stpiloui

We were on Regatta 6/19-6/29.

No issues, everything exceeded our expectations! Note: this was our first (but not last) Oceania cruise [emoji7]

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We too took the Misty Fjords flight with Michelle at Island Wings in June 2018.

Great trip, highly recommend.

Enjoy Alaska

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Elevator to Pike Place Market is just beyond the Marriott

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It's all that weed, they're all smoking it and no one cares.

 

 

 

There is one area that has an elevator that will take you up to the Pike Market area from the street level of the port. It's a fair walk to it though. I did it a few years ago. I don't remember where the elevator is, but there is one. Check the ports of call board.

 

 

 

I was in Seattle last summer for a couple of days and what Dan says it true, there has been a definite increase in the homeless population.

Elevator is just beyond the Marriott. takes you up 1-2 blocks from Pike Plavd Market

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• 
   
  
• Excellent food
   
  
• Quiet, refined atmosphere
   
  
• No “nickel and diming”
   
  
• Outstanding beds
   
  
• Smaller ships that look like ships
   
  
• Fewer passengers, no crowds
   
  
• Excellent, friendly service
   
  
• No extra charges for specialty restaurants
   
  

All of the above

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I'm planning our first (and possibly only) cruise to Alaska for our family (DH, me & my 11 yo & 8 yo daughters). I have finally selected a cruise thanks to all my research here and am now moving on to the excursion planning. The stops will be Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

 

 

 

If you were only going once, what would your *must do* excursion be for each of the three stops? I am a little nervous about planes/helicopters, but I'm open to considering anything! I know we would love to see bears and sled dogs while we are there.

I can only tell you what we did in June 2018

Ketchikan- float plane over Misty Fjords on Island Wings with Michelle - it was great! Landing on a lake was the best! Lunch after at Annabelles. Walked around town.

Juneau- Island Wings-5 Glacier and Taku Lodge Salmon Bake- this was great start to finish. Stopped in at Red Dog saloon and walked around town

Skagway-Dyea Dave tour go Emerald Lake. This was one of my favorite tours. Great scenery, good people & insight. Also during our trip saw 3 bears and a lynx!! We opted for train back from Fraser, but not necessary. This was an all day tour, so just went back to ship. Excellent!

All tours were booked independently (not through ship),

I’m sure whatever you select, you will have an experience to remember!

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We were on Regatta in June to Alaska. Used the service twice- two day turn around and as others said, folded and delivered. Also did one in laundry and hang dried in shower.

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We were there in June. Did a trip with Dyea Dave’s to Emerald Lake. It was great!!

Van for 14 people, but only 5 in our tour. Many stops on side of the road - saw three bears and a lynx!!

We opted for the train ride back from Fraser. The will pick you up at train in Skagway and take you to town or port.

Others who remained on tour to Skagway went to cemetery.

Did I say it was a GREAT tour.

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We were in Alaska in late June. I purchased an Ulu knife in Juneau at Alaska Knifeworks, 2 Marine Way.

These are not the mass produced knives. The one I selected has a caribou handle and stand. Not inexpensive, but unique.

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No issues bringing onboard. Packed in my checked luggage for rerun flight home.

Enjoy your trip!

Hello:

 

We have decided to do whale watching in Icy Strait during our cruise in June.

 

Looking for recommendations on which tour company to book.

 

Thanks for your help.

We were in ISP a week ago. Took a tour with Captain Dwayne on Three Wolves through Icy Strait Point Whale Adventures. It was a great trip, boat made for whale watching. Saw Orcas, humpbacks and sea otters as well as eagles.

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We did a float plane ride over Misty Fjords on 6/21.

It was not colder on the plane. Actually took my raincoat off during flight. Did put it back on when we got off at the lake stop. We also wore hiking books (precaution should I have walked too close to edge of lake).

It was a great excursion- enjoy!

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I’ll be on the trip next week 6/19-6/29. Looking forward to your reports!!

Have a great trip [emoji568]

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Personally, I don't care what the menus are in the GDR on Marina/Riviera I avoid it at all costs because I dislike dining in a catering hall atmosphere.

First I have seen that GDR is catering hall. I’ll report in two weeks.

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I will need to make sure I include these on my list so they are front of mind.

Hope you & your Mom enjoy the experience!

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Thanks Mura- I think we will be OK with our attire

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I don’t belong to a Country Club, so can’t use that comparison. Plan on DH and myself bring comfortable, yet presentable (similar to dining at a restaurant at home).

