SuperCrewBear

At Icy Point they have the "Ziprider" or something like that - it's a zipline that's about 1 mile long and  you drop something like 1,200 feet.  You might find that interesting there.  I think there might be some good whale watching there too but depending on how long  you're there you might have to choose one or the other.  When we were there we did a sea kayak group and after that took a cooking-type class where you learned to cook salmon and  halibut - they have an outdoor wood fired grill and you get to cook some things you eat.  Kind of cool and the classroom was very nice.  That was about 5 years ago, hopefully they are still doing that class.  Good luck!

21 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Poutine with jalapenos sounds good to one here in New Mexico.  Now if it was Hatch green chilies, it would be amazing.

I will be picking up some Hatch green chilies plus some Heart of the Desert pistachios (red chili is my favorite...) tomorrow morning at the airport.  My best friend from Tularosa is coming for a visit.  I will tell Matti in Victoria to do a little investigating for some green chili in BC. 🤪

Sitka is my favorite Alaskan port.  I wouldn't mind living there if I could drive to and from there. 😉 Just being there is enough for me.  Everyone has chimed in on the standard things to do around Sitka so I'll skip to Victoria.  I like doing odd & quirky things so about 3 years ago on a short stop at Vic (6 pm to midnight) we decided to just find something to eat and make a short walk down Government Street for a few gift items - we'd done the Buchart Gardens on a previous cruise when we had 12 full hours.  The place we picked for dinner was La Belle Patate about a 10 minute cab ride from the typical touristy area - it's at 1215 Esquimalt Rd.  Their specialty is Poutine but also have burgers and "steamies" (hotdogs).  It's AWESOME.  I've even made friends with the owner (Matti) and he text me the below pic of an order he was working on a few days ago. (I tease him regularly about FAXing me an order...)  It's a small place with just a couple sidewalk tables and one larger communal table inside - there's a counter along the window with barstools too.  Matti says that occasionally cruise passengers will venture out to his place but they are rare - he said folks from the South tend to like his poutine A LOT.  Us Southerners tend to like anything that includes potatoes, gravy and cheese. Ha Ha  Matti is a Poutine expert from Montreal. 😀

Good luck! (You'll love Sitka!)

On 7/14/2021 at 6:25 PM, donaldsc said:

 

I know that we are not supposed to criticize the appearance of a post and your post was very interesting.  However, it would have been much easier to read and more people would read it if you used paragraphs.

 

DON

They why do you KEEP doing it? 👎

I knew we wanted to see as much of Alaska as possible too - Alaska really is too much for just one trip.  What we ended up doing is taking a 10-day cruise that started in Vancouver and ended back in Seattle.  We had an awesome time!  How I picked our particular cruise was deciding on the stops we definitely wanted to make and then found a cruise that included those locations (Glacier Bay and Sitka was our primary focus) - I think there was two cruises to choose from at the time that worked for us.  What we decided to do was the cruise one year and the next year we flew to Anchorage for another two weeks of a DIY road trip.  I think we drove something like 1,500-2,000 miles - basically as far south as Homer and as far north as Coldfoot Camp.  There is something to see practically any direction you look - prepare for many random stops that will make a 150 mile trip take most of a day.  We decided if there was anything that slightly interested us along the way that we'd make a stop. We made a LOT of stops!  The pre-packaged land tours are too restrictive for my taste - I don't like the idea of whizzing past everything in a big bus and then being herded through the different sites.  Alaska is very easy to navigate but you've got to allow plenty of time because distances are definitely deceiving plus all of the stops you'll probably want to make.  It's been a few years since that first cruise and multiple other trips that now includes my own place in Anchorage. I love Alaska!  Good luck!

4 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Thanks for the suggestion!  I was unaware of them and I have been to Anchorage a few times.  I looked at their menus and was impressed.  On their lunch Menu, the Alaskan Cordon Blu caught my eye as a different way to prepare fish.  It's on my list for the next trip.

