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Posts posted by snowmc
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I just posted a review of Tracy Arm on my travel blog with photos....http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com Hope it helps.
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I would look for an itinerary with at least 2 of these 3 choices, because weather can easily knock one out (especially Hubbard). We took a Princess cruise that scheduled both Hubbard and Glacier Bay -- we had a glorious day in GB, but Hubbard had too much fog for the captain to safely navigate the icebergs so it was skipped. If Hubbard had been our only glacier viewing, we would have lost out completely.
Yes...weather is one of the hazards of Hubbard....along with ice problems. If you can find a cruise that hits two...that's a bonus! We did a 14 day cruise Alaska cruise that hit all three....amazing trip!
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I have seen many posts asking for help choosing between these different destinations. I have written an unbiased review of them, including maps and photos on http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com I would LOVE your feedback!
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I have seen many posts asking for help choosing between these different destinations. I have written an unbiased review of them, including maps and photos on http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com I would LOVE your feedback!
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I have done the zip line in Juneau and Ketchikan. Of those two, I would do Juneau. Ketchikan is fine though. Haven't done Skagway. They have been safe and a ton of fun!
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We have always found plenty of tour operators waiting outside on the docks. That being said...if there is something that will make or break the trip for you, book it either through the cruise line or find an independent operator. TripAdvisor has lots of good suggestions (by the way...they own cruise critic now. :) )
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I have posted a review of our stop in St. Petersburg last summer on http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com. I have included the link to the tour guide we used. I hope you enjoy reading it.
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I have been on 10 Alaska cruises and have developed a packing list that works pretty well. It is on my travel blog....http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com From our experiences in Alaska, you can get everything from 70's or 80's in one port and then cold, windy and/or rainy in another. Plus...it can get chilly while cruising, especially up to the glaciers. You just never know.
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In a word....YES! You never know what the weather will be like...and you are covering a lot of distance, with different weather patterns. Pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket or poncho. I have a packing list on my travel blog....http://www.zest4travel. wordpress.com We've done this cruise 10 times.
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It is the cruise line that requires the 6 month validity...not Canada. Don't risk it....it would cost a WHOLE lot more to get to the ship and not be allowed to board because of a passport expiration date!
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ALWAYS check your onboard account SEVERAL TIMES during the cruise. Mistakes happen....we have been charged for other passengers/cabin's purchases and, if we had not checked them, would have been stuck paying it. Front desk was always willing to take off the wrong charges after checking the charge tickets. We check our account when we board to make sure OBC has been applied, and then several times during the cruise. Have also been charged for drinks, even though we have the premium package. Just keep an eye on it.
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If you booked under Go Big or Go Better...it is classic. If you booked under Go Best....it is premium. If you have the Classic and onboard credit, you can use that to upgrade ($11.80/day) when you board. Otherwise, you will pay the upgrade fee ($10 + 18% gratuity or $11.80/day) for the upgrade and it will be applied to your onboard account.
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There will also be tour operators outside on the dock booking tours. Sometimes they offer better prices in order to fill up partially booked tours. There will be whale watching, fishing, float planes....you name it. Basically, if the ship offers it, you can get it dockside.
I have several posts on different ports with excursion suggestions on my travel blog....www.zest4travel.wordpress.com We have sailed Alaska 10 times. There is also a packing list there.
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Congratulations on your first visit to Alaska! No matter which company you cruise with, you will have an amazing time. I have sailed with Holland America and Celebrity, but never with NCL. Night life on Holland is much quieter than Celebrity....and I have heard that NCL has more than Celebrity. BUT....you will enjoy any of them.
We have sailed Alaska 10 times. I have several posts about different ports (and a packing list) on my travel blog...http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com. Please let me know if you have any questions. I (or anyone on here!) will be happy to help!
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We are arriving at midnight and have the next whole to enjoy Iceland and leave very early the following day by 8 AM. Read your review about Reykjavik. Thought why take a tour when I can spend an enjoyable in town as you did but then read further about all you got to see(waterfalls, national park, etc.) Just want to do everything - sounds so wonderful. Thank you for the reviews. Hope to find that wonderful bakery in St. Petersburg.
We rented a car....quick taxi trip to the rental agency. Made seeing things on our time so much easier. Roads are well marked and very easy to drive. And Reykjavik is very walkable. Nice path along the waterfront.
In St. Petersburg, if you have a private driver, just ask them to take you there. If you are on a larger group tour, I doubt it will be included. This is one city you do not want to try and wander around by yourself. For one thing, it would require a separate tourist visa...expensive and time consuming to get. I would suggest using a private company (not through the cruise line) to hire a private car and driver. We did that with four adults and it was actually cheaper than the cruise excursion. TripAdvisor has lots of good suggestions. As does cruise critic!
Enjoy your travels! And thanks for reading my travel blog and for the nice comments. I really appreciate it! :)
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Thank you very much for sharing your journey with us. Do you use ship excursions or private tours? Specifically for Shetland island. Thanks, irina
We rented a car. It was about a 15 minute walk from the dock. This gave us the freedom to visit several different places and on our own time. There are only a few roads on the island, so it was very easy to make our way. Of course, if you are not comfortable driving, the ship's excursions are also a great idea.
We had plenty of time to explore the town after returning the car. Not much there, but it was fun to wander around and grab some fish and chips before taking the tender back to the ship.
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Thanks Cool Cruiser....I've scanned several boards and done a search, but can't locate it. Thought I would post on the cruise lines I follow...hopefully the person wanting the information will find it!
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Yesterday, I saw a port asking for any information on ports for the Iceland/Norway cruise. I can not locate it now. We did this cruise several years ago and I have added my reviews of our ports on my travel blog....www.zest4travel.wordpress.com There is too much to post here. I hope it is helpful. I am also happy to answer any questions readers may have. :)
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Yesterday, I saw a port asking for any information on ports for the Iceland/Norway cruise. I can not locate it now. We did this cruise several years ago and I have added my reviews of our ports on my travel blog....www.zest4travel.wordpress.com There is too much to post here. I hope it is helpful. I am also happy to answer any questions readers may have. :)
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Earlier today, I saw someone asking for any information on ports for the Iceland/Norway cruise. I can not locate it now. We did this cruise several years ago and I have added my reviews of our ports on my travel blog....http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com I hope it is helpful. I am also happy to answer any questions readers may have. :)
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Earlier today, I saw someone asking for any information on ports for the Iceland/Norway cruise. I can not locate it now. We did this cruise several years ago and I have added my reviews of our ports on my travel blog....http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com I hope it is helpful. I am also happy to answer any questions readers may have. :)
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Our experience was not with luggage valet, but with luggage delivery to our bus from Vancouver port to Seattle airport. We were not allowed to collect our bags...were told they would be placed on the bus. We saw them sitting in the luggage area...again, told we could not collect them, they would be loaded. Lo and behold..we get to Seattle airport and NO BAGS! They were left sitting on the dock in Vancouver. It took a FULL WEEK! for them to clear customs and be FedEx'ed to us. From that point on, we have carried our own bags off....will NEVER AGAIN! trust anyone to get our bags off the ship and ready for us to collect.
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I love Juneau....been there 10 times. I have several suggestions on my travel blog....https://zest4travel.wordpress.com/2017/01/29/my-favorite-things-to-do-in-juneau-alaska/
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Sitka is a small town. No HOHO bus. Very walkable.
Getting so excited for Alaska on the Eurodam!
in Holland America Line
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Alaska is my favorite destination...we have been 10 times! I have reviews of different ports and the glaciers on my travel blog...http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com Please enjoy it....and let me know if you have any questions....happy to answer them.