My husband and I are thinking about cruising with Celebrity Cruises in July to Alaska on their newest ship, Summit. Does anyone have any info. about that ship or cruise line? Also, would booking a cabin with a balcony be a good idea on an Alaska cruise or would it be a waste of money, because wouldn't it be too cold and windy to sit out on the balcony? May as well stand on the outside deck to see the glaciers. <BR> I can see having a balcony cabin in the Caribbean where the weather is warm, but Alaska?<BR>Thanks for any help anyone can give me.<BR>

We booked an interior room for our Alaskan cruise last year and we dont regret it. We had no problems viewing the sites from the decks. The difference in price paid for our excursions. I think it is personal preference and related to how much you want to spend.

A balcony is best since you can run in and out of your cabin if it is cold. You can order hot coffee or soup. You do not have to stand up on deck with the masses on your tiptoes to view anything. It is ideal if it is raining. Also during July and August the weather can be quite warm just about every day.<BR><BR>Of all areas to book a vacation with a balcony Alaska is an important one.<BR><BR>Paul

<BR>If we decide to cruise the inside passage in Alaska and do a southbound,<BR>which balcony cabins are best for viewing the glaciers? Someone said the port or left side which has always confused me. Is it the left side when you're on the ship or when you're looking at the ship from the front when you're off the ship? That certainly makes a difference because then it would be reversed.<BR>Also, which balcony cabins are the best on the Celebrity Summit? All ships have cabins that are view obstucted.<BR>Thanks a bunch!

Balconys are a must, in my opinion. We have cruised 4 times in Alaska, Inside Passage and southbound from Seward. <BR><BR>July should give you very good weather (of course, weather can be fickle!) and the balcony would give you great views without the crowds.<BR><BR>Reort and starboard---standing at the back of the ship looking forward, port is to your left and starboard is to your right.<BR><BR>By the way, the Inside Passage is not a "southbound" trip. It is a roundtrip from your port of departure--Vancouver or Seattle. The best side for this itinerary is the starboard side.<BR><BR>Teri

Although I don't care if I have a balcony on a Caribbean cruise, I think it is a MUST on an Alaskan cruise. We would just go out on our balcony any time of day and there was always incredible scenery in sight. Sailing the Inside Passage there is land in sight all the time. The day in Glacier Bay was incredible. It got VERY crowded up on deck, so we just went to our own private balcony to take in the view.

We went last year and had an inside cabin. I agree that the difference in price paid for our excursions which are expensive but also with 18 hours of daylight and being a lite sleeper it was a must to have inside.

Thanks to all who answered my questions.<BR> <BR>Teri, the itinerary states that the Southbound trip through the Inside Passage starts at Seward and ends in Vancouver. If I decide to go with a balcony cabin is the starboard side still the best side for viewing? Sure would hate to be on the wrong side of the ship and see only water instead of the view.<BR><BR>Wish the ship was going to Glacier Bay instead of Hubbard Glacier. Will that still be a good view?<BR>Thanks again.<BR>

Traveling south from Seward you would want to be on the port side, the side toward land once you enter the Passage. The Seward to Vancouver cruises called "Southbound itinerary" don't stay in the Inside Passage all the time like an Inside Passage trip would, so you won't see everything that the roundtrip cruise would offer.<BR><BR>Just for clearification:<BR>Northbound = Vancouver to Seward<BR>Southbound = Seward to Vancouver<BR>Inside Passage = roundtrip, thru the Inside Passage, Vancouver to Vancouver <BR><BR>All the Alaska cruises go through SOME parts of the Inside Passage.<BR><BR>Great trip no matter which itinerary you take because once you've been there you will want to go back again! <BR><BR>Teri