Lunch is casual (the door will be propped open in warm weather) but you'll almost definitely need reservations for dinner - it's more "business casual" at night.  They only take same day reservations so I usually call EARLY. Their steaks are excellent and I like the Cajun Mushrooms. Honestly, everything I've tried had been very good.

Club Paris (across from JC Penney at the downtown mall) on 5th Ave is so damned cool and their food is great. I've described it this way several time: Tony Soprano would have ate there regularly. I eat there every trip to Alaska - more than once if possible.

How many days are you planning to allow for your trip from Seward/Anchorage to Fairbanks?  As you may know, the more the better.  What are you wanting to include (Denali [again?]) in particular or are you totally flexible?  A direction you might consider is going from Anchorage to Glennallen then north to Delta Junction then northwest to Fairbanks. There's a lot of scenery in that direction that many people miss.  A great place to eat at Glennallen is a small take-away joint called Tok Thai - excellent, LARGE portions and not very expensive by Alaska standards. Tok Thai is sort of the edge of the parking lot for the Tesoro / Hub station/store.  If you have the time you could deviate south from Glennallen to Valdez.  You'll get to see large portions of the Alaska Pipeline on this route too.  Good luck!

I wanted to add that I have stayed at the Bear Lodge at Wedgewood Resort for two nights a couple years ago. It was nice, very clean and no problems.  The rooms were large and had a small patio or balcony - it was also the only place we stayed on that trip that actually had room air conditioning. Ha Ha (we used it!)  My only complaint is that the wifi was so weak in our room that I couldn't use my work laptop in the room - I had to take it to the lobby long enough to get some stuff done. It may have only been an anomaly or temporary problem that's been fixed.   Other than that, I'd stay there again.

I'll tell you where NOT to stay.  We stayed 4  nights at the Best Western Plus Chena River Lodge last winter.  It was a very clean and nice looking room (recently renovated) but this was the NOISIEST hotel I've ever experienced in my life!  SERIOUSLY!  We were on the ground floor back of hotel and the people walking in the hall upstairs was so noisy it sounded like they were in our room!  Also, the maid never visited our room once.  We had to ask the front desk for more towels. Good luck!

8 hours ago, Coral said:

Except for their ice, not sure why I would eat there.

Why so snobbish? 🤨 Doesn't anyone have a sense of humor anymore? Gee...

13 hours ago, pizzalady1 said:

 

The Iditarod Museum and the Alaska State Transportation Museum are there and are interesting.

The first and only Sonic Drive-In in the state of Alaska is at Wasilla too. It opened last year just ahead of the State Fair. 😉

4 minutes ago, quack2 said:

 

Wasilla itself is not an attraction.  Just one long series of strip malls.

Nobody said Wasilla was an attraction.  There are attractions in the general area though.

While in Anchorage for a full day, rent a car.  Someone above mentioned going to the Palmer/Wasilla area.  If you do that consider going out north of that area to the Independence Mine - maybe 30 minutes out of either town.  It's interesting with nice scenery.  Going or coming from Anchorage at Eagle River is the Eagle River Nature Center about 15 minutes off of the Glenn Highway - very spectacular photo opportunities there.  They  have some easy walking trails with wood viewing platforms once you get out to the river - occasionally you may see a moose walking around the shallow water. I've been to the Nature Center several times (winter & summer) and always enjoy myself.  Also, the Anchorage Museum is very, very nice - you could easily park there and do a walking tour of downtown.  Good luck!

On 6/25/2020 at 8:20 PM, Rode Warrior said:

Thank you everyone. I think I am leaning toward the car rental and staying in Healy sounds prudent. I will check it out. I really thank you for the advice about the train. $325/ea for the premium ticket is a lot for the same scenery one gets from a car. The difference would buy a few meals and souvenirs. 

 

Regarding the Transit buses, if you get off one and catch a later one, is it hard to find room/seats?

