janine004

We sailed on 7/24 and Rosario strings were fabulous and not to be missed. Even my 12 year old son loved their music!

From what I've learned, when the ship is at sea, your phone connects to the ships cell phone service, therefore your carrier will charge you additional fees per call and per text. Your regular domestic plan will be available to use when the ship is in port (the ship turns off their cell service, which allows people to access their own domestic service while in port). To avoid the additional fees while at sea, as we anticipate would really add up, we will bring walkie-talkie's to communicate with our son, for free.

You can also rent a "dect" phone.

From the RCI website:

"Dect phones (portable phones) are available to rent for $25.00 a week on Radiance and Voyager class vessels. Guests may reserve a set at the Guest Relations Desk, (price is subject to change)."

I'd assume the $25 is a flat rate for unlimited calling while on board, to another person who is also on-board, but would need to verify this.

We'll be departing on the Northbound Radiance on 7/24! Does anyone happen to have a Toursaver book they no longer have use for?

We're just back from a similar trip, also with young children. I did a detailed trip report (here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2221528 in case you haven't already found it). I'm not sure where you are flying into Vancouver from, if there will be any jet lag, our children struggled with that more than I anticipated so you might get less done in Vancouver than you hope.

 

Lou :)

Thank you Lou! I actually read your entire thread prior to posting my itinerary. We're in CA, so will only have a 1 hour time difference (we'll gain an hour), although I have been letting the kids stay up too late this Summer, so I plan to back up their bed times soon so they are ready for early adventures! By the way, the gentleman at the laundromat in Vancouver was right, you are a good mom :)

Cruiseboy - Your photos are amazing! Looking through them, I feel like I've been on a virtual vacation. I'll just use your pictures for our vacation photos and put them in my scrapbook, OK? Just kidding. Thanks for posting them!

emeraldcity - Thank you for the tide pooling tip in Icy Straight Point ... Kids will love that :)

Thank you ckelley for your advice. I teach, so I will have a week more of vacation after we get home, hence the needed vacation from the vacation, LOL. My DH, on the other hand will only have one day to recover! You're right, it's a lot of driving and we'll be sharing the time in the drivers seat. I'll also plan for possible delays in driving time. We're flexible, so we may change things up a bit once we get there. What was the highlight of your trip? Any "Must do's" that are not on our itinerary? Thanks, Janine :)

Hi fellow travelers. Below is our 14 day Alaskan adventure itinerary. We are an energetic family of 4 travelling with 2 children, ages 7 and 12 and have a very ambitious itinerary. We'll be on the Radiance departing Vancouver on 7/24/15, with 7 days on a DIY land tour after the cruise. We're all so excited for this trip. I'd welcome any comments or suggestions!

Day 1 (7/24) – Vancouver

Skytrain from hotel to Canada Place, check in luggage with porter

City bus to Stanley Park, Visit aquarium and quick stroll along sea wall

City bus back to Canada place, embark Radiance by 2:30 pm.

Day 2 (7/25) – At Sea

Day 3 (7/26) - Ketchikan

Alaska Discovery Center, Creek Street

Drive rental car to Saxman village, Herring Cove, Totem Bight/Settlers Cove

Day 4 – (7/27) – Icy Straight Point

Stroll to Hoonah along shore, Cannery Museum, relax on ship

Day 5 – (7/28) Juneau

Drive rental car to Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls Hike, then to hatchery, Auke Lake, Eagle River. Tram ride with hike atop, if weather is decent.

Day 6 – (7/29) Skagway

Drive rental car to Yukon, Tutshi Lake, Carcross museum and desert, Emerald Lake, walking tour of Skagway, if time.

Day 7 – (7/30) - At Sea

Day 8 – (7/31) – Seward

Major Marines Tour of Kenai Fjords, then bus to Anchorage Airport, pick up rental car, drive to hotel in Wasilla.

Day 9 (8/1) – Drive through Hatcher Pass, short hike on Reed Lakes trail, then to Independence Mine, then drive to hotel in Talkeetna.

Day 10 (8/2) Flight and glacier landing out of Talkeetna, then drive to hotel in Healy.

Day 11 (8/3) All day shuttle bus in Denali

Day 12 (8/4) Drive to Fairbanks, University of Alaska Museum, Riverboat Discovery Tour, Pioneer Park, Ice Museum w/Aurora movie @ 8, drive back to Healy.

Day 13 (8/5) Denali – dog sled demo, nature hike from visitor center, drive to Palmer in evening.

Day 14 (8/6) Ox Farm, Reindeer Farm, Knik glacier jet boat tour. Drive back down through Anchorage to drive along Turnagain arm to Beluga Point. Return car, flight departs Anchorage at 12:40 a.m. !

Whaddayathink? :)

Thank you, although I am no longer in need of the book. I couldn't figure out how to send a private message either!

Do you still have the tour saver book? I'm interested.