Last time I was there was 8 years ago already. Saw a couple of bears right next to the road in the middle of town. Was a very beautiful place and will go again hopefully.
This is the exact cruise I will be taking this coming April! I'm so excited to finally getting to Alaska. A lifelong dream come true. Thank you for showing us the ship and for showing the excursions that will be available.
The totem poles in Ketchikan weren't actually left behind; the park was made through the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Great Depression. It was one of the few national projects that was integrated and included both Native and non-Native personnel. We are still here and still make totems!
@@allanfarr Wow. You can be both and it doesn’t take away from either. And the poster is right - he said “left behind” which isn’t correct. The people and culture are still very much there and making totems. Your comment is uninformed.
I'm doing a short 7 day Alaska Mid-June 2024. NCL Bliss only stays there from 7:00 to 1:30, so I'm just doing the Glacier at Juneau. I'm going to move fast to get to the falls.
Glacier Bay is dramatic in the drizzle but absolutely spectacular on a clear day and I'm so happy that you experienced the latter! It took me 4 cruises before I did, sigh, but worth the wait.
We just did our first Alaska cruise last week of June. Each day was amazing weather except Glacier Bay 😢. Was raining and cloudy. We will definitely try again.
If you were impressed with Glacier Bay, you definitely need to visit Hubbard Glacier. We visited in on Celebrity Millennium on our first ever cruise and I gotta tell you… my jaw dropped when I opened my window in the morning and all I saw was a wall of blue ice! Absolutely breathtaking!
You can walk from downtown Juneau to the trailhead on the backside of the tram, then hike 1.5-2 miles to the top. You have to buy $20 worth of stuff (or restaurant for $20) to take the tram down. It was much shorter line coming down and we got a workout. If you take a small ship cruise like Alaskan Dream Cruises, you park right in the middle of downtown Juneau. No shuttle or long walk required in Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan. And the Mendenhall Glacier tour was included in the package. The whole cruise is within Alaska so no days wasted at sea between Vancouver and Ketchikan. No passport required.
Thanks for the very informative video. It was very helpful that you mentioned where the different cruise lines docked. We are going on NCL next spring. It’s good to know about all the bus transfers needed with NCL. I didn’t know about Ward Cove and the 20 minute ride into town. Thanks!
I have always thought of a cruise vacation as something paired with a tropical climate, beaches and summer activities. But your visit is making me reconsider Alaska! Aspirational vacation for me as I’m in Australia! I love how you make every viewer feel like they are your newest best buddy and you can’t wait to tell us about how much you enjoy the places you visit.
Thank you so much Zach for your wonderful, well thought out video. It was so relaxing to watch and has heightened my enthusiasm for our same trip in September. I’ve only recently found your videos and really appreciate your honest reviews whilst staying positive and kind. Your mannerisms are just gorgeous and create a positive experience even when things aren’t up to scratch.
Loved this video, Zach! One of my favourite ever ports is Skagway, so this was so lovely to see - you've successfully brought back some awesome memories!
Hopefully one day I'll be able to take my first Alaskan cruise...been to Alaska through the pass from the Yukon, but would like to see the glaciers from a ship. An amazing experience and look forward to seeing more. Bruce and Otis
I made a video to share with all the tourists that have spent 1 day or are going to spend 1 day in Skagway. th-cam.com/video/MGFId71pXzM/w-d-xo.html I’m sure you discovered one day is not enough to really understand Skagway’s rich history and all things to see or do. When I created this video about Skagway I realized I only experienced tiny fraction of its unique history and all the fun/free things to do. Outstanding in-depth history of Skagway/Dyea and the mountain passes to Yukon Gold Rush of 1887-89 - “as good as any Ken Burns Video This video is created by someone who spent a day in Skagway and wanted to give everyone a deeper understanding of Skagway’s rich history. Took me about month to create. Enjoy, and thanks for sharing. I make educational videos for fun, non-profit, with over 300 videos. Google: “mike wick minnesota videos”
Good stuff! We just completed our first Alaska cruise (with Princess) with the same ports. Our Glacier Bay day was wet and cloudy 🌧️. Overall we had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to go back to Alaska. Our favorite excursion of the trip was the White Pass train. That was epic.
@@annettechamberlain2267 we did the train up and the bus back through Chilkoot Charters. I believe the entire day was about 3.5 hours, but I don’t remember exactly
Where there train fumes inside while you were on the train? Did the windows open. We heard that it can be uncomfortable inside. Just curious. Going on the train regardless.