 

 

Renting a car in Anchorage is a great option over being bused. You'll enjoy the freedom of stopping along the way wherever you want

I've stayed at the Denali Park Hotel (more of a motel...) at Healy and thought it was just fine. It wasn't all that expensive (relatively speaking), the rooms have everything you need (but aren't fancy) and are very clean. It's about 10-15 minutes from the Denali entrance. The 49th State Brewery steakhouse about a mile down from the hotel is very good in my opinion.

You should check if you qualify for a negotiated rate for a rental car - possibly thru your bank/credit union, employer, insurance, etc. My company has a negotiated rate with one of the rental companies and I use it every time I'm in Alaska - the rate is roughly 1/3-1/2 the normal rack rate plus it includes the extra insurances and additional drivers. A huge savings.

Good luck!

You might consider renting a car and driving yourself. I've rented from First City Car Rental at Ketchikan - I give them two thumbs up. The rental agent met us at the dock with our car at 7:00 AM. The whole rental process took less than five minutes and we had an almost  new car that was immaculate.  We were able to drive to Totem Bight plus on further to the end of the highway for Settlers Cove (sort of a state park) - a really nice nature area with picnic tables, waterfalls, boardwalks, etc. A car for the day was less than $100 and gives you complete freedom.  To return the car we just left it parked in the lot next to our dock with the keys locked inside - very easy. I haven't been to the lumberjack show so I can't be helpful there.  Enjoy your trip!

3 hours ago, welshrich said:

Hello, thankyou for this, looking to see whether this can be done, issue we have is that friends are on the same cruise but not the tour.

What I wanted to suggest for your land tour part of Alaska:  If possible, do it yourself.  If you're comfortable driving yourself (on the right... Ha Ha) you'll have a much better Alaskan experience.  The tour groups whiz past things on a large bus and you're not able to stop at your own leisure.  I have no idea what you're expecting to see while on the land tour but most people want to see Denali.  You really should spend a minimum of two nights in the Denali area so you'll have one entire day to visit the park in whatever way you find interesting.  Driving in Alaska is very easy and you're unlikely to  get lost as there are only a few main highways.  But you really need to allow more time between Point A and Point B than normal - there is so much to see, so many photo opportunities, and such that you'll probably stop more often than normal.  Also, the highways are, for the most part, two-lanes and any traffic snafu can delay you - summer months are road construction/repair season, there will be more tourist traffic and the odd wreck that can back you up.  I generally allow twice the amount of time something like Google Maps might indicate to allow for any of the above.  You will need to make any hotel or excursion reservations as much in advance as possible (for summer 2021 you might start making reservations in Autumn 2020).  The car rental companies typically charge less the earlier you reserve.  For a car you might see if somehow you qualify for a negotiated or corporate rate - my company has a negotiated rate with one of the major companies that's about 1/3rd the typical rack rate plus I get the extra insurances, roadside assistance and extra drivers included - I've used it in Alaska many times.  Good luck!  You'll love Alaska!

28 minutes ago, BigHouseFootball said:

Hey Everyone,

 

Frequent cruiser but a newbie for Alaska. Everything is brand new and so different than the Caribbean Cruises I’m used to planning. 
 

Is there a side of the ship that you prefer for a balcony cabin on an Alaska cruise? 
 

My wife and I are looking at June 2022 and booking right when cruises are released. 
 

Thank you for any advice you can give!

Theoretically... If you're taking a one-way from South to North the Starboard side will be towards the land when you're in open ocean - though it will probably be a couple miles or more away and you won't see much.  The Port side if you're going North to South.  When you're cruising the Inside Passage areas there shouldn't be much difference, there might be something to see from either side.  On one cruise we had a Starboard cabin and the next time had the exact same location but on the Port side.  I was thinking, at least, while docked we'd have something different to see on the 2nd time around.  That didn't work out because they turned the ship around the opposite direction everywhere except for Ketchikan, so the same exact view. Ha Ha  You can't outguess them!  My thinking is I'd choose my cabin based on what it might be close to or away from on the ship.  I did enjoy having our balcony so we could step outside in our own personal space when we wanted too.  This is just my opinion - I'm sure there are a million more.  Good luck!  You'll love Alaska regardless. 🙂

1 hour ago, Budget Queen said:

Being that cruise ships are sailing Inside Passage,   Dark by 8pm is indeed the case.     There is an extended twilight certainly.    I've experienced this multiple times on the inside passage.   And with cruises now sailing into October-  absolutely a scenic sailing negative for me.   

