Alaska Cruise Vacation Tip: Buy tours for ashore, after I arrive to cruise ? After I arrive to port ? Before I sail ?

Buy tours ashore, after I arrive to cruise ?  After I arrive to port ?  Before I sail ?

Alaska, like Europe, is more destination driven,  than a Caribbean Cruise.   Folks want to see as much as they can, their time there, because it may be their only time of going there.  Not just because of cost, but because of our own “bucket list”.

Part of destination driven is making tours ashore choices !  The more folks buy in advance, the less change you have, in getting your choice, the longer you wait to decide.  And for goodness sakes, many tours will be filled up, by the time you arrive to your cruise.

Some folks, like with the Caribbean, plan to wait & buy, not from the cruise line, but from a local vendor, once off ship.  That’s fine, if you know what you’re doing.

Such as Whale Watching in Juneau.  You need to plan to get off the ship, as soon as the ship has cleared in port.  Why ?  There’s not only other folks, who are planning to do the same as you !  There’s set leaving times, that you could easily miss, if you don‘t get off the ship early enough.

Or the train in Skagway.  What if it were full ?  More importantly, you have to walk up to the town, to make this purchase.  Even if you are one of the 1^st to get off the ship, you have to hustle up to town, make that purchase, and will be boarding quickly.  Guess what else ?  You get the left over seats, cause you’re boarding last.

Again, Alaska, nor Europe, are necessarily the destinations to wait till you get onboard to decide, or wait till you get to port ! 

 

While Europe might be getting the most shouting destination for 2016, Alaska is standing strong, right behind !

While the industry is talking Europe, as the #1 destination traveled for 2016 … So many folks I know, are calling me for Alaska too !  Whether they are “returning to Alaska” or maybe it’s their first time there !  It's actually FuN in guessing, which destination my next caller wants ... Europe ... Alaska !

The cruise lines are not slighting Alaska.

Go here & see the sales !  http://vwebb.cruisesinc.com/travel/promotion/alaska-cruises.do

Yes, thankfully, I too, am returning to Alaska in 2016, for my 14^th time there.  I have at least 3 other customers doing the same, on different dates/ships.  And MANY 1^st timers there.  For some, like over past years, it’s their FIRST CRUISE ever !

Not yet booked ?

Call me TODAY. 
(434/800) 237-3832, press 62 & leave me a message for a good time for us to talk ! 
Plan to join me on Norwegian Cruise Line, the NCL Sun (my 1^st time to Alaska on NCL) or let me show you how to choose the best ship/sailing for YOU !
Have your computer in front of you !
Ships/tours are filling up !  A record breaking year !

 

Alaska Tip. Northbound cruise. Take the Alaska Coastal Rail from Seward/Whittier ? Morning/Evening ? Claim $25

Well, you don’t have a choice, with your Northbound cruise, whether you sail into Seward/Whittier, since it is based on which port your ship comes into.  Princess sails into Whittier and the rest of the cruise lines sail into Seward.

Which train ride is better from, Seward or Whittier ? For me, all train rides are FuN and my 1^st choice for transportation.

The question should be, what might you see more ?

In estimation, Whittier is between Seward and Anchorage.   So you automatically now know, that the Seward ride is longer than the train ride from Whittier.  4 ¼ hours versus 1.20.

From Whittier, the train will follow close to the Seward Hwy.  Whereas, from Seward, the train will first go thru the mountains before following the Seward Hwy.  The train stops to pick up the Whittier folks in Girdwood. You tell me, which you might see more ?

Should this determine whether you choose a Princess cruise versus the others ?  Not for me, cause my 1^st choice is a Princess cruise.  I’ve traveled many a time, by train, from Seward, with cruise lines.  Such as this year, on my first Alaska cruise with Norwegian.

Now the question, take the cruise in the morning or afternoon.  That’s a tuff one. 

Do you want to see any of Seward or Whittier while there ?  Please know, there’s not a lot in either, but Seward is larger and there are tours you can buy in the area.

Is your plane leaving same day, and maybe you want a little time in Anchorage instead ?  If leaving same day, you won’t have much time in Anchorage, especially if not staying till at least midnight.

Know, the time of your flight may be the determining factor.  Morning train arrives to Anchorage 11-12noon.  Evening train arrives 10:15pm.

Or maybe you’ll decide, based on price of the train.  The earlier train is chartered by the cruise lines.  Could cost $110+.  Or maybe you are staying a night in Anchorage, and can get a cruise line price to include hotel.  Alaska RR 6pm train currently cost $92.

For my June cruise on Norwegian, I opted with the later time with Alaska RR.  I will be able to leave my luggage with Alaska RR till the train leaves 6pm (will need to get there by 5pm).  I don’t plan on doing any tours in the Seward area, since I’ve already done many.  So I will walk the town and take pictures.  Call me & come join me.  Norwegian Sun, June 26.  See insight on my website:  www.VivianWebb.com 

Claim your $25 onboard cabin credit, sailing with our group (mention this upon your 1st call !

Finally, I’m booked for Alaska - June 27, 2016 ! Will be my first Norwegian cruise … In Alaska. Why this cruise ? My favorite tours. And what I know I’ll do, when there.

