SuperCrewBear

My favorite place to eat in Anchorage is downtown: Club Paris.  It's an old fashioned steakhouse that is very cool.  It's a small place so reservations are needed.  They have the most tender steaks I've ever had.  The best way I can describe the interior is that I think Tony Soprano would have ate there regularly.  They are also open for lunch with a slightly different menu but the same cool atmosphere.  It's slightly upscale but jeans and sneakers are totally acceptable.  Below is a pic of my 16 oz filet plus an order of their Cajun stuffed mushrooms.

A place your boys might be more happy with is Moose's Tooth Pizza. They have some of the best pizza I've ever had. My last trip to Anchorage we ate there two different nights because it's just that good. Some pizza pics below too - the first is a Chicken Bacon Ranch pie, next is an all meat "Carnivore", the last is a "Call of the Wild" with reindeer sausage.  They are all excellent!

1 hour ago, abhisheks77 said:

Thanks fishywood.
We will not take cruise till Whittier/Seward. We have been there twice. So our only options are round trips. Will there be difference in routes of cruise go from Seattle vs Vancouver ?

When departing from Vancouver you will travel between the Canadian mainland and Vancouver Island - so you will be able to see plenty of land on either side of the ship.  When leaving from Seattle you travel on the west side of Vancouver Island - much of the time  you can only see land far in the distance on the east side and open water on the west side of the ship - when you're in the open water is when the sea can be fairly rough. Also, depending on what time you leave Vancouver or Seattle,  you might sleep through some of the scenic areas because it will be night.  When we left Vancouver on our cruise May of '16 we saw almost nothing of the scenery because we left at about 4-5 PM and it was dark relatively early.  The next morning we were nearly into the open ocean.

10 hours ago, DougH said:

In Ketchikan Burger Queen or Alavas for Fish and Chips. Both are just past or under the tunnel to the left as you face town from the ship. 

Burger Queen is excellent! If you want a good old fashioned (maybe a little greasy...like they should be) burger, that's the place. A local suggested it to me a few trips ago.

In Victoria is a small place called La Belle Patate at 1215 Esquimalt Rd that specializes in poutine. It's definitely not full of tourists as it's about 2-1/2 miles from the main touristy area on Government St. And it's great!  There is a sister location in Vancouver on Davie Street that I had tried a few years ago so the next time we docked in Victoria we headed there as soon as we were off the ship.  There are other places in Victoria that have started selling poutine but they aren't very good or authentic. La Belle is the real deal - the owner is from Montreal and speaks French. There's only one table inside and a counter at the window plus a couple tables on the sidewalk out front - most of the customers are locals who drop by to pick up stuff to take home.  They have awesome burgers and hot dogs too.

Lyft and Uber are in Juneau.  They should work like any other place using one's cellphone app.  Especially when ships are in port, there should be plenty of drivers available.

I happened to catch this the first morning after leaving Vancouver on our way to Alaska. Fairly early - maybe 7:30 AM or so. We had just cleared the Queen Charlotte Strait. I thought it was rather cool to see.

The ZipRider is unique to Icy Strait. We took a cooking class/demonstration there that I haven't seen offered anywhere else.  Good luck!

Do it yourself!  You won't be disappointed. As said above, in a tour group you'll be moved around at hours you might not like, zoom past things you might like to stop for, etc.  But don't underestimate how long it takes to get from point A to point B in Alaska.  I allow at least twice as much time as something like Google Maps might suggest.  It's probably not going to be from getting lost (only a few main highways) but because of unexpected road construction (summer is road work time), a wreck or possibly more traffic than expected.  Most of the highways outside of the larger cities are only two lanes so a snafu can set you back. You definitely need two nights in the Denali area to see as much of the park as possible.  I would allow a full day each direction from Anchorage to Denali so that you're not rushed - there's some interesting places to stop along the way.  Good luck!  You'll have a great time on your own!

4 hours ago, iheartminniemouse said:

I just read that UBER and LYFT do not operate due to regulatory issues.  Not sure if that was up to date info or not. 

Both operate in Alaska and have for quite some time.  Since mid 2017.

I've told this before about renting a car in Alaska: If you happen to work for a company that has a contracted rate with a rental company you may be able to use that advantage.  I'm able to use my company contracted rate at a substantial savings over the normal rate.  My contracted rate includes the extra insurances plus extra driver at no additional charge. The typical savings even during peak tourist season is around 60%. Seriously.

