katfer

Hey all.... took the rebel back and got a Panosonic Lumix instead...the other was just too big and complicated...now to figure this out before August...anyone have tips on "pannny's. The zoom is incredible!

Hi everyone...just bought a Rebel T 6 EOS 1300 from Costco. Is this current enough or should I return it while there is still time? After buying this I found out it is actually an older model. there is a T1.. [i am a beginner.]..I like it has wifi ... it has two lenses .. largest one is 75-300mm. Is this good beginner camera that I can grow with as my skills increase? Di I need a larger lens for Alaska to get those gorgeous landscapes? it is 18 megapixels..Will be using this for cruises..as well as pics of grandchildren.I paid 600.00 with tax.

Hi everyone..thanks for your help...got a Canon Rebel T6 with wifi ...has 2 zoom lenses. It comes with battery and charger...also has 32gb 10 SDHC Memory cards. Question...do I need another battery for Alaska and another memory card? Thanks again!

Hi everyone..thanks for your help...got a Canon Rebel T6 with wifi ...has 2 zoom lenses. It comes with battery and charger...also has 32gb 10 SDHC Memory cards. Question...do I need another battery for Alaska and another memory card? Thanks again!

hi again..my current camera is a Nikon wide 5x zoom with 14 megapixels point and shoot...will take this also. I don't think this is good enough for Alaska with everything.

Hey all..thanks once again for all your replies......but some of these abbreviations ... Have never used anything but a point and shoot...I did look up what Raw meant!...Here's what I'm looking for [there are so many..more I look the more confused I get!] Entry level ,easy to use, .. will take videos .. waterproof and with a great zoom !! Panoramic... The cherry on the top would be the ability to send to iPhone iPad and Mac easily..[i'm a nurse...I do that well..I can do some things on computer...so just saying....] If possible I'd like to stay around 200 dollars.. does anyone have any links? I just don't want to miss a whale breech or eagle flying over... fumbling around trying to focus......Thanks once again Kathie

We really like our Sony DSC-HX300 (400 is the newer model) for shots quite a distance away with not a lot of movement like bears in a distance or glaciers. I say forget the ipad as it is to big. One of the best shots we have of a whale breach is from grand-sons iPhone on video when the captain told us when and where to look. It is one or two frames of the video. I was fiddling with my zoom and missed the whole thing in a blink of an eye. I also say don't bother with binoculars just use the camera or the camera plus one pair if not two cameras or if on whale watch use the tour companies.

sightcrr

Hey thanks.....still in thinking mode......what about a point and shoot...does anyone know about those? Do they have a zoom...will look on Amazon..We're going on a whale watching tour with Glacial Winds ..and I don't want to miss that "once in a lifetime whale breech in front of me"

Looking for camera and binoculars for Alaska. What did you get and where? Will my I phone and I Pad be enough? Nothing expensive..but still adequate for those "once in a lifetime" moments. TIA!

I just booked and from what i've read they're mini vans. We booked train first..then bus. I hope we won't be sorry we didn't do bus first. I think I've also read train up ..left side for best views...hope this helps.

thanks so much..how long were you in Juneau? Was that a NCL excursion?

On NCL Sun in August. Our Juneau time allowed in port is much shorter than the other ports. What so you suggest that are ..must do's.. places to see, shopping and great fish restaurants? We are scheduled from 7 am till noon...actually the web site has a "7-?". I think we cruise Sawyer glacier that afternoon.[ We have booked whale watching in Icy Strait already. We booked the White pass tour in Skagway.] Thanks

https://www.downtokokomo.wordpress.com :D

LOVE the blog and how easy it is to read! Would have loved to work on a ship..but alas..those days are done! Great job! We are on the Sun in August. What are some of your recommendations for shopping and restaurants? I'm presuming you don't do excursions with limited time...but if you have..go for it..Thanks crew lady!

