Alaska05

We're going back too this year. Have done 3 Alaska cruises with the last one being in 2008. We were scheduled for a back to back in 2009 but had to cancel a few days prior to departure due to a sudden illness.

Can't wait to cruise in May since all our others were in July. :D

We're arriving in Seward on May 17 and picking up a car rental in Anchorage for a few days.

There doesn't seem to be too much difference in price whether we pick it up at the airport or downtown.

We'll probably take HAL's transportation from Seward and they drop off either at the airport or the welcome center.

Which would be the easiest, less crowded, smoother transaction to deal with -- airport location (Alamo) or downtown (Avis).

Thanks in advance.

Also, there's a possibility that Delta will change the time.

It's been less than a month since I booked our flights on Delta (Cincinnati-Vancouver and Anchorage-Cincinnati).

Delta has changed our return flights twice in less than a month. And they were drastic changes including routing. Originally returning through Seattle. Now routed through Minneapolis.

Now that DH is retiring from his principal's job, we want to head back to Alaska.

I'm seeking opinions on preferences for May vs. September since we've always cruised Alaska in July.

Any big weather differences? I'm thinking May might be cooler just coming off winter. But I could be wrong.

In comparing prices for late August-September 2014 vs. May 2015, I'm finding it a little cheaper for May 2015 which surprised me.

It's been 7 years since our last Alaska cruise and I'm anxious to get back.

Some winning bids for my August Alaska cruise from Vancouver on the Serenade of the Seas.

DT Seatle 4 *-Westin Seatle-8/26-2 nights-$80 per night with taxes-$96

 

DT Vancouver 4* Pan Pacific-8/28-$85-with taxes-$106

 

Airport Seatle 3*-Double tree 9/5-$40with taxes-$53

That's a fantastic price on the Pan Pacific -- congrats. I want to stay there the night before our cruise, but don't want to use Priceline because there are so many 4* hotels in downtown Vancouver. Right now we have a room booked at the Marriott Pinnacle using reward points. I've been watching Hotwire where the PP is a 5* and looks like about 1-2 weeks out the Pan Pacific will show up in the $111 range. I still have a couple weeks to go. Does anyone know if you bid a little bit higher on Priceline (rather than lowballing) if you will have a better chance of getting the Pan Pacific?

Priceline question for first-timer regarding the confirmation shown on the reservation. Is this a Priceline confirmation # or is it the confirmation that would show up in the hotel's system if I would call them, in my case Hyatt. The confirmation # begins with HY.

On Priceline I just got the Hyatt Regency Vancouver for $72 (plus $19.26 taxe/fees) for July 27. Got it on my first bid. This was my first try booking with Priceline.

Putterdude this is the way to go. I just got the Pan Pacific for $93 + tax USD for 8/27.

Is the Pan Pacific considered a 4 or 5* with Priceline? Were you aiming to get the Pan Pacific?

I just won the Renaissance Seattle - 2 rooms for May 29 - on Priceline today for $65.

How many stars is this hotel with Priceline?

I need a close place (got a DEAL at the Pan Pacific:p) because my sister-in-law can't walk very far.

Thanks!

What kind of deal did you get at the Pan Pacific? What date(s)?

Are there any downtown hotels which have free shuttle service to Canada Place?

I know the Pan Pacific is right at Canada Place, but that's a bit too steep for me.

Thanks.

I for one am happy that HAL is now offering anytime dining. It's the only reason I have not tried HAL in the past, especially on Alaska cruises. My DH and I prefer to eat "whenever" and usually by ourselves because we don't like a long, drawn out dinner as is the case with larger tables.

I'm now looking to go on HAL next July and experience what all you "dam" folks like so much.;)

Definitely Glacier Bay. Last year our cruise was supposed to go to Tracy Arm. Due to heavy fog the ship didn't even try to enter. This year we picked a ship going to Glacier Bay and College Fjord (same as our first Alaska cruise).

July 15, 2006

WESTIN BAYSHORE

Vancouver

$60.00

How far in advance did you bid on your Vancouver hotel? I'm looking to try Priceline (for the first time) for our cruise out of Vancouver next July.

TIA