rd time to Alaska. But, it’s your vacation. Do what you want. Having zero obligations was what we needed for a week.