Just Booked an Alaskan Cruise on the Radiance

[TimT]

We just booked an Alaskan cruise for the week of August 6th on the Radiance of the Seas out of Vancouver. This is our first Alaskan cruise. I was wondering if anyone out there had any kind of information they could share.

What is the temperature in August? Is a light jacket okay or do you need something heavier? Does it get warm enough to wear shorts? Any recommondations on what kind of excursions to go on?

As of right now, haven't decided yet whether to fly into Seattle and take a train/bus to Vancouver or to just fly into Vancouver. Any suggestions/recommendations?

I've been on the Brilliance of the Seas before so I know what to expect on the Radiance (sister ships and all). I'm just trying to get information about the actual ports this cruise will be stopping at (Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan). We got a room with a balcony. I've been told the glaciers are awe inspiring. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

TimT

RCI Radiance of the Seas - Aug 05

RCI Monarch of the Seas - May 05
RCI Mariner of the Seas - Mar 05
NCL Norwegian Dawn - Jun 04
RCI Mariner of the Seas - Feb 04
Golden Princess - Sep 03
RCI Vision of the Seas - May 03
RCI Brilliance of the Seas - Sep 02
NCL Norwegian Star - May 02

[Karen Knowlton]

Tim, check portreviews.com for some recommendations for each of those ports. Weather in Alaska can be quite variable. It should be warmer in early August than much of the rest of the year, but I would still advise taking a few other items of clothing to layer - sweatshirts or sweaters, etc. And don't forget rain gear! - very important for southeast Alaska. I don't think I'd bring too many shorts along, but you can toss in a pair just in case.

[Rubberwalls]

We did the Alaskan Cruise on Radiance Last year, July 4th. Wore short sleeve shirts, sandals, and even got a sunburn on the deck in the hottub, so August should be a breeze! We made the mistake of buying rainwear at Cabellas by us, and should have waited until we got to Juno, where they were WAY cheaper. Also T-shirts etc, were much nicer in Juno, and less expensive!

[Oggy Boy]

I would suggest these three major sightseeing events as well worth it. While they are costly, you will remember each one for a lifetime.

In Ketchikan, do a floatplane tour of Misty Fjords with a landing on one of the remote lakes. Awesome! You can see a special report on this trip at http://www.AlaskaPortReviews.com

In Juneau, do the Mendenhall glacier helicopter tour with a landing on a glacier. Nancy Norris is currently writing a special report on this trip that should be posted on the same site as above shortly. Excellent tour!

In Skagway, Do the White Pass and Yukon Railway tour.

You can't miss on any of these.

Have a great cruise!

Tom

[e-rod]

Hi tom

I just came back from Alaska i took the Serenade of the seas from July 17 to 24 it was such a great experience, about the weather, for example vancouver was warm same as Ketchikan (this was mas favorite city) skagway was colder and at Juneau was raining, during the cruise when you are near to the hubbard Glacier IT IS COLD so an extra jacket would be excellent, but when you are exactly in front of it and the ship is not in move you can take your jacket off. About the tours, i took the horseriding at skagway, very good experience, at juneau I had the helicopther and dog sleed but they canceled it because of the weather, (I HOPE YOU HAVE GOOD LUCK) but anyway we took a bus to the Mendenhall glacier and the view was excellent, At kenchikan my friends got the float plane and the experience was asome.
I hope you enjoy it!!