SoloAlaska

I only buy black luggage since to me it looks more professional when travelling on business to have matching luggage. I made fabric handle wraps out of fabric I bought on an Alaskan cruise. Each handle wrap has a bright orange strip. Each family unit has a different main fabric. This way when we go on a big family cruise with 12 people anyone can identify which luggage belongs to the family and pull it off the luggage belt but when we get on the ship each main fabric identifies which cabin it goes to. I like systems and organization even when travelling.

Thanks I will definitely be ordering some. Since I am planning on hiking several days in a row I’ll leave my 2 pairs of hiking pants but will add the silk as a layer. Nights camping they will be perfect pjs too.

Young single woman in a strange city you have to do what feels comfortable. There are a few very quiet blocks closer to the terminal it didn’t help that it was raining and cold with a storm upon us. I travel solo a lot and trusting my instincts keeps me safe. I did not feel particularly unsafe in NYC but very quiet streets anywhere makes me uncomfortable.

Do you have any recommendations on brands? Adding that layer is a great idea.

The baked goods that were available to purchase were so good. I wasn’t traveling gold star so can’t attest to that part.

Easiest way to find out… take a drive to the Canadian border. Even if he wasn’t charged it can show up on the system. A DUI from 30 years ago is plenty enough reason to get denied entry to Canada since we consider it a serious offence. You can apply to be allowed in however (like a pardon or something) but it does take time so it’s good your looking into this now. Have you tried contacting Canadian authorities? CBSA is our equivalent of CBP and would be my first stop to call up.

Unless you board late when rooms are already opened. I once boarded a cruise at 5pm so ran straight to my room for a quick shower before dinner.

Fairfield Inn Midtown. The shuttle to the train isn’t a guaranteed thing but we were lucky that day. It was a perfectly adequate hotel, we would stay again.

Was at MCT for 2 days and it was not the most pleasant. We went to leave one evening and we had such a hard time figuring out how to even get out of the building. I would not have felt comfortable leaving the port alone at night. Everyone had to get off the ship and then could get back on and customs was quick but security was very very slow with LONG lineups. Getting to a transfer is a long walk and a disorganized mess and porters are rude at best. I had a quick transfer to the airport but my friend went a little later and hit insane traffic, it took him almost 3 hours to get to the airport. MCT needs some major improvements in order to match other ports. It may be convenient if your from the area but that is about it. Not surprised NCL is pulling back a little.

I’m not going between these two but am in need of a transfer on a non ship day late in the afternoon near the end of season. Best I’ve found so far is AKtripping. I’m travelling solo so definitely don’t want to pay over $1000 like some companies charge.

Ahh my mistake I was on a TA with mostly European ports so that must have made a difference.

I have a severe wool allergy so no wool for me anymore. I’m actually allergic to all animal fibres even musk ox (qiviut). My allergy is respiratory and can’t be controlled with antihistamines. For people without a wool allergy I would completely agree even thought them standing near me and cause my allergy to flare up.

The main theme night that people typically participate in is the Glow Party which is white or neon.

Juneau or Icy Straight would be my two go to ports for whale watching. We saw whales right beside the ship in while in port in Icy Straight. I ended up booking independently.

Making a packing plan for a very lightweight trip to Alaska in September. I’m cruising in September on NCL so this will be all casual, no real dressing up. I’m bringing carry on and personal item only which will have to fit my tent, down quilt, and sleeping pad. I’ve done a rough visual of my plans. I am loosing weight so by then most of my clothes will be new since everything is too big. 5-4-3-2-1 is the bases of this wardrobe, oops no 3 but Alaska needed more than 3 layers so it became 4. I will be hiking during my pre cruise and in most ports. I’ll hand wash during the cruise plus send laundry away once.

I’ve only cruised celebrity to Alaska so far and love their naturalist programming. NCL doesn’t offer nearly as much Alaska programming onboard. I haven’t been to Glacier Bay yet but don’t feel like I’ve missed out either. This year I’m adding a Kenai Fjords tour pre cruise which I am very much looking forward too. you didn’t mention when your planning to cruise because that may impact your odds of seeing Hubbard.

Price, brand loyalty, compromise are all reasons people may sail Alaska on carnival. I’ve actually never seen a carnival ship in port when I was in Alaska. Enjoy all those amazing excursions your planning.

Has anyone used the services of Orange Bike Delivery in Seward for their luggage? Im planning on spending a few days camping in Seward before my cruise and looking for luggage storage for my bag I won’t be needing till I get on the ship. They will pick up (or I can drop off) and store it for a few days then they deliver it to the port so next time I’ll see it is by my stateroom. I’ve never used a luggage valet or even a porter since I’m usually very independent with my luggage but I’ve used traditional luggage storage in places like Vancouver in the past.

Lots of hotels near the train station. The biggest question is how much are you willing to pay for a hotel. Anchorage hotels are pricey at best. We stayed midtown at a hotel with an airport shuttle then the next morning were able to join a shuttle to the train station.

Simplest answer of what’s traditionally referred to the Inside Passage is sailing between Vancouver Island and BC mainland. It is absolutely beautiful on both sides and can be quite about of sealife spotting. Saw whales, dolphins, seals, etc is part of why people sail to Alaska for. Sitting with a cocktail and watching the mountains go by is what makes these cruises so special and some of this best relax time is in the Inside Passage.

Well you could just plan your shoes for each cruise be different then it gives you the excuse for shoes without having to carry them all at once. Shoe shopping is not fun for my feet so I don’t have this problem.

I wear shorts only a few days of the year so unless I’m in the tropics they never get packed. Other than one pair of skinny jeans nothing I pack to Alaska is cotton based. Essentials for Alaska for me include a comfy zip up fleece, my favorite cardigan to dress up or down, a few tencel based tshirts, skinny jeans, a knee length dress, 2 silk scarves/shawls, hiking pants, yoga pants etc. I don’t really bother with long sleeves unless it’s early/late in the season. For summer I would bring a dress that is active wear which can double as a swim cover up or dress it up for dinner, I have a like black dress that works great for this but have my eye on one from Patagonia next.

Wow that’s a lot of shoes. Well I never wear wedges, I prefer a traditional heel which can be dressed up or down. Long cruise I packed lightweight running shoes for comfort leather sneakers for excursions and casual wear black heels for semi/formal cute/ waterproof flip flops for the pool Alaskan cruise (September) hiking boots for ports Lightweight sneakers for daytime Black heels for evening the Alaskan cruise doesn’t have a solarium and I won’t be getting the thermal spa pass so no need for flip flops. if you focus on packing a cohesive wardrobe you can find shoes that work universally. Ask yourself if you really need 3 pairs of sandals. Can you make do with one pair of heels to dress up or down based on what you’re wearing. You’re very close to a 3 shoe list you just have to pick the best 3-4 for your trip. Your shoes don’t need to “match” your outfits they just have to work with them.

Lots of options for third party insurance for Canadians. If you travel more than once a year look into an annual coverage.

Big vs small ship will not affect the port nearly as much as how many other ships are in port that day. I don’t know if you can look up port schedules that far in advance however. I love that celebrity has an onboard naturalist so maybe look at their larger ships for a balance of enrichment and entertainment. I love smaller ships especially in Alaska but the entertainment is usually sub par.