Aussie going to Alaska - I have Questions???

[sapphyre]

Hi, :)

I'm from Australia and plan to travel to Alaska in 2012 with my Hubby and 17 year old son. We plan to fly to possibly Seattle (unless anyone can suggest a better place??? ):rolleyes:

We then would like to take a cruise through Alaska for maybe 7 nights then fly back to Australia or even stay a few nights somewhere before travelling home.

I have been researching everything i can get my hands on but really are stuck and would love some info from seasoned travellers of this area.

:p

We would also love to be able to see Dutch Harbour while there so if anyone knows of a cruise/land tour that includes Dutch that would be extremely helpful.:D

Thanks so much for your time.

Chrissy:)

[chipmaster]

Welcome to CC,

 

My 2 cents would be to look hard at doing a one way sailing. The best sailings that hit Hubbard and Glacier bay seem to sail out of Vancouver or Seattle going one way. The round trips that hit the best glaciers are far fewer and have more limitied time in the ports due to the extra day and half sailing back. Flying so far hopefully you can swing an open jaw or find the extra $ to fly back to the orginating city ( Vancouver or Seattle ). I travel often to both and find both very fun to spend a few extra days.

 

Don't know how much free time you have, but if you can squeeze in a land tour to Denali that would be worth thinking about, you've invested already in the long and expensive flight, try to squeeze in the most.

 

Good luck!

 

Hi, :)

 

I'm from Australia and plan to travel to Alaska in 2012 with my Hubby and 17 year old son. We plan to fly to possibly Seattle (unless anyone can suggest a better place??? ):rolleyes:

 

We then would like to take a cruise through Alaska for maybe 7 nights then fly back to Australia or even stay a few nights somewhere before travelling home.

 

I have been researching everything i can get my hands on but really are stuck and would love some info from seasoned travellers of this area.

:p

We would also love to be able to see Dutch Harbour while there so if anyone knows of a cruise/land tour that includes Dutch that would be extremely helpful.:D

 

Thanks so much for your time.

Chrissy:)

 

[PennyAgain]

No cruises or tours go to Dutch Harbor. It is a fishing village with few to no facilities for visitors. It is also a long way out from the usual cruise routes.

 

The Alaska Ferry System goes to Dutch Harbor, but you really don't have time for that on your very limited schedule.

[Cruise4Sunshine]

Chrissy-

 

How great that you're headed all the way up to Alaska from Down Under. What an adventure that will be! Being from Seattle with roots in SE Alaska, I can answer a few of your queries. First, none of the usual cruise itineraries covers Dutch Harbor. There is not much there, except the fish processing plant and a few homes. Onalaska, the Native reservation has a pretty church, but that's about it. Occasionally a cruise line (last I recall Regent of the Seas) will do a quick stop on it's repositioning cruise, but if you look at a map, it it thousands of miles away (and $100 RT airfare) from Anchorage. Most cruise ships will only go as far north as Haines or Skagway, where you can pick up a land tour (Holland America or Princess both do lovely ones) that will get you to Anchorage & Fairbanks, through Denali Park). The roundtrip cruises from Seattle usually call in Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan & Victoria, BC, plus one of either Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. The choices are really yours to make, do your research and look up the ports, see what you are interested in. Start with a good book on Southeast Alaska. Dutch is to alaska what Ayers Rock is to Sydney. Long trip, very expensive, not much there but a rock.

 

If you want to see Dutch, because of "Deadliest Catch" there is a shore excursion in Ketchikan where you go out on a Bering Sea Crab Boat (that summers in Ketchikan) and you get to live the experience as a deckhand. People LOVE it! Look around these message boards for their reviews.

 

If you come to Seattle there is often the Catch experience at Seattle's Fisherman's Terminal, where you can tour a crab boat docked at the pier. There is a lot more to do here than just fish boats though. Seattle is a vibrant, happening city with a great restaurant and music scene. Fairs, festivals, waterfront, surrounded by snow capped mountains, you won't find a prettier place in the US to spend a few days.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck planning!

[BCHappyGal]

Throwing in my 2cents worth :):)

 

Welcome to the north west of north america...

 

I would suggest that you take a 1 way cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage (you actually dock in either Seward or Whittier) and form there take a land tour thru Alaska to Whitehorse in Canada's Yukon.

 

Before you leave Vancouver on the cruise spend a few days enjoying our wonderful city...

