alaska cruises
Jul 28th, 2006, 01:35 PM
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alaska cruises
We are thinking of taking an alaskan cruise. I would appreciate some advice on when to go, particular cruise recommendations etc. We traveled to Egypt in March and had a great time and can provide info if anyone is interested.
Jul 28th, 2006, 02:02 PM
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Hi Kenc. We took a combined sea cruise and land tour this last late May/early June. Was on the Holland America line (Veendam). Was a bit too early in the season as the foliage was not fully green and the glaciers were not 'calving' as much as they would be later. Think the only thing I would change is to schedule the land tour first and finish with the sea cruise so you can rest up. Maybe mid to late June would be better. Enjoyed it all. Don't miss the extra boat tour of Kenai Fjords Nat'l Park and the bus Wilderness tour of Denali Nat'l Park.
Jul 28th, 2006, 02:07 PM
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If you haven't already, kenc and nlg, you should start this thread on the Fodor's cruise board. You might get more responses, and find other helpful threads, on the cruise board.
Good luck with the planning!
Good luck with the planning!
Jul 28th, 2006, 06:34 PM
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We took a Celebrity cruise of the inner passage and thought that the food was excellent, that the ship was elegant, and that our cabin, with a balcony, was good to very good. The scenery was stunning.
Jul 28th, 2006, 08:07 PM
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Mid=June is a great time to cruise Alaska. Long days and short nights and the weather is generally good. I would strongly recommend you take a land excursion as well as a cruise, spending one week doing each. If you only cruise, you miss much of Alaska's grandeur. Holland-America has some great cruise tours where you get both the sea and land experiences.
Jul 29th, 2006, 06:19 PM
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Rather than focus on a cruiseline, perhaps look at Inside Passage priorities for your touring?? Consider ports, time in ports, glacier, route, itinerary, price, ship naturalist etc then fit in the ship.
Do your homework, the more you know the better your choices will be for you. I disagree, however on the Tundra Wilderness recommendation- this is important only if you go on a cruise tour. But going independent is superior for seeing twice as much for half the cost. The shuttle into Denali Park is my min. recommended distance in to at least Fish Creek. Prime bear habitat not to be missed.
Do your homework, the more you know the better your choices will be for you. I disagree, however on the Tundra Wilderness recommendation- this is important only if you go on a cruise tour. But going independent is superior for seeing twice as much for half the cost. The shuttle into Denali Park is my min. recommended distance in to at least Fish Creek. Prime bear habitat not to be missed.
Jul 31st, 2006, 05:50 PM
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kenc and nlg - I have cruised Alaska twice, both times on Holland America. These were my first and only experiences cruising, and I loved it - mostly because there is always something beautiful to look at - even when the weather is not it's best.
I am unable to make comparisons between cruise lines, cabins, food; however, I will say that Holland has an excellent program - ships were clean, rooms were adequate (for the short time we were ever in our cabin). We had an outside cabin on both trips and would probably stay away from the inside cabins as we love to be able to open the curtains and look out while we were getting ready to go on deck, go to dinner, etc. There was a nice mix of ages, families, singles, younger couples on both our cruises, but I think this line is probably a little more on the conservative side as far as guests. A bit older - not a lot of partying going on in the lounges at night (during either cruise).
The shore excursions were probably the same as you would get on any of the other lines - lots to choose from. The ships are smaller than other lines - I think holding somewhere in the neighborhood of 1200 passengers. We never felt a bit crowded and the disembarkation process was extremely easy. I have heard nightmares about disembarking from some of the larger ships, but have no personal experience.
We cruised during late August both times and are returning for a land trip at the same time this summer. We like the fact that the mosquitos are not an issue at this time, the colors are beginning to change, the temps are mid 50's to mid 70's, depending are where you are, and it's still light until 9ish.
We are thinking of taking another cruise with 12-14 friends next summer, but may opt for Princess this time as they have the free-style cruising, which is less formal from what I have been told. I would also prefer to have a cabin with a balcony the next time I go.
As for the cruise alone vs. cruise tour, I would definitely recommend adding some land time, but not necessarily via the cruise line. I think it depends on how independent a traveller you are. I began to feel a bit like cattle - herded from one place to another. It's tolerable, but I think the next time I take a cruise, I'll add my own land tour and not depend on the cruise line.
Whichever way you decide to go, I don't think you can go wrong - Alaska is the most breath-taking place I've been! Good luck and start your countdown - I'll be in Denali 21 days from right now!!!
I am unable to make comparisons between cruise lines, cabins, food; however, I will say that Holland has an excellent program - ships were clean, rooms were adequate (for the short time we were ever in our cabin). We had an outside cabin on both trips and would probably stay away from the inside cabins as we love to be able to open the curtains and look out while we were getting ready to go on deck, go to dinner, etc. There was a nice mix of ages, families, singles, younger couples on both our cruises, but I think this line is probably a little more on the conservative side as far as guests. A bit older - not a lot of partying going on in the lounges at night (during either cruise).
The shore excursions were probably the same as you would get on any of the other lines - lots to choose from. The ships are smaller than other lines - I think holding somewhere in the neighborhood of 1200 passengers. We never felt a bit crowded and the disembarkation process was extremely easy. I have heard nightmares about disembarking from some of the larger ships, but have no personal experience.
We cruised during late August both times and are returning for a land trip at the same time this summer. We like the fact that the mosquitos are not an issue at this time, the colors are beginning to change, the temps are mid 50's to mid 70's, depending are where you are, and it's still light until 9ish.
We are thinking of taking another cruise with 12-14 friends next summer, but may opt for Princess this time as they have the free-style cruising, which is less formal from what I have been told. I would also prefer to have a cabin with a balcony the next time I go.
As for the cruise alone vs. cruise tour, I would definitely recommend adding some land time, but not necessarily via the cruise line. I think it depends on how independent a traveller you are. I began to feel a bit like cattle - herded from one place to another. It's tolerable, but I think the next time I take a cruise, I'll add my own land tour and not depend on the cruise line.
Whichever way you decide to go, I don't think you can go wrong - Alaska is the most breath-taking place I've been! Good luck and start your countdown - I'll be in Denali 21 days from right now!!!
