Alaska Travel Forum

Hi my friends and I are planning to go to Alaska between May 24-June 2. We found a discounted 7-day Glacier discovery cruise via Holland America although it's only inside cabin. We need to know if that 7-day cruise would be spectacular during the month of May. We are wondering why is it cheap maybe because it's rains frequently on that month or there are less snow/glaciers? Since we don't have balcony nor ocean view window can we sit outside the balcony of the ship or it is always full?

If ever we take the 7-day cruise we will arrive at Seward port on May 30 at 6am i think. So we have 3 extra days to go around Alaska. From there we don't know else where to go or how to go to the places we'd like to see. We are a budget traveller and we'd like to see the heart of alaska as much as possible at the least cost possible.

We'd like to go on a kayak and we'd like to know which location should we go for kayaking where there will be spectacular views such as snow-capped mountains, glacier and marine wildlife, if possible. I've received the 2009 official guide to anchorage and i saw a picture of a girl kayaking in Bear Glacier in Resurrection Bay and i found it stunning bec. she enters inside a glacier (like a cave). However i've read that Prince William Sound is popular destination for kayakers. Can you tell us which location should we go for kayaking if we have very limited time?

My dream is to see the northern lights and i've read that it's in Fairbanks where i can see it best however it's not guaranteed during the month of May. Is it possible to see this between May30-June1? We wanted to see Denali coz it's included in the 1000 places to see b4 u die. I love animals and i want to see the bears as close-up as possible. Alaska is huge so we'd like to know which location we can see more bears up close? I always watch Animal Planet and I'm fascinated by the Alaskan wilderness. I wanna see in person grizzly bears waiting for the salmon to go upstream and they will catch and eat them. I wanna see also the carribou or moose coz we don't have them here in Asia. We also wanted to try skiing. Which ski resort offers spectacular views and ski 4 beginners? Are the ski resort open even in month of May when it's already summer?

We also like to ride a glass train. Is this only in Denali Park?

Given all these things we wanna do or see what is only the most reasonable places we can go or activities we can do given that we only have 3 days to spare in ALaska? If we wanna do all those things i mentioned how many days should we spend in Alaska?

We are deliberating if we will give up the 7day cruise and spend that 7 days instead in Alaska. However, we think it would be very very expensive bec. the cruise is only $500/person all in including meals whereas if we spend more days in Alaska definitely we will be spending more than $500 each.

Is it easy to commute in Alaska? If we wanna go to various places can we find a means of transportation easily? Or you would suggest that we rent a car instead? Or is really cheaper to get a package tour instead?

We are still thinking what is the best route of cruise is it northbound or southbound? If we take the May 24-May 30 vancouver to Seward, we only have 3 fulldays to spare in Alaska. If we take the Seward to Vancouver, we can go to Alaska on May 20 or May 21 and leave on May 24 for the cruise. Sorry i have so many questions and this trip is not cheap at all. In fact it's even comparable or even more expensive than a Europe trip. We will be coming from Southeast Asia so our airfares alone is already expensive. So we need to evaluate carefully so we can decide as soon as possible. Thank you in advance to those who will be kind enough to answer all my questions.

Hi there, We have done the Alaskan cruise with the Diamond Princess, departing from Whittier and arriving in Vancouver. It was the second cruise of the season, and in May. The weather we had was good except for the day we were in Ketchikan, it rain, but then it rains by the buckets there, so it is to be expected. It didn't rain all day. Its very cold, and can be very windy in some places, but you remember, you are in Alaska and amongst glaciers. Its a fantastic cruise, and well worth doing. It is one thing that we could do again, we enjoyed it so much. We saw lots of Whales in the distance and Otters. We also had 3 days, just looked around Anchorage and nearby. Soon filled in the days. I priced other places like Denali to visit, and was too expensive for us, really found the cruise to be the only reasonably priced thing. We had a wonderful time, so should youl

Cruises are a bargain this year and it is a great time to go. Late May early June is very early in the season and it is likely to be a little colder then later in the summer. Dress warmly and in layers, the only thing that chased me in off the boat deck was the wind a couple of times. There will also be fewer families with children on the ship early or late in the season. We did a 7 day cruise in early September last year and had a wonderul time. There should be plently of space to sit or stand on deck and watch the scenery. Depending on the layout of the ship you may also be able to sit in the lounges and look out. We had an inside cabin and really enjoyed it. The cabin was dark and quiet and I slept very well.

Travel in mainland Alaska can be very expensive. There are some tips on my VT home page.

Enjoy,

David

Northbound cruise you are travel against the current, Southbound with the current, makes perhaps for a smoother trip.

Contrary to what some others are saying, late May and early June are THE BEST time to cruise Alaska - on average it's warm and dry (see weather for Alaska ports at http://www.youralaskacruise.com/cruise-weather.html ). I live just north of Skagway, Alaska and have been on 4 Alaska cruises. You can see lengthy photojournals of our cruises at http://www.youralaskacruise.com/reviews/ - they may give you ideas for excursions.

You have no chance at all of seeing the Northern Lights in May/June/July.

With only 3 days on land, focus on one location - Denali Park being a good choice. Renting a car, staying at a B&B in Healy and taking a Park Service shuttle bus deep into the park will provide you with an excellent and fairly inexpensive trip. Cruise prices are the lowest they've been in many, many years, so this is a good time to come over!

Murray

Hi

Late May is a good time to be in interior Alaska because the weather tends to be very good and you will be ahead of the heavy crowds. I would not count on skiing in May. I think a trip to Denali NP will be worth your time, especially in late May - that is an excellent time to see Denali. I have seen more wildlife during that time of the year than any other.

Im sorry to tell you this but your chances of seeing northern lights in May are slim. By that time of the year in northern latitudes there is very little darkness.

There is always plenty rain on the cruise to Alaska. I think fares are cheap because fewer people are traveling this year.

I hope you have a great trip. Id be happy to try to answer any other questions

Mike

To those who answered to this email, thank you very much. I really appreciate your effort to spend time answering our never ending queries. I have another bucket of questions which i'll post on a separate subject so i won't get confused.

Hi thanks to all those who answered my email and for all the information, and tips you've shared. I have another bucket list of queries but i'll just post it as another subject so i won't get confused.