cmmaxwell03

18 minutes ago, no1racefan1 said:

Yay, I'm looking forward to it!! I am definitely already itching to plan something else... DH just rolls his eyes at me. LOL

Glad I'm not the only one receiving eye rolls from their DH.  In the end, they are going to thank us for our planning when things unfold nicely during our trip.  

Right now, my DH's focus is on an abbreviated trip to Vegas the week before the cruise. (lil' tangent here...but I told him if he comes back sick from Vegas I will kick him in the rear!  We leave for Anchorage 7 days later) It was an unexpected trip to play in a trading card game tournament (insert my eye rolls here).  Luckily, we had enough points left after our cruise needs to cover his flight and hotel.  Due to the busy tournament, and his lack of interest, he doesn't intend to do any fancy dinners or gambling.  I did not offer to do the planning for this trip and I'm kind of giggling when he comes to me to ask for suggestions.  He was about a month out when I asked if he had purchased his entry into the tournament or looked at any side events.  Nope...  But it does appear he must have done it within a few days of me questioning him since I saw the purchase come across our bank account.  LOL

2 hours ago, Adara said:

This is useful.  I was actually wondering about waiting to book KF when I'm there and can have an idea about weather.  I had been thinking in terms of just being out in it, but seasickness is something I'll also factor in.  With a few days to choose from, I hope I'll have one with calmish seas.

If you question going to KF, maybe a cruise to Resurrection Bay for wildlife viewing would be better.  That was what we opted for.  It was through our cruise line.

47 minutes ago, pussycat803 said:

We actually rebooked our cruise to an earlier date just so we could get the dog sleds booked. We haven't heard of any cancellations so im assuming we're still good.

Not sure what port you are leaving out of, but I was able to get a helicopter ride and dog sled tour out of Anchorage in early September with Alaska Helicopter Tours.  We are flying into Anchorage a few days before the cruise leaves out of Seward.  

Food for thought...

There have been a few conversations about how rough the waters can be during the Kenai tours.  Lots of people were seasick.

On 8/11/2023 at 5:44 PM, no1racefan1 said:

I was able to book my Major Marine tour today! They are open for 2024. After all the conversation we had here, I decided on my original plan of the 4-hour Orca Quest cruise. This was for a few reasons:

• If I end up seasick and miserable, I don't want to be stuck on that boat for 6+ hours
• I'm specifically interested in seeing orcas as opposed to other types of wildlife
• Saved a few bucks doing the shorter tour 🙂
• Leaves us a little bit of free time that day to do something else if we want to

 

I was going to wait until Black Friday to see if it went on sale, but I just couldn't wait, haha. If it goes on sale, I may call and see if I can get that price, since it is cancellable up until 72 hours prior.

 

I've decided on a couple other tour operators but they are not bookable yet:

• MICA Guides--for the Matanuska Glacier hike. I decided on this company because it looks like they are available earlier in the year.
• Adventure 60 North--for a morning kayak tour in Resurrection Bay. I decided on them because I like the slightly later start time, allowing us time for a leisurely breakfast and packing the morning we leave Seward.
• Pablo's Bike Rentals--to rent bikes in Anchorage.

 

I forgot to mention that I also skipped the longer cruises into Kenai and went for a shorter cruise in Resurrection Bay.  I agree that it's risky to make a pricey investment when you are prone to motion sickness.

On 8/11/2023 at 5:44 PM, no1racefan1 said:

I was able to book my Major Marine tour today! They are open for 2024. After all the conversation we had here, I decided on my original plan of the 4-hour Orca Quest cruise. This was for a few reasons:

• If I end up seasick and miserable, I don't want to be stuck on that boat for 6+ hours
• I'm specifically interested in seeing orcas as opposed to other types of wildlife
• Saved a few bucks doing the shorter tour 🙂
• Leaves us a little bit of free time that day to do something else if we want to

 

I was going to wait until Black Friday to see if it went on sale, but I just couldn't wait, haha. If it goes on sale, I may call and see if I can get that price, since it is cancellable up until 72 hours prior.

 

I've decided on a couple other tour operators but they are not bookable yet:

• MICA Guides--for the Matanuska Glacier hike. I decided on this company because it looks like they are available earlier in the year.
• Adventure 60 North--for a morning kayak tour in Resurrection Bay. I decided on them because I like the slightly later start time, allowing us time for a leisurely breakfast and packing the morning we leave Seward.
• Pablo's Bike Rentals--to rent bikes in Anchorage.

