Any "free" time?

[EdukatedRedHed]

I tried to search on this, but it kept timing out. :o

 

 

I'm really looking forward to my Alaskan cruise, but I'm also kind of dreading it! :o You see, when I cruise the Caribbean it's very relaxing. I sleep a lot, sit by the pool, and generally only feel like I "have to" do anything when I go ashore. But if you've seen one tropical island, you've pretty much seen them all! ;)

 

 

With the Alaskan cruise, I feel like it's going to be non-stop go-go-go! We have excursions booked in most ports and when we're not in port, there's such gorgeous scenery to look at! Will there be any "down time" where we can rest, relax, or roam around the ship leisurely? Besides at night when I'm asleep! (even then, I'm afraid I'll miss something!:rolleyes: )

 

 

Am I stressing too much about not being able to relax? ;)

[mbisson]

I find the sea days, looking at the scenery, to be extremely relaxing.

 

-Monte

[Toyz711]

our 1st day at sea was very relaxing...casinos and time on the balcony.

for juneau, we didn't get in into 2pm..plenty of time for quiet breakfast/lunch and more time on the balcony. glacier bay was very relaxing...all day cruising. (much time on balcony). ketchikan was raining very hard, we just shopped and spend the time around the ship.

the only thing...early mornings!! the views were so great i didn't want to miss anything. the whole time we were in our room, the drapes were open so we could look out.

[caviargal]

I find Alaska more relaxing than warm weather cruising. I love to sit on my balcony or even on deck, with a blanket for warmth and just take in the fabulous scenery. I rise early normally and love the early mornings.

 

We dine late so we are not rushed after excursions and build leisure time into our day. For me, that includes a workout in the gym in the morning and sauna/steam time in the afternoon, a nap and then dressing for dinner.

 

The cold air invigorates me where heat, sun and water can wear me out.

 

It will be as relaxing as you make it.

[EdukatedRedHed]

I guess maybe I'm stressing myself out b/c I want to make sure I capture EVERYTHING! :rolleyes: :D And I also want to make sure my hubby is having a good time. I feel a little bit like the host of the party who doesn't enjoy herself b/c she's making sure everything's taken care of! :p

 

 

Y'all are right, it is what you make of it. Now, I just need to BREATHE! :D

[fti]

It will definitely be more what your attitude is than anything. If you feel like you need to stress out thinking about your husband, other things, etc. you will feel stressed out. If you have the attitude that you want to go, relax, have a fun time and just enjoy it, you most likely will. Sure there are lots of things you can do on the ship and on land. But hey, if for once you want to sleep in or not do something on board, fine. We seemed to do a lot both during our independent land tour and on our cruise last summer. But it was still very relaxing and I would probably not change a thing if I were to do it all over again. Well, maybe take even more photos of the eagles flying all around me in Ketchikan near the cannery. And maybe not quite so long of a hike around Stony "Hill" (aka mountain) one day in Denali NP though we loved it. But that is really about it.

[curiousl8y]

...We seemed to do a lot both during our independent land tour and on our cruise last summer. But it was still very relaxing and I would probably not change a thing if I were to do it all over again. Well, maybe take even more photos of the eagles flying all around me in Ketchikan near the cannery. And maybe not quite so long of a hike around Stony "Hill" (aka mountain) one day in Denali NP though we loved it. But that is really about it.

 

John, not to hijack the thread, but can you tell me more about your time in Denali? Did you stay in Kantishna? What kinds of activities did they have for you there, and most importantly, did you see critters??? :D

 

Linda

[NancyIL]

We're on a NB cruise, and all 3 port arrivals are quite early, as is our arrival at Glacier Bay and the day we disembark. There are only 2 days when we could sleep in - and I'm leaning towards getting up early on day #2 to try to see what remains of Vancouver Island. Nope - won't be a "relaxing" cruise for me!

[cjnky]

when we're not in port, there's such gorgeous scenery to look at!

