ALASKA ~ SEPT. 2008 ~ CARNIVAL SPIRIT

[wildewoman]

This will be our very first cruise . . .EVER!!

We are so excited that I have even started to pack. I have read that we will need layers so I have purchased winter silkies for under our clothes.

For all of you cruisers who have been to Alaska do you have any tid bits that will assist in making this cruise the best ever??

We are an "advenure" couple & have the following planned

* Helicopter trek on the glacier

* Float plane to see the bears

* Whale watching

Any ideas would be so appreciated!!

We also like to shop - what are good thing to get in Alaska??

One last thing - what is the MUST DO - when you cruise Alaska!!

Thanks so much!!

Linda

[CanadianCruiser]

Linda

the one thing I recommend is for you to take me with you

lol

[wildewoman]

Have you never been to Alaska??

I'm not getting a lot of bites on Alaska - ya think maybe it's not a good cruising place??

I personally can't wait to trek on a glacier!! We actually get to wear the crappons & have an ice ax!!

L

[CanadianCruiser]

You are going to love Alaska, I have never been... My girlfriend got married there last June on a HAL ship while in Juneau..

[wildewoman]

Wow!! That sounds so nice . . .getting married on a cruise ship in Alaska.

We're going for the wilde life!! Bears, moose, eagles, wolves, whales, etc!!

We are into nature.

Here is the Spirit in Alaska.

This is what got us started . . .seeing how beautiful it is!!

[CanadianCruiser]

That is gorgeous Linda....

[Suzila]

You will love Alaska, Linda, especially if you're into adventure. We've been there twice, and still want to go back and do a longer cruise. Not in the cards yet (we just went in August), but it will be in the future.

My favorite excursion is the white water rapids in Juneau, down the Mendenhall Glacier. It's a class 3 rapids, and a lot of fun.

I can't really help you with what to buy up there, because we're not big on souvenirs. My souvenirs are all the pics I take. But my hubby has gone salmon fishing twice, once in Ketchikan, and once in Icy Strait Point, and both times we had the fish smoked, canned and sent back home. We had plenty for gifts and snacks for ourselves for some time.

We did Princess the first time, and this past summer we were on Royal Caribbean.

[hazelson]

We are going in September so I will let you know how perfect it is!!!!!!

[Gregswife]

Can't help with any advice on Alaska, but hope you have a great first cruise. We live in Colorado, so I see all the snow and wildlife I care to, but will probably cruise there one day as hubby would love it. All 10 of our cruise and the upcoming one, have been to to Caribbean - living in a land locked state, I love getting to the beaches and enjoy the warm, yes even hot, weather.

[wildewoman]

SUE!! I didn't see any rapids tour on the Carnival shore excursion page - did you book this on your own?

We've done white water before - in Costa Rica!! It was fabulous!! We've also done clas IV's on the Feather River here in CA - very cool - this was in the spring when they had hyastacks!! For none rafters that is where the water is in hugh ups & downs - so much so that when the front of the raft goes up & over you can't see the person in the front of the boat for a few seconds!! And the noise is deafening!! We LOVED it!!

Thanks all for your input - & please post when you return from your trips.

What all did you buy in Alaska?? - Any "must have's"?

Linda