Who going to Alaska

[alaskandude]

Who is coming to Alaska this year. I am a local guy from Ketchikan, and can help you if you have any questions about my town.

Look forward to seeing you guys.

[TampaMike]

Who is coming to Alaska this year. I am a local guy from Ketchikan, and can help you if you have any questions about my town.

Look forward to seeing you guys.
I'll be sailing Veendam May29th Seward to Vancouver. Ketchikan has changed so much since my summers working Alaska. What's new to do up there?

[bepsf]

AlaskanDude--


Thanks very much for your note - I was there this past year and didn't get to see too much beyond the tourist area, but will be there again this Sept.

Are there interesting things to see/do that are within reasonable walking distance from the ships besides "Diamonds International" and the floatplane rides for those of us who might not want to do an organized ship excursion or fly anywhere?

Also - I understand that there is a place near the piers where one can rent Harley's - Do you know how much/how long/contact info/where there is to go, etc?

[trubey]

Are you a cruiser, too? susan.

[Budget Queen]

Plenty of gems in Ketchikan beyond the shopping. :) Request their visitor guide www.visit-ketchikan.com and pick up a walking tour map at the dock visitor center. http://www.panhandlemoto.com/ My husband has rented motorcycles in Alaska and this "tour" , my opinion only is very costly for what you get. I have driven Ketchikan roads and biking them would NOT be worth this tour cost. :)

[alaskandude]

I am a local guy from Ketchikan, but am going to Mexico this winter on a boat. I have just grown up with cruise liners, the having been coming to my town for a long time and have grown much.

The harley tour is expensive but it is cool. I know the guy really well and he is an good guy.

I still say fishing is the thing to do. Not only do you fish for halibut or salmon if you book independently you can make it into your own private tour, see wildlife and learn about our town. True Alaskan Charters is a great tour and so is Sonny's Fishing Charters.

And "BPSF' is right, we have way to many jewelry shops here in town.

[Bill S]

OK dude, we're coming real soon---got our docs yesterday!!!!!

We'll be on the Oosterdam and will be in Ketchikan on Thursday, May 12----3rd time for us. We love Alaska and specially Ketchikan! :cool:

[Landlubber54]

We would appreciate the input from a local...

I'm worried about energy levels and time constraints once we get to Ketchikan.

We are doing a cruise tour this summer (late-July/early-Aug), with the tour part first. By the time we get to Ketchikan it will be Day 12 of 14. On top of that, the itinerary indicates that we will only be in Ketchikan from 2 pm until 8 pm. For these reasons we haven't scheduled any shore excursions in Ketchikan. Any suggestions?

[alaskandude]

Enjoy the trip Bill, let me know if you have any questions

[alaskandude]

landlubber, Sit back, have a cup of coffee, and go fishing. The thrill of fighting a big fish will get the blood pumping.

[Landlubber54]

There's a charter service that will take me out at 3 pm and get me back by 7pm? For that short a period of time, would the cost be worth it? I know that's kind of a subjective thing, but I don't want to go out on a boat just to say I went fishing in Ketchikan.

[alaskandude]

How much are they charging you landlubber? Great fishing is so close to the docks you wont waste much time cruising.

[Landlubber54]

Frankly, A'dude, I haven't even investigated the option because of the limited time in port. I just went to the HAL site and they offer something at Knudson Cove for $185 pp. The only advantage I see is that so long as I book it through HAL the ship won't leave without me.

Your comments, please.

[alaskandude]

If you want to fish look up True Alaskan Charters. They are parked right next to your boat and you will not have to spend a hour on a bus to get to Knudsen. I have never heard of someone missing there boat because of a fishing trip but I have heard them missing there boat because they were in stores shopping. We call them runners here, the gangway is being lifted and lines are going slack and here come people running out of the stores yelling for them to not leave with out them.

[Landlubber54]

I'll see what's available with True Alaskan for August 5th.

And I will try to have my camera ready for the "runners".;)

[bepsf]

A-Dude--


How far away are the Lumberjack shows?
Walking distance?

