Cruising ALASKA in August, what can you tell me????

[FlorenceItaly]

I am exploring a last minute Alaska cruise, so I have not had time to research it. Do I have maximum daylight hours in August, or not? I am looking at cruising Aug 22-29. Any thoughts?

This would be the itinerary:

leaving from Vancouver, BC
Cruising the inside passage
Ketchikan/Misty Fjord Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
Skagway, Alaska
Cruising Glacier Bay
Scenic Cruising, College Fjord
Seward Alaska

Also, any thoughts on HAL's air rate of about $759. I have tried to put info in Travelocity traveling from OKC, but it couldn't come up with anything.

I understand this might not be the ideal itinerary for Alaska, but it's a pretty good deal, so am considering it. I think my husband is about ready to have me committed. I would be soloing on this one to.

I appreciate your input. Thanks.

Marie

[seatrial]

Marie,

First I think the itinerary that you are considering is a good one. Actually this is a fairly standard northbound itinerary. The end of August is certainly not the maximum for daylight hours, but you still have plenty of daylight. The days start getting shorter at the start of summer. As an example here are the daylight hours in Juneau on 8/25/2004

Begin civil twilight 4:59 a.m.
Sunrise 5:43 a.m.
Sun transit 1:00 p.m.
Sunset 8:15 p.m.
End civil twilight 8:58 p.m.

You might try orbitz.com to get some idea for airfare. HAL's $759 is probably a bit high, but should include the transfer from Seward to Anchorage which is worth something. So much depends on your home city. I live near Atlanta. It seems that we often pay a premium for airfare. I lucked up and got nonstop flights on Delta from ATL to ANC then YVR to ATL for $550 this year, leaving 7/31. I thought this was a good deal.

Good Luck and if I were you I would go for the trip. Have you been to AK before? It's really a great cruise destination

[jhannah]

This is the itinerary we took a few years ago. Would love to go back. We went the first week of August and had perfect weather. Only encountered rain on disembarkation day. Alaska is such a beautiful state! Book it!

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We did this same itinerary lasy year on the Ryndam - same date - and same schedule.

It started to get dark after 8:30 when we left Vancouver. By the time we got to Seward it was getting dark around 8.

Enjoy the cruise, the scenery was great.

We were disappointed in Glacier Bay - being the end of August, the sun wasn't as strong and there wasn't much calving of the glaciers. We did Glacier Bay a couple of other times in June and July and it was really fantastic.

:)

[Tracyr]

I would agree to book it if you can. You can't go wrong going to Alaska. You will have plenty of daylight. We have even gone the last cruise of September and weren't bothered by the shorter days. Plenty to do inside later in the evening. Have a great time.

[FlorenceItaly]

Thanks ALL. I just got in a quote from my TA, and am seriously considering this. I'll keep you posted. I will be making my decision VERY soon. My only hesitation is my lack of enthusiasm from my dh, and rightfully so, since I just got back, and am going again in Sept with my sis and Oct with him....BUT not to Alaska, LOL. :). There's a difference, right????

Marie

[FlorenceItaly]

Update: Have decided to wait until another time to take this trip. Thanks for your help.

Marie

[FlorenceItaly]

Another Update: I booked it! Going solo.


Marie

[theZsatsea]

Marie,

My guess is that you will be on the Veendam. We're boarding her for the Southbound cruise on 8/29 in Seward after a week on land. Please make sure that everyone cleans up their areas before disembarking! :) :D

I think you will have a great time. Sorry your DH isn't going along.

Mike Z.

[FlorenceItaly]

Hi Mike - So far I haven't seen anyone on my sailing. You are correct, sailing August 22. Dh started a new job in November and has very little time off. However, we do have a cruised booked for October, with leave time already approved.

A week on land sounds FABULOUS!!

Marie

[Marcellinasfigaro]

Congrats!!

We just booked our first cruise on the Veendam on Aug. 8 northbound. A last minute thing also. We are excited:D

Figaro

[MISSYLOU]

Our first Alaska cruise was on Statendam on the south bound. We thought it was exceptional. Not many people go to Ancorage and the scenery is beautiful from Seward to Anc. We took the train and really enjoyed it. And glacier bay is awesome. I prefer north or southbound to just an inside passage cruise.

[FlorenceItaly]

Figaro - I will be looking for a FULL report upon your return :). I was working around being HOME here Aug 12-15, so that is also how I came up with Aug 22(along with the great price). I think Aug 8 will be a fabulous time to be there.

Marie

[FlorenceItaly]

Figaro - Have you thought about excursions? I just booked 2 on line with independent tour companys. I am waiting for confirmation back.