Just got back from my first Alaska cruise. We went snorkeling in Ketchikan which was a huge highlight!!! In hoona, walk to the town and get a crabby Bloody Mary. We took an amazing glass covered train back to anchorage. Amazing trip. Can’t wait to go back
Was there last May,can't wait to go back this year,looking forward to Mendenhall glacier this time, so excited to show my son this beautiful part of the world,travelling from Australia
I cruised to Alaska with princess cruise and sailing through glacier Bay was extraordinary! We were so close you could appreciate the height of Marjorie glacier. I have amazing pictures of the glacier calving!
We both did Alaska cruises at the same time, albeit on different ships and one day apart. Such an amazing place. It’s too bad NCL docks so far out of town in Juneau and Ketchikan.
Awesome video, Zack. Really enjoyed it. I will be taking that trip in 2 weeks. Looking forward to the Mendenhall Glacier. Don't know that I will be able to attempt that walk to the Nuggett Falls, but will consider it;. I am already considering a second trip as there is so much to see and impossible to do it all in one trip. Don H Ocala Fl
Thank you Zach. This is the first video of yours I've seen and timing is perfect...I'm planning my first Alaska cruise for July 2024. Today I started looking at the excursions that are offered and your video helped me tremendously! I think based on your experience I'll skip the tram in Juneau and focus on seeing the glacier. Well done video.
This place is still beautiful as I remember when I was stationed at Fairbanks. Thank you again for taking out your time to share with us. Enjoy and stay safe. Amen
Hi Zach, I just stumbled on your video and let me say you did a fantastic job!! Love how you gave your honest opinion about things and also how you mentioned where others ships would dock in the different ports. But most of all loved your pictures. They were stunning especially the glaciers!! WOW just incredible. I have always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise and now I definitely will. Oh Zach what month did you go? The video was posted 2 wks ago it said but wasn’t sure when you actually went. Trying to decide the best month to go. Thks so much again for the awesome video. Keep them coming.
Look at Princess and Holland America, smaller ships than NCL and better itineraries and longer times in ports. They have been sailing Alaska the longest and really know how to do it right! Rangers come on board for enrichment talks, and if you travel in May before school is out, there will ne fewer children, and lower prices. Add a land tour if you can, have done this with a mobility limited companion, again with a wheelchair. Suggest renting a scooter on the ship, it's a long walk front to back, and wonderful to be able to get around independently!
This was an awesome video. Thanks for sharing. You should come on Carnival Luminosa Aug 1-8 this year. 7 days same ports you had in video. My husband, and I are taking 2 cousins with us to enjoy Alaska.
Nice video, really looking forward to an Alaskan cruise, leaning towards a land package combined with cruise. Really want to see Denali and more of the interior! Hopefully soon!
We sailed by the Encore while we were on the Bliss a few weeks ago. Both great ships! I love that you got to Glacier Bay, it's so pretty there, we did it on a previous Alaska cruise!
We are definitely taking the Skagway Scenic Railroad on our Alaska 2024 cruise. You mentioned preferred seating - are their some seats better than others. I ask because my son is Autistic and a huge train fan and i want him to have best seat in the house! 😆 ~ Inge 😺
If you are doing train up and back, they ask that everybody swap sides on the way back down to make it equitable. We did train up, then got off to take a shuttle bus down so we made sure we sat on the left. You can also go out on the platforms on both ends of the train car. It’s an amazing experience. Enjoy!
Ben and David (another cruise vlog) went to the very last car on the train. The view from the back deck of the train car was amazing. And they had the car to themselves.
Great video. Loved that you did an excursion video that included all the ports. You mentioned that at the ports there are tours you can get on your own. You said they were less expensive than when booked thru the cruise line. What were the costs of your excursions thru the cruiseline? I've heard they are very expensive. Yes the ship waits if you are late, but do you think its worth the extra money? I realize the prices will change year to year, even month to month, but on YOUR trip??
Most excursions are based when the cruises come into port and exist solely because of the cruises. So the chances of being left are slim. Just call them directly and book online before your cruise and tell them your cruise ship name and port times. And make sure they can get you back an hour early before departure to be safe.
I was on the last Alaska sailing of the Encore in October 2022 and we were the last (and only, that day) ship to visit Juneau for the year. So we got to dock right where the Celebrity ship was in your video. I went to Tracy's for a roll and met a local couple who were having a king crab leg blowout because it was Tracy's last day to be open until the 2023 season kicked off in April.
@@erikgrimes3621 I think some of the excursions had ended but there seemed plenty of things open. One thing of note, both in Icy Straight Point and Juneau, the gondolas were shut down due to wind and bad weather. I am also going back in October, this time on the NCL Sun. It's a 10 day cruise with longer/better port times than the 7-day trips on Encore or Bliss.