I have the feeling that they'll be pretty popular when the gay cruises are in town this year...;)

[Budget Queen]

A-Dude--


How far away are the Lumberjack shows?
Walking distance?

I have the feeling that they'll be pretty popular when the gay cruises are in town this year...;)



Yes walkable, a couple blocks.

[alaskandude]

Depending on where you park the Great Alaskan Show is about a 5 minute walk.

[TampaMike]

Alaskandude,

Do you work with tour operators yourself? Or perhaps just a friendly native and official Welcome Wagon? :)

If so, you can take me for a few brews, and then to Annabell's for peanut butter pie, and be sure I make it back to Veendam in time for sailing with an armful of smoked salmon dip and an invite back next season.

[alaskandude]

Tampa Mike

Let me know when you are in town but we are going to split the tab.

[jjbko]

My wife and I are going on the 15th of May and the fishing sounds like the thing to do, at least for me. My wife can shop while I do the manly thing!

[TampaMike]

Email me through my profile, so I can send my Itinerary onto you. I'll bring the AMEX card.
<happy dance>

[Landlubber54]

Thanks for the heads up on True Alaskan Charters. I am pretty much set up for the afternoon of August 5th. I hope my 13 year-old daughter is as excited then as she is today!:D

[Himself]

I will be in your town (a.k.a.) the "rain-Capital" of America on either May 18th or 19th.

Himself

[alaskandude]

They say it is going to be another warm summer but still bring your raingear!!

[bepsf]

AlaskaDude--

Besides the Lumberjack shows - are there other things to see/places to go that are within walking distance (within 1 mile) from the piers?

[Budget Queen]

Yep- plenty. Creek St., Ketchikan museum, pubic lands. Deer Mt. Hatchery, Totem Heritage museum, Westmark Fox funicular, Dolly's House. Etc. Request their visitor guide www.visit-ketchikan.com

[bepsf]

[QUOTE=Budget Queen]Yep- plenty. Creek St., Ketchikan museum, pubic lands. Deer Mt. Hatchery, Totem Heritage museum, Westmark Fox funicular, Dolly's House. Etc. Request their visitor guide www.visit-ketchikan.com[/QUOTE (http://www.visit-ketchikan.com[/QUOTE)]

Cool - Thanks!!!

[alaskandude]

Dolly's House is great but remember to bring some dollar bills for the ladies.

[moofus]

What can I expect for weather this late in the year? We would love to fish, but I fear that it will be way too cold for going out on another boat. Any Ideas?

[alaskandude]

It is great fishing in September and weather is usually nice, 55-65 degrees. Most boats have cabins for you to stay warm in.

[alaskandude]

Anymore questions guys.

About 5 weeks till the first boat.

[SantaAna,CA]

I'm going to be in Ketchikan in August; I've signed up for the "Misty Fjords cruise and floatplane" excursion....what do you think, ever heard about that one?

I'd like to know what I need to bring clothes-wise. I am from southern California and don't really have rain gear, other than a coat and an umbrella :) do I need something with a hood do you think? Like a waterproof jacket or something?

thanks :)

Jane

[RuthC]

I'm going to be in Ketchikan in August; I've signed up for the "Misty Fjords cruise and floatplane" excursion....what do you think, ever heard about that one?...
I took that shore ex on a bright, beautiful day one Sept. It was a real nice excursion on a sunny day; not sure how I would have liked it in poor weather.


You will absolutely, positively need a warm jacket in Alaska in any month; Sept and May for certain. Also, bring gloves, and a disposable plastic rain-coat.
You pack so you you can dress in layers: t-shirt, flat-knit sweater, sweatshirt, jacket. Any individual garment---or combination of garments---will be needed.

[alaskandude]

Ruth has it right. Layer up and wear something waterproof.

[Himself]

Would you believe I have been in Ketchikan 8 times and I have never been to Dolly's! The last time I was in Ketchikan, the sun was out alllllllllllllll day long!
Usually one is told that the rain is "liquid sunshine." I have arrived when it was sunny but last June was the first time I was there and there was no rain at any time.

