Alaskan cruise opinions/suggestions wanted

[danovercash]

Didn't take a cruise, but flew to Juneau twice. BIL and SIL lived there then. Pack some "everday" clothes to wear off ship. Matching outfits or dressy shouts "tourist", and there is a different price structure for locals versus tourist. Really enjoyed Juneau and the surrounding areas.

[beaconlight]

The question about weather in Alaska in September has an interesting answer. I have seen snow on September 2 of 1960 and never saw the ground again that winter at Tok Junction and walked about in Shorts in September atPport Heiden in the Aleutians. People don't realize the size of that place. It has more north and south that Maine to Florida. East and west is just as bad with the Aleutians stretching 1200 miles on top of how ever many miles there is of the mainland.

Bev wanted to see some of the places that I worked in Alaska so we took a tour a couple of years back. We left NY and landed in Anchorage. Next day it was the train to Denali. 2 days there and then train to Fairbanks. 2 nights with tours of a gold mine and the pipe line. Then a bus to Tok,. We spent the night and then the next day up the Taylor highway , with a stop at the town of Chicken, on to Eagle on the Yukon River. At Eagle we took a boat to Dawson Canada where we spent 2 nights and a ferry across the Yukon and back, also to a Casino and other sight seeing including the Masonic Temple. Next day a bus to grab the White Pass & Yukon Route RR to Skagway. There we caught the Volendam and did the inside passage with a number of stops including Ketchekan. The Glacier viewing was fantastic I have many pictures of ice breaking off. We left the boat in Vancouver.
We made a stop in Las Vegas for almost a week on the way home. A friend I used to work with moved there and he and his wife gave us a weeks guided tour of the casinos. Which ever one that had freeby for the day he took us to. then a trip to Hoover dam.
Even with out the stop in Las Vegas I recommend a trip including the interior.

[Redcub]

If you are going Northbound make sure to get a cabin on the right side so you are facing the shore. Likewise, if Southbound, on the left side. You might see some sunsets, but more than likley not, due to overcast, so don't expect Hawaii type golden sunsets. Buy rain gear that fits over your t-shirt and sweatshirt that are underneath. You will still need sunglasses. Make sure your camera has the most powerful zoom lens you can afford as the view of wildlife and the mountains might not look very good once you are back home and review them. If/when you are in Ketchikan you can take a bus tour to "Totem Bite" park, or just take a taxi 5 miles north out of town. At the very end of the road is a great park with trails that take you through some of the nicest old moss cover tree you have ever seen. Check it out on Google Earth. Have fun and dress in layers.

[Bezirk]

We went on an Alaskan cruise last year in June , I would be glad to give you our thoughts. We used Princess cruise lines and were very well pleased. P/M for info if you wish.
Berlin

[Ken (48 Cub)]

Thanks Guys, I have been reading all the reviews. The one complaint that seems to be accross the board on all cruise lines is about the food. Mediocre at best on the buffets. Did you have the same?

[beaconlight]

Man no food problem at all except more than we could ever want was available.