Norwegian started later than the other cruise lines with Alaska sailings so they don’t get to port where the other ships port. Always choose princess pr holland America if you want the best Alaska cruise experience.
Alaska cruising is worthy of repeating. There is SO MUCH to see and do. After 3 Alaska cruises (Royal Carribean, Celebrity and Holland America) I still have more to explore. Highly recommend a land/sea tour combo with Fairbanks and Denali National Park, plus McKinley Explorer Train.
@@timeresrch FLOCK to alaska....you are unaware of the locals feelings about all this tourism. tourism owns alaska and doesn't care in the least about the locals. and bring fat wallets - they want ALL your money and you are being gouged beyond belief!!! alaskans see tourists as pure fools. just an insider tip
Hi Zach! Love this NCL video! Thank you for covering! I’m curious to know what month did you take your cruise? We go in May and doing the Glacier Bay itinerary. Also from your experience, was there much to see in Downtown Juneau?
we were on the encore to Alaska out of Seattle the second week of May. beautiful weather. Our boarding time was 10am. we couldn’t get to the boarding area as the people departing the ship and their luggage were jammed all along the sidewalk. Once in, the check in process was great but waiting to board was awful. Big ugly warehouse with inadequate seating. People were standing or like myself sitting all over the floor. I was walking with the aid of a cane but had to be lowered to the floor for more than an hour wait. Finally boarded, we had to wait until 5pm for our stateroom to be ready. The porter told us they only work between 8 and5, something about new union rules. No turndown service unless you are in a suite. I said this is a suite, he said no, Haven Only. I’ve cruised NCL several times, first time to alaska Did they always have their own dock so far away from town? Was it a means to have their own stores or shopping area away from the downtown? I did not like the long bus rides and wait lines to be able to even start to see the ports of call. It limited our time to explore and put pressure on us to get to the bus in time to get to the ship. Another layer of stress. the ship is beautiful as your most excellent videos portray and the food and entertainment on board delightful.
Hey Zach - great video - thank you for the information! Just curious - when you got back from the Mendenhall Glacier excursion, were you able to get on the tram? Do you know if it was still open at that time? Is there still a lot of open places in the town if you wanted to walk around afterwards? I think the excursion is supposed to get back by 8pm? We're doing the 5pm Mendenhall one as well (which I think is the one you took). Thanks in advance!
I visited Mendenhall on the Alaska cruise I took with my family as a teen 16 years ago. Still looks beautiful. Not sure if my memory is off but the viewing area looks a lot more built up than when we were there. I think we just grabbed a cab round trip before our pre-booked excursion. Alaska overall is just incredible. Thanks for taking us along and sharing your awesome footage. Also love the music!
People love to complain without reason. Do what you enjoy. I've seen some people rent a car and drive the route on the road. It's cheaper if 3+ people. You'd need to check for car rentals before your trip as they can sell out their stock when cruises are in port. You don't get as close to the mountains or follow the same route. And if you don't have a passport, you can just stay in the Alaska side.
Thanks! Have booked a similar Princess itinerary for May 2024. Question: Aside from the railroad, can I visit these places on my own by foot and public transit without going on a group tour?
Does it make sense to book a specialty dinner during the Glacier Bay day on Norwegian Encore? Or are the best parts to see around dinner time and may not make sense to book a dinner then?
It would actually be a great day to book specialty dining because you’ll be out of Glacier Bay by 1 or 2 in the afternoon and well on your way to Ketchikan by dinner time.
My husband and I were considering a cruise to Alaska for our 50th anniversary. The massive crowds and the long waits have changed our minds. He can’t walk very far so we would probably stay on the ship. A friend took a NCL cruise in May and said it was packed. Long waits for elevators on the ship. Hard to find seats in the buffet areas. No thank you! We live in Idaho, so snow-covered mountains are nothing new to us.
I would encourage YOU to do homework. There are other cruise lines (Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean) who get downtown dock preferential concessions that make it easier to actually experience Ketchikan, its attractions, museums, shops, totems - all within 1-mile radius. And of course tours, flightseeing, fishing charters departing nearby. The BUS offers free shuttle connects that 1 mile from The Plaza to Totem Heritage Center - including Historic Creek Street and Waterfront Boardwalk.
I'd recommend that you take a small ship cruise like Alaskan Dream Cruises or Seaborn. ADC doesn't have elevators but it's a maximum of 49 passengers. Seaborn is more around 400-600 and has elevators.
I am planning Alaska for 2026.. I have a big Eastern Med cruise next year on MSC assuming it does not get canceled as we have a stop in Israel. Then QM2 in 2025.
