Alaska Voyage Advise

EmsRescueGuy

EmsRescueGuy

Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
1,067
After 20 years of dreaming I am finally Headed to Alaska in a couple weeks. I am visiting via cruise which is a compromise with the GF, plus i got a really good deal.

We decided to book an extra couple days in Anchorage on our own and I would like to get in a little dirt time away from the cruise tour groups. I was wondering if anyone could advise me on some day trip ideas in the anchorage area including transport suggestions. We may rent a car one day but that deponds on options and finances.

The second question I wanted to ask is related to cruise security, Like many of you I would feel Naked without at least a SAK on me for EDC. I was wondering if anyone has been on a criuse of late and could give me a heads up as to what to expect.

I thought about picking up a couple walmart specials that can be tossed before I get on ship, or just sticking to a more PC item like a leatherman or sak and hoping for the best.

Anyway any thoughts would be appreciated.:thumbup:
 
You can get a reasonable folding knife on the ship in your luggage and carry it around the ship without a problem. Ships do run you through a metal detector and your daypack through a scanner when you get on the ship. It is not as thorough as at an airport. I generally carry a knife on the ship but not on a tour off the ship so never learned how close they checked or what they did if they found a knife. Get a cheapie and see what happens before you carry your good one off the ship.

I think checks when getting on board are mainly to find booze. They want their profit for on board drink tabs.
 
Last edited:
In Anchorage, if you want to rent a car, I'd start looking ahead of time, and try to find some of the smaller rental places-you can save a lot of money. Getting outside of downtown gets to be expensive by cab, so I'd definitely recommend that you do. If you want to do a quick hike to get the blood flowing, you can hike Flattop on the south side of town, or there's a trail that follows the shore-line on the NE side of town. In Anchorage, you can visit Northern Knives, the owner and his son both know their stuff, and they have a pretty good selection. If fact, it may be wise to have a little extra $$ on hand, as they've sometimes got stuff you don't see a lot of elsewhere.

Anchorage does have a pretty good nightlife scene, and there are quite a few fun clubs/bars around the downtown area, if you're into that sort of thing, though the biggest (Chilkoot Charlies's) is a bit out of the way. It is fun though:D

It would be worth checking out a copy of the 'Milepost' which is a atlas/guide mostly aimed at driving the AlCan highway, but does have a lot of info about most towns and areas, and give you some ideas of things to do! There are also a ton of other guidebooks also, depending on what you like doing. And, the Salmon should be running when you get there:D
 
Thanks For the advise guys. I had forgotten to ask about a good knife shop I am bringing some extra cash just for a new toy.

As for My edc I picked up a buck stockman on close out at wally world so this will be my test knife for security.

I have been reading about Flat Top and this sounds like a good start for a hike, the views look incredible.
 
Flat Top's okay for an afternoon walk, but if you're planning on a couple extra days, it's worth your time to head to Seward or Homer (south), or Denali or Valdez (north, northwest respectively). And yes, if you have questions stop in at Northern Knives. If they don't have an answer Ryan will ask me.
 
Out of Anchorage, you have one road north and one road south. If you go South, ( would be best) there is more to see in such a short time. Girdwood, Portage area, Seward, back over on the west side of Kenai Peninsula you have Soldotna, Kenai, and then down on the south side there is Homer. Call ahead and see if you can get a fishing charter.
Also you don't have to just drive. Fly out in a Beaver, or 206/207 to all over the west side of Cook Inlet. The view is unreal, and it WILL be a trip to remember. They have day fly out/fish trips that are not that expensive.

Good luck at what ever you deside, but most of all enjoy it. Oh and take boo-qoo pics.
Regards Bro,

P.S. my avatar is EXIT Glacier down toward Seward!!!

Russ
 
RussMo said:
Out of Anchorage, you have one road north and one road south.
Click to expand...

That was one of the hardest thing for me to adjust to when I moved up to Anchorage-half a million people in town, only two ways to get away and one of them is a dead end:D
 
I was on a Royal Carribean cruise in January. I asked security specifically, several times, and I got the same answer each time. They use the "old" airport rule...if the blade is less than 4" you can bring it on and off the ship. This is not the answer that I was given when I called the cruise line prior to NOT PACKING ANY STEEL! The cruise line rep told me no knives. I would bring cheapies and give them up if asked.

My wife isn't really outdoorsy, but we both enjoyed taking a ski plane out of Talkeetna and landing on the Rose Glacier (if I remember right). Had a snowball fight in shorts and sweatshirts. Wandered around a little. It was cool flying in one of the little bush planes, plus we got great views of Mt. McKinley.
 
getting there while there's lots of daylight left as well, bring your sleep aide or sleep mask.

You might get lucky and catch the volcano erupt, well I guess that depends on your stance on what's lucky and what's not.

Anchorage is a good starting area up north on the road outa town there are some small water falls as well, even some lakes within a couple hours and some nice scenery in the mountains off of the road.

Hope you enjoy your trip.
 
Skip the rental car, hire a Bush Pilot and head off for a few hours fishing or bear watching, maybe even do a overnight at a remote lodge. Your schedule is so tight anything else will just have you driving around lost. Alaska is a bad place for self guided tours on short trips, it can also be pretty dangerous for those who do know the place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top