totheworld

We had a retreat cabana on our Nieuw Amsterdam cruise to Alaska in late August and we LOVED it, even on the days that were a little rainy or windy. It was our favorite place onboard. Nice cozy blankets, hot tea, and wonderful steward. Had lunch up there several times. We wore layers and enjoyed the views - especially on the last inside passage day at sea. According to our steward, you can usually spot wildlife around 4:30 on the port side and he was right.

We just got back today and watched your muster drill with some envy. We were so happy in our Neptune suite, I can only imagine the fun you’ll have in a pinnacle!! You had a beautiful day.

If you haven’t booked lunch on a sea day in the pinnacle grill, that was a favorite meal of ours. Oh and a

Crew member mentioned to us that wildlife spotting on the last sea day is excellent port side between 4:30 - 5:00. He was not wrong - baby orca and a pod of leaping dolphins were just two of the highlights of that magic time (well, between 4:15 - 6:00).

Enjoy!

We are on 8/25 as well. :cool:

I think I should get started on packing...right?

we'll be embarking on that very same cruise on 8/25. Looking forward to reading more whenever you are able to post!

We rented a family cabana for our August Alaska cruise as well. We are a family of 3, traveling with my in-laws. I think the chances of us all being there together are slim but we will also play it by ear. As for the weather - who knows? We're used to the cold and wind after this winter in NYC!

Sorry to add another question here, but I don't think it warrants a whole new thread - what about views from the retreat cabanas? Same issue as with the balcony (tiny view)? was just thinking that it would be much less crowded than on deck, though you may not hear the naturalist. Thank you.

I don't even want to wade into that thread. I did on the deleted one and the level of vitriol was quite disturbing. If I like the book selection, I will take it out from the library and maybe even participate in the discussion. Or not!

Oprah's Book Club was the most successful book club in that she drove sales of books to stratospheric levels. Now that she no longer has her show, sales are still strong enough to the point that most authors would want his/her book to be an Oprah selection. The sales indicate she appeals to a broad segment of the public (though clearly not to all the posters here) and so from a marketing perspective, an association with Oprah is more mass market than niche and a book club makes sense given her brand.

Also, she has confirmed she will not be running for President.

We booked a private tour in Ketchikan for our stop there in August. Another option to consider to find sundews.

Hello,

We are cruising to Alaska this August on the Nieuw Amsterdam. I'm very excited. My husband and I have only been on one other cruise, years ago on Cunard Lines. Now we will be traveling with in laws and my 8 year old son.

I called HAL to make the reservation and was originally put on anytime dining. I called back to note allergies and the person recommended the 5:45 seating if possible so the wait staff would get to know our needs. Obviously, from the title of this post, we are on the waitlist.

She seemed pretty certain that our party of 5 would clear the waitlist, but I'm wondering how I will know - do I just need to start calling sometime in June or will I get an email? I don't see the waitlist noted when I check online.

thanks so much. Looking forward to a great trip (and I'll pack my son's blue blazer in case we make it to a gala night).

We have a bus/train tour booked with Chilkoot on Tuesday, August 28 - maybe it's late enough in the season?

We have one booked as well. Would love to know if you ate any meals or snacks in the family cabana - did you use it on embarkation day? I'm really looking forward to it! thanks.

Thank you. We are going on our first cruise on the NA in August and this review has been so helpful. Wonderful!

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Our port times were the same as yours

Ah, that makes me feel so much better!

Thank you again for all your help! I'm very excited for this trip!

This is where we are right now:

Juneau: Whale watch with Jayleen, cab to/from glacier

Skagway: Bus up/Train down, lunch on ship, hike after (Yakutania or Lower Dewey) and/or walking around town

Ketchikan: Possible lumberjack show if grandparents want to come - may add because while i think I won't like it, I'm fairly certain my 8yo don will love it. Then 3.5 hour tour with Wild Wolf (totems and hike and Herring Cove?)

