What we wish we knew before an Alaskan Cruise
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 มิ.ย. 2024
- Let's talk Alaska and a bunch of tips, tricks and things to know before you take an Alaskan cruise. Hope you learn a lot and let us know if there is anything we missed.
#alaskacruise #alaska #alaskatips
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About us:
We are the Lindsay’s, Emma, Jack and Poppy. (and sometimes our dog Mezi) We love travel and our goal is to take our experiences to help you plan your next trip. Whether it is a big once in a lifetime trip or a fun weekend getaway… we want to help!
Hope you enjoy how little experiences can help you live life to the fullest. Come along with us and get out and live a little!
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This is one of the best travel videos I've ever seen. Why? Because it was just two nice humans talking to other humans. No big egos. Just two people sharing their experience and trying to help others make the best of their trip. Thank you!
Thanks so much. That just made my day! That is exactly why we started the channel. It is just us being us trying to help people based on our experiences.
Emma & Jack
So true. I would invite these people in for coffee.
Thank you so much! So sweet!
Live a Little
Emma & Jack
Agree! Less useless flash and more facts -from a nice couple.
Dad was there several years. The icon joke is waking up to two mosquitoes discussing whether to eat him there or take him home!
They are so big! Great joke.
They're like dive bombers
I'm a lifelong Alaskan and when my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary our entire family cruised from Vancouver, BC to Seward. It was early August and we had rain every day. Bring a rain coat, puffy coat, hat and gloves. It's cold outside when the ship is moving. Alaska is incredible. The best things that we've done as locals are wildlife cruise out of Seward and flight seeing tour from Talkeetna to the Ruth Gorge/and or Denali. The Ruth Gorge is at the base of Denali. I've climbed Denali twice and that flight is the most incredible you will ever experience.
Climbing Denali sounds amazing!
I'm getting chills hearing someone else say that flight to Ruth gorge was best experience of my life!!!! Tied with it was a float plane we took from Hamilton Island Australia and landing on Whitehaven beach in the great barrier reef!!!!!!!!
I have sailed to Alaska 4 times so far, always out of Vancouver even though we live in Seattle. 1st 3 were on Holland America who essentially pioneered trips to Alaska and therefore gets the best docking spots at the busiest ports (Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway). Last year we decided to try an Alaska cruise on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth. Cunard (as well as Holland America) are owned by Carnival. For me it was THE best cruise of the 4 specially because of the 10 days RT itinerary with stops at several of what one might call the outlier Alaska destinations such as Sitka, Icy Strait Point (incredible whale watching here) and Skagway as well as visiting both Glacier Bay and Hubbard glacier. Of course we also had "obligatory" stops in Juneau and Ketchikan and a lot of sightseeing sailing the Inside Passage. Service is outstanding, food is amazing and pricing was in line with Holland America, Celebrity, Caribbean, Princess, etc. If you long for a taste of the "old days" of grandiose cruising you can get all decked out 2 nights (both are days at sea) with full gala dressing and enjoy a full orchestra and ballroom dancing. Contrary to popular belief this is not obligatory. If you want to be really "snotty" you can book the higher priced suites and you will have use of an exclusive lounge area, outside deck and dining room. Sounds somewhat akin to the Haven on NCL. The QE herself is the same layout as the 2,000 passenger Holland America ships and the cabins are very nicely appointed. The entire maritime crew and most of the passenger customer service folks are British. The support crew is similar to other ships, mostly from Indonesia, Phillipines and Eastern Europe. Most of the passengers were British or Canadian along with a smaller number of folks from Japan and China. Surprisingly, we ran into few Americans on the ship. We saw few children onboard and really didn't notice a lot of onboard activities geared to them (like you have on Caribbean or Disney ships these days). For folks going with out kids, I highly recommend this line and ship and be prepared for very British things such as grand staircase (you can get awesome pics here), a fabulous grand ballroom along with outdoor shuffleboard and of course croquet. Best of all though was their fish and chips (best I've ever had) only served at lunchtime at the Pub - and - their afternoon tea service, a real spectacle in itself.
Thanks for sharing your experience. We want to give Cunard a try because of its uniqueness!
