snowmc

There are some great hikes in the area. I have a post about it at https://zest4travel.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/exploring-skagway/

I would also suggest getting passports for those who do not have them. Unless you are doing a roundtrip Seattle cruise (closed loop), a passport will be required to board. You have plenty of time to get them if you apply now. Better safe than sorry!

There are a few Celebrity cruises....roundtrip Vancouver...that stop there. Late May is fine for Alaska....typically one of the driest months. June and July will be fine also...August can start to get iffy weather. September will be colder and potentially rougher seas.

I have written several posts about Alaska on my travel blog....http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com We have been on 10 Alaska cruises....Celebrity, HollandAmerica and Princess. Most important thing I can suggest when booking is get a balcony/verandah if at all possible. The scenery is amazing!

Have a great time! Alaska is clearly my favorite destination! :)

We have been to Alaska 10 times...waterproof are a good idea, but not totally necessary. You may (and probably will) get some rain, but then again...maybe not. I agree the most important thing is they are comfortable. You will be doing a LOT of walking! Bring shoes with a good grip....like tennis shoes...for the deck (might be slippery if foggy or raining). And please....don't bring heavy winter boots like Uggs...totally NOT necessary! I have posted a packing list on my travel blog....http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com

We love the zip lining in Juneau. Have also done the one in Ketchikan, but prefer Juneau. The kids will LOVE it! I wrote about it on my travel blog....https://zest4travel.wordpress.com/2017/01/29/my-favorite-things-to-do-in-juneau-alaska/

I think his statement of bringing a lightweight waterproof jacket qualifies

 

 

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Thanks! A waterproof jacket or pullover (poncho?) is all you will really need. And don't bring umbrellas....they are dangerous! Can't tell you how many times I have almost been taken out by people not paying attention to what they are doing! :')

If your luggage tags and edocs are not showing up, call the Captain's Club. They will be happy to assist you. 800.760.0654

Don't know if you've seen my packing list at http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com Please take a look at it. I stand by the advice of layers, layers, layers!

We have done 10 Alaska cruises and I have some suggestions on my travel blog....http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com Please read through it and see if there are any ideas that work for you. I have also posted a packing list. And feel free to share it with anyone!

Embarkation.....the smiling faces...glass of sparkling in hand...knowing it is all ahead of us still!

You can use the companion pass for a one-way fare. You can not use it for multi-city tickets....such as flying into Anchorage and then out of Vancouver at the end of the cruise. We use the companion fare to fly into Anchorage, as that is the more expensive segment and then use miles to fly home from Vancouver.

We have been on 10 Alaska cruises. I have some posts on my travel blog....http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com with ideas for those ports. Please check it out and let me know if you have any questions. Alaska is my favorite destination!

After 10 Alaska cruises, I say the best idea is lightweight, waterproof layers. I have a packing list on my travel blog...http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com

We also love to try different drinks while cruising. If we get something we do not like....or decide we have had enough of something...we just set it down and move on to something else. And any wine steward will be more than happy to let you try as many wines as you like.

After 10 Alaska cruises, I have created a packing list. You can get it at http://www.zest4travel.wordpress.com Please feel free to share it....and any tips you see there also!

We just booked a last minute cruise. Only dining time available was 8:30 and we could not waitlist online. I called the captains club to be added to the waitlist for select dining.... and Lo and behold...was told we could get select dining! Never hurts to call and ask nicely. She also moved our cabins for us so. So very helpful

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Ever since our bags got lost on disembarkation, we have carried our bags off. We generally are the last few off the ship, so no issue with lines.

Call the Captain's Club directly. They will be able to take care of it for you. They have been more than helpful to me in changing our dining to Select (when we were first informed it was not even able to be waitlisted) and then moving our cabins around so that we would be next to each other. (Party of 2 cabins which had been booked as a guarantee).

800-760-0654

I've cruised to Alaska 10 times. Best advice I have is to pack layers and waterproof shoes and jacket. You just never know what the weather will be like. I've been rained on during some cruises and gotten sunburned on others! Have a great sailing.

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We have sailed to Alaska 10 times now. Here is a packing list I have developed over the years. Hope it helps:

2 pair jeans (in case one gets wet)

3-4 shirts to wear with jeans

one pair capris to wear onboard (sea days)

1 nice dress for formal nights

1 or 2 skirts and/or nice pants and shirts/sweaters to wear with them

1 hooded sweatshirt

1 0r 2 zip up sweatshirt-like jackets or sweaters

1 light jacket or warm vest

scarf, hat and gloves

1 or 2 pair dress shoes/sandals

1 pair sandals for pool deck

swimsuit and coverup

2 pair good walking shoes

good sunglasses

socks and underwear

workout clothes

small backpack (easier than carrying a purse)

sunscreen (glare off boat can be strong)

These are the perks we enjoy:

NEW Dedicated Onboard Concierge desk

• Priority check-in

• NEW Concierge availability during pier check-in

• Priority disembarkation based on travel needs

• Exclusive pre-departure lounge

• NEW Exclusive Destination Seminar arranged by the Concierge

• Complimentary shoeshine service

Dining

•Welcome Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine with a commemorative label featuring exclusive art work

• Welcome fresh fruit

• Daily Delectable Delights

• Pillow menu to suit sleeping preferences

• NEW Exclusive Welcome Aboard Concierge Class Lunch in the Main Restaurant (11:30am - 1:00pm)

• Main and specialty restaurant seating time preferences

We always take advantage of the welcome aboard lunch...it is nice to be seated and not have to battle the crowds in the buffet. And the bottle of sparkling wine and option for fresh fruit and daily snacks in our cabin....it's not that big of a thing, just makes the trip a little nicer. My husband is also very picky about his pillows, so it is nice to have options there.

We almost always book concierge...only time we didn't is when we had a sky suite. Enjoy your cruise!

We recently disembarked from the Eclipse and are also wine lovers. I would recommend NOT purchasing any of the wine experiences/tastings onboard. They are geared more towards those who are just learning about wine...the wines are very pedestrian...wines I can find at home. Celebrity tries to bring some wines onboard at different ports, but we had a hard time finding any big, bold reds. Get to know your sommelier and visit Cellar Masters. Once they get to know you, most will do what they can to find you wines you will enjoy.

I just got off the Eclipse on July 31. We all have iPhones....6 and 6s. Just put your phone on airplane mode, then turn on the wi-fi in settings. This will allow you to connect to the ship's internet but not allow any calls to come through. We have done this on our last 3 cruises with no surprises. We are also Verizon customers.

Enjoy your cruise :)

There are cruise transfers available. Just do a google search for them. The other option is the train...easily done from either Waterloo Station or Victoria Station. Use nationalrail.co.uk to explore your options. If you have never been to London, I would suggest spending one day there and explore the city. There are a lot of options to enjoy....we have used the hop-on-hop-off bus in the past and got a very nice overview of the city in one day.

Also try and get a card that has no Foreign transaction fee. If you don't have one, that would probably add an additional 3% to the charge and would probably make , whatever points, you might get, not so valuable.

Also, most companies do set an extra charge for using a CC. It may not show in the price, but the price would probably be lower if you paid in cash. Be sure to check with the company if there are any fees for using a CC, or is there a price difference between cash and CC.

 

Cheers

 

Len

Thanks Len. I have checked with the tour company...no additional fees. And all our cards have no foreign transaction fees, so we are good there. But thanks for mentioning it...many people do not realize that.

Thank you everyone. Decision made...using the credit card...really want those double miles. :)