 

You have a long expensive flight so make the most of it and allow as much time as you possibly can for this trip. I know when I visited your country I allowed a month and it was not nearly enough time.

 

Below is a list of some fun things to do while in Vancouver

 

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 and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. 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 over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, 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 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. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/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, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) 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.

7) 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.

8) 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.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

9) 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. May 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

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

11) 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.

12) 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

13) Queen Elizabeth Park – http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/QEPark01.htm -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.

14) 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.pc,qc.ca/fortlangley

15) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many 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.

16) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from Africa, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

17) 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.

18) 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

19) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.gardeningbc.com

[mapleleaves]

You're coming an awfully long way for a one week cruise and a few extra days. I hope you are able to extend it. It would be nice to round out your cruise to a visit to Denali; an entirely different perspective. But you need a day each way to travel and another day or two in the park.

A great resource for the land portion would be tripadvisor.com, Read some trip reports. At the Alaska forum where it says SEARCH, type "trip report" using the quotes. There was a report 2 weeks ago from some Aussies. I think theirs was a 6 week visit and they really packed in the adventures!

[jannandjohn]

...

 

I would suggest that you take a 1 way cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage (you actually dock in either Seward or Whittier) and form there take a land tour thru Alaska to Whitehorse in Canada's Yukon.

 

Before you leave Vancouver on the cruise spend a few days enjoying our wonderful city...

we are on the Sunshine Coast..just 100kms nth of the OP.

we are about to do our 4th Alaskan cruise next May.

HappyGal has given you some fantastic sites to look at., and what she suggests above, is very similar to what we are planning to do.

You will need 2 nts at least before the cruise in Vancouver, just to readjust your brain..or the first day on the ship you will feel awful...and you always need at least a days leeway for flight delays..they do happen.

There is so much to see , make time for more ...a week is just not enough, why not do a B2B and make it 2 weeks cruise, if you are unsure of driving over there..

if you want any more Aussie help, just email me.

(email under the flag..)

Edited July 19, 2010 by jannandjohn

[rplusr]

Hi, :)

 

I'm from Australia and plan to travel to Alaska in 2012 with my Hubby and 17 year old son. We plan to fly to possibly Seattle (unless anyone can suggest a better place??? ):rolleyes:

 

We then would like to take a cruise through Alaska for maybe 7 nights then fly back to Australia or even stay a few nights somewhere before travelling home.

 

I have been researching everything i can get my hands on but really are stuck and would love some info from seasoned travellers of this area.

:p

We would also love to be able to see Dutch Harbour while there so if anyone knows of a cruise/land tour that includes Dutch that would be extremely helpful.:D

 

Thanks so much for your time.

Chrissy:)

 

 

We will be doing our first Alaskan cruise next September 2011 and we are giving ourselves around 2 weeks to have a look around Canada and a weeks Alaskan cruise. I know that we will return again as we will not be able to see everything.

 

As others have said it really is a long way to fly for just a week. So we will fly into Seattle from there we are hiring a car and heading to Vancouver for 3 days and from there we will be doing a road trip through the Rockies. OUr road trip will take in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Prince George and Whistler.

Eventually arriving back in Seattle for our cruise on the Golden Princess. Then after the cruise we will spend a few days in Seattle before flying home.

 

We chose Seattle because there are usually a lot more cheaper flights into Seattle than Vancouver when the specials are on. We would have loved to incorporate a trip through Denali but will just not have the time available to take off from work.

 

Although when we stop in Skagway we will hire a car and driving out through the Yukon. Even have purchased on line Murray's Guide for the drive through to the Yukon In Ketchikan we are hoping to do a float plane trip to Misty Fiord and in Juneau a whale watching tour and trip up to Mendalhall Glacier. I have researched

 

I found so much information on the CC boards for Alaska as well as using trip advisor and just surfing the net as well. The boards are just a fantastic place to get information and I have gone through the Alaska board time and again finding more and more useful information.

 

A big thank you BCHappyGal for all your wonderful info. I have added it to my file to go through and it is going to be very useful to us.

[Cheryl H]

We're flying into Seattle also. Staying overnight and taking the Clipper ferry the next morning to Victoria. Victoria BC is a lovely town. Looking forward to our visit there. Then we are taking a commuter seaplane over to Vancouver to catch our ship going north. We'll be on the Radiance of the Seas. It ends in Seward.

