which alaska cruises are best?
May 28th, 2008, 05:38 AM
#1
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which alaska cruises are best?
My husband and I will be cruising Alaska next June ('09), from north to south. We have never cruised before, and are not interested in glitz or glamour. But we do want a good ship with lots of amenities and good food. We want a balcony, definitely. What are your opinions about the best cruise lines? How are Royal Carribean and Princess, in your opinion. I know Celebrity has a very good reputation, but they are a tad more expensive.
May 28th, 2008, 06:50 AM
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Have you considered a smaller ship? We're using Lindblad/National Geographic to travel Juneau to Sitka. Only 30 cabins - 62 people max - guides and naturalists - zodiaks. Promises to be educational and beautiful. If interested, will post reactions when we return. Ciao, L
May 28th, 2008, 07:09 AM
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Consider Holland America Line. The ships are not as big as Princess or Royal and the service and food is wonderful in my opinion. If this is your first time to Alaska, time and money permitting, do think about a combination land tour and cruise package.
May 28th, 2008, 07:14 AM
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I am going on Princess in July, so I can't help too much on that - but from what I read Princess does Alaska really well.
I would differ with hpeabody though on recommending a cruise/tour. Instead, I would recommend a cruise and then traveling around Alaska on your own. Much cheaper and more flexible than a tour. (Or, since you say you are going north to south - travel around on your own first and then meet up with the ship).
I would differ with hpeabody though on recommending a cruise/tour. Instead, I would recommend a cruise and then traveling around Alaska on your own. Much cheaper and more flexible than a tour. (Or, since you say you are going north to south - travel around on your own first and then meet up with the ship).
May 28th, 2008, 07:22 AM
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The one Alaska cruise we took we went on Princess; my partner thought it was the dullest trip he had ever been on (too many fir trees!!!) I enjoyed it more and though princess did OK.
We've been on more than two dozen cruises and on several different lines. I didn't think Princess did any better than Royal Caribbean or Celebrity but a LOT of that is subjective.
You might want to visit www.cruisecritic.com or www.cruise-addicts.com and look at some of the ship/trip reviews.
We've been on more than two dozen cruises and on several different lines. I didn't think Princess did any better than Royal Caribbean or Celebrity but a LOT of that is subjective.
You might want to visit www.cruisecritic.com or www.cruise-addicts.com and look at some of the ship/trip reviews.
May 28th, 2008, 08:21 AM
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We did a cruise to Alaska a couple of years ago on Princess. The ship was pretty nice - great fitness center, several hot tubs on deck, lots of activities, reasonably priced...but the food was terrible. I had previously been on Norweigan in the Caribbean where the food was outstanding so maybe I was expecting too much.
May 28th, 2008, 08:41 AM
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Won't weigh in on lines, but I'd say look for a cruise that includes a southcentral AK stop (Anchorage -- which is Seward or Whittier) rather than just Inside Passage ... and then add a land package.
May 28th, 2008, 10:00 AM
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Are you planning on interior Alaska touring?? I completely disagree with the above recommendations for adding a "cruisetour", the most costly option, seeing the least. It is far superior to go on your own.
As for cruise, I do like Seward port, for the many many activities available. But most people completely miss out. I do not recommend RCI highly in Alaska, and of the 5 lines I have sailed there, my last of the the 5 for my preferences.
However, it sounds like the ship is your priority? (for many, it's what's outside the ship, Alaska) If that is the case, then go with a ship you like with the activities of interest to you. Alaska sailings are different from Caribbean, so keep that in mind.
Otherwise, you may want to make your selection based upon, ports, time in ports, glacier, route, ship naturalist, price.
As for cruise, I do like Seward port, for the many many activities available. But most people completely miss out. I do not recommend RCI highly in Alaska, and of the 5 lines I have sailed there, my last of the the 5 for my preferences.
However, it sounds like the ship is your priority? (for many, it's what's outside the ship, Alaska) If that is the case, then go with a ship you like with the activities of interest to you. Alaska sailings are different from Caribbean, so keep that in mind.
