Cindy 800

We cruised to Alaska in June of 2008, and it remains my favorite cruise. After the cruise, we rented a car and cabin, and spent several days in Denali. It was much cheaper than the cruise company add-ons.

 

Cindy - I graduated from Rockdale Co. High and still have family in Conyers!

Wow small world! We're about a mile from the Monastery.

We were on the first Alaska cruise of the season April 28. It was a fantastic cruise, Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. We were the only ship in ports, no crowds, booked our excursions independently which were also not crowded. On the train in Skagway they held one car for independent bookings so there were 10 of us in a car that held 50+ people. The other cars were pretty filled. On the Bering Sea excursion there were 42 of us on the boat that holds 100+, it was great. We were very fortunate that the weather was very non typical for that early, it was in the high 60s-low 70s with blue skies. I compared prices with the other lines (that sailed days or a week later for their first of the season) and there was a big difference. We had a great trip, it was really funny seeing lots of the crew on deck taking pictures because for many of them it was the first Alaska trip for them too. I would go again on Carnival without a doubt. It was so relaxing and beautiful.

We were on the first Alaska cruise of the season this year April 28. It was wonderful, the weather was great and it didn't hurt my feelings at all to not need to use my brand new Frogg Toggs since we had no rain in ports! I would go again in a heart beat it was such a good trip!

The highlights of our Alaska cruise were Glacier Bay and Sitka. Absolutely amazing. I agree that the cruise line or the ship aren't as important, but itinerary DEFINITELY is!

 

We also live in the Atlanta area (Peachtree City), and we traveled with 2 kids under the age of 4. Talk about being out of whack with the time change and the extended sunlight hours! It's basically day time from 4am until 11pm, with a 4 hour time change. Our kids had the hardest time adjusting. They didn't want to go to bed before 11pm because it was still daytime, but then they'd be wide awake and ready to play at sunrise at 4am! :confused:

 

 

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I didn't know you are in Peachtree City, I'm in Conyers! My SIL is in Sharpsburg, was I PC prior.

We just did the helicopter/Menendhall Glacier walk tour in Juneau with Temsco. It was great, highly recommend it!

We just did the helicopter/Menendhall Glacier walk with Temsco and it was fantastic! The staff is very nice, friendly but professional, knowledgeable and fun! Highly recommend them!

We were just there in early May and did a helicopter/Menendhall Glacier walk tour. Booked directly and had a wonderful time. Of course it helped that the weather was unbelievably pretty and a pleasant 68. We were picked up right at the dock in a van and delivered back, after an amazing flight and Glacier walk. I would to this again, or might even just do a helicopter tour with the Glacier walk only because I've now done it. The view was amazing, we didn't see any bear but did see mountain goats!

I would recommend the Bering Sea excursion with 56degreesnorth.com. Family owned and operated and the nicest, knowledgeable, friendly, funniest people ever. Were were there in early May and loved the trip. We not only saw and held crabs, shrimp and other creatures, including a 30 lb octypus, we saw 40+ eagles at one time. Although we didn't see any, they do sometimes see whales. We loved this!

And, don't think this is an ugly dirty crab boat, it is well designed for families with covered seating with heaters above you, big rain jackets you can borrow, coffee and nicely decorated, warm bathrooms! We had a great, comfortable time!

Ketchikan - I recommend the Bering Sea excursion, call 56degreesnorth.com. We went in early May and had a great time. We say 40+ eagles, crabs, shrimps and more, including a 30 lb octypus. Incredibly nice people and boat, we loved it.

We were on the April 28 cruise and I would highly recommend the Bering Sea excursion in Ketchikan. Call them directly, it is family owned and operated and an incredibly wonderful crew. We had a great time, saw 40+ eagles at one time, lots of crabs, big shrimp and other sea creatures including a 30 lb octypus! These are very nice people that run a great 'crab boat.' The seating is covered with heaters, real clean and warm bathrooms, etc. It was great!

We got home from the first 2014 Alaska cruise last Tuesday. It couldn't have been better! We had incredible weather in the 60's, low 70's, blue skies and it was only misty the first 2 days which for us were sea days anyway so didn't hurt anything. The rest of the 8 days were georgeous. We were in balcony #8250 in the aft section (but on the port side) and loved the location. One night we heard a little furniture movement on Serenity above us but it stopped by 10:30 pm. I have great pictures of the balcony overhang if anyone is interested. I was unable to find any good pictures before we booked so I was determined to take some and share them. Lots of overhang, several feet past the balcony so had it rained we still would have been able to use the balcony. Fantastic trip!

We arrive at YVR airport on Sat April 26 about 1 pm, need to get to the Holiday Inn & Suites downtown at 1110 Howe St. Is the Skytrain too far from the hotel considering we will have luggage for a week cruise? I don't quite follow it but it appears we could end up at Granville at Nelson St which looks close.

Thanks for any help!

Does anyone know when he will start sailing on the Miracle for the Alaska sailings this summer?

 

My Mom has always wanted to go so we are tossing around the idea of taking her for her birthday.

 

Anyone else done this? She will be 81 and I'm worried about some mobility issues though.

I read a post on fb from John today where said he would be joining the Miracle in April for the Alaska season. I'm on the first sailing, April 28!

Sting rays in Grand Caymans and cave tubing in Belize.

WE are going to alaska July 3-17 2014 my dear wife is going crazy does she need boots,should she pack for winter weather of 40 below, does she need heavy heavy sweaters and when we go ontours how heavy should her layers be and what can she store them if she gets hot. We are both senior citizens.

Thank you

I intended to only take tennis shoes on our April 28 Alaska cruise but found some New Balance waterproof light weight boots that are lighter than my tennis shoes and are lined. With jeans they look like tennis shoes but have vibram bottoms. Very comfy. Am taking tennis shoes too of course.

We love the Miracle, and have a number of 'ship' pictures...attached is one, that when zoomed in, shows the Starboard side equivalence of 8250 and the large overhang above.

 

We are back onboard in April for our Hawaiian cruise...are you boarding in Vancouver on the 28th ?

Thanks so much. Yes, we'll arrive in Vancover on the 26th and sail the 28th.

I'm familiar with deck 8 and love it. But, this time I'll be on the Miracle to Alaska and don't recall if the balcony on 8 will have much cover for those rainy Alaska days. Specifically cabin 8250 which is on the side, near the aft (but not aft) on one of the jetted out sections of the ship. Picture an hour glass, this is on the more wide part. Ive found some pictures and zoomed in but I'm still not positive if there is much or any cover above. Thanks for any help!