We’re a retired couple and are taking our first cruise in September-to Alaska. We never dreamed we’d get to see Alaska, but a travel agent in our community got a really great group deal. We will be going on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas on Sept 2, 2024, and we’re so excited!
That is amazing. We are happy for yal and hope you have an amazing time. In a couple weeks to end our Alaska series we will have a video all on Excursions at the different ports.
Emma & Jack
@@lindsayslivealittle so, thanks for such a quick response. I’ve been watching all kinds of videos on cruising Alaska, and I find your videos to be fun, interesting and informative.
We have the train excursion booked and a whale watching excursion. We did get a balcony room, and after your video, that confirms that we made the right choice. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your videos.
I meant to say “wow”, thanks for the quick response….typos….
We are looking at this same cruise!! Haven't "bit the bullet just yet".
@@ginanronniemann6281 come on along!!!!
We went to Alaska last summer in our RV. It was the experience of a lifetime! As much as you seem to love Alaska you really should either purchase an RV and drive there or fly there and rent an RV in Alaska. We saw the ships from the cruises and realized how little of Alaska you would see if cruising. We plan to do a cruise to experience it, but I would encourage you to try it our way. You will not be disappointed! You can see so much more driving. It’s truly breathtaking and so worth it! We enjoyed your video.
This was my dream until I actually drove in the mountains. After a 20 day drive through California, Oregon and Washington I wouldn’t do it again. I never knew I had a fear of heights but it was really bad. I’m glad we did a trial run before buying a RV.
On our first trip to Alaska we actually did a roadtrip ourselves and had an amazing time. Driving up to Alaska and the summer camping around is on our bucket list now!
This is also on our bucket list, we have an RV. Anything you recommend seeing?
I have went camping to Alaska 3 times drove are RV into Canada and that drive was amazing and then to Alaska we went to 4 of the islands we just took the boat over they but are RV right at the bottom and you could get a room or sleep under on lounge chairs they had heaters it was open but had room and side you can sleep under the stars I mean priceless try it if you can God bless us all 🙏❤️🙏❤️
@@zebratroopfan6695 We took our little Winnebago to Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, Devils tower and Yellowstone. The only trip of horror was entering Yellowstone via the north west entrance by mistake. We rode on the side of a mountain up up and up. White knuckled driving doesn't describe the terror we both felt seeing the drop off just feet from our SUV. I was singing Nearer my God to Thee the whole 3-4 miles. Once off that mountain we both said never again. I do not have a fear of heights but fear of narrow lanes. Thank God nobody came by going the opposite direction.
So this year, 2024 we're taking our little Winnie to Smokey Mountain with a stopover in Shannondoah National Park. We've been to Shannondoah before so know the road, Skyline Drive is up up around and around the mountain to Big Meadown campground which is high up to the mountain top BUT....the road is WIDE, Very WIDE. No problem.
p.s. I did feel badly for the people hauling 5th wheels and motorhomes. Crazy!!
We cruised to Alaska on Princess in 2015 and loved it. Had a fabulous bus tour into the Yukon out of Skagway on a crystal clear day. Also went Salmon fishing out of one port and just a town tour in another. We cruised Glacier bay too. Best day ever! We loved Alaska so much that we drove the Alaskan Hwy. the next year and did our own 5 week trip from MN all the way to Prudoe Bay. We are ready to go again!
What an amazing experience. We want to road trip with our travel trailer in the near future to Alaska!
Emma & Jack
I am going next June with my wife. So chilly, rainy, bloodthirsty giant mosquitoes, tourist traps, it won’t get dark and lots of walking. Got it. Thanks!
With the possibility of being hot. But will 100% be an amazing trip!
I love Alaska, too. I'm a full-time Alaskan and every day I get to love Alaska and the most amazing views... 360° no matter the season. I'm glad you love it too.
Every visit just makes us want to immerse ourselves more and more.
My last Alaska cruise was on Celebrity in May 2019,the weather was in the 80's...no need to get off the ship if you have been there before and got off at the ports and did some of the main tours...will be going back in June and as usual will chill out on the balcony and enjoy the view sipping wine...