 

Woot!  Glad to see you were able to do more planning.  I'm to the point where the only real planning I have left is to pack and then sign up for things that are only available onboard.  TBH...and I think after all your planning you might end up feeling the same way...I'm going through a dry spell (planning wise) and I'm itching to plan something else.  LOL!  

I'm hoping to do a 'live' post during the cruise but it will probably end up in the forum specific to the cruise line.  I'll make sure to tag you in case you want to follow along or want me to check on anything in port (if time allows).

Just now, no1racefan1 said:

@cmmaxwell03 is the countdown on??

OMG yes...29 days 🙂

For our time in Anchorage, booked a helicopter dog sled tour with Alaska Helicopter Tours.  They have shuttles to pick you up if needed. 

39 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

Does everyone generally walk around downtown to get to their restaurant of choice?  

Depending on the time of year, some places could be crowded.  If it's a place that takes reservations, I would go ensure you make one so you do not have to wait. 

Hey there fellow Alaskan travelers 🙂  I was wondering if you can share which Chef's Table menus were rotating through your time on the Orion for the 2023 AK season?

Thanks in advance!

On 8/2/2023 at 5:39 PM, OneSixtyToOne said:

Also on the first day, they will try and accommodate those who have not had the opportunity to reserve yet. They will ask you to come back the next day if you are trying to book an additional reservation.

I appreciate this 💚 I like the idea of sharing the joy of cruising with Viking

2 minutes ago, WanderingBrit said:

Chef’s Table was perfect this evening. I’d made the reservation hoping to align nicely with sail away, and nailed it.

 

We were seated at table #1, the rearmost 2 top by a window. A quiet corner with a good view of the room and out the window of Reykjavik sailing by. The 4 top next to us was never occupied.

 

We’d had the Asian Panorama menu 2 years ago, but it still seemed fresh. At each course the vegetarian alternative for my wife was excellent, even down to how well it paired to the wine. Her alternative menu was also different from what we’d had 2 years ago, as were the wine pairings. Service was everything one could hope for, and it was a standout evening!

 

Music and coffee in the atrium are the perfect complement.

Happy to hear they nailed it when it came to dinner at the Chef's Table.  Also happy that the options for your wife were equally enjoyable.

This will be our first time using AirTags when we travel.  I had no idea the battery could run out after a year.  I did some quick research and found instructions for changing the battery.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211670

4 hours ago, From Air to Sea! said:

We planning Alaska in 08/24 - started last year and finally getting excited!
Cruise booked ✔️

Airline Flights booked ✔️

Excursions planned (but not booked yet)

This thread was really helped and has me excited again for this cruise. We haven’t cruised since 2019 and I’m ready to go. I just haven’t been to excited to plan until now since we had so many family problems - my in laws are not well (at the same time) she had cancer, he has dementia - my SIL just passed away - I am retired but I am in the beginning stages of starting my own business. But when I come to the cc boards, I feel like I have found my people 😄 I’m the planner and everyone here has great ideas. Thanks for sharing!

Welcome to the 'cruise planning club' 🙂 We appreciate the find details of planning almost as much as the trip itself, haha.

11 minutes ago, Murt22 said:

I will promise to update you on the champagne situation, at least.... definitely get my SS money back on that.

SAME!!  They say it's a "thinking man's cruise" but at this price...it's a drinking man's cruise. (even if it is tea)

1 minute ago, Murt22 said:

The menu posted today does NOT show the asterisk and he said it was included - so fingers crossed for our upcoming Alaska cruise. i will let you know since we go before you....

I will be hanging on your every word if you post while onboard 🙂.  (Jokingly!!) I expect a full report, lol.

58 minutes ago, Murt22 said:

You and I think alike!! I actually messaged with someone to confirm - HOWEVER... on a drink menu that i found on-line showed a little * by the $15 champagne, which meant it wasn't in the SS package. I think it might have been from last year, so things may have changed. It was also a different champagne, but comparable. 

Noooooo!  Say it ain't so!  I hope it's included 🙂

I love your attitude!  There will be loads of fun to be had on board if nothing else.  And maybe the weather will pull through and you could have some great days.  Or maybe it will be lightly snowing and you can make some amazing memories walking through AK.  Either way it will be better than sitting at home 💚

4 hours ago, WanderingBrit said:

By my reckoning, that means Jacquart Brut should be covered under SS and the new $15/glass limit?

