I have only been on one cruise and that was in Alaska. I decided that I am not a cruise person, but that said, I would repeat the Alaskan cruise in a heartbeat. There is nothing to compare to being in front of a glacier when it calves (splits off). The sight and sound is unbelievable. My favorite excursion was the helicopter ride landing on a glacier. Again, beyond description. Before I went, I obsessively checked out all the excursions and the safety record of the various helicopter companies (I guess one doesn't become TKO by chance!) so I was confident in my selection. We sailed with Holland America (S.S. Statendam) one way down the inside passage. We went in late May 2000. I'm "cutting and pasting" a trip report I sent to someone from one of the message boards I had visited before my trip. I wish I could remember which one it was, but alas, my memory just isn't what it used to be! If there is anything else you'd like to know, I'll dig up my stuff from the trip and try to help you out. Here it is: Well Karl, I'm back! Where to start... Now first of all, remember this was my first cruise so I have nothing to compare to. I was however traveling with friends who have been on five other cruises... The ship is beautiful, with many lovely common rooms. The staterooms seemed quite spacious to me. I had an outside cabin on the main deck. I really enjoyed having the window! The Crow's Nest was gorgeous. From there you have a 365 degree view. We often had a pre-dinner drink there while soaking up the view. The entertainment was good. I particularly enjoyed the ventriloquist--he was incredible! I missed the banjo player, but EVERYONE raved about him. I did not play bingo or go to the casino. I did enjoy the movies a few times and they provide popcorn! I indulged myself with a massage--it was heavenly. Glacier bay was wonderful. The glaciers are just beyond words. Dress warm--in order to really appreciate them you need to be outside and bundled up! I hear it's the same in the summer. I had earmuffs, gloves, heavy socks, warm boots and a very warm coat and I was quite comfortable. Many were unprepared however and really couldn't be outside to enjoy the view. So much of the glacier experience is the sound, which of course you miss if you're viewing it from behind a window! Now the ports. Sitka is the most delightful city. I walked around, hiked a bit in the park and visited the Rapter Center which I thoroughly enjoyed. We did it all on our own. It was about a 30 minute walk to the center and we were happy for the exercise! We did not go to the Russian dancers--those that did said they were good. It is a very manageable town and you need not sign up for the excursions on the ship if you want to ride to these places. All arrangements can be easily made in town for less money. Of course, we were not there at the height of the season so I don't know what it will be like in July. If you decide to buy any of the Russian crafts (nesting eggs, lacquer boxes, etc.), wait until you get back on ship if they're advertising a sale on them that night. I didn't believe it, but the ship's prices really were significantly less expensive! In Juneau we took the "Pilot's Choice" helicopter ride and landed on two glaciers! It was absolutely the highlight of my vacation. Others took the wildlife cruise with Larry of Orca Enterprises (at my suggestion, off the cruise list) and said it was absolutely unbelievably wonderful (does that sound enthusiastic enough?) You book that yourself when you get off the boat. It cost $95. I was sorry I hadn't arranged to do both. Dress warmly if you go. In Ketchikan we did the Misty Fjords seaplane and cruise. It's a 25 minute flight over beautiful landscape, land in the fjord at a dock, catch a boat and see the view from that angle. It was great, but I wished the boat ride could have been shorter--the whole adventure took 4 hours, 3 hours on the boat, and it was a bit too long. I had done the national park wildlife cruise in Seward (great) before departing so I think I was a bit "boated out". The scenery was breathtaking though. Now the downside....I found the food to be average. I don't eat meat, so I was limited to fish and pasta, but it just wasn't anything to write home about. Others said the beef entrees were consistently good, but my friends felt it was the worse food they had ever had on a cruise. If you like desserts, the pastry chef is great--that's where most of my calories came from! The mango sorbet was to die for! Maybe my expectations were too high. I had been lead to believe I'd be getting 5 star meals every night and that was certainly not the case. I didn't starve mind you, I just wasn't overly impressed. I also found the service to be only okay. Examples: despite the fact that our table of 6 asked for more bread every night, it wasn't until the fifth night that it was automatically brought. The servers never introduced themselves (their names were on a card on the table, but they never stated them themselves). One afternoon in the Lido, I selected a dessert, but before the server even picked it up, I realized it was not chocolate, and changed my selection. He rolled his eyes. Our wine consistently arrived midway through dinner. My friend ordered a latte at the Java Cafe right before 5 o'clock when they were about to close--she was given it, but it was gently slammed down on the counter, as if to make a statement. Again, maybe I was expecting too much, this is the type of service I receive at home regularly, but I thought it would be different on the ship. Our room steward however was efficient and pleasant. Our room always looked great. All in all, I really did have a great time, but I think my bubble was burst regarding the quality of food and service. It was only the second sailing of the season, and obviously some of the crew is new (the gentleman sent to bring us to our cabin didn't know where it was!) so perhaps it will improve. I hope so. Hopefully my comments were helpful and not too negative. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Alaska is too gorgeous to do otherwise! If you have any specific questions, please feel free to e-mail me. As you can see, I'm still jet lagged--it's nearly 2 am! Good night, Debbie

