J
justqreus
Guest
Anyone sailing with us? We just booked this...first time to Alaska...we're excited. Would love to hear from others.
Joyce
Joyce
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D
Dandylyon
Guest
We'll be sailing with you. This is our second cruise ever, and our second to Alaska! Last year we went on Celebrity Summit, 7-day NB. Fabulous! We're looking forward to this one!
J
justqreus
Guest
That's great...you must have loved it last time! Are you going to the same ports? I guess you'll be catching the things you missed. There is so much to see! We've booked a couple independent excursions, have you? I understand that it won't be like the Caribbean where there are folks at the docks anxious to take you places, so we're trying to arrange at least some things ahead of time without resorting to the ship's excursions. Any advice on what not to miss?
Joyce
Joyce
D
Dandylyon
Guest
Last time we started in Vancouver and spent a couple of days there before the cruise. We also visited Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), which was a highlight for me.
This time we get more sea days and a stop at Sitka, although at cruisecritic there is some talk that NCL isn't stopping there on some cruises. The other different port is Prince Rupert.
You're right--there is so much to see and do. The scenery from the ship is just unbelievable. Last year my husband and daughter went on a couple of "outside" booked fishing excursions, and my daughter and I went horseback riding in the Yukon (out of Skagway). This year my husband is doing that with me--I loved it last time--beautiful scenery, nice ride.
Last year we visited Mendenhall Glacier from the visitor center; this year I'm trying to get a kayak or canoe excursion. We didn't go on any helicopter or airplane excursions, but everyone says that they are a wonderful experience.
There are so many choices for whatever activity level you prefer. What are your plans?
This time we get more sea days and a stop at Sitka, although at cruisecritic there is some talk that NCL isn't stopping there on some cruises. The other different port is Prince Rupert.
You're right--there is so much to see and do. The scenery from the ship is just unbelievable. Last year my husband and daughter went on a couple of "outside" booked fishing excursions, and my daughter and I went horseback riding in the Yukon (out of Skagway). This year my husband is doing that with me--I loved it last time--beautiful scenery, nice ride.
Last year we visited Mendenhall Glacier from the visitor center; this year I'm trying to get a kayak or canoe excursion. We didn't go on any helicopter or airplane excursions, but everyone says that they are a wonderful experience.
There are so many choices for whatever activity level you prefer. What are your plans?
J
justqreus
Guest
We booked a whale watching tour with Orca in Juneau (Captain Larry, I trhink). Also a glacier-tour all day boat trip in Seward.
In Skagway (somewhat in sticker shock over the price of the excursions) we booked a rental car for the day.
Any insights on Ketchikan or Prince Rupert? We have guidebooks and are trying to make plans, but it's time-consuming!
I'm not that interested in the flying tours (at least this time!) though everyone says landing on the glacier in a helicopter is not to be missed. Also dog-sledding sounds great--maybe next time!
We live in NYC suburbs. It'll be my first trip to Seattle (husband has been there on business) and we have a nephew in the area. We're going out on the 17th hoping to visit him and his wife, and see the sights. Always wanted to see that part of the country!
Where do you live? Look forward to hearing from you. Joyce
In Skagway (somewhat in sticker shock over the price of the excursions) we booked a rental car for the day.
Any insights on Ketchikan or Prince Rupert? We have guidebooks and are trying to make plans, but it's time-consuming!
I'm not that interested in the flying tours (at least this time!) though everyone says landing on the glacier in a helicopter is not to be missed. Also dog-sledding sounds great--maybe next time!
We live in NYC suburbs. It'll be my first trip to Seattle (husband has been there on business) and we have a nephew in the area. We're going out on the 17th hoping to visit him and his wife, and see the sights. Always wanted to see that part of the country!
Where do you live? Look forward to hearing from you. Joyce
D
Dandylyon
Guest
Hi Joyce,
Are you the Joyce of Joyce & Tim over on cruisecritic? I'm Dandylyon over there too. I'm still trying to find out the facts about Sitka!
We live in Southern California. We are flying up to Seattle the day of the cruise--somewhat chancy, but I think it'll work out fine.
We are really looking forward to our cruise! I was a bit conflicted about taking it, because our 17 year old daughter will be coming home from a month in France on July 25, so we will be missing her homecoming. Grandma is coming to stay with her, my brother will be picking her up from the airport, and she is quite independent, so I'm sure it will be fine.
We are just going to have to adjust to this new phase in our lives--soon to have empty nest syndrome. Our daughter is going off to college in the fall. It's interesting how our focus is starting to change as we get closer to her moving out "on her own." We have never taken a vacation without her before--except maybe a weekend here and there.
Making my (packing) list, and checking it twice!
Are you the Joyce of Joyce & Tim over on cruisecritic? I'm Dandylyon over there too. I'm still trying to find out the facts about Sitka!
We live in Southern California. We are flying up to Seattle the day of the cruise--somewhat chancy, but I think it'll work out fine.
We are really looking forward to our cruise! I was a bit conflicted about taking it, because our 17 year old daughter will be coming home from a month in France on July 25, so we will be missing her homecoming. Grandma is coming to stay with her, my brother will be picking her up from the airport, and she is quite independent, so I'm sure it will be fine.
We are just going to have to adjust to this new phase in our lives--soon to have empty nest syndrome. Our daughter is going off to college in the fall. It's interesting how our focus is starting to change as we get closer to her moving out "on her own." We have never taken a vacation without her before--except maybe a weekend here and there.
Making my (packing) list, and checking it twice!
J
justqreus
Guest
Yeah, I posted it both places and CC gets much more traffic. There for awhile I thought NO one was going to answer! I assumed it was you, and somehow thought you'd figure out I was the same one who wrote, even with the different name. Looks like we have a good group started. It will be fun to get together.
I sympathize with you about the empty nest! You'll love it after a while but it's hard to get used to at first. It does sound like you have an independent daughter! Is she going far from home for college? Our kids all went far away (Ohio, Virginia, SC) and then stayed there after college. Our youngest son just got married in January. He's 27. We also have a daughter 30 and a son 34.
Tim just turned 60 and has been retired for three years. We've been traveling a lot ever since, visiting our scattered family, including two grandsons in Ohio, which is also where we are from originally, and my sister in Italy. Just started spending the winters in Fla, where I have lots of family. Recently discovered we love cruising --it's a nice way to see a lot of places (albeit briefly!) and meet interesting people.
Good luck with the packing! See you soon. Joyce
I sympathize with you about the empty nest! You'll love it after a while but it's hard to get used to at first. It does sound like you have an independent daughter! Is she going far from home for college? Our kids all went far away (Ohio, Virginia, SC) and then stayed there after college. Our youngest son just got married in January. He's 27. We also have a daughter 30 and a son 34.
Tim just turned 60 and has been retired for three years. We've been traveling a lot ever since, visiting our scattered family, including two grandsons in Ohio, which is also where we are from originally, and my sister in Italy. Just started spending the winters in Fla, where I have lots of family. Recently discovered we love cruising --it's a nice way to see a lot of places (albeit briefly!) and meet interesting people.
Good luck with the packing! See you soon. Joyce
