AKJonesy

Antarctica most expensive but it was a bucket list. Recently we did a 14 day port heavy cruise to Caribbean and after the previous San Diego to FLL being a flop I wanted to have a port heavy cruise. We went on many excursions and ate many times at the specialty restaurants. Upcoming trip to SA for 31 days will probably end up being the most expensive because we've never done anything more than 21 days and prices are going up each year.

By any chance, can you link that. I can't find it.

OK a couple of things. I am linking you to a website to see if it will help you here: https://girleatworld.net/visit-japan-web-how-to/ Next, I don't think you need to do this at all but it is encouraged to make the process easier. So, in the end, if can't get it done, don't panic. But, the website might help. Next, I'm not sure HOW you are struggling. Are you struggling because the website isn't working for you? In that case, you MIGHT try using a different web browser. When I use BRAVE, some of the websites get a little funky, so when that happens I use Chrome or something else. Finally, go over to your Roll Call for YOUR cruise here on cruise critic and ask this question. You did not provide enough information for me to link you directly to your roll call so I can't do that unless I have your SHIP on Princess and Departure date. By now, your fellow passengers have probably completed this and they can help. If you can't find the roll call, just give me the information ship and departure and I will link you to your roll call.

If you do the stop at Alyeska in Girdwood, it is NOT free. It is free if you hike up but IMHO that hike is aggressive and you are exposed to the elements so you must carry water. You just can't do a quick drive by for Girdwood. The tram ride and the further hike up to where the glacier is commands at least 1.5 to 2 hours. If you want to just take a tram, then do the Juneau tram. It has nice views of the harbor and there is a shorter easier hike up top which I do recommend.

Antarctica. Bucket list once in a lifetime trip. The why is obvious. It's Antarctica.

The truth is NO, you don't see much of Alaska when you take a cruise only unless you do some kind of excursions you will be limited to what is at the ports. That is, if you just pull up and get off the ship, you will be met with the usual stores catering to cruisers. There are definitely things to do in the ports, but you have to put in a little effort to participate and I suggest you do. Look at whats in port dot com for Alaska and you will get a decent idea of what you can do there other than just getting off the ship and walking around. I personally don't like the combo of the cruise and the bus tour. You will spend a long time on the bus from either Whittier or Seward going to Denali National Park. It is definitely convenient and you will see some nice views but you don't get out when you want to and of course there is much you will miss, but again, there are things you will see that you would not see if you just did the cruise. But, I am speaking for myself. I don't like bus tours. It's hard to know how much effort you want to put into it and there are so many things you could do. You could do a pre or post cruise trip on your own. Keep in mind, that is going to take effort on your part and the prices here are very high. I mean VERY. So, I also like to recommend an RV trip. But, are you that kind of person that wants to camp vs hotel?. You can really get in there in an RV where you want and when you want. You can stop when you want, eat when you want, see what you want, etc. But, it's going to take some effort to plan that and you have to get on the other forum for that where all of those questions are answered everyday. A lot of people just end up doing the cruise combo land because at the end of the day, it's convenient to let someone else do the work and all you have to do is show up. You see a lot, but you have to endure the long bus ride. So there are plusses and minus's to both.

You didn't really give an idea of what kind of food you like. My husband just met up w some friends who were here on a cruise and the wife insisted on seafood. They all went to Simon and Seaforts and loved it. S&S has a nice view of Cook Inlet and it's downtown. It's walkable from the Hilton. https://www.simonandseaforts.com/menus/ Another place I like is Glacier Brewhouse. Again downtown. Both of these places have a nice atmosphere. Glacier Brewhouse doesn't have a view but decent food. They have their own flagship beers if interested. https://www.glacierbrewhouse.com/ Kind of a fun place on same street as Hilton a few blocks down is 49th State Brewing. Views, outside dining, decent food but more casual and it will be busier. https://www.opentable.com/r/49th-state-brewing-company-anchorage People like to go to Humpy's but it's overrated.

So I'm departing from other posters that talk about the tender/lifeboat in front of the view. These are great value rooms and it is nice to have a balcony. If YOU need to have the view from your stateroom, then you should get something else. We do not look at these rooms as the end all of views. When we have sailed to places where there is something of interest, like whales or going through the canal etc., we want to have the 360 view or the view that gets you closer to the view. Just because it's a balcony doesn't mean there is a great view. You might be on the wrong side of the ship. Also, I don't know about you, but I don't pay to sit in my stateroom other than to prep for meals, and maybe sit out an read a book for awhile. There are far better places on the ship to see the views. So this is IMHO but maybe you are the person that would sit on the deck for a long time. If so, then as I said, reconsider a stateroom with a better view.

Noordam has the nice Promenade deck for walking; not jogging. I think on Noordam it's 3-1/2 laps to a mile.

There were a couple of trips outside the US when we had to have cellular and we purchased Cellular at Sea and it worked great for us. We talked to everyone back home everyday for our 2 - 2 week trips. There are a few rules you need to keep in mind so there weren't any surprise charges. We did ours through ATT but I think other carriers have it as well. If you need more details, I think I kept all the info. It might be kind of a rip off for you considering you will be in US ports for maybe 1/2 the time.

The pools are NOT meant for lap swimming. I did see a woman on one of our HAL cruises tethered to the handrail from her ankle and she was swimming in place for at least a 1/2 hour solid before I left the pool area. She did that every morning and I think it was right when the pool opened so she wasn't getting in anyone's way. I think that would be appropriate but not lap swimming.

There are only 2 specialty restaurants on Oosterdam; Pinnacle and Canaletto right?

