dustyroad

8 hours ago, Dan G said:

• seems like Yellow cab has an exclusive for the Amtrak Station.  There is a teleophone on the wall if you don't see a cab waiting.  Be aware that in the past gypsy cabs with no signs and no meters hustled passengers and I would avoid those.  While cabs have diminished with cruises and tourism back cabs are around.
• www:flatrateforhire.com
• is one cab company.

Thanks Dan G. I'm still not getting emails when I get a reply. I have tried every thing. Still working on  the problem.  I appreciate your advice.  

Thanks for the help every one. I didn't get a email about the replies. I will have to fix that. I will try to find out for sure what taxi Co's really do go to the station and also will pick us up at the hotel downtown and go back there.  I did know that there were not any taxi's that roamed around downtown. With all the Cruise ship passengers and activities there it is kind of strange that they don't ( just my opinion ). Hopefully the hotel can help also.

I have read though many of the threads and still can't decide whether there will be taxi's waiting at the station when the Empire Builder gets in when we arrive. It is suppose to be in at 10:30 a.m. but we are not counting on that because of delay's.  Can some one tell me if there will be taxi's there or not. If not, does any one know of a taxi service who goes there. I have called some of the limo service people and they say they won't go there to pick up passengers.  We will have to much luggage for the bus or Link. And our hotel will be close the Pike Market so we would not want to walk down hill any way.  Any ideas who we would use???  I'm having a hard time thinking that there isn't a company that doesn't want to help the train passengers.  

Thanks for any help on this. 

Call Edgewater and ask about their shuttle service for the airport. I just looked at their amenities on the google site and that was listed. I hope you get some good luck on that. Of course I don't know how old the amenities listed are. 

Does any one know about the taxi situation at the Amtrak station at Jackson St to get downtown? We will have to much luggage for the Link or Bus.  I have read there might or might not be taxi's there. If not, who do I call. Many of the taxi companies say they won't pick up there.  

Or should I start a new thread for this?

Any advice will be helpful. 

 I will give a few tips.  Don't over pack.  That can be the biggest mistake first time cruisers make.  And wear your comfortable already broken in shoes ( not brand new ones that will give you blisters from all the walking you will be doing ).  Also it is a good idea to take some sea-sick medication before you get on the ship and for a few days into the cruise.  Prevention for not getting sick is the best policy.  I have never gone on a cruise during your time frame so I can't comment on the weather for then or give you advice for the drinking situation since I don't do that either.   Just go with the flow, expect a few hick-ups, get to the port the day before if possible and have a great time.  

There is no way to tell when the whales might pop up and give you a view. And you have to be in the right place on the ship to see them if they do.   I have seen them a few times on the ship but mostly from a tour.  If it is a priority for you on your trip I would book a tour.  If you are going this season I would book soon as this is a popular tour.  

My best advice is to go to your ship site and see what tours are offered in Ketchikan.  That will give you an idea of all the tours and things to do there.  I agree with others that this is the best port for just walking around and shopping.  Creek Street is very interesting.  The Lumberjack Show is right at the end of the pier.  

In Juneau go on the boardwalk from the ship behind the downtown district where the Red Dog Saloon is and you will see tall statues of the miners there.  Also there is a bronze statue of the famous dog Pasty Ann from the olden days.  She has a very interesting history on a plaque there.  In Ketchikan you can go to Creek Street and see the shops and things there.  Skagway has some interesting buildings and items to see as well.  There are a lot of free things to do in all of your ports with a lot of photo shots to take as well.  

I can't say much about the heli/dog sled tour in Juneau since I have not done it.  My most memorable tour there for me is the whale watching tour.  In skagway you can do the dog sled tour and pan for gold.  Do a search for those there and see what you come up with.  I'm sure you are going to have a wonderful time on your cruise.   Happy sailing.  

MY MONEY!!. Because I prefer to cruise solo I am forced to pay the outrageous price of the solo price for my cabin .

It depends on what area you live in how cold or comfortable you will be with the temps.  I am from the mid west so if it is 60 degree's it is comfortable for me. Others might be cold.  I have been in the ports you are going to in May and  Sept 6 times and have worn jeans, a t shirt, hooded sweatshirt over that and had a lightweight nylon hooded rain jacket packed in my back pack in case I needed it. Water proof your comfortable shoes.  I was very lucky with the weather in May and Sept and didn't run into rain, others have, so be prepared for rain or shine.  Layers are key.   Have a great time.

