Alaska0799

Probably right. I've never come across their name before and I browse the excursions every year before we cruise. Don't want to rule them out just because they are new since it's a nice alternative to the other options for Skagway. Will continue to research! Thanks, again for the observation!

Has anyone used Never Monday Charters in Skagway for fishing or wildlife cruising? We are considering using them when we're there on the Golden on 7/8. Input appreciated!

I would definitely choose Princess! They are one of the best cruise lines for Alaska. The one way voyages (Northbound and Southbound) are the best! You'll see the most in a week. I would go on either the Coral or Island Princess North or South Voyage. I've been to Alaska with Princess on the Island and it was incredible! Going again this summer in the beginning of July on the Coral.

 

 

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I agree with Cruising Coral 100%. We've only done the Southbound. Coral and Island are our favorites, too! Love the forward "secret" decks for viewing wildlife, scenery, etc. The only negative is the LONG and somewhat expensive flight to Anchorage from Dallas, but we do enjoy staying a night or two at the economical Comfort Inn Ship Creek in Anchorage and very much enjoy riding the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage into Whitter--a nice way to start the cruise!

I want to pass on something I've learned after buying many pairs of binoculars over the years, each time trying to keep to an economical maximum:

 

 

 

If I'd saved enough for one good pair instead of all the lesser one's that I'd gotten, I would have spent less than I spent for all the crappy binoculars. So my advice is to buy a decent pair now and save money in the long run. There are many places to buy good quality used ones: eBay or Cameraland Nikon Demos.

 

 

 

The best bang for your buck is a porro-prism but they tend to not be waterproof and don't have a reputation to stay in focus or survive harsh treatment. The second you can try is a low-end roof prism (like the Nikon Demo I linked you to above): roofs tend to be waterproof (for not much more than non-waterproof), more durable, and more compact (again the Nikon 10x25 Demo I pointed you to for <$70). But remember too: generally, the higher the magnification, the shakier the image and the darker (less light) it will be.

 

 

 

For beginners and and all around binocular, I would recommend an 8x42 roof prism.

 

 

 

I would suggest generally staying with better known brands (e.g. Nikon, Vortex, Leupold) with good lifetime warranties. In optics, you really do get what you pay for, where they won't survive a knock or a bounce off the deck. But here again, look to the warranty to help.

 

 

 

And please read my post about buying optics in general for cruising or other uses.

 

 

 

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me for more information, and let us know what you decide! :)

Love my 15yr old Leupolds10x42. Amazing optics. A little heavier than the newer generation but they have become like an appendage--not willing to give them up, they've served me so well. also, Leupold will fix whatever happens for whatever reason at no charge. Wonderful service!

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As someone who lives in Alaska I find Tracy's overpriced for the product. I love king crab, but I'm not that impressed with Tracy's Crab Shak.

Yes, they are pricey! Any other suggestions for king crab in Juneau? Annabelle's in Ketchikan was very good and in an historic bldg across from the cruise ship docks. Think they were a little cheaper than Tracy's.

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WOW - just wow! I am going on my 1st cruise/1st Alaska trip on July 5th. I have every intention of spending as much time as possible on deck. My traveling companion keeps saying - we'll do this, that, keep busy....I can keep busy in San Antonio. I can not watch the ocean here!! That is all I really want to do. My "one thing" on the trip is a whale watching excursion from Juneau. I just hope to spend more time watching whales than at the glacier.

 

 

 

Hearing that I have a decent chance of seeing whales/dolphins from the lower deck makes me so very happy!!!

 

 

 

I found a decent pair of binoculars that my ex left behind, so I'm hoping they are the right ones for this kind of trip since I really can't afford anything else if I'm going to pay my bills before/after this cruise!!!

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing all your info! Is there any kind of map or book I should get now - 8 weeks out? or will everything be available on the ship?

Alaska was our first cruise and we are looking forward to our 8th Alaska cruise on July 5th out of Seattle. After the first cruise we were so smitten, we've returned every chance we get! Stay out on deck, keep your binocs around your neck and you will see Alaska's wildlife treasures all along the route. Whale watching with Harv and Marv in Juneau is always a highlight of our trip. July is a good time for seeing bubble net feeding with a little luck! Those who say they never saw whales on their cruise can usually be found in the casino or shops!

Although you don't have an ocean in San Antonio, it's still a great city! I grew up there in the 60s and remember it fondly! Enjoy your first Alaska cruise!

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I am sailing on Grand Princess on 9/7 for the Tracy Arm Fjord and Alaska cruise. Stops are Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria B.C.

 

Can anyone tell me what are some fantastic places to eat in those places? My group of people going is a bunch of "foodies"....looking to eat some wonderful stuff!

 

:)

Tracy's Crab Shack in Juneau. Annabelle's in Ketchikan. Can't go wrong!

