We got a package of goodies in the mail! Tags for our luggage, nametags, buttons to identify us at airports and piers and a leather bound book filled with all the important information! I haven't waded through all of it yet, but it includes our itinerary and choices of excursions, suggestions on packing and even suggested books to read before you go!
We can bring one suitcase (weighing no more than 50 lbs) and a carry on. When we travel to the hotel in Denali the extra bag must be smaller than a normal carry on bag. I have a backpack meant for carrying camera equipment and a small laptop that I intend to use to keep my electrical/computer pieces with me rather than checking them, and I think that size should be suitable. I can use it as a day-pack if I empty the non essentials and be perfectly comfortable.
A gal Tom spoke to at work actually took this very same cruise and said it was terrific. She told him that the rail trip was beautiful, they saw hundreds of whales and added that bringing long underwear will be important for the trip to the glacier! This week we will make a shopping trip for our "sock systems", extra camera batteries and memory cards and the miscellaneous things we need to purchase. We have a responsible young woman to watch the kennel, and a friend as a back-up system in case of emergency but this will be the longest I have been away from my dogs in 20 years. I am both excited and worried, hoping I remember everything that needs to be done before we leave! Lists! I need lists! Thank goodness the cruise booklet provides the packing list. Now to see if I can do a better job of packing for 3 weeks than I do for a weekend! yikes!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Check it Out
. http://www.cruisewest.com/alaska-cruises
So far, so good. We've had excellent contact with Cruise West throughout this process. Tom regularly read the comments made by previous passengers. We've even discovered other people who have made the Alaskan voyage on CruiseWest and everyone raves about the trip.
Some decisions we have had to make in advance, such as hotels and side-excursions. Half of the trip is in the wilderness area surrounding Denali Park and half is on board the ship follwing the Inland Passage. We opted to stay at the Kantishna Roadhouse, as that appeared to be more rustic of the choices. The two hotels offered are both inside Denali. We also were able to select from a large list of day trips. When Tom wanted to fly to the Artic Circle, I questioned the price just to get a certificate or a souvenier T-shirt but then realized that if this is truly to be our trip of a lifetime,each one of us should be able to take whatever trips we desire and not compromise the adventure. So far we have both hesitated to sign up for the zip line above the rainforest in Juneau; the mention of heights and suspension bridges conjures visions from Raiders of the Lost Ark! A friend of mine assured me that some other "old people" on a South American trip they were on tried the zip line and did just fine, but I remain unconvinced.
So far, so good. We've had excellent contact with Cruise West throughout this process. Tom regularly read the comments made by previous passengers. We've even discovered other people who have made the Alaskan voyage on CruiseWest and everyone raves about the trip.
Some decisions we have had to make in advance, such as hotels and side-excursions. Half of the trip is in the wilderness area surrounding Denali Park and half is on board the ship follwing the Inland Passage. We opted to stay at the Kantishna Roadhouse, as that appeared to be more rustic of the choices. The two hotels offered are both inside Denali. We also were able to select from a large list of day trips. When Tom wanted to fly to the Artic Circle, I questioned the price just to get a certificate or a souvenier T-shirt but then realized that if this is truly to be our trip of a lifetime,each one of us should be able to take whatever trips we desire and not compromise the adventure. So far we have both hesitated to sign up for the zip line above the rainforest in Juneau; the mention of heights and suspension bridges conjures visions from Raiders of the Lost Ark! A friend of mine assured me that some other "old people" on a South American trip they were on tried the zip line and did just fine, but I remain unconvinced.
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