What about those cruise passengers? (Homer, Seward: home, vacation, work)

[picmaine]

What do all of you who live in Alaska really think of the cruise passengers that converge on Alaska in the summer months? My husband and I will be among those who will make the trip this summer. Hope you're happy to see us...

[BudinAk]

I am not aware of any problems, or negative feelings about it. I'm in Seward, Ak, where some 50 or 60 cruise ships dock every summer and fall. Actually, it's kind of cool to see those massive ships tie up in our little town! Come on up...enjoy the trip!

Bud

[Rainy]

Look me up, you people paid my son's tuition this year and I'd like to thank you for that.

While I'm not a huge fan of some of the corporate practices of the cruise ship lines, I enjoy the people. Most of them are well traveled; Alaska is usually not someone's first big vacation.

My only suggestion to cruise ship passengers is that if and when they spend money in port, they take some care to buy authentic Alaskan artwork/crafts, et al. The port cities do have a fair amount of carpetbaggers with shops selling souvenirs made in China.

Are you just going on the cruise or are you going inland as well?

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by Rainy

My only suggestion to cruise ship passengers is that if and when they spend money in port, they take some care to buy authentic Alaskan artwork/crafts, et al. The port cities do have a fair amount of carpetbaggers with shops selling souvenirs made in China.

Very true, and good term for them. The "carpetbaggers" are already starting to show up. We get our first ship on 5/6/07. It parks downtown and sometimes they will block a street off "aka French Quarter style", so people can wander around and look, shop, or whatever and enjoy themselves safely.
Bring a rain jacket. It's 48 degrees now and rain at the warmest part of the day. You'll be right in the Tongass National Rain Forest.
Beware of the genuine Tlinget or Haida totem pole with "made in Malaysia" on the bottom.
One thing you will learn about people who live up here...we're as nice as you are....

[Alaskagrl]

Tourism...it's a bit of a double-edged sword. Yes, it brings money to an economy that needs it, but it also does increase land development. However, I have absolutely no problems with the people hopping off the big ships; as long as they are respectful and pleasant, most Alaskans are, too. In fact, I really enjoy sharing info about my region with visitors and I love it when someone that has been visiting SE or POW specifically comes by and says, "you are right...it was a beautiful vacation we'll remember always," ...and so many do! Warm fuzzies.

[wan2Batraveler10]

I am hoping this will be my first trip to Alaska in June, if at all possible. I am so looking forward to seeing the whales, seals or an otter or two. I can't contain myself. Everything is still in the planning stages, but I am looking forward to visiting our 49Th State. I must admit that it has stolen my heart.

Ann

[Alaskan_Adventurer]

You shouldn't have any trouble seeing whales, seals and otters. We go fishing out in Homer and we see whales pretty much every trip. We ALWAYS see otters, usually in little groups of 20-30 with babies. You will also so quite a few puffins, which are adorable. Seals aren't as common out of Homer, but there are more in Seward. There are some wonderful wildlife tours out of Seward and you are almost guaranteed to see all of the above. I have been on the tour four times now, and we have seen whales every time.

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by Alaskan_Adventurer

You shouldn't have any trouble seeing whales, seals and otters. We go fishing out in Homer and we see whales pretty much every trip. We ALWAYS see otters, usually in little groups of 20-30 with babies. You will also so quite a few puffins, which are adorable. Seals aren't as common out of Homer, but there are more in Seward. There are some wonderful wildlife tours out of Seward and you are almost guaranteed to see all of the above. I have been on the tour four times now, and we have seen whales every time.

I was so determined to see a puffin. I spent every minute I could on deck with binoculars. Freezing. They told me to look for something resembling a flying bullet. I never did see one. After that all our fishing was canceled due to bad weather then Sitka bit the dust too. I took a last minute trip inland and found a herd of tourists taking pictures of PLASTIC sheep. Sink me!

But Alaska was beautiful! And I loved the 'bad' weather. The sheer power of the gale force winds and 30ft rolling swells. Awe inspiring. And I don't get seasick so I was one of the few people out and about.

[AKMammabear]

Have fun planning your trip! You will never experience something like this again.

[Karla with a K]

Yay thanks for the tips.
We have booked our cruise leaving out of seward end of Aug
Gonna hook up with rance and maybe a couple others. lol we are coming in a day early to have some time in seward.
One thing how do we make sure what we are buying is actualy made in Alaska?

We are thinking of doign the helicopter/dog sled combo hey you only turn 50 once might as well make it unforgetable

thanks
karla