 

How can you get more relaxing than that? :)

[codyody]

This is our first cruise, but I can compare it to overseas travel; rather than rush from place to place (after so many churches they start to look the same), we always plan for ONE specific event, and play the rest by ear. It has always worked and I've always been able to work in a nap or cocktail break:cool:

[fti]

John, not to hijack the thread, but can you tell me more about your time in Denali? Did you stay in Kantishna? What kinds of activities did they have for you there, and most importantly, did you see critters??? :D

 

Linda

 

My time in Denali was great. We camped at Wonder Lake campgound. If there were room available, we would have preferred to stay at the Skyline Lodge in Kantishna but even booking 7-8 months in advance one of our three nights was sold out.

 

The first day we just arrived on the camper bus then took another bus to Kantishna to see an old cabin and enjoy a bit more scenery.

 

The second day we hiked the McKinley Bar trail (starts close to Wonder Lake campground) and is a very easy hike - maybe 2 hours round trip? It is the only formal trail in the park that is not near the park entrance. Had lunch at the river bar then hiked back. Saw a few birds then. Not sure what we did the rest of that day. I think we rode the shuttle busses a bit just to see more wildlife.

 

The third day we took the shuttle bus to Stony Hill and did our almost-all-day hike. It was great. But within 15 minutes of starting out we saw a bear probably 50-75 yards away. He was near a stream so didn't hear or see us. We moved away quickly. It was good to see him when we did - at the beginning - since it made us more bear-aware the rest of the hike. Much of our hike was a bit higher up where the bears generally would not be. We saw a caribou and another small animal during our hike.

 

The last day we just took the camper bus back to the entrance - this was by far our worst day with clouds and mist.

 

At the campground my sister stayed up late one night to write postcards and saw a wolf pass on the path about 25 yards from her with a squirrel in its mouth.

 

We had LOTS of mosquitos but with head nets, 100% DEET and our Off Power Pad lantern we did fine.

 

The highlight of staying that far into the park is that you greatly increase your chances of seeing Mt. McKinley. Often it comes "out" later in the evening. At 7pm the first night until 1pm the second day we saw the mountain totally without clouds. Unbelievable. At 11pm I biked to the reflection pond to take photos at sunset with the reflection. Incredible. The first shuttle bus gets to Wonder Lake about 10.30am and the last one leaves about 3pm I think - you would pretty much missed the Mountain if coming just for the day trip. At Reflection Pond I saw a duck with her little ones moving across the pond. Also saw a snowshoe hare come within 2 feet of me. He was interested in the bicycle - probably never saw one before! I got a few great photos of him with me trying to not move and be as quiet as possible, so not to scare him off.

 

Then the third day the mountain came out again later in the day, again missed if we were not at Wonder Lake.

 

I am going back again this July but only 2 nights at Wonder Lake this time. I would have liked 3 but we had to fit our schedule around the only available dates for frequent flyer tickets, wanting to get to Talkeetna, Seward and Katmai NP. Can't do everything!

 

If you have a chance to stay in Kantishna and Skyline Lodge is available, do it. You will not regret it. The other places in Kantishna charge 2-3 times what Skyline does. Skyline is basic but clean - 4 bedded rooms with community kitchen. It doesn't cost more than most places near the park entrance.

 

Any more questions, just ask.

 

John

[curiousl8y]

My time in Denali was great. We camped at Wonder Lake campgound. If there were room available, we would have preferred to stay at the Skyline Lodge in Kantishna but even booking 7-8 months in advance one of our three nights was sold out.

 

...

We had LOTS of mosquitos but with head nets, 100% DEET and our Off Power Pad lantern we did fine.

 

...

Any more questions, just ask.

 

John

 

Holy wow! I'm so happy to hear there were that many critters!

 

We are staying in Kantishna for 2 nights, so I'm hoping for the best but understanding it's a gamble to see Denali. However, we're taking a Denali flightseeing tour out of Talkeetna so I'll get to see her one way or the other.

 

Thanks for such a great review of Wonder Lake! I wonder if there will be as many mosquitos when we're there at the very end of August?

 

Linda

[smurf1635]

I find Alaska more relaxing than warm weather cruising. I love to sit on my balcony or even on deck, with a blanket for warmth and just take in the fabulous scenery. I rise early normally and love the early mornings.

