Coral

I would agree with you about the one ways are so much better than round trip Seattle cruises. Last year I did an 11 night round trip Vancouver with Princess and that was great as we had the extra days. Doing a 7 night round trip out of Vancouver is better than Seattle but still not as good as 7 nights one way. Having the 11 nights allowed for long port days and hitting extra ports than normal cruises. Though they are not doing those this year.

I can't say that is the rule. It depends on the insurance and the individual person. There are definitely reasons to buy insurance early.

I have to say I did many Caribbean cruises also so you are not alone. I had a friend who had done Alaska and I wondered why he loved Alaska. I only went because I had a free trip as "I would never pay to go to Alaska". Well - Alaska has sold me and I will pick Alaska over the Caribbean time over time. Honestly I can't remember the last time I was in the Caribbean as I have been cruising elsewhere including Alaska. My first trip to Alaska for in 2002. Alaska has changed a lot. Glaciers have retreated quite a bit. Also, the ports now seem over run as the cruise ships coming now are much larger and more ships are coming. Thus, I encourage you to get out of the port towns. Have fun planning. Very few people do not love Alaska. The good thing is that you have plenty of time to plan. Alaska also attracts a lot of people who are not cruisers but want to see Alaska so there are plenty of new cruisers on the ships also.

Yes it sells out. It is one of the more popular excursions (with limited space) in Juneau.

Wow! Have a blast!

Congrats! I am sure it will be an amazing trip! Envious 🙂

You have plenty of time 🙂

Just realize "average" shore excursions are much more expensive than the Caribbean. A lot of individuals are shocked at the prices after they book and expect shore excursion prices to be similar to the Caribbean. They definitely are not. You have time to budget for them. I would start looking at them because if you just walk off the ship and stay in the port towns you may see a lot of jewelry stores. IMO - the best part of Alaska ports are not in the port towns, but outside the port towns.

I actually have also in the past, just not last year (which was the earliest I have gone in May). I just have to say last year in Juneau was my worst whale watching ever. Maybe it was the day I went. I prefer to travel in May and have always had great luck. Last year ICP was much better than Juneau for me and Juneau was lackluster.

I had never heard of Boring Company - too funny! Yea, my last Juneau whale watching was uneventful. No bubble feeding, no breaching - just fins and tales.

My insurance has pretty poor coverage outside of the US. Thus, I need to buy something else. Glad you have good coverage!

I went whale watching 2x for a May 12th cruise last year. I saw more activity in ICP than Juneau but we did see a several whales in Juneau. They just were boring and not doing anything fun.

No - I think you are right. I typed the wrong period. Regardless - anyone interested in Princess's insurance, make sure you look carefully at pre-existing conditions, 60 day look back period and the amount of medical it covers (and your coverage outside of the US). Theresa

Alaska by Cruise Ship by Anne Vipond is a great book to get a feel for Alaska planning.

If you are only doing 3-4 nights on land - I would skip Fairbanks. That is too far to go IMO for that short of trip. I would be tempted to do it on my own. Rent a car and do Alyeska (Girdwood) and Seward.