der110

Is NG worth the candle? Very pricy, but I guess I could talk myself into it. This may be a stupid question, but how big a deal is going ashore? Holland Lines would be a lot cheaper....

Can someone provide a link to the arctic ocean trip? I was not able to find what was mentioned.

Did a tour in Barrow, which I recommend highly. It is probably standard, but we got to see the Arctic Ocean, learned about native life styles, etc.

I went to Barrow from Anchorage, stopping in Fairbanks en route. Loved it. Easy day trip from Fairbanks.

So my latest brilliant idea is to take a Princess Cruise that has a couple of land parts and ends up in Anchorage. From there I would like to take a day and fly to Katmai. The last time I did this, a travel agency set it up for me. We flew AK Air (I think) to King Salmon and then took a sea plane to Katmai. I have long since forgotten which travel agency I used. I would likely prefer flying a major airline than charter a plane all the way there, though that is an option. Any tips for who to contact for a day tour to Katmai?

On a bear watching tour (fly-in), great chance. You need to go to the right location depending on when you arrive.

 

On the road system, much lower chance, but the chance increases the later in the summer that you go.

Thanks. On Holland America, I did not see a fly in excursion listed. Is there a better cruise line in this regard?

I am thinking about taking an AK cruise. One goes to Kodiak. How easy/hard is it to see bears there (obviously from a safe position)?

I can assure you...getting within "a few feet" of a wild bear is NOT a great idea.

Well, ordinarily that is surely true. The way Katmai is set up with platforms, there is no risk while on the platform, and the bears are used to people and come quite close.

I previously posted a thread about a longer trip. Thanks for all of the replies. Before I try that, I though I should try something shorter. I am trying to talk my girl friend into doing an AK cruise. There is a 14 day cruise on Holland America that goes to Kodiak Island. I have been to AK three times (including once on a boat some buddies and I chartered out of Juneau). To my mind, the main reason to go to Kodiak is to see the bears. Is there much opportunity to do that? Years back I flew to Katmai while the salmon were running (all day trip by plane from Anchorage). On the platforms, I could get within a few feet of a bear. I assume Kodiak would not be as good, but can we get fairly close? The excursions on Holland America don't even mention the word bears.....

If there is not a realistic chance to see bears at Kodiak, I would be more inclined to take a shorter cruise and, much though I hate flying, fly to Katmai.

Buenos Aires to NYC is about 11 hours of torture. It is surprising how long of a flight it is.

I'd fly to Miami and take a breather. But it turns out that Holland America has the perfect trip, round trip from Ft. Lauderdale, 68 days, through Antarctica (well not literally through). I had to call them to find it. I was not able to find it on their website until they gave me the name of the ship. Not cheap, but hey, you can't take it with you.

January 2018, the Island Princess will sail around South America starting and ending in Fort Lauderdale. Cruise will be 60 days.

 

The same ship cruises between Fort Lauderdale and LA during the US winter. This cruise is 15 days via the canal. We are taking the FLL to LA cruise and then staying on for the return to FLL. Total will be 30 days sailing January 19, 2017.

That sounds perfect. Thanks!

If you're interested in cruising around South America, I know Holland America has several connecting (back to back) cruises from the west coast of the US to the east (and vice versa).

That is, in fact, what I meant. Thanks.

I have back trouble, making a long flights unpleasant. I am 64 and otherwise in good health. My friends keep telling me how much they love cruising. I did some searching on the internet, but could not find anything that seemed quite right. While I suppose I would not mind flying say from Buenos Aires back to the US, is it possible to leave, say, from San Diego, and end up in Florida without getting on an airplane? Also, I would really like to see the Antarctic. Years ago I went around the world on World Campus Afloat, but have not been on a cruising since.