Hollyvdb
We are going to be in Canada and Alaska in Sept. 2006 and would love to read your journal on your trip. I can't wait, but I'm not game to start counting the days yet as I think I would go insane.

I thought it was so our pictures would look like we look after dealing with airport security, chaged seat assignments, overweight luggage, late or delayed flights, changed gates, etc., etc., etc.!

Hi MazR,
Now I have two people to share My Travels with look forward to it.
I would start a countdown now no matter how far away My trip was it helps the time go faster I think.
Where are you traveling in Canada & Alaska?
Holly

Hollyvdb
We arrive in Vancouver, travel by coach to Whistler, Sun Peaks, Jasper, Lake Louise to Banff, then by rail to Kamloops and back to Vancouver. Then a 7 night cruise through the inside passage to Alaska. We are also planning to fly over to Niagara Falls and whatever else we can fit in. Unfortunately due to work committments we can only have approx. 4 weeks away and the tour is 20 days. Oh to be retired.......

MazR

I seem to be doing the same trip at yourself except our cruise goes to Anchorage and we will be touring around Denali National Park for four days then flying home from Fairbanks, our trip is 24 days in total,

Which Cruise line are you using?

Although I'm not as fortunate as you guys to be taking a TT, I will be taking an Alaska cruise beginning July 10. My husband and I are on Holland America's MS Ryndam from Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage), visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay National Park, and then cruising the inside pasage on the last day. Would be happy to post some info on our return, if any of you are interested. I hope that's okay on the BB, even thought it's not TT!

chef, I hope you have a wonderful trip

Missie
I think you are doing the 24 Day Rockies & Voyage of the Glaciers tour. We can only fit in the 20 day Rockies Panorama & Alaskan Cruise. This is with Sc... It would be great to have the time to see the Denali National Park as well - so much to see and so little time. Can't wait though.

Missie
Forgot to add that we havn't organised the cruise line yet, as our trip isn't till Sept 06 and it's too early. A lot of people are telling me to go with the smaller ships as they can get in places the bigger ones can't - also less people to get on and off each day at the ports. I don't know, guess I'll go with what the TA advises. She didn't put a foot wrong on our Oct 04 trip. Will be great to read your journal as you will be back
before we leave.

MazR

Spot on, that is the tour I have chosen, I have had lots of advice about the cruise and they all say to us Holland America line which I am leaning towards as they seem to be able to get closer to the Glaciers. That tour company looks amazing especially using the Fairmont Hotels and all the inclusions.

Missie,
It does look amazing doesn't it, can't wait to go. The reason we paid our deposit so early was to get the upgrades as well, and we can't decide which of the optionals to do yet either.
Still we have plenty of time to make up our minds.

MazR

We both seem to be thinking the same way, overall it looks expensive, but when you look at all the included's it isn't especially as you said with all the upgrades, I have eleven months to go, I have started the countdown.

Are you stopping over in either direction?

We Canadians aren't allowed to smile on our passports because it "distorts" our facial features and makes us apparently unrecognizable. And I agree, it's probably because after going through the airport security, sleeping in chairs that recline 2 inches at most and enduring airline food, customs won't see a single smiling face when the plane lands and will get confused!!!

When I researched Alaska cruises I found out only 2 lines have permits to go into Glacier Bay - Holland America and Princess. We landed up on Princess and were very happy. They had naturalists on board who would give lectures and be on deck at the glaciers, pointing out and explaining everything. The cruise line also would announce sitings of animals. It was hysterical to sit on deck and watch the crowd shift from the port to starboard side of the ship as announcements were made where to look. Of course, the sitings were never on the same side of the ship. Just remember that these ships are so huge and you are up so high that everything including whales look small. The seals on the icebergs looked like black dots without binoculars, which make sure you bring a good pair. Enjoy!

Hi Missie
WE (big group of friends) decided when we took our trip to Canada to go Air Canada and stopover in Hawaii. On the way back (having just come from a 6 week skiing tripin Fernie and Whistler/Blackcomb) decided we would have a couple of days in Honululu. What bliss after -40 celcius at the top of a mountain!
Im actually dreaming of going back to Hawaii for our honeymoon (mind you - i think i need to have some small amount of input into where we are going - hate to think of where we will end up if i didnt!)I loved Honolulu. Learnt a lot too - ie pineapples grow from the ground - i allways assumed they grew from a tree b4 our visit to a plantation!! what an idiot!
D