alaska cruise
 

Woke up this morning and started thinking we must take an Alaskan cruise--although it is already July and we don't have any idea how to plan it or what cruise company to choose or even what sort of wardrobe is needed for this last minute travel dream.

Searching for any Alaska cruise experts who can share some inspirational information on planning for this cruise and some words of advice.

Appreciate your help. Right now it is just a thought, a dream. But maybe your encouragement and inspiration will get me going. In the meantime, I will be researching a little bit.

Have a great day.

Since it is getting late in the season, you may be able to get a last-minute deal. The website where I found the best deals: www.vacationstogo.com but there are plenty of other cruise websites.

Which line to choose? Hard question. You might want to look at reviews on www.cruisecritic.com though I find them difficult to sort out. Is getting Earl Grey tea delivered instead of English Breakfast a big deal for you? You will find cruisers who downgrade a cruise for just that reason.

A month or so ago I was thinking seriously about a last-minute cruise (I live in Seattle), but then my sweetie broke her wrist and had to have surgery, so we may look again next year.

Kathie-Thanks for your tips. I will research the websites you have listed.
Wondering if anyone has used AAA for reservations. We have been members for decades but never used them for travel reservations.
Thanks for all the help.

I think it is worth comparing the price you can get from AA with what you can get with other agencies. If you can get a really great price from AA, do let us know.

You should compare the vacationstogo.com price, the price by calling the cruise line, and any other agency you want.

Be sure to factor in any airfare specials that might be available if you use the cruiseline.

I am a new cruiser so don't have a lot of experience with the best way to look, but the one time I booked with vacations to go directly, the online rep was knowledgeable and there were no errors in my booking. Same can't be said for Expedia.

The other two cruises I think I found out about the discounts on the vacationstogo website but since they were the same price on the cruise line, I booked with the cruise line itself.

My Alaska cruise was on Zaandam, a ship I really liked and it has not yet been updated or 'remuddled'. There are some good prices on that one because it is probably showing some wear but I liked the viewing area on top, and it does go to Glacier Bay.

I know people always want the balconies but I like to walk around and get antsy just sitting, so I was happy with the inside cabin. There is a very nice library on that ship with good seating for the inside cabin people.

I have used AAA and their rates are competitive. They also offer special perks for their members such as a little gift here and there. You may also find Costco pricing competitive.

If you are new to cruising, dealing with a cruise specialist will offer you insight and they can help you to navigate away from the potential pitfalls.

We get last minutes deals all the time, usually we subscribe directly to the cruise line's last minute offers.

For Alaska cruise, there are a wide variety of options, from North bound to Southbound to round trips. If this is going to be your "only time" to Alaska, consider booking a land tour in Alaska in conjunction with your cruise.

Your budget will dictate what you may or may not be able to do. Just search the forum with "Alaska" and you will find all kinds of information such as trip reports, hints and tips etc.

In my personal opinion, The Glacier Bay National Park is a must see destination for Alaska cruises. Good luck!

When you compare prices with different booking options, make sure each includes port fees, taxes, etc - so you are actually comparing the same thing.

Check airfare before you commit to anything - we did a one-way cruise, but sometimes RT air is cheaper so then you end up with a RT cruise. Make sure you arrive the day prior to cruise.

Wardrobe is not an issue on Alaska cruises - comfort rules. Fleece, windbreaker, comfortable shoes. At night, people dress up a little - but nothing like warm water cruises. Don't spend money on wardrobe - you probably can layer things you already own. Think spring/fall weather rather than summer.

Make sure you budget for excursions in port - either with cruise line or independent. Except for Juneau, there is not much you can see by just walking around port town. Excursions tend to be expensive - since they all involve transportation by bus, rail, air, water to something interesting. There are multiple threads here about land ideas.

If you do a one-way cruise and can afford a few extra days, spend them on Kenai Peninsula (Homer, Seward, etc) and take a day wildlife boat trip - surprisingly not redundant to the cruise.

We flirted with the idea for years before taking the plunge and are so glad we did! It was a fabulous experience--you'll see most amazing scenery that you're not likely to see anywhere else. Glacier Bay, for example, is a narrow channel dotted with chunks of ice, lined with snow-peaked mountains and blue glaciers. It's a remote, silent and completely unspoiled landscape. The Alaskan towns are also a lot of fun--they're Old West-frontier style, nestled among the mountains, and offer a range of activities like salmon fishing, as well as great shopping for eskimo art, Russian nesting dolls, everything salmon and much more. It's absolutely a trip worth taking.

Here are a few big decisions you'll want to make:
* Whether to do a roundtrip vs. one way.
* Whether to add on extra days and stay in one of the hotels run by the cruise lines.
* Which port you'll leave out of.
* What month you go. Note it's a very short season--May through September. There are pros and cons on the month you choose.

Hope that helps! - Musing About Cruising

We have found Costco to be very competitive in pricing. They also offer additional on-board credits that you can get back in cash if not all used on the cruise.

We have cruised on Princess many times, and find it a nice, pleasant medium priced cruise line. Service and food have always been good.

We have also cruised on Crystal, which is a high end, more inclusive, but also more expensive line.

