Questions RSSC alaska

[gdkss]

We are booking a cruise, June 08, from Vancouver to Seward on the Regent Mariner. We are taking our three teenagers(16,16,14). How important is it to be on the Starboard side of the ship? Is there any downside to being at the rear of the ship? Currently our rooms are 777 and 779. Any recommendations on must do excursions? We would also appreciate any info on activities for teenagers aboard the ship. Thanks for any advice.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Your children will have a wonderful time. The excursions are very active and there are many things that will excite them. There are lectures and activities that will be interesting to them - such as the morning your are in the Fjords there will be Alaskan natives (Tinglet) on board in native dress talking about their way of life. On board there are movies and Dvd's, board games and they can go to the Bridge and Galley for tours.

 

The excursions that I have done have been the Rainforest Hike in Ketchikan, Floatplane to Taku Glacier Lodge, Whale Watching with Captain Larry (not ship sponsored) in Juneau. In Juneau you can walk across from the dock to go up the Mount Roberts Tramway. Last year, before we were in Juneau, we went and did the Misty Fjords excursion - a must do and the kids will be in awe. The Skagway Railroad was fun, but, your kids would probably like it more if they did the train one way and the bicycle the other - they have changed it, so I am not sure. The Wildlife center in Sitka is always a favorite. Oh and Dogsledding too..

 

I haven't sailed in the aft cabins, but, on Mariner they are well loved too and Alaksa is a great place to have a balcony. Starboard or port makes not one difference - we've done both.

[Balliett]

For much less than the ship's excursion cost, you could charter a float plane from the Juneau airport and overfly the glaciers, and maybe see some critters, too. A water landing is a new experience. We did this from a HAL cruise with two kids. Most memorable vacation experience. (Also did Regent Voyager Baltic last year, best cruise of our ten).

[Balliett]

Best thing we did on Alaska cruise with our kids: Charter a float plane from the Juneau airport. Your own plane (and pilot) for way less than the ship excursion price, especially for five. Overfly the glaciers, and/or look for critters. Kids never forgot it. This was a HAL cruise, but btw we had our best cruise ever (for two now) last fall on Regent Voyager in Baltic.

[mtd100]

We took our 16-year-old son on this same trip last year and he had a wonderful time. We tended to pick the active excursions: We went kayaking in Ketchikan, in Juneau we did the helicopter with dog sledding and in Skagway we took a 2nd helicopter trip with hiking and a short ride on the train. We also did the Tracy Arm excursion that he enjoyed.

 

There were a number of teenagers on the ship and on our excursions also. The ship has activities planned every evening until 11:30 for the teenagers, and also during the day on the sea days. In the evenings our son would dress for dinner with us, and then change back into jeans to participate in the evening activities with the other kids. The ship also has a separate ambassadors of environment program, but our son didn’t participate in it, as it seemed to be mainly younger children.

[harbormaster]

Hi we were on this cruise this past August. It was a fabulous cruise - one of the best we have ever taken.

First, we were on the port side of the ship in 1060. Toward the aft, but not totally aft. It was a wonderful location. The more aft cabins also are great- Mariner does not have the vibration problems talked of on the boards. In Hubbard Glacier, the captain turns the ship 360 degrees for viewing, so location doesn't matter. You'll also be up on deck a lot. Also, highly recommend that you go to the naturalist talks in the observation lounge in the mornings as you are doing the Inland Passage, Hubbard Glacier, etc as the viewing and photography opportunities are tremendous. Also for whale watching, which many of the teenagers onboard really enjoyed. There were about 100 children on our cruise and they all were occupied and very well behaved. The ship has lots of activities to keep them busy and the excursions were well suited to teenagers and smaller children as well

Our favorite excursion was the Tracy Arm catamaran which went up to the Sawyer Glacier. The catamaran pulled aside the ship, we all boarded (about 120 people) and pulled into the Arm while Mariner followed for a while and then went on to Juneau, where we met it later. We got really close to the Glacier and spent a lot of time there - it was absolutely awesome. Saw orcas as well.

We also rented a car in Skagway from Avis and drove up to Emerald Lake and the Yukon over the White pass. If you check the boards under Ports of Call - Alaska you can find Murray's Guide to doing this. It was a really fun day. Lots of other Alaska excursion info on that board also.

Those who took the float plane to Taku had a great time - although the fog came in and they had to get helicopters to bring people back - including the captain! Quite an adventure for them.

Really, most anything you do on this trip will be exciting and fun. Have a great time!

You can read my review at

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=615619

[TedC]

Gdkss, have you considered booking cabins on each side of the ship - one port other starboard - on same deck? Then you could use balcony which has best view at any given time.

[Iamboatman]

The Mariner is a great ship. It really doesn't matter which side of the ship you are on. You go in and out of the same ports, so you see everything. Also, the captain will turn the ship in various places so that both side see the same thing.

 

Also, whales, eagles, etc. do not worry about port or starboard...they go where they want.

 

I would also suggest that with 5 of you, private excursions may well be a better way to obtain high quality experiences and at a better price. I would, however, strongly suggest the Tracy Arm excursion as it is a wonderful experience...especially on a clear day (and you will still have most of the day left to do other things like whale watching, etc.)

[gdkss]

Gdkss, have you considered booking cabins on each side of the ship - one port other starboard - on same deck? Then you could use balcony which has best view at any given time.

 

we thoght of that but were told that there are two separate hallways on board so we chose not to. Thanks

[gdkss]

Thank you all for all your wonderful advice. It was most helpful. We can't wait for June. It seems so far away, but as always, it will get here before we know it:)

[World Traveler]

We will be with our two teens (will be 15 and 17) on the June 11th trip! Hoping that you are on that one! Please let us know!