The latest update to the SS package covers items by the glass up to $18 🙂 

17 hours ago, Stowaway LFC said:

In addition to the things listed above I plan to pack a small first aid kit in case of minor injuries. Got a luggage weight to check my bag weight. Small laundry detergents so I can do laundry and pack less clothes, definitly got some poo-purri too!  Also, some wrinkle release spray and small can of insect repellant.   We are trying for one checked larger bag, one carryon and two backpacks, hopefully we can make it work! 

Smart, smart, smart!!  I also plan on taking extra OTC meds.  Between Zycam, Nyquil/Dayquil, Tylenol, Aleve, and heartburn meds...I will have a small pharmacy 🤣  

I have seen laundry detergent sheets but never used them. I know OFF makes wipes that are great to use when traveling.  We took them to the Bahamas to protect against sand fleas.

2 hours ago, no1racefan1 said:

I'm in a boring period of trip planning that involves...not much planning. Just checking on flights, hotels, etc. to see if point values have changed. Nothing exciting to report.

 

So! I figured it's time to do a shore excursion update because I have seen so much discussion about how soon shore excursions sell out for Alaska and the times available. I reported on these previously, let's see if anything has changed! As a reminder, we are 10 months out from our cruise, and we are going in shoulder season (mid-May) so shore excursions may sell out faster on summer trips.

 

Hubbard Glacier Explorer--still showing at least 20 available. From what I've gathered, excursions will only ever show up to 20 spots available, even though some of them will have way more spots than that. I've ready the Hubbard Glacier excursion takes approximately 140-150 ppl. So as of now, it's not sold out! We're not booked on this, but I have it on my wish list if I happen to find an extra $600 before it sells out....

Skagway--Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float--only 4 tickets remaining! I believe it started out with 12 spots. Still only one time available to book; I'll report back later if/when they open up other time slots.

Juneau--Mendenhall Glacier Explorer--at least 20 spots available, only one time slot open

Ketchikan--Lumberjack Show--at least 20 spots available, only one time slot open

Ketchikan--Fishing & Wilderness Dining--11 spots available (started with 12, so DH is the only person booked so far)

 

 

I was just thinking of you this morning!!  I'm less than 50 days out from our cruise and we have (finally) started to purchase some clothing.  The hubs and I both needed new rain jackets and water proof shoes.  We plan on wearing layers for our days in port (long sleeve shirts, fleece/puffy vest and rain jackets).  This way we can peel off layers as needed.  For "water proof" shoes we went with some hiking shoes that we can also use after the cruise.  That has been my philosophy while making any clothing purchases...we need to be able to use it at home so that it's not a totally frivolous purchase.

While I was walking our dogs earlier today, I thought to myself, "Is it too early to start packing?"  LOL...IT IS!  I really want us to try to only take 1 full size suitcase (each) in addition to our carry ons, so that leaves me wondering if I can fit everything into the suitcase.

By chance, did you pick up any goodies for your cruise on Prime Day?  I picked up the following things:

2 travel toiletry bottle kits

2 cruise approved power strips w/ USB and USB-C

1 mini white noise machine (battery powered, size of a clementine, impressive volume!!)

1 pack of air tag holders (I honestly looked for the cheapest option, lol)

1 travel pack of Poo-Purri (not on sale but totally worth it)

1 travel pack of Tide pens (also not on sale)

There might be a few vendors closed and maybe less options for excursions but the views are still going to be amazing!  I have ended up on a few vacations that started out pretty poorly with no chance of getting better...then I remembered that it is what you make it! We have turned a few vacations around just by pivoting and doing unconventional things to ensure we had a good time. 

4 hours ago, Astromaid said:

When we discovered they have the same menu and the quality of food was just as good in the World Cafe we never went back.

Viking newbie here 🙂 Is it true that for the most part the World Cafe and Restaurant have the same menu?  That would be great when you just want to try a little bit of most things on the Restaurant menu but do not want to be wasteful.

Just now, dd57 said:

(Head slap)  oh, duh!  Of course we do.  I was so focused on the not needing them around the ship that I spaced on that.

 

So @Mickey111, I  apologize.  I use a small crossbodynpurse or my pockets.

WHEW!  I was really hoping they did not give us actual keys.  LOL

11 minutes ago, dd57 said:

You only really need them when you are leaving and reentering the ship.  You don't need them onboard.  If you want to buy something onboard, you tell them your cabin number and they check your photo on their tablets.

Do we need them to open the door to our cabin?