Himself

[alaskandude]

The town is starting to wake from our winter sleep. There is movement in some of the curio stores.:)

[Landlubber54]

We are set to go fishing on the afternoon of 8/5, with Bruce and the gang at True Alaskan Charters. They have been very accommodating and we are looking forward to a great time.

[Time2sail]

As so many cruises begin or end in Vancouver,it may also be of interest that the Travel Channel is doing a show about British Columbia Saturday at 10 PM.

There is also "Secrets of Seattle" Sunday at noon,followed by a rebroadcast of "Secrets of Denali"

Also,Friday at 1:30 PM "Travel Cafe-Alaska:Crystal Cruises".
April 19 At 1:30 PM "Alaska:Holland America #1

A poster had these on the Alaska Board--thought they might interest some of you. I don't want to miss the April 19th show "Alaska: Holland America #1." Sounds good to me:)

[SantaAna,CA]

Time2Sail, I was looking on the travel channel webpage and didn't see that April 19 program, the one about HAL/Alaska. Is that pacific time/central? I didn't see it at all.

thanks so much!

Jane :)

[Time2sail]

Hi,

I read where you posted that you found the Alaska CC Board. The original poster of the tv thread was from NY so I assumed these are EST. I do not have a listing for the Travel Channel so I am assuming the programs and times are as stated. Kentuckywoman posted additional programming about Alaska that is scheduled on there, too.

There is so much info on the Alaska Board about excursions and the ports. I will be on the Amsterdam May 29-June 5--see that you will go in August on the Amsterdam. I could not have planned this cruise without all of the help on these boards:)

Hope your cruise is the best!

[alaskandude]

I just watched one the other day. It is why I love it here.

[alaskandude]

Any more questions guys. Less then a month till the first boat.

[TampaMike]

Is Annabelle's still serving Peanut Butter Pie??? I am counting the days....

[SantaAna,CA]

My mom used to make that...and Marie Callendar's used to make it, and now I can't find it anywhere. Fill me in! :)

Jane :rolleyes:

[JoanneF]

Hi, Alaskan Dude
What is going on in Ketchikan for Fourth of July? That is when we'll be in your town.

Joanne

[Himself]

Indeed, I have two questions:

1. When do the salmon start running?
2. Do the Bears start coming into town when the Salmon start to run?

Thanks for answering

Himself

[fllcruiser]

Himself

I believe the salmon run from mid June to early September. Not sure about the bears.

[Time2sail]

Alaskandude,

We are so excited and cannot wait until we cruise to Alaska May 29. We will be in Ketchikan on June 3 (not long enough for us but at least we stop there) for kayaking and shopping.

Keep the sunshine out for us because we are from the Sunshine State and cold weather is 60 degrees:eek: We've got the raingear and layers and layers just in case.

Hope to see you soon.

[TampaMike]

Alaskandude,

We are so excited and cannot wait until we cruise to Alaska May 29. We will be in Ketchikan on June 3 (not long enough for us but at least we stop there) for kayaking and shopping.

Keep the sunshine out for us because we are from the Sunshine State and cold weather is 60 degrees:eek: We've got the raingear and layers and layers just in case.

Hope to see you soon.


Which ship are you sailing? I am sailing Veendam May 29th from Seward to Vancouver. And with our long, mild spring here in Florida, I am not sure I am ready for the Alaska chill! Now by July & August here, I am begging for a glacier!

Happy Sailing!

[Time2sail]

:) Which ship are you sailing? I am sailing Veendam May 29th from Seward to Vancouver. And with our long, mild spring here in Florida, I am not sure I am ready for the Alaska chill! Now by July & August here, I am begging for a glacier!

Happy Sailing!

We will be sailing roundtrip from Seattle on the Amsterdam on May 29-June 5. I just hope we don't fall in the water--we are great swimmers but with all of the layers we'll never get off the bottom of the ocean:D We hate cold weather but we have never been to Alaska. We'll be the ones with the wool knit hats, insulated gloves and teeth chattering when the temperature is 60 degrees.

Stay warm and maybe we'll see you there:)

[Barocl]

Alaskandude

Is there a Wal-Mart shuttle from the pier to the shopping center?