We did the exact same NCL cruise in July. It was on our bucket list and we enjoyed it. You didn't miss much on the Juneau tram ride. The line was long getting on the tram from the bottom to the top but the line from the top to get back to the bottom seemed even longer. The walk you took into Juneau as no stroll. We took that walk back to the ship and it was an good workout 😅.
Only bad thing about booking these other excursions in Port is your boat WILL NOT wait for you if you’re not back in time unless you book through NCL or another cruise line
I did the train ride and summit bus ride 7/5/23 and no proof of vaccination was needed that day or at any point on the NCL Encore Alaskan cruise. Do bring your passport with you.
I loved this video! Thank you for sharing your experience in Alaska, Zach! I am going to 7nights Alaska Cruise with Disney. The most interesting thing that you showed in this video was about the bus to get to the Mendenhall Glacier. I booked one of the excursions with Disney, which is basically only a transportation to go to the Glacier and bus back to the port. I heard they will give us 90min to 120mins to take the return bus. It’s $65. So I was just wondering the tour counter offers the transport to the Glacier with $45, it would be better! Did you have a flexible time at the glacier? Can you take any bus back at any time you want? Thank you in advance!!
FABULOUS VIDEO! We did the same route and just got home on 4 JULY. Loved it. Thanks for sharing your world class recording! Just beautiful!!!!
Awesome! Thank you!
6:46
That’s me in the gray by the guy with the red hat!!
What an enjoyable video....the narration, the music, the editing. Fantastic!
Thanks, I really appreciate that!
Last time I was there was 8 years ago already. Saw a couple of bears right next to the road in the middle of town. Was a very beautiful place and will go again hopefully.
Thanks for sharing!
Great video Zach. I'm heading to Alaska on Princess next May. Appreciate the beautiful preview. 👍
Hope you enjoy it!
This is the exact cruise I will be taking this coming April! I'm so excited to finally getting to Alaska. A lifelong dream come true. Thank you for showing us the ship and for showing the excursions that will be available.
The totem poles in Ketchikan weren't actually left behind; the park was made through the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Great Depression. It was one of the few national projects that was integrated and included both Native and non-Native personnel. We are still here and still make totems!
Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks for sharing this information.
Cherish your culture and heritage but please stop thinking along divisive cultural lines, we versus they. Hawaiians do this as well. We all Americans.
The issue becomes are you 100%, 50%, 25% or how much? What makes a native then. 1%?????? Or does one identify as a cat and therefore you are a cat.
@@allanfarr Wow. You can be both and it doesn’t take away from either. And the poster is right - he said “left behind” which isn’t correct. The people and culture are still very much there and making totems. Your comment is uninformed.
Thank you for sharing! Love those Alaska views!
Thanks for the lift! 😉 🚢
Alaska is so breathtaking! The Glaciers are beautiful! Great video Zach, take care...
It really is!
I'm doing a short 7 day Alaska Mid-June 2024. NCL Bliss only stays there from 7:00 to 1:30, so I'm just doing the Glacier at Juneau. I'm going to move fast to get to the falls.
Glacier Bay is dramatic in the drizzle but absolutely spectacular on a clear day and I'm so happy that you experienced the latter! It took me 4 cruises before I did, sigh, but worth the wait.
We just did our first Alaska cruise last week of June. Each day was amazing weather except Glacier Bay 😢. Was raining and cloudy. We will definitely try again.
I totally agree!
If you were impressed with Glacier Bay, you definitely need to visit Hubbard Glacier. We visited in on Celebrity Millennium on our first ever cruise and I gotta tell you… my jaw dropped when I opened my window in the morning and all I saw was a wall of blue ice! Absolutely breathtaking!
Then you where up late if you only woke up with the glacier in front of you
Fantastic vlog, you gave a great insight into the excursions that can be done.Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
You can walk from downtown Juneau to the trailhead on the backside of the tram, then hike 1.5-2 miles to the top. You have to buy $20 worth of stuff (or restaurant for $20) to take the tram down.
It was much shorter line coming down and we got a workout.
If you take a small ship cruise like Alaskan Dream Cruises, you park right in the middle of downtown Juneau. No shuttle or long walk required in Juneau, Sitka, or Ketchikan. And the Mendenhall Glacier tour was included in the package. The whole cruise is within Alaska so no days wasted at sea between Vancouver and Ketchikan. No passport required.
I'm doing the ncl cruise in August. I can't wait it's going to be my first cruise.
Have a great time!
Thanks for the very informative video. It was very helpful that you mentioned where the different cruise lines docked. We are going on NCL next spring. It’s good to know about all the bus transfers needed with NCL. I didn’t know about Ward Cove and the 20 minute ride into town. Thanks!