No and nor do I get paid or use any advertising on the blog. I thought that some cruisers might like to read it. I write for free. As well as working on the ship 7 days a week for 9 months at a time.:eek:

Hey I would love to read that...how do I get it? Thanks..need any info I can get!!!

Hi,

 

How far in advance did you book your stay at the Harbour 360? I am researching for my June 2018 cruise.

 

Thanks,

 

Diane

Hi Diane planning is half the fun! We booked the Harborview Inn not the 360. That is what my question was. My friend booked it about 7 months out...we leave first week of August. It got fair reviews but we will just sleep there. I would rather spend my money on excursions and shopping. The Harborview is on the shuttle route. Happy Planning!

Hey ... just going to say... I love to shop! Can anyone tell me where the best shopping is? Starting in Anchorage, then Seward ..ISP.. Juneau.. Skagway ..and Ketchikan ending in Vancouver. What did you get and where did you get it? I found a thread from 2005 so I thought I'd see if any one knows the scoop from their recent cruises. Thanks.

Looking for authentic Alaska!

Amazing photograpy...what kind of camera did u use? I can hardly wait to get to my computer to see what ypu've posted. Did u take a land trip to get to Emerald Lake? U Rock!

I am loving this review! We are going in August...Seward to Anchorage..going to hate missing Pike's...loved your Lavender display.I just wished we'd started cruising at your ages. BTW your husband is a keeper! Love the flowers!

I didn't mean to sound like a '' know it all ''. I didn't know you have been on other cruises. I truly love Capt.Larry but he is very popular. He will show you whales. And there are a lot less passengers on his boats and cheaper than the ships. If you cant go with him try Harve and Marve. They are good also. Book now!

 

In Ketchikan I was disappointed with the Saxmon Village. It just didn't live up what it was said to be and all they did was push the gift shop. Creek Street is not too be missed. Make sure to go up and see how small the '' cribs '' are the girls used to use in the '' good ole days ''. If you want to stretch you legs in Ketchikan the tour through the Rain Forest was really good according to my brother and his wife. The Blue Busses will take you back and forth too Mendenhall Glacier every 1/12 hr. Give yourself plenty of time to get back too the ship. A lot of passengers raved about the Lobster tour but I never took it. But I love Lobster. Don't be afraid to get as many as you want on the night they have it at dinner. I had 3 myself that night. Yummm!!! Unless they have a cut-off limit now.

 

In Juneau try to get into the Red Dog Saloon early and get a Alaskan Beer. They get very busy. It is a saloon not too be missed. If you can only peak in the door have your camera ready for a photo or two. The same with the Saloon in Skagway. The girls will take pictures with you. If your wife will let them. Also in Juneau if you take the tram make sure it is a clear day. Other wise you are wasting your money. Don't pay for it before the day you get there.

 

The last bit of advice is take extra storage for photo's, get in the pool, have plenty of one's for tips, investigate the great ports and when you get home plan another cruise too Alaska. I bet it wont be your last. If you went too Glacier Bay make you next cruise too Tracy Arm or the other one. If I can help you with anything else just let me know.

Happy sailing.

 

Dusty.

I don't think you were a know it all...just happy to get any info I can get on excursion,shopping tips and great food..not to miss....we are going with a couple that has never cruised so I am doing my homework..

Orca Enterprises was out of business. Capt. Larry and the vessel were at at Dolphin Jet Boat Tours last season. Things may have changed though.

 

I received this email from them March 2016:

 

"Orca Enterprises has Joined with Dolphin Jet Boat Tours. Capt. Larry will still be operating the Orca Odysea. The Orca Enterprises website will soon be set up with an online booking system that will make setting reservations much easier. In the mean time please Contact Dolphin at

mail@dolphintours.com"

 

We, too, always go on whale watch tours out of Juneau.

Hey guys...whale watching...better in Icy strait or Juneau?? ...and Glaciers you are right..couldn't reserve yet on Orca..many thanks..Keep those tips coming..everything booked except excursions....

NOTE: Canada NO longer has pennies as part of our currency... the merchant will round your purchase either up or down!!!