Sounds amazing! We hope you have a great time!
Loved our NCL Alaskan cruise last May before the mosquitos really came out. Loved Juneau & Skagway, but thought Ketchikan, while cute, had soooo many jewelry stores with the "callers" out front trying to get you into their shops. I came to call it, affectionately (kind of), as the "Ensenada of Alaska."
Glad yal enjoyed your trip!
First time viewer and I love y’all’s vibe! One of the most informative videos I have ever seen!! Follow has been earned!! Thanks so much for a great video!
Thank you! We really appreciate it.
Great Video 🙂 We’re doing a cruise to Alaska late April. I’ve been researching this for 3 years! Totally excited to know it paid off. Thanks for the tips! Good luck with the channel!! ❤
Thanks so much. We hope you have an amazing trip!
I want to thank you both, this info was very helpful and I know that it would apply anywhere else “tres expensive” as well. I contemplated cruising before the pandemic and glad I didn’t experiment… but there’s nothing stopping me from exploring… ever.! Wonderful info and enjoyed what you learned through experience, thank you! Cheers from Toronto 🇨🇦!
Thanks so much! Cheers to our northern neighbors!
Hey everybody in the comments or looking to go up there. Look into the alaska state ferry system. You can take your van. At any time of year. You could literally spend months. You can go as fast or slow as you want. You can get so close to the shore that you can throw a rock and hit the shore. You could keep supplies in your car and sleep in a tent on the deck of the ship. 1000 percent totally worth it. You could go one way up there and thendrive back. Through Canada of course. But if you want total access, take the blue canoe. Seriously if you want to go to AK for what's there not the gltz and glamor of a cruise ship go with the ferry. Halfof the people on the boat will be locals. Great conversations.
Sounds pretty incredible. Thanks for sharing with the community!
Solid information! Enjoyed your video! Thanks!
We appreciate it. Have a great week.
Emma & Jack
Extremely helpful video! We learned a lot from our cruises and this will definitely help a lot of people
Thanks so much!
Emma & Jack
My only cruise was to Alaska with Princess in mid-May 2016. We did the combined land/sea from Vancouver to Anchorage. Loved every single minute and would do this trip over again in a heartbeat given the chance!
Sounds amazing!
Glacier Bay is breathtaking
100%!
Love this information-thank you for sharing your experience! Looking forward to seeing your video about what to pack for this trip
Thanks so much! Enjoy the packing episode!
Going on our third Alaskan cruise. Love it so much!
Have a great time!
Great video and tips for Glacier Bay!
Thanks so much!
Quick thoughts, the Alaska railroad is beautiful but a bit expensive. Before or after your cruise take it in or out of Anchorage to explore the interior of Alaska. Take it to kenai peninsula or Denali/Fairbanks. It travels mostly thru the wilderness (not along the highway). Simply gorgeous scenery.
We were planning on doing the train from Fairbanks to Anchorage on our first trip but missed out due to Alaska Airlines complications.
Thanks guys!
Thanks for the video! my husband and i are going for our 15th anniversary on holland this July and we are so excited
First congratulations! Secondly, we hope you have an amazing time. If you have any questions when planning just let us know. Our only ask would be you share our channel with a friend or neighbor.
But most importantly, Alaska is an amazing way to spend celebrating 15 years!
Emma & Jack
I was in a room at the back of the ship. That balcony was priceless on that cruise!
Sounds amazing!
Really helpful information, thanks
Thanks! We appreciate it!
Emma & Jack
We went on our first Alaskan cruise last September. We loved icy Point Straight because it was more authentic! We were shocked when we got off in Juneau and Ketchekan and saw Del Sol, Diamonds international etc.... It just turned us off. You really must get off the beaten path! One more thing to stress.... bring a warm weather coat and layers, whatever time of year you go! We are from Northern Ontario Canada and know winter weather and were fully prepared! But seeing some of these people struggling with just sweatshirts broke my heart!! Great informative vid for first timers!!
Thanks so much.
In 2019 we did an Alaskan cruise last week in May,it was in the 80's...
