We are going on an Alaskan cruise through Carnival in mid September 2025 (so over a year from now).  When should we start booking excursions?  We are planning on at least two nonship sponsored excursions (Seaplane/Taku Lodge and the Skagway Train/Yukon tour).  When should we book excursions:  now? a year out? six months out?   Also what is the weather like in mid September ..read more

Hi All-   Preparing for our first Alaska cruise and am wanting to treat a couple pair of pants with some sort of waterproofing.  What products have you found to do well?   Thanks ..read more

I'm considering the Skagway Wildlife Safari Tour to Haines offered by (brokered by?) Alaska Shore Excursions; has anyone done this and would you recommend it?   Our HAL cruise stops in Skagway July 24 and sounds like the salmon might be running then; hoping to see a bear but I know it's not guaranteed.   I'm new to cruising and a little concerned about getting off the boat in time - we're supposed to be in Skagway by 7 AM, and excursion calls for meeting at the end of the pier by 7:30 AM; does this sound workable?    Any thoughts appreciated!   https://alaskashore ..read more

We're doing a pre-cruise tour with RCL and one of the hotels is the Denali Park Village for our stay the night before the visit to Denali. I've visited the resort twice before, the first time, we stayed in a cabin, which I didn't much care for, they were pretty old and run down, the second time we stayed at the lodge, that one I loved. To be fair, looking at the pictures on the website, it seems that the cabins have been renovated or rebuilt, as they now look much nicer. Where do RCL guests stay nowadays? Is it the lodge only or could it be either?   What time do the RCL-organized transf ..read more

We're going on the HAL 'Majestic Japan' cruise this fall and we stop for a day in Dutch Harbor.  HAL doesn't have any excursions listed.  What is there to do?  The only thing I know about Dutch Harbor is that it's where the boats from Deadliest Catch took off from.   I also wonder if we're really going to stop there?  Last time I was on a HAL cruise they listed a port, had no excursions for it, and ended up cancelling the stop.  Could be what's happening here ..read more

Hello all, Is there a possibility for our party to drop off luggage at the Seward port, NCL baggage check in then head out to hike to the Exit Glacier BEFORE stepping on board the cruise ship that departs at 9pm? I'm positive that this wouldn't work at an airport, but at every port we have been at it seemed that the "Luggage Grab" was disconnected from the actual check in. Taxi to Trail head? If this isn't possible, could part of our party handle and check in all of the luggage (different cabins) and the rest carry on with the hike? Embarking late July NCL Jewel. Thank you in advance for any a ..read more

Does anyone have recommendations for a hotel in Seward ..read more

Hi! I have been researching the two cruise lines and departure ports and I'm having a very hard time making a decision. One is on Princess and the other Celebrity. We are a couple in our early 50's and like both cruise lines. The price and itinerary are very similar. Is one port easier to get to? It seems like there is a lot more to do in Seward. Any suggestions would be appreciated ..read more

Hi guys, know this a long shot, an know that dave past away two yrs ago, but does anybody know if dyea dave tours is still in business? Just might be goin to Alaska in Sept an stop in Skagway. Thanks, inquiring minds would like to know. Virginia ..read more

I'm disembarking the Royal Princess tomorrow morning and need to make my way to Seward. I saw a very old thread on the subject here: The last update was from 2013 and it appeared that the cheapest option at the time was either Seward Bus Lines or a shared taxi. The bus cost 60$ and the taxi (a van) 250$, split five ways (50$ each).   Is this information still accurate? I cannot contact the bus company at all.   Also, are any other passengers interested in sharing a taxi to Seward? I'm travelling alone and would like to pool costs with as many others as possible ..read more