Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Alaskan Cruise Advice

There is only 2 open water crossings you'll have to worry about. The rest should be a piece of cake in a big boat.

Ketchikan will be fun. A fishing charter would be ok, but they don't put in much effort for the cruise ship clients. To do it right and proper you'd need to come up just for that intent. They drop you in some pretty touristy areas so there is plenty to look at.

I love cruises. Its' a great way to relax and gain 15lbs. When the girls get older, we'll be regular cruisers down south.

BTW, you'll see plenty of whales from the cruise ship, just not up and close if you were on a smaller boat.

We spoke of that last week. It's on my bucket list too, but with my son.

I'm looking forward to your report and pics,Ed.

Are you taking the yorkies?

For some reason I thought you were hunting the AK Pen.

Have fun.

don't drink the water or eat the food......

use hand wipes on everything.........

http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Band-Wris...-1&keywords=motion+sickness+bracelet

ReliefBand Motion Sickness Device, the best $100.00 you will ever spend.

http://www.amazon.com/ReliefBand-Mo...5895&sr=8-2&keywords=relief+band

Yeah, Dixon Entrance can get sporty, but I've never been through there on anything the size of a cruise ship.

My personal (as a local) Juneau shore trip reco's:

Mendenhall Glacier
Mt. Roberts Tram (on a decent day)
DIPAC salmon hatchery
Zipline (two of 'em - one is a short jet boat ride from the cruise docks)
Juneau Armory - machine gun tour (they will pick you up dockside)
State Museum - brand spankin' new - opening this spring (can easily walk to from ship)

Plus one on the scopolamine patch, but I wouldn't put it on until I needed it. Big ships on the Inside Passage really don't move much.

Excursions up there are very expensive. My daughter and I flew on a helicopter out of Skagway, landed on a glacier, and dog-sledded for an hour or so. A great memory and fantastic scenery, but it was $500 per person 10 years ago. The narrow gauge railway up to White Pass may be a better bet, and likely a good bit cheaper.

My son and I flew on a little Cessna out of Ketchikan, landing on an Alpine lake, hanging out, and flying back. Again, a great memory, maybe a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I've allowed myself to forget how much it set me back.

I did the whale watching excursion out of Juneau. Choking back diesel fumes on a tourist-trap boat that couldn't legally get within a couple of hundred yards of the whales was, IMHO, pretty lame. Once I got back, though, I took the Mt. Roberts tramway up to the trailhead to Mt. Gastineau and went hiking. Fantastic views, and a great time, all for something like $25 for the tram ride, though you could also hike up from the bottom.

Never went to Tracy Arm, so I can't comment.

All in all, a great trip. I know many folks who have been back several times, and I even plan on going back at some point. Its that good! Enjoy.

not that I would know anything about it but watching a boatload of these Alaska shows, I've heard more than a few of the people say the Cruises are nice but you miss out on alot of the "real" Alaska.

Of course a cruise is going to take care of you if you aren't the adventurous type, but I think if I was going to do it, I might look into flying up there and taking on Alaska on my own.

Just find out when the bugs are dead

Bob
Just be sure to take your passport as most out of Seattle stop on Vancouver Island. If it does stop in Canada make sure any hand guns stay in your cabin safe when you go a shore. Cheers NC

Can any cruise vets offer up any actual on board ship advice?

Any inside tips that paid off for you? Like, whose palms are the best to grease on these type trips?

Bob, it is always a mistake to not pack if possible. YMMV

As to sea sickness, you would have to get in some major rough water to feel anything on those cruise liners. Rarely does anyone get sick on those boats from motion sickness, food and even more likely drink however are more likely to cause an issue.

I hear you but thinking about Dulles and Seattle TSA x 2 for a handgun on a cruise ship seems a hassle, in spite of all the sound adages.

I'll check to see if it's permitted on board.

Don't ask; don't tell.

I'm already locked and loaded for the cruise so I'm just trying to make the most of it. If I'm going to do something, I try to be optimistic and minimize the rookie mistakes.

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The airlines?

Don't know if the ship personnel check luggage before boarding. I'd think they'd have that right but not sure.

Bob, they even frown on a pocketknife aboard. Absofookinglutely no guns.

Celebrity might be different, but on Norwegian they add a percentage tip to your tab automatically. You might leave your cabin steward a little - and if you do, leave it on the first day so you'll get the benefit of your indulgence. Nobody else requires a tip, but I often tip bar servers and main dining room help.

You will be required to have your passport but the only place you'll need it off ship will be Victoris/Vancouver.

All onboard transactions will be via your issued ship ID, no cash or credit cards accepted aboard. Everything goes on the ship card, which you'll settle up before you can debark at the end. On shore, its just like the real world.

You'll have a small safe in your cabin. You set your own combination the first time you use it (I recommend you leave it empty when you try it the first time, just in case!) and that's where you can keep your passport, and any extra cash you brought. Also jewelry, of course.

Celebrity has fixed dining, I think. That means you'll be assigned a table and tablemates, and must eat at a certain time and dress up. You two can get along with anybody, I know; so that's no biggie.

Cabins have VERY limited storage. Collapsible luggage like a rolling dufflebag is very helpful. If you have multiple chargers for things, bring a multi outlet. And a nightlight. They supply a "does all" body wash dispenser in the shower, but that's all. And think RV when it comes to bathroom size - tiny!

If you have questions, PM me.