Should I not meet other’s standards, oh well.

Everyone- enjoy YOUR cruise.

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We are in ISP in June- also booked with Icy Strait Whale Adventures. Also worked with Colleen to arrange.

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I was there in Mid January 2018. Many people on the beach and in water. It was great and no ill effects . Enjoy!

Stpilou

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to provide such valuable input. We are going on the cruise and celebrating a big anniversary while exploring Alaska. We have sailed on Oceania but have not done so recently. In fact, following the TA on Riviera in 2012 Mr. FDR met us at the port of Miami to take us to a hotel for the day or to the airport to wait for a late-night flight. He joined our cruise critic conversation in which I was asking for advice on what to do for the long wait between our ship's arrival and our late night flight back home. He joined the conversation, offered to meet us, and actually was waiting for us holding a sign with our name on it when we arrived in Miami. What a nice, delightful man---and a great story!

We have booked for the June 2018 glacier adventure, looking forward to it. No control of anything once we board. Hopefully all goes as planned.

Hope you enjoy your cruise.

Stpilou

We enjoyed Fortress of the Bear and seeing the historic sites in downtown Sitka. We took the shuttle that runs from the visitor center downtown. They run a regular schedule and we had 45 minutes to an hour to spend there before the next shuttle returned. This is plenty of time to see the bears.

 

They also stop at the Raptor Center on the return trip to town. We were planning on walking back to town from there through the park to see the totem poles, but it was the only day we experienced rain on our trip.

 

 

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Thank you- these two places were on my list. I’ll check out the shuttle schedules.

Stpilou

To me, Sitka is a very cool and interesting place. When I was there in May '16 we rented a car for the day to explore on our own - I'm kinda independent. I like being able to stop for pics or just to look when I want too - not on a bus being whizzed here and there. We rode out of town to The Fortress of the Bear - a bus arrived while we were there and left fairly quickly - otherwise we had the place to ourselves. Nice. On the way back into the center of town we stopped at the Raptor Center - similar to Fortress of the Bear but for eagles, owls, etc. Next we parked downtown where we had lunch and shopped. We were able to walk to the Russian Bishop's house, St. Michael's Cathedral, etc. We rented the car at the airport but I have since found out about Sitka Car Rental which I will use next time - they will leave the car for you to get at the main parking lot right in the center of town which will save time. https://sitkacarrental.com/

 

 

 

We took the Dyea Dave tour and the train back from Fraser just like you have planned. I'd give this two thumbs up. We had Mr. Dave himself and by the end of the day he seemed like a personal friend. I had spoken with him a couple times while planning our trip - very helpful as he's a true local to Skagway. We are doing the tour and train again this coming May.

 

 

 

We also toured Butchart Gardens at Victoria. Instead of taking an organized tour we took a taxi so we wouldn't be rushed - we were docked from noon until midnight. As soon as we were off the ship we took the taxi to the gardens (probably a half-hour ride each way - not close). We took another taxi back (we shared one with another couple and split the fare) all the way back to the ship and had dinner there. After dinner we were off the ship again for a shuttle bus to downtown - we walked around and enjoyed the evening. It's a nice city.

 

 

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

P.S. You'll love Alaska! Ten days is not enough!

Thank you for your input. I like the idea of self touring in Sitka!

We are in Victoria from 1-11pm, so plenary of time to do whatever. Taxi to Butchart Gardens is a good suggestion as well.

Stpilou

Our first trip to Alaska. Oceania Regatta 10 day cruise June 2018.

The following are ports and my tentative excursions.

Ketchikan- Misty Fjords Island Wings with Michelle 11 am-1 pm.

Juneau- Float plane 5 Glaciers and Taku Lodge with Wings Airways 1pm

Skagway- Dyea Dave’s to Emerald Lake, 2:45 p WPYR train back from Fraser to Skagway.

Icy Strait Point- whale watch with Icy Strait Whale Adventures 9:30 departure (2 hrs)

Not sure yet on Sitka

Victoria- thinking of Oceania excursion to Butchart Gardens.

It’s less than six months - looking forward to this trip!!!

Anyone have comments or suggestions?

Thanks

Stpilou

My bad- I meant Kim Sha

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St. Maarten is coming back from Hurricane Irma. You can find a lot of information on a Facebook site- ‘Everything St. Maarten” as well as corresponding web site.

Karakter is the beach cruisers are being directed to instead of Orient.

Hope you enjoy the beautiful island.

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Looking forward to our first in 2018!!!

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