In Juneau - Whale watching with Capt Larry
orcaenterprises.com
I asked for the 3:30 tour, and will do Mendanhall Glacier on my own in the morning using the $ 5 blue bus and Mt Roberts tram

In Skagway - Discover the Yukon Adventure
skagwaysbesttour.com

In the other ports I have plans to go on my own, or get a tour at the pier.

Would love to hear what you all are doing.

Marie

[jocelysue]

Marie,

My guess is that you will be on the Veendam. We're boarding her for the Southbound cruise on 8/29 in Seward after a week on land. Please make sure that everyone cleans up their areas before disembarking! :) :D

I think you will have a great time. Sorry your DH isn't going along.

Mike Z.

Hi Mike,

We are taking the same cruise as you. booked on the Veendam southwards Aug 29. Have you decided which shore excursions to take?

Jocelyn Ann (aka jocelysue)

[MEnglish]

I, too, have cruised that itinerary although in May. Great itinerary---beautiful scenery! Wouldn't pass it up if you're getting a great rate. Am going again with my husband August 29 on the Statendam. Am also from OKC. My husband and I booked airfare thru HAL but got a promotional rate from St. Louis (where I'm from originally) for $200! We are flying to Vancouver the day before embarkation--too much stress for me to fly up there the day of and hope the airlines are on time. I noticed yesterday that Southwest Airlines has some great rates from several different cities. You might see if you can fly one of those cities from OKC, then to Vancouver for less than $745...or whatever rate you've seen. Just an idea.

I say, "Book it!" It is an experience of a lifetime; whatever you spend, it's worth every penny in my opinion.

Best of luck with the decision!

[FlorenceItaly]

Hello Oklahoma friend - I booked it. It's a done deal. WOW..you got a great promotional rate...mine was $401, and I thought I got a great deal.

I DO typically fly in the day before, but am not on this one. I am still waiting on my docs so I have no idea what my itinerary looks like.

So glad you stopped in to say Hello, and hope to see you on the HAL board more often.

Marie

[theZsatsea]

Jocelyn Ann - We've been concentrating on what we'll be doing while on the land portion of our trip which is prior to boarding the Veendam on 8/29.

Right now, we will probably be on our own in Sitka and Ketchikan. In Juneau, we plan on going whalewatching, probably with the ship-offered tour, and then do some shopping/sightseeing around town. I booked the Renewal of Vows package as we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary. Please don't tell my DW as it's supposed to be a surprise.

Years ago, we did an inside passage cruise and took a chopper to the glacier in Juneau and did the Saxman tour in Ketchikan. Both were good but Mendenhal was great!

Hope that helps.

[FlorenceItaly]

I am sorry I will be missing some fellow CC'ers by just a week.

Jocelyn - I hope you received my email.

Marie

[AV8OR]

I've done Alaska twice, the first in mid August, the second in late August - early September. Had incredible weather on the first cruise, folks Juneau were actually sunbathing. The second cruise...well...let's just say it was typical southeast Alaska weather for that time of year (i.e. rainy and cold). Alaska is awesome no matter what the weather so you should have a tremendous time. While there are many great things to do at all your port of call, I'd recommend doing a Misty Fjords flight seeing tour with Island Wings while in Ketchikan...an incredible experience. Check out the following website that a friend put together, it includes photos of most of your ports of call:
http://www.bcpl.net/~jefscott/index.html.

Chuck

[FlorenceItaly]

Chuck - Thanks for your input. I am awaiting reply back from Michelle. I emailed her Tuesday am, and again yesterday...perhaps she is on vacation or for some reason I am not suppose to do this excursion???.

And, I agree, no matter what the weather is how can you not still have a wonderful time surrounded by all that beauty. This will be my first time, and I am really excited. Also, I am ready for some relief from this OK humidity, lol.

Your friend's website is great. Thanks for sharing.

Marie

[jocelysue]

WE are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary also.. Same type of ceremony also. Perhaps we could get together and have a joint toast?

We will be on our own in Stika and Ketchikan too .DH has booked a helicopter-dogsled trek in Juneau.... as for me I'll likely just stay on the ship or meander around town as I have a very sore back so do not enjoy walking.


Thanks for answering.

Jocelyn
in Quebec
Jocelyn Ann - We've been concentrating on what we'll be doing while on the land portion of our trip which is prior to boarding the Veendam on 8/29.

Right now, we will probably be on our own in Sitka and Ketchikan. In Juneau, we plan on going whalewatching, probably with the ship-offered tour, and then do some shopping/sightseeing around town. I booked the Renewal of Vows package as we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary. Please don't tell my DW as it's supposed to be a surprise.

Years ago, we did an inside passage cruise and took a chopper to the glacier in Juneau and did the Saxman tour in Ketchikan. Both were good but Mendenhal was great!

Hope that helps.