My personal choices in visiting Alaska

Yesterday, a caller asked me my preferred choice in visiting Alaska.  Well, it’s not quite a white and black answer.  Would actually be determined by the specific question your asked or the type of response you’re looking for.

As a general question, my foremost thought … My choice would be to visit Alaska every year  !  Alaska is a place I totally fell in love with years back, and would have to problem visiting every year.  Like some folks like to go to the beach.

If you’re asking, “What’s my preferred venue in visiting Alaska”, it would be by cruise ship.  Like I tell folks who basically only have a 7 day opening for vacation, I suggest a cruise.  Cruising takes you to at least 3 ports … And opportunity to see a glacier … And there are many options for tours ashore !  Your cruise ship is your floating transportation with only packing and unpacking once.

Do I enjoy seeing the land only areas of Alaska, not reached by sea ?

I do.  Such as, I love visiting Anchorage because I have a friend there !

And like many travelers feel, if not at least touching the ground of Anchorage, you’ve missed a special part of Alaska.   And why not, while there, go into the National Park of Denali, in hopes of seeing many of the wildlife that inhibits here !  And Fairbanks offers lots of history with the gold dredging and float pilots and Iditarod insight !

Then the question was brought to me more directly.  Which cruise company would you use ?  I have to admit, in my 13 times there, I have never been to Alaska with Carnival nor Norwegian.   I enjoy cruising Carnival and hope to make this visit someday.   Norwegian is never my 1^st choice for any cruise, though I have sailed over 25 cruises with NCL (have one booked right night, to include an Alaska cruise in 2016).  I have cruised in Alaska with Princess, Holland America, Cruise West, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity. 

I’ve only ventured on a “land package” with Princess and Holland America.  Though many of my clients have used “land” with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, and have brought back high remarks,  my first preference is actually Princess.

It may be that Princess in Alaska is my first choice, no differently than Princess in the Caribbean is actually my first choice.  Just feel it’s an overall rounded product and I feel more comfortable sending folks on Princess, like my mother !

Also love the fact that they:

·         Own most their own properties in Alaska.
·         Have the last car on the Alaska RR with the option to go out back (platform) and take pictures
·         Like Holland America, they get the Alaska RR from Denali to the ship (Royal Caribbean & Celebrity have the portion from Fairbanks to Denali).
·         Usually have to glaciers on their North/South bound cruises (Versus a 4^th port with Royal Caribbean & Celebrity
·         You can purchased transportation to/from Seattle to get to Vancouver sailings (Holland America does too.  Not RCI/Celebrity).
·         Provide a great knowledgeable team of folks at their headquarters for doing business with !

My downfalls with choosing Princess

·         She can often leave to early, in my opinion, from Ketchikan
·         And I prefer to leave out of Seward, because I love the train ride past Whittier !

 

There is a lot to look at when deciding Alaska.  It’s not a quick answer.  I'll give you all the goods/bads to help you make your own choice.  CALL ME TODAY !

 

 

 

 

When is the best time to visit Alaska ? Already seeing some great value opportunities still available for 2015.

Per Alaska.org:  So When's the Best Season to Visit Alaska?

“Put it all together, and we peg June 15 - July 15 as the best time to visit Alaska. But not everyone can visit during that month window, and that's no problem. Alaska weather is not predictable. You can come in August and bask in sunshine or in June and face "horizontal rain" (driving rain plus strong winds). Alaskans have learned not to let weather interfere with their plans—or mood. The trick is to know how to dress and what to wear in Alaska. Plus, we remind ourselves: if the weather were better, it wouldn't stay Alaska for long; it would start to look more like Los Angeles”.

 

-------------

 

Well, the cruising season has begun for 2015 in Alaska, till September.  Folks already talking about the beauty and the great weather Alaska is having.  Have several clients there now !

 

On my cell phone, I keep the different ports ready available for me to watch the weather.  2014 also started out with some great weather.  So we’ll all be curious in following through with this year’s season.

 

My preferred choice in visiting Alaska is May and September.  I love to see as much snow as possible, still on the mountains, that May might bring !  And at the end of the season, I enjoy all the great shopping opportunities !

 

Many folks can only cruise between end of June and mid-August, because of school … Whether it’s families or teachers.  This is partly why this is more of the Peak Season of travel.  Also, Salmon begin running near end of June.  And everyone is hoping for the more warmer weather.

 

But like Alaska.org said above, Alaska weather is totally unpredictable.  Need to dress in layers.  And what could start out a cooler day in the morning, can possibly do some warming up by end of day !

 

Can often rain in Alaska !  Luckily, I don’t that as true when I am there.  Folks living there, are always expressing, how they can’t believe no rain for the day !  I like to think it is because I am there, and the weather is choosing to do good by me and my friends !  Hehe.

 

Alaska is a beautiful place to visit !  Over and over again !  I know I can’t get enough of going there !  

 

Already seeing some great savings available for 2015.  There’s a 2 week on Holland American, end of May, that I would love to embark on myself. 

Oh well, if I don’t personally make it to Alaska this year, I certainly hope to in 2016.  I’m looking at dates now, and have already reserved myself a spot on Norwegian in June (2016).  Call me & Come join us !

Alaska is one of the best destinations in beginning your Worldly Travels - Bucket List

FYI … I will be away next week (May 11-16) on the Carnival Splendor with limited access to Internet, so I will not be posting an article next week.  I’m going to check out the ship, because I am taking a group on her Oct 23, out of Norfolk, to Bermuda.  Come sail with us.  I have one balcony & 3 inside cabins left with an estimate $ 600 pp savings (434) 237-3832.

------------------------

Not a day goes by that someone isn’t talking to me or asking me about Alaska.  Folks love hearing

about the beauty, wildlife, and adventures I may have personally experienced in my 13 times there.

Though I love talking about Alaska any time, Alaska is a destination you want to experience for yourself.  And not just view it through my eyes !

There’s so much to see in this World.  Why not move forward and fulfill your Alaska ! 

Alaska is only on the west coast of the US … Not that far !  Yes, it can be a matter of a higher cost in airfare, but have you seen the cost to fly to Miami these days ?

And though I still suggest a passport, for several reasons, you don’t need to treat Alaska like it’s some  foreign country ! 

Just so you know … I have many clients, like me, who love cruising to Alaska.  I’m not the only one who has cruised there so many times.  Again, often only a matter of the difference in airfare, if that !

Sure, the shore excursions keep going up in price, but doesn’t the Caribbean ?  I’m here to talk to you about what you might want to do while in port.  Such as whale watching, trains, & more.

Don’t just keep talking about Alaska … Plan to take advantage of any last minute deals in 2015 or for folks who like to plan early, plan now for 2016 ! 

Ok, I’m waiting to hear from you !  And NOT just talk about it !