Jenno: I completely agree with you Canada is stunning and you should try to see as much as possible, the airfares to Canada are dearer for us Aussies than going to Europe, so it would be worth seeing as much as possible.

I would love to go again but this time I would rent a mobile home and take a couple of months to see as much as I could, with at least a week in my favourite Victoria and visit the great lakes of Ontario. and...and...and.

Jenno I have been across Canada twice and to certain provinces numerous times but there is still lots for me to see. We have a very beautiful diverse country. We are just not very good at "tooting our own horn." when it comes to promoting visiting our country. Two months as Missie suggested would barely get your feet wet.

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Jenno I have been across Canada twice and to certain provinces numerous times but there is still lots for me to see. We have a very beautiful diverse country. We are just not very good at "tooting our own horn." when it comes to promoting visiting our country. Two months as Missie suggested would barely get your feet wet

So going to Canada for approx. 3-4 weeks wouldn't be long enough. Can understand why Missie would like to do it next time with a motorhome.

Jenno: 3 to 4 weeks would allow you to see one region adequately but not completely. You could spend that much time individually in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec and barely touch the sites in those 4 provinces. Australia is small to our country. Some tourists from the smaller states are amazed at how long and wide our provinces are.

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Jenno: 3 to 4 weeks would allow you to see one region adequately but not completely. You could spend that much time individually in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec and barely touch the sites in those 4 provinces. Australia is small to our country. Some tourists from the smaller states are amazed at how long and wide our provinces are

Thanks for that mid life traveller. I realise how little I have seen of the world, even though we have had many holidays.

jenno: That is why we all travel so we can see more of the world. I am busy planning next years holiday since we found out our daughter will not be coming with us next year.

Okay I'll ask the question on this thread. All of you who have done the cruise - Is it worth paying extra for an outside cabin or is it worth having a verandah suite? Had a look at the outside cabins on Holland America website and the windows don't look that big.
Thanks hoping for your reply.

Winnie: I think it comes down to personal preference and what you can afford. I did the Alaskan Cruise last year from Vancouver to Whittier.

Having a balcony cabin is very nice especially in Glacier Bay, but, there are many vantage points on the ship where you can easily see outside, I am not familiar with Holland America as I cruised on the Diamond Princess, we had a restaurant on the top deck with panoramic windows and you could see everything. The ships captain announces whenever there are whale sightings or anything else of interest.

You can also easily access the outside decks to see around you, as I said it is totally a personal preference, you will however be limited with a window to the amount you can see. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, hopefully we may be able to help you.

When we took our Alaskan cruise on Princess, we were on a budget and for practical reasons took an inside cabin. It was substantially more for an outside cabin and decided to spend the $ on a helicopter trip of the glaciers instead. For us that was the right decision. Our TA gave us good advice. He suggested we upgrade to an inside cabin that is on a floor with outside decks so we didn't have to run up and down numerous levels when we wanted to see the outdoors or to get a sweater if cold. It cost about $50 to do that on our cruise. Our cabin was on the pool deck and it worked well. We found it also good being on the pool deck since the pools are warm and the air cold. When we came out of the pool or jacuzzi, we froze, but our cabin was close to run to.

They also announce on the loud speaker when they sight wild life and on which side of the ship it is. It is hysterical to sit down and watch the crowds run back and forth when wild life is sighted and announced. If you have a balcony you will only see one side. I like going to the front end of the ship so I was able to see both sides at once. Another reason to be up on deck when at the glaciers, is that the have a naturalist on board who comes outdoors on the deck, explaining what you are seeing and pointing things out. You would miss all of that is you were viewing the outdoors from your cabin or deck. That's IMHO.

Thank Missie for your reply. One more question:
What month did you go to Canada and Alaska? I was looking at late May but work commitments don't allow this, so now I'm looking at late August and into September. I think I've seen that this could be the rainy season but than again maybe rain is a regular occurence anytime in Summer.

Winnie: I arrived in Canada on 16th May and boarded the ship for Alaska on the 26th May, we had the most superb weather from Ketchikan to Whittier, blue skies all the way.

I can't comment on August/September, I think the weather can be pretty iffy at any time, its the luck of the draw, and we were very lucky indeed.

It only rains in Vancouver.

Winnie, one of our Alaska and Canada trips was in August and we had a bit of a mixture with weather. It did rain during our time in Skagway and Juneau but was fine weather for the rest of the trip.

Missie I must be lucky. I have been to Vancouver half a dozen times and never had rain there yet.

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Originally posted by dragons:
Missie I must be lucky. I have been to Vancouver half a dozen times and never had rain there yet.

Puff: Then I am coming with you next time you go to Vancouver, everytime I think of Stanley Park I think of my cold wet feet, plus, it is also one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen, even in the pouring rain.

A couple of visits back we decided to walk the full length of the perimeter of the park but gave up about 3/4 away around. Finished up catching the little tram bus back.

Puff, that was a pretty good effort.