Otherwise, you may want to make your selection based upon, ports, time in ports, glacier, route, ship naturalist, price.
May 28th, 2008, 10:37 AM
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pat - I wonder if the food varies by the specific ship in a fleet? I can't remember which NCL ship it was, but it was the smallest in their fleet (at least at that time). Their menus were so diverse, and they always had options from Cooking Light recipes which were delicious. In Alaska, we were on the Sun Princess I believe, and everything tasted microwaved...even the Alaskan king crab legs which you would think would have been fresh! 
francegirl - I would definitely look at the ports first and then the amenities to choose your ship. Also, be sure to book activities at each port otherwise you will be stuck with just cheesy souvenir shopping to keep you busy. Have fun, Alaska is beautiful!
francegirl - I would definitely look at the ports first and then the amenities to choose your ship. Also, be sure to book activities at each port otherwise you will be stuck with just cheesy souvenir shopping to keep you busy. Have fun, Alaska is beautiful!
May 28th, 2008, 12:20 PM
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If you don't like glitz and glamour, go NCL. Casual cruising. The casinos and jewelry stores are still there, but you don't have to patronize them. Dining is fancy-dancy only if you go to one of the dedicated restaurants...the rest is buffet style. Same thing goes for the "formal night;" you don't have to participate and you won't starve that night.
May 28th, 2008, 05:21 PM
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Don't rule out Carnival. Its "party party" Caribbean reputation doesn't carry over to its Alaska cruises, where the average age is in the 40-60 range. After much research, I preferred their itinerary, activities, and best of all, their balcony cabins were less than the other cruise lines. I agree - go to the websites and read reviews. You owe it to yourself to get the most bang for your buck.
May 28th, 2008, 06:42 PM
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Yeah, I ought to clarify. I should not have said "land package" because it implied it was part of a cruise line offering.
Alaska is very easy to outfit the "land portion" on your own.
Shoot, they accept U.S. currency, drive on the same side of the road (usually) and you can even get by speaking English.
My main point, however, was there's so much more to the state than what one's seems from Inside Passage routes.
Alaska is very easy to outfit the "land portion" on your own.
Shoot, they accept U.S. currency, drive on the same side of the road (usually) and you can even get by speaking English.
My main point, however, was there's so much more to the state than what one's seems from Inside Passage routes.
May 28th, 2008, 07:01 PM
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Francegirl, I like you was a first time cruiser, in my early 30s, and NCL was a GREAT cruise...the freestyle dining was the best and IMHO the food was great....and we had a balcony room which was a must.
BUT - the one thing we didn't like was the touristy vibe overall, and in hindsight we would have done either a land tour or gone on a smaller boat. You just don't get an authentic Alaskan experience on one of these bigger ships. You will definitely get a taste of what it is like there, and if you are into the luxury and the atmosphere of a cruise, then you will really enjoy it.
For the $$, you cannot beat one of the bigger boats. Hope that helps!
BUT - the one thing we didn't like was the touristy vibe overall, and in hindsight we would have done either a land tour or gone on a smaller boat. You just don't get an authentic Alaskan experience on one of these bigger ships. You will definitely get a taste of what it is like there, and if you are into the luxury and the atmosphere of a cruise, then you will really enjoy it.
For the $$, you cannot beat one of the bigger boats. Hope that helps!
May 28th, 2008, 07:07 PM
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My husband and I cruised on Royal Caribbean in Sept 2007 and LOVED it! The ship was exquisite - our ocean view stateroonm w/ balcony was small but well appointed and extremely comfortable. The dining experience was one of my favorite things about the cruise. Night time on board... there was always something fun going on! The indoor pool area combined with the fabulous frozen drinks was pure bliss!
May 29th, 2008, 04:38 AM
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francegirl,
We just got back from an Alaskan cruise with the same "north to south" itinerary you are looking at. We chose Holland America's Zaandam, sailing from Seward to Vancouver (one way), spending 2 days viewing glaciers (College Fjord and Glacier Bay) and stopping in Haines, Juneau, and Ketchikan -- 7 days in all.