On another front: While in Anchorage my favorite place to eat is Club Paris right downtown. It's an older steakhouse that's been there since the 50s and not much has changed. It's not a very big place and reservations for dinner are necessary - they are also open for lunch with a slightly different menu. Their steaks are AWESOME! Pictured is my 16 oz filet (HUGE) from a couple months ago - it has an amazing flavor and is the most tender meat I've ever had.  They have a great appetizer called Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms that I love too.  It's just a cozy place that's way cool. I think Tony Soprano would be a regular. 😎

On 4/18/2019 at 6:14 PM, masterdrago said:

DW has been having issues finding the "right" 3n1 jacket for our Alaska trip in May. I called REI at their new store and was told the weather is too warm there in May to keep jackets in stock. He even told me they had shipped most out to the Midwest when they had that nasty cold front weeks back. I find this really hard to believe. We've looked around Houston but have not found much the last two months since the "winter" is over here. She ordered a couple online but the fit was poor. She has been losing weight big time since Christmas so her old stuff doesn't fit. I'm sort of in the same boat but am fine with a slightly too large light Gore-Tex rain jacket, rain pants and a couple of thin layers of Merino wool under that. Looks like temps will be from 30 to 55 when we are in Alaska. Any ideas?

Honestly, I'm certain something you already have will be fine other than your wife having lost weight. I lived in Houston for a couple years and I know the winters aren't bad at all (generally speaking) and May in Alaska isn't generally too bad.  Have you thought about going to Bass Pro on 288 & the tollway?  Or shopping Bass Pro online?  I've got a semi-heavy fleece jacket I bought there a few years ago and that's all I've ever needed on my trips to Alaska - including two May cruises.  Good luck!  (I tend to think people way over do it going to Alaska...)

On 4/16/2019 at 8:09 PM, gtouch said:

I have only been to Alaska once going back next month......but Thai food is everywhere around here and most major US cities. But thanks for the update.

You seem to forget that not everyone has the same likes, dislikes and desires as you. Just because something (Thai food) is readily available wherever it is you live, not everyone has that luxury.  This might upset you but I've ate at a fantastic Chinese restaurant in France.  Why would I eat Chinese in France?  Because we saw the place and decided it would be a great place for lunch that day.  I've also had Chinese in several other countries.  Here's an interesting article from a couple years ago about the state of Thai food in Fairbanks: Thai Restaurants Flourish in Fairbanks  P.S. There isn't a Thai place within 100 miles of where I live.

7 minutes ago, hlightle said:

Celebrity is charging 103 per person feels like I am getting robbed

DEFINITELY!  I just found the price - $55 adult, $41 child. That's a sweet profit for the cruise line...  The cruises I've taken, I've only bought a couple excursions from the ship just for that very reason.  You can get the exact same thing on your own and save quite a bit.  I estimated we saved enough on each excursion for us to have a nice meal somewhere after each excursion.  If it's even a small group traveling together, imagine the total savings!

2 hours ago, gtouch said:

I am not saying it wasn't great but I wouldn't think going to Alaska and eating Thai would be on a lot of list.

Evidently you haven't been around Alaska very much.  Fairbanks is practically the Thai capital of the USA.  The best Thai in Alaska I've had was at Glennallen that has almost nothing - but it's got a GREAT Thai place.

We had a great late lunch at Starfire in Skagway last year.  It's a Thai place at 230 4th Ave.

If you happen to work for a company that has a contract rate with one of the rental car companies you may be able to take advantage of it.  My company has a contract rate that I've used on trips to Alaska where I have rented in Anchorage and Fairbanks.  Even during peak tourist season it's about HALF the normal rack rate plus I get the optional/extra insurances and additional drivers at no charge.  It's a substantial savings.  During your actual road trip don't underestimate travel times - I generally allow about twice the time that would seem reasonable.  The highways once outside of the more populated areas are two lane and a small snafu (wreck, road construction, etc.) could delay you.  There is also plenty to see so you may want to stop to investigate or take pictures.  You're going to have a great time!

Go fishing like we did! Great scenery and a fun guide. Excellent!

I'll probably get flamed for this. Oh well.  I've been on two Alaska cruises in May and on a few multi-week Alaskan road trips.  I can easily get along with my normal clothes (I live in Oklahoma) without buying and bringing extra items that I wouldn't normally use.  I do have a good coat and/or jacket and a pair of nice gloves -that's about the only out of the ordinary items I will take.  In May there could be the odd colder day but my two May cruises have been pretty nice weather where I wore cargo shorts, t-shirt and a light jacket most of the time.  I will have a warmer coat if the day appears to be cooler and jeans.  I've taken water proof pants and jacket that I've never opened - I'll risk it without carrying those again.  My last road trip was the first couple weeks of February this year.  Believe it or not, we saw quite a few people wearing shorts - they were locals out for dinner or a movie.  One day it was about 15 degrees, had been snowing heavily but has sort of cleared off - we saw some kids playing hockey in the street (not on skates) in t-shirts and shorts without coats. Ha Ha  Earlier that morning while at breakfast (it was REALLY snowing then and about 10 degrees) there was a fellow waiting to be seated with a coat and shorts.  There's no way I'd go on a May cruise and not take at least a couple pair of shorts.  You should be able to judge the day before getting off the ship and dress accordingly.  And if you don't load your bag down with a bunch of stuff you may or may not need and you decide that you actually DO need something there are plenty of souvenir shops where you can buy an inexpensive coat - I've bought a couple pretty nice looking Alaska coats as gifts for less than $30.  My estimate is that a high percentage of cruisers will never be in the situation where they truly need a lot of what everyone thinks they need to take to Alaska - especially in May.

