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So what about air fare, hotel accommodations, and car rentals I have booked around the September 15 departure from Seward?!  😬

Rental car warning/advise….

Be sure to check availability of a Seward DROP OFF for a rental car if you decide on a rental from Anchorage.  I could be wrong, but to my knowledge, only HERTZ has a drop off in Seward.

Yes, pricey and limited car availability so book/reserve well ahead of time.  I also reconfirm regularly.

 Looking for Experience/opinions of the Gold Creek Salmon bake and Salmon Waterfall viewing access.

Looks like a relaxing experience in a scenic setting in the port of Juneau.

So would you make your decision on booking a Kenai Fjords experience on a CHANCE of getting seasick?  It’s a great experience, so I hope you can do it…no, it is not like canoeing on a lake!  Maybe with a medication it’s doable by calming the unsettled… mentally or physically.

Agree wholeheartedly that extra time in Seward wins over Anchorage.
 

Road trip suggestions .

My additional advice to a road trip…beautiful… allow yourself EXTRA time to and from destinations as you will want to stop along the way for views, historic sites, tiny towns, etc.  Gas up your car wherever available.. stations may be limited along the way.

Study the Seward Highway as well as the Sterling Highway (toHomer) routes on MILEPOST ALASKA or BELLS ALASKA for mile by mile info.

Book a rental well in advance in order to reserve a car!  ( possibly only HERTZ available in Seward.)

or…

don’t rent a car and enjoy much that Seward and Kenai fiords has to offer!

i think you will be happy with any choice!!

That’s a long time between disembarking and your flight.  Just a thought…

Would you consider renting a car in Seward and drive the Seward highway to the airport?  (Hertz might be your only rental available in Seward ) It’s an easy, scenic drive… highway info plentiful at MILEPOST Alaska or BELLSALASKA.

Rental could be pricey 😬, and it’s best to book a rental well before needed, so a car can be reserved for you….apparently few rental cars available these days.  We booked ours in May for a September pre cruise 4-day/3 night trip from the airport to Homer to Seward.

Ok!  I stand corrected.  Most, but not all bars are open.  Drink up!

We generally are on board early on embarkation day, grab something to go from the windjammer and head to the Viking crown lounge. It’s scenic and peaceful at this time. The bar there isn’t open yet. It’s a relaxing time for us to recharge after busy travel.

We’ll hit the open bars soon enough. 😉

I think most bars, but not all, are closed until after muster and/or the ship sets sail.  There may be some bar staff circulating during boarding.

You won’t have to wait long…bars will be open before dinner time !!

Do Alaska… a beautiful corner of the USA!  

As stated, “a beach is a beach”, and that’s what I now think of Caribbean cruises…tho I always enjoy them.
And one glacier may be the same as another in some opinions. However, Alaska has all the rustic geography you can only imagine… unique and beautiful!  The cruise ports are all quaint yet interesting in a calming fashion. I highly recommend adding travel on land before or after a cruise.  Cruise lines have land tours you can book with your cruise, but we have rented a car and explored ourselves.  ( Be aware of car rental pickup and drop off locations!). Alaska is easy to navigate on its good highways.  I envy those who have RVd in Alaska.   Do some research.
Do your comparative shopping for a cruise that offers you the most time in ports and land tour if interested.

For a land tour(diy or cruise based) you would need a one way cruise….Vancouver to Anchorage or the reverse.  We prefer the land option before the cruise so we can R&R on the ship.  Also, the longest flight ( to Alaska) is done first.

You can break up a long flight by taking a route that has brief layovers to stretch if needed.  Just DO plan on flights to arrive a day early in case of any flight delays!

And start saving your dollars.  This can be a pricey trip when flights and excursions are added in…. But so worth it, in my opinion since it is a bucket list for many and perhaps a “ one and done”.

Wow!, that was a long reply, huh? 🤣

I love a balcony but would settle for an ocean view if that’s all that’s available. An inside makes me claustrophobic!

a balcony is a luxurious perk in my opinion and I am thankful for that luxury in my senior years.  For those who are unable to book a balcony, you should feel thankful you can cruise!  There are plenty of opportunities to be out and about so you will be a able to enjoy a wonderful experience.

While I agree with KELLIE IN TEXAS for most comments,  I would just add that while most food and beverages come with your cruise fare, there are charges for alcoholic and soda beverages…. both of which can add up quickly if you don’t keep track!   I usually take advantage of the water, ice tea and lemonade in the windjammer.  