 

It would be nice if you could add on time between Seward and Anchorage to see more of the interior of Alaska.

 

Have fun planning your trip.

[vbmom87]

Chrissy, welcome to Cruise Critic. It can be a great resource for you.

If you could tell us the maximum number of day you have for your vacation, it will be much easier for us to make recommendations.

 

A few points:

 

Round trips out of Seattle with the mass market cruiselines are 7 or 14 days. HAL has a 14 day that on most of the itineraries goes to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier as well as some ports not often visited by cruise ship. For some reason certain dates it substitutes Tracy Arm for Glacier Bay, so be alert to possible differences depending on the date you are going if this trip is of interest. People coming back from this cruise this year have been very happy with it.

 

Vancouver has round trips and one-ways. If you have time and desire to spend on land, a one way is the way to go. The open jaw flights mentioned above are called "multi-city" on the airline websites. On our Alaska trip we did the multi-city booking and it didn't cost that much more than round trip. I have actually priced multi-city itineraries that were cheaper than round trip.

 

People who are on more of a budget tend to like to sail out of Seattle as the airfare is usually less. People who sail out of Vancouver either want to see the city or take into account that the Vancouver sailings are more scenic with less chance of rough water at the beginning and end of your trip. Another reason for choosing Vancouver is they want to take in a land tour of Alaska either before or after their cruise. The 14 day HAL ships shows that it travels east of Vancouver Island in one direction, so you do get that scenic sailing on that particular Seattle cruise. Most of the ships out of Seattle stay in the open waters west of Vancouver Island. This is the section that can have rougher seas.

 

Once you report back with how many days you have and if you want round trip or one way and what your interests are, I am sure you will get many responses.

 

Again, welcome to CC and enjoy planning your trip.

[Gardyloo]

There are indeed a few cruises that still call at Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, mainly higher-end repositioning itineraries from the US west coast to Asia. For example, this year Silversea has a sailing from Vancouver through the Inside Passage to Seward, then down to Kodiak and out to Dutch Harbor, then carrying on to Kamchatka and finally Tokyo. For Aussies it might make for an interesting if expensive tour of the North Pacific.

 

Unalaska is a very interesting place, but conventional travel there can be expensive and troublesome as the weather can play havoc with airline timetables.

[vbmom87]

There are indeed a few cruises that still call at Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, mainly higher-end repositioning itineraries from the US west coast to Asia. For example, this year Silversea has a sailing from Vancouver through the Inside Passage to Seward, then down to Kodiak and out to Dutch Harbor, then carrying on to Kamchatka and finally Tokyo. For Aussies it might make for an interesting if expensive tour of the North Pacific.

 

Unalaska is a very interesting place, but conventional travel there can be expensive and troublesome as the weather can play havoc with airline timetables.

 

Here is the link to this cruise. It sails Tracy Arm Fjord, which is beautiful, but not one of the major glacier areas.

 

http://www.silversea.com/destination.aspx?ShipID=&Month=&Year=&RegionID=8&SearchBy=Date&search_type=ViewVoyage&VoyageID=3066&page_id=destination

[vbmom87]

Since you are not traveling until 2012 you will have to wait awhile to see all itineraries for that year.

[sapphyre]

WOW !!!! so much information :confused: Think i will have to sit and have a long read of all the helpful info you have given me.

Thank you so much for ALL your help everyone :D

The info so far is a good start for us to make more decisions about how long we are going to stay for,where to fly too and what to do once we are in Alaska. My head is swimming at the moment.

I am used to organising our holidays each year on my own however i think this may be one for a travel agent...lol

Thank you all again :)

P.S. I may be back with more Q's :(

[ladams52]

Thank you so much for posting all this wonderful information on things to do, see and eat in Vancouver! My husband and I will be spend 3 nights and 2 full days at the start of our 30th Anniversary Dream Vacation to Alaska in June of 2015. The information you provided will definitely help us make the most of our first visit to Canada and Vancouver!

[agabbymama]

Thank you so much for posting all this wonderful information on things to do, see and eat in Vancouver! My husband and I will be spend 3 nights and 2 full days at the start of our 30th Anniversary Dream Vacation to Alaska in June of 2015. The information you provided will definitely help us make the most of our first visit to Canada and Vancouver!

 

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