emeltee

I love the organization of your blog! Are there directions online on how you set up your blog - specifically the tabs? I do have a blogspot account, so I at least have that part down, lol. I would love to do something similar for my trip.

Thanks for posting this informative review. I really liked your conclusions. Very helpful.

Okay, now back to packing, lol (we leave on Tuesday!)

Thanks for answering my questions. You have been so helpful!

So it just sounds like you hand carried your wine onto the ship, right? Well, hand carried in your backpack, that is vs checking it in with your luggage? Do you think we should bring some reusable shopping bags and carry wine on that way? We are a party of 5 adults and might have 5 bottles of wine with us.

Another question - this time about clothing.

What did you wear during the boat cruises? PWS & H&M? Did it get really cold/windy?

How about during glacier viewing aboard the Sapphire?

Thanks for posting this detailed review. We leave in one week.

Two uick questions since I'm on my phone - what did you do with your luggage during the PWS glacier tour? We are driving in, so different than what you did. Did you leave your luggage with MM or was princess accepting luggage early?

Also, how did you bring your bottles of wine on board? I read that a lot of people pack them in their suitcases, but I'm kinda nervous to do that. Plus I don't know if we'll space.

HI!

 

When I went on the Allure I was still using a Canon 50d which is a crop-sensor. For lens I used a Canon 24-70L and a Tokina 11-16.

 

Were you curious about lens for Alaska or a different cruise?

 

I just returned from Alaska 3 weeks ago where I used the Mark 5d III. I took a Canon 24-70 L, a 16-35 L and I rented a 100-400 L. I rarely used the 16-35 but used the 24-70 mainly around town, on my float plane excursion and on board the ship. I used the 100-400 L on an excursion into Tracy Arm and when sailing into Glacier Bay.

 

I am slowly editing photos while I have time.....I took A LOT of pictures in Alaska. I have edited days 1 and 2 so far. I will be doing a review once they all edited.

LOL - I didn't realize that this was a review for a different cruise! I thought it was for Alaska! I only saw pictures of the ship and just assumed (well, you know what they say about assuming...)

In any case, do you think you would have missed the 16-35? I'm wondering if our 24-105 will be good enough.

PS I hope you don't mind me asking you here. I would have tried to send you a message, but I can't figure out if these boards allow private messages...

Hi Kristin -

I haven't had time to read through your review, so I don't know if you've talked about your camera, yet. Once I get some time, I want to go through your review. The pictures look amazing from what I've seen so far. (Since I'm taking Princess, I'm not on the RCI boards, so I missed your review - have you linked to it at the Alaska boards?)

You responded to one of my camera post on the the camera/photography board regarding lenses for FF cameras. I believe we have the same camera (5DMIII.)

How did your particular lenses work for you? DH & I are bringing a

28-105

100-400 (renting)

possibly a wide angle (renting)

My brother (who also has the same camera) is bringing his 28-105.

We might rent one more telephoto lens maybe a 70-200 or 70-300 with an extender, so that we both can have access to a telephoto lens at the same time. I'm thinking that we can get by with either one or no extra wide-angle.

Did your lenses work for you? I'm trying to gather some more info before deciding which extra lenses to rent.

See post no. 15 in this thread (first page.) You want to go to the craft shop at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

Any others you can recommend? I see that the shop doesn't take credit cards. Not sure how we'd pay as we plan on carrying large amounts of cash or traveler's checks or our checkbook.

Two of the better native craft shops that I have found in Alaska are:

http://www.crazywolfstudio.com/ in Ketchikan

 

http://mtjuneautradingpost.com/ in Juneau

 

The Mt. Juneau Trading Post is particularly good with one of the largest inventories that I have seen anywhere.

 

http://arcticspiritgallery.com/ in Ketchikan is another good shop...but a little more gallery like in nature and pricing.

Thanks for these recommendations. Do you have any for Anchorage? We'll be there for several days and will have more time to look around. We like to buy a piece of art or native crafts when we travel.

Group of 7 - Dad, who is turning 80 this year, Mom, me, DH, my brother, DD1 (will be 8) and DD2 (4)

July 2: SFO-->ANC arrive 9:30pm. Probably stay at Embassy Suites. Rent minivan for family AND a economy car for brother

July 3: Brother will do Matanuska Glacier Climb with Mica Guides. Parents, DH, DD1& DD2 and I will explore Anchorage. I want to visit the Native Alaskan Heritage Center. Maybe take in one more site - but we'll be taking it easy.

July 4: DH, DD1 & I will do Matanuska Glacier Trek with Mica Guides. Brother, parents & DD2 will explore more of Anchorage. Not exactly sure what they'll do since my brother is relying on me to do all the planning (!) But knowing them, they'll take it easy as well. It is also my parents' anniversary, so we'll plan on a nice dinner out. Hopefully see some fireworks, although I think I read that they happen really late due to the longs days(midnight?)

July 5: Leisurely drive down Seward Hwy, taking lots of stops. Plan stop at Wildlife Conservation Ctr. Check in Aleyska Hotel for one night.

July 6: Drive to Whittier. Take Major Marine Surprise Glacier Tour. Embark Princess Sapphire. Meet up with my Aunt and her friend, who are joining us on the cruise. They are from Victoria, Canada.

July 7: Hubbard Glacier

July 8: Glacier Bay

July 9: Skagway: Rent minivan and drive to Yukon. Brother may try to fish here. Parents either to go with us to Yukon or hang out with Aunt.

July 10: Juneau: Harv & Marv whale watch for parents, DH, DDs and me. Drop off at Mendenhall Glacier. Friends highly recommended Tracy's Crab Shack, so we'll have to try it out.

July 11: Ketchikan: Brother, DH & DD1 - Deadliest Catch Excursion. DD2 and I may try to see some totem poles. Maybe we'll actually try to get her to nap today as I'm sure she will be missing quite a few naps on this trip! Hopefully she isn't completely fried by this day.

July 12: At Sea

July 13: Vancouver: My main objective is to have Dim Sum in Richmond before our plan takes off at 7pm. I just have to figure out the fine details ie transportation and whether or not we'll take in one sight before or after lunch.