Everyone knows, I could sail in Alaska “every year” !  My favorite place !  Actually, if I had it my way, it would be at least 3 times each season !

A new customer asked me this week, WHY is it my favorite place ?  I love the view of the mountains.  Such peaceful serenity.  Traveling in Alaska is so different than the Caribbean. 

Yes, the temperatures, but for me, it’s more the … Calmer pace !  Not that everyone moves slower.  It’s just that the Caribbean is more GO-GO, like to me, a Carnival cruise.  Which is one reason,  I too enjoy Carnival in the Caribbean !

Unfortunately, for me, I didn’t sail in Alaska in 2015.  So you know I’m excited about sailing to Alaska again 2016 !  My 14^th time to Alaska !

What took me soooo long to book for the 2016 season, when many of my clients are already booked to Alaska for 2016 (even 2017) ?

Actually I booked this 2016 Alaska cruise in April of 2015.  See … You didn’t catch me booking last minute !

I had to find a roommate.  Not everyone books early like me.  So I waited, till it was closer to time, in asking folks, “who wants to go”.  Immediately I have a friend, who wanted to JUMP ONBOARD !

Why Norwegian this time ? And why June 27 ?

I didn’t actually choose the cruise line, ship, nor the date.
I have a friend/customer who chose this.  Who in turn, has invited other friends/family to join.

Each year, I’m looking for a Group Leader who calls, engaging in the idea of sailing to Alaska.  In hopes, that I like their choice, and then possibly invite my others customers to join, so that I may can get away and sail too !

So why this cruise, when I’m so particular ?

Everyone who know I have specifics, when choosing my Alaska cruise, except like any last minute cruise I might buy … The price is a don’t-pass-me by, and I luckily find an opening in my schedule !

I wouldn’t normally choose Norwegian (though I have been on 25+ Norwegian cruises)… Which is why it will be my first time to Alaska on a Norwegian.  And I wouldn’t have chosen end of June (one of the busiest cruise weeks, because teachers and kids are now out of school  !  But my girlfriend and husband (whom I’ve not seen in 5+ years) are going … So when she bought, I looked to see if I liked this cruise !

SEE ITINERARY BELOW …

*It’s going to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway … CHECK !
*WOW, 2 glaciers (Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier) … WONDERFUL !
*Look at those times in port !  Ketchikan, 4pm, WOW !  Juneau & Skagway till 8pm, GREAT !
*Hmmm, it’s Northbound.  I would normally choose Southbound, to get that longer flight over 1^st.  But … Vancouver is beautiful to “sail from” … Much better than “sailing into”, to arrive early morning, when the fog is usually still there, as approaching the port !
*And it ends in Seward (versus Whittier with Princess).  Ewwww, I can opt for the Alaska Rail Road (Coastal Classic), in getting me from Seward to Anchorage.
*And I have a friend who lives in Anchorage, and maybe I’ll get to stay longer, after the cruise, and visit with her.

See WHY I put down my deposit last April 2015 ?  And now I have a roommate, so it’s a-go !  Yippy !

 

 

Now what I'll most likely do, while on my cruise ?

See below … My favorite tours in port.  I may not chose any tours on this cruise, because I’ve done then so many times.  However, here’s I know I’ll be doing !

Ketchikan.  My favorite tour is the “Deadliest Catch”.  Often sells out quick.  Also enjoyed the “crab catching tour w/dungenous crab lunch”.

What I do here:  Go the Creek to take pictures (have a halibut snack) & shop; take the small tram for $1 to the Westmark Hotel (take pictures of the ship from inside and go out front to see the totem poles).  Shop, especially at Tongas Trading Company (usually Princess is docked near here).

Juneau.  Favorite tour is whale watching and Mendenhall combination tour.

What do I do here:  If I don’t take the tour, I pay $25 to go out and see Mendenhall.  Love to go up on the tram, however, I do not purchase this till I see what the weather is like; up on the mountain, I usually get dungenous crab.  Usually drop in the Red Dog Saloon and shop here.  Walk the streets and shop, especially the Alaska Shirt Co (across from the tram).

Skagway.  I love the Yukon Tour.  Either by rail ½ way up and go further into the Yukon by bus.  Or just all the way bus.  I usually either buy from Shore Excursion Group or Chilkoot Charters & Tours (because I have bought from them before.)

Reminder, not so smart to buy the Whitepass Railroad tour directly or after there.  You have to walk up to the city, to catch the train.

What I do here:  Walk & shop the main street, and go into the Red Onion Saloon.   Shop especially at Alaska Shirt Co (at end of the main street on right) and Klondike Jewelry (over the RR track, as if going to ship).

 

If you're reading my article ... YOU should truly consider joining me too !

Pricing still looks great !  Amenities too.  And Cruises Inc has an extra $25 onboard credit per cabin too !

SEE BELOW.  Deadlines coming soon (see deadlines on my website:  www.VivianWebb.com.  Under cruise finder, just put Norwegian, Norwegian Sun, June 27, 2016, & search.  Once you see these amenities, click on them, and deadline will show.  Know, that even though deadline is not today, the "pricing can go up, each day you wait !"

Call today (434/800) 237-3832 !