We booked this cruise the day it went on sale, wanting to get the coveted aft 9256.
We then spent 2 years planning our trip.
First lesson Alaska is very very expensive. What ever your budget is... double it!
We flew from London to Seattle, spent just over 24 hours there. Hyatt house Hotel is right opposite the space needle and Chihuly. Ask for room 811...fabulous views.
We loved Chihuly and we loved Pike place market and generally we loved Seattle. Given our 8 hr time difference we were still up early the next day. Breakfast in Pikes market with wonderful views, a quick emergency tee shirt buying trip as the weather was shaping up to be much warmer than we expected, then an Uber to the airport and ready for the next part...
Tip: go up the Columbia SkyView 73rd floor observatory instead of the Space Needle because it’s cheaper at $14.75 ( also offers an over 55 for under $10) it is taller, and your photos will have the Space Needle in them!
We flew Alaskan up to Anchorage. They charge $25per bag in addition to the air fare. You pay this at the kerbside.
Stayed for 2 nights at the Ramada. In desperate need of renovation, but comfortable beds and friendly staff. A few blocks from the centre. Free shuttle from the airport and to the train station. Had a super meal at Tequila 61.
Tip: Hire a car via Enterprise on E 5th - it was only $160 for 3 days ( cheaper than hiring at the airport.)
Drove down to Girdwood, the Wildlife centre and Whittier on Sunday.
Drove up to Denali, via Talkeetna for lunch. Quaint little town. We stayed 2 nights at the Home Dome in Healy. Ate at Prospectors Pizza and 49th brewing. Did the transit to Eielson. $50pp. Not much success on bears....the van behind had a mother and 2 cubs lie in the road in front of them!
Tip: We had bought The Milepost beforehand. I wouldn’t say it is a must have though. Viewpoints are well signposted on the road.
Back to Anchorage and one more night in the Ramada. Then early start for the 6;45 train to Seward. You must be at station about an hour beforehand and you have to go into the office to collect your tickets. No one tells you that on the paperwork. Suitcases checked through to our Hotel in Seward which was unexpected and efficient. If you can afford it, pay for the Gold service, fabulous glass domed railcards, breakfast included and 2 free alcoholic beverages. Yes I know it was only 6:45 but free champagne is good at any hour right?. $212pp
Seward: stayed at Harbor 360. Nice views but very basic breakfast included on paper plates. DIY bagels and some yoghurts. At $339 for one night I expected more.
Dinner at Chinooks... another $120 meal...
Northern Latitudes Whale watching.. small boat and only 4 of us. Superb experience and highly recommended $163pp.
Hotel transported our cases to the cruise ship for us.
Easiest check in ever. Muster was at 6 and sailaway was at 8
FYI: When the ship was docked in Seward there was an additional 7% tax added to the bar bill.
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I am going next week and also booked the day it came out so I could get room 9256. I cannot wait. We are doing one week on land before. Thank you for the review.
Review:Radiance June 2018 southbound
in Royal Caribbean International
Posted
I am going next week and also booked the day it came out so I could get room 9256. I cannot wait. We are doing one week on land before. Thank you for the review.
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