HulieVA

I started this thread in 2011. We were to have gone again in 2016. Unfortunately, a health problem intervened. We did send 7 children and grands instead, on the Dream, early June. They had a fabulous time. (ages 5 - 45) One 16-yr old had been with us in 2011 and he was their "guide". They all enjoyed everything about it; the activities, the viewing, the ports, etc. Especially the crew and the food!!

In June, 2016 we will take our 4th small boat cruise in SE Alaska. We did 2 with Cruise West and 1 with their successor Alaskan Dream. We will go back on Alaskan Dream. I just can't imagine being on a large ship for this place. The food is 5-star, and the viewing of everything is unbeatable. An all-around fantastic experience. We just had to do it again!

Thru Seattle to Sitka. Fly! Very important to arrive a day early just in case. Last year we stayed at the Super 8 in Sitka before and after. Nothing fancy, but, more than satisfactory. Good location, friendly, helpful staff, clean. A simple breakfast buffet. Also, a bonus for the after...a laundromat!

I would differ with HMH 1949's assessment about children. We took our 9 yr old grandaughter on a Cruise West 8 day cruise. Last year we took our 2 11 yr old grandsons on the Admiralty Dream, the 3rd cruise out for the new Alaskan Dream Cruises. We ALL enjoyed it thoroughly. The children were never bored. They were well-behaved and interacted with other passengers. They were interested, engaged and shared the excitement of the sightings. They took lots of good pictures and loved to share them. Our other grandchildren are anxiously waiting for their turn to see Alaska. all children are not dependent on electronics and all children are not nuisances.

We were passenger on the 3rd cruise of the 2011 season (their first) and I was sent an e-mail offering up to 35% off selected dates and cabins...good until Feb. 20, 2012. I have noit been able to determine the specifics. The e-mail also said that capacity on the Admiralty Dream has been reduced from 78 to 66. A very good thing. and, the forward lounge has been updated. The cruise offerings and itineraries are greatly changed from the initial season. I think they have been very responsive to the comments made by the first cruisers.

Chilkoot, so glad you had great weather as we did. I totally agree with your assessment. We enjoyed the cultural experiences, but, too many...too much. Kake has been added since our trip. We would have liked more cruising/exploring. They have a way to go to equal Cruise West in total experience.

very casual...dress for comfort. In early June a fleece pullover plus water repellent jacket was needed. check out pictures on Alaskan Dream Cruises Facebook page.

CaribSnokeler...I am so glad your first small ship cruise was a success. Our May 28 cruise did not include a stop in Kake. I wish it had. Kake is not on the published itinerary. Our itinerary was basically reversed from original. I agree that some tweaking is needed. One of my complaints was that the outside speakers were not working, so, announcements were missed. Changes were made with little or no notice. The short notice change that had the biggest effect was a 7:30 am debarkation at the end instead of the published 9 am time. This caused quite a scramble after the last night festivities. All in all we were happy and satisfied. I think that alaskan Dream Cruises has a great future. BTW, Carib, how many passengers were on your cruise? Did you stop in Juneau?

We are scheduled to take the Alaska Dream in August and was interested in hearing from lucky people who are traveling earlier to learn about the sea conditions ...will I need sea sick meds? Is it pretty rough?

Please let us know all of the details!!

 

Expensive to get to Sitka isn't it?:)

 

thanks

hamptonroads

It was a little bit rolly one night...no rocking. Generally smooth, no open seas. This was the Admiralty Dream, don't know about the Alaska Dream.

We travelled to Sitka from Washington Reagan in one day (Alaska Air). A 4 1/2 hour layover in Seattle, time to have a nice lunch, arriving Sitka about 5:30. Same coming home, arriving 10pm. Cost was: $1896 inc.- 1st class, and $1012 inc.- coach.

I highly recommend arriving Sitka 2 days early in case of glitches.

Hobart Bay; nothing there other than Allen's recreational equipment and caretaker's house. We were able to kayak, ATV on trails, and Zedoo boats. Some passengers did some activities twice.

At ISP we did the muskeg walk with observation points to view Spasski River. Bear watching is a hopeful overstatement. We saw only several squirells. The Tlinget guide was very knowledgable about the vegetation and we enjoyed his comments on his life.

We had about 1/2 hour to view the old canning equipment and shops before viewing the native dance/story-telling presentation. It was very good and because we were a small group some local Hoonah residents were able to view the presentation also. After the presentation we walked past the zipline to our dinner site. It requires 10+ participants to open...costs about $119 regularly, takes 45 minutes to get to the top and 90 seconds to descend. It is the highest/longest in North America...we were told.

If your ship docks at the main town dock, next to the Marine (car) Park...tour busses often load and leave from here...there are several food carts at the side of the bus park area, the opposite direction from the multi-story car park.

We are just back from May28-June 4 cruise. As this was only their 3rd ever overnight cruise there were minor bugs. However, it was wonderful. We had 5 days of sunshine and warm temps and 2 days of gray drizzle. Because of lack of advertising, etc. we were only 13 passengers and received upgraded cabins. I think a full load would be very crowded. We saw it all...Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay, sleeping humpbacks, orcas, bears, goats, sea otters, etc.... We had naturalists and native Tlingit cultural programs. The food was very good and plentiful with many choices. (Hamburgers and steaks were always available). Allen Marine is a very highly respected company and I believe it will only get better.

I am glad to answer any questions.

We are booked. My husband, myself and 2 11yr old grandsons. I found a very good travel agent to ferret out all information. The itinerary is 7 nights from and back into Sitka. Every other day has a shore activity. One full day in Glacier Bay. We did buy very inclusive trip insurance.

Yes, it may be cold and wet...but, this is a good time to see bears and more bears.

I am about to confirm booking for May 28 on the Admiralty Dream. Info was hard to come by, and, this will only be their 3rd trip... however, we are excited. (2 previous Cruise West Alaska trips)

Anyone else out there booking wth Alaskan Dream?