Alaska First Time-Plans

[esmo]

We are booked for our very first (and hopefully not last) Alaska cruise. The good thing is we are booked and going! The potential downside is that we have to go in September - the 6th to be exact, which I know is late but there is no helping that fact - it is what it is...

 

 

We are going on the Golden Princess out of Seattle and I have booked us an aft starboard balcony on Dolphin deck - hopefully this proves to be a good choice

 

A couple of notes about us - we are "later" middle-aged and not hikers, zip-liners etc. My husband will walk (leisurely) but he won't hike. Since this is our first time I tried to hit the highlights for this cruise. When (not if) we do this again, I can change up the itinerary and thus the activities.

 

Here is what I have tentatively planned

 

Juneau - Harv and Marv from 1:20 - 4:20. I am hoping this leaves us enough time to take the tram to the top of Mt. Roberts and see Mendenhall. My research says sunset won't be until around 9:00 p.m. Any other suggestions for Juneau? We dont leave until 10:00 p.m.

 

Skagway - Dyea Dave's Emerald Lake tour. We should be back about 3:00 in the afternoon which I think will leave us plenty of time for something else in Skagway. I need to research some additional sights/activities. Any suggestions.

 

Ketchikan - Island Wings Misty Fjords. I know this won't leave us much time in Ketchikan, but I guess we'll just have to come back. :))

 

I don't have anything formal planned for Victoria. If the spirit moves us we'll get off and at least go to the Empress Hotel and walk around some. This may be a city we'll have to visit on a land vacation.

 

So, I am asking all you Alaska experts - how does this sound for a first cruise. Too much? Not enough?

[JimAOk1945]

We did that same itinerary on the Star Princess a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

[Budget Queen]

We are booked for our very first (and hopefully not last) Alaska cruise. The good thing is we are booked and going! The potential downside is that we have to go in September - the 6th to be exact, which I know is late but there is no helping that fact - it is what it is...

 

 

We are going on the Golden Princess out of Seattle and I have booked us an aft starboard balcony on Dolphin deck - hopefully this proves to be a good choice

 

A couple of notes about us - we are "later" middle-aged and not hikers, zip-liners etc. My husband will walk (leisurely) but he won't hike. Since this is our first time I tried to hit the highlights for this cruise. When (not if) we do this again, I can change up the itinerary and thus the activities.

 

Here is what I have tentatively planned

 

Juneau - Harv and Marv from 1:20 - 4:20. I am hoping this leaves us enough time to take the tram to the top of Mt. Roberts and see Mendenhall. My research says sunset won't be until around 9:00 p.m. Any other suggestions for Juneau? We dont leave until 10:00 p.m.

 

Skagway - Dyea Dave's Emerald Lake tour. We should be back about 3:00 in the afternoon which I think will leave us plenty of time for something else in Skagway. I need to research some additional sights/activities. Any suggestions.

 

Ketchikan - Island Wings Misty Fjords. I know this won't leave us much time in Ketchikan, but I guess we'll just have to come back. :))

 

I don't have anything formal planned for Victoria. If the spirit moves us we'll get off and at least go to the Empress Hotel and walk around some. This may be a city we'll have to visit on a land vacation.

 

So, I am asking all you Alaska experts - how does this sound for a first cruise. Too much? Not enough?

 

You are way off in your daylight, second week of Sept. it's going to be dark around 7pm, on the inside passage. Being well prepared in your attire will offer you the best trip. :)

 

You don't mention your Juneau port time, if it is noon or earlier, I would head yourselves to Mendenhall when the ship clears, and get a direct pick up from there for your whale watch. IF not available, then take a cab to the boat tour. Leave Mt Roberts until you get there. It is a nice look even at night. The fee is good all day.

[esmo]

Thanks, I don't know what I was looking at for the sunset times. We should still have plenty of time to do most of what we want in Juneau. On whale watching does a short "stop" at Mendenhall, we'll see how we feel after that. I do want to ride the tram if weather permits.

[Budget Queen]

Thanks, I don't know what I was looking at for the sunset times. We should still have plenty of time to do most of what we want in Juneau. On whale watching does a short "stop" at Mendenhall, we'll see how we feel after that. I do want to ride the tram if weather permits.

 

H&M has been noted to do a 15 minute stop at Mendenahall. Verify this directly with them. You have plenty to time, to just use their drop off, then take the shuttle bus back when you are ready. It is well worth the hour to consider Nugget Falls trail which gets you the closest to Mendenhall.

 

As I mentioned, if you can see the top, ride up Mt Roberts Tram when you get to port, it is well worth the time to ride up in both daylight and dark.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Budget Queen

[Glaciers]

Juneau - Harv and Marv from 1:20 - 4:20. I am hoping this leaves us enough time to take the tram to the top of Mt. Roberts and see Mendenhall. My research says sunset won't be until around 9:00 p.m. Any other suggestions for Juneau? We dont leave until 10:00 p.m.

 

With your schedule do the tram in the morning, if clear, as soon as they let you off the ship. Once Harv and Marv drops you at Mendenhall after the whale watch it is worth the walk out to Nugget Falls for most. You will have to watch your time as in the past the last shuttle back to the ship leaves at about 6pm. There’s always a cab if needed. You might want to have their number ready just in case. You may not have time for lunch so you might consider throwing some snacks in your pack. You’ll certainly have time to do the tram again in the evening.

[Budget Queen]

With your schedule do the tram in the morning, if clear, as soon as they let you off the ship. Once Harv and Marv drops you at Mendenhall after the whale watch it is worth the walk out to Nugget Falls for most. You will have to watch your time as in the past the last shuttle back to the ship leaves at about 6pm. There’s always a cab if needed. You might want to have their number ready just in case. You may not have time for lunch so you might consider throwing some snacks in your pack. You’ll certainly have time to do the tram again in the evening.

 

 

You have to call your own cab. There is, no longer any cab line at Mendenhall. You can get numbers from the visitor center, but, if you are there late- it may already be closed. So have cab numbers with you, if a chance to stay longer.

[Glaciers]

You have to call your own cab. There is, no longer any cab line at Mendenhall. You can get numbers from the visitor center, but, if you are there late- it may already be closed. So have cab numbers with you, if a chance to stay longer.

 

I didn't know they ever had a cab stand at Mendenhall. Certainly would have been a losing deal when you can jump on a shuttle bus for 8 bucks. The visitor center is very accomodating about calling cabs for visitors as well.

[Budget Queen]

I didn't know they ever had a cab stand at Mendenhall. Certainly would have been a losing deal when you can jump on a shuttle bus for 8 bucks. The visitor center is very accomodating about calling cabs for visitors as well.

 

Yes, they did, always was a couple cabs there, and they were always on the move. Several years ago. You have had to call your own cab for several years now.