I so agree! Very irritating to of seen the 2 ports be so cookie cutter style ports! Shopping stores like that have no belonging in Alaska sea ports
Going on Alaskan cruise in July and visiting almost all of the places you’ve been thank you for all the information
We hope you have an amazing time!
You forgot the Alaska Marine Highway System; we did a sailing south that went through the Wrangell Narrows between Petersburg and Wrangell that is too narrow even for some of the expedition ships to fit. Also do some web searches and find local Alaskan shops. I know in both Juneau and Ketchikan there are artist co-ops where local artists sell art that is made in Alaska by Alaskan's.
That you for commenting to add that. Also a great option to look at.
Agree with Ketchikan and Juneau about the local artists but we were really surprised that there wasn’t event more.
Emma & Jack
Thanks for all the great info. We did HAL land and cruise 20 years ago to the main ports everyone stops at. In May we are doing an expedition cruise with HX/Hurtigruten. Yes it is a lot more but includes excursions, tips, beer and wine at lunch and dinner... only a couple of very special excursions if you want. So excited about the small towns and active offered like zodiac and kayaks right off the ship. Woo hoo!
That sounds amazing. We have expeditions on our bucket list and may have 1 booked. But we really want our daughter to experience it!
Thank you for this video! I was born, raised and retired from Sitka. I now live in South Carolina. I actually lived in the community called Mt. Edgecumbe . 3 small islands landfill connected then referred to as Japonski Island. It was a military base and had so many cement bunkers that were perfect play areas for my baby boom era generation. So much history there! Research it 😊
We will check it out. Thanks for watching!
Awesome video! Thanks guys.
Thanks so much!
Thank you both for taking the time to make this video. It was extremely helpful! I took many notes. We are going on our first cruise in June 2024!
Have a great time! Alaska for your first cruise is pretty epic.
I subscribed to your channel BECAUSE I appreciate the organization and bookmarks on your video. Thanks for a great job!
Thanks much. We do our best to incorporate bookmarks in all our talking heads videos. For real time vlogs it is much more difficult to do and can’t accomplish all the time but glad you appreciate the work!
Emma & Jack
Thanks guys! As a matter of fact, I typically look for the "Bookmarks" on each video before deciding IF I will watch it or not. So your added effort in doing this will definitely attract more viewers in my opinion. Keep up the great work!...
A well done video! Thanks
Thank you much. Have a great weekend.
Emma & Jack
We’re lucky that we live in the Pacific Northwest. So getting to Seattle or Vancouver is a bus ride. Last August, we did a Princess cruise from Vancouver, 7-days to Whittier and another 7-days back to Vancouver. Same (interior) cabin, very good price. Weather iffy going, excellent returning. We saw different glaciers each time. We did a few excursions, but also on our own as we had explored this route before.
Sounds pretty amazing. Nice to able to live close to a port. With us living in the center of the country, everything is a flight from us.
We’ve been 3 times now is July trip an August trip and a September cruisetour to Denali- recommend September because the colors were spectacular and we got the northern lights twice from Denali then Fairbanks!
We enjoyed both May and September. Heading back in August this year. We just can’t get enough.
Emma & Jack
Been on 2 cruises to Alaska, first one in September 1993 on Princess, and loved it. Second time was in July of 2004. Same itinerary, but on NCL. The towns were fun, and interesting. We didn’t do any of the on shore excursions because of the price even back then, but we did do the train trip and was awesome, just 3 cars pulled up the mountain by the old steam locomotive. I’m glad now that we made those cruises when we did, as it looks like those towns are nothing much more than total tourist traps now, ripping people off.
While some is super touristy, if you look around and find the right options you can still get a great Alaskan experience.
Thank you for all the information 😊
You are so welcome!
Also, we did a land and sea package on Holland from Vancouver thru the Yukon, ending in Fairbanks including Denali. It was one of the best trips of my life. We had 3 or 4 days on the ship then in skagway we took the train up the mountain into Canada where we picked up a bus and drove thru the Yukon to Fairbanks. It was a lot of bus time but so beautiful and away from the tourists. We overnighted in a few small towns. Dawson City was like a pioneer town. The Yukon experience was so much more authentic than the cruise ports.