Taken on 9/11/19 - the first two at some friend's new house under construction at Seward a little before 8:00 PM, the last one about half-way back to Anchorage around 9:00 PM.  I know you've been to Alaska a billion times but you don't know every thing. Sorry.

On 5/17/2020 at 3:48 PM, Budget Queen said:

I've been there the first week of September and it was indeed dark around 8pm   and had viewing maybe to Portage,  from Seward,    Mostly Dark along the Arm.   

This past September when I was staying at my house in Anchorage that wasn't the case...

On 5/2/2020 at 1:25 PM, FaithPlus1 said:

I was on the Jewel last July. I took the evening train because I had plans in Seward to go on a boat tour of glaciers. NCL offers a train (you have to book it direct with NCL and not with AR) and it leaves very early in the morning. I don't remember the time off hand, but I am certain it was before 7:30. 

Thru the middle of September sunset won't be until around 8:30 PM. It will still be light enough to see fairly well until after 9:00 PM.

1 hour ago, gogiantsfan29 said:

Hi,

We are booked on the May 7th, 2021 cruise. I like the earlier cruise as I don't think it will be as crowded in fact I think I had look and we were the only ship in port in some of them which is great.  

I've only taken early May cruises. I think it's ideal. It's still cool (isn't Alaska supposed to be???), the mountains still have snow on them, fewer other tourists, etc. Our first Alaska cruise we were the only ship in each port except for the stop in Ketchikan - it was towards the end of the cruise and there was a couple other ships. We were also the 1st ship of the season in Sitka and Hoonah (Icy Strait). I think the locals are happy to see the tourists (and their money) and aren't worn out from them yet.  We had excellent weather both times but two completely different Glacier Bay days - one was crystal clear and calm, the other was rainy, foggy & cloudy and quite a bit colder.  Both were interesting in their own way.  To me, May is perfect for Alaska cruising.

Sitka, for sure. 9 Days is better than 7 too. I've taken 10-day and 7-day Alaskan cruises - the 7-day felt very rushed.

1 hour ago, cruiseforus said:

I’m looking at 2 Cruises on the Serenade next June/July. They are basically the same Itinerary but one week it goes to Sitka and a different week it goes to Ketchikan. The other days are the same. It’s our first time going to Alaska so I don’t know anything about either place. We are a group of 4 in our 70’s so we would be looking for a nice day without being really strenuous. What do you think would be a better place to visit? I’m sure they are both beautiful but any information you can give me on what each place has ver the other would be appreciated. 
 

Thanks 

I've been to both places and would live in Sitka if I could - I've even pondered it. Most cruises stop in Ketchikan and it's very commercialized, Sitka is a more rare stop and relatively "normal", not so commercial. Sitka is very laid back, Ketchikan is more intense.  I would think you won't see another large ship at Sitka when you're there, so less other cruisers. Ketchikan might have 3-4 large ships docked at the same time with TONS of tourists - almost mobs at times. Look at the possibilities of things to see in both cities to help you decide. You may find more interesting things to do in one place or the other - also look at how long you will be there. For me, the longer you're there, the better. The very central part of Sitka has a number of historic places within a few blocks or so of each other. There are other interesting things at Ketchikan.  If you think there is a good chance you'll take another Alaskan cruise I'd say take the Sitka cruise this time - it may not be available during a subsequent visit but I'd bet Ketchikan will since it's on the majority of itineraries. As I said, I could imagine living at Sitka - I don't think I would enjoy Ketchikan as much.  Good luck choosing!

7 hours ago, etoilefj said:

Lol this is in my 'hood. It's the best poutine in town.

You know Matti then. 😀 Such a nice guy!  He's wanting to take me on a "poutine crawl" in Montreal.  I'm just waiting for when! 👍