Aussie Gal Posted June 27, 2007 #1 Share Posted June 27, 2007 We have just booked on the Tahitian Princess's 14 day Vancouver to Vancouver Alaska Connoissuer cruise for next year. Besides visiting Ketchekan, Skagway, Juneau and Sitka we will also visit Valdez, Kodiak and Seward. Does anyone know what excursions are available in these three ports and what highlights we should be seeing. Jennie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs007 Posted June 27, 2007 #2 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I will be interested as well to see what types of excursions Princess comes up with for these new ports. I would imagine Seward will revolve around Kenai National Park and in Kodiak, I would be interested in the areas that were involved in WWII since my dad was stationed up there. Valdez will probably involved Prince William Sound and wildlife viewing or kayaking. Can't wait to see these new ports. What sailing are you on Jennie? We sail July 24, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
margord Posted June 27, 2007 #3 Share Posted June 27, 2007 We have just booked on the Tahitian Princess's 14 day Vancouver to Vancouver Alaska Connoissuer cruise for next year. Besides visiting Ketchekan, Skagway, Juneau and Sitka we will also visit Valdez, Kodiak and Seward. Does anyone know what excursions are available in these three ports and what highlights we should be seeing. Jennie We booked the same cruise. We booked for June 26, 2008. When are you going? Marilee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwardbound Posted June 27, 2007 #4 Share Posted June 27, 2007 We booked a kayak trip with Liquid Adventures and a Kenai Fjord cruise with Renown Tours in Seward. I will post a tread when we return in September. Enjoy the journey of planning.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstrong Posted June 27, 2007 #5 Share Posted June 27, 2007 We booked with Stan Stephens for a glacier cruise this May - wonderful views of wildlife; lots of ice in water so we were not able to get too close to glacier, but great tour! Also, check out Worthington Glacier not far from Valdez - easily accessible by car and then short walk to face. Beautiful. Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Gal Posted June 27, 2007 Author #6 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Mrs 007 and Margord, We are on the last sailing of the season, Sept 4th, 2008. It will be our first time to Alaska and we are looking forward to comparing Antarctica and Greenland Fjords with those of Alaska. Southward Bound and Istrong, Thanks for your suggestions. I am making a list at the moment from this Board of the best tours in each port. It is a very hard task as there is so much to see and do. Jennie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
margord Posted June 28, 2007 #7 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Darn, Would have been nice if we were all on the same one. Marilee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs007 Posted June 28, 2007 #8 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Marilee, we thought of the June sailing, but wanted to be able to do a bear watch and June seemed to early for that. (3 cruises already to Alaska and haven't seen any bears yet :( ) Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatam Posted June 28, 2007 #9 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Seward and Valdez have lots of things to do. But as a frequent Alaska visitor, I really question the wisdom of a port stop in Kodiak. There really isn't much "tourist infrastructure" there. And certainly not, IMHO, enough to "entertain" an entire cruise ship full of pax. There is some WWII history-old buildings and a camp that is pretty well dilapidated. http://www.kadiak.org/ Bear viewing will require a small plane ride. I would venture that if bear viewing is offered, it will be a pretty darn expensive excursion ($450.00pp or more). There's always kayaking, fishing, and hiking. I just hope Kodiak does not get "ruined" by an influx of tourists. It is almost pristine, with lots of peace and quiet. Absolutely gorgeous scenery, but plastic shopping bags/other trash carelessly discarded will ruin it forever. I really wonder why the cruiselines are not using Homer (my part time summer home) as a port. Lots to see and do there and with the big ferry port in Homer, dockage would be easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingfish Posted June 28, 2007 #10 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Skip booking a tour in Seward! Catch a Shuttle ($9.00) at the Train Wreck (across from the train station) and go to Exit Glaicier... This is a wonderful Park-- The first part of the hike is on pavement then take the upper loop up to the glacier and then from there take the lower loop--- It is sooo worth it!! A highlight of our trip and our best pictures were taken there. The park rangers also have a guided walking tour there... but we had so much fun on our own!!! We did this in an hour and 40 minutes -- Also you might want to see Seeveys Ididarod Dog sled tour-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Gal Posted June 28, 2007 Author #11 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Thanks greatam and dancing fish. The Tahitian Princess is not a big ship, only 670 odd passengers but still big enough to take over a small community. I hope the powers that be do have some excursions planned for Kodiak otherwise it will be a waste of a port. We were hoping to see bears there as I believe it has a huge community of them. I appreciate the idea of a walking tour in Seward for a change as most of the excursions are quite expensive in Alaska and it is great to be able to do something that is not going to cost an arm and a leg. Jennie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted July 1, 2007 #12 Share Posted July 1, 2007 I appreciate the idea of a walking tour in Seward for a change as most of the excursions are quite expensive in Alaska and it is great to be able to do something that is not going to cost an arm and a leg. Hi, Aussie Gal! Kenai Fjords has a website with information about local transportation in the Kenai Fjords area: http://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/shuttle-bus-and-taxi-service.htm Here's a good website for weather in Seward that has other travel links: http://www.wunderground.com/US/AK/Seward.html I have not personally done the following, but Exit Glacier is often recommended as a wonderful sight near Seward: http://images.google.com/images?um=1&tab=wi&hl=en&q=exit.glacier I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip on MY side of the world ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Gal Posted July 1, 2007 Author #13 Share Posted July 1, 2007 gillianrose, Thanks so much for all that information. I am compiling a list for each port on what there is to do, so your info will be valuable when making up our minds on what to see. There is so much to see and do in a limited amount of time. Jennie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillianrose Posted July 2, 2007 #14 Share Posted July 2, 2007 gillianrose, Thanks so much for all that information. I am compiling a list for each port on what there is to do, so your info will be valuable when making up our minds on what to see. There is so much to see and do in a limited amount of time. Yes, just like I'm feeling about AUSTRALIA! :) And you are so helpful to all of us there. There's a new Rough Guide to Alaska that just came out, 3rd edition, published in May, 2007 with two hungry-looking bears on the cover. I just had DH pick it up with our 25% off Borders coupon for this week. Thumbing through it just now I can say that I definitely recommend it to you. And now I think I'll continue looking for a short Alaska trip for us for this summer. There are a lot of bargains out there, though the cabins are dwindling.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Gal Posted July 2, 2007 Author #15 Share Posted July 2, 2007 Gillianrose, Thanks for the info about the Rough Guide. I will go down to our local book store and see if I can buy a copy for myself. I am only too happy to pass on any information I know or have learnt on our trips. Cruise Critic is such a great forum for finding out anything you need to know. Jennie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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