Have any of you taken a cruise to Alaska?

[mrsrumfkin]

H and I are going for our 10 year anni in 2 weeks, and I still don't know what to wear. Will I be cold if I wear just capris and sandals/sneakers, or should I bundle a little? I tend to stay on the hot side, and I haaaate to be too cold. 

[mrslefty]

We went a few years ago. I would suggest at least one sweatshirt but I found the weather to be similar to early June around here.

[mrslefty]

And a rain jacket!

[FrozenSunshine]

Where all are you going? Definitely have a rain coat or waterproof jacket. On the water you will be cold in that, maybe not so much on land. Ketchikan weather this week is in the 60s and it's rainy season in AK.

[Tiff]

We went last August (4th - 11th) for our Honeymoon. We had great weather pretty much the whole time...it was rainy/drizzly one day. It wasn't lay out under the sun weather every day, but we had a few days like that. I think I brought a few pairs of jeans, a few skirts, dresses for formal dinners and mostly short sleeved shirts. I had one jacket and a hoodie that I brought, but only used once or twice, mostly when we were watching a movie at night (they had the outdoor screen for movies under the stars).

What cruise line are you sailing?

ETA: We went to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchican and Victoria. The only port that had rainy weather for us was Skagway. 

[FrozenSunshine]

As a grown and raised Alaskan - I recommend for anyone going in the future or for a second trip to get away from the cruises and head to mainland! It's a whole different experience. (/off my soap box!)

[tacocat]

Jul 21, 2014 22:22:05 GMT -5 FrozenSunshine said:

As a grown and raised Alaskan - I recommend for anyone going in the future or for a second trip to get away from the cruises and head to mainland! It's a whole different experience. (/off my soap box!)

Do you think the cruises are worth it though? Or skip it all together? We are currently in a debate about this very topic.

[mrsrumfkin]

Jul 21, 2014 22:22:05 GMT -5 FrozenSunshine said:

As a grown and raised Alaskan - I recommend for anyone going in the future or for a second trip to get away from the cruises and head to mainland! It's a whole different experience. (/off my soap box!)

I plan to! I just wanted to be able to see a lot in one swoop this time. Please PM me suggestions for places for my next Alaska trip!

[mrsrumfkin]

Jul 21, 2014 20:48:49 GMT -5 Tiff said:

We went last August (4th - 11th) for our Honeymoon. We had great weather pretty much the whole time...it was rainy/drizzly one day. It wasn't lay out under the sun weather every day, but we had a few days like that. I think I brought a few pairs of jeans, a few skirts, dresses for formal dinners and mostly short sleeved shirts. I had one jacket and a hoodie that I brought, but only used once or twice, mostly when we were watching a movie at night (they had the outdoor screen for movies under the stars).

What cruise line are you sailing?

ETA: We went to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchican and Victoria. The only port that had rainy weather for us was Skagway. 

We're sailing Celebrity. We'll be going to all the places you went. So I think what I've currently got in my closet will work. 

[mrsrumfkin]

Jul 21, 2014 20:21:01 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

We went a few years ago. I would suggest at least one sweatshirt but I found the weather to be similar to early June around here.

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you!

[mrsrumfkin]

Jul 21, 2014 20:21:19 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

And a rain jacket!

I got this big rain poncho. Is it hideous? I'm plus size and couldn't find anything cute in my size anywhere that wasn't more than I was willing to spend (read: I'm super cheap). 

[Deleted]

Butting in, I have always been interested in going, but everyone I've known (until this thread) that's gone either went on a family vacation with their parents or are my parents.

Is there stuff to do on that criise for the non retired set? Or should I save it for later?

[Deleted]

Btw, my parents did the cruise a few years ago and really liked it.

[mrslefty]

mrsrumfkin a poncho is fine. I needed a rain jacket on one boat tour we did and a poncho would be perfect.
@uwhuskygirl we went with dh's dad and aunt and had a great time. I wasn't interested at all but FIL paid so I went and really enjoyed my time. The scenery was amazing.

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 6:07:14 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

@uwhuskygirl we went with dh's dad and aunt and had a great time. I wasn't interested at all but FIL paid so I went and really enjoyed my time. The scenery was amazing.

So what you're saying is that I need to get someone to fund this trip?  

[Tiff]

Jul 22, 2014 2:30:27 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

Butting in, I have always been interested in going, but everyone I've known (until this thread) that's gone either went on a family vacation with their parents or are my parents.

Is there stuff to do on that criise for the non retired set? Or should I save it for later?

There's definitely stuff to do for the non-retired...but I suggest going with a bigger group. Also, don't go with the mindset it will be like a caribbean or mexico cruise, or you'll be disappointed (my H had a slightly hard time with this whole piece - I mean, duh H, it's Alaska!).

If we were to go again, I'd probably plan on spending quite a bit more (almost every onboard activity costs something, there's pretty limited free things to do, depending what you like to do though, I guess) onboard, but I wouldn't have just paid for my wedding, so there's that.

[Tiff]

Jul 22, 2014 6:15:45 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

Jul 22, 2014 6:07:14 GMT -5 mrslefty said:

@uwhuskygirl we went with dh's dad and aunt and had a great time. I wasn't interested at all but FIL paid so I went and really enjoyed my time. The scenery was amazing.

So what you're saying is that I need to get someone to fund this trip?  

Isn't that the best way to go on any trip?!

[Tiff]

Jul 22, 2014 0:11:56 GMT -5 tacocat said:

Jul 21, 2014 22:22:05 GMT -5 FrozenSunshine said:

As a grown and raised Alaskan - I recommend for anyone going in the future or for a second trip to get away from the cruises and head to mainland! It's a whole different experience. (/off my soap box!)

Do you think the cruises are worth it though? Or skip it all together? We are currently in a debate about this very topic.

I'm totally butting in on this, but I think it depends where you're going. Would I go to all of the ports in AK that we went to on my own? Probably not.
My parents just cruised around the continent of Australia in 16 days and had an amazing time. It was the most cost effective way for them to see that much of Australia (plus New Guinea)...their room and food was all covered on the cruise.

I grew up going on a few cruises, so I guess my experience could be different than others.

[joenali]

We are going August 9-16. I'm just wearing that I wear here when it's cold.

[toratoratori]

Jul 21, 2014 22:22:05 GMT -5 FrozenSunshine said:

As a grown and raised Alaskan - I recommend for anyone going in the future or for a second trip to get away from the cruises and head to mainland! It's a whole different experience. (/off my soap box!)

BUT. BUT. BUT. PINA COLADAS

[larzhope]

we went on this trip last year in mid September. I froze the whole time. but I'm always cold. Celebrity certainly knows how to do an Alaskan cruise - enjoy. I had a fleece lined jacket, a lululemon scuba hoodie and I ended up wearing a long sleeve shirt under all of that. Being as it will be early August, it will likely be warmer for you. have so much fun!