I'm glad you made it through- hope you are feeling up for all those excursions. Are you doing 7 days B2B or a land tour? Any excursions you feel are must do's? We will have my wife and I, 2 kids (8,9) and my parents (75,70) so I need ideas that will keep everyone entertained...
So sorry. I was not ignoring you. Just returned home. Jim's Dad died suddenly.
Since I have "the floor" I'm going to briefly change the subject to Travel Insurance.
Please everyone take a moment to think about your situation. Alaska is far away and expensive if you have a problem.
We have a gold-standard policy which covers pre-exhisting conditions. We started doing this when my Mom was I'll.....obviously my challenges war rent it now.
Jim's Mom is not well. If we have to return mid-trip, we are covered. Hopefully it will just be another trip where it goes unused.
We are a late-50's couple so I'm not sure I have my finger on the pulse of children's activities. But here are things we enjoy.....
Whale watching and wildlife touring. Perhaps too slow paced for children...thrilling for us. Consider good binoculars for at least each adult. If you are watching a raft of Sea Otters frolicking in the water, you may not feel inclined to share.
Spend some time with the children before you leave learning about Alaska. National Parks, Denali, all good. Don't forget fun stuff like the gold rush of the 1890's and the crazy tales of life in pretty Skagway. When they arrive, they will be ready to see it all. The rock cliff next to the cruise pier is covered with paintings the crew makes the first time a ship calls on Skagway. Do a Where's Waldo and find YOUR ship on the wall!
Ketchikan-----tell them about Totems and the importance to the culture in Ketchikan----than checkout the Totem Village. Lumberjack Show is lots of fun!!
YouTube is your friend. Get the children involved. There are videos of the ship, shore excursions, the rail cars. You can really ramp up every bodies excitement this way!
Alaska is a place for everyone. Stuck in a
scooter like I am now (accident in 2004----walker needed onshore) I slow down but it doesn't stop me to nature adventure seeker. It's all there for you.
Check out cruise critic.
They have an Alaska section which is very thorough. Next checkout Royal's message board. They are always talking about the ships and destinations. Finally, once booked, go to Roll Call and join a message board for your actual cruise. I'm heading out for my 6th trip to Alaska and I got a great Skagway excursion tip from a fellow passenger.
PA Disneymania-----SMALL WORLD! We will be on the June 6 th Radiance sailing too! I will (sadly) be using a scooter. Lemons to Lemonaid... My scooter will have a preciously adorable bell and fashionable teeny lights on the basket. Please come over and say hello if you see me!
Our countdown began at 450+ days. I cannot believe we finally leave in less than a month!
Alaska will change you forever. From her grand mountain ranges to magnificant sea vistas, friendly people, beauty you cannot imagine. Wonderful wildlife from gentle humpback whales to killer orka whales, happy rafts of Sea Otters to zany puffins.
Alaska will grab a corner of your heart and never let go.
Have fun everybody!
Ps.....can you believe I left anything out!
We will be on land for a week. We put together ourselves. Then off to the ship for the second week!