Just came home from a Alaskan cruise Monday it was amazing Alaska I miss u🚢💛😍🥺
I have always thought of a cruise vacation as something paired with a tropical climate, beaches and summer activities. But your visit is making me reconsider Alaska! Aspirational vacation for me as I’m in Australia! I love how you make every viewer feel like they are your newest best buddy and you can’t wait to tell us about how much you enjoy the places you visit.
You definitely should! And thank you for that great compliment.
Thank you so much Zach for your wonderful, well thought out video. It was so relaxing to watch and has heightened my enthusiasm for our same trip in September. I’ve only recently found your videos and really appreciate your honest reviews whilst staying positive and kind. Your mannerisms are just gorgeous and create a positive experience even when things aren’t up to scratch.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words and am glad you enjoyed the videos.
I've been on the fence about going to Alaska next year but you sold me with this beautiful video!!!
You should! Have a great time.
Loved this video, Zach! One of my favourite ever ports is Skagway, so this was so lovely to see - you've successfully brought back some awesome memories!
Glad you enjoyed it! I loved Skagway, it was definitely my favorite port of this entire trip. I can't wait to go back!
Hopefully one day I'll be able to take my first Alaskan cruise...been to Alaska through the pass from the Yukon, but would like to see the glaciers from a ship. An amazing experience and look forward to seeing more. Bruce and Otis
I made a video to share with all the tourists that have spent 1 day or are going to spend 1 day in Skagway. th-cam.com/video/MGFId71pXzM/w-d-xo.html I’m sure you discovered one day is not enough to really understand Skagway’s rich history and all things to see or do. When I created this video about Skagway I realized I only experienced tiny fraction of its unique history and all the fun/free things to do.
Outstanding in-depth history of Skagway/Dyea and the mountain passes to Yukon Gold Rush of 1887-89 - “as good as any Ken Burns Video
This video is created by someone who spent a day in Skagway and wanted to give everyone a deeper understanding of Skagway’s rich history. Took me about month to create. Enjoy, and thanks for sharing. I make educational videos for fun, non-profit, with over 300 videos. Google: “mike wick minnesota videos”
Alaska is so beautiful. I am indeed inspired to visit. 😊 Thank you!
Thanks Zach! That was a really nice video!
Glad you liked it!
We are going on our first cruise in June 2024 to the same ports, sailing on RC. Thanks for the great video showing us what we have to look forward to!
Good stuff! We just completed our first Alaska cruise (with Princess) with the same ports. Our Glacier Bay day was wet and cloudy 🌧️. Overall we had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to go back to Alaska. Our favorite excursion of the trip was the White Pass train. That was epic.
Glad you enjoyed!
How long is the train ride?
@@annettechamberlain2267 we did the train up and the bus back through Chilkoot Charters. I believe the entire day was about 3.5 hours, but I don’t remember exactly
Thank you!
Where there train fumes inside while you were on the train? Did the windows open. We heard that it can be uncomfortable inside. Just curious. Going on the train regardless.
Just got back from my first Alaska cruise. We went snorkeling in Ketchikan which was a huge highlight!!! In hoona, walk to the town and get a crabby Bloody Mary. We took an amazing glass covered train back to anchorage. Amazing trip. Can’t wait to go back
Fantástico yo voy en princess cruise a Alaska en Junio excelente video. Gracias
Have a great time!
We're taking our first cruise (Princess Discovery) to Alaska in May 2024. We're so excited!
So will my husband and I! We’re on the May 11th sailing. First time to Alaska & Princess. So excited!
Was there last May,can't wait to go back this year,looking forward to Mendenhall glacier this time, so excited to show my son this beautiful part of the world,travelling from Australia
I cruised to Alaska with princess cruise and sailing through glacier Bay was extraordinary! We were so close you could appreciate the height of Marjorie glacier. I have amazing pictures of the glacier calving!
I will be sailing on The Sapphire Princess in September to Alaska for 10 days next year. I got a great deal on a balcony cabin for $450.
We both did Alaska cruises at the same time, albeit on different ships and one day apart. Such an amazing place. It’s too bad NCL docks so far out of town in Juneau and Ketchikan.
I toured The Gold Belt Tram, The White Pass and Yukon Railway and Totem Bight Park on my Oct. 2023 Alaska trip on the Encore.
Awesome video, Zack. Really enjoyed it. I will be taking that trip in 2 weeks. Looking forward to the Mendenhall Glacier. Don't know that I will be able to attempt that walk to the Nuggett Falls, but will consider it;. I am already considering a second trip as there is so much to see and impossible to do it all in one trip. Don H Ocala Fl
Loved that you included time lines, honest opinions, public bathrooms 😂 they are a must at my age. This video was so well done I subscribed!
Glad you enjoyed!
