jaitip

We were in Thailand last year for 2 weeks and had a wonderful time, except for being uncomfortably hot the entire time! I hope you enjoy Alaska as much as we enjoyed Thailand.

If you're downtown Seattle, I doubt you will find inexpensive raingear in a shop. But perhaps someone local to the area can fill you in.

You want something like this, which can be found in Walmarts, Cabelas, Bass Pro. There are probably other places, too, but I'm not sure where that would be in the Seattle area:

https://www.cabelas.com/product/FROGG-TOGGS-WOMENS-EMERGENCY-RAIN-JACKET/2453474.uts?productVariantId=4951587&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04656505&rid=20&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv73VBRCdARIsAOnG8u3jJ8STdQZejREz56Gpf-P0PwVAvOBb3UNx_qfza-GUKf-43ko12PYaApzVEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

This one is so cheap I think I'll buy one just to keep in my backpack.

Thank you

It is too hot absolutely, now 97 Fahrenheit, the hottest in my hometown is 106 which will be that so soon. Getting hotter ever year. Sound so bad.

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I have been whale watching in Juneau many times and have seen Orcas only once. Lots of humpback whales. though.

Oh really? Sad then. I love orcas as i am impresses with the movie “ free willy”

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There was a shop right next to Berth 1 in Ketchikan that was full of Christmas related items. We had fun looking through it.

Excuse me, where is Birth 1?

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If you want to see whales, book in Juneau. You may see whales in Kenai Fjords (I did both trips), but that is not the primary focus of the tour. I recommend both, but they are 2 entirely different tours.

 

 

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Well thank you. I will make decision again. Seem nice for both that you have both trips. I love Orca so i should book whale watching in Juneau too.

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Kenai Fjords is not known for having a lot of whales .You are more likely to see seals, sea lions, and otters. I would definitely book a whale watching excursion in Juneau - it's one of the best places in the world to watch humpback whales.

Thank you. Seem nice for both

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I went in 2015 and saw a lot in Juneau. I took a small tour, I think maybe 14 people on our boat and that worked great for photos. We did a combined glacier/whale watching tour excursion and it worked out great. I've included a link to my review that has whale watching pictures from our time in Juneau.

 

Also, I only did the south as well and in September and leaving Juneau we had some amazing Northern Lights so keep a watch out for that as well!

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2259404&highlight=legend

 

 

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May i ask what tour company did you book for whale watch in Juneau?

Thanks

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I will go in early June, have no idea yet. I am from Thailand which is such a hot country. Never even get cold here. Find it difficult to manage for my Alaska trip. It sounds busy to dress in layers, put on then take off then put on. Can i find some rain pants and rain gear easily along the street shops in Seattle ?

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I plan to go to Kenai fjords tour first, do you guys think that I should book whale watching tour in Juneau? Is it the same? I mean see the same things.

I have no plan in Juneau yet, but most recommended tours in Juneau is Whale watching. I hesitate.

Actually i want to go for dog sledding but my mother might not be able to get in the helicopter and walk on ice.

Thank you in advance

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Can you rent a wheelchair from the cruise line?

Oh I don’t know about this.

I went on Princess once last year and I brought on my own. I think they told that there are not enough wheelchairs. I then think itnwould be the same. I might need it for other places as well, not just on cruise.^^

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The Crab Fishing excursion on the Aleutian Ballad of "Deadliest Catch" fame has roll on and off capability for wheelchairs and scooters. It also has overhead cover, wheel chair parking spots, and over heaters to keep warm.

 

 

 

The Allen Marine Whale Watching excursion in Juneau has wheel chair roll on and off at the pier. The bus parks right on the pier. It is a large boat with inside seating, food, and restrooms.

Thank you

I will look through it.

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duck tour in Ketchican...picks up right on the dock...narrow stairs to get on board but if you board early you should have lots to time to get on

https://akduck.com/

Duck is funny?^^

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WPYR railroad has disabled access carriages with wheelchair lifts - not on all of them, but multiple, so as long as you book in advance and inform them you need a wheelchair lift they should be able to confirm that there will be an available accessible carriage on the trip(s) you are interested in. Their website even states that ALL carriages for the Summit excursion (the short one that goes up & back down without entering Canada) have wheelchair lifts.

