[Ladies choice]

I am taking my mom on a cruiseship thru the inside passage of Alaska, sailing June 10-17th.

For those that have taken such a cruise either by passenger ship or personal yacht any must see places at the ports that we shouldn't miss out on?

I will be bringing my digital camera and binoculars to hopefully catch some wildlife in action and if also lucky do some yacht spotting along the way.

Not sure what the weather is like this time of year but we do have a balcony for enjoying the views. Besides a rain coat I guess I will pack something warm to wear, I am used to the warmth of sunny Florida and the Fijian Islands where I go back and forth most of the year.

I will be sure to post some pictures of interest to this forum when I return, any and all suggestions of what to do and where to go for resturants, side trips, nature and yacht spotting will be gratefully enjoyed.

[brian eiland]

Interesting that you should post this at this time. I have a very good friend who just days ago returned from Seattle where he purchased a nice 44' steel dutch motoryacht, anticipating the same trip next summer.

I intend to do some portion of that passage. I will let him know of this subject thread, and I will watch for updates myself.

Hope you send lots of photos and descriptions.

[Viceroy]

Having just dialed in, I hope this reaches you before your departure. First, I'll assume that your cruiseship will originate in Vancouver, B.C....a sensational city and worth some time sight-seeing. If you're a "yachty" the inner harbour around the Bayshore Inn attracts the big ones as does False Creek and the not to be missed market area. Once cruising, various itineraries have stops but they are few and generally far between. I'd recommend you pick up one of the many cruising guides used by yachtsmen (yachtspersons?) and a tide book. You'll be passing through some remarkable tidal waters and will gain some insight to the difficulties....errr...challenges faced even by the cruiseships. Inasfar as the weather goes....yes, a raincoat/jacket/wind-breaker is pretty well a must. At the ports enroute, there's lots of "crap" but equal amounts of good things to purchase or see. If you get the opportunity and the weather co-operates, check out float-plane and helicopter sight-seeing. Dollar shock but worth every penny! Lastly...beware of the buffets and the casinos on the ships...a real danger to waistlines and pocketbooks. Above all, enjoy. Cheers, Richard.