Cruise_More_Often

On 3/19/2019 at 7:52 AM, peety3 said:

One of the things I've noticed is that, at least on Princess, the tour name (as sold by Princess) matches the tour name as offered by the operator. And yes, Gastineau Guiding is (in my opinion) by far the best. Their boats are 14 passenger (for the photo safari) or 20 passenger (for the other tours), but it's the windows that make the difference.

 

Don't be afraid of their Photo Safari, regardless of skill or desire to learn. The smaller boat is worthwhile, and the tour guides know how to adapt to their crowd.

We did one of Gastineau Guiding's photo safari excursions a few years ago, and just this morning we booked another one. I agree, they are good.

11 hours ago, Tourist1292 said:

Thanks for reminding me the AE-1, my first SLR camera in the 70s.

I used one of those in the 70s, too. I took a junior college photography class for fun, and most of our time was spent learning how to develop our pictures. On weekends, I would turn our small bathroom into a darkroom, and no one was allowed to use that bathroom. Thankfully we had another.

Those pictures are fabulous, Ginny. Thanks for sharing them.

Great zoom pictures! Thanks to everyone for sharing.

52 minutes ago, peety3 said:

Close your eyes and envision what you're doing on your cruise. My passion is photography, so it's absolutely three DSLRs and probably six lenses for me, and two DSLRs and several lenses for my wife, but to each their own. Some people fret over buying a $400 camera, some people fret over buying a $400 lens, some people don't even fret about spending $700 to rent a $13k lens (that'd be me). Alaska is always my chance to play.

When you fly, how do you carry all that gear?

55 minutes ago, Cruise_More_Often said:

Sunny AZ Girl, check out the optical zoom setting on the a6000. It will get you a bit more zoom without much degrading of your photos.

Ooops, my bad. It's "Clear Image Zoom," not "optical zoom."

Great photos, purdo. Sounds like that lens is a keeper. 

We each have new Sony a6000 cameras, but unfortunately we can't afford to buy that excellent lens. We keep weighing using our old Panasonic LX1000 bridge cameras with their 18-400 zoom or going with our new (sharper) a6000 cameras using both of the kit lenses -- 16-50 and 55-200. We change our minds every day.

Sunny AZ Girl, check out the optical zoom setting on the a6000. It will get you a bit more zoom without much degrading of your photos.

OP, I use my Samsung S8+ camera a lot on cruise, too. I was shocked when looking at our last Alaska cruise pictures to see how many I shot with the cellphone. I don't try to shoot wildlife with it, though.

On 2/25/2019 at 8:26 AM, pierces said:

Since this topic pops up about every 2-4 months, I wrote an article a while ago with an (pretty much) objective presentation of the facts involved in what has become a minor religion.

 

RAW vs. JPEG at PPTPhoto.com

 

Dave

Very interesting article, Dave. Thank you for linking to it.

I agree with everyone else on the Vancouver round trip on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We went to Haines last year, and I think you'd enjoy Skagway much more. Plus, the NA is gorgeous.

On 3/7/2019 at 11:31 PM, Budget Queen said:

Sneakers are fine.   I also suggest you consider the Trail of Time,    Very easy and interesting trail,  that I always include.   Brings you out near the parking lot and shuttle bus pick up. 

Thank you! We haven't done that trail but will in June.

We had no problem making a 10:30 flight on a Saturday a couple years ago. We booked a limo, and the driver was late getting there, but we still made it with plenty of time to spare. However, as noted above by others, definitely plan to do self-disembarkation.

4 hours ago, Kartgv said:

Update - finally able to print boarding documents by switching to Internet Explorer.   Apparently HAL hasn't been able to make their programs work with Microsoft computers and the Edge programs.   It is pretty annoying to have to initialize the IE system solely to print one document - hope the onboard experience is much better than the online one!    

It will be. Congrats on getting the docs printed.

19 hours ago, Coral said:

26 Glacier is out of Whittier. They do offer RT transportation out of Anchorage.

 

I love Seward. I would try to get a reservation for a hotel for the last night in Seward instead of Anchorage and spend an extra day there. So much to see and do.

 

I would take the train to Seward. 

I agree with Coral's suggestion to book your last night in Seward and take the early train from Anchorage to Seward, then do one of the Kenai Fjord cruises (we loved ours with Major Marine). Then you can relax overnight and maybe visit the Alaska Sealife Center in the morning before going to the ship.

We went in late August a couple of years ago. We had high overcast but no rain and definitely no snow. And, if you're lucky, it will be great leaf-peeping time. The tundra was just turning a gorgeous orange when we were there. We would choose the same time frame for a return trip.

I've used my LL Bean rain pants two or three times. We've had ours for years. They're wonderful to have if it's nasty out and they're lightweight and packable (in your backpack) in case it's not raining when you leave the ship but probably will later. I already have them out for our June cruise. 

The only reason I knew is that we're going there in June on the Amsterdam.  We've been be on five Alaska cruises (I think five), and I've always wanted to see Sitka. We're doing an excursion called Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest, and it will leave enough time afterwards to see some of the places everyone on this thread has recommended.

5 hours ago, BarbinMich said:

. . .  When we were there Sitka was a tender port and I would assume it still is.  BTW, what ship will you be on?  We were there on a HAL ship and that line doesn't appear to stop there anymore.  Enjoy!

This year four HAL ships will dock in Sitka:  Eurodam, Oosterdam, Amsterdam and Maasdam. 

I also loved our Glacier Point Wilderness Safari last summer. I thought the whole excursion was handled well, and I never for one moment felt unsafe. 

What a hard choice! I prefer Hubbard. It's so huge and just gorgeous. We saw her back in May 2012. But, I love the Eurodam, which is a little more modern and has the Tamarind restaurant. Either choice will be great.

I think you've made a good decision. It's not that close, and some of the trip is uphill.

Neither my husband nor I remember what we paid, but I bet if you asked on the West Coast or Canada (Alaska/Pacific Coastal) boards, someone from Vancouver will be able to help you. They will also be able to help with your airport timing question.

Yes to both.

We've used Chilkoot Charters and Dyea Dave. The first year, with Chilkoot, we did the van up and train back. Honestly, I enjoyed the van more than the rail part, so the following year we booked a round-trip van excursion with Dyea Dave. Both guides were wonderful. In the van out of Skagway the right side is best. You might even see the train across the valley.

OP, we did the Glacier Wilderness Safari last summer, but we took it from Haines instead of Skagway (it's a little farther from Skagway). I really enjoyed it. You get to walk right up to the Davidson Glacier.

Like Crew News, May has been my favorite time to cruise to Alaska. We started out cruising in May because of the lower fares, but we have found the weather to be really nice. We're from northern California and have never felt too cold in May. And with the snow on the hills, it looks like Alaska. I think you'll have a wonderful time.

1 minute ago, IllinoisGirl1978 said:

It's boring.

I'd rather watch the little white truck.