This was my second time to AK.

Did Lairsville the first time and it was most enjoyable. So that's why I booked it.

Deadliest Catch was very nice. It was worth the money.

And it being my grandson's first time and probably his only time to make that trip, everything was great for him.

But, if I had been physically able to and had the bucks: the helicopter ride to the glacier that included a dog sled ride should be a MUST on ones list. BUT it costs like $599 per person. And a precious couple we met up with were so disappointed cause the weather caused their excursion to be cancelled. My doctor, who was on another cruise, but same flight going home, said they did manage to get theirs in and it was well worth the bucks.

Plus the zip line is another BIGGIE. There are several ports that have them, but the one that I heard most talk about was the one with the 7 levels. $199 per person. My doctor also did that one.

And may I highly recommend a mini suite. I lucked up on a special and an upgrade thru my travel agent. Loved loved loved and so enjoyed the mini suite. We used every inch.

Plus we were treated with fresh fruit of our choice and cookies from the International Cafe. Cookies were in our room nightly. That is if you go on the Golden Princess.

Ask away while it is all fresh on my mind.

And a suggestion if you have grandkids: anytime dining

It is seated dining, but not early or late. Same menu!

And grandson enjoyed the tram ride in Juneau. He also did a hike on the trail and into the snow, which he loved.

You can buy the tickets for that after you dock, as they say sometimes the weather with the fog, you don't get to experience the beauty up and down the tram.

Think it was $29 per person.

Great! Just what I wanted...Didn't book heli/glacier as I walked on glaciers first time, and wouldn't get caught dead on a heli - scared to death - 747 is my idea of flying, and that with white knuckles. Glad to hear ship worth $$ Waaay too old for a zipline, but DD & her friend have same one booked. Going HA & have upgrade balc. In Denal (I think) going to dog breeder & ride. Hubby not able...I'll probably end up in the snow! Was wondering about your upgrade & wanting to know if you got tour you were waitlisted for?? Ummm on cookies - I'll be xtra nice to crew & maybe they'll take pity on me and feed me cookies? Did you bring enuf layers is next ? Your (cute) GS looked frozen in photos :-) Not sure what to pack - my usual delimna
Mim

I heard several people that did the dog breeder and ride, and they loved the experience but I looked and looked and it and just didn't think it would be that much fun in comparison to the real glacier dog sled ride.

I did get the salmon fishing excursion, but opted out of it.

The Deadliest Catch cruise, has heaters over you, so you weren't cold, but to tell you the truth, on land it wasn't cold and by the time you go the weather should be perfect. I went in July last time.

No heavy coat. Glacier Bay was cold when you were moving, and nite time on the open deck for the movies at 10:00 was cold. But lots were in the hot tub to watch the movie. Didn't take my swimsuit, gs did, but he didn't get in any of them.

On the Deadliest Catch, they have coats for you to put on.
Lairsville, it was damp, but not cold. Be sure and get on the deck and no on the upper level on the boat.

I did layer at night to sit on the open deck.

Used my raincoat lots, not due to the rain, but it was heavy enough to protect me from the wind, plus I had a jacket, light weight on underneath, plus long sleeve knit shirt. I changed clothes after dinner back to comfortable casual clothing.

Balcony was great, and was an extended balcony. Only thing was that it was not covered, and the upper deck looked down onto you deck, cause it was extended.

LOL, when gs was eating breakfast on the balcony when we were at Glacier Bay, people over us, were talking about gs enjoying his breakfast, and wished they had done that.

The buffet for breakfast was great, but the buffet for lunch was disappointing. Dining experience evening was great. And the big surprise and biggie for gs was the Baked Alaska experience when lights were dimmed and the servers walked around with the lite baked alaska's and eveyone was twirling their napkins to the music.

If you are on the GOlden Princess, you will find the International Cafe is ADDICTING!

Their ham and cheese croissants are delicious, their mini desserts are fantastic, but the bestest of all was they kept freshly baked peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies coming out all day long AND in the afternoon a server would walk around with a tray of small glasses of milk and freshly baked cookies.

