Planning to do whale watching in Icy Point (unless a better suggestion emerges). We've been on a waitlist got glacier winds but cruise is in a month. Whats our best second option?

On 3/29/2024 at 2:22 PM, no1racefan1 said:

Copied from another forum:

 

UPDATE: Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau

From Travel Juneau, the convention & visitors bureau:

The Mendenhall Glacier is just one of Juneau’s many attractions. To make sure we maintain the vibrant ecosystem while providing a quality visitor experience at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (MGVC), tour and commercial transportation capacity is limited. Travel Juneau highly recommends visitors book their transportation or tours to the glacier well in advance of their arrival in Juneau, as it’s probable that day-of purchase will not be available. Right now, indications are that excursions and activities are up to 80% booked.

Capital Transit, the public transit system, is designed for resident transport and does not go directly to the glacier. The nearest bus stop is approximately 1.5 miles one way from the MGVC and very limited opportunities for return taxi services from the area back downtown. Visitors using Capital Transit may experience long wait times between runs and should be aware that there are no services between the bus stop and the visitor center. They may encounter bears along the walking path, especially early in the morning or late evening. Visitors arriving via car rental, on foot, or without a tour operator must purchase an entrance pass at the visitor center.

We rented a car so we just drive up and buy, correct? 

Going on alaska cruise. When I add wifi there is a 2 device wifi option but you only select one person. I am assuming you can have 2 devices with two different t people. How does wifi work?

Also, is there a way to communicate on boat with people through an app to meet etc? Carnival has one. 

1 hour ago, doghog said:

Sounds fair to me. That's correct if he isn't booked in a Concierge Class stateroom, no perks. This also includes the embarkation lunch in the MDR. His SeaPss card will also be a different color than yours.  

Can my kids be in the room themselves it seemed like no...

So my two kids are in the non conceiege class but because they are 17 and 20 I had to put my husband in there. So that means any perks my husband will not be able to get.... hmm. 

I read we can do priority boarding? 2 of 3 of our rooms are this class. Will they let our whole party go together? 

Hi. We booked a guarantee and we have been given 3104 on solstice as a guarantee. I can't find much info on this. We also don't need accessible and I'm not sure exactly how/why we got it. It doesn't matter either way to us but also don't want to take away from someone who needs it?

Any info on this room?

It says their boats are up ton30 people?

If we decide to go on one, Glacier winds is booked. Hoonah Tours is also booked. Who is third up? Was looking for a small boat, if 3 of us decide we want to do it. 

Thanks! I did rent a car in Juneau and thought we could do exactly that 🙂

Thanks everyone. We are a party of 6- 2 grandparents and then a family of 4- 2 of which are 17 and 20. Things really start adding up x 6 and we have been fortunate enough to travel a lot. My parents haven't so this is a gift for them. My mom has no interest in whale watching (seasick situations) so another reason I was looking for other things. I just feel like the amount of money spent so e of our party it'd be a waste on... 

Ok! I have shown them the pics and they have decided the bus/rail combo does look good. Our options are:

830am bus then train

1230 train then bus

Any reason why one is better over another?

To be honest, they don't look exciting to me. We all have our opinions and no, they don't to me. I've been watching videos on YouTube to try to see if we'd find it exciting and I just don't think we would- maybe I'm watching the wrong videos. 

I've read bad reviews of bear tours and mostly everything else is whales. Idk but whale tours don't look exciting to me when I've been onacruise. Anyone kayak?

My parents want to train both ways. My family would prefer the half and half... is there anyway we can ride the train at least half way up together?

It seems like there is whale watching...and whale watching. Anything else I'm missing..?

What about round trip to Vancouver? It says it's day 2.

We are in ISP from 1:30- 10pm

Here is what I am leaning towards:

ISP- Kayak or Whales... I really don't know. I've never been whale watching, I'm not sure if it'd be super exciting. I feel like kayaking may be more?

Juneau- DIY to glacier, then ? I'm not sure. Any ideas? It'll be my family (2 teens) and my parents (60). We have time to do something else, but not a ton of budget.

Ketchikan- rainforest? 

Skagway- train. 

My kid is a forestry/natural resources and anthropology major so extra bonus points for things like that. 

Hi. Alright, I think I've figured out everything except Ketchikan. My son is a natural resources and anthropology major. Very interested in both indgenious people as well as forests. We were thinking a rainforest hike, but I thought I read we could just do one on our own. I also see there is a Rainforest Sanctuary. What would you recommend? Any thoughts? We do a lot of hiking in Florida or when we vacation around the world. 

Also, rainforest recs?

First alaska cruise. I've read posts but want to ask the experts.

- best port to kayak?

-whale watching worth it? Thinking isp port.

-my dad wants to do train in skagway. Should we do the cruise one or the half bus half train?

Thanks!

Thanks everyone! My son may have to do some online summer college class work. TBD. 

Wifi needed for service in Alaska with Verizon?

Want to book train in Skagway. Should we book now and is it refundable to a point? My research shows maybe 30 days out is new policy?

I've never gone with celebrity before. I can't seem to find information about what the daily entertainment is etc for our cruise. Not our maim goal of this trip but also wanted to see. 

Hi. Just booked a cruise for my family. We are in the concierge class on solstice and Oceanview (we have 3 cabins). We will need wifi. Does the concierge class include any of the things in the "premium access" add on? I was looking at it and it has a disclaimer that some rooms already have this. I can't find the info tho .

Thanks!

I'm super bummed. The forts are so awesome. I thought about going to the rainforest but it seems like it is still in bad times.