Celebrity solstice was an awesome ship, especially traveling through the fjords.
What time of year did you go? I'm on the Solstice on the 19th of May next year. Looking forward to the beautiful scenery.
Thank you Zach. This is the first video of yours I've seen and timing is perfect...I'm planning my first Alaska cruise for July 2024. Today I started looking at the excursions that are offered and your video helped me tremendously! I think based on your experience I'll skip the tram in Juneau and focus on seeing the glacier. Well done video.
Hope you have a great time!
Very nice video, Zach...Thank You so much for sharing!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This place is still beautiful as I remember when I was stationed at Fairbanks. Thank you again for taking out your time to share with us. Enjoy and stay safe. Amen
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi Zach, I just stumbled on your video and let me say you did a fantastic job!! Love how you gave your honest opinion about things and also how you mentioned where others ships would dock in the different ports. But most of all loved your pictures. They were stunning especially the glaciers!! WOW just incredible. I have always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise and now I definitely will. Oh Zach what month did you go? The video was posted 2 wks ago it said but wasn’t sure when you actually went. Trying to decide the best month to go. Thks so much again for the awesome video. Keep them coming.
Hi Diane, thank you so much! I went to Alaska the first week of June this year (actually the week of Memorial Day) and absolutely enjoyed it.
I loved it. I'm looking forward to go, sometime.
Look at Princess and Holland America, smaller ships than NCL and better itineraries and longer times in ports. They have been sailing Alaska the longest and really know how to do it right! Rangers come on board for enrichment talks, and if you travel in May before school is out, there will ne fewer children, and lower prices. Add a land tour if you can, have done this with a mobility limited companion, again with a wheelchair. Suggest renting a scooter on the ship, it's a long walk front to back, and wonderful to be able to get around independently!
This was an awesome video. Thanks for sharing. You should come on Carnival Luminosa Aug 1-8 this year. 7 days same ports you had in video. My husband, and I are taking 2 cousins with us to enjoy Alaska.
Nice video, really looking forward to an Alaskan cruise, leaning towards a land package combined with cruise. Really want to see Denali and more of the interior! Hopefully soon!
We sailed by the Encore while we were on the Bliss a few weeks ago. Both great ships! I love that you got to Glacier Bay, it's so pretty there, we did it on a previous Alaska cruise!
GREAT! Loved the camera work.
Thank you very much!
We are definitely taking the Skagway Scenic Railroad on our Alaska 2024 cruise. You mentioned preferred seating - are their some seats better than others. I ask because my son is Autistic and a huge train fan and i want him to have best seat in the house! 😆
~ Inge 😺
Left side on way up
@@brantthompson199 Thank you!
If you are doing train up and back, they ask that everybody swap sides on the way back down to make it equitable. We did train up, then got off to take a shuttle bus down so we made sure we sat on the left. You can also go out on the platforms on both ends of the train car. It’s an amazing experience. Enjoy!
@@brantthompson199 Thank you!!
Ben and David (another cruise vlog) went to the very last car on the train. The view from the back deck of the train car was amazing. And they had the car to themselves.
How was your experience with the shuttle bus into Ketchikan? Lots of people say it’s not organized
Thank you for sharing your adventures ❤We are taking this very cruise in September! We have great things to look forward to seeing and doing!
Hope you enjoy it!
What month were you there? I'm going October 2023 and wondering how the weather would be in October? Thx for the video
I can't imagine doing 2 excursions in one day. I always feel flustered and anxious over time,Transportation and crowd. Lol
Zach, what month was this?
I did the same cruise a few years back i might do it again in oct
October is good months to go?
Fantastic ! thank you im going in October hope its not too cold
Hope you enjoy it!
Hey Zac, I'm really struggling to choose between Princess and HAL to cruise Alaska. Would love your comparisons on both lines!!
Very good, and thank you! But, one thing, who was that chap giving commentary at Glacier Bay--I didn't recognize him.
We are on the same trip at end of April. Would you mind letting me know when you travelled to Alaska please?
OMG the wind noise at 11:35 almost blew my speakers and ear drums, other than that, informative video.
Great video. Loved that you did an excursion video that included all the ports. You mentioned that at the ports there are tours you can get on your own. You said they were less expensive than when booked thru the cruise line. What were the costs of your excursions thru the cruiseline? I've heard they are very expensive. Yes the ship waits if you are late, but do you think its worth the extra money? I realize the prices will change year to year, even month to month, but on YOUR trip??
Most excursions are based when the cruises come into port and exist solely because of the cruises. So the chances of being left are slim.
Just call them directly and book online before your cruise and tell them your cruise ship name and port times. And make sure they can get you back an hour early before departure to be safe.