That sounds amazing. Alaska is one of our favorite places to visit and going back again this year making 3 years in a row!
How do u like Holland cruises
@@nanyalitz2755we have not cruises with Holland to date.
I always suggest renting a motorhome instead of the cruise line land tour. Read my comment above on this.
@@Chris_at_Homethat is a great option!
OMG i have not seen that bar since i was stationed in Anchorage in the early 80's! One place I always remembered
Had to go since it is a classic!
Thank you, appreciate the information
Thanks for watching!
Emma & Jack
We have a 14 day from Vancouver June 16 our 3rd and longest cruise in Alaska , great video and advice , kept up the good work!
That is a nice long trip to Alaska. Thanks so much!
Doing an Alaskan cruise in late June! My first cruise ever:) I’ve really enjoyed y’all’s videos and think Poppy is so cute!!!!
Thank you so much! Hope you guys have a fantastic cruise in June!
Great video - we appreciate you sharing!
Thanks much!
Been on 5 Alaska cruises and you have done a great job of telling those who have not, Some great info the only things you missed are the Flot plans out of Ketchacan and Helow to The Mendenhal Flashed & land on it!
Thanks so much! And thanks for sharing additional activities. We haven't done either of those but we did do a Helo out of Seward when we road tripped around the Kenai peninsula
Thank you so much for this! Booked the Haven on the Encore for Alaska this May thanks to your great videos and now I’m looking forward to your packing video!
So exciting! We love that our videos can help. You should see the packing video in a few days just putting the finishing touches on it.
It is our first video of that kind so hope it can help out!
Have a great week and more importantly we hope you have an amazing trip!
Emma & Jack
Did you go yet? My husband and I are looking to book the haven for later this summer. Would love to hear about your experience.
@@kimberlyclarkson3149 yes we have done the haven to Alaska. I have several videos on it! I would suggest the Encore over the Bliss. We personally like that itinerary more (have a video comparing the two itineraries)
Yes, one of the best Alaska videos l’ve seen. Was there last year and yes try to get full days in the ports. Missed this hint for my first trip last year and l am heading there again in 60 days and am spending full days in Skagway and Ketchikan. We did a balcony last time and whilst it was nice to have didn’t spend much time on it. Inside stateroom this time as lm travelling single but won’t spend time in it as l will be out on the decks.
Oh by the way Go Aggies, whoop, whoop. I’m from Australia and visited A & M a few years ago.
Whoop!
Thanks so much. Hope yal enjoy your trip. We head back in August.
Emma & Jack
"Howdy!" Go Aggies!! Great video!!
Gig ‘Em! Thanks’
We took the Alaska State ferry from Bellingham, WA to Skagway and brought our car. We camped on the deck. My in-laws had a room. We enjoyed the inside passage! Then we were able to drive all the way to Dawson City and out to Seward. We then drove through the Yukon and Stewart, BC to see bears in August. Amazing trip.
That sounds epic!
Princess also goes to Alaska out of San Francisco and cruises under the Golden Gate Bridge (fabulous!). Thanks for the video! 🙂
That is amazing and does sound incredible!
Emma & Jack
That's the one i wanted to go on in June,but could not get the cabins we wanted,they book up real fast,so have to leave out of Seattle on Carnival Luminosa..
All ships out of Vancouver sail under the Lions Gate Bridge (their version of the Golden Gate)
Hope you can see it through the fog that day! 😂
@@cc1k435 It's never been a problem before! 🙂
Heading there on Royal Caribbean at the end of June. Thanks for the information!
Have an amazing time! Thank so much!
Planning an Alaska cruise for our 20th Anniversary. This was very informative. Thanks & Gig’Em!
We love visiting. Gig 'Em!
Taking our first land/sea trip to Alaska this summer! I appreciate your fun video of tips and advice. Looking forward to checking out your other videos. Thanks and Gig 'em! '84
Glad you found the channel. Hope you enjoy your trip and the other videos.
Gig ‘Em!
Jack ‘08
What cruise line are you doing it on? I found one for 14 days from Holland America lines. Haven't seen any other lines that do the same.