 

We dine late so we are not rushed after excursions and build leisure time into our day. For me, that includes a workout in the gym in the morning and sauna/steam time in the afternoon, a nap and then dressing for dinner.

 

The cold air invigorates me where heat, sun and water can wear me out.

 

It will be as relaxing as you make it.

 

 

Blanket? That is something I should pack, right?

 

Edukatedredhead, I hope I have your name right, I understand what you are saying, I've worried about the same thing. I love to just spend hours upon hours doing pretty much nothing. Reading, napping, people watching, napping, reading, throw in a snack or two and do some more reading or napping. If I'm doing all that reading or napping what am I missing?

 

smurf1635

[mbisson]

Blanket? That is something I should pack, right?

smurf1635

 

On our NCL Alaska cruises, there have been blue blankets (more like throws) available on deck by the pool in some of the holders usually reserved for towels. They work fine no need to pack your own :D

 

-Monte

[fti]

Holy wow! I'm so happy to hear there were that many critters!

 

We are staying in Kantishna for 2 nights, so I'm hoping for the best but understanding it's a gamble to see Denali. However, we're taking a Denali flightseeing tour out of Talkeetna so I'll get to see her one way or the other.

 

Thanks for such a great review of Wonder Lake! I wonder if there will be as many mosquitos when we're there at the very end of August?

 

Linda

 

The mosquitos are all gone by early August. I think you will love end of August. I was there in September (10-12?) and the fall colors were in full force. I am sure it will have started by the time you are there. Do take layered clothing for end of August to Kantishna - granted I camped but on Sep 11 or 12 we had 18" of snow!!!! If you get out and about end of August in early morning or evening, it can get cool.

 

Tip - use the shuttle buses to your advantage during your stay in Kantishna. You will be traveling east in the morning when most people are traveling west, and vice versa. There is a camper bus from Kantishna to the park entrance about 6.30-7am. Get on that bus heading east maybe to Polychrome or not that far. Then take a shuttle back toward Kantishna later in the day - the busses are a great way to see wildlife.

 

If you like hiking, the McKinley Bar Trail starts near Wonder Lake Campground and is a very easy but nice trail. The only formal trail not near the park entrance. Your lodging has info.

 

Most likely your lodging might have bicycles and/or canoes for rent/loan. Canoeing on Wonder Lake would be pretty cool.

 

Enjoy your stay!

[curiousl8y]

 

Tip - use the shuttle buses to your advantage during your stay in Kantishna. You will be traveling east in the morning when most people are traveling west, and vice versa. There is a camper bus from Kantishna to the park entrance about 6.30-7am. Get on that bus heading east maybe to Polychrome or not that far. Then take a shuttle back toward Kantishna later in the day - the busses are a great way to see wildlife.

 

That is a fabulous tip! :D Thanks! (Writing this down in my list of 'things to remember')

[Cruising Carol]

Don't stress and try to see everything this trip. First because you cannot --there's too much to see in one port day and second because you will return sometime in the future. The suggestion to focus on one sightseeing event at each port is a good one. Then relax and let life happen -- shop at a local gallery, eat at a local place, stroll and look at the scenery, even sit in a lounge on the ship and watch people in the port. We are doing our 4th Alaska cruise in 9 years in June. We are not booking anything until we reach the port -- we'll see what the weather is like and what we feel like doing that day.

[NHCruisr]

We're getting ready for our third Alaska cruise next week. We find that there is much to do and much to see. Given that, it's important not to stress out too much. One eagle seen from a balcony while sipping a nice glass of wine is an experience to be savored. Counting the total number of eagles in the entire trip is not something I'm interested it. We like to do a nice balance of activities and relaxing. We spend no time in the shops and stores because they are boring to us and all the same from port to port. We tend to book interesting things on our own - flightseeing, whalewatching, walking tours etc. We book just one thing in a day and spend the rest of the time looking at scenery, relaxing,and enjoying each other. We have no interest in the frenetic pace that some people enjoy. We're not being critical of others, we just know what's best for us.