Alaska Cruise Tour Days 1-3
When we were planning our wedding one of the most important decisions we had to make was where to go for our honeymoon. It seems the overwhelming theme of honeymoons is to go somewhere tropical and lay on a beach. We had gone to Jamaica about six months before our wedding, and we live in Central Florida right in the middle of tons of beaches, so going somewhere tropical was on the bottom of our list. My Husband and I have done a fair amount of traveling in our lives so finding somewhere new for both of us was a little tricky. We like adventure and exploring new things, which is what lead us to decide on Alaska as our Honeymoon destination. Almost everyone we talked to that had previously visited said with out a doubt it was one of their best trips.
We chose to do a “cruise tour” which includes additional land tours before/after your cruise. Our itinerary included a 7 day cruise, followed by a 5 day land tour. We choose to go with Princess Cruises after researching prices, itineraries, and reading reviews. This was our first time on a Princess cruise and it was a great experience. Our trip started with our journey to get to Vancouver, the port where our cruise started. Our 7:25 am flights from Orlando had a layover in Phoenix and because of the time change when we landed at 9:30 am we were ready for lunch and everyone in the airport was still serving breakfast!
Once we made it to Vancouver we got our bags and headed to find the bus to take us to the port to board our ship. Sadly the only parts of Vancouver we got to see were what we saw out of the bus windows off the highway on the way to the Port. We made it to the port and were ready to begin our adventure.
- My #1 tip for going on an Alaska cruise is to definitely spend the extra money to get a room with a balcony. There’s so much to see, even on your days at sea. You spend two full days going through Glacier National Park and it’s very cold! It’s nice to be able to sit on your balcony with a warm cup of coffee and watch the mountains and beauty roll by.
Our itinerary for the Cruise half of our trip was:
- Day 1: Set Sail from Vancouver, B.C.
- Day 2: Day in Ketchikan
- Day 3: Day in Juneau
- Day 4: Day in Skagway
- Day 5: Cruise through Glacier National Park
- Day 6: Cruise throught Prince William Sound and College Fjord
- Day 7: Arrive at Port in Whittier and start on Land Tour.
Ketchikan, AK
Ketchikan is a small town built into the side of a mountain with lots of stairs and walkways built to connect the roads. One thing I found interesting is that some of those stairways are actually considered roads with names and addresses listed for them. It was very rainy on the day we visited and we had signed up for a walking tour of the town. Our very nice tour guide recommended that we should run into the local store and purchase wind breakers because they not only with help with the chill from the wind but they are water proof also. It was a great suggestion as those jackets came in helpful during the entire trip.
The town was very colorful and full of totem poles. They have the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles they are spread out all though out the town. They are sustained by their lumber and salmon industries. There’s not a lot of tourist attractions in the town which I actually loved. I like seeing the real town. Out tour guide was great and shared lots of knowledge about not just Ketchikan, but about Alaska as a whole.
Juneau, AK
Our second day was spent in Juneau which is the capitol of Alaska. While it was a much more metropolitan town than Ketchikan the day before, it still wasn’t as large as the typical state capitols you’re used to visiting in other states. The tour we choose took us to The Glacier Gardens, Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and to see Mendenhall Glacier. The gardens were outside the downtown city area and up the side of a mountain.
- Glacier Gardens – The gardens are home to what they called their world renowned Flower towers, which were where they had planted small gardens in the tops of trees that looked like the tops had broken off over time. There are both self-guided walking paths and fully guided tours. We went on a guided tour and it was a beautiful tour through the colorful natural landscapes of this rainforest. One benefit to the guided tour is it’s not all on foot so you get to see more of the area during your tour. Something I found amazing is that the gardens are the work of a single family over the past 18 years.
- Mendenhall Glacier – The glaciers in Alaska are such an amazing phenomenon to me. I think more so because I live in Florida and at the time of our trip to Alaska I’d never even seen snow. Mendenhall is one of the most impressive as it’s 13 miles long. It ends at Mendenhall lake which is where we viewed the glacier from. There are plenty of options to take helicopter rides over the glaciers and even to land on the glaciers. I would have loved to do any of those, but the price tag of those excursions didn’t fit in our budget. The viewing area around the visitor center is full of different walking paths, one leads to a very pretty waterfall that feeds the lake.
- Macaulay Salmon Hatchery – After leaving Mendenhall Glacier our last stop on our way back to our ship was to stop and take a tour of a salmon hatchery. I was confused why there would be a salmon hatchery when I thought the salmon was just living freely in the waters in Alaska. They explain the difference between wild salmon and farm raised salmon (hint: you always want to go with wild salmon!). The purpose of the hatchery is to make sure there is not a shortage of salmon. The adult salmon return to the hatchery between late June to early October to mate and lay eggs. The hatchery care for the eggs and baby salmon until they are ready to be released into the wild. The hatchery is protecting the life cycle from predators to ensure that there is plenty of salmon available. It’s nothing like you would imagine and still so interesting. Inside the hatchery there is plenty of information about the waters on Alaska, including a touch tank explaining what everything is that you could find in the water. This is not something I would have thought to visit but I’m glad it was included in our tour because it was actually really interesting.