I loved to cruise solo and did so 3 times to Alaska.  May and Sept are the cheaper months as they are considered the start and finish of the season.  Also in the early part of the 2 months the kids are still in school. I love kids just not on my cruises.  As others have said there are single supplement cabins to be had on either N.C.L. or Carnival ( I forgot which one I checked the last time I thought about booking. And that was for Glacier Bay ).  I hope you get to go, you will have a wonderful time.  Go to the Alaska thread for all the info you need on the Alaska cruise info.  Happy sailing.  

32 minutes ago, soccermom4 said:

I was thinking about renting a car for myself and DH while we were docked in Skagway.  Just noticed that it will be on a Sunday. (9/22/19).  Avis returns "closed" when I try to book.  Are there any other options in Skagway or should I work on Plan B?

I have never rented a car in Skagway. Do a surf for there and see if there are any other rental places that might get you in a car. I hope you have good luck. If not you might have to take a tour.  That way everyone will be able to take in the scenery and see the sights. Have a great time.

My friend and I were very lucky to see a pod of Orca whales from our balcony in the open water going back to Seattle from our Alaska trip.  They stayed with with us for about 1/2 hr then went off in another direction.  It was amazing to see them for so long. Other times maybe one from the dining room window, but mostly on the whale tours in Juneau Alaska.  

When I did the small boat tour In the month of  June to get up close to Sawyer Glacier it was very nice  We got very close to the waterfalls and saw seals laying on the ice.  It was well worth the trip.  If I remember correctly they even had binoculars on the boat for us to use. This was on a Carnival Spirit tour though. Have a wonderful time.

On 3/28/2019 at 1:55 PM, Eaglecw said:

We have been on many Alaskan cruises, we go every year. One year we go to Glacier Bay and the next we’ll go to Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm. As a first timer I’d have to recommend Glacier Bay over Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm. Most of the time you only get a glimpse of the glaciers up in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm, they’ll most of the time over a mile away. If you go up into Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm you almost have to take the small boat tour if it offered to see the glaciers. Glacier Bay is a much more spectacular

 

to visit to see the Glaciers. Spend the money and go to Glacier Bay, you'll probably only go once.l

I have been to both and I agree here on Glacier Bay.  Sawyer Glacier can't compare to Glacier Bay IMO for a first timer.  But like others have said, only you can decide the best choice for you.  

3 hours ago, shaz54 said:

Only 4 of us on this trip sadly. One of the others won’t do water at all. Result of being thrown into the sea as a child to learn to swim 😱! We have booked a tour from Juneau in the hope of seeing whales etc.  We board Celebrity Solstice in Vancouver and then back to Seattle. Our son and his family live near Santa Cruz so we will fly to San Jose after our cruise. Looking forward to catching up with our grandchildren. 

Sorry about your friends not liking the water.  I am the same way about flying.  Give me a ship, train or car for transportation for vacations now. 

I love the whales. I have seen many hump and orca in Juneau. I hope you see them. Try to stick your head in the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau and get an idea what a real beer-belly bar would have been in the gold mining days LOL.   Just walking on the boardwalk along the bay has great things to see there.  

I don't know what the Celebrity dress code is for Alaska. A jacket and nicer top and pants might be what they wear for formal night in the main dining room, I'm not sure.

I really liked Vancouver.   If you get there a day ahead of time before you board the ship fun things are---going to Grouse Mt and taking the tram 1/2 way up .  It is a great adventure with huge wooden lumberjack sculptures and walkways there.  And the Suspension bridge is a thriller.  I got the certificate for crossing it. It has a lot of paths, sculptures and gorgeous scenery when you get across it.  The carriage ride for Stanley park is nice. Vancouver is a wonderful city to visit.  I want to go back.  

It sounds like you are going to have a great vacation after the cruise also.  I know you are counting down the days now.  

1 hour ago, shaz54 said:

This is us and some friends out for a walk on the beach at home! Think it was about February so still winter here. Plenty of layers on ❄️❄️❄️

What a great photo! Is the whole gang going?  You will be fine for the May 4 weather.  Since I am from the area of residence I am used to 0 degree's with snow and sleet so going in May didn't bother me to much at all.  Others were freezing to death.  What port are you leaving from and what ship?  Do you have any tours planned.  All of that is part of the fun of going there as well.  As I mentioned above go to the Alaska thread to really get the best info on your ports and what lies ahead for you. 

