RSVP Alaskan Cruise - Aug 23-30

[OneFinger]

I'm heading to Alaska on the RSVP cruise in August. Would love to meet other Hoovillians (either clients or escorts) for drinks and conversation.

 

Due to the economy RSVP has recently dropped their price. That, combined with airfare deals, could make this a very attractive vacation.

 

Please feel free to contact me here or send a private message if you're going on the cruise and would be interested in getting together.

 

I'd also welcome suggestions on good shore excursions or "must see" sights for Glacier Bay, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria.

[Romann]

Please do share how your trip went as I have always thought about a cruise but have never moved forward with it.

 

I'm heading to Alaska on the RSVP cruise in August. Would love to meet other Hoovillians (either clients or escorts) for drinks and conversation.

 

Due to the economy RSVP has recently dropped their price. That, combined with airfare deals, could make this a very attractive vacation.

 

Please feel free to contact me here or send a private message if you're going on the cruise and would be interested in getting together.

 

I'd also welcome suggestions on good shore excursions or "must see" sights for Glacier Bay, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria.

[+ g56whiz]

I did this loop last year on Norwegian Lines. One in our party was a bit mobility impaired so we didn't flock to the offerings at each port. But we did do the

White Pass Scenic Railway out of Skagway and found it interesting. In early June there was still snow at the the top of the trip just into Canada and we saw more than a few black bear along the way:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/shorexDetails.html?groupId=SGY_01

 

b/t/w Norwegian Lines seemed quite GLBT friendly. There was a posted gathering each day although it conflicted with most of our dinner or show reservations so that by the time we managed to get there toward the end of the cruise it seemed to have expired as an interest. No one was there but my partner and me that night. That probably changes with each new sailing. Rosie O'Donnell hosts her annual family cruise on Norwegian Lines and I believe christened its Norwegian Pearl.

[Romann]

Thank you very much for that information and link as I wasn't aware.

 

I did this loop last year on Norwegian Lines. One in our party was a bit mobility impaired so we didn't flock to the offerings at each port. But we did do the

White Pass Scenic Railway out of Skagway and found it interesting. In early June there was still snow at the the top of the trip just into Canada and we saw more than a few black bear along the way:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/shorexDetails.html?groupId=SGY_01

 

b/t/w Norwegian Lines seemed quite GLBT friendly. There was a posted gathering each day although it conflicted with most of our dinner or show reservations so that by the time we managed to get there toward the end of the cruise it seemed to have expired as an interest. No one was there but my partner and me that night. That probably changes with each new sailing. Rosie O'Donnell hosts her annual family cruise on Norwegian Lines and I believe christened its Norwegian Pearl.

[+ g56whiz]

Well Romann, you've got my fantasy factory working overtime. I mean I'm thinking how great it would be to tour the Alaskan coast with you each day then tour and pleasure your magnificent physique each night.

 

Speaking of physiques, I can commend the gym facilities on the Norwegian Lines although this aging, height and weight unproportional klutz found the 8AM morning stretch class somewhat problematic. It was not a pretty sight watching me struggle into some pretty complex contortions as the ship lurched slightly from side to side in some slightly rough seas. With walls on three sides lined with mirrors, my struggles were readily apparent to bevy of trophy wives who made up the majority of the class. They were merciful (thankfully).

[OneFinger]

I did this loop last year on Norwegian Lines. One in our party was a bit mobility impaired so we didn't flock to the offerings at each port. But we did do the

White Pass Scenic Railway out of Skagway and found it interesting. In early June there was still snow at the the top of the trip just into Canada and we saw more than a few black bear along the way:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/shorexDetails.html?groupId=SGY_01

 

b/t/w Norwegian Lines seemed quite GLBT friendly. There was a posted gathering each day although it conflicted with most of our dinner or show reservations so that by the time we managed to get there toward the end of the cruise it seemed to have expired as an interest. No one was there but my partner and me that night. That probably changes with each new sailing. Rosie O'Donnell hosts her annual family cruise on Norwegian Lines and I believe christened its Norwegian Pearl.

 

Thanks for the link to the railway trip. That sounds exactly like something we'd be interested in doing.

