kona_wahine

we did pass some bikes in Skagway, out in the “wilderness” area. Not sure if it was an excursion or not. We were on our way to the ziplining. The bus driver called them “fast food” for the bears…. We did pass one of those also.

I just took my granddaughter on the Spirit out of Seattle, different last names. I took notarized letter from her mom. No one asked to see it. If there had been a medical emergency I would have been glad to have it.

Never on Caribbean, just on Alaska.

Wait until you get home and hit up Costco…. 1/2 the price

Did an NCL in May, and then Carnival was offering these crazy deals so I took my granddaughter. Just got back Thursday. Alaska is amazing. If you don’t think you will like it, well, I don’t think you understand the beauty. It is just jaw dropping. Anyhoo, I’d like to do a late July, but man-o-man, the fare for next year is over $4,000 for 2 in a balcony on the Spirit….. Maybe they will come down. That’s just ridiculous.

I’ll try to make this quick. I did 2 this year, one NCL in May and one Carnival just got back Thursday. NCL did glacier bay, Carnival did Tracey Arm Fjord. I picked NCL because Glacier Bay, and was so glad I did. But Tracey Arm Fjord was beautiful! They have excursion boats (you have to book the excursion) that take you right up to the glacier and it was the highlight of both trips. They also took us up to the other sawyer glacier, to a beautiful waterfall, we got close to a bear, and saw whales. On NCL we did get close to glaciers, and in May it was still snowy and absolutely didn’t look real. Seriously, I have pictures that people ask if it was a backdrop, and I have to tell them it was actually real. So beautiful!!! I was so happy to have done both, and only because Carnival had UNREAL prices for their Alaska trips for June. Just look at the port times at each stop, as our NCL cruise were much less then the Carnival port times. We also had one extra day on Carnival, so we got Icy Straight Point, which was very cool, we saw Orcas on our excursion and our first bear. (That was my first time seeing a bear in the wild, my goal for this trip) And big ships aren’t always better when booking Alaska, just keep that in mind. But for me a balcony is a must. I would hear the Naturalist come on over the loud speaker and listen to what he was saying and if he said “port side” I would know to grab my binoculars and head outside and see what was out there. (Carnival) His name was Chris and he did a WONDERFUL job of keeping us informed of what was happening on the water. NCL didn’t do that from what I recall.

You won’t be allowed in the terminal without showing the QR code. It’s easy to do, don’t fret.

We just got off the Spirit and we video called thru Facebook messenger and it worked great while on the ship. Never had an issue, I was shocked. Just an FYI. I was cruising with my granddaughter so we could video chat with her mom and I could video chat with my husband. Made it really nice.

I just got back yesterday from the Spirit 8 day for $1200 for 2, with $200 OBC. And that was upgrading to an extended balcony on deck 8. It was just an amazing cruise. But, and it’s a big BUT, the excursions cost more then the cruise did. And you don’t want to skimp on excursions because what’s the point of going if you don’t see what’s up there, right? I looked for next July, as I’d like to go with the Salmon are running, and a 7 day is running about $4,000. Ya, not gonna happen at that price!!! Here’s a picture to entice you….It’s from the boat excursion on Tracey Arm Fjord.

I’m in the car on the way home right now from my 2nd alaska cruise. First was NCL in May, 2nd was Carnival. Both were FANTASTIC!! The first was absolutely breathtaking with all the snow. The mountains, WOW. The one I just got off of we saw so much wildlife and did so much, it was truly amazing. We saw so many whales, orcas and humpbacks, seals, sea lions, porpoise, bears, mink, eagles, bears, deer, waterfall after waterfall after waterfall. The list just goes on and on. I can’t tell you, it’s something you have to experience. It’s beyond words.

It doesn’t show up on my Alaska CC. Bummer.

I saw a couple pictures on facebook. Pictures don’t look real bad. I don’t think cleanup will take too long. We will be there in 10 days!

Thinking about taking this cruise. Looking forward to reading your trip report!!

I wish we had researched more! We went with a ship excursion thru Allen Marine, the boat was quite large, and a very small spot on top that was outside. The bottom part was all glass enclosed, and heated. So lots of wet people and heat equal STEAM. I would definitely do research and go with a smaller boat, 6 people sounds perfect.

I just bought stock last week when the price dropped and immediately put in for the credit, knowing I was probably too close to sailing date June 29. But the cruise, an 8 day to Alaska was only $310pp +fees and $200obc anyway so I don’t know that they would give the credit anyway. Maybe I’ll try guest services if it hasn’t shown, I guess it couldn’t hurt….