Two other couples traveled with us, and we all just loved this ship. It was smaller than the megaships we saw but still sizeable (approx. 1400 people), with lots of amenities. There was a lot of music -- a piano bar, another lounge with a string quartet, a larger lounge with varying entertainment, plus shows. The food was excellent. We could choose between the main dining room, the buffet (great breakfast! loved their eggs benedict), their fine dining restaurant, a poolside grill, or room service. There were shops, a spa, lots of activities.
The atmosphere was laid back vs. party party. We didn't see many kids, but did notice a number of adult family groups.
We just got back from an Alaskan cruise with the same "north to south" itinerary you are looking at. We chose Holland America's Zaandam, sailing from Seward to Vancouver (one way), spending 2 days viewing glaciers (College Fjord and Glacier Bay) and stopping in Haines, Juneau, and Ketchikan -- 7 days in all.
Two other couples traveled with us, and we all just loved this ship. It was smaller than the megaships we saw but still sizeable (approx. 1400 people), with lots of amenities. There was a lot of music -- a piano bar, another lounge with a string quartet, a larger lounge with varying entertainment, plus shows. The food was excellent. We could choose between the main dining room, the buffet (great breakfast! loved their eggs benedict), their fine dining restaurant, a poolside grill, or room service. There were shops, a spa, lots of activities.
The atmosphere was laid back vs. party party. We didn't see many kids, but did notice a number of adult family groups.
May 29th, 2008, 04:58 AM
#17
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Thanks to all! I did book a cruise on Royal Caribbean, the customer service rep (online chat, which is excellent) found me a great stateroom with balcony, midship, portside, 10th level. Including tips the price for 7-day north to south Inside Passage cruise (departing from Seward) ended up being $3400, which I think is excellent. Again, thanks for the suggestions.
Nov 12th, 2008, 08:00 AM
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I am researching an NCL Alaskan cruise. Originally I thought mid to late August, but after reading several posts, I am now looking at mid to late May because of the better weather. There are two options out of Seattle on NCL (which I picked by the way because of the 'freestyle' more casual option).
There are two cruise options and one is more expensive. We would pick a balcony room. My husband is a veteran and they would give us a discount because of that. We are 50-60ish and not the usual cruise type folks. Hubby has hair down to his waist and looks like a biker. But besides that we dress nicely/casually.
Soooo, my questions are; Which of the two cruises to Alaska would you pick and which land excursions would you choose? And most importantly, what date would you choose? On the more expensive cruise May 17 or 24 and on the cheaper cruise May 16 or 23. Any and all advice welcome. Thanks!!
There are two cruise options and one is more expensive. We would pick a balcony room. My husband is a veteran and they would give us a discount because of that. We are 50-60ish and not the usual cruise type folks. Hubby has hair down to his waist and looks like a biker. But besides that we dress nicely/casually.
Soooo, my questions are; Which of the two cruises to Alaska would you pick and which land excursions would you choose? And most importantly, what date would you choose? On the more expensive cruise May 17 or 24 and on the cheaper cruise May 16 or 23. Any and all advice welcome. Thanks!!
Nov 12th, 2008, 01:58 PM
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In the May timeframe, definately your best itinerary with NCL is via the Pearl and to Glacier Bay. What is your other choice??? NCL Star?? With this, in May it is VERY iffy to get in Tracy Arm and they usually detour to Endicott, it's not Glacier Bay, by any means. IF it does go into Tracy Arm, in my opinion, it is "necessary
quot; to book the costly add on Tracy Arm jet boat tour, which will then probably about equal out your prices.
There are 100's of excellent tours to take, do your homework, look over a shore excursion list and narrow down your interests, then repost.
quot; to book the costly add on Tracy Arm jet boat tour, which will then probably about equal out your prices.There are 100's of excellent tours to take, do your homework, look over a shore excursion list and narrow down your interests, then repost.