Great info! We will be taking our 2nd Alaskan cruise in July 2024.
Thanks so much! Hope you have a fantastic trip! We love Alaska! If you are still debating on excursions while there I did a video on great budget friendly excursions! Might be helpful!
m.th-cam.com/video/lykYyP_QaeI/w-d-xo.html
Emma
Brilliant, thankyou .
Thank you. We appreciate it!
Thanks for the video. We will be taking our first cruise to Alaska in June 2024 for 14 days on Princess. Our first time on Princess as well. We haven't decided on any excursions yet. Nothing has drawn our attention. Going to be different having more than just a watery landscape most of the trip.
We hope you have an amazing trip. We will have a video come out in a week or so focused just on excursions we would suggest.
Hope you enjoy the channel.
Emma & Jack
Take a small ship!!!!! Oceania has wonderful Alaska cruises. Our ship had a whooping 630ish passengers. Such amazing service. We got to a small town the big ships cannot do. Food was wonderful. You could dress if you wanted or just a polo was fine.
We would love to if we could find the right budget option.
Absolutely. There are several small ship companies to choose from. We did Cruise West cruise, a small ship company that no longer exists. It was fantastic. As a travel expert once told us, you can use the large ship cruise and see Alaska with a narrow gesture, or you can take a small ship cruise and SEE Alaska, with a large wide open arms gesture. When comparing our cruise with friends who went on the giant ship, she was right. No comparison.
@@lindsayslivealittle check with Oceania. I’m sure they run specials.
Great info!!!
Thanks much!
Emma & Jack
Fort Lauderdale with Royal also has the suitcase valet service!! It was sooo nice putting luggage out the night before and your bags are taken to airport. So cool!
Sooo helpful!
To save money and get away from the tourists we just go hiking in most ports. We have done the tour stuff before but still love Alaska so much. There are hiking trails everywhere in Alaska and it's easy to find a good day hike close to town.
Completely agree. We are going to have a budget friendly activities video coming in a couple weeks. Would love for you to mention this in the comments of that video as well!
Wow i didn't know there are so many cruise lines. Thanks for the info!
No problem at all! There are so many options to look at when booking an Alaskan cruise.
Beautiful video! God bless! ❤
Thanks so much!
Great video! Thank you 😊
Thank you so much!
We have done two one way Alaskan cruises. The last one we flew to Anchorage and rented a car for 10 days and made a complete loop staying mostly in air b&b’s. Then got on our Celebrity ship and cruised to Vancouver and then flew home. It was a fantastic trip! Best excursion on both our cruises were whale watching tours out of Juneau. It was unbelievable!!!!
Amazing! We had a road trip portion on our first trip and loved it!
Excellent video! Having been born and raised in Anchorage, I can attest to the mosquito being the state bird 😅
Thank so much!
Bring one summer outfit....we hit a heat wave in Victoria and Juneau, 96 degrees. Everyone was caught off guard! The locals were swimming at Mendenhall glacier.
Oh boy! That definitely helped the local stores because I’m sure people didn’t plan for that level of heat!
We are getting ready for our third cruise to Alaska. Inside passage. Round trip from San Francisco 11 days. We are Princess Cruise loyalists. Can’t wait.
That sounds amazing. We want to try Princess but just hasn’t worked out yet! Have an amazing time!
Great video guys!
Thanks so much. Means a lot coming from you guys!
I lived in Alaska for 4 years and this video is very accurate
Thanks so much!
Thanks for this nice video. I am going to Alaska this coming weekend. I did not know about the luggage transfer to the airport. That is wonderful. That give us hands free to explore Seattle. Bless you for that.
Thanks so much. Have an amazing time!
Have cruised Alaska a few times. First two times got an inside cabin. That made me get up and leave the cabin to explore the ship and the ports. Last few times I booked an inside and waited to bid on an ocean view or balcony. That made my upgrade more affordable.
That is a great way to do it. We booked ocean view and got the balcony.
Holland America land tour and cruise, best vacation ever!
What was your favorite port/excursion? Leaving on HAL in May.
