apex666 Posted August 18, 2019 #1 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Hi, I'm wondering whether to do: Vancouver - EMBARK at 16:30 Inside Passage (Cruising) - CRUISING Icy Strait Point - DOCKED from 15:30 until 22:00 Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) - CRUISING from 10:30 until 14:30 Juneau - DOCKED from 07:30 until 20:00 Ketchikan - DOCKED from 14:00 until 20:30 Inside Passage (Cruising) - CRUISING Vancouver - DEBARK at 07:00 or: Vancouver - EMBARK at 16:30 Inside Passage (Cruising) - CRUISING Ketchikan - DOCKED from 07:00 until 15:00 Icy Strait Point - DOCKED from 10:00 until 20:00 Juneau - DOCKED from 07:00 until 21:30 Skagway - DOCKED from 07:00 until 16:00 Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) - CRUISING from 07:00 until 11:00 Seward - DEBARK at 05:00 The major differences being that you add Skagway and Seward (and therefore Anchorage) as destinations on the 2nd cruise. If I did the second one, then I'd either bus or train Seward --> Anchorage. Anyone experienced both and can offer up an opinion on bus or train choice? Would I be missing out on much if I didn't keep heading north after Hubbard? (This would be for next summer - and I'd probably fly in to Calgary and scenic drive to Vancouver for embarkation). Thanks, Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted August 18, 2019 #2 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Having completed multiple seasons in Alaska, I always prefer a 1-Way cruise over a R/T. In Seward you can take one of the local glacier cruises or the Phillip's 26 Glacier from Whittier. Great idea to fly into Calgary & drive to Vancouver. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-cruise Posted August 18, 2019 #3 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I think I would fly into Vancouver and save Calgary, Banff, etc. for another trip. Do the one way cruise and extend your trip afterwards to see Seward, Kenai, Anchorage, Denali, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathiecjr Posted August 18, 2019 #4 Share Posted August 18, 2019 We just completed the one way from Seward to Vancouver. That added more logistical challenges, and it's expensive to get between Seward and Anchorage. It sounds like you're already thinking about that, but be sure to price it out. I think Seward to Anchorage is a little easier because there are more tour options. We took a rental car for $320 since we had 4 people. Also the added cost for flights, probably a hotel in Anchorage, etc. We had our teenagers with us, so in hindsight I may have done the round trip to make things cheaper and easier, but with just my husband and me, I'd probably still do the one way. I loved the drive between Seward and Anchorage. It's beautiful. I also liked getting to see more of Alaska, even for just a few hours. I would've hated to miss Skagway. I'd say that's your biggest negative on the round trip itinerary. The town still looks historic, so it's very unique, and there are some incredible shore excursion options there. We did dog sledding and loved it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowmeboy Posted August 19, 2019 #5 Share Posted August 19, 2019 I prefer the one way. Plus a Kenai Fjords National Park tour in Seward is awesome! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted August 19, 2019 #6 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Option #2...depending on your flight time the train transfer booked with the ship if you can..If not consider Alaska Cruise Transfers. A great way to get to ANC for a flight before 2:30pm. Your flight time is going to limit your options using train or bus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apex666 Posted August 19, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Thank you all for taking the time to provide your insight. I'm definitely leaning towards the one way cruise - but having looked into it more, I've discovered that the flights from Anchorage are twice the price of Vancouver flights ... hope I can save enough pennies before next year! Ian. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanF65 Posted August 19, 2019 #8 Share Posted August 19, 2019 On 8/18/2019 at 9:59 AM, apex666 said: Hi, I'm wondering whether to do: Vancouver - EMBARK at 16:30 Inside Passage (Cruising) - CRUISING Icy Strait Point - DOCKED from 15:30 until 22:00 Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) - CRUISING from 10:30 until 14:30 Juneau - DOCKED from 07:30 until 20:00 Ketchikan - DOCKED from 14:00 until 20:30 Inside Passage (Cruising) - CRUISING Vancouver - DEBARK at 07:00 or: Vancouver - EMBARK at 16:30 Inside Passage (Cruising) - CRUISING Ketchikan - DOCKED from 07:00 until 15:00 Icy Strait Point - DOCKED from 10:00 until 20:00 Juneau - DOCKED from 07:00 until 21:30 Skagway - DOCKED from 07:00 until 16:00 Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) - CRUISING from 07:00 until 11:00 Seward - DEBARK at 05:00 The major differences being that you add Skagway and Seward (and therefore Anchorage) as destinations on the 2nd cruise. If I did the second one, then I'd either bus or train Seward --> Anchorage. Anyone experienced both and can offer up an opinion on bus or train choice? Would I be missing out on much if I didn't keep heading north after Hubbard? (This would be for next summer - and I'd probably fly in to Calgary and scenic drive to Vancouver for embarkation). Thanks, Ian. Some of the Radiance of the Seas NB have dropped Skagway and are doing Glacier Bay instead, times are similar in ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beeandkmon Posted August 19, 2019 #9 Share Posted August 19, 2019 We basically did the one way cruise from option 2 in reverse. We had a great time pre cruise in Seward. There were so many things to do here and we found it a great port. We loved having the two days pre cruise in Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quack2 Posted August 19, 2019 #10 Share Posted August 19, 2019 I prefer the one-way, preferably from Seward to Vancouver. That option gives me: 1. Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward. 2. Kenai Fjords boat tour before boarding ship in Seward. Great wildlife and nature viewing. Either way, you do get the beautiful final morning coming into Vancouver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted August 19, 2019 #11 Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, AlanF65 said: Some of the Radiance of the Seas NB have dropped Skagway and are doing Glacier Bay instead, times are similar in ports. Well that's too bad I personally would miss Skagway...seeing one glacier would be fine...either one it wouldn't matter. I would even be fine with skipping ISP rather than Skagway...but we all know the investment RCI has in ISP. Edited August 19, 2019 by Ashland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanF65 Posted August 20, 2019 #12 Share Posted August 20, 2019 49 minutes ago, Ashland said: Well that's too bad I personally would miss Skagway...seeing one glacier would be fine...either one it wouldn't matter. I would even be fine with skipping ISP rather than Skagway...but we all know the investment RCI has in ISP. I liked the whale watching in ISP and eating at fisherman's daughter in town, and have never been to Glacier bay so for me it is a plus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted August 20, 2019 #13 Share Posted August 20, 2019 I'd go with an itinerary that included Glacier Bay. I never get tired of glaciers. This year, I did back-to-back cruises from Vancouver to Whittier and back. I had five consecutive days of glaciers--Glacier Bay, College Fjord, 26 glacier tour in Whittier, then Hubbard Glacier, and Glacier Bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanF65 Posted August 20, 2019 #14 Share Posted August 20, 2019 On 8/19/2019 at 4:13 PM, Ashland said: but we all know the investment RCI has in ISP. Not sure what you mean here, I thought the local tribe owned the port http://www.hunatotem.com/corporation/history Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted August 20, 2019 #15 Share Posted August 20, 2019 18 minutes ago, AlanF65 said: Not sure what you mean here, I thought the local tribe owned the port http://www.hunatotem.com/corporation/history Yes they do....however who do you think has made huge investments in the port and it's new pier ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanF65 Posted August 21, 2019 #16 Share Posted August 21, 2019 47 minutes ago, Ashland said: Yes they do....however who do you think has made huge investments in the port and it's new pier ? This is what leads me to believe that RCI didn't pay for it. I am sure they pay a hefty per passenger or docking fee but ti souldn ;like it was all local / Alaska money from what I read. “Thanks to the partnership between the City of Hoonah, State of Alaska and Huna Totem Corporation, this investment will further improve our world-class destination. from https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/icy-strait-point-building-a-cruise-ship-pier.html https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6089 Looks like NCL is adding a second pier at their exepnse. https://cruisefever.net/norwegian-cruise-line-building-new-pier-at-icy-strait-point-in-alaska/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdalva Posted August 23, 2019 #17 Share Posted August 23, 2019 On 8/19/2019 at 3:27 PM, AlanF65 said: Some of the Radiance of the Seas NB have dropped Skagway and are doing Glacier Bay instead, times are similar in ports. We will be on the NB Radiance on May 15 - 22. See you on board! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guindalf Posted August 24, 2019 #18 Share Posted August 24, 2019 We're boarding the Celebrity Eclipse in Vancouver tomorrow, which is itinerary 1 on the OP's post. We were on the NCL Pearl 10 years ago and went to Glacier Bay and Skagway, so looking forward to Hubbard and ISP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey12 Posted August 24, 2019 #19 Share Posted August 24, 2019 (edited) On 8/19/2019 at 6:13 PM, Ashland said: Well that's too bad I personally would miss Skagway...seeing one glacier would be fine...either one it wouldn't matter. I would even be fine with skipping ISP rather than Skagway...but we all know the investment RCI has in ISP. Other cruise lines go to ISP. Edited August 24, 2019 by Casey12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted August 24, 2019 #20 Share Posted August 24, 2019 6 hours ago, Casey12 said: Other cruise lines go to ISP. Yes...they do, and they all have an investment in docking there...so not a port they like to skip...that was my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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