Alaska Travel Answers

Cruisecritic.com has whole message boards dedicated to cruise ship travel including what to do while at port, I'm sure you will find a bunch of info already written out.

We took the cruise commencing 27th June sevral years ago, had a great time , we were on Holland America cruise, entertainment each night, early show and late show. We formal dined each night, the Captains dinner was the only night requiring men to wear a coat, good trousers and shirt other nights, no jeans in the main dining room, but OK in Buffet. There was plenty to do on board during the day, movies, library, games, etc etc and special shopping days, huge discounts on jewelery etc. We had to pay for all onshore tours (2007 year), some were very good, others not so good. Some towns do not have much to do. I have pages on some of the ports which might give you some ideas.

We did the same cruise quite awhile ago, and I'm pretty sure it was about the end of August. I was surprised how chilly it was once we got up into Alaska, and it did drizzle some days. There's lots to keep busy with onboard, but don't miss some of the really good land options. I loved the trip to the Eagle Preserve near Haines. That was really the highlight of the trip for me. Juneau had a rainforest that was very interesting, and I remember my husband took a bike ride to a glacier that day. I think there was a good railroad trip from Skagway, but we didn't do that one. Make sure you take plenty of warm clothing, but the weather is so strange worldwide these days and hopefully it will still be fairly warm in Alaska, which is quite an amazing place.

Not the same time of year, took it in late May, but the same cruise. Two things stand out for me, no, make that 3, no make that 4. Heck, there is a lot to do without ship tours. One ship tour that I took and was well worth it was the ferry ride to Haines to go river rafting through eagle country. Not only eagles right above your head on branches of trees, but moose on the loose. Afterwards, had a fantastic lunch of smoked and BBQ salmon on alderwood. Best way for a great taste. Ferry back to Skagway. Buying the tour on the cruise ship was actually a better price. Just to take the ferry to Haines and back to Skagway is68 USD. A half day tour with a easy river raft and lunch is a fair price. The other fun thing in Skagway was the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. Beautiful views and interesting train ride that was a highlight. I do have an Alaska page on VT that will direct you to my Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan reviews. See: "Baby, it's cold outside." - Alaska by travelgourmet Great cruises in Alaska and I brought along my ski jacket, it can get cold. Here is a website for the weather history for Alaskan cities: youralaskacruise.com/cruise-...

Unfortunately, I don't believe the railroad will be running in September. I think it ends about the 3rd of Sept. Going to be up there the week before you but by the Ferry not, a cruise ship. We have been recommended warmer clothes, rain gear, and definitely clothes in layers. My last time to Alaska was when I was 12 (just a couple of years ago, hahaha!) and I do recall going to Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, and a bus tour through town. Skagway was all about the Goldrush and the poetry of Robert Service. A lot of the touristy things will be over by the time you are there. Haines (from Skagway take the ferry as previously mentioned) has the Eagles, but you may also be able to go to the Wildlife Centre there - see the animals you may or may not see from any other tour.

If, and that is a big if, you arrive in Skagway by the 25th of September, weather permitting and you have a reservation, the Summit railroad tour is available. See: wpyr.com/summitexcursion.htm...

I can only speak for Ketchikan (where I live), but by that time in September, many of the tourist related activities and shops are already closed down. Flight tours of Misty Fiords Nat'l Monument will be cheaper, but, as you seem to be aware, the weather tends toward cloudy and rainy. You should take a look at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau website, and call them to ask what options you'd have that late in the tourist season.

We are going ahead with the last HAL sailing out of Vancouver on September 22. Since I am taking 7 other people who are cruising for the first time and just want to sail and have a quality time with each other and do not have extra resources, excursions and shopping may not even matter to them. I am sure we will all have a good time to Alaska and back even minus good weather and excursions. Thank you all for your response to my questions here. It is very comforting to know that VTers take the time to provide very important information that can assist fellow VTers. I appreciate your input. Thanks again!!

Enjoy your cruise. Many first time cruisers, even some of us seasoned cruisers, enjoy making the cruise ship the destination and the port stops are just an added benefit. Read your daily cruise sheets and see how active you do or do not want to be. Smooth Sailing. :-)

How did you find the weather? We left Bellingham on the ferry on the 14th of Sept, and while it was chilly because of the wind on the outside decks, when we were on shore it was very pleasant - or on the stern out of the airstreams! Found that we barely needed jackets on shore - but think that the weather was uncommonly wonderful for us. We had a bit of rain mostly in the mornings, but it cleared up in the afternoons. I hope that your weather was good. I guess you started out in the rain - thinking that we were stuck in Petersburg on the 21st, with fog, but the 22nd was nice - we were in Prince Rupert then, and the 23rd it rained and was miserable. But our weather improved as we went inland, hope yours did going north.

Hi, the weather in Vancouver was very pleasant when we left all the way to Juneau where it was raining moderately but it was cold. The day in Skagway was very nice. When we got to Ketchikan, it was dry but very cold. There was moderate rain in Glacier Bay. Overall, we had a scenic and Alaskan pleasant cruise with our last day at sea clear and pleasant. Thanks for the follow-up. I am glad to hear from you about your trip, too. Marilou