Shopaholics, consider my advice

Hey everyone.  Just a thought...  If you plan to buy several things and you don't want any credit card hassles while we are gone, you can contact your credit card company before we leave and let them know you are traveling to the Alaska and Canada area.  This could help to avoid a nasty DECLINE on your card while shopping.

We have not done this in past when cruising in the Caribbean but it is just a thought.

Good deal on rain pants

We have been debating on whether we think we need to purchase rain pants or not.  I have done a little searching and these are on sale online at Cabela's :

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search_catalog_command.cmd?fromProductSearch=true&item1=IK%20-%20983024

Check them out.  Let me know if you are interested in getting a pair for yourself.  
They are only $12.99.  Then of course there is a shipping charge but I thought if I ordered 
some for whoever wants them, then we could make one order and save on shipping.  I don't
know how much rain we might see and maybe we will get lucky and have no rain while we are traveling.  However, for $12.99 I am willing to spend the money and have these on hand just
in case of rain.

I am buying the man's pants for myself as well as my hubby.  I could not find women's pants for this good of a price and figured I am not getting them to be in a fashion show.  They are being used to keep me dry!

Also...  One last note.  These slip right over your jeans, sweatpants, whatever.  They are light weight waterproof pants.

Let me know if you are interested in getting some as well!  Thanks!

Are you feeling a little crabby today?

Well, you may not feel that way now but you might when you get to Alaska.  Of course I am referring to whether or not you need to satisfy your hunger for crab legs!  John and I love them!  I have read that the following places are good places to get some good crab legs:

Annabelle's in the Gilmore hotel
326 Front Street
Ketchikan, Alaska

Tracy's King Crab Shack
356 S. Franklin Street
Near Red Dog Saloon
Juneau, Alaska

Skagway Fish Company
Near marina
Skagway, Alaska

Enjoy!

Need a drink with a view in Ketchikan

Arctic Bar sounds like a neat little place in Ketchikan.  Check it out here.

http://www.arcticbar.com/

Enjoy!

Giovanni's Table menu

Hello everyone!

Since I booked us for Giovanni's Table for dinner the first night on the ship, I thought I would send a link to their menu for you enjoyment!

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/menus/giovannis.pdf

Enjoy!

Hop on the bus, Gus

I don't need to discuss much.  Just dropping off the key, Lee.  But this bus is not free.  (Sorry for the  Paul Simon song lyric references).  I do actually have a point here.

Here is a link to the bus schedule in Ketchikan.

http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/bus/BusTimetable.htm

The bus fare is very cheap and you can get to Totem Bight Park, Potlatch Park and basically
around town for a very reasonable price.  I have heard the bus can get crowded so get off the boat early and get your seat!

Here is some information about Totem Bight Park :

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

Finally, here are some more things to do in Ketchikan :

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1800431

Happy trails!

Senior Park Passes

I just read an interesting tidbit of information and thought I would share.  Apparently people over the age of 62 can purchase a senior pass that can be used for entrance into Federal government run parks and facilities.  Here is a link with a little information :

http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html

It is good for life and can be ordered through the mail for only $20.  This could save you on 
entrance fees to Denali park if you want to go back after our tour, or Mendenhall Glacier 
visitor center in Juneau and the Discovery Center in Ketchikan if you are thinking of visiting there.  It could also save you on other parks in other states if you like to visit federal government facilities.  You can check out this website for more information on other places to use it.

http://www.recreation.gov/

Enjoy!

Go north young man!

Any North Face fans out there?  I heard they are having a sale on winter items for men, women, and children.  Here is a link:

http://www.jacketssale2013.com/womens-north-face-outlet-north-face-3-in-1-jacket-c-13_14.html

I still personally find their items high priced even when on sale but I have heard their things
are really great!  Enjoy!

Lunch in Anchorage

As part of our cruise tour, we will make a stop in Anchorage.  Here are three places recommended by several people as good places to stop for lunch:

Humpy's - www.humpys.com/anc

Glacier Brewhouse - www.glacierbrewhouse.com

Simon and Seaforts - http://www.simonandseaforts.com/

Humpy's is more casual and Glacier Brewhouse is supposed to be a little less casual.  From what I have read, reviews of the food from both seem to be good.  Simon and Seaforts is supposed to have great views of Anchorage while you eat.

Enjoy!

Fairbanks, Alaska

Hey everyone!

I was just going thinking about what we might like to do while in Fairbanks for the day on 8/12.  I came across these websites and ideas -

http://www.northernalaska.com/ - a lot of the tours sound great but they are pretty expensive

Another good website with information is www.explorefairbanks.com

I had suggested Chena Hot Springs as an option but there are other things we can do.  
We are open to suggestions.  So send some our way!

Hold on a second. I have to take a call.

Are you addicted to your cell phone?  Or do you need to be able to check on loved ones at home that are not joining us on this trip?  Well you may be in luck!

Most of the time when cruising in the Caribbean we strictly enforce the rule of no cell phones to avoid getting back home and getting a large cell phone bill from our provider for international calls.

Well...  On this trip, we will still be in the United States while in port (except for our last stop in Vancouver).  So, you should be able to use your cell phone with no worries about additional international charges.