caroleoh - in Juneau I would suggest: 1. The Princess Alaska GAstineau Mill & Gold mine tour - is great, and young ones really like it also "A half-day tour visits the ruins of a hard-rock gold operation that operated from 1915 to 1921, then goes 360 feet into one tunnel for a mining demonstration. Guests also get to pan for gold from the mine's tailings." I think it can be booked through Princess Tours, 151 Mill St - Phone 907/463-3900. It was locals and miner's that actually established this tour, however. 3. If you don't want to spend $60 per person but are interested in mining...take a walk out to a beautiful area called Basin Road. Or taxi out ($6.00)and walk back. Snuggled in the mountain side are the original minining buildings and equipment called the Last Chance Mining Museum ( about $3.00). From Frommers " On the site on forested Gold Creek where gold was first discovered in Juneau, the museum preserves old mining buildings and some of their original equipment, including an immense 1912 air compressor and a layered glass map of the tunnels. This was once a nerve center for one of the world's biggest hard-rock mines. The highlight is its energetic and learned guide, Renee Hughes, who lives above the compressor with her husband Gary Gillette. Both are leaders of the Gastineau Channel Historical Society. Ask Renee about the cave-in of the Treadwell Mine to hear her riveting storytelling. The entrance to the site -- which contains relics and buildings spread over several acres -- is a bridge over the creek, which leads to a steep trail up to the buildings." Check for the open times before you go out there. 2. Mendenhall Glacier - is awesome and cheap. http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/mendenhall/webcam.html. There are a couple of $10 RT Glacier Express buses (in contrast to the "expensive tours" - the $10 RT bus is all you need). It generally runs every half hour in both directions - takes 20minutes to get to the glacier. The glacier is free, as are the trails there. There are a couple very short ones trails , and a 3 mile trail. The glacier visitor's center is informative (costs $3-$5 per person) but you do not need to even go in it if you don't want. The beauty is outside! Plus there is a bear lookout there (free).. and in August bears can frequently be seen trying to get the salmon. 4. Fish Hatchery is another inexpensive possibility - and is really interesting to see when the fish are coming in (usually August). http://juneaualaska.com/visit/stories/12jun_dipac.shtml For this .. you also do not need to take an expensive "tour" - the city bus goes very close to it - maybe a block 1/2 away .. and the entry fee is $3-$5. IMO the helicopter tours and dog sled tours are very unique but extremely overpriced. As for safety, when compared to the number of flights it is probably pretty good. Does that mean there are not ever any incidents? No - there are but the majority of flights are problem free. Scary problems exist on cruise ships too ... keep a sharp eye on your child! Have a fun trip .. and make sure you have rain gear .. it could be sunny every day or it could rain 24/7.

Yes, in open seas, waves are a bigger problem than engines. Mist and clouds can be beautiful to photograph. Just take your camera everywhere with you and take advantage of every shot you have a chance to get. Better to take tons and have some bad ones than miss out on what might have been a great one! And most of all, enjoy! (When you go on a daytrip off the ship, the clouds/fog don't seem to burn off until about 2 p.m. So plan on staying all day if you want to actually see much! So much to do, and all so beautiful. JoanMN/FL

Our Pilgrim came from Hortico, and I suspect it was not virused. Sadly, after the first year or so, it, too, began to grow 14-ft. canes, and bloom out on the ends. Tried self-pegging ... It grew vine-line canes that hid in the grass and wrapped itself around your ankles . . . The third time it did that to DH, it was GONE. But the blooms were breathtakingly lovely. If it behaves for you, you'll love it. And your Baronne Prevost makes me more certain that "Historic Powell House" is that: