Zaandam August 7th, 2004

[daniTS]

Hi there -

My name is Dani, and I'm a newbie at posting on these boards, but I have been reading them since I found out three weeks ago that my mom and I are taking this Inside Passage cruise. It is a first cruise for both of us, but we are sooooo excited! I've been doing tons of research online about the boat, the line, and the itinerary, but these are the questions I have remaining. Thanks :)

1) Any chance of the Olympics being televised at all? Even just the opening ceremonies? I'll be taping at home, but since I can't switch tapes, I have a 6 hour limit :o

2) Are there dance hosts on board (this is my mom's question - she watched a movie where there were male dancers to pair up with single women, and was wondering if this was offered on this cruise)

3) Is there an age limit in the gym facilities? I'm 17, and I'd like to be able to keep up a little bit with my work outs, but i'm not sure if I'll be allowed in...

4) What was your favourite shore excursion at the following ports: Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan. I know this is a very personal thing, but I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide which shore excursion will be the most memorable, and the best value for money in terms of doing something different, and being fairly lengthy for what you pay. Would you suggest doing a HAL excursion or a public one? If so, which ones? I'm scared of flying, so flightseeing is not an option here. Right now I'm leaning towards the following excursions:

Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching, and Wildlife Quest
Mendenhall Float Trip (maybe the teen one?)

Ketchikan - Lumberjack Show
Teen Canoe Trip

Skagway - Streetcar Tour
Musher's Camp& Sled Dog Experiance
Klondike Rappelling/Climbing

Likely, because I don't have a lot of money to take with me, and I want to buy presents and souveniers, I'll only do one excursion. I don't know what to pick, so if anyone has any personal experiance about the above mentioned trips I would appreciate reading them!!

I know this is a lot of questions really close to the trip, but I would appreciate some answers if any of you have a chance. Thanks so much!

a very excited
Dani

[grannynurse]

Hal only uses gentlemen hosts on cruises longer than 12-14 days. We had them on both our transatlantics, 17 and 34 days, but none on shorter cruises.
GN

[vjw1218]

We were on the May 23rd sailing of the Amsterdam to Alaska. We did not visit Skagway but were in Juneau and Ketchikan.

As to excursions in Juneau, we did the gold panning and Mendenhall Glacier. Both were very inexpesive and memorable. In my opinion, you don't need to pay to visit the observation tower/building. It's much nicer to stay outside when at the Glacier. Not as packed, either. The gold panning was fun, educational and offered some great scenery too. You also got to take your gold with you (yes, it's real; and yes, to pan for it yourself) which makes a nice souvenir for yourself.

We didn't take any excursions in Ketchikan but probably should have. The town itself isn't much to speak of - except for the "red light district." It very shabby. The outskirts of town, the lumberjack show and totem village may be of some interest, though.

You didn't mention Victoria B.C., but if you're going there at all, make sure you book a city tour with the ship! The town is not to be missed and was a highlight for us.

My advice would be to buy your souvenirs at your first port or the port you're at the longest because all the shops have the same stuff over and over again. Nothing exceedingly unique or exclusive from port to port. Also, if you go to the ship's talks on where to shop, they're usually directing you to the more expensive places - but they generally have the same stuff as the others unless you're jewelry shopping.

No dance escorts that I'm aware of, either. Although there are several areas to dance aboard the ship. It's not like "Out to Sea," the film your mother probably saw. (which is hysterical and great fun.)

At your age, you should be fine with the gym. What you may not know, though is that HAL ships have a full-ship outside promenade - meaning you can walk the entire way around the ship. On the Amsterdam, 1 mile was 3.5 laps. We did that two or three times a day when we were at sea and at least once a day on port days. With the wind in your face, it can be a great workout and you can enjoy the sea air,too!

Whatever you decide, enjoy Alaska and your cruise. This year was our first time to cruise, too and it was addicting. Alaska was exquisite, too. You should have a wonderful time. Be sure to report back and let us know how you liked it!

[a1moty]

Dani, How exciting for you to have a cruise coming up!! We have just returned from an Inside Passage Cruise on the Zaandam. It was marvelous. In regards to your question regarding excursions---if you can only do one---I highly recommend Whale Watching with Captain Larry in Juneau. His web address is ORCA@ALASKA .COM. His operation is smaller than the ones that you book on the ship---which makes it nice for questions and the personal experiences and stories he will share. (And he has a great sense of humor.) He is older and his experience and knowledge is sure to give you a great adventure. Our tour with him was absolutely awesome!!
The White Pass Train in Skagway was a huge disappointment!
The Lumberjack show in Ketchikan was entertaining---and being 17--you might enjoy how cute the Lumberjacks are---
Have a great cruise!!! (Be sure to take warm gloves!!)

[daniTS]

Hi everyone

Thanks so much for all of your speedy replies! In fact, the movie was Out to Sea, one of a few that we've watched in preparation for this cruise :) Not so realistic, but great fun all in all. From the sounds of it, to get the dance hosts, one needs to do a longer cruise. I for one, have no problem with that at all :)

thanks for the information about the shore excursions. I know my mom has her eye on gold panning, and the lumberjack show does sound good. We will be in Victoria, but thats because we live there :) It is a great city though, and its too bad more cruise ships don't stop here. It is a very convienient port for any Alaska cruise, as well as Mexico/Hawaii. Not so good for Carribean, or European, but of course, there are flights...

Anyway, thanks so much for everyones answers. Its only 24 hours away :)

Dani

[justice 1st]

I thought we were going to be the only ones on the ship, so I'm glad to hear you and your mom will be with us, Dani!

And I'll make my very handsome husband dance with your mom. See you tomorrow! I'm the skinny one who lost an extra 7 pounds just so I could gain it all back! My husband said I was going about it all wrong and should have been eating like crazy to increase my stomach capacity. Anyway, I'm sure I'll see you in the exercise room.

James and Meagan MacKenzie
Suite 1943

[daniTS]

Depending on where you live, I'm guessing you've already left to go to Vancouver. We are taking the 7am ferry from Victoria, and then a limo to the docks, arriving at about 11:30 I think. I'm sure we might meet in the excersise room. I'll probably be the only brown haired 17 year old girl in there from the sounds of it :)


Maybe we'll see each other on the trip, and my mom can get her dance fix in :)

Dani