libtrek

I prefer lanyard. I just put inside my shirt if I don’t want it swinging. On one of my brief forays into crafting, I made a beaded lanyard with a purchased card holder and hook. Should have used bigger beads. My eyes came to hate those teeny tiny holes.

I think we won’t be doing a cruise in Seward. Too long for us. Never been to Sea Life Center, so might do that. There is a hardware store by the docks that Rich loved and the bar near Breeze Inn had a really good halibut snack. That should fill our day nicely. We want to do a whale watch so looking in Juneau. Done the Icy Straight one several times. I couldn’t find the small boat glacier tour, now I understand why. ML

I am still debating about going directly with the vendors. As I mentioned on last year’s Alaska cruise, my hubs has dementia, so I felt more comfortable booking direct with NCL. Just in case. I think I will maybe follow the same philosophy on our upcoming B2B in April/May. I am still thinking about the small ship/boat for the glacier. We will be in Seward for the turnaround day, and I am wondering if one of their cruises would be just as good. Any ideas? Mary Lou

Also, photo must be WITHOUT glasses.

Sounds like we might be getting a few CCers on the 2024 Jewel B2B 4/29 adventure. I am getting ready to book. Found out we can’t use the NCL BOGO on a B2B, no loss really since the flights are not the best. Will be booking the Bering Sea excursion, despite many Alaska cruises we’ve never done it. Excited to start planning, for me it adds to the fun. Mary Lou

OK, I am having a senior moment. I clicked on your profile but it said message is disabled. Not sure how to DM you. Do I need your email address? Here is my email. 9bluegills at gmail dot com. Now I can’t wait to talk cruise with you. ML

Not on Instagram but I can DM.

So nice to see our favorite Vancouver librarian online. Life has been moving on rapidly for us, maybe too rapidly. Haven’t signed for an ALASKA B2b yet, going to wait last minute to make sure R is up to it. Probably going for the Van-Sew-Van route. Simple as possible, light luggage, direct flights is my goal. Anytime late April through May. Too many family events in June. Will book hotel in Van for early start. Mary Lou Libtrek.

We had planned the same thing last June. I was surprised when I double checked transportation from Seward to Anchorage. The options every day were different. Not as many choices on non-cruise days.

We cruised NCL Jewel to Alaska last June. Hubs has Alzheimer’s and I didn’t realize how the almost 24-hour light would affect him. He had no sense of time of day. After he got up and dressed at 2 am, best thing was shut drapes with tips given above to make room as dark as possible.

Careful there. My SO has dementia but with my special care, he can still cruise. Having a small magnet on the door helps him find our room. I try to never leave him on his own but just in case. So, some folks can’t simply remember their room. You’re lucky you and yours can.

Well, color me surprised. That’s quite an assortment. I use a kids pencil pouch and put as much as I can in snack size bags. I just refill after trips.

You can have an EMPTY water bottle. Just make sure they can see it’s obviously empty. You will love Alaska. If I were you, I would start thinking about what you want to do in the ports. Some of the excursions are pricey but bucket list type items. Check previous reviews for ideas. Other tips? Bring magnets (pinch clips or hook) for the metal walls, bring OTC meds like pepto, bandaids, aspirin (generally N/A on the ship). I like those lightweight string back bags for shore excursions, you can get a bunch of them for cheap on Amazon. In fact, put in “cruise accessories” on Amazon for more ideas. Those shrinky gloves are good for glacier days and fit in a pocket. We’re not the experts like the Birds, but feel free to ask anything. Mary

That sounds good. You could do pikes (there’s a pasta shop near the center door that makes lemon orzo that I can’t find any where else), dinner, then tour Vancouver after your train trip. In fact, that sounds so good I may do the same.

It’s a couple miles to the port from the station. Not sure how walkable but I remember plenty of cabs at the station. We took the train the day before and stayed at a hotel. Toured Granville Island that day and cabbed to port in the morning. Depending on train times, I’d be comfortable going directly to ship. If I have to fly, I always go the day before a cruise.

We have done Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver, a shuttle, and last June, the bus. They all worked very well and were cheaper than a flight direct to Vancouver. IMHO, the scenery was very nice too. Mary

Another vote for one way AK cruises. Port times are important, no matter which line. I would only consider ocean view only of its a real window, not a porthole.

Planning a b2b in June 2024 to Alaska.

Whoops, senior moment, Encore not Escape. We’ve been on both. You’re right, no Observation on Escape.

We heard no noise from above. We loved being so close to the observation lounge. Made quick slipper runs for coffee and the tasty chocolate croissants. 🥐

Do you fly for your B2B or just take land transpo from home to port? We want to do B2B next June and are pricing home-Seattle- bus vs. home-Vancouver direct.

Yep, I am also suffering from Yvonne withdrawal. I am wanting to plan a June Alaska B2B next year. But, with hubs having Alzheimers, I really have to wait to see how he’s doing before we commit to going. My plan is to wait until April and take advantage of possible sales. Yvonne always has such good advice.

I’ve used the special needs department for things like a shower chair, sharps container, etc. they are very helpful.

We have done Alaska cruises by themselves, cruise/land tours, and DIY land cruise combo. The best was the DIY with one way cruise. You’ll need to do research and plan early. BTW, if you aren’t early risers, you might not like cruise tours. You have to be up early to put your bags out and they are regimented. My DH is somewhat disabled now so we are hoping to do a B2B next June.

We have done several cruise tours and also DIY. With only 3 days, I would go DIY. Focus on a specific area, it is a huge state. Disneyochem has some good suggestions.