deedeedee

We want to take an Alaska cruise on HAL in July from Seatle , but can't find any
cruise web sites that have discounted fares. Any suggestions ? Thanks

tower

deedee: a great cruise..a few tips, we took it two years ago..excursions are stratospheric..do Mendenhall Glacier just north Of Juneau, on your own. Simply hop the local bus at the terminal, get off at the last stop, see the dramatic glacier sites and museum, take the frequent bus back...cost about $5.
You can stroll Juneau (State House, etc.) easily in about an hour...get a AAA guide book and it tells all you'd ever want to know. The "touristy" Red Dog saloon in town is a fun place for lunch. The "tourist" police will not arrest you!

In Sitka, do it on your own (there is a "tender" to the port)..walking to the beautiful totem path in the totem park, about 20 minutes...take the bus back to center of town which stops at the Bird "Hospital"Refuge where you could get off for a visit..take in the Russian dancing show (all female, colorful and well done) right at the port, have lunch in town, and back to the tender. Russian dancers, about $10.

Some of the other rather expensive excursions were not that appealing to us and I think we more than just hit the highlights to our full satisfaction. It was my 50th state.

Ketchikan..do it all on your own...dock is right in town..walk to Creek Street, very picturesque, take the elevator up to next level for some more totem pole scenes, stop in for lunch at one of the cafes nearby.

Suggest you skip Victoria...you won't have much time to take the bus into town and back to the ship but if you haven't been there it might be worth it to you. We had been there twice including Butchart Gardens..and it was freezing cold in August..so we stayed on the ship.


Enjoy your cruise on HAL. We have ever been cruisers, but admittedly, we liked it a lot. I'm taking another HAL, Quebec to Boston this August. Stu

tower

St. Michael's church in Sitka is quite beautiful, minimalist. The Bishop's House in town is quite sparse we were told and skipped it. Our total excursion costs...zero.

Eschew

Both Celebrity and Princess are offer deals. Limited time offer and inside cabins starts at $349 plus port charges ($150). You can book direct with the cruise line.

We just came back from a Seattle round trip inside passage cruise. You can find the link to the trip report here below.

http://www.fodors.com/community/crui...-the-cheap.cfm

deedeedee

Thanks for all the info ...
My friends are going on HAL Oosterdam in July and another friend and myself
decided to join them. We are looking to book the cruise, but are looking for
a "deal" if possible. Can't seem to find a website that offers any special promotions
for this cruise.

Eschew .... I already emailed my friends you T.R. Thanks

Tower ... Thanks for ALL the info

Eschew

If you need more info on the Alaska ports, post it here and I am sure you will get lots of answers.

katybird

You could try cruisecompete.com for quotes. Plug in your dates and several agencies will respond. Sometimes the rates will all be similar but some agencies might offer perks such as OBC, wine, dinner in specialty restaurant, etc. Good luck!

Reme

Why ruin your cruise by stressing a "Deal". Best to choose and take a cruise and not look back. Looking for deals overlooks the pleasure of it all. Best "deals" save a few bucks at best, and may have hidden traps.

deedeedee

Reme ...I don't think I am going to "ruin" our cruise by shopping for a deal.
It really isn't stressful for me to do so. I also have found that there is always
hidden traps (or cost) in any cruise .... Deal or no deal..... Thanks


Katybird ..... Thanks for the info

Eschew

Just got an email from HAL advertising inside passage as little as $349 return. Go check their web site and good luck bargain hunting!

deedeedee

Eschew ... Thanks