 

 

 

So provided you/someone else with you is up for pushing a chair, it should be feasible to make this trip with your mom. NB: when you say bring a small wheelchair, I cannot recommend enough that you choose one with 'normal' wheels (2 large) rather than 4 small ones ('transport' chair tends to be a common term). Alaska has lots of uneven terrain, gravel paths etc. and I learned by experience renting travel chairs when my granny came to visit that big wheels handle much, MUCH better than small ones! Even going up & down sidewalk kerbs was a hassle with the 4 small wheels version.

Thank you so much. Very useful.

Yes I think it is not good for a small wheelchair. I used it once and found some difficulties. My mom is heavy while i am small..let say i weigh 43 kgs, my mom weighs 68 kgs. I spent too much power on pushing. Otherwise i should buy a new one. I don’t know this before till i use it. Waste money!

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The ramp in Haines is very steep at low tide, but you would be perfectly fine on the ferry with a wheelchair. I would be more worried if she will be able to climb onto the train. In Juneau the Allen Marine whale watches are handicapped accessible and some of the buses have wheelchair lifts if needed. The Deadliest Catch tour in Ketchikan is also accessible. I would book these through the cruise line.

Thank you

I try to find the pictures how high to step in the train. I thought that there would be a small ladder to step in.

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Hi everyone

I will go for HAL Alaska cruising in early June. Ship will stop in Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan.

I want to go on White Pass summit but i am nervous that my mom would not be able to get in ferry from Haines. I have no idea how it would be. There is some stated that there would be steep ramp which might be hard for my mom to step in. But how hard?

She had Cement treatment on her back before. It is not comfortable to walk and move but she can walk with short distance. I want to bring a small wheelchair in case she needs. Can i bring wheelchair on ferry too? Also do i have to book via cruise? Or i can find any at the port? Booking in advance is risky for me in case my mom could not access it.

In Juneau and Ketchikan, are there any shore excursions suitable for my mom? As i know we can walk around in Ketchikan which she can just sit on wheelchair.

I just don’t want to leave her in the ship so I try to find tours that we both can go on.

Should we book shore excursions from the ship? Would it be more comfortable? Or the same with the others?

Thank you in advance.

P.s. I am not English speaker, so my language might be strange sometimes.

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Your bus will have a break of around 15—30 minutes at a rest stop in Kantishna.

 

 

 

Turnaround: Kantishna Air Strip, Mile 92

 

Trip duration: 13 hours, round-trip

 

Service: June 8 - September 13, 2018

Oh many thanks for clear answer

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Hi Sue,

 

 

 

I am sorry you didn't get to see the visitors centre while on the TWT, but that is just an excuse for you to go back to Alaska :)

 

 

 

This is why I completely recommend the Kantishna experience tour (only to people who truly love the scenery and will not mind the 12 hour bus ride, but mind you that you do stop every hour for bathroom breaks and photo opportunities)

 

 

 

The stop at the Eilson Visitors centre (half way into the park) has the most spectacular views! And at the end of the park road, you walk to a cabin of a prospector\hunter\gatherer who lived there during the Gold Rush. A truly amazing experience not to be missed

Hi

May i ask when is the earliest available for Kantishna tour?

Thank you

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Thank you

What about the other decks? Smaller? Or not fully covered?

 

 

 

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Oh i see it said Deck5 is deluxe verandah ocean view

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Staterooms on the aft Deck 5 of the Westerdam have large, fully covered balconies that are good for sitting outside even while the ship is moving or it is raining. Also, some great views that are not restricted to one side of the ship as in other staterooms.

 

I only cruise in aft staterooms for Alaska.

Thank you

What about the other decks? Smaller? Or not fully covered?

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If you booked a stateroom on the upoer veranda deck you should have a quiet stateroom.

Thank you. That is what i consider also.

I try to look for the best as i can but with reasonable price.

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I just realized you posted your date so you might not want to post your cabin number (don't blame you!). If it were me booking with an elderly mother, on Upper Promenade I would choose VA, VB or VC. On Navigation deck, I think the VE cabins at the front would probably be OK as they are not right under the Fitness center/gym. They are under the Spa, but the spa is not noisy.

