Tracy Arm Fjord vs Glacier Bay
Feb 15th, 2016, 10:19 AM
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Tracy Arm Fjord vs Glacier Bay
Not Sure if I needed to cross post from the cruise forum, sorry in advance if I'm doing it wrong.
I'm starting to plan for a cruise to Alaska for my family (7 of us youngest is 18) this July. The budget is tight since I'm paying for it. We are based in NY so I have been looking at flying into Seattle. It seems to be the cheapest. I've been pricing out a bunch of cruise lines. The cheapest I believe was Carnival ($8,500) but they don't go past Glacier Bay only Tracy Arm Fjord. I looked at Princess they go to Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm Fjord but the cruise to Glacier Bay would be about $2,500 more than Carnival and Holland $1000 more than that for Glacier Bay ($12,000) NCL (was $11,300). I've been reading through a lot of the forums and got the impression that Princess and Holland were THE ones that have been "doing" Alaska the longest and have the most rites to sailing into Glacier Bay. Others have noted that although other cruises have TAF on their itinerary there are times when the ships weren't able to go there. I think weather related? That would be very disappointing. Even though I've never cruised before, I'm not that concerned with the bells and whistles of the cruise but more of seeing Alaska. More of a floating hotel for all of us to met up and keep our stuff. Don't get me wrong I'm still hoping for a great time at nights on the ship but it's not my total focus.
So all that being said, do I go with Tracy Arm Fjord save money? Money that could maybe be spent on more land excursions? or spend the extra money and go with Glacier Bay? Is it worth the extra cost?
Some ships also go north and south inside passage and some go inside one way and outside another, any great significance to that?
I'm starting to plan for a cruise to Alaska for my family (7 of us youngest is 18) this July. The budget is tight since I'm paying for it. We are based in NY so I have been looking at flying into Seattle. It seems to be the cheapest. I've been pricing out a bunch of cruise lines. The cheapest I believe was Carnival ($8,500) but they don't go past Glacier Bay only Tracy Arm Fjord. I looked at Princess they go to Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm Fjord but the cruise to Glacier Bay would be about $2,500 more than Carnival and Holland $1000 more than that for Glacier Bay ($12,000) NCL (was $11,300). I've been reading through a lot of the forums and got the impression that Princess and Holland were THE ones that have been "doing" Alaska the longest and have the most rites to sailing into Glacier Bay. Others have noted that although other cruises have TAF on their itinerary there are times when the ships weren't able to go there. I think weather related? That would be very disappointing. Even though I've never cruised before, I'm not that concerned with the bells and whistles of the cruise but more of seeing Alaska. More of a floating hotel for all of us to met up and keep our stuff. Don't get me wrong I'm still hoping for a great time at nights on the ship but it's not my total focus.
So all that being said, do I go with Tracy Arm Fjord save money? Money that could maybe be spent on more land excursions? or spend the extra money and go with Glacier Bay? Is it worth the extra cost?
Some ships also go north and south inside passage and some go inside one way and outside another, any great significance to that?
Feb 15th, 2016, 12:37 PM
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Last August we took a Princess cruise that went to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Tracy Arm Fjord. The scenic highlights were sailing into and out of Skagway and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord.
We live in Seattle, and the next time we go to Alaska we will go on a cruise that includes Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage. The cruise that appeals most to us is on Holland America and leaves from and returns to Vancouver, BC.
The only thing that's holding us back is the cost. It is expensive.
HTtY
PS We did not book excursions on the ship. In Ketchikan we just walked around town--Creek Street, etc. In Juneau and Skagway we booked tours when we got off the ship. They were good and inexpensive (about $25).
We live in Seattle, and the next time we go to Alaska we will go on a cruise that includes Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage. The cruise that appeals most to us is on Holland America and leaves from and returns to Vancouver, BC.
The only thing that's holding us back is the cost. It is expensive.
HTtY
PS We did not book excursions on the ship. In Ketchikan we just walked around town--Creek Street, etc. In Juneau and Skagway we booked tours when we got off the ship. They were good and inexpensive (about $25).
Feb 15th, 2016, 01:51 PM
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HTTY
The itinerary you took is the same we were thinking of on the Princess. Having been on the Princess and Tracy Arm Fjord, what aspects of that trip make you want to do it differently next time?
The itinerary you took is the same we were thinking of on the Princess. Having been on the Princess and Tracy Arm Fjord, what aspects of that trip make you want to do it differently next time?
Feb 15th, 2016, 02:31 PM
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The most memorable parts of the Alaskan cruise was the scenery sailing into and out of Skagway and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord--both very beautiful.
The Holland American cruise I mention includes those experiences and three additional days of scenic cruising: two days through the Inside Passage (going and coming) and Glacier Bay.
HTtY
PS Since taking the Princess cruise we have taken a Carnival cruise to the "Mexican Rivera." Princess had the better entertainment, but Carnival had the better service and food.
The Holland American cruise I mention includes those experiences and three additional days of scenic cruising: two days through the Inside Passage (going and coming) and Glacier Bay.
HTtY
PS Since taking the Princess cruise we have taken a Carnival cruise to the "Mexican Rivera." Princess had the better entertainment, but Carnival had the better service and food.
Feb 16th, 2016, 08:13 AM
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As a possible budget conscious alternative, you can also take a basic cruise, then do a separate day cruise out of Whittier or Seward.
Our favorite is https://www.phillipscruises.com/
The Seward trip offers more marine life and glacier viewing. Here is one company, and there are others.
http://www.kenaifjords.com/
Our favorite is https://www.phillipscruises.com/
The Seward trip offers more marine life and glacier viewing. Here is one company, and there are others.
http://www.kenaifjords.com/