Here is the website we use and make sure to check the HOURLY forecast model: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast

Consider an RV rental for your family. I just can't imagine having kids on a bus for that long. Trust me, RV rental is a very popular option and your family would probably like the flexibility of stopping at places that would also interest your kids. I'd stick to the Kenai Peninsula instead of driving up to the park which is a lot of driving to and from Anchorage since you are limiting your time to 4 days. You can access the Kenai Peninsula quickly from Anchorage and start the adventure immediately. IMHO.

You said 3-4 day pre cruise tour and not sure if you mean that you will take the pre-cruise tour with the cruise line. Yea, I get it; they take the hassle out of the planning and get you from point A to B, but I'm just going to throw another option at you here and that would be to rent an RV (size depending on number of people). That way you can stop where you want, when you want and don't have to deal with all of the other people that will be on the bus. It's just a consideration for thought and many people do this when landing in Anchorage. If you do consider it, I know a bunch of people will say go to Denali National Park, but you can't do it all of 3-4 days. Instead, I would head down to the Kenai Peninsula which will offer a great variety of things to do. Regardless of what you do, you will enjoy your trip.

Here are some links: (See my original post #1) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g31007-d1906344-Reviews-49th_State_Brewing-Healy_Denali_National_Park_and_Preserve_Alaska.html https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm https://www.airbnb.com/s/Fairbanks--Alaska--United-States/homes?tab_id=home_tab&refinement_paths[]=%2Fhomes&flexible_trip_lengths[]=one_week&monthly_start_date=2023-08-01&monthly_length=3&price_filter_input_type=0&price_filter_num_nights=5&channel=EXPLORE&query=Fairbanks%2C AK&place_id=ChIJqWX9Z09FMlEROvf-CeAF2LM&date_picker_type=calendar&source=structured_search_input_header&search_type=autocomplete_click https://www.alaska.org/advice/alaska-railroad-schedule https://www.morristhompsoncenter.org/ https://chenahotsprings.com/ You can also get around on the bus in Fairbanks which has a pretty extensive system. https://northernalaska.com/tours/arctic-circle https://hoodoobrew.com/ https://www.uaf.edu/museum/

You can take the ship transfer to Anchorage. Renting a car in Anchorage with a one way drop I imagine is going to be incredibly expensive. Alaska Air has mulitple flights per day to FAI from ANC and the trick here is to book in advance. I didn't know when you are coming, so I could not look up a price for you, but regardless, it's probably going to be less than the car rental in ANC which have been insane. You COULD take the train which would be nice, but it will be a very long day and you will still have some logistical issues to then get from DNP to FAI, and it's going to be very expensive. So, I think you should stick to your idea of flying to FAI renting a car and drive down to the park. You could make that a day trip out of FAI or try and secure an accommodation in Healy or surrounding. Keep in mind you DONT have to stay in a hotel and might secure an Airbnb which is what we do when we are up in FAI. In DNP you can do something on your own like do the hike that is right by the Visitor's Center or you can get on the bus into the park. You can drive in part way, but cars are NOT allowed past a particular point. Also, make sure to check on the rental car to see if you can go on gravel roads because it's easy to break the windshield here! Another day trip would be to drive up to the Arctic Circle. So to me it's not about the sign and getting the certificate, but the drive is beautiful and rugged and most people won't do this trip. I consider this off the beaten track and maybe this would be a nice day trip for you. I'm not sure because I don't know your interests. You don't have to do the driving yourself; there are a few tours from Fairbanks going there and back each day. There is plenty to do around FAI for a few days depending on your interest. You can also look at top things to do in FAI on T Advisor for some ideas. If you go to DNP stop in Healy at 49th State Brewing (Restaurant).

WE had a pretty late PM arrival into ISP (6pm to 10pm) on our cruise and everything was open.

Visitors should go to 511.alaska.gov for road information around our states which includes web cams, closures, road repairs, incidents and more to not only get all of this information but a realistic idea of how much time it will take to get from point A to point B. https://511.alaska.gov/

@Grandmama Wad Well sadly you are not getting a lot of advice and I think people misinterpreted your request of advice to include negativity. Sorry about that. The views will be amazing and you're probably NOT going on a cruise to go shopping anyway. Of course you are going to miss some things due to this very late sailing. Enjoy the scenery and enjoy your cruise. That's the best advice I can offer.

A few places are making noise including Juneau and Key West. Of course those in Juneau making the noise are those with secure govt jobs and not those depending on tourism.

The RV company that @Northern Aurora mentioned is Cruise America. I'm not sure why you would want to do the drive unless you have some reason to see the Alcan, etc. Plus, I think one way rentals are pretty expensive. It's going to be expensive anyway, but I think more so one way. My advice having driven the ALCAN 4 x is that places are few and far between and a trip around Alaska might be more enjoyable IMHO then fly back out of Fairbanks or Anchorage. But, if that is what you are set on then I'd start checking first on one way prices for the RV. Those AK repositions would probably be the best bet but you have to keep your eye on them because they go quick.

Upvote #18.

I'm shocked. People are getting different stories from HAL? LOL. At the conclusion of my upcoming Nov 2023 trip, we will attain 4 star. The next day, we sail on B2B and the first day of the voyage will be day 201. I WILL go to the front desk on the first voyage and tell them exactly what I was told and to expedite the status for the next voyage. It's a 17 day voyage, and it should not take that long, but that's my plan. If I remember, I'll report back and tag you.

I think you are in great shape in 1907. You don't have any noise around you and actually you are pretty far forward from the propellers, vibration, etc.