Tips for Alaska Cruise?

Question

My sister and I are taking a Celebrity cruise (on Mercury) to Alaska in September. What tips do you have for the boat, shore excursions, ect? (we are both first time cruisers, single and in our 30's--ANY AND ALL tips are appreciated)

Answer 1

The Alaska cruise season is from May to Sept. The weather is generally warmer in June, July and Aug, but it can also be pleasant in Sept. When we went a few years ago in May it was shirt sleeve weather (70's) in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The odd thing was, it was cooler further south in Juneau and Skegway than it was up north. It was rainy and cloudy in Ketchkan. It will be cold, like coat, hat and gloves weather, when you get close to the Glaciers. When you pack, think layering of your clothes. A couple long sleeve shirts/tops, a sweater/sweatshirt, a light jacket, maybe with a hood.

Since this is your first cruise let me tell you about what things will be like. When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card. Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship.

Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations. There will be special activities for singles too. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are generally shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late. There is always food available. Usually there is a place in ship where you can go get something. Or, you can always just pick up the phone in your cabin and order from the room service menu (food is free). If you want, you can order breakfast room service.

The ship will have a casino with slots and table games, a movie theaters, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check. There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities.

The ship will have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. The ship will have a gym so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is a walking/running track on one of the decks also. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails.

There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course. There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf. Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent). There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music. Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave. On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party .

I suggest that you go to the Celebrity cruise line and look at the port stops and the features for the ships.

I recommend the Totem Poles tour in Ketchkan. I also recommend the train or bus tour along the Yukon gold rush trail in Skagway. We did the bus tour and saw pretty much the same as the people on the train.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. Since there are pools and hot tubs do take swim wear, sun glasses and binoculars and sun screen, lotions, a book if you are a reader, your music player, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, your camera, and other personal toiletries.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.

The 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).

Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in.

Hope these are enough tips: enjoy your cruise!

Answer 2

First off you will have a great time. Been there 20 times. Sept. all stores in port have their 50% off sales. Do not buy souvenirs on ship. Example T-Shirt $15.00 in port $5.00 see Alaska Shirt.com. Everytime they take your picture it will cost you $20.00 to buy it. In Ketchikan visit Salmon Mall at end of pier, many stores great prices also Alaska Shirt Co. stores. As for excursions only take ones like whale watching that are guaranteed that way if you do not see a whale you get most of your money back. Book your excursions once in port so you will know how the weather is after there is no rain date.
You will meet people from all over the world. Take lots of film and you two Ladies enjoy.

Answer 3

Hi, I live in Fairbanks,AK and my wife and I took a cruise, our second cruise, from Vancover to Seward. The cruise lines are usually the same in ports of call. I assume you are stopping at Skagway, Juno, Ketchikan, and then Seward.

For the trip ensure you attend the lectures on the various sites, we found the one on glacers to be very informative plus the lectures on the towns you will be stopping at.

On our first cruise to Hawaii we signed up for the tours on the ship. We felt pressured to ensure we arrived at our tour on time. On our Alaskan tour we signed up at the dock, and had a lot better time with less pressure and saw what we wanted.

If you are goiing in September bring some sweaters, dress for fall weather, plus the weather will more than likely have rain. should not see snow, since that area has a climate much like Seattle.

Since you are single they will have a single group you can join on the cruise plus there are men they hire that their job is to go to the night clubs on the ship and dance with the single women, that is a job I want!!

I also assume you are taking the train from Seward to Anchroage, that is a great one day train ride, bring you camera.

Are you going to Fairbanks?

Any specific questions please ask.
Jim

Answer 4

ive been on 4 cruises to alaska and will go on my 5th this summer possibly.

i would plan on going to the gym regularly because they say that on a seven day cruise, the average weight gain is 7 pounds!
idk about that though. im a teenager and any time ive taken a cruise, ive stayed the same or lost a few pounds (and not on purpose)

i would check the daily schedule of whats to do on sea days and involve yourself in as much of them as you can. i would make it a goal to attend the main shows at night too!

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for the excursions, i would advise you go on at least one whale watching outing (p.s.and remember to pack binoculars =)


on our last cruise, i think we did twice. in skagway if its one of your ports, we found a guy that took us out privately in his boat for a really good time!


ENJOY YOURSELVES!

if youre looking to meet, theres dancing at night =]

oh and theres a costco in alaska. my parents are big fans of wine. theyll usually buy wine there to drink on the cruise for a minimal fee!

Answer 5

tips? Here check this blog.. you will find everything you'll need here.. you'll thank me for this.. :D gud luck on your trip.. HAVE FUN.... dont forget to bring me a souvenir...

http://everything-alaskan-cruise-vacation.blogspot.com/

Answer 6

Take some good binoculars.
Make friends aboard.
Relax.

Answer 7

Keep passport on your person!