HOWEVER, with that said, please be sure to check with your local provider and be sure that is truly the case!

Also, when you are on the ship, I still recommend that you turn your phone off or put it in airplane mode as any calls/texts/data downloads done while a sea will get roaming charges as the phone could be using the ships network.

Happy Calling!

Are you born to be wild?

Well, while you are in Alaska you can take a walk (or a ride) on the wild side!

Check out this website - www.harleyalaska.com/

This Harley Davidson distributor is located in Anchorage, Alaska.  They will let you rent a Harley while you are in town to tour Alaska in a unique way!  I thought it sounded interesting.  On 8/16 we will be traveling from Denali to Anchorge and then on to Seward to board our ship.

We will have a couple of hours in Anchorage to explore and if this sounds like fun to you, then go for it! (Come on ...  Surely I have piqued someone's interest!). Check it out at the website above!

Also, here are a few other places to shop for Harley paraphernalia while on our trip just in case you need to add to your collection!

Taku Harley Davidson
263 Marin Way
Juneau, Alaska

Chilkoot-Pass Harley Davidson
750 Broadway Street
Skagway, Alaska

Mount McKinley Harley Davidson
Mile 238 Parks Highway
Denali Park, Alaska

Harley Davidson Farthest North Outpost
1450 Karen Way
Fairbanks, Alaska

Inside Passage Harley Davidson
34 Front Street #204
Ketchikan, Alaska

Now...  I am not saying to spend all of you time shopping while in Alaska, but a few souvenirs never hurt anyone!

Let's talk Denali

So... Tonight I was looking at things to do in Denali after our morning tour is done.  So I posted on Cruise Critic about a rafting tour and one person responded that we were going to be disappointed with our tour and it really got me to worrying since I have been the ring leader planning this trip.

As part of the land portion of our cruisetour of Denali, we will be doing the Denali Natural History tour.  This tour apparently only takes us about 17 miles into the park.  From what people were commenting on my post in Cruise Critic, I was told that is just scratching the surface of the park.  I also got suggestions to totally cancel our land tour and do it ourselves and so on.

So, I now am nervous and would like to get your input.  We could possibly reserve a shuttle and do an afternoon tour as well.  Here are websites that I have seen mentioned:

www.reservedenali.com
www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
www.alaskatravel.com/denali-park/

I hadn't even heard of Denali until my DC sister-in-law told me about it.  So I want to be sure we get to see all that everyone wants to see.

Let me know your thoughts and what research you all have done.

Water, water, everywhere

But not a drop to bother my camera, cellphone or other electronic devices.  How am I going to try to accomplish that with all of the chances of rain and moist conditions?  With a little help of course.

Check out these websites:

http://optechusa.com/rainsleeve.html

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-Rainsleeve-18-Inch/dp/B000PTFDYO

http://www.kata-bags.us/e-702-pl-elements-cover

Those items above are great for your camera so that you can still take pictures.  For 
your other items like a Cell phone or iPod or wallet, consider bringing along some extra 
zip lock bags of various sizes ranging from 1 quart to 2 gallon.  These will work 
wonderfully and not put a big dent in your wallet!

Happy shopping everyone!

Bear viewing in Ketchikan

I was just reading about the excursion offered by this company:

www.islandwings.com/Island-Wings-Air-Service-Home

It sounds so great.  But...  WARNING!  WARNING!  It is expensive!

Apparently Anan Creek is where these tours take you to.  The people doing the tour have to secure a permit for travelers to go to Anan Creek because only so many visitors are allowed there.  So book early!

A few other places offering tours to Anan Creek:

www.familyairtours.com

www.taquanair.com/#

Enjoy your planning!

Shark sitings in Alaska?

Well, maybe a pool shark!  If you like the game of pool, check out the pool tables on the Radiance of the Seas.  The pool tables are self-leveling and adjusts with the movement of the ship.  Have fun playing a game or two!

Flying back home

So...  Our vacation has not even started but I want to give you some information about booking your flight home.

I know some of us plan to fly home on the Saturday (next day) after we arrive in Vancouver.  Some are considering flying home on Friday (the day we dock in Vancouver).  Please be aware that even though we dock at 7:00 a.m., you want to be careful with booking any return flight for too early in the day.

Before anyone can get off the ship, the ship needs to be 'cleared'.  Once that is done, then debarkation begins.  First, when you get off the ship, you need to locate your luggage in the port terminal.  Then you will be fighting the crowd to get a bus, taxi, or whatever.  And that is just the beginning....

Once you get to the airport, you will then need to go through Canadian customs and US customs to claim your luggage.  I have heard those lines can get long.  Then after that, you go through airport security with the scanners, removal of shoes an so on.

So just be aware of all of that when booking your flight home if you are flying home the same day we dock.

Is that Suzy Chapstick cruising with us?

Most likely the answer to that is NO!

So, it is worthwhile for me to mention that you should think about bringing along some Chapstick, Vaseline, Burt's Bees or whatever other kind of lip balm that you prefer!  Nothing is more annoying than chapped lips!

Also, some people even suggest sunscreen to protect your skin.  Temperatures vary.  Strength of the wind varies.  And so on.  So take all of that into consideration!