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Alaska Inside Passage

CWS

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We are finally doing this in August for our 35th anniversary. I am royally psyched. Splurged for a suite on Holland's Westerdam. We have never done a cruise before so advice readily accepted
 

bballbaby

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I'm so jealous. Our family, brothers, wives, children, mom & dad have been kicking around the idea of doing a family reunion alaskan cruise.

Be sure to take lots of pics.

i've got a couple friends who have spent a fair amount of time in alaska and the place looks absolutely gorgeous.

and congrats on 35 years. that's outstanding!
 

Mitch

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I got engaged on a cruise ship, at Hubbard Glacier about four years ago. You will have a great time. If you can swing the balcony suite, it's well worth it, we woke up to whales outside, and some amazing views.
 

dpricenator

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my best advice is to buy some travel pants with elastic waist bands. Ohyeah and sneak your liqour in your luggage so you save on you bar tab.
 

PetersCreek

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...advice readily accepted
My advice to you...look me up if your travel plans bring you to the Anchorage area.

The only only other thing I'd advise...if you haven't already made the plans...is to be prepared for weather. Pack items you can layer for varying temperatures, shirt sleeve to chilly, including something for wet weather. In my neck of the woods, we basically have two wet seasons: Spring and Fall...and August leads up to the latter. The panhandle gets much more than we do, seein' as how it's pretty much all temperate rain forest.
 

pcozad1

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my best advice is to buy some travel pants with elastic waist bands. Ohyeah and sneak your liqour in your luggage so you save on you bar tab.
We cruise every year and sometimes they take your liquor out of your bag and return it the last night of the cruise. This year I emtied out a large bottle of scope and filled it with gin and a little green food coloring. I still have a gin bottle half full of scope in my bathroom. The booze on a ship gets very expencive.Pat
 

Mitch

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Most cruise ships have a couple premium resturants with great views and cost a few bucks more than the free buffet lines. Seating is limited and reservations go quick. I'd recomend getting reservations for a window seat while the view is good. We ate while at hubbard glacier and it rocked. Be aware that much of the inside passage is so wide there isn't much of a view, when your getting close to your ports may be a better choice.

Also, you may be tempted to do a whale watchers tour, we booked one before we went and then saw lots of whales from the ship, so it wasn't as big of a deal. Also, on a couple of other tours we did, we ran into whales as well. It may not be worth a special trip to see them. If I were to do it over, I'd skip that tour.

Try to find some fresh white salmon cooked over a fire up there, it's amazing.

Bring your own cigars as selection on the ship sucks and is pricey. Small smokes are best as in the dry air a longer smoke is likely to split, unravel, fall apart before you finish it. If it's cold or rainy you may have a hard time staying outside long enough to enjoy a long smoke anyway.

If you go on any of the tours that are the canoe by a glacier, hike in the woods kind of thing, take some candy, fresh fruit, etc. with you. Those kids don't see much of the world and it's a far better tip than money.

I might think of more, and if you have questions let me know, I did that inner passage cruise four years ago.
 

PetersCreek

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Try to find some fresh white salmon cooked over a fire up there, it's amazing.
Just to clarify for those unfamiliar with Pacific salmon...

The flesh of about 5 percent of all King (Chinkook) salmon lack the normal lovely orangish-pink coloration. Instead, it's kind of a pearly white and has a more delicate flavor. They call 'em White Kings or Ivory Kings but you can't tell from the outside, though. They look just like any other King until you clean 'em.

If you can't get your hands on White King, don't worry about it. Try the regular variety or have some Silver (Coho) or Red (Sockeye) salmon. Hell, try 'em all if you can. Just steer clear of the Pinks and Chum salmon. :nodlaugh:
 

rabbgp

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People either love cruises or hate them. I'm guessing you will love it. I know I do/did. And smuggling booze in is highly recommended as it can get very expensive.

Have fun!!
 

dpricenator

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Just to clarify for those unfamiliar with Pacific salmon...

The flesh of about 5 percent of all King (Chinkook) salmon lack the normal lovely orangish-pink coloration. Instead, it's kind of a pearly white and has a more delicate flavor. They call 'em White Kings or Ivory Kings but you can't tell from the outside, though. They look just like any other King until you clean 'em.

If you can't get your hands on White King, don't worry about it. Try the regular variety or have some Silver (Coho) or Red (Sockeye) salmon. Hell, try 'em all if you can. Just steer clear of the Pinks and Chum salmon. :nodlaugh:

I did not know this, thank you for the lesson.:waving:
 

CWS

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Leave for the boat tomorrow. Did this day slow down or what?
Lets see; 1) Cigars packed 2) cutter packed Yep. All ready to go.
 
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Congrats to you and your wife on 35. Your profile says you were born the same year I was so you must've started young. :) We just hit 15 years this year so have a while till we catch up to you.
 

Jwrussell

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Have fun Chuck!

If you get the chance can you send me some details on this cruise? I think the wife would LOVE this.
 
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