Looking for someplace not WDW to go on 10th anniversary - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Shell - please don't think I'm knocking or am upset with you with my reply... lol this is just a general feeling I have.
First off, Tink, what month would you be going? Alaskan cruises have a short season for obvious reasons. The colder it gets up here the more dangerous water travel becomes.
Now, for a gripe - why is it that when people think Alaska they think cruise? You don't even get to see one fifth of the awesomeness when you're on a boat at the mercy of the cruise schedule. If I were to do a trip to Alaska I'd fly into Anchorage rent a car or even a motorhome and hit the hwy (there's only one, so you can't possibly get lost). I'd take at least two weeks and I'd just go. Fairbanks, The Kenai Peninsula... if there was time I'd check out Tok or drive down, take the ferry, and visit the Panhandle (where most cruises stick around). There are boats that will take you on full day or half day excursions so you would still see the glaciers and the wildlife. You can visit different sled dog kennels (and in Anchorage there's the Wildride sled dog rodeo). Much more exciting, and you get a better handle on the state. You could also take a flight seeing trip over Mt. McKinley or the Katmai or off of the Homer spit and see bears!
There are hiking opportunities if you wish or great towns to walk around.
And - if you do it my way - you get to pick and choose kinda like Disney World in a way lol. Cruises to Alaska Annoy me... just this Alaskan's pet peeve (and yes I know they feed you and get you places and it's all included, but still! who wants to be told what to do every waking moment on vacation?).
IF your anni. falls in Feb. There's the Fur Rondy events in Anchorage ( Fur Rondy - Home ) which is very cool and festive. It also hosts the World Championship Sprint Dog races (sled dogs). I believe the Iron Dog (VP hopeful Sarah Palin's Husband is a multi-time winner of the snowmachine race) is also in Feb. As well as the Jr. Iditarod.
March hosts the Iditarod ( The Official Site of the Iditarod® ) and you can come up and volunteer for that if you'd be interested Flying into Nome to see the winner cross the finish line nine days after the start is always exciting (I've never had the chance, but I'd love the opportunity).
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My sister thinks that The Homestead in Virginia is THE BEST place for both a romantic and a family vacation. Look into their packages.
Also, the Biltmore Inn on Biltmore Estates in Asheville, NC is pretty great! We'll be there overnight next week to celebrate our 20th. We went there previously for my inlaws 50th anniversary and really enjoyed it.
We are RCI members and one of our best exchanges has been to Nuevo Vallarata. We stayed at the Mayan Palace and liked it because it is one of a few in the area that do not have Mandatory All Inclusive fees. The area is full of US retirees so it feels safe and easy to get around to stock up on groceries etc.
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DW and I took a vacation week to Montreal and Quebec City a few years ago. Felt totally safe and I think we saw one police car the entire time we were in both cities. We stayed at a B&B in the old part of Montreal that was absolutely great. The ground floor was an art gallery the upper floors suites. Fresh croissants and made to order omlets each morning. We traveled to Quebec City via VIA train -- first class car with a wonderful 4 course meal on the way. We both loved it.
So many great suggestions. I'd toss another idea or two or three onto the fire - Canadian Rockies/Banff, Vancouver, the Maine coast, Yellowstone/Tetons... all are wonderful, and all probably have RCI properties.
Antonia, it's fair to say that any cruise visit to any destination offers little more than a sniff of what the place has to offer. As much as I enjoy cruising, if I want to get to know a place, I have to spend far more than the seven or eight hours normally allowed in each port-of-call. Can you imagine how frustrating seven hours each in Rome and Florence were for me? A popular shore excursion for Naples is Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri (yes, all in one seven-hour day!).
Still, you have to cut frustrated Disney cruisers a little slack. We've been waiting a very long time for our favorite cruise line to offer Alaskan itineraries. Sure, an Alaskan cruise itinerary presents less than the tip of the you-know-what, but I've yet to come across an Alaskan cruiser who doesn't dream of returning for a more in-depth visit. That's got to be worth something in the way of validation for proud Alaskans.
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kinda like Disney World in a way lol. Cruises to Alaska Annoy me... just this Alaskan's pet peeve (and yes I know they feed you and get you places and it's all included, but still! who wants to be told what to do every waking moment on vacation?).
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