 

My actual favorites are:

Grouse Mountain

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Stanley Park

Gas Town

Granville Island Public Market

Queen Elizabeth Park

Fly Over Canada

Fort Langley

Steveston Fishing Museum

 

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge originally erected in 1889 over the Capilano Gorge. This bridge stretches 450’ end to end and hovers 230’ above Capilano River. Wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, traverse a Cliff Top walk, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Fly Over Canada incorporates state of the art technology in an Imax theatre to show you supernatural Canada, Fly from coast to coast taking in breath stealing views of Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, The Rockies & more. Spectacular! http://www.flyovercanada.com

8) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

9) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

10) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

11) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

14) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

16) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

17) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many (23 Licensed) excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. http://www.bcwine.com (click on the Fraser Valley button)

18) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

19) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org There is also a treetop walk which is great for “fit” explorers who are not afraid of heights – however I would not recommend it for anyone who has any mobility issues. Also these gardens are not as well maintained as I would expect a botanical garden to be!

20) Enjoy FREE guided walking tours of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts at the Howe & Georgia Street entrance to the Pacific Center Mall and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Howe & Georgia Street entrance to the Pacific Center Mall and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Howe & Georgia Street entrance to the Pacific Center Mall and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11amCheck these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island.

21) For the FOODIES in the gang! Check out 2 companies that offer food tasting tours http://www.foodietours.ca and http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca – both offer an excellent tour!

http://www.foodietours.ca visit much more high end restaurants in the heart of the west end of Vancouver (tourist/hotel district)

while http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca concentrates on more casual independently owned eateries in various areas of Vancouver! (Gastown, Main Street Area, Vancouver East)

I just enjoyed Foodietours “Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour” and was very impressed with the organization, quality of restaurants & refreshments, guides knowledge of foods and the eateries we were visiting as well as the area we were walking in. Felt it was excellent value for the money provided you did not spend the extra $20. For the alcohol! This company also offers a tasting tour on Granville Island Public Market and of the Vancouver Street Food Carts.

As for Off the Eaten Track - this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. The brunch tour visits local establishments in East Vancouver while the dinner tour concentrates on the Main Street area and the Railtown Urban Eats tour is an area adjacent to GasTown. All are Fabulous! The Railtown Urban Eats tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour of GasTown and then meet up with this tour company for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave any of the tours hungry!

For the tourist in town you actually meet at Waterfront Station and the company drives you to the tour location and then of course back at the end. Just to give you a hint of what to expect - the Gems of Main Street tour started in a Chocolate Shoppe – how can it be anything but wonderful when one starts out with chocolate…. And of course we must mention the rum cocktail concoction at the Tiki Lounge paired with a pork slider & the Pizza Joint owned and run by a chef who actually worked at the Vatican making pizza for the Pope – now if it is good enough for the Pope it has to be good enough for us! After 5 great stops with the history of the area being shared by our guide Bonnie we were all absolutely stuffed! Great job Bonnie!

22) A new addition to the Vancouver scene. The Richmond Olympic Experience located at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Visitors are welcomed by a sculpture paying tribute to the volunteers who made the 2010 Vancouver Games possible. You will then be whisked away on an interactive journey that celebrates the Olympic spirit. A multimedia theatre takes you to the heart of the Olympic dream through a series of multimedia galleries evoking the triumphs, tragedies, controversies and celebrations of Olympic history. Thrilling interactive sport simulations including a virtual ski jump will get your heart racing. Outside the Oval, you can follow the incredible journey of the Olympic torch across Canada via a commemorative torch relay trail through the outdoor plazas.

23) Rogers Arena Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the premier sports and entertainment facilities in North America with a Rogers Arena tour. See where, for over 15 years, we’ve thrilled and entertained fans from all over the world, staged the best of the best in entertainment and sports, and welcomed over 25 million fans through our doors. Experience first-hand the “cathedral of hockey” that brings in millions of fans coming to see the Vancouver Canucks live (Hockey), and where history was made when the Canadian women's and men's hockey teams marked their moments in history during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Stadium behind the scenes tours are Wed – Sat at 10;30am, 12 (noon) and 1:30pm!

