JMNix

Oh my goodness Anita!

Thank you so much for all of your advice!  I think that you and I may be kindred spirits!

Yes, they do have a lot on their plates the next few months.  Both graduating, moving to a new town, starting new careers, planning the wedding, being in a few weddings and more.  My daughter sat down and figured out that she only has two weekends between now and July not spoken for!  It's a big deal for her to give up control, but she said that she is actually grateful for us doing the planning and is quite excited about the surprise!  They actually have decided that we are just going to tell them what to pack before the wedding and tell them where they are heading the morning after the wedding.  We are going to put together a neat little packet and guide for them to look at during their long travel day and a few little gifts for them (like binoculars).  It's been pretty fun!

Thanks for all of the recommendations.  I will look into the links you included.  So much to do, so little time.  And, we really want them to have some down time just to relax and enjoy too!

Thank you  martincath!  They would LOVE to spend time after the cruise to fish... but they both are starting their new jobs in May and won't be able to get additional vacation time.  It was great of their bosses to give them time off for a few days before the wedding and over a week for their honeymoon since they will have only been working for their companies for a few months.    Maybe some other day they can just do a fishing trip in Canada. 

Thanks TwinMamainMN. I appreciate the advice.

6 hours ago, Suzanne123 said:

Just a suggestion for fishing in Seward.  We stayed at their lodge and DH had a great time fishing with them.

https://alaskasaltwaterlodge.com/

Thanks!  I will check them out!

6 hours ago, dyeadave said:

Early August or later August?

This really is the change of season, here in Alaska!

Fishing, color changes, weather related cancellations of flights, etc. can all be different between the first of that month and the last.

Where are they coming from?

Here to help. Need a bit more info from you to relate better.

There seems to be a bit of a fixation re. Canada? This could be covered here, out of here in Skagway, with even some "fishing in Canada" thrown in? (Fresh water, of course, but a rare type of fish, if they are of that persuasion in the piscatorial pursuit!?)

 

DD

They are cruising August 5th - 12th. Flying in on the 4th.  

Neither have been to Canada or Alaska.  They didn't want to do a beach/hot Caribbean things.  Therefore head North!

They are coming from Kansas.  It's HOT in August. 

They love to fish.  All kinds of fish, but are in pursuit of fish that they can't catch in KS.  They are catch and release as neither of them eat fish em.    

My daughter and future son-in-law thought it would be fun for my husband and I to plan their honeymoon trip and surprise them with an adventure!  They handed us the money and gave us the green light!  (I LOVE planning trips and apparently my family has enjoyed them so they trusted us with this task 😁).  The kids' contribution will cover the cruise and plane tickets.  We and his family will be giving them the shore excursions and extras as their wedding gift.  

After talking with both of the kids, and figuring out what they wanted (no beaches and sand, head north and fishing......) we decided that an Alaskan cruise would be the perfect mix of adventure and relaxing.  I think that they think they are going to go fishing in Canada.😂 

We booked them on  the NCL Jewel Southbound from Seward to Vancouver in August.  I have done a lot of research and have things sort of narrowed down.  I would LOVE some advice as I have never cruised Alaska.  Please look over my ideas.... any suggestions or advice is welcome.  We gave them both rain gear for Christmas presents. And money for passports.  I think that we will give them binoculars along with there itinerary for a wedding gift.  Do they need two pair?

They are in their mid twenties, love to fish, hike and explore.  They are good to get up early to do fun things.  They will enjoy the ship but aren't huge into night life. He is afraid of heights so no zip line type things. Neither are adventurous eaters.  They are not into shopping or crowds.  They are really just casual outdoorsy types.  The things they would enjoy most - Fishing for sure, (this is their main wish so two fishing excursions would be great) whale watching, glacier hike and maybe glacier dog sledding.  I would like to avoid ship excursions if possible and practical and book our own.  Tour operator recommendations would be awesome!  They will have 3 specialty dinning nights. I just want them to really experience the best of Alaska outdoors and hit the "must dos".  

My ideas

Day 1 - Fly into Anchorage, arrive at 8:30pm stay at hotel by the rail station.

Day 2 -  Choice -#1 Take early train - 6:30am to Seward getting in at 11am  - Hoping to find a guide for some Silver Salmon fishing.  I think there will be enough time.  ON the ship by 7pm.  

#2 Sleep in and take the NCL train at 12 and arrive at 5:00 on the ship right away.

I am really leaning towards the early train.  We are central time so it will "feel" like 8:30am to them.  And then they get a whole extra day to play.

Embark at 9pm. 

Day 3 - Cruise Hubbard Glacier - explore ship? Couples massage? dinner at Cagney's? Sleep in, relax, nap, chill out.

Day 4 - Icy Strait Point - (9 hours) Whale Watching, Stream fishing, or Whales and wildlife or possibly kayaking

Day 5 - Juneau - (6 hours) Whale watching, Glacier, sled dog, kayak or fish 

Cruise Sawyer Glacier

With the time in port, which is better for whale watching Icy Strait or Juneau?

Day 6 - Skagway (10 hours) Glacier by helicopter (may be out of budget), glacier hike, kayak, Glacier dogsled - the glass blowing thing looked interesting

Day 7 - Ketchican (7 hours). They love Deadliest Catch so pretty much have decided on Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's tour and if time Lumber Jack show.  Other ideas Float plane or Kayaking

Day 8 - Cruise Inside passage - same ideas as day 3.  Maybe Cagney's again?

Day 9 - Disembark at 8am - Flight at 2:45p.  Maybe Fly Over Canada?  Any ideas of close by fun things to kill a few hours?

What are the best dining options for non adventurous eaters?

Best time of night to dine?

Is the spa pass worth it or is it too crowed on sea days?

Any advice for where to be on the ship while cruising glaciers?

I am having so much fun researching and planning this!  Now I want to do this myself!  Maybe someday....  Thanks for any advice, tips or tricks.