RCCL or Princess for Alaska
Jun 16th, 2013, 09:17 AM
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RCCL or Princess for Alaska
We're planning our first AK cruise in late June '14. We (2 early 50s adults + 2 young adult kids) have cruised twice before, both times (Caribbean and Europe) on RCCL. We enjoyed both but would like to try other lines at some point. Just not at the expense of a bad experience. We are going to do a Southbound itinerary, spending a few days on land prior to departure. I really like Princess Coral itinerary... particularly having both Hubbard and Glacier Bay. I totally get the comments about "choose the AK cruise by itinerary" but since an AK cruise is less about the ship activities, the stateroom quality and food become even more important. Should we try Princess for this AK trip or try another line on a future cruise?
Jun 16th, 2013, 12:14 PM
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We have been on the Island Princess which is a sister ship to the Coral and found the ship nice but for us there was no WOW! factor. In all fairness this class of ship gets high marks on cruise critic for a ship of its size.
However if its just food and stateroom size then it should work for you. I think you will find the service on Princess at least as good if not better than RCI. We cruised AK on the Sapphire Princess and did our excursions thru the ship and were very pleased. Princess does a great job there.
Have you looked at Celebrity? Our last two cruises were on X and they service is excellent.
However if its just food and stateroom size then it should work for you. I think you will find the service on Princess at least as good if not better than RCI. We cruised AK on the Sapphire Princess and did our excursions thru the ship and were very pleased. Princess does a great job there.
Have you looked at Celebrity? Our last two cruises were on X and they service is excellent.
Jun 22nd, 2013, 09:21 AM
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I would go with the ship that offers the best itinerary. For me that would be one that includes Glacier Bay...especially if it is your first Alaska cruise and maybe your only. We have done a cruise with Hubbard Glacier..yes..very impressive but nothing beats sailing through Glacier Bay.
Jun 23rd, 2013, 04:51 PM
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Katybird, I agree with you 100%. If this is your one and only time or the first time, Glacier Bay would be a MUST stop.
Glcaier Bay is a National Park and they have a quota systems in place that cruise lines must bid on the permits. They are only allowing so many ships per day through the Fjords. As far as I know, RCCL or Celebrity did not have any permits this year. HAL and Princess have the majority of it and I know Disney also has permits. Not sure about NCL.
Glcaier Bay is a National Park and they have a quota systems in place that cruise lines must bid on the permits. They are only allowing so many ships per day through the Fjords. As far as I know, RCCL or Celebrity did not have any permits this year. HAL and Princess have the majority of it and I know Disney also has permits. Not sure about NCL.
