Re: Alaska opinions

Jamie Brinkoeter wrote:
My sister and I are thinking about an Alaskan cruise next summer. Neither of us has cruised before. We're 55 and 60 and therefore not looking for "party" ships. I'm looking for opinions about the various cruise lines/ships and itineraries. We're flexible as far as time, duration of cruise and whether it's one way or round trip.

Thanks


Dear Jamie,
A cruise to Alaska is a wonderful experience. We've done it three times and enjoyed each one a great deal. I'd recommend that you do some research regarding what to see and consider doing some self touring before your cruise.
Fly to Alaska (Anchorage) and rent a car from one of the major firms (Consider Hertz if you are joining your cruise is Seward). Spend a week or so touring with a base in Anchorage - Denali is only a couple of easy road hours away and there are numerous moderately priced, clean motels available in Anchorage. Get to know the area and people by seeing them up close and personal instead of from within a bus or train capsule and following a dancing umbrella tour group. Luggage in the hall by 4:00 a.m. please and on the bus at 6:30!!!
Join you cruise either in Anchorage (with the ride to the port with the cruise line) or at the port, where you drop off the car. Enjoy a wonderful trip and disembark in Vancouver, another wonderful city. Rent another car (one way) for the quick and easy trip to Seattle where you can catch you much lower priced airplane trip home. You can use the cruise time to go over all your pictures and update your journals.
You will have a wonderful time. We have found early spring to be really great (fewer of those Alaskan State Insects) and not quite so crowded. Later fall is also wonderful. Mid-summer can tend to be crowded - 3 ships in port with 2,000 people each and a town of 3,500.
Cheers,
John in LALALand
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