3 hours ago, shaz54 said:

Dusty Road - your help has been invaluable! I am inclined to feel the cold but I am well prepared for it. We live in Ireland and are well used to cold weather lol. My worry has been about being cold in the dining room in the evenings. I definitely need to add a couple of long sleeved items for evenings. Thanks again x

You are so welcome.  I don't mean to sound like a ''know it all '' but I have been to Alaska 6 times. Not as far up as Denali but to Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.  My ships were the NCL Pearl and the Carnival Spirit.  Like I said the dress code was very casual unless you wanted to get dressy for formal night, which I didn't.  That night I just wore a nice pair of pants,top and flats.  That small pix is of me laying on the lounger and what I wore on the Pearl during sea days and roaming around on the ship in May or Sept. Have fun.  

3 minutes ago, shaz54 said:

Thank you all for your comments. I know some people feel the cold more than others so your different opinions are all important. Think I need to rethink my packing bearing all your advice in mind. Hope it helps others plan their packing lists too. 🙂 I’ll come back afterwards and let you know how it went.

I hope I helped you. Don't forget you will be out on a lot of cold water getting from port to port.  And in the ports there will be snow in the Mt's. so the temp will be chilly.  They try their best to keep it warm on the ship but I would rather take something off if I get warm than be uncomfortable from being cold because I'm under dressed.  I loved Alaska in May.  There were a lot of waterfalls and the animals were waking up from their winter sleep. Check the ports weather you are going to a couple of days before you leave so you have a better idea of the temps there for you packing.  Have plenty of space in your camera or phone for photo's.  Happy sailing.  

On 4/8/2019 at 6:17 AM, shaz54 said:

Hi we are taking an Alaskan cruise on 10th May. I understand layers are important for shore activities but my query concerns onboard temperatures. Should I expect that dining room temps will be generally comfortable with short sleeved tops/dresses etc. I always find the dining room temperature cool on a ship in warmer climates and usually need a wrap or light jacket. I assume corridors/ doorways with outside access will definitely be cooler. Thanks in advance for your replies.

You don't say what ship you will be on.  That might make a difference for your attire for the dining room.  But May 10 will be very chilly there.   I have been to Alaska in the middle/end of may several times and am not afraid of dressing casual and keeping warm in Alaska.  Sweaters, jeans, tennis shoes, flats, tunics and long sleeved nicer tops/pants for lunch and dinner and buffet were acceptable.   Clean, non tattered and washed attire is a must of course.  Out on the deck warmer outer layers will be needed that time of yr.  Honestly, you won't get dirty so if you wear the same thing more than once no one will notice especially if you cover up with a sweater or sweatshirt.  Mix and match so your bag will be lighter.  Waterproof you comfortable broken in shoes and do take a waterproof outer jacket.  Hat,scarf and gloves will help also.  My first cruise to Alaska I did not wear 1/2 the clothes I took.  Pack your bag, take out half and then repack again by taking out more extra things you think you might need.  Go to the Alaska thread and you will get a lot more help for your cruise.

Have a great time.  

On 12/27/2018 at 4:03 PM, barrel90 said:

Hi,

My wife & I are considering our 1st cruise this summer.  As a 1st timer, can someone tell me if this would be a good idea for someone that does not have good balance.

I have Vertigo  and find it difficult walking on non stable ground, without holding on to a rail.

Am I going to have a lousy time on the sea for 7 days?

Thanks

You will have smoother sailing if you leave from Vancouver instead of Seattle.  It can get pretty rough the first day going and coming back from Seattle.   I agree that a trial run on a shorter cruise might be something to think about.  

On 3/17/2019 at 9:47 AM, declansdad said:

Service and food will be much better on Carnival. Be careful with a 4 day cruise, on most lines they can end up be more of a party cruise.

Totally agree here.  The 7 day cruise will be less party.  And the Carnival cabins are larger than Ncl's are.  I have sailed both and have no complaints about the food or service on either one.  I cruised in May or Sept to Alaska to avoid the kids and the prices were cheaper.  When I went to Cozemel out of New Orleans for 5 days in Sept on Carnival it didn't seem to be all party passengers, but maybe I just got lucky.  Have a great cruise.  

On 4/4/2019 at 4:23 PM, aalonzo2019 said:

Hello All,

 

i will I’ll be going to Alaska for a cruise the week of May 25. I have been checking the historical weather and I know to layer. My question is should I take all long sleeve t-shirts with me? Or some short sleeve? I read the historical highs are like 57 degrees. 

Since you are from California I would stick with the long sleeve shirts.  There are lots of shops that sell short sleeve t's if you need one.  Comfortable broken in shoes are the key for Alaska.  An outer fleece layer is something to through in your bag as well for warmth.