Alaskan Cruise - what the heck do i do?

Lunch on the deck at the Coastal International (RedPatti and Jeff stayed there) or at the Millennium Hotel is a MUST! They both overlook Hood Lake, WORLD'S (yes!) busiest seaplane lake. Sit outside and watch the float planes take off and land. I did exactly that today at the Coastal and had a beautiful salad with king crab......truly Alaskan!

quote:

Originally posted by signman

What ship are you on?

Island Princess

quote:

Originally posted by Voyageur

I think that you have a fantastic vacation planned. It's not too long at all.

Unlike so many vacations, your time is designed in such a way that you and your mom can do as much or as little as you wish many days. You won't have to be constantly checking in and checking out of hotels.

You'll also have the insurance of a night in Vancouver before your trip. Too many people expect everything to go perfectly and plan flights that arrive a few hours before cruise departure and then have to buy an expensive last-minute ticket to the first cruise stop when they miss the connection--all too easy to do in these days of routine flight delays.

I lived in Vancouver, but you sound like old Vancouver hands, so won't lay on any advice, unless you have specific questions.

Have a wonderful time.

After I find out where we are staying, I may need to know more about the location.

quote:

Originally posted by lleechef

Lunch on the deck at the Coastal International (RedPatti and Jeff stayed there) or at the Millennium Hotel is a MUST! They both overlook Hood Lake, WORLD'S (yes!) busiest seaplane lake. Sit outside and watch the float planes take off and land. I did exactly that today at the Coastal and had a beautiful salad with king crab......truly Alaskan!

In which city???

Elise,

My wife & I cruised AK last year. We loved the Alaska Bear Adventure on Taquan Air. I call it the best shore excursion, ever.

http://www.taquanair.com/pages/tours_alaskabear.htm

DavyD is right about Vancouver. So much to see there and excellent Thai & Indian food. Don't miss the gelato at La Casa Gelato, 218 flavors daily.



Jim

quote:

Originally posted by EliseT

quote:

Originally posted by lleechef

Lunch on the deck at the Coastal International (RedPatti and Jeff stayed there) or at the Millennium Hotel is a MUST! They both overlook Hood Lake, WORLD'S (yes!) busiest seaplane lake. Sit outside and watch the float planes take off and land. I did exactly that today at the Coastal and had a beautiful salad with king crab......truly Alaskan!

In which city???

Anchorage! About 1/2 mile from the International Airport and 1 mile from where I live!

I have visited Skagway, taken the White Pass train (the one you call the scary one) Stayed at the Skagway Hotel which was an ex-brothel and visited a lot of the Yukon and a bit of Alaska and though the food didn't really stand out in my mind although it has been over 10 years since my last trip up, I thought it was good. Don't shy away from any of the fish, moose or buffalo, I thought the caribou ribs were a bit gamey, but that could just be me.
The thing I will take away from my trips up there is the people. They are very friendly and will do everything they can to make you feel at home. When you get home you might think about the great salmon steak or the cinnamon bun the size of a dinner plate, but I think it will be the feeling you get while you are there that will make you want to go back. Thank your mom she is doing you a great favor to include you in the trip of a life time.

My husband, daughter and husband, son and wife, and I took the Star Princess out of Seattle this past May. Stops were Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria. We took a horse-drawn trolley in Ketchikan to see the town, rode the White Pass Railway in Skagway (drop-dead beautiful sights), and did a fishing excursion in Juneau. We have friends in Juneau who own a charter fishing boat, and I highly recommend it. They took us out to see whales (a mother and baby)and eagles (12-15 flying over the boat once) before we fished. My son-in-law caught a 25+ lb. wild King salmon, which they had shipped home and are enjoying right now! The website is http://www.lostinalaskaadventures.com/ My son and wife took the 7-8 hour bus ride into the Yukon and loved it; they were able to stop several times for photo ops. Also, daughter and husband did a zipline in Ketchikan, I believe.
As far as food, the ship's food was delicious - salmon, King crab legs, other fresh fish, as well as sinfully delicious desserts. We didn't really eat road food but picked up some snacks along the way at local shops in the towns. We had no rain, perfect weather, and I wish the same for you!