 

This will be my 3rd gay cruise (2 previously with Atlantis). My first cruise was on an NCL ship and the crew seem very comfortable the GLBT clientèle.

 

IMHO, the best vacations are cruises. There's no packing / unpacking / changing hotel rooms every couple of days. The food is usually excellent and I've always enjoyed the entertainment.

 

Not so sure I'd like a straight cruise. But the gay cruises are fantastic.

[+ g56whiz]

IMHO, the best vacations are cruises. There's no packing / unpacking / changing hotel rooms every couple of days. The food is usually excellent and I've always enjoyed the entertainment.

 

I fully agree OneFinger: you can't beat the convenience of a cruise. You're right about the food as well. Moreover, we figured the cost at approximately $100/a day per person. I have to admit however that there were four in our party: my partner, his mother and sister. As for space in a single cabin, the three of them are Chinese and of a slight build. I was the only bulky Anglo. Language did become an issue however. Because his mother has no English at all, we tended to go to the cafeteria where his mother could pick out by sight what she wanted to eat. Unfortunately, families with small (NOISY) children favored the same venue.

 

The only problem with them is that you can't readily see Vienna, Paris or Bangkok on a cruise ship.

[KMEM]

The ship will have plenty of things to do and entertainment. It is difficult to know what else might interest you. But, Glacier Bay will be cold and the ship will not dock but slowly steam into the bay. If you are lucky, you will see an ice berg calf.

 

Juneau- I enjoyed ocean kayaking. The tram ride gave a good view of the surrounding landscape. There were 3 of us and I was paired with a 70 year old cardioligist who kept urging me to paddle faster. Turned out he owned a kayak and exercised in it every day so I was very much over matched.

 

Sitka was a bit of a disappointment but if seeing remnants of the Russian settlers or native arts and crafts are of interest, this is the place to investigate them.

 

Ketchikan reminded me of all the islands ships stop at in the Caribbean with the shops right on the road by the dock. Of course, this was Alaska oriented, not down island.

 

Victoria has so many things to do that are remnants of the English style of living (with teh Canadian influence) that one cannot do it all, if that has any interest whatsoever. Formal gardens, high tea, you name it, it will be there.

 

Have fun. I did.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

PS- For wild life other than on the ship, keep your eyes open for eagles, bears, whales, seals and otters.

[Guest zipperzone]

I'm heading to Alaska on the RSVP cruise in August. Would love to meet other Hoovillians (either clients or escorts) for drinks and conversation.

 

Due to the economy RSVP has recently dropped their price. That, combined with airfare deals, could make this a very attractive vacation.

 

Please feel free to contact me here or send a private message if you're going on the cruise and would be interested in getting together.

 

I'd also welcome suggestions on good shore excursions or "must see" sights for Glacier Bay, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria.

 

Maybe you'll get to see Levi.

[+ g56whiz]

Thanks KMEM. I'd almost forgotten about the whales. On an overcast afternoon, I was clocking some quiet time with a book on the balcony of our cabin when I heard a some ooohs and haaaaaas from a balcony near by. I looked up to see a group of whales racing our ship along the Alaska coast. The nearest one was maybe forty feet away. It was an awesome sight.

 

Say Romann, what do you think about whales . . .?

[KMEM]

g56-

 

What time of year did you go? My group went in very early June, like 1 or 2 June, from Vancouver. We thought the cruise + the land part was perfect but the mornings along the "intercoastal" part of Alaska near Sitka, Ketchikan and Juneau, etc. were a bit cool until the day got going and warmed up a bit. A jacket was appropriate those morning and in Glacier Bay it was entirely too cold to be out side more than to satisfy your desire to see it without any impediments (such as a window). Soon, looking at the ice out the window became completely OK.

 

The good news about an early trip like this was no mosquitoes, we avoided any rain and we were able to land on Mt. Denali on a glacier which, as I understand it, is not possible late in the summer.

 

As you can readily see, I really enjoyed my vacation trip to Alaska. I had been there twice before on business but that was in December, which is interesting but perhaps not the best vacation time.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ g56whiz]

Same time KMEM: Sunday June 1 from Seattle.