24) BC Place is BC’s Premier multipurpose stadium, hosting sport, exhibitions and live entertainment, right in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. Home of the BC Lions Football Club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Soccer) and the BC Sports Hall of Fame. This state of the art facility intrigues with its retractable roof, 800 WIFI ports and 1,100 digital screens. The 36’ façade is lit up by thousands of individually- addressable LED lights that create colour animations bringing life to the Vancouver skyline.

 

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

You ...my new friend are amazing...many thanks!!!!

Hi there. Is this your first cruise? If it is you are in for a wonderful 1st time experience. My first and most important tip is take some sea-sick meds before you step foot on the ship. Why get sick in the first place is my motto. I take it the day before and couple days after and then I'm ok. 2nd-Do not over pack. Pack you bags, take half out. About a week later take out more and then rethink again. I promise you, you will not need all those clothes you think you will need. Mix and match and no one remembers what you wear any way. You can buy really cheap tee shirts and things in the ports if you need something. And please wear well broken in shoes. I have seen so many brand new tennis shoes and people complaining of blisters on their feet. I only took a pair of tennis shoes, 1 pair black flats and flip-flops. That's it.

 

I will not go too Juneau and not see the whales. I have seen many Orca and Humpback each time. I always use Capt. Larry with Orca Whale Co. He is excellent and you will see whales, but he is very popular and books early so get him as fast as you can. Sadly Mendenhall Glacier is melting away so try to see it if you can. In Ketchikan I had flown with Island Wings over the Fjords and it was awesome. We landed on a lake and scared away bears who were eating salmon. A truly great tour. The train ride in Skagway is great for photo shots and a good experience. I have used Chilkoot tours for that. But they also offer other great things too do in Skagway. The gold panning is pretty phony but you can say you have done it.

 

A little true story to know about in Juneau is about a dog named Patsy Ann. I forget what yrs this takes place. She was a orphan dog that roamed the town and every one just fed her and looked after her. She always stood at the dock and would bark and bark for a long time about an hour before a ship would come into view of the town. The towns people had plenty of time to prepare for the ship to get there. Amazingly Patsy Ann was deaf and no one could figure out how she knew that the ship was coming. There is a bronze figure of her with a dedication plaque on the boardwalk in Juneau. It is behind the Red Dog Saloon by the statues. That is a great place to get a good Alaskan beer and something to eat by the way.

 

Have a great cruise and a wonderful time.

Hey ..thanks so much..not my first rodeo...been to several carribbean ports and new england and you are so right about overpacking..lol I am guilty!! Thanks for your assistance...we really want tolove see whales..will look at your recommendation...don't want to highjack...but if you think of anything else I's sure op will appreciate it also....loved the dog story!!!

I have been to Alaska 6 times. Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway are the ports I have been too. I have always used the local vendors for my tours and been very happy with my experience. This is how they make their income and their reputation is at stake. I save money, spend time with a lot less other passengers and I get a more personal time on a great tour. I am a very happy cruiser using the locals.

Hi we are going to those three ports as well as Icy strait in August. Any recommendations on well..just about anything! Thanks

The Holiday Inn became Harbor 360, NOT the Harbor View.

 

There is also a Harborview Inn.

 

OP needs to clarify the hotel name.

Harborview inn. What do you think maple leaves? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Thanks so much for fabulous review...I've saved it and will look it over I'm sure at least 100 times prior to August 7th. We are doing Seward to Vancouver.

Did all those treats come from doing the meet and greet? How did u get VIP status?

I loved all the pics of you and your wife...so happy together! Thanks again ...going back to look again!!

Anyone have recent experience at the harbor view in Seward? Thinking about booking for August. Any recommendations for seafood? Shopping? Thanks so much.