A couple of years ago I did this type of trip with my kid - he was only 13 - but still enjoyed it. In Skagway we decided not to do the railway and rented a car (suggesion from cruisecritic.com) and drove into the Yukon. Hard to get lost. The scenery was breathtaking and we could stop where and when we wanted. Took lots of pictures, walked to a waterfall, saw a couple of bears by the road. I can't remember the town name but there was an Emerald Lake and a bakery that had the best sticky buns that I ever ate. We took about 6-7 hours. Cheaper than the train and probably one of the best days. If you have time in Juneau you can do a tour of the brewery - again we rented a car for the day and saw areas tourists usually didn't. Cruisecritic is a great resource. Also we got a coupon book for 2-1 stuff - tours, restaurants, lodging. THe book was expensive for coupons - $50-$75 but we took a seaplane ride in Misty Fjiords that paid for the book. Also went rafting and a helicopter ride with coupons. Sold the rest on ebay. May want to check there to get one. Do lots of homework and you'll have a better trip.
Sue

Just ran across this link to [url='http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-there-to-do-while-visiting-fairbanks-alaska.htm']Fairbanks[/url]; I can't verify it, but it might be of interest. Wish I could go back!

Rick F, you and your lovely wife are welcome to come back to AK and be our guests ANY time you want!

I have a funny memory of Fairbanks. First of all, there's nothing there. We drove through it on our way to the Arctic Ocean. But there was this woman camping next to us and every time I saw her she was wearing WHITE GLOVES. Looked like she was waiting for High Tea to be served.

quote:

In Skagway we decided not to do the railway and rented a car . . . and drove into the Yukon.

If you do this drive in Canada, be sure to take along your passports or other proof of citizenship (a drivers license alone is NOT proof of citizenship). And, of course, for your flights into and out of Canada, your passports are absolutely required now.

We drove the Alcan out of Alaska, through Canada and down to California a few years ago. We (of course) had passports. The Canadian folks at the border could have cared less. Briefly glanced at our passports and probably figured that a couple of old folks like us driving a 95' Dodge Dakota with a SKAMPER on the back were pretty harmless. The only thing they asked us was "Do you have any liquor?" To which we replied that yes, I think we had some vodka. They never asked to see anything and we were on our way. We did take pepper spray for bears (not permitted to drive through Canada with firearms) but never had to use it.

I have never done a cruise since we have a boat and a camper and live in AK but I have only heard GOOD things about them.

I'm on the cruise. we stop in Ketchican in the morn and will look up the brewpub!

I went to The Elbow Room in Vancouver that someone here recommended - the burgers were amazing and service was a hoot! As usual, it will be over at kikimaraschino's blog before it gets up here.

more later.

Lisa, I hope you will be calling!!!

e

ET
Keep us posted here on your adventures in the Great White North!!

Check your Roadfood Email for a note from me.
AL

Just came back on Norwegian cruise. Make sure you do the Skagway White Pass Railroad. I suggest take the extended that takes you up the Klondike Highway and take the train down. Also the totem pole Totem Bight is ok. Make sure you do the Rainforest in Juneau, it is awesome as is the ride up the mountain in a golf cart.

I recently returned from my 12,000 mile solo motorcycle trip to the Arctic in Northwest Territories and Alaska. Some food pics at www.exurban.smugmug.com but you'll have to wade through some scenery. In Talkeetna across from the Roadhouse is Mountain High Pizza that has very good pizza. Had a slice of smoked salmon and one reindeer sausage. Cinnamon roll at Roadhouse was the best of the trip, and I had many.

quote:

Originally posted by RC51Mike

I recently returned from my 12,000 mile solo motorcycle trip to the Arctic in Northwest Territories and Alaska. Some food pics at www.exurban.smugmug.com but you'll have to wade through some scenery. In Talkeetna across from the Roadhouse is Mountain High Pizza that has very good pizza. Had a slice of smoked salmon and one reindeer sausage. Cinnamon roll at Roadhouse was the best of the trip, and I had many.