[OneFinger]

KEM,

 

Great symposis of the ports we'll be visiting. I appreciate the info.

[+ g56whiz]

Have a GREAT trip and report back. I'd be interested to know if there's a marked difference between how a general public and an LGBT cruise do things like activities and ship board entertainment.

[Steven_Draker]

One Finger,

I wish I was headed to Alaska this summer. The weather is so hot here, almost too hot for me ...

 

You'll find Norwegian cruise line a step above Royal Caribbean: the ship design and especially the food.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

http://climateprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/polar-bear-tongue.jpeg

 

Cheers, Steven ~

[Bart]

Alaska 2008

 

I was fortunate to take my second Alaskan Cruise at the end of July, 2008 the first was in 1986.

 

First I would go for the early stay in Vancouver. We did both times and was worth the money. Stayed at Shearton Wall Okay but not the friendliest place and zippo on night life. However Vancouver rocks. They are getting ready for the Winter Olympics next Feb and the place is gorgeous. Take the city trolley pass you can get off and go wherever around the city for two days. Granville Island is awesome would love to have spent the evening there. Fabulous restaurants.

 

Victoria is worth the stop, did not do it this time but went first time.

 

Check out all the side trips on line and order ahead of time. Our cruise line, not NCL, had all the vouchers in our room upon arrival, no standing in line. To be honest the early AM side trips go well because you can come back to ship and sometimes pick up another side trip if you still have energy. Juneau both times did the Mendenhall Glacier float trip definitely is worth it. First time sunshine and warm, second time rain and worth it both times. That Glacier has shrunk 25% in just the 22 years in-between our visits. It was a very eye-opening site to what is happening in nature. Chance of rain 75%.

 

Skagway has a great helicopter trip not cheap but looked very exiciting. I did the six mile hike, it was worth the fall I took like a clumsy ox. Includes a partial train ride. Was able to get some great photos. Dowtown Skagway is an old gold rush town. But it must have the most diamond stores per capita in the US. I counted 18 of them in a four block square.

 

Ketichican did the kayak, never was on one and it was great. Miracle, rainiest city in Alaska and one of the 5 rainiest cities in the US and no rain. Lots of nesting Eagles.

 

Did not see Sitka on the second trip and glad we did not because it was the most uninteresting city unless anthrapology is your bag. Now the first time we had a member of the NY Museum of Natural History as our guide and she made the Inuits, the most interesting people in the world, but on your own not a chance.

 

There is also opportunities for Zip Lines in many of the stops and I would definitely do one of the those. If you are an active person and the people in your party are active people do as many side trips as possible. The weather that time of year gets iffy and the time on ship will be more enjoyable for the cruising time if you have taken advantage of the time off ship. I would book all your side trips at least a month before your departure. Some do fill up. I would not do the White Pass Bus to Whitier, even though the Olympic Skiing will be there, unless the weather is sunny because if it is rain god it was awful and seriously the people going on this had to be no younger than 75 and again the food was not particularly good.

 

That time of year I would avoid the nature boat trips, most of the whales have already departed and again if the weather is crappy this may not be the most fun trip.

 

I would avoid all the food-related trips like the salmon or crab bakes or alike because the food on ship was better and you already paid for it so why pay for food again and seriously you do not get that much culture out of it. You can probably have as much salmon and crab as you want on the ship. I have to warn you when you go to Glacier Bay the weather is more likely to be crappy and it gets very cold. So bring the winter coat if you want to stay on deck.

 

I would tip your guides where appropriate. Most are college kids home for summer and the physical trips like the kayaking and hiking they do a great job!

[OneFinger]

Bart,

 

Thanks for the great suggestions. I'm only more excited about the trip.

 

One constant theme in all the posts is that it will probably be much colder and wet than we originally anticipated. Really appreciate the forewarning.

 

Also a good suggestion on avoiding the food-related trips. On my other cruises (NCL and Celebrity), the on-board food was very good and I'm sure they'll offer Alaskina-favorite foods.

[+ g56whiz]

We're gonna want a full report on what life is like in post-Palin Alaska!