Coral

Park Rangers come onboard all ships that stop in Glacier Bay. It is a requirement of the National Park Service. They are amazing.

Yea - Alaska is huge and so many areas look so different from other areas. I would love to have a car and spend 1-2 months driving around. I treasure the excursions I have done in cruise ports - some rank as some of my favorite. Cruise ports and those areas accessible via land are both worthy of visiting! 🙂

It is easy to get out of the port area and avoid the stores. I actually like the ports (and I am not a shopper).

It is very different. I think many don't recognize this until on the cruise. I never thought I would like Alaska. Now, I would pick Alaska over Caribbean any day.

I think the book Alaska Cruise Companion by Rachel Cartwright - it is also good - you can buy this on the ship.

I would rule out NCL as they dock in Ketchikan at Ward Cove which is not in downtown Ketchikan. I have done Sapphire several times in Alaska and like the ship. I have not been on Noordam but people like the ship and HAL. I just compared itinerary between HAL and Princess and they are pretty close. I usually say let this make the decision but honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with either. They both have great itineraries.

Murray's Guide Yukon.pdf

You can upgrade to a 4 device package. The only reason I would want a 2nd device is due to 2 factor authentication on some of my items.

You are only paying for (1) person for WIFI. Not 2. You can switch devices. You just can't use both at the same time.

Thank you for clarification on that. I was thinking of bags only (and that the Fairmont would bring the bags over).

I thought Blue Puffin was excellent. We made a few stops, the guide (owner) was amazing. I highly recommend them.

Last year - everyone who booked through the cruise line, were able to get into the park. The cruise lines did not oversell (and run out of permits) like other vendors did.

I agree with this. It has been rare that I get close to Hubbard Glacier (I can be 9 miles away) regardless of month but Glacier Bay is almost guaranteed. Hubbard is one great, grand glacier. Glacier Bay is an all day glacier day with multiple glaciers. I prefer Glacier Bay because I know I will have a great day. When one does get close to Hubbard, it is amazing though. Out of maybe 12 attempts, I have gotten close probably 2x.

A ton of people go to Mendenhall visitor center and look at the face of the glacier and hike Nugget Falls. The glacier from that view has retreated so much - I just don't think it is worth it. I think it is popular because it is economical. I wasn't that impressed 25 years ago and am even less impressed now. If you had planned on landing on a glacier - that experience is going to be far superior than this. Just my opinion.

Last year people could book them but they didn't have permits to cover them. They later cancelled bookings. So even if they were bookable, I wouldn't feel confident in booking with them.

Here are some files....... 2025-2026 Asia, plus more 2025 Japan sailings Diamond Princess visits many of the stunning cities and timeless villages in Asia in 2025-2026, including our return to Halong Bay/Hanoi, as well as Hong Kong and Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City and beyond. Each destination tells its own story through celebrated landmarks, popular markets, culinary secrets and traditions that have been passed down for generations. We’ve also added 11 more 2025 Japan sailings that showcase the region’s lively festivals and fall foliage. PC_2025 Japan At a Glance_final_NE_2023_0731_FINAL-es.pdf PC_2025 Japan Reference Flyer_Release_JG_2024_0308.pdf PC_2025-2026_Asia_referenceflyer_Release_JG_2024_0312.pdf PC_Asia_At_A_Glance_2025-2026_Flyer_March2024.pdf PC_Japan 2025 Cruise Sailing Schedule_Fares_Amenities_2023_0731.xls PC_Japan-Asia_2025-2026 Cruise Sailing Schedule_Fares_Amenities_2024_0312.xlsx

Taku Lodge is very popular. Whale Watching also. You can still do a glacier landing - just not dog mushing. People rave about Mendenhall glacier landing (I wouldn't recommend going to the visitor center and face of the glacier).

Yes - they provide transfers from all 3 airports.

It is not risky. It is not an issue. 26 Glacier times their tour so people can catch the cruise ship. They would adjust the time if it was an issue. I have been to Whittier probably a dozen times. Not an issue.

Nope. It has new cruisers also. Manifest is 60 minutes. 26 glacier cruise ends at 6:20, plenty of time to walk 3 minutes to check in. 26 glacier times this tour so people can go on their trip and catch the ship. I have done this multiple times. It is not an issue. Have you done it?

I would be more disappointed in your agent. They obviously have not called Princess and checked with them (and do not know how to look online if they are closed).

I was reading an article the other day which indicated that ships are full and that it is too bad that cruise lines had to sell off ships during COVID because the cruise industry is incredibly healthy now and they they could easily have filled up those ships as well if they were still in their fleet.

If you are on Oct 31st of Emerald Princess - both Embassy Suites and Renaissance are listed as hotels and they are both closed (full). My guess is your agent doesn't know how to look to see if they are full/closed. Sometimes these hotels book up months in advance.

What ship (and date is the cruise) are you on? Hotels are usually open about 9+ months in advance. My guess is that it has been open for awhile and probably full. Maybe your agent can't see where it is sold out??

Unfortunately this is not going to be an option for you. The excursions that do this in Skagway and Juneau go to glaciers that will no longer have snow come mid-August. Though this year, Alaska is incredibly warm so I suspect the excursions will stop earlier rather than later. There is one excursion in Anchorage that goes to a glacier that goes until early September. Just looked at their website and they have Sept 10th as their last date. It may actually be earlier but their website says Sept 10th. This is an issue with going late in the season. Edited to say some may book your dates but definitely ask them the chance of the tour being cancelled and ask them how late their ran their tours last year. This is not a tour that ever runs past mid-August most years. I wish people would figure out tours they want to do before they book so they are not looking at disappointment when the tours are not running when they cruise. This happens a lot in Alaska 😞 I hope you can find a tour that you are happy with.