Where is the best place to cruise in August?
Mar 17th, 2014, 04:52 PM
#1
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Where is the best place to cruise in August?
I know this is a broad question, but maybe I can at least get some good ideas for starting points. We are a group of 16 people, ranging from 2.5 - 80 years old. Kids range in age from 2.5 - 15. Two in our group are not able to walk long distances. Alaska is one idea, but it's pretty expensive for such a large group. Does anyone have any other ideas? Would Alaska be worth the money?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Mar 17th, 2014, 06:46 PM
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What is your budget per person? Your choice would be limited by how much or how little money you want to spend. Do you want to leave from the west coast or the east coast? Driving to port would be cheaper than fling to port.
The Caribbean would be extremely hot in August, not too many ships in the area plus it is hurricane season. I wouldn't want to go to the Caribbean in August.
There are some west coast coastal/Mexican cruises but they are not necessary cheaper than Alaska cruises.
If the members of the group are not seasoned travelers, Alaska cruises offers a very good comfort zone compare to a totally foreign country.
Alaska cruises are not expensive if you do it right. I have posted a trip report last summer, for a cruise to Alaska , with a budget of under $1000 per person. We actually could have done it for as little as $700 per person, without sacrificing anything. The link to the trip report is here.
http://www.fodors.com/community/crui...-the-cheap.cfm
The total tab was $1,603 for 7 days for the two of us, we had 21+ meals including 7 fancy dinners, accommodation for 7 nights, and entertainment on board. Transportation to and from the airport. Excursions included float plane adventure to the famous Misty Fjord, a long visit to the Mendenhall Glacier, a guided tour and great hike through Skagway, and city walk at Victoria. If you skip the float plane adventure and substituted it with something cheaper, it could be as low as $700 per person for the 7 days.
The Caribbean would be extremely hot in August, not too many ships in the area plus it is hurricane season. I wouldn't want to go to the Caribbean in August.
There are some west coast coastal/Mexican cruises but they are not necessary cheaper than Alaska cruises.
If the members of the group are not seasoned travelers, Alaska cruises offers a very good comfort zone compare to a totally foreign country.
Alaska cruises are not expensive if you do it right. I have posted a trip report last summer, for a cruise to Alaska , with a budget of under $1000 per person. We actually could have done it for as little as $700 per person, without sacrificing anything. The link to the trip report is here.
http://www.fodors.com/community/crui...-the-cheap.cfm
The total tab was $1,603 for 7 days for the two of us, we had 21+ meals including 7 fancy dinners, accommodation for 7 nights, and entertainment on board. Transportation to and from the airport. Excursions included float plane adventure to the famous Misty Fjord, a long visit to the Mendenhall Glacier, a guided tour and great hike through Skagway, and city walk at Victoria. If you skip the float plane adventure and substituted it with something cheaper, it could be as low as $700 per person for the 7 days.
Mar 17th, 2014, 10:10 PM
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Perhaps a travel agent can get a group rate for you for such a large party and this can help cut the cost. You can also consider buying inside cabins. You will have no view but it will be the cheapest.
Alaska would be doable I think but consider that the best part of Alaskan cruises is the excursions which can be quite costly for some like helicopter rides for example or float planes as Eschew has pointed out.
Alternatively you could do an NE/Canada cruise as well. The excursions would not be costly and the overall cruise fare isn't that much either. Again consider a TA for a group rate and go with inside cabins.
Alaska would be doable I think but consider that the best part of Alaskan cruises is the excursions which can be quite costly for some like helicopter rides for example or float planes as Eschew has pointed out.
Alternatively you could do an NE/Canada cruise as well. The excursions would not be costly and the overall cruise fare isn't that much either. Again consider a TA for a group rate and go with inside cabins.
Mar 18th, 2014, 09:11 PM
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Unfortunately, Canada/New England cruise doesn't start till quite late in September.
The Alaska exotic excursions are nice, but they are expensive. That's why they are "exotic". There really isn't any cheap excursions in Alaska except for the do-it-yourself self-guided tours, which is very much possible but one have to do a bit of homework, and do not get stressed when things do not go as planned.
With a group of 16, maybe a private guide on a mini bus would be more cost effective than ship's excursions. and less work than do it yourself.
The Alaska exotic excursions are nice, but they are expensive. That's why they are "exotic". There really isn't any cheap excursions in Alaska except for the do-it-yourself self-guided tours, which is very much possible but one have to do a bit of homework, and do not get stressed when things do not go as planned.
With a group of 16, maybe a private guide on a mini bus would be more cost effective than ship's excursions. and less work than do it yourself.
Mar 19th, 2014, 04:48 AM
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Actually I found a few for NE/Canada that are in August but E there aren't many and just one or two that begin in early August. Thanks for the heads up on that. HAL has a 7 nighter Aug. 2 but its kind of high with prices beginning at around 1 k.
Turkey would involve expensive air fares and the prices for the cruise itself are high as these cruises are usually at least 10 days.
Turkey would involve expensive air fares and the prices for the cruise itself are high as these cruises are usually at least 10 days.
Mar 19th, 2014, 07:36 AM
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Hmm. We did it in Oct. and it was pretty nice except for a chilly day in Nova Scotia which made the walk to the maratime museum sort of brisk. 
. You will likely have warmer weather and will miss the fall foliage however.
Actually I did not know that NE/Canada cruises were primarily in the fall. Good point.
. You will likely have warmer weather and will miss the fall foliage however. Actually I did not know that NE/Canada cruises were primarily in the fall. Good point.
Mar 29th, 2014, 06:07 PM
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Thanks everyone!! I figured harrymartin was shilling because he didn't see that I posted that I only wanted North American/Caribbean cruises. Thanks for the heads up, though!!
This is all great advice. I guess I had assumed that Alaska would be way out of our budget (not even sure what it is yet, but we don't have a lot to work with). Glad to hear it could be possible.
This is all great advice. I guess I had assumed that Alaska would be way out of our budget (not even sure what it is yet, but we don't have a lot to work with). Glad to hear it could be possible.
Mar 29th, 2014, 10:27 PM
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Watch for sales, especially for early May and late August sailings. Compare cost of 3rd and 4th person in same cabin to separate inside cabin rate. They maybe the same or so close that it is no worth jamming 3 or 4 to a cabin. Cabins are small.
Definitely arrange your own shore excursion. Much cheaper, since you have your own group.
Good luck! and don;t be afraid to come back and ask more questions.
Definitely arrange your own shore excursion. Much cheaper, since you have your own group.
Good luck! and don;t be afraid to come back and ask more questions.