I took the street shot just outside the restaurant where I then saw the fellow in the shorts.  He didn't appear to be a nut. 🤪

Flame away!  (I'm fireproof... Ha Ha)

I've rented a car twice while on a Juneau port day. I think it's a great way to get around.  Both times we've gone to Mendenhall Glacier (plenty of free parking plus a minimal entry fee) but this last time we drove out to St. Therese too.  I looked on Google Maps and from there it's another 25 minutes to the end of the road and you'll pass Eagle Beach too. I would think the three kids would enjoy getting to roam around at any of these places and be off the ship for awhile. At St. Therese is a labyrinth that the kids would probably find cool to walk - that should occupy them for a bit.  I would recommend a walk to Nugget Falls at Mendenhall.  Something we also did was eat dinner at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake.  I've heard there's a kiosk at the dock where you can pay for that but we weren't able to find it.  The location is on the way out to St. Therese & Mendenhall so we stopped and paid there - we were able to come back by on our way to downtown and have dinner.  There isn't much parking but most everyone comes on their shuttle so it isn't an issue - there was only the employee's cars when we were there.  Good luck!

I'd plan on the 2.3 hour time.  It's not that big of a place but I think you'd be too rushed to get it seen in only an hour.  Have you thought about renting a car for the day? The last time I was there I rented a car from First City Car Rental for about $100. That way you'd have complete freedom to stay as long or as little as you like wherever you want to go.  Their rep met me at the dock where we got off the ship and the car was sitting nearby. We only had to leave the car in the same parking lot with the keys locked inside when we were finished for the day. We also drove on out past Totem Bite to the end of the highway - there's a park there called Settlers Cove. Nice waterfalls into the sea and walking trails. Good luck!

My favorite restaurant in that area is 49th State Brewing at Healy.  It's about 10 minutes north of the Denali Princess area.  The food is good (steaks, burgers, salmon, etc) and the atmosphere was fun - it's sort of a copy of a German beer garden.  It's not inexpensive but we found it worth the price for where it's located.  There is a local company called Denali Transportation Services that provides local shuttle/taxi service in the area that should be able to do round-trip taxi service.  You can find them by doing an internet search.

5 hours ago, Cairns Cruisers said:

They are very nice knives. What length are fully opened up?

Closed, about 3", open about 5"

Something I've bought several times that make great gifts for my buddies are pocket ulu knives.  You can find the really cheap Chinese versions for about $5 at most of the big gift shops.  But I've found some that I keep going back to - I've seen and bought them in a few different better shops in Ketchikan, Anchorage and Juneau.  They are Alaska made Bob Merry pocket ulus.  They are all alike in size and design but have various types of handle material and plain or Damascus blades.  They are unusual looking and they are good for skinning.  The least expensive have "Dymond Wood" (a synthetic but looks nice) for about $50 or more exotic like moose antler, walrus jawbone or mammoth ivory that can get on up to a couple hundred dollars.  If you're doing any flying they will need to go in your check bag - I've never had an issue bringing them back on board the ship.  They are very cool knives.

On 3/12/2019 at 1:09 PM, Budget Queen said:

The pipeline,  exhibits are on the Steese  Highway.     Hilltop is also noted for their pies.   

Yes, it is.  And, yes, they are.

3 hours ago, KeywestK said:

Thank you, Mapleleaves, and everyone else for your responses. We need to figure out what will best work for us.  All of this information is appreciated. 

Don't completely rule out renting a car and doing it yourself.  It's *MUCH* simpler than you might think.  Navigating around Alaska is fairly simple as there are only a few highways - you're not likely to get lost.  You'll have the ability to stop whenever you like and enjoy the scenery or whatever else catches your eye.  A possible big mistake is to underestimate travel time - distances in Alaska are longer than you think plus factoring in the urge to stop for pics and other attractions.  Or the odd wreck/construction that can back things up some - summer tourist season is also road construction season in Alaska.  I think doubling the time is a safe bet.  I take my Garmin NAV with me and have it preloaded with my intended destinations - I use it mostly to keep track of the time and distance and not so much on how to get somewhere.  If you're somehow affiliated with one of the car rental companies you can sometimes get a substantially cheaper rate - I use my company's contract rate which is about half the regular rack rate and includes the extra insurances plus multiple drivers.

Good luck!