2014 Alaska Cruise

1)      Select duration: middle July to middle August. I booked Jul.25^th to Aug.1^st. 7days trip on Holland American (60,000 tons, 1400 passengers + several hundred service people).

                              (my picture)

 

2)      Depart harbor: Canada Place, Vancouver. That’s because I can drive to there, saved air tickets. And free to go around in Vancouver and Seattle.

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       3)      Stay at Accent Inn Vancouver airport. This hotel allows custom part their car free for a week. And free shuttle to Canada Place.

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4)      Cruise line: Glacier Bay Park,

 
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      Or Tracy Arm Glacier. This picture was taken on a small boat (paid).

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5)      Shore explore:

 a) Juneau, Take gondola up, then hiking on the trail. Count time as far as you like. $32/adult, over 10 people 10% off.

                               (my picture)

 

b) Skagway, walks into information center, gets a free city tour in the morning,

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Then take train or bus tour to 3200ft high on mountain. (I took a bus tour, $50/adult, 3 hours trip. 40% price than the train, and can stop 8 places. Train won’t let you off.)

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Take bus to the border of USA and Canada.

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c) Ketchikan, walk to information center, get a map, then take free bus to the hiking trail, which can lead you go to the 17 million aces rain forest. 3~5 hours hiking trail. Unfortunately, my small group only walked 2 hours. Some ladies didn’t want to move anymore.

                                (my picture)

 

6)      Ship living: http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/Main.action

Gym-hot tub-breakfast-learn dancing-lunch-swimming-afternoon tea or whale watch-formal dinner-talk show and sing, dancing show.

7) Budget:
3 people, $800 each for 7days cruise. (I picked the ocean view carbine, inside carbine $600 each.) Plus under $300 fixed tips for 3 people. $200 gasoline drive to Vancouver. The majority cost is only $3000 for three in total.