I dare not tell how many pb cookies I ate :o)

{{!gwi}}

I had rhubard ice cream instead of a slice of baked alaska

Something else :o)

If you are on the Golden Princess, be sure and attend all of the presentations by Michael, the naturalist. Even grandson enjoyed every one of them.

Plus the presentation by Libby Reynolds, who comes aboard for one nite, of her win in the iditarod in 85.

I bought Michael's book that he autogragraphed and signed for my son and grandson, called the Inside Passage.

for haffie

Glenda! Something 'ate' my reply - thanks...I will be sure to go to the presentations by the naturalists. I think last cruise, they were step-on ones each day. Thanks for tip re staying on deck...I might not have otherwise. How early prior to departure could you board? Wondering whether to book a Vancouver day tour - we depart at 5:00 pm.
So it sounds as though my fleece-lined rain jacket is enuf? It has attachable hood. Did you 'dress' for dinner? I chose anytime seating for dinners. I think black pants & dressy tops? No young kids - only 53 yr-old daughter & friend of hers who we like very much so should be nice cruise. Did you go up to Denali your last AK cruise? How were accommodations? Walking rough? If too strenuous will opt out and bring my NOOK along! Did the tram trip last time and like GS, enjoyed very much - we signed up for eagle preserve this time instead. I hope we have baked alaska plus a ruhbarb choice...will try both. :-) What's an extra 5 lbs at this point in life! Trying to think which cruise to plan for next one. Loved your dining room/baked alaska photo! Nice camera. Mim

Your fleece lined raincoat might be too heavy if you are going in July.

Take insect repellant. WalMart HAD one you could pin on your clothing. Check in the sporting goods. Might need it in Skagway. And Denali!

Two dressy nites, same pants, different top. The other nights, everyone mainly wore what they had on during the day.

You must be going different ports. We only stopped in Victoria BC last nite, and didn't get off the ship.

We started cruise, last time, from Vancouver, so we did a bus tour. Excellent. It was Canada Day when we were there and lots of celebration. And we did Denali, and flew back from Anchorage. This time in and out of Seattle, shorter trip.

Denali, had great accommodations. No rough walking, but the bus ride, was hard, as I sat right over the tire well.

I'm going on a cruise in Feb. Hope I can do something before then :o)

Deadliest Catch boat is about a 10 minute walk from the ship. We left around 7:30, but should have left earlier.

When we were greeted as we were boarding the boat, I told them I couldn't climb steps, so they seated me on deck level. And on top there's no cover if it rains.

IF you go to Talkeetna, look for moose poop swizzle sticks. Great souvenir gifts !

{{!gwi}}

LOVE the Swizzles! Can think of half dozen to bring home 'presents' for. Will take one of lighter weight jackets, and lite sweater for underneath if needed. Thanks...Will start thinking seriously about pulling stuff out and putting together, after family picnic on 3rd, and after 'ladies' gang on 21st I guess.
WalMart it will be next week when I take my dog to groomers next door to one...great idea if they have them still...I never would have thought of repellent. Glenda, did you sign up for your Vancouver trip after your arrival or online before?
On a Cozumel cruise signed up when we checked into NO hotel night before departure like we will in Vancouver.
p.s. - Just bought couple containers of PB filled pretzels and thought of you - Ocean Job Lots...very good.

Vancouver tour trip was part of our cruise pkg, and then afterward took us directly to ship.

If you dine in Vancouver, and want a classic dish, be sure and order poutine, French fries are topped with fresh cheese curds, and covered with brown gravy or sauce. The French fries are of medium thickness, and fried so that the inside stays soft, while the outside is crunchy

Awesome!

Had it at a bar and grill across from our hotel in Vancouver. An artery clogger. Gal ordered it as an appetizer for 8 of us to share before we had dinner. Didin't need dinner after that.

Plus a Bloody Caesar ...to wash it down.

OK, easier to send message to you instead of Googling I guess...I give up "Poutine"? and you're right...the french fries sound awful...I'll take your word for it...I'll watch someone else eat it first. The bloody caesar (bloody mary I hope? - my favorite drink of choice when not a white wine) will be a definite beginning in Boston before departure Actually starting tonite - family from AZ here and going to dinner to one of our best clam/seafood restaurants. :-0)