We're Going to Alaska!!

[cj1]

Booked our cruise today to Alaska on the Rhapsody! Leaving Sept4,2009. This has been on the top of our wishes for ...well, forever! Anyone who has taken the Sawyer Glacier cruise that can fill us in on what to do in Juneau and Skagway? My hubby is really interested in the Summit train ride and I want to take a whale watching trip. We'd appreciate any suggestions and tips. Thanks so much.

[Berick1234]

Hi CJ1,

You will LOVE Alaska..I'm leaving in 18 days for my 3rd cruise there....By all means go on the White Pass Railroad ride in Skagway....Juneau I would do the Mendenhall glacier....but there are some many things to do...I'm fishing in Ketchikan this time....and there is lots of shopping there also....bring warm clothes...it was only 52 in the Juneau area and gets chilly on deck....Wear the layered look:-)....It's almost a religious experience being up there...Enjoy it as much as I do....Happy Cruising....bring binoculars...

Bob E

[Dave]

We did this cruise in June. The train is definitely a must do excursion. The scenery on the train trip is breathtaking. In Juneau we went to the dog sled camp. It was nice but in retrospect I wouldn't do it again.

We did the whale watching tour in Prince Rupert. This was not a good tour in my opinion. Very long boat ride spent mostly inside the boat, which with the choppy seas was not fun. When we did get outside on the observation deck it wasn't for long and we didn't see much. It is one of those hit-or-miss tours. They can't guarantee whales will cooperate. I was glad when it was over.

The Rhapsody is a good ship. We had a very pleasant and helpful crew aboard and the food in the dining room was good. The entertainment was excellent, perhaps the best we have seen on any of our cruises. Great bands and solo entertainers, and superb big shows.