We suggest everyone do Alaska by land and cruise. Best way for a fuller experience!
Emma & Jack
Our favorite port is Skagway followed by Ketchikan. Skagway has our favorite excursion ‘ghosts and good time girls tour’ from the Red Dog Saloon.
We are doing the land and cruise tour in late June. Very excited. Will be our first time in Alaska/Vancouver!
@@reitzl hope you have a fantastic time!
13 varieties of mosquitos in AK. Early summer is usually better weather but still cool. Later summer possibly more rain, especially in the SE "Inside Passage" that most people travel to, especially on cruises. Save money for the onshore excursions!
Good Video!!
One of the most scenic travels is via cruise, train to Anchorage, train to Denali, train to Fairbanks, bus to Deadhorse, fly home or the reverse. Then and only then will see a large portion of what Alaska is about but yet still only a small portion too. Alaska is so much bigger than people realize! I've been lucky to see much of AK during my work with someone else paying the bill. 42 yr resident.
It is so large and outside of cruising we have done a road trip around the Kenai peninsula. We had no idea about the 13 varieties of mosquitos. Thanks for sharing!
LOVE this video! I did Carnival Miracle out of San Francisco (I live in San Jose so it was convenient) last August-so lucky it only rained in Juneau-other than that flawless. Going back this August-losing Icy point straight, but getting Sitka, Juneau part 2 Skagway part 2, Ketchikan, and Prince Rupert. part 2.... And yes it's jewelry stores galore. If you get to Skagway be sure to get Happy Endings (bar) and Morning Wood hotel to walk around.
Thank you so much! We hope you have another amazing trip!
Thank you for all the great info! I'm excited for our trip May 2025🥳
We hope it helps you plan your amazing trip.
Emma & Jack
Good tips!
Thanks so much!
Emma & Jack
As someone who lives on the Kenai Peninsula, most places open May 15th and shut down September 15th.
Thanks for adding on to the content! Appreciate having local knowledge on the channel.
I love it...diamond international...the Walmart of cruise port jewelers...
We went on an Alaskan Princess Cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver last June, FABULOUS Cruise ! We want to do a two week round trip next time & take the Denali trans excursion too. Maybe Celebrity next, we will see. My sister in-law & hubby are doing Celeb late June & doing Denali before the cruise.
Sounds amazing! We are heading up on the Celebrity Edge this summer.
We just can’t get enough of Alaska!
We live in Seattle and are going to Alaska on Celebrity, thanks for the good tips. We are going last week in May. Misquitos adore me and I never thought about that, or rain.
Thanks so much. May is better with the mosquitos! But rain is almost 100% going to happen atleast 1 day.
did Alaska 2022 in July, doing 2 cruises this year to Alaska. First one in June out of San Francisco on the Carnival Miracle, and doing the same one you did on the NCL Bliss in September. Enjoyed watching your Videos. I have a TH-cam channel also of our travels and my Music.
Thanks for watching and congrats enjoying your retirement!
Keep playing the harmonica and sharing your experiences!
Emma & Jack
Great tips and things to plan for and think about. The bug spray is on our list to bring. 😊 thank you
Also if you're going to be out and about with the little (big) critters, I recommend Hunters Specialties Scent-A-Way Max Bar Soap, 3.5-Ounce, Green. Mosquitoes love me... so I'll do whatever I can to keep them away!
@@JimRing 😊 I know what you mean. Even the little mosquitos find me while no one else is getting bit. 😊 thank you.
Fantastic tip! Thank you
Live a Little
Emma & Jack
Mid August we had the Northern Lights. Heading towards Seattle, on the stern it was active.
That is a lucky trip!
I wish I had seen this video before we went to Alaska for the first time :) on way there again this year.
Only one thing to mention. May and June are the least rainy time to go, September and October are the most rainy. Agree that you need to bring rain gear regardless. Every time we talk about Juneau, my husband reminds of the time the sky opened up and dumped on us in Juneau 🤦♀️😂
Thanks so much! Appreciate you sharing about the rainy time. Oh Juneau!
You can rent an RV through Great Alaskan Holidays and do a self led tour.