We are doing something similar - whale watch tour at 1:45, cab to glacier from marina, then cab back to ship. I don't think we'll be able to fit in the tram, unfortunately. I've heard that you cannot take unpackaged food off the ship, though - packaged only. Just something to research...

We booked a family retreat for our Alaska cruise in August. Wanted a little extra space and thought that maybe we would be able to hang out there for views during the at-sea days. It's a gamble, a chilly gamble!

You would need to cab back from Mendenhall. I think the last shuttle is around 6 or 6:30. The R/T shuttle is $45 per person, which includes the entrance fee. Not sure of a one way cost. Maybe less expensive to cab both ways.

Thanks - Jayleen may drop us at the bus stop, which I think is 1/2 mile from vistor's center or we may end up calling a cab to take us there. Regardless, we will definitely make sure to take numbers with us so we can get back to the dock!

...Made reservation request to Jayleen. Hopefully will hear back from her soon. I really want the small boat and I spoke with my husband and reminded him that we aren't even allowed to get too close to the whales (now, of course, they don't know that but still not worried we'll capsize). Thanks again everyone!

Yes! That was his fear exactly - that we would be overturned...I don't truly understand it.... The Discover Alaska's Whales is maxed out at 20 people, so not overrun with people. Just not sure the citizen science part of it feels "real" or is just a gimmick that takes away from seeking out whales.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses.

For Ketchikan, I've booked 3.5 hours with Wild Wolf (tracy) and will figure out how we are spending that time later - we definitely want a hike in Tongass, and think that the totems may be more interesting with a guide? We will see.

For Skagway, I went and booked the 8:30 bus/rail via Chilkoot (just waiting on confirmation). Then, I think we'll get lunch back on the boat, and head back out to hike on our own, possibly lower dewey lake or yakutania point. I did some more reading and realized my son could get a junior ranger pin in Skagway. He won't want to miss that. That way, we'll have some more time on our own and not be tied to excursions.

For Juneau, I am absolutely torn between Jayleen and Gastineau Discovering Alaska's Whales (booked through ship). Jayleen sounds so knowledgable and she has been incredibly helpful...but the science angle of the Whale Tour also sounds appealing. Plus my husband is expressing some concern about the 6 person boat. Any thoughts? We will make our way to Mendenhall after for whatever time we can.

This trip is taking shape! I know I'm planning far too early, but I can't help it.

Hello,

Thank you to everyone already - I have done so much research on this board and it has been incredibly helpful.

We are a family of 3 plus two grandparents who will be going to Alaska on HAL, inside passage, departing Vancouver in late August. We are active, while the grandparents are not quite as much - so they will likely be joining us for some of these activities and not for the others.

In general, we don't like feeling rushed, however, I'm having trouble picking and choosing. Not having a great sense of distance or time is not helping. We do not want to rent a car, which i know makes things more difficult.

ANY feedback on the following would be so appreciated!

Juneau, arrive 1:00 PM, depart 10:00 PM

• Whale watching 2 - 6 with grandparents
  
• Mendenhall Glacier, without grandparents.
  

The challenge I have is that we will want to stay longer at the glacier than the 45-60 minutes that is offered on a combined tour, walking to Nugget Falls at the very least. Should I look for a shorter, private whale watching tour, 2 - 5 and then shuttle or cab to Mendenhall? Transportation back from Mendenhall would be via cab?

Skagway: 7:00 am - Depart9:00 pm

• White Pass train and bus – book through Chilkoot charters? 8:30 – 11:30 - Grandparents would join on this
  
• Chilkoot Float and Hike 2:30 - 7:00 book through Skagway float tours? Chilkat? or maybe just through the cruise ship? 2:30– 7:00
  

This seems like a long day but there's so much to do...

Ketchikan: Arrive 10:00 am - Depart6:00 pm

• Looking at a private guided tour that includes totem park, possibly herring cove, and a hike through Tongass National Park. Grandparents would join for part but skip the hike. This would be 12:30 - 3:30 or so.
  

Once again, thank you for any help. Writing this all out makes it feel a little too packed - is it too early to plan another trip?