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Old 01-10-2010, 04:43 PM   #1
donniehoo
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Have You Ever Been On An Alaska Cruise?

I was looking to hear from people that has been on an Alaskan cruise in the summer months.

My parents would really like to try it out but my mom is limited because she can't walk long distances and has to use a wheelchair sometimes.

I was just looking for info and opinions such as :

What is the weather like in the summer months?

What is there to do for families with a person in a wheelchair?

Would you go back?

Thanks and I look forward to looking at your answers and opinions
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Old 01-10-2010, 10:40 PM   #2
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Hi,
I've been on Alaskian Cruise in the third week of August 2008. It was already fall. Weather was a mix bag. Juneau was 70 degrees and sunny (which people that live there said it was very odd for that time of year). Glacier Bay rainy and cold.

As for taking your mother with a wheelchair maybe difficult is come locations.

We went to all the all of the ports the Disney's 7 day cruise will go to. Here is a link what we did on your Alaskian Vacation (trip schedule and picutres) http://tammyandjohn.shutterfly.com/moneyhappy

My DH and I went with my parents and another couple. The other couple have difficulty walking at time (cannot walk long distances) and found some of the trip, to much for them.

Please feel free to contact me with any detailed questions you might have.
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Old 01-15-2010, 01:23 PM   #3
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We did an Alaska cruise in 2005 in the late summer. The weather was in the 70's and some days it was too windy and cool to swim in the pool for very long. We did use the hot tubs.
We knew that we were going at the tail end of the summer season. When we did the dog sledding expedition (this gets my vote for best shore excursion) we were told that the dogs would be transported off the glacier the very next week due to the end of the summer season and the colder weather moving in.
We like challenging excursions so we didn't encounter anyone in wheelchairs. However I noticed that Disney has posted warnings in great detail on the European excursions as to which are suitable for wheelchairs. I am certain that your parents will find some excursions to suit their activity level. Just seeing the glaciers from the deck of the ship is worth the price of the cruise in my opinion. Our ship spent several hours at the glaciers and sent out a small boat to bring back some large ice chunks that they placed near the pool. My daughter thought that was so cool.
We were on Holland America 7 day cruise from Seattle.
Next time we want to go longer and include one of the add on tours that travel inland either before or after the cruise.
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Old 01-15-2010, 11:08 PM   #4
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Did our honeymoon in 2005 late June early July and it was great warm temps but too cold for the pools. I use a wheelchair and had some problems but they were manageable. Have fun
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Old 01-16-2010, 01:52 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donniehoo View Post
I was looking to hear from people that has been on an Alaskan cruise in the summer months.

My parents would really like to try it out but my mom is limited because she can't walk long distances and has to use a wheelchair sometimes.

I was just looking for info and opinions such as :

What is the weather like in the summer months?

What is there to do for families with a person in a wheelchair?

Would you go back?

Thanks and I look forward to looking at your answers and opinions
DS works on a cruise ship and his ship went to Alaska last year. Coincidently, he'll be working the Alaskan route again this year. Let me ask him when he docks tomorrow.
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Old 01-16-2010, 07:02 PM   #6
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I'm going May 7! Hope I get decent weather!
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Old 01-20-2010, 08:05 AM   #7
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I´m going late august...also hope for a nice weather....
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Old 01-20-2010, 09:34 AM   #8
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We went on one July of 2008. It was somewhat cold and definitely rainy! I wound up buying a jacket in one of the ports as did a lot of people.
My grandmother came and she needed a wheelchair to get on and off the ship because she can't walk long distances either. She did not have any problems.
Yes- I would definitely go back! We had such an amazing time. Alaska is beautiful and there is only so much you can do in a week cruise.
I wouldn't hesitate if I were you! I think you will have a wonderful time!
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Old 01-20-2010, 11:24 AM   #9
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We've been on 3 Alaska cruises - Royal Caribbean. We got married in Juneau. There are a lot of excursions that a wheelchair bound person could not do, but the cruise is worth it. God''s Museum. The most beautiful contry I've ever seen. Seeing Mt. McKinley backlit at 2:00 in the morning or Hubbard Glacier calving or whales swimming right next to our table during dinner are sights I'll never forget
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Old 01-22-2010, 11:51 AM   #10
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Alaska with a scooter

[QUOTE=donniehoo;3098627]I was looking to hear from people that has been on an Alaskan cruise in the summer months.

My parents would really like to try it out but my mom is limited because she can't walk long distances and has to use a wheelchair sometimes.

I love Alaska! I've been on two cruises: a cruise-tour with my grandchildren and a cruise only with a friend. With the children was in June; my friend and I went in May. I'd go again in a heartbeat. Alaska is awesomely beautiful!

Because of arthritis, I cannot walk far. I have a 3-wheel mobility scooter I take with me. You can probably arrange to rent one and have it delivered to the ship. Everybody was very accommodating. When I went on a gold-panning shore excursion, the bus - actually a large van - did not have storage. The driver simply set my scooter up front. At the site, everybody else was panning in a stream. I had a barrel of water and the driver brought me a container of dirt. I got my gold flakes the same as the others!

It was a bit chilly at sea, but it's nice to soak in the hot tubs. Some ships have the abililty to slide a roof over the pool so it's not outdoors. On the tour part of the first cruise, I was actually sweating inland.

Please tell them to ask for a wheelchair-accessible cabin. And don't forget the charger for the camera.

Jan
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Old 01-22-2010, 03:21 PM   #11
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Mid June to early August are the most expensive times, since that's when everyone wants to go. Early season is a little cooler, but the ice is in spectacular shape and the folks in the ports aren't "burned out" yet. Any time after about late July the weather is very nice and the bergs start to really calve. Orca are kind of hit-or-miss but you're more likely to see them late in the year on more of the route.

Skeeters are a problem, but you'll be on the boat when they come out. Black flies are always an issue, but more so when you get off the ice and on the tundra.

I love them. Way different than anything else.

Plan on packing layers and to save on space, either wear some clothes more than once or spending some time washing clothes.
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