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How Do I Pack For My Trip?
Alaska is a casual destination. While on land you should never need to bother with anything except casual attire. Sweaters, lightweight jackets, slacks and sport shirts are fine for day wear. Comfortable walking shoes are a must (closed-toes for ladies). You might want to bring along an umbrella and rain hat, and you will receive a rain resistant windbreaker as part of your tour.
On the cruise portion, you will have formal and dressy-casual nights to plan for. Each evening, the program for the following day will be delivered to your room, announcing that evening's suggested dress. Casual: sports shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women. Smart Casual:Jacket and ties for men, dresses and pant suites form men. Formal: cocktail dresses or gowns for ladies and tuxedos or business suits suggested for men (jackets and ties required). We respectfully ask that our guests complement their fellow passengers by observing the dress code throughout the evening.
For weather forecasts and average temperatures in Alaska please visit our Map+ Highlights page.
Do I Need A Passport?
Everyone on an Alaskan cruise will need a passport of some kind. Even if you are just going on an Seattle to Seattle- Alaska cruise you will still be crossing international boundaries by landing in an international Canadian port on some leg of your journey, so a passport is required. On our tours that cross into the Yukon Territories, you will also need a passport.
When departing the U.S. for Canada , a passport is mandatory and must be carried with you. Beginning January 1, 2008, all travel outside of the US will require a VALID PASSPORT or a VALID PASSPORT CARD. VERY IMPORTANT: Your passport must also be valid for 6 months after your expected re-entry into the United States. Also, the wait for a passport can be two months so you will want to get the process started right away. NOTE: The passport card CANNOT be used for international airline travel. If you are flying international you will need to get a passport book not a card.
How Do I Make Hotel Arrangements for Extra Overnights in Anchorage, Vancouver or Seattle?
John Hall's Alaska enjoys special rates at several hotels in each location. Whether you fly in a few days a head or several weeks ahead, we will still meet you at the airport and get you to your hotel. We can help you with extended stays as well. Call us to help you make these arrangements.
What Happens After I Arrive For My Tour? Do I Have To Find You?
A John Hall's Alaska representative will meet all guests upon arrival into Ted Steven's International Airport, een if you plan to arrive days before your tour begins! Please wear either your John Hall's Alaska blue windbreaker or lanyard to help us identify you quickly. Our staff will gather your bags for you and get you transferred to your hotel for the first night of your tour. You will also be given a welcome packet with your room keys, your dinner voucher for the evening and information on meeting the rest of your group for your group breakfast the following morning.
I Want To Customize my Tour and Add On Extra Land Excursions- What Do I Do?
We understand that you may want to come a few days early or stay a few days after your tour to do some custom activities. Please contact our office with your interests and we will suggest a few possibilities to choose from. We can assist you with booking rental cars, additional hotel stays and extra activities. (800) 325-2270.
Will I Have Access To Laundry Facilities?
Dry cleaning, pressing and shoe-shine services are available on board all Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ships. Washers and dryers for your personal use are also available on land. In the larger towns such as Anchorage, Valdez and Fairbanks you will have time to do laundry. In Denali there will be laundry facilities but you may have limited access to them. If you bring layers you should be able to "recycle" your clothes and have a new look each day and this may help extend your wardrobe.
What Gratuities Are Covered and What Gratuities Should I be Considering?
Gratuities are already included for all meals, baggage handling, activities and attractions as well as gratuities for cruise line staff such as room stewards, waiters and bar staff. Gratuities are not included for your John Hall's Alaska Land Tour Manager and Cruise Manager.
Tipping of John Hall's Alaska staff should be done at your discretion and should reflect the job performance of your Tour Manager/Cruise Manager. We will only provide suggestions:
On Land: Your tour manager will take care of all included features of the tour. We suggest $5- 7 per person, per day for your Land Tour Manager. Should you wish to tip over and above, this would be done at your own discretion.
At Sea: We suggest $10.00 per person for your John Hall's Alaska Cruise Manager for the entire 7 day cruise. Should you wish to tip over and above, this would be done at your own discretion.
Will I Have Cell Phone Reception In Alaska?
On Land: Cell phones will have reception in small and large towns but you will most likely loose reception on the journeys in between. Our motorcoaches are equipped with satellite telephones for Tour Managers to use in case of emergencies.
A Sea: You will have reception for virtually all of your cruise. HOWEVER, the cruise line's will charge around $10 per minute for using the ship's cell phone tower. We suggest that guests wait until they are in port and picking up land towers before using their cell phones. Some cell phone carriers will indicate on the face of the phone that you are using the ships tower but just to be safe, wait until you are physically on dry land before using your cell phone.
I Plan to Bring My Camera/Video Camera along. Will There Be Place To Charge My Electronics?
Be sure to bring your camera and/or video camera as there are many great photo opportunities. If you have a camera that takes film please bring extra with you because more may not be readily available while on tour. John Hall's Alaska motorcoaches are equipped with 120V POWER OUTLETS for keeping your batteries charged and DVD BURNERS for those passengers who wish to burn their digital photographs onto DVDs thus freeing up their camera memory for more photos! Remember your battery charger for your video camera and you may want to bring an extra battery. Binoculars are a good idea for wild life viewing. Unlimited water, tea, hot chocolate and coffee will be provided while on board the motorcoach.
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