OKBeadLady

On Libby/Overdrive and other library apps you can download the books from the library to avoid streaming. There is a small cloud icon with an arrow to do this.  They are auto deleted when the borrowing period expires. If this happens, I re-borrow and download them again while in port on wifi.  Hope this helps. 

Our government at work. The web site is not working anymore.

There are multiple kiosks set up outside in the parking lot. You pay your fee and get on the shuttle. We took a shuttle from the Tlingit tribe four years ago. They run lots of shuttles. This was a simple van and the guide lived outside of town. He told us everything we wanted to know about Juneau, about living there and the people who live in town and on the outskirts. He had lots of interesting things to say about Alaska and the history of the state. He told us all about the Tlingit tribe, the clans and native lore. He drove us all through town, by the governor's house, talked about the political scandals, benefits to living in Alaska, etc. We asked lots of questions about stuff. It was great! I liked it more than the visit to the glacier, although the information there was very educational. I guess you wouldn't always get such a gregarious guide from them but this one was excellent. We really enjoyed his private tour of the town when he took us to the glacier. He allowed us to call him when we were ready to leave the glacier which was great. We had all the time we needed.

We also took other Tlingit tours in other ports. All of them were a fraction of the cost of the ship tours. Each guide made sure he knew which ship we were returning to and what time was last call. He said no need to worry about getting back to the ship because the tribe ran so many busses and vans that if one broke down another would be there within minutes. When I started to realize how small the towns were and how many tourist shuttles were around I quit worry about getting back to the ship and just enjoyed myself when seeing the towns. I think you'd have to be more careful if you were taking water tours or tours by air but in town it's quite accessible.

I forgot my swimsuit. That's was just wrong as I couldn't join the hot tubbers. My most helpful item was a light waterproof windbreaker. It was only cold when we cruised the glacier and then I wore a parka. The rest of the time I was good in a sweatshirt and a jean jacket and the aforementioned windbreaker. Really, that windbreaker was great in the rain with a sweatshirt underneath and it could be folded up compactly when I didn't need it and stored in my purse (it folded into its own packet made out of a pocket.) I wore it in every port. I threw it on when I went outside on the ship. I've worn it at home since then. It's the first thing I'll pack when I go back this year. Mine was by Columbia. Unfortunately, it was bright red but then I'm easy to find when I wear it. I also forgot binoculars. Not easily replaced either. Don't forget your binoculars.

Do you remember how you booked this from the local guide?

I walked up to the kiosk for the Tlinget buses and talked with a guy . There were several kiosks and I asked until I found it. Someone on CC had recommended their stuff over the ship tours and we saved about 75 percent in each port. The ports are so small and the transports are so numerous that even if you broke down they would have another van out to get you within 20 minutes. Or as our local guide said about Juneau, the local Harley club roars out of town on Saturday morning, drives every road and is back in 40 minutes for breakfast.

Thanks for your review. Last time I cruised HAL I didn't feel up to nightlife. Would you explain a bit more what the Billboard club entails? My health problems are better and I think I'll be able to enjoy this cruise and spend more time on nightly activities.

When we were there 4 years ago, we took a tour in a van from the local Tlinget natives to the glacier. The local guide offered us a local tour of the town and gave us all kinds of information about the Indians, the politicians, history and scandals. Very entertaining. He told us all about living there and let us set the time he would pick us up from the glacier since he only lived a couple of miles away. It cost a few dollars over the price of the glacier center. Great ride and left us with something to remember.

Thanks Doug for your insight. What company did you fly with out of Juneau? I've been to Alaska once and did the usual Glacier and local guide ride through town as well as Mendenhall and ate the best crab I've ever had...looking for something different this time (except I have to have crab too) and I am in Juneau from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. in July. Thanks.