Alaska Cruisetour - Excellent way to explore the land of wilderness in land & at sea By Mike Malinowski 12-day Alaska Cruisetour Seattle round trip June 15, 2009 Having just got back from a Cruise/Tour with Princess I would like to share my thoughts and experiences with you. Princess does an EXCELLENT job of handling our clients on a cruise tour. Seventeen of us left Honolulu on Sunday June 14 night flight on Northwest Airlines. Monday June 15: Arrive in Seattle at 6:00am. Picked up baggage at carousel Everyone plopped down and while I watched luggage they all went to find the small cafe in the baggage claim area for coffee, rolls and sandwiches and papers. At about 900A Princess Representatives showed up and started to check us in. Our group got in line and within 15 minutes Princess took our luggage, handed everyone a numbered tag telling us which bus we were on. Some of us were on bus 1 and some bus 2. They called for bus 1 at about 9:30am and about 48 people stood up, walked out the door and got on the bus to Vancouver. At about 9:45am the rest of us got on bus 2. Same procedure. Princess originally told us we would not leave till 11:00am so this was a great relief. Got to Vancouver: Our bus driver drove us to the pier safely. We boarded the ship and YEAH our shore excursion tickets and directions were delivered to our room that day. Left Vancouver and cruised to Ketchikan. Had a sea day on June 16: Cold day on the deck Arrived Ketchikan on Wed June 17. My wife and I got a city map from the tourist board on the pier and just walked around. We were able to walk to the Salmon Hatchery, and the totem pole museum. Our total time ashore walking was about 4 hours. We passed the Lumberjack show which was an optional tour from the ship. I think you could just walk there and buy a ticket. At the pier there is a 2 story building owned by the Tongass Trading company. Upstairs they carry camping supplies, raincoats, etc and they have a large stuffed grizzly bear. Downstairs is their curio shop. Based on our clients' recommendation we shopped there and found they had the best prices in town. Heard some folks talking about the zip line tour and they had a great time. Weather was overcast a little, then sunny but still cold. Arrived Juneau on Thursday June 18. Took a half day ship tour to the Mendenhall Glacier. A DEFINITE MUST SEE. The tour was $69 per person. Got on bus, took you there, dropped you off, came back in 2 hours. Dropped off at ship. I did see a bus on the pier that that said "Mendenhall Glacier " $7.00. but I didn't look in to it. Looked around downtown Juneau and went back to ship. Mike wife rode the Mt. Roberts Tramway and walked around the top of Mt Roberts. $27 per person round trip. It was overcast when we left ship in the morning but when we got to the glacier the sun came out. SPECTACULAR! Arrived Skagway Friday June 19. Took the White Pass train to the Canadian Border and then went panning for gold--ship tour. The train ride was really neat. Old style cars and lots of good scenery. I was really glad I didn't live back in 1870 and have to hike up that trail. Gold panning was fun. We got $19 in gold slivers. Whoopee. Walked around Skagway. Skagway is really small town---reminded me of Pahoa--size wise. Not really a lot to do in town. Weather was cold but bright and sunny. Got our luggage tags and train tickets for the trip to Denali delivered to the room that day. Arrived Glacier Bay Saturday June 20. WOW--WOW--WOW. We went 60 miles in to the bay and stopped next to the Marjorie glacier--about 200 yards away--or so it seemed. Could hear the ice groaning and cracking and then some would break off with a loud roar and drop in the water. WHAT A SIGHT. We were in a port cabin and watched from our balcony. After 1/2 an hour the captain turned the ship and the people with cabins on the starboard side could watch for the same amount of time. Coming in to Glacier Bay was overcast but when we go to the Marjorie Glacier the sun came out and it felt warm outside. We also cruised other parts of Glacier Bay. Saw an eagle, humpback whales, seals. Left Glacier Bay late for a evening of ocean sailing. Between Skagway and the open ocean the ship rocked a little. Some folks felt queasy--me included-but it wasn't very bad. Sunday June 21. Sailed along--nice seas--Got to College Fjord about 5:30pm. It was COLD, WET, and rainy. We could see the glaciers but pictures did not come out very well. Left the fjord sailed to Whittier and docked around midnight. Tuesday June 23. All 17 of us got on a bus tour in to Denali National Park. Mr. Flores is really good driver who explained everything. Saw moose, caribou and a snow hare. Mr. Flores directed everyone's attention to the moose way off in the distance grazing on the hillside. Some of us saw it and some didn't. Later on he told me he didn't really see them but he had a lot of people convinced they were there. We got back to the hotel at 1:00pm and then everyone was on their own. We went back to the park to see the visitor center and walk around. Took a bus ride to see the sled dogs and demonstration. No charge. cold outside but sunny. Wednesday June 24. Had the morning off. Lots of people hung out. We went back to the park to look around more and saw another moose right by the side of the road. Came back and checked out. As we got on the bus to go to the Mckinley Lodge the driver had a packet that had our names on it, room number, bag tags for trip back to Anchorage, flight information, and room keys. Got to McKinley lodge. overcast and cold. We were told only 20% of folks going to Alaska got to see it. Thursday June 25. Got up, walked out and could see a little of the mountain. During breakfast the clouds parted and out came the mountain. Another WOW-WOW-WOW. Very stunning. It stayed out all day. We were really lucky. We went on a raft excursion drifting down a river for 20 miles. Walking from the road to our raft was mosquito city. Those things are the size of a dime. Almost had to duck when I saw them coming at me. Once we got on the water no problem. Fortunately they did not follow us on the river. We stopped on a sandbar about halfway down the river. Guide says if you gotta go. find a place. Easy for the guys, hard for the ladies. My wife walked a short ways to go behind a bunch of driftwood. While there she saw the paw print of a grizzly bear--about 7 inches across. After she finished she scrambled back to the raft. Haven't seen her move that fast in 25 years. Got off the boat, walked in to Talkeetna, had a beer and reindeer chili. Never knew that Rudolf would taste that good. Went back to the lodge by bus- and just hung out. Friday June 26. Got up, had breakfast and boarded the bus back to Anchorage. All of us were flying at different times. I was on the last flight at 3:00pm with one of the families traveling with us. They brought their grandson Joby with them. He had a great time on the trip. Alaska airlines did not charge for luggage. Yeah. Got to Seattle and shuttled over to the Doubletree Hotel. Nice place. Saturday June27. End is here. Met everyone in the lobby at 6:00am and shuttled to the airport Final impressions. Princess is VERY well organized. Specialty restaurants on board were fantastic. I never made a reservation for either one. Just walked up and they took us. I had one of the best meals I have ever eaten at Sabatini's. Hawaii people should pack for the cold. we had to buy an extra jacket and shirt for my wife--She was always cold.