lrskier

Guys, the service we used to transport to the glacier is also a registered hiking guides for trips upon the glacier itself. I think they are Exit Glacier Guides, http://www.exitglacierguides.com/. Enjoy.

First off, Budget Queen is the source of multitudes of Info on Alaska!

Land portion of Alaska: Denali Park, take the shuttle bus as far into the park as your time allows and is offered when you arrive. Drivers are guides pointing out to you the wildlife, stops along the way afford stretching/bathroom calls for you, but you will have a long day aboard a school bus type vehicle. Bring food and drinks and layer your clothing. We stayed at Princess Lodge, very nice accommodation.

Talkeenata(sp), basically a tourist stop and registration point for Denali expeditions but quaint town. the Ranger station was highlight with its video of Denali and its exploration. Many enjoy flightseeing from here if Denali is open. Nice meals at several places.

Anchorage, little touring done here but overnight for flight in and train out. Enjoyed the local brewery for night burger and Alasakan Amber.

Alyeska(sp) - again, nice ski lodge in winter and flowers in summer. but not what i would say worth a huge amount of time or diversion from other points planned in Alaska.

Kenai Peninsula- Great adventure if you wish to go river fishing for Kings or bay fishing for flounder.

Seward - Wildlife center was very nice. fjord boat trip sounded nice but didn't wish to spend day on boat pre-cruise, instead went to exit glacier and had a fun hike with ranger to glacier. Easy to book transport at dock.

Alaskan Railroad - not to be missed. some segment of you adventure you need to board the train and experience this adventure while doing you land tour. Dining car offers nice food or you can bring your own. open cars are around if you don't book domed riding. enjoy

Skagway -The train is fun to ride and views are incredible. Rainbow Glacier adventures offers great excursion to Haines for nature adventure watching. Lions, tigers and Bears....

Juneau - self traveling to Mendenhall Glacier or a tour if preferred and walking is an issue. Harv & Marv whale watching is an excellent guide to whale watching with pickup and dropoff as part of your tour. the cannery area is good place to see eagles as well feeding.

Icy Strait Point - most real a Alaskan port on the ship stops. Whales actually playing in the bay. the tender became an excursion. Zip line longest in the world i believe. other whale watching excursions from this port. Great halibut and crab eating opportunities in local establishments. Halibut Pizza in town.. Eagles everywhere. and NOT one diamonds international store around so forger the ear ring coupons here.. LOLOLOL.

Ketchican - Misty Fjords flight seeing is great - Family Air was our choice and very nice tour. Self guided tour to Totem Bight park using local bus came on second visit and very enjoyable even in the rain, witch it often does. Great local eateries. Tourist stops like lumber jack show or touring the creek where the brothels used to be. Salmon fishing is also touted here but not experienced.

Inside passage - truly beautiful. orcas and others may appear at any moment. just try to be near a window as much as you can, while eating, drinking or sleeping with your camera ready.

Vancouver - nice city to enjoy pre or post cruise. take you choice of tours or rental cars for self drives. Train to Airport is so easy for those that do not have mobility issues and a huge savings from cab fares.

Seattle -Wow, do give yourself some time here. Either for a wine probe to Portland or other areas, great wines. Touring the Mtns, Rainer, etc. Seeing the market and buying some fresh flowers for your stateroom by all means. Great food and good music found in many venues. Waterfront Marriott is fun property, great location as well, use your points and save $$ on the huge rates or get lucky with priceline. Again, a train ride in from Sea Tac was easy then we caught a cab since transfer to hotel would not be an easy hike. but simple to do and saved the value of a couple drinks or a nice bouquet as well as fun vista into the port.

kinda my take now. just plan to spend some time on the keyboard looking for the best deals and pricing. and then again after you have made reservations that allow change. Rental cars can be booked with wide range of rates. Rooms seem not to change for me as much unless you don't mind priceline and can cancel what you have made. often i prefer specific booking over i wonder where it will be bookings, biddingfortravel on the net can assist if updated in your area.

have a ball. can't say enough about our northern wonderland. just got to do a cold season trip to see her all white.. !!!!

We always fly down the day before a cruise to avoid airport scares. I would recommend checking out a one way rental. Be sure and watch to be sure the agency is open in Galveston when you wish to turn the rental in/ and available to rent for return to Hobby, and that any one way surcharge doesn't make it super expensive.. Also, some actually rent a vehicle for a week and park it at EZ Cruise parking so its there for there return to airport.