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Those ARE some great fares. We have about a 3-week window so we're looking at June 21, June 28 or July 5 RT Seattle. So far, $799 is lowest I've seen. Would love to do the Southbound on Island or Coral (love the forward decks and "secret" areas) but the DFW to Anchorage flight is killer for hubby's back! And airfare is higher. Will keep watching, as we've now crossed the line from "hope we can find a good enough deal to go again this year" to "we'll just find the best deal within our date range"! Hopeless addicts we are!

Yes, it will be great regardless because it is ALASKA! If you're interested in seeing whales, be sure to include an excursion in Juneau that includes whale watching. Harv & Marv are great, as are Orca Enterprises. The smaller boats really enhance the experience, although we've enjoyed the Princess excursion with Allen Marine, too. Now I'm getting excited for you!

Nice! Don't know which route that is, but if this is your first Alaska cruise, I highly recommend considering an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay. Regardless, Alaska is breathtakingly beautiful and the wildlife is abundant. Enjoy!

Oh, I didn't realize they didn't allocate as many ships to Alaska this year. Might actually have to consider another cruise line then, although we'd really rather not!

Ah, so you actually have to COUNT?! Thanks!

Hoping to find a great deal on Alaska cruise again this year but haven't seen the killer deals we saw last year--ended up with $399pp interior cabin on the Southbound. Found that deal two months before late July sailing. Anyone have an informed explanation--just inflation or has cruising Alaska become substantially more popular this year?

Not giving up but not particularly encouraged at this point! :confused:

Quick question--where do you go to see how many cabins in a particular category are available? Thanks in advance!

Love that! A naturalist with a sense of humor! Thanks for the input.

We are considering late June 2014 RT Vancouver Alaska cruise (will be our 8th Alaska cruise). Our priority is wildlife viewing so we enjoy the ships with forward viewing decks and a promenade deck (preferably one that circumnavigates the ship). We also enjoy cruising Alaska with an onboard Naturalist. Would we find the Pacific lacking? We appreciate all input!

When we were on the Island for our Panama Canal cruise this January the hours for the Patisserie were 6:00am to 11:00pm. Fresh brewed and specialty coffees were available by 6:30am at the latest.

Thank you, that's music to my ears!

Thanks for the pic and info!

Oh! I thought the Coral had just converted to the IC but the Island had not yet. That's great news!

Wondering about the hours of operation of La Patisserie on the Island, particularly how early we can get our first cup of good coffee!

We, too, have experienced a very rough trip with Harv & Marv. End of May last year, the first of our B2B trips was fine but conditions changed abruptly during the second trip and the ride was bone-jarring to say the least. We were experiencing great sightings till then, and shot some great stills and video footage. With the rough water, though, it was impossible to get any good shots. That's the one advantage Allen Marine's larger boats (ship excursion) have over our beloved Harv & Marv--comfort on very rough seas!

Fortunately, you should still be able to spot whales while you're cruising, albeit usually at a greater distance. Just spend lots of time on the decks with your binoculars. It could be well worth the effort!

None of the nine whale watching trips we've booked out of Juneau has ever been cancelled--so chances of it happening to you again are probably quite slim! Don't hesitate to book it again when you return for your next Alaska cruise!

May the remainder of your cruise exceed your expectations! We're counting the days till we board the Island Princess on July 29.

Anyone have personal knowledge of these interior forward cabins on Caribe deck? Just concerned about potential for elevator/stairway noise. Input appreciated!

We've just returned from RT Seattle cruise on Sapphire Princess. Whale watching with Harv and Marv (with Captain Steve) was possibly the best we've had in our five whale watching trips out of Auke Bay in Juneau. We've always enjoyed the Allen Marine excursions (booked through Princess) and their larger boats are best for those who desire a smooth ride, snack bar and more comfy restroom facilities. But Harv and Marv's two small boats (6 passengers) and one recently added larger boat (12 passengers) result in a more intimate wildlife experience. They lived up to their stellar reputation--absolutely topnotch operation and personnel from the first phone call till we disembarked the boat after the trip.

On our trip on 6/22, we first observed a humpback cow with her calf who was rolling and fin slapping then proceeded to breach and chin-slap repeatedly. Absolutely breathtaking! Then we moved to another location near where two adults and one calf were feeding, along with several groups of sea lions who were feeding and frolicking. The whales moved so close to us (approx 10 yards) we could not only hear (loudly) their exhalations but their inhalations as well! The sea lions were actually jumping over the calf's tail. Before we left that spot, while still surrounded by whales and sea lions, a virtual HERD of Dall's porpoises overran us. All this with two bald eagles calling to each other from the nearby shoreline and surrounded by the Chilkat Mountains and peaks of the Juneau ice field on a gorgeous sunny afternoon. Those impressions will stay with us for a long, long time!