Cruise ship ports question (Ketchikan, Metlakatla: hotels, lease, jobs)

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Did you have the salmon? Was it... gasp... farm raised?!

Not a single one of us had the salmon, so I dont know.

I would venture to guess it was not farmed. The cruise lines by ALOT of fresh fish from local fishermen.

[irisheyes13]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Irish which line are you sailing on?

We are on the Pearl. How about you?

[irisheyes13]

Originally Posted by allforcats

The Red Dog Saloon in Juneau: if it's raining and you don't feel like wandering, they do have a good cheeseburger.

About jumping ship: I think that could be pretty expensive, no? They will already have paid full room and board through the cruise, and then have to pay again, plus transportation...

About glaciers: Your cruise will take you to Glacier Bay, right?

No one's mentioned something to do in Ketchikan. If you like gazing at snowy mountains, meandering rivers and lovely clouds, I recommend flightseeing in Misty Fjords National Monument; stunning and very "Alaskan".

If you like walking through a rainforest accompanied by Eagles and quite possibly a bear, I recommend the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary; transcending.

You can arrange these (and other) excursions through your cruise line. It's likely you'll be in Ketchikan long enough for only one good excursion.

Ketchikan is wet, so be prepared.

You're right, jumping ship would be a very expensive thing to do!
Thanks for the suggestions. The Rainforest Sanctuary sounds great. i will check that out.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by irisheyes13

We are on the Pearl. How about you?

Carnival Spirit

[warptman]

Friends don't let friends take cruise ships...

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by warptman

Friends don't let friends take cruise ships...

That's true but when I told you I was taking one you told me that you wouldn't pay for my cabin. Now what kind of a friend are you?

[akck]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Oh, we're not allowed near the ships. They set out big fencing on the dock to prevent us from getting close. I was incredibly tempted to sneak onto one once- it was a smaller thing, more like a yacht, and no one was guarding the entrance...

I've heard that if you volunteer a one of the visitors booths, they sometimes offer a meal/tour on a cruise ship as a perk.

A couple of years ago, my son was sampling water on ships and the environmental officer invited his boss & family and my son to dinner and we got to tag along. The dinner was great, a 5 course meal. One course of note was an antipasto dish that as we later found out included donkey. I don't think that was a regular menu item. We got a quick tour of the main salon area and were impressed. Getting on the ship was a hassle with the security.

I think it might be nice to take a trip on a cruise ship once, but it won't be to Alaska.

[Barkingowl]

There are some great cruises that originate in Alaska with Cruise West that I'd like to take some day. I think we should have a CD Barging to Bethel cruise.

[EnricoV]

Gosh. I came in this thread because I've always so enjoyed Alaska when I've visited, as a tourist. From my cruise ship. And ... gasp ... I even entered some so-called "tourist traps."

But the bad attitude shown here towards the industry, but more importantly the people with the money that supports the industry, that keeps your towns alive eases any regret I had in knowing I've likely made my last trip to Alaska.

I'll try to forget I wandered in here to see all the bitterness, and retain my happy thoughts of a beautiful area.

[Metlakatla]

But the bad attitude shown here towards the industry, but more importantly the people with the money that supports the industry, that keeps your towns alive eases any regret I had in knowing I've likely made my last trip to Alaska.

No, it's killed the port cities. Your money that supports the industry is basically supporting Caribbean carpetbaggers and British Petroleum.

that keeps your towns alive

Skagway is alive? Last time I was there it looked to be taking it's dying breath.

Petersburg is looking pretty vibrant these days.

Now what's the difference between the two communities? Answer that question and then tell me what's keeping what "alive".