I was on the last Alaska sailing of the Encore in October 2022 and we were the last (and only, that day) ship to visit Juneau for the year. So we got to dock right where the Celebrity ship was in your video. I went to Tracy's for a roll and met a local couple who were having a king crab leg blowout because it was Tracy's last day to be open until the 2023 season kicked off in April.
How cool!
we will be going in oct this year,was everything open in the ports still or were they mostly closed for the season?
@@erikgrimes3621 I think some of the excursions had ended but there seemed plenty of things open. One thing of note, both in Icy Straight Point and Juneau, the gondolas were shut down due to wind and bad weather. I am also going back in October, this time on the NCL Sun. It's a 10 day cruise with longer/better port times than the 7-day trips on Encore or Bliss.
Norwegian started later than the other cruise lines with Alaska sailings so they don’t get to port where the other ships port. Always choose princess pr holland America if you want the best Alaska cruise experience.
Very helpful footage to help me plan.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Zac, great footage, could you please let me know the name of music behind this video, cheers Neil Jones
Alaska cruising is worthy of repeating. There is SO MUCH to see and do. After 3 Alaska cruises (Royal Carribean, Celebrity and Holland America) I still have more to explore. Highly recommend a land/sea tour combo with Fairbanks and Denali National Park, plus McKinley Explorer Train.
Ice, bears (maybe), seals, Indian carvings on logs! Yes there's so much! Mountains too!
@@timeresrch FLOCK to alaska....you are unaware of the locals feelings about all this tourism. tourism owns alaska and doesn't care in the least about the locals. and bring fat wallets - they want ALL your money and you are being gouged beyond belief!!! alaskans see tourists as pure fools. just an insider tip
Great video! What month did you go? Thank you :)
Hi Zach! Love this NCL video! Thank you for covering! I’m curious to know what month did you take your cruise? We go in May and doing the Glacier Bay itinerary. Also from your experience, was there much to see in Downtown Juneau?
Late May/early June. There was plenty to see in downtown Juneau - lots of little shops and such. Have a great time!
Hello, I'm watching this much after the fact but what month was your cruise?
we were on the encore to Alaska out of Seattle the second week of May. beautiful weather. Our boarding time was 10am. we couldn’t get to the boarding area as the people departing the ship and their luggage were jammed all along the sidewalk. Once in, the check in process was great but waiting to board was awful. Big ugly warehouse with inadequate seating. People were standing or like myself sitting all over the floor. I was walking with the aid of a cane but had to be lowered to the floor for more than an hour wait. Finally boarded, we had to wait until 5pm for our stateroom to be ready. The porter told us they only work between 8 and5, something about new union rules. No turndown service unless you are in a suite. I said this is a suite, he said no, Haven Only. I’ve cruised NCL several times, first time to alaska Did they always have their own dock so far away from town? Was it a means to have their own stores or shopping area away from the downtown? I did not like the long bus rides and wait lines to be able to even start to see the ports of call. It limited our time to explore and put pressure on us to get to the bus in time to get to the ship. Another layer of stress. the ship is beautiful as your most excellent videos portray and the food and entertainment on board delightful.
Hey Zach - great video - thank you for the information! Just curious - when you got back from the Mendenhall Glacier excursion, were you able to get on the tram? Do you know if it was still open at that time? Is there still a lot of open places in the town if you wanted to walk around afterwards? I think the excursion is supposed to get back by 8pm? We're doing the 5pm Mendenhall one as well (which I think is the one you took). Thanks in advance!
I don’t think it was still open as it was close to sail time when we returned from Mendenhall.
@@ZachtheTravelingMan got it thanks!
Thanks for watching, Corey!
I visited Mendenhall on the Alaska cruise I took with my family as a teen 16 years ago. Still looks beautiful. Not sure if my memory is off but the viewing area looks a lot more built up than when we were there. I think we just grabbed a cab round trip before our pre-booked excursion.
Alaska overall is just incredible. Thanks for taking us along and sharing your awesome footage. Also love the music!
Thank you!
We are planning an August trip for this year. What month did you take this cruise?
What time of year was your tour? Date? Thx
Did you book the excursions yourself?. Or through the cruisd line. Im doing 9 day alaska on norwegian sun in july
What month was this tour?
Hi, did it takes a long time to get off the boat in each step ?
Did you enjoy the white pass railway? Some people say they loved it while other people say it’s overrated.
I loved it!
People love to complain without reason. Do what you enjoy.
I've seen some people rent a car and drive the route on the road. It's cheaper if 3+ people. You'd need to check for car rentals before your trip as they can sell out their stock when cruises are in port. You don't get as close to the mountains or follow the same route. And if you don't have a passport, you can just stay in the Alaska side.
