Hello
I have the opportunity to join some family on a cruise (my first) to Alaska in mid-July, Seward to Vancouver. I've been on some of the cruise specialty message boards elsewhere, but would appreciate any tips or reviews or recommendations (excursions, meals, ship facilities, etc) for making my experience smoooth and enjoyable.

Cruise features include Hubbard Glacier cruising, Sitka, Tracy Arm cruising, Juneau, Skagway, Campbell River, and disembakation at Vancouver.

If you send me your address, I'd be happy to send you a review of our cruise on the Mariner in Alaska,which includes what we did. This morning I just received an e-mail from someone I recommended it to, who went last month, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. [email protected].

will do, thanks.
I'm especially interested in comments on the various shore excursions.

Great ship and cruise line, my personal favorite.

We are just back from Alaska and booked independent excrusions.

I highly recommend Davey Lubin of Puffins and Whales in Sitka. We also had a wonderful sushi lunch at Little Tokyo afterwards.

In Skagway (been there several times) I like White Pass Railway in the morning and then exploring the town a bit in the afternoon.

In Juneau, we were pleased with Thunder Mountain Anglers for fishing, then went dogsledding and played with the huskie pups. Afterwards, another dose of some of the best sushi anywhere, then to Taku to buy salmon to ship home.

As for Vancouver, it is my favorite city in North America and I hope you extend your stay there.

I agree about Vancouver, I was there many years ago only for a weekend,but still think of its beauty fondly.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints I think we will be disembarking and pretty much going straight to the airport. I don't know the flight times yet, but I think it will be morning.