mrsturkelton

We just booked for our January cruise at the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon. Thanks for the recommendation!

We leave on the 19th on the NCL Encore. We're docking at Ward Cove for our Ketchikan stop. I hope it doesn't take too long to get into town since I'd really like to explore some. I've heard the last shuttle back leaves at 11am which leaves just a few hours to explore and not enough time to grab lunch in town. I'm bummed as I was looking forward to eating at the Alaskan Fish House for lunch that day. Our ship is set to leave at 1:15 pm so the last shuttle back at 11 seems early to me.

We stay at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront. It's right across from the NCL terminal. It's a little pricier but its a nice hotel and is within walking distance to Pike's Place Market. It's not too far of an uber ride, maybe 5-10 minutes depending on traffic, to go to the Space Needle/Chihuly gardens area.

White Pass is operating just not going into Canada. They might be all booked already for the day you are in port. We ended up booking through Chilkoot tours for their trip into the Yukon to Carcross.

We have this tour scheduled in a few weeks. We did it 5 years ago on the Train/Bus route and had intended to do that again this year but with the cancelation of that trip we opted for the full bus tour instead of the train only. I mean, who can pass up petting sled dogs!!!! I hope more people share their experiences of this years trips.

I know it's not the Bliss or Encore but when we did the Jewel in May of 17 we ate our buffet dinners outside some but they said the weather was very unusually warm that week. So I'd say it all just depends on when you're going to be there and what the weather decides to do. We go in 3 1/2 weeks and I'm hoping to have at least one warm evening to eat outside.

I didn't know this place existed. I just added it to my list for Juneau!

We really like Alaskan Fish House in Ketchikan. It's really close to the docks (unless you are at Ward Cove and then nothing is close) and has 3 different fish options for your fish and chips, Cod, Salmon, and Halibut. https://exclusivealaska.com/fish-house

Thank you for sharing your trip. We'll be on the Encore in June and I'm excited to read the reviews of the Alaskan cruises this year.