JanetAlice

Once again, made this choice because of the ats bogo, which got us both here for $80. We sat at tables with half the folks facing backwords. We had the princess tags on our luggage and were told we didnt need to think about them - the depot would get them delivered to our room. The ride was slow and pleasant. A narrator with a microphone points out sights but we only saw a few eagles en route. There is a concession stand but they had no tions to us bringing on our own snacks. I had hoped to take a gander at the 2 tall buildings of the city while waiting for our glacier cruise,but it was foggy and chilly and i wasnt sure even which direction to walk. So we just waited the half hour for the glacier quest boat to load up.

I an assuming you booked the train independently. So Princess still took care of the luggage?

When is your trip and are you within peak timeframes for Katami? Each area has it's own peak. I never recommend the Denali/Seward same day drive, I'd be readjusting your itinerary, you also are likely grossly underestimating transit time with your "7 hour" thinking. You need to allow for 10 with a few stops.

 

Your Talkeetna touring certainly is worthwhile, and fits with your priority. I fly most of my Denali flights out of Talkeetna, a lot of selection. The river float trip gets good reviews.

 

If you have a National Park Priority, I'd put Gates of the Arctic on the list. some of most scenic flying has been in that direction with Anaktuvuk Pass one of my favorites. :)

I was hoping you would see my post Budget Queen. I live down the thruway in Albany. I left Katmai till the end of the land portion because I believe that would be better timing for the bears. The date would be July 13th. Do you think Lake Clark would be better on that date? Yes I love our National Park but I am not sure how to fit Gates of the Arctic in. Any suggestions?

Oops. I see Lake Clark is a national park as well.

I have info on hotels, etc so I am good there thank you. I was planning on doing excursions into Denali from Talkeetna. Air on the afternoon we arrive and a river excursion in the morning before we left for Denali. Am I better off doing excursions closer to the park? Great advice and stopping along the way from Denali to Seward. I agree 7 hours is doable but would prefer to break it up. Yes we are going to Katmai for bear viewing. I will look into bear viewing at Lake Clark though it is a goal of mine to see every National Park if I can. I am up to 31.

We are doing a southbound out of Whittier next year. Does this pre-cruise plan make sense? Also looking for vendor recommendations for Katmai excursions.

Day 1

Arrive Anchorage-spend the night and leave by car, early the next morning

Day 2

Drive to Talkeetna and stay overnight

Day 3

Denali

Day 4

Denali

Day 5

Drive to Kenai Penninsula and NP overnight in Seward.

Day 6

Seward

Day 7

Excursions in Seward and drive back to Anchorage

Day 8

Overnight trip to Katmai from Anchorage

Day 9

Anchorage

Day 10

Train to Whittier

not a problem i will be happy to do it

Where will you post your Patters? We are going next year. Thank you.

We have our third aft balcony in two weeks. Deep balcony, love the view, and not as breezy. However, definitely more motion (and I am very prone to motion sickness and I will get a patch for the first time for the cruise) and if there are loud or rude people aft it can be a problem. It was great last year but the year before it was awful. People who knew each other were constanting yelling from one balcony floor to another and the same group was catcalling every person that was walking back to the ship while in port in Nassau.

I would go for it especially on the Breakaway and Getaway. When they built these new ships they made the balconies smaller.

Thank you so much hubofhockey and terryinohio and others for all the Paris info. I was finishing my Norway planning (Terry's posts were also wonderful) and i just started looking for info to plan my five days in Paris (including Versailles). Cruise Critic members are a real gift.

Did anybody make private transportation arrangements from Edinburgh port to the castle?

We just caught a cab right at the port. There were plenty waiting. We shared it with another couple from our roll call. We went into the city center near the castle.

The Internet (and Google) is the planner's best friend.

Exactly. I bought everything ahead of time as well. Very easy and you avoid many lines. People were waiting an hour for tickets to Edinburgh Castle and we walked right in with our prepaid tickets.

2.) Video.... hmmm.... I want to say yes because I'm obsessive about hunting down stuff like that and your screen name sounds very familiar...

Here you go.

Enjoying your post. We are leaving Aug 1st for this same itinerary. I was wondering, why they would need to take your passport for a few days??? That makes me a bit uncomfortable. I don't like to be without it when traveling.

Passports are often collected on a cruise as they have to show them to local authorities. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks again Emily. Hey Princess I'm sure you're reading this thread. Hire her!

BTW did you see the British Isles video I posted last year?

I continue to look forward to each installment. Belfast was MY surprise city on the voyage (though we didn't port in Liverpool.). I just loved it. Being a Titantic buff had something to do with it I'm sure. Unfortunately the new museum was still under construction. Can't wait to hear your impressions.

I promise if you ever visit Albany NY we would make you feel very welcomed.

I love reliving our Briitsh Iles cruise from last year. Great travelogue. Did you visit London post cruise?

Scubagirrl

Do you think I would have a problem buying on beach pass onsite next week?

One more request please

Jconti at nycap dot rr dot com

Thanks

Hi All

 

Baked Alaska , now its only a shadow of itself it needs to go

 

or be re invented

 

 

yours Shogun

You are so right. I hadn't been on a cruise for a couple of years and then last year saw those LED lights. Very lame.

We just returned from our cruise and our stop in Greenock was very enjoyable. We went on the free tour with the Invercylde tourist group and enjoyed it very much.

We are headed to the Tattoo mid-afternoon. Is it possible to walk around Greenock in a couple of hours? Can you tell me more about the free tour?

My 1st cruise EVER is in Nov so I'm obsessed with this site! I read everything I can, I come on here at least once a day to see if I missed anything....It's kinda sad, I know ;)

Only once a day. Welcome to the club.