ALASKA CRUISE -JUNE 2004
 

Taking a Holland-America cruise Vancouver to Seward in June 2004. Since it is my first cruise, I would appreciate any comments or suggestions on clothes, dining schedules, activities on board, special event tours on shore and costs, cash versus travellers cheques, credit cards, etc.

More important - be sure to add several days for interior travel. I never consider any one way cruises without it. Plenty of clothing lists available, layers are the key. Look over a shore excursion list and determine your interests- there are just too many choices that may be of no interest to you. Repost with a short list- you will get plenty of feedback. Definately have cash- for small purchases, tipping (you should still consider tipping on HAL- allow $70 for the week), but credit cards are widely accepted - forget Traveler's checks.

Hi, Marmonica!

COLD! Bring your winter jacket. Even in summer, our captain told us in Kenai Fjords that if we fell overboard, we would survive six minutes - three minutes to be rescued and three minutes to become another iceberg.

Layering is the key. When you get near the glaciers, it will be a spectacular sight, but it will also be cold.

Hope this helps!
Jason

Thank you Jason and Budget Queen. That's good advice.

While in Juneau and/or Ketchican, think about signing up for a half day salmon (maybe halibut) fishing trip. Weather will probably be a bit better in Juneau. You can either book this through HAL (in which case it will be overpriced, because they add a significant markup to what they pay to the independent contractors they use) or take your chances at finding somebody to charter once you get to town (could backfire if the cruiselines have all the boats locked up). At some ports, there may be several big ships in town at the same time.

Two more suggestions:

* Get a balcony! If there's any way you can afford it, this is the cruise to do it...doesn't get dark till after midnight...you can lie in your bed and watch the most incredible scenery!

* Take a helicopter ride and land on a glacier. Awesome, simply awesome.

Have a look at the HAL and Alaska postings on the Cruisecritic.com boards. Tons of valuable info.