 

 

 

Keep in mind I have not actually sailed on the Westerdam; I am going by the deck plans and comparing it to ships I have been on noise-wise..

Sorry.

I don’t mean that i did not want to put cabin number. That was just because it would be too much for people to read them.

Last night here i saw VB4142 still available but this morning it ‘s gone but VB4150 comes instead. 4142 is better in my opinion. This is the port side which i don’t know if the view is more nice than the starboard side. But the price for VB is $2718

The room i booked is VC6127 because it is near the lift and price is $2688, little bit cheaper VB type. There are no port side available now but last night i saw there were some available but very back of the ship as they are in VC type.

For VC type I saw it would be at the back of the ship which is little far from the lift. But the room i booked (VC6127) its position is about the same as VB type in other deck but i don’t know why it is categorized as VC. I then book it. There are VC6127 and VC6133 now, but i booked VC6127.

For navigation deck last night only VE8102 available it costs $2628 but i saw it is located under the toilet. This morning 8102 and 8115 available but still under the toilet. 8115 is about under the sea view bar, isn’t it? 8115 seem better for now.

Actually the high upper deck is good in that it is near Lido deck which is convenient to walk up and down for taking food to our room but far from to see sea life, right? And the room available now are not in good position.

At the time i am writing the rooms available are

1. Deck4 upper prom: 4137, 4139, 4141, 4145, 4149 these are starboard and 4150 which is port side.

2. Deck5, verandah: VB5143, 5145 and VC5163, 5167, 5169, 5171, 5175, 5179

3. Deck6, upper verandah: VC6127, 6133. I booked 6127

4. Dec8, navigation deck: VE8102, 8115

I noticed most sold out are in port side. In case the side matters, i have only VB4150 now for the best available now. What a pity 4142!

For southbound, port side matters?

Thank you

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Some of the verandahs near the front have the steel railings as you noted in one of your posts. If you are sitting down you can't see the water or shore since it's all metal rather than the clear plrexiglass. I'm assuming your mother would be sitting more than standing on the verandah since you are wanting to be close to an elevator?

Thank you

Yes.

My mom would be sitting. She is very old. Often I don’t understand about the words for ship.^^

I am not English speaker too.

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You may want to ask on the Holland board.

I make a decision , i book upper verandah which location is better than the room available in deck8, under toilet.

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Ask one more , please

What does this mean “ Staterooms have solid steel verandah railings instead of clear-view Plexiglass railing”?

Thank you

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Hello

I am going to book ms Westerdam cruising to Alaska.

I want to know in case I book room VE type on Deck 8 Navigation deck, is it too far to see the animals if they come?

The room is near the lift which allow my mother to get easily.

Also, is it too noisy? I read some threads and people said there would be scalping chairs and noisy, is this true?

Now there are 4 deck available as i see in the web, which are Navigation, upper prom, verandah and upper verandah.

I will have southbound cruise, leaving Seward on June 2nd, 2018

How rough water would affect in case i book very back Aft cabin (VC)? Or should i book VB which is a bit more expensive but it is located at the beginning of aft, any different?

Is it too noisy for Upper promenade?

Thank you

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This is a often asked question and everyone has their own feelings about it. The good news is, there is no wrong answer. :) I will share what we did and why.

 

We chose the northbound from Vancouver with a land tour at the end. Our reasoning was as follows:

 

1. Alaska was the destination so we wanted to end the trip there.

2. The scenery does get better as the cruise goes along as stated above.

3. My in-laws were with us and it was their first cruise and they were worried about sea-sickness, The roughest waters are towards the end of the cruise when you already have your sea legs.

 

Also the NB cruise we wanted was also the date we wanted, and also sailing away from Vancouver was beautiful and we were able to spend a day there before the cruise.

 

I had actually wanted a SB cruise originally because I wanted to get the long flight over with on the front end. Also personally I think the cruise was more relaxing than the land tour so if you want to relax on the back end, then that is a reason to do the SB. Like I said, there is no wrong answer--maybe think about what is logistically and financially best for you. I wouldn't change a thing about our trip but I am sure I would enjoy a land tour-SB cruise just as much.

Thank you so much

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