That was my first experience with Alaska. AMAZING!!!
That is an amazing first trip to Alaska! We saw several during our roadtrip.
Emma & Jack
There are many people that rent their personal motor homes through brokers. I had a friend that did that to help pay for his motorhome. Usually these motorhomes are nicer than the big rental places.
And where could we find these brokers… sounds like such a fabulous idea
@bernadettebourassa8385 Great Alaskan has a website. We had a great experience.
A great glacier viewing is College Fjord on Northbound Princess cruises. Lots of glaciers in a smaller area than Glacier Bay. I’m with you on AK cruises being a favorite.
We have never done one ways and never been on Princess (yet). Thanks for sharing!
Emma & Jack
College Fjord is impressive. We saw it on a day cruise out of Whittier while the main cruise lines were shut down for Covid.
We didn't use any bugspray last August and we are going back this August. I love Alaska.
We have now been 4 times in 2 years with another coming up in September. I think we are addicted!
I recently took an Alaskan cruise on Princess Sapphire, a 20 year old ship. They arrived from LA late and left port late because of a starboard engine failure. Didn’t tell us until we already departed. Had to skip Ketchikan, had only three hours in Juneau, and skipped Glacier Bay altogether because we had to make our final port on time. I couldn’t get off that ship fast enough. Took a train and bus into the center of Alaska and stayed at two different Princess lodges with Disney-esque style self promotion. Got cattle herded into some incredibly lame excursions (train in Whitehall and school bus into Denali). It was the worst cruise vacation ever and we would have been way better off sailing a newer boat and doing the land portion on our own.
Land portion on your own is the way to go. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hey, our son is an Aggie! Best university ever! Great video about Alaska!
Gig ‘Em! Thanks!
We did our honeymoon cruise to Alaska (2003) from Seward to Vancouver- wish we knew the cruise was mostly older crowd and the night life was pretty non existent. We were not fans of the buffet but did room service mostly. Had a cabin wi5 a balcony which was real nice to watch the puffins.
Hope you still had a good time being the young people on the ship and it being your honeymoon.
Emma & Jack
My husband and I did a land tour with Celebrity last year late August. It was nice for people that just want to have everything planned, but I felt rushed and would have liked to stay at each sight longer. Do it yourself if you can and don't forget Seward and Kodiak!!!we are going on a back to back Alaskan cruise this year with Princess.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoy your Alaska cruise this year!
I have never thought seeing Alaska by cruise was a good idea. I lived there for three years and I know that it's so much better to just go there and drive around.
For many people, the land exploration is not the right option for how they travel but we suggest you need to roadtrip to really see Alaska.
Going in July. 7 day out of Seattle on the Princess Discovery. Will be my first time, can’t wait! Gig ‘Em!!
Enjoy your trip! Gig ‘Em!
very nice!!
Thanks much!
You mentioned that Seattle (for round-trip Alaskan cruise) has service where you can pay to have your luggage checked in at the airport for you ( I think I'm saying that correctly 🤔). Well, Celebrity (at least on the Equinox) had the same service. My husband & I sailed Equinox this past Dec in a Retreat suite and Celebrity had this same type offer. It was great and will definitely utilize it again if available (our next cruise on Celebrity Beyond in May). The fee they charged i believe was
We didn’t know about the Celebrity option. Thanks for sharing.
And thanks so much for the kind words! We hope you have a great week.
And we were just looking at a trip that included New Orleans so we will take you up on that offer!
Emma & Jack
We got a good deal on a Holland America cruise and land package. It was the last ship north in September. The hotels in Seward and Denali were shutting down as we checked out, the train was the last run of the year, and the Denali tour was changed to the shorter version. We had no non-resort dining options in Denali, and they were running out of some food items on the last evening!
If I did Alaska again, I'd drive up through B.C. and Yukon. Maybe take the ferries along the peninsula rather than a cruise ship.
Driving up through BC and the Yukon would be incredible! We would love to bring our camper and stay up in Alaska for a summer in the future.
Great video
Thank you!
Thank you so much for this. Planning a trip this summer.
We hope you have an amazing time!