What time of year was the video made? We are planning October 2024. Thanks for the video! 🤩
Early June 2023
Thanks! Have booked a similar Princess itinerary for May 2024. Question: Aside from the railroad, can I visit these places on my own by foot and public transit without going on a group tour?
Yes, absolutely.
What month did you go on this cruise. Want to go and explore Alaska. Thank you for the nice video.
Early June.
What time of year did you travel.?
I wish Alaska you tubers would say the month they are there. Would help to get an idea of gear, clothes etc.
May
What month were you there?
Does it make sense to book a specialty dinner during the Glacier Bay day on Norwegian Encore? Or are the best parts to see around dinner time and may not make sense to book a dinner then?
It would actually be a great day to book specialty dining because you’ll be out of Glacier Bay by 1 or 2 in the afternoon and well on your way to Ketchikan by dinner time.
My husband and I were considering a cruise to Alaska for our 50th anniversary. The massive crowds and the long waits have changed our minds. He can’t walk very far so we would probably stay on the ship. A friend took a NCL cruise in May and said it was packed. Long waits for elevators on the ship. Hard to find seats in the buffet areas. No thank you! We live in Idaho, so snow-covered mountains are nothing new to us.
I would encourage YOU to do homework. There are other cruise lines (Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean) who get downtown dock preferential concessions that make it easier to actually experience Ketchikan, its attractions, museums, shops, totems - all within 1-mile radius. And of course tours, flightseeing, fishing charters departing nearby. The BUS offers free shuttle connects that 1 mile from The Plaza to Totem Heritage Center - including Historic Creek Street and Waterfront Boardwalk.
I'd recommend that you take a small ship cruise like Alaskan Dream Cruises or Seaborn. ADC doesn't have elevators but it's a maximum of 49 passengers. Seaborn is more around 400-600 and has elevators.
I am planning Alaska for 2026.. I have a big Eastern Med cruise next year on MSC assuming it does not get canceled as we have a stop in Israel. Then QM2 in 2025.
We did the exact same NCL cruise in July. It was on our bucket list and we enjoyed it. You didn't miss much on the Juneau tram ride. The line was long getting on the tram from the bottom to the top but the line from the top to get back to the bottom seemed even longer. The walk you took into Juneau as no stroll. We took that walk back to the ship and it was an good workout 😅.
I once rode a motor scooter
Did you book all the excursions through the ship? Can you share what each cost please? I’m going next April with 2 adults and 2 kids.
All are expensive so choose wisely. Generally, well done.
Only bad thing about booking these other excursions in Port is your boat WILL NOT wait for you if you’re not back in time unless you book through NCL or another cruise line
Where’s the Victoria video?
What month did you go? And do you recommend the cruise line?
June
Hey Zack on the train did you have to show proof of vaccination when entering Canada?
I did the train ride and summit bus ride 7/5/23 and no proof of vaccination was needed that day or at any point on the NCL Encore Alaskan cruise. Do bring your passport with you.
No as you don’t go through any border control.
What time of year would you suggest to go?
I went in late May/early June and thought that was a great time to go.
is it cheaper just to buy tickets for the tram there?
I think it was the same price.
It's $50 round-trip from the bottom and only $20 one-way from the top of you hike up. It's only about 1.5-2 miles.
@@tacrewgirl thanks for the info. I'll be with my pregnant wife so no to hiking up 🤪
I loved this video! Thank you for sharing your experience in Alaska, Zach! I am going to 7nights Alaska Cruise with Disney. The most interesting thing that you showed in this video was about the bus to get to the Mendenhall Glacier. I booked one of the excursions with Disney, which is basically only a transportation to go to the Glacier and bus back to the port. I heard they will give us 90min to 120mins to take the return bus. It’s $65.
So I was just wondering the tour counter offers the transport to the Glacier with $45, it would be better! Did you have a flexible time at the glacier? Can you take any bus back at any time you want?
Thank you in advance!!
No we had to stay there the full 2 hours until the bus can back for us.
Thank you for your account of your trip. I'm taking this cruise in June!
Hope you enjoy it!
Did that boat take you on a worthless trip to Victoria, Canada like it did us? What a waste! Loved EVERYTHING else.
Haha yeah. They have to stop at one international port so it’s unfortunate they stop there for just a few hours to satisfy that requirement.
I wish all of you TH-camrs would say the month you are traveling.
All of you? Just one in this video. Late May/early June.
@ I meant “all of you” not talking just about your video, but others too. Nobody says the month they travel to Alaska. I did really enjoy your video!
What time of year ddid you go and what cruise line.. ?
Late May into early June. Norwegian.