My dining wear is a basic black with different scarf and/or jewelry.  Who, including table mates, really takes notes or judges repeats?  

Yup, cooler than Texas and anywhere in the “lower 48” right now!  🥵

✔️light weight but warm layers and a waterproof windbreaker.

Been to Alaska, Iceland and New Hampshire…..😉

Pack then unpack half and you should be good .  🤣

Alaska and ships have stores for about anything you might not pack.  Hair dryers etc in you stateroom.

The previous reply should just about cover your clothing items.  The ability to carry-ons only is fab!  The fear of lost luggage that is my worst nightmare!  I add a tiny bit of laundry detergent for unmentionables …wash, rinse, dry overnight.   Rewear, mix and match.  Clothes don’t get very dirty on a cruise.  
A personal bag for meds, money, paperwork, camera, disposable poncho(s).

Good luck!

Just checked out the website.  Very informative!

First, hindsight is easy…so I think you might stop worrying about the negative / others’ booking choice.  Since you surely won’t cancel the cruise over this point, go into it with a positive attitude and excited anticipation!  It’s not like you’ll be confined to your cabin. You’ll still see the great outdoors of Alaska from any window or deck on the ship. You could even find yourself self wondering “what’s on the other side” while sitting on a starboard side balcony.  Being out and about assures you’ll see it all with just a turn of your head. The heliport is a great viewing location!   I do admit tho, that having a balcony on any cruise adds to my enjoyment, especially for my morning coffee!  But in Alaska the weather just might force you inside anyway.

dd57, that should be a bucket list trip for folks wanting to seeing Alaska!  Happy for your experience.  
But doing only a portion of it would not disappoint! 

We are driving (4days) Anchorage to Homer to Seward before our cruise in September. So looking forward to it, rain or shine!

(Previously drove Anchorage to Seward, with a KenaiFjords excursion then back to Anchorage for Denali tour and cruise to Vancouver.)

Many changes in 13 years!  We took a Princess cruise-tour and loved everything about it.   Reportedly Princess is quite experienced with Alaska trips.

As many have suggested, do your research for cruise line, relatively smaller ships and itineraries.   I agree with comments about comparing best itineraries and times in port.

Much to consider and plan for this amazing destination! Get started!  😉🤔

Also, BELLSALASKA for mile by mile info.

I would do the drive first then R&R on a cruise… with excursions to see even more!

So much to see north of the embarkation ports (Whittier/Anchorage or Seward).   Denali, Fairbanks, Kenai Peninsula are all worth a visit and the routes are easy to follow.  Check out the MILEPOST ALASKA for route info/sights.  It’s very informative!!

Kenai peninsula has the Sterling highway to Homer and the Seward Highway to Seward that you might travel at the end of your time on land as you head to your port.

Just triple check where a motor home rental can be picked up and dropped off!! That may help determine your route.

How lucky for you to take this trip.  Enjoy!!

( Not a cheap trip, so save your $$$ between now and then!  No Christmas gifts this year.  😉🤣)

Ship shape dollars! 😲🤣🤣

On our first cruise in 1993!! we would “earn” ShipShapeDollars for participating in certain activities… dance classes or morning walks for example.  We’d collect a dollar from a crew member after every trip around the track during the morning walks. We even got the husbands to go to dance classes or “ morning stretch” to earn dollars!  With the dollars we “ bought” logo items included SHIP SHAPE t-shirts.  Wish I still had mine!  Was fun competition and motivation to work off those ( now nonexistent) midnight buffets!

Round trip you say?  So seems likely what you don’t see going up, you’ll see coming down? 😉

How lucky are you to travel with your grandchildren!  How lucky are they!!!

I hope you all enjoy this trip together… not missing social media or a theme park.  Geography, history, exploration, excitement for all !

2 more cents worth….

Wear what’s comfortable for restaurant dining on a cool evening or blasting a/c.

We have even worn short sleeves in Alaska…saves packing another heavy shirt. Just throw on your daytime cardigan that you’ll bring for “sea days”.  Multipurpose everything to help with overpacking.

Outside chilly doesn’t necessarily mean inside chilly.

Go ahead and request via phone or email. If given your choice, be sure to get a written confirmation.   No matter what, go directly to the dining room once on board. Chat with staff to confirm/make the reservation .  Include your preferred time as well.  You should also be able to check out your table at that time.  Ask nicely. 😉