Alaska

[Valentines]

We are trying to book a cruise to Alaska. We would like to go the end of May. The itinerary we are looking at cuises the inside passage out of Seattle, up to Juneau & Skagway. We will cruise Glacier Bay then down to Ketchican, Victoria then back to Seattle. We would like to book a balcony room. What side of the ship should we request? What else is a must see? Thanks for your help.

[Keith1010]

Let me suggest that you post this on the Alaska ports of call board. You will get a lot of good advice from those who post regularly on that board.

 

Keith

[Toyz711]

the alaska port-of-call board has a ton of information. but to answer your questions, only while cruising glacier bay...the port side and the top decks is where you want to be. glacier up the inlet, the port side is closer to the shore and everything the park rangers talk about will be on the port side. they will pause at the glacier, the ship will even turn around...giving the other ship a view. but the forward, upper open decks and port side get the best views before the glacier, coming up to the glaciers. otherwise, for just cruising, most of the time the ship is too far from shore to see anything, views will be on both sides, unless in open waters.

[iluvfun]

You should also say which ships you are consdiering.

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

Find a cruise that is in Skagway the longest amount of time. Rent a car in Skagway and drive up to Whitehorse in the Canadian Yukon. This is a very affordable way to really experience Alaska and the Northwest.

 

Also, rent a car from Rent A Wreck in Juneau so that you can visit Auke Bay, St. Theresa's Church, and climb the East loop Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier.

 

Hope that this helps.

 

Fred

[Nancynurse]

If you are still looking, we will be on Radiance of the Seas May 30 (which has a significant resident discount for that sailing). It isn't a round trip though. It is a southbound from Seward to Vancouver. With the resident discount, you might offset the cost of the open-jaw flight. Something to consider...

 

Nancy

[qiangf2]

In Juneau, you may want to consider join one of the whale watching trips. In Skagway, renting a car from Avis and drive to Emerald Lake will leave long lasting memory for your trip.