A cruise is great, even to one who grew up there. My wife and I went on a cruise 3 years ago through SE Alaska and had a really good time. My advice though, when you get to Skagway, take an excursion somewhere like the Jeep drive or the white pass railroad, but don’t go into town. I can’t really even describe how touristy its become.
I grew up in Haines, (you’ll pass it on the way to/from Skagway) and spent a lot of time in Skagway growing up when there were only 2/3 cruises a week. I actually worked for Princess cruises throwing luggage for awhile, but I digress.
Check out Juneau and Ketchikan for the touristy stuff, it’s hokey but tolerable. Skagway however has descended into some nth level of tourist hell.
I also recommend an outside cabin with balcony, it’s worthwhile if only to sit out there one morning wrapped in the comforter from the bed sipping cocoa and watching the water.
Heh I do too - and then I talk to my mom and she tells me about the weather. Fixes me right up. I grew up in Wrangell, BTW.
Summers tend to be less damp than the other three seasons, but it’s still a lucky, lucky tourist who manages an entire trip without seeing rainfall. However, the rain is quite often of short duration and not heavy rain - it’s more like misting or slight drizzle. In it’s own way, it doesn’t actually detract from the scenery - just changes it.
Southeast Alaska is still a pretty, pretty place.
I agree with you about Skagway, though. Sweet Mother of Og, how do people even live there anymore?
My parents treated my sisters and me, our spouses and kids to an Inside Passage cruise on a Holland American ship five years ago. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and would like to go back sometime. Ketchikan and Skagway are really touristy, it’s true, and Sitka isn’t much better; I liked Juneau, though. ife aboard is as lively or as quiet as you want to experience; I was never bored. There’s plenty to do ashore, too - we saw glaciers, flew on a floatplane, had an old-fashioned salmon dinner at an old fishing camp, and marveled at the trees and mountains and sky.
My one regret: never saw any bald eagles the entire trip, dammit. I lurves me some bald eagles.
Glad I came across this thread. Wife and I intend to do an Alaskan cruise in a year or so (combined with a Canadian tour- train trip etc) and the hints are invaluable. I’ll certainly be looking for a cabin with a balcony. Seems ridiculous to spend $30,000 and not fork out a bit more to increase the pleasure.