Some hotels in Galveston provide parking if you pre cruise overnight. I once saw a Marriott property offer transportation to the port as part of a precruise stay, Possibly the Hobby Marriott, not exactly the area of Houston i prefer but an option. Have a blast, we always try out best!

R Judy, yes it doesbecome a replacement as far as I know. On Celebrity i understand they now have the "Persian Gardens or something" which is the thermal room and other water deals that they charge extra for or you book aqua class and have access along with special restaurant. But, i hear they have a small sauna in the changing rooms on those ships and they did not include any sauna/steam in changing rooms of Genesis class.. very disappointing..

I do not think that Princess has gone to the CHARGE for steam/sauna as of yet.

We sailed the Oasis in Jan. This class of ship only has the couples thermal suite in the spa area of the ship. It has a daily fee or you may purchase a weekly pass. It is co-ed. There are no saunas or steam rooms in the spa area for either sex as on other ships.

Agreeing with the other other post, there are no laundry facilities and do not bring your iron like we saw someone doing this month on the Voyager; that's a No NO. You can send clothes to be cleaned or a bag of laundry.

Think the previous posts have touted the what to buy; so here is another where to buy.

Ajanta Jewelers in Drake's passage has been a favorite of ours for years. First visit we wandered in, they were calling people by name as they entered the door. Repeat customers. Now we are the same.. Look online, email them what you are looking for and when you get there they will try to have it for you. And yes, the price often gets lower, especially if you have done your homework. We have never been disappointed in service or quality with Ajanta. Be sure and tell em your read it from the Arkansas cruiser. Enjoy !!!!!!

The best advice I can give everyone is to take the Bus in Denali to Wonder lake if at all possible. The Nat History tours only goes to the 15 mile marker which you can do in your own car. We made the Creek since WL wasn't available early June. More wildlife is apt to be seen as you go back into the park.. Alll drivers are guides and are very knowledgable so just the green buses into the park are like "tours". Bring your lunch, snacks and drinks as well as layered clothing. It may get hot and cold..lol. The dog kennels are fun and you can view them the day before if you arrive early enough. The bar overlooking the town and hotels is fun too. Denali was out for us all day as the day before. 2 out of 3 isn't too bad...

We went salmon fishing on the Kenai Pennisula, Glaceir trekking at Seward, bears all over and great guide by the National Parks service free, Mendenhall glacier at Juneau I could spend the day on a picnic, Icy Strait(Flounder Pizza, dont miss it) was beautiful and whale watch was on the tender but good place to see the eagles/whales, Ketchican, the planes to the park you must do. Its awesome landing back there, oh more eagles at the cannery there, like buzzards. Skagway, tourist trap of a bit, train was nice probably do a self rental car next time there. Do it all you might not get back and it's all great! Thanks Mr Seward for your folly! Not sure what to say about the current political folly up there now. lolol....

Never been to Seward yet, but will be embarking from there 6/8, but the Queens response is right. the only thing is for the ship to arrive timely, and then for the harbor master to be ready for her. those are the only variables i forsee. If you rolloff your luggage you WILL be the first off for sure and not have to wait for color to be called. Concieve can help with early call if you are upper C%A member too.

BudgetQueen, i emailed you the proposed trip we have on tap for 5/31-6/8 alaska selfland tour for your imput.. Do you get mail on yahoo?? It came from lrskier2_nospamatnetscapedotnet.... yes the _nospam is attemptin to avoid spam with this address openly.. your imput is requested. i just read 3 posts about Alpine Motel in soldnota that very very critical and have me thinkg that Hooligans Roadhouse/saloon might be the place to stay there or return to Kenai Princess for guarantee of good nights rest, food, drink. let me hear from you.. thanks

Bruce, thanks for those pics.. and to others, your info is great. My question is there any news from the other side - chen rio, etc?? And no 2, where exactly is uvas beach club??

Be traveling soon. Thanks in advance. LRSkier

Traveling on ROS 1/8 and will be in Coz around that Friday. Read many posts of what is open.. Any help on current info will be greatly appreciated.

Never heard of Uvas Beach Club, but wouldnt mind a place that doesnt cater to water trampolines, etc...

Playa Mia - Open - Used by Cruise ships as well for beach party boats.

Paradise Beach - Open - No Admission family oriented beach, good food, etc.

Playa Planacar - open - ??

Mr Sanchos - Open - Family, beach erosion.

Nothing else open that i read. HELP!!!

what about the other side: Chen Rio, Mexacalitos, Coconuts???

Downtown, open and go spend money.. lol....

LRSkier2_nospam@netscape.net ( omit _nospam)