We have always gotten balcony cabins so that we can enjoy the views as you enter each port as well as key sights. We found this especially enjoyable for our Alaska cruise. We recommend getting a cabin for Alaska on the starboard side of the ship going Northbound (best views, or the port side going Southbound) and away from the rear (to avoid engine noise and vibration).

It is just personal preference, but we don't get inside cabins because we like some light and views. Others have described their inside cabin as a "cave" with no windows, so no ability to discern night from day. The "partially obstructed" view cabins are also to be avoided as these are usually located where the lifeboats block the ocean views -- you still get a porthole, but no balcony.

Thanks to all my Fodor friends for amazing information, great help and encouragement.
Thinking of taking the Royal Caribbean for a 7 day tour stopping in Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, B.C.

Now the new challenge is to find affordable ways to do as much as possible at each port.

Research shows some of the tours I want to do are all under 3 hours. That means have lots of time to do something else. So wondering if one can do more than one tour at a port and be back on ship on time.

Or take one tour, come back to ship, eat, rest and maybe later venture out again.

Would love your comments and experiences. Thanks.

When comparing prices ion a cruise, make sure you compare category as well and not just balcony to balcony. Cabin location dictates pricing.

gail, I disagree with you regarding activity in Alaskan port. There are lots that you can do and they are either free or very inexpensive. Check out my trip report Alaska shore excursion on the cheap.
http://www.fodors.com/community/crui...-the-cheap.cfm

ileen, there are plenty of things to do. You just have to plan ahead. Skagway is inside the National Park, Park Rangers provide free guided waking tour in thee morning.

The dock at Victoria is only blocks away from their harbor front downtown. Cab it under $10 or just walk. Plenty to see and do.

Thanks Eschew!
Your information is so valuable and your experience is amazingly helpful.

I want to find excursions that would pick us up near the cruise ship and drop us off nearby too. Thus researching more now.

Good to know that the dock at Victoria is close to harbor front downtown.

Thinking of using Hop On bus and then getting off wherever we want.

Please continue sharing advice.
Have a wonderful day.

In Ketchikan, you don't need a tour either. I took their public bus to both Saxman, and then in the other direction to Totem Bight State Historic Park (which I liked better). Also walked around Creek Street, and Park Avenue which runs along Ketchikan Creek (where the fall salmon run was happening). There were many others from the three cruise ships in port taking the same buses.

The ship we were on docked near the tourist info center and booths. IIRC Ketchikan has a secondary dock farther away,but still walking distance.

We stopped in Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. What I was trying to say is that the smaller port towns are t-shirt shops and jewelry stores, most selling items made in distant lands. You need to get out of town to see anything authentic. Just do some research

Ketchikan has Creek Street which is a historic district, as well as Tongass Historical Museum. IIRC there was a self-guided walking tour brochure, to other interesting historic locations. So no, you do not have to "get out of town" to see anything authentic there. I am not into shopping but away from the dock area there are some really good galleries.

I thought it worthwhile to take the bus up to Totem Bight.

If you go to Haines, you can either take the free shuttle or walk up to Fort Seward. Even a smaller town. Has some cool little museums also.

Juneau of course everyone goes to Mendenhall Glacier but that one you take the bus (they are right outside the dock).

So yes, do your research, and don't listen to people who say you only see t-shirt and jewelry stores in town, and you have to take a tour to see anything.

In Ketchikan, there is a hidden gem called "Cape Fox Lodge", it can be accessed via Creek Street on an "elevator". The cots is a donation of $2. There are lots of display in the lodge, a small restaurant, Totem Poles behind the building and trails. Easily spend 2 to 3 hours or more, and it is free, and walking distance from the dock.

In Skagway, the Ranger station is right in town and they do free guided waling tours. You have to get there early and get your ticket. My suggestion is buy the ride all day shuttle bus ticket to get around.

For Juneau, definitely take the bus to the Glacier. If you join the tour, you got a couple hours. You take the bus, you can spend the whole day.

Just check out my earlier trip report on Alaskan shore excursion on the cheap.

Other than the cruise ships there is also the Alaska state ferries that have a dock in Bellingham, Washington that goes up through the inside passage that the cruise ships are to big to fit through. The state ferries have cabins and restaurants on board. You tend to see more sea life on the ferries. Whales, sea lions and other animals are common on every cruise.
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/
By taking the ferries, you can drive your car off and explore each town before getting back on the next ferry. The other thing that taking the state ferries does is get you away from the extreme crowds. You see, in each town, you can get multiple ships in port at any given time. These are extremely small towns. Six thousand get off per ship and there can be up to ten ships in port. This means that right in the vacinity of the cruise docks there can be sixty thousand people in a very small area. It's not the best way to see Alaska. The state ferries also has a "cross gulf" run that goes from Juneau to Whittier. You can drive anywhere that has roads from Whittier. If you are on a cruise they limit you on the amount of time at each port. You can, get on the state owned train at Seward and get inland, only if you have enough time.

Ted--thanks for your input. I did not know about these ferries. Good to learn about them.
This thread has been really educational. Everyone is so helpful in sharing their experience and we are able to plan more easily.
Thanks again, have a great Sunday.