Wow! Your trip and photos were fabulous! We leave for Anchorage on Sat (8/16) where we pick up a rented RV for 10 days. I can hardly wait. We will visit Seward, Homer, and the Palmer area including the Alaska state fair. I hope we have a few sunny days like you did.
Allison

Thanks. You also have to stop in Hope slightly out of the way heading toward Seward. Besides the Seaview, the Discovery Cafe is good for breakfast and I had the incredible smoked salmon chowder at a little place on the way into town, Bear Creek Lodge I think, that had a bunch of log cabins. If you have an RV, right in Hope you can camp next to the Seaview.

Hi all!

Wow, how much beauty can one pair of eyes stand? Saw bwluga whales, orcas and humpbacks!

Best food so far were Burger Queen in Ketchikan and gigantic crab legs here at the Princess Denali lodge where we are now. I think I am trapped in this little resort, thoguh there are food choices here and across the street.

Then we have one more stop before Anchorage...I'm too lseepy to remember the name...(Not Fairbanks)...it's another princess property south of here.

I'm exhausted, taking tomorrow off. Connection is SLOW>

If you know of spots in denali, uhh, (the next place) and anchorage, let me know!

hey,this is kind of cool..we're sort of on the trip with you,,,,hope I don't get see sick....have a great time..enjoy that next stop!

Waiting on the next post. Thanks for taking the time to share with us. We leave in 9 months.

Between Denali and Anchorage is Talkeetna. There is a very nice lodge outside of town the cruise tour busses stop. Food was OK at the lodge but we made a point to walk into Talkeetna for all our meals but one. As I remember it was about a mile walk but enjoyable. I would guess there might have been transportation available but we did not partake to find out. Talkeetna is where to Mt. McKinley climbers base themselves. It was the inspiration for the TV show, Northern Exposure, that was actually filmed in the state of Washington.

Ok the place to go in Denali is across from the Princess Lodge. It's called the Salmon Cooker. Photos forthcoming. Great fish and chips, burgers, chowder, pie. At night it becomes a crazy alaskan saloon.

In Talkeeta, there are many cool places. the pizza joint is killers, and The Rib Burger had a huge burer with "fat ass sauce" comprised of sour cream, bacon and jalapenos. they also have an ice axe ale made exclusively for them that you can't get anywhere else. Tomorrow I go back into town for 14-inch pancakes.

Talkeetna was the coolest little town. definitely where I'd settle down if I ran away to Alaska. Watch for the reports over in the trip report thread!!!

I figured that I would dust off this old chestnut as I will be heading to Alaska on a cruise this September.  I will be stopping at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka.  Does anyone have any updates to add about roadfood in these places?

 Wow, It's too bad that I didn't get to this thread til it was too late. I would have suggested a few places that I have been to here in the MATSU Valley. Top Dog being on of my favorite places to get a Vienna dog, Chicago style (of course.) Located on the Parks Hwy. heading west out of Wasilla. Matsu Family Restaurant is a good place to stop for breakfast. The food is good and the prices are comparable to other places in town. (somewhat more expensive by lower 48 prices) Remember, every thing up here has to get shipped in from the lower 48. The wait on weekends can be very long so they are taking over the space next door so that they can seat 100 more people.

Hope this helps other people visiting Alaska in the future.

David O.

Just got back from a similar cruise last week. Couple highlights:
-Alaskan Brewery in Juneau. Didn't go on the tour but did the tasting and peaked around. Huge fan of their smoked porter.
-'Fry Days' halibut and fries stand. By the hardware store about a half mile away from the brewery in Juneau. Your only choice is 4 or 5 pieces. Great fried fish from a nice local stand....a nice break in the middle of cruise life. 
-We rented a car in skagway and drove into the yukon... similar to the route of the train but you get to go to cindys cinnamon buns (mentioned by someone else above) and scarf down their not overly sweet delicious buns (as well as go slightly off road to an abandoned mining town).

Was a total blast.