Okay Cruise Chatters, need your input. Although I consider myself a seasoned cruiser, I will be going on my first Alaska cruise in a couple of weeks (8/22) on the Star. Anyone have any advice about the ship or the ports of call. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Nancy

I too, am sailing on the Star on 9/22! I have been told the ship is beautiful. Since its new itinerary is Alaska and has left the Hawaiian waters, it was recently in dry dock having a casino added. I've read a lot about the ports and plan to catch a local event in Ketchican that I read about in Porthole Magazine. It's the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in which American and Canadian teams compete in wood-chopping, sawing and axe throwing, etc. I thought it would be fun. Tickets are $29 in covered, heated and cushioned grandstand seats. My husband plans to fish at every opportunity! I'd love to know what your packing list is like. Alaska is hard because the temperature can fluctuate so much. Let me know!

Regarding my previous post about the Star in Alaska, I put in the wrong date. It is 8/22. Sorry!

Maria,
The lumberjack show sounds like it could be fun - Thanks for sharing. I am also glad to hear about the casino. As for packing, I know exactly what you mean - I am sorting and stacking clothes that I think I will need and already have way more than I would need for a month - so, now its time for the task of whittling down my massive assortment. I do know I plan to dress in layers, starting with a short sleeve tee or similar, I have a light weight vest that is always great in fall around here (I live in Cleveland) a sweatshirt or two and obviously some kind of raingear. I'm not the "great outdoors" type - so I haven't yet come up with suitable raingear. Also packing 2 formal outfits. Even though I know the Star has optional formal nights, I love to dress for dinner! Keep me posted on what your plans are and if you get any great packing tips.
Nancy

Nancy,
I purchased silk underwear which cruisediva.com highly recommends and I had to purchase rainwear at the Men's department at Gander Mountain! It was all I could find anywhere. Believe me, I will not be turning any heads, but I will be dry and protected from the winds. So much for looking good!

Each day I receive the"replies" you give to the chatters who ask questions. I've learned a lot from you. Hope to meet you on the Star!

Maria,
Thanks for the silk underwear suggestion, I am definitely going to take that advise. Maria, I too hope we meet up on the Star. I see you are from PA. What part may I ask?
Nancy

Nancy,
I'm from a small borough called Forty Fort that is right across the river from Wilkes-Barre, PA. My husband and I will be a part of NACTA's Seminar At Sea on the Star. I've already anticipated your next question, so no, I am not currently a travel agent. I worked for a number of years as a cruise agent, and then worked for a tour operator before I had my son in 1998. I decided I would give up my career temporarily to raise him to school age and that time is finally here. My dream is to open my own cruise-only agency where I can work out of my home in the spring of 2005. However, I'm a bit overwhelmed by all these new ships and I haven't traveled on one of them! When I left the industry as an agent in 1996, the Destiny was the greatest thing to hit the ocean! I've got a lot of hard work ahead of me and of course, this Alaska trip will help me sell that area. But I'd give my left arm to have your experience. That's why I said I've learned so much from you - I make notes of all your replies. And I do hope to meet you on the Star. You've been greeting me through my email every day for the last eight months! Isn't technology wonderful?! Am I prying if I ask how is it that you're able to take all these cruises?

Maria, I am sure we will meet as I, too, am going to be on the NACTA cruise. I look forward to it!! As for how I can cruise so much: I work part-time as a Cruise Agent and part-time as a Travel Journalist. When I am not on a NACTA cruise (which is often) writing a Mega-Review or doing research on the ports for Portreviews, I am escorting one of my groups or doing free-lance writing.
Nancy