This was just the beginning of our adventure. Can’t wait to share the rest with you in the next two posts. Make sure you are on our mailing list so you don’t miss the rest of this amazing trip! Have you been to Alaska? What was your favorite part of the trip?
My mom went on an Alaskan cruise a few years back. It made me want to go. Now your article and pics REALLY made me want to go. Thanks for the 411 – now I need to start my planning!
Great post about a cruise so many people want to take! I never would have thought of the wind breakers. Great idea. The photos are incredible.
I am keeping all of this in mind when I plan my Alaska Cruise! It has been on my bucket list for a while! Thanks for sharing
I have always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise!! Looks amazing!
That looks amazing! I’m not much of a beach goer (or really a traveler) but I would love to see Alaska
Beautiful pivturea. Makes me wanna go!
This looks so incredible!!! Going on my bucket list!!
I remember being small and my grandmother telling me that Alaska was the best cruise she ever took … and she took a lot! I See your photos and think that is something I need to experience myself sooner rather than later. I got into blogging to help with debt in hopes to be able to travel a little one day.
I have always wanted to go on an Alaskan cruise. I think your pictures just sold me on it!
My daughter has been asking me to go on a cruise. Looking thru your pictures I can see that maybe we need to go up to Alaska. You have some amazing photos of Alaska.
Wow!! What an amazing adventure ☺️
We lpve cruises and have been on quite a few. We have never been on an Alaskan cruise and have only heard great things about it. Thanks for sharing!
Great post! My husband went to Alaska last year and we’re trying to figure out a way to get back soon! I’ve heard Junea is great – would love to visit and take a cruise too!
Sam – Thiswaymommy
This looks like an amazing trip. We have always talked about going to Alaska. It just seems like such a great eapcape.
Looks like an amazing cruise!!
My husband would love to go on a cruise like this! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
Nice post and Pics! Added to my bucket list!
I always wanted to o to AK. I am bookmarking this one!
Im obliged for the blog.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Wow, what a video it is! In fact good feature video, the lesson given in this video is in fact informative.
It’s an remarkable piece of writing for all the internet visitors; they will obtain benefit from it I am sure.
There is visibly a lot to know about this. I consider you made some nice points in features also.
Hey there! I simply wish to offer you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you have right here on this post. I’ll be returning to your blog for more soon.
Very informative article.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
Im thankful for the blog post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Im grateful for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
I think this is a real great blog.Much thanks again. Great.
I appreciate you sharing this article.Really thank you! Great.
I truly appreciate this article post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Really enjoyed this blog.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Thank you for your blog article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
I really like and appreciate your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you need to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t speak about these issues. To the next! Cheers!!
Thanks a lot. I like this!write me essay essay rewriter rewriting services
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It reallyuseful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
I love reading through an article that can make people think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Major thankies for the article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for info approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now.However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the source?
I really like and appreciate your post.Thanks Again.
I value the article post.Really looking forward to read more.
Rolex’s second-hand marketplace is additionally very warm within the worldwide industry.
I will immediately snatch your rss as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
That is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.Simple but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing thisone. A must read post!
Generally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very great post.
Im obliged for the post.Thanks Again. Great.
Really enjoyed this post. Awesome.
Black oxide finish metal parts machiningコピー時計16 Gauge Wire Mesh
Appreciate you sharing, great post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
Your way of describing all in this article is genuinely fastidious, all be able to simplybe aware of it, Thanks a lot.
When I originally commented I clicked the „Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Bless you!
Informative article, exactly what I was looking for.
A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you need to write more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people do not speak about such subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I?ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
There is definately a lot to find out about this topic.I like all the points you’ve made.
Wow, great blog post.Really thank you! Really Great.
Great, thanks for sharing this post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
Great blog article.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
I do believe all of the ideas you’ve introduced on your post.They’re really convincing and will definitely work.Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for novices. May just you please lengthen them alittle from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.
I loved your article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
I truly appreciate this article post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
Enjoyed every bit of your blog.Really thank you!
I appreciate you sharing this blog.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Say, you got a nice blog post.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Major thanks for the post.Really thank you! Great.
Having read this I believed it was peachy informative I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this content together. 123movies
Very neat blog article.Thanks Again. Want more.
I appreciate you sharing this article post.Really thank you! Want more.
Major thanks for the blog. Great.
I have read so many articles or reviews on thetopic of the blogger lovers however this article is genuinely a fastidious piece of writing, keep it up.
wow, awesome article.Thanks Again. Cool.
Say, you got a nice article post.Really thank you!
Im thankful for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Thank you for your post.Much thanks again. Want more.
These are in fact fantastic ideas in regarding blogging. You have touched some pleasant factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Muchos Gracias for your blog post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Really enjoyed this post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Hey, thanks for the article.Really thank you! Really Great.
You are really a good webmaster, you have done a well job on this topic!
Thanks again for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
Thank you ever so for you article post.Really thank you!
Looking forward to reading more. Great post.Really thank you! Want more.
I’m curious to find out what blog system you’re using?I’m experiencing some small security issues withmy latest blog and I would like to find something more safeguarded.Do you have any suggestions?
Real nice layout and excellent content material , very little else we need : D.
ed treatment options best online pharmacies in canada – medicine erectile dysfunction
I have read so many content concerning the blogger lovers but this piece of writing is genuinely a nice article, keep it up.
whoah this blog is magnificent i like studying your articles.Stay up the good work! You understand, a lot of people are hunting around for this info, you could aid them greatly.
I loved your article.Really looking forward to read more.
chloramphenicol generic: ciplox capsuleszyvox generic
Very neat blog.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It really helpful & it helped me outa lot. I hope to provide one thing again and helpothers such as you helped me.
Right away I am going away to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming again to read further news.
Hi there, its nice post about media print, we all beaware of media is a enormous source of facts.
Trực Tiếp Soccer Thời Điểm Hôm Nay, Links Coi đá Bóng Trực Tuyến 24h truc tiep bong da keo nha caiĐội tuyển Việt Nam chỉ muốn một kết quả hòa có bàn thắng để lần thứ hai góp mặt tại World Cup futsal. Nhưng, để thực hiện được điều này
Thanks a lot for the post.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
A round of applause for your article post. Will read on…
Im thankful for the post.
I really like and appreciate your post.Much thanks again. Cool.
Very neat blog. Really Cool.
Very neat blog.Much thanks again. Want more.
A big thank you for your blog article.Thanks Again.
Major thanks for the blog post.Much thanks again.
Fantastic blog.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Thank you, I have just been looking for info approximately this subject for ages and yours is the best I have came upon till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the supply?
Thank you for your article.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Very informative blog.Thanks Again. Cool.
I really enjoy the article. Much obliged.
I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your content. This article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.
This could include exchange betting, in-play betting, spread betting,and fixed odds betting.
Im thankful for the blog article.Much thanks again.
This is a topic that is close to my heart… Take care! Exactly whereare your contact details though?
ivermectin purchase п»їorder stromectol online
wow, awesome article post. Fantastic.
Cheers, Awesome information.how to write a english essayresume writing service
Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told was once a amusement account it.Look advanced to more delivered agreeable from you!However, how could we keep in touch?
Hey, thanks for the post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really helpful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to offer something again and help others like you helped me.
Thank you for your post.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
allegra mexico allegra 24 for sale zyrtec 50 tablets
Really informative blog.Thanks Again. Want more.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact wasa amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable fromyou! However, how can we communicate?
apartments macon ga rentberry scam ico 30m$ raised apartment for rent in istanbul
Very neat blog article. Keep writing.
I do not even know the way I stopped up right here, however I thought this publish used to be good. I don’t recognize who you are however definitely you are going to a famous blogger should you aren’t already. Cheers!
Very instructive and excellent bodily structure of written content, now that’s user pleasant (:.my blog post … Nature Fused Anti Aging Cream Review
Thanks a lot for the blog post. Fantastic.
credit score online annual credit score how to check my credit score
Very neat blog article.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
A big thank you for your article post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
I appreciate you sharing this blog article.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Now I am ready to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming yet again to read other news.
Im obliged for the blog post. Will read on…
Really appreciate you sharing this article post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
Çevrimiçi oyun oynamayı seviyorsanız ve bu çevrimiçi oyunları oynama ve kazanma konusunda deneyiminiz varsa, oynamayı ve yapmaktan hoşlandığınız şeyi yapmak için ödeme almayı düşünmelisiniz.
Really enjoyed this blog article.Really thank you! Great.
Hello my family member! I want to say that this post is amazing, nice written and include almost all important infos. I would like to see more posts like this .
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
I truly appreciate this article post. Much obliged.
Wonderful forum posts. With thanks!essay writing ppt essays writer essays writer
I cannot thank you enough for the post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
Really informative blog.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Fantastic article post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
Hello! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone!Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and lookforward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work!
I like this post, enjoyed this one thank you for puttingup.my blog post :: how to lose weight
Remarkable! Its genuinely remarkable article, I have got much clear idea concerning from this piece of writing.
Very well written article. It will be useful to everyone who usess it, including yours truly :). Keep up the good work – looking forward to more posts.my blog: haojiafu.net
That is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.Simple but very precise information… Many thanks for sharing this one.A must read article!