Donna Lord

Hi everyone, <BR>we are travelling to Canada in 2001 and as part of our trip want to do an inside passage cruise. We have been to the USA twice, visiting both the east and west coasts. I would like any tips and other information regarding cruising in general, on board activities, best type of cabin and shore excursions. <BR>Thanks for advice <BR>Donna and Craig Lord

Karen

I think most would agree Holland America or Princess lines are top quality. We have used HA three times and highly recommend them. I would also recommend taking a cruise/land tour. A few nights on the ship and getting off(at Skagway) for the land portion of the tour, led by HA or Princess. They both have their own hotels, itineraries and guides. That is the only way you will see more of the real Alaska.

Sandy

Donna, Princess Lines are great. This is the one cruise that a balcony is called for. Its worth the extra exp. Also do the land tour that they (princess) offers.

Donna Lord

Thanks Karen and Sandy, I am looking forforward to some other readers thoughts Thanks in advance.

paula

The Crystal Harmony has a wonderful cruise to Alaska. It is a very elegant ship with wonderful food and a staff that takes very good care of you! Most of the rooms have balconies and it is a great way to watch the beautiful scenery. We really enjoyed the river rafting trip.

Ann

Hi Donna-took the Sun Princess at the very end of June 2000. Very positive experience. Even though the Sun is one of the older ships (about 5 years), it is beautiful and well run. We had a cabin on JJ deck-midships and although it was small, the location was great. We experienced no motion and were central to all activities. I couldn't justify the cost of a balcony cabin.Whoever you decide on, the star of the trip will be the scenery

Joe

Donna, we took Princess cruisetour highly recommended by our travel agent and were not dissappointed. A couple of thoughts, our trip was first week of July and we had awesome weather even in Ketchikan. A local told us it usually gets very rainy towards end of July and into August. Salmon begin to run middle of July and into August. If you want to get a shore excursion to see bear catching salmon in Ketchikan, schedule your cruise to arrive Kethikan after July 15. Whatever cruiseline you choose, try to get a shore excursion booklet in advance. It will help with decisions and ,if possible, try to book a little bit of land portion before or after cruise. Seven days just isn't enough. Hope you enjoy it.

Peg

Donna, We cruised the inside passage last year and it is worth the trip from Oz to do it. You will have a wonderful time. If you have money to burn get an outside cabin, but we had an inside cabin, and loved spending most of our time out on deck, rugged up in warm blankets provided and drinking Irish coffee as we watched the incredible scenery pass by. We made wonderful friends with all the people we met there and in fact are meeting a couple from Texas next month to go on a narrow boat together in the UK. <BR>Happy sailing <BR>Peg.

Wayne & Tommie

Donna, my wife & I have cruised Alaska 4 times on Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, and a cruise line that is no longer in business (RCL). We find that Princess did the best job and would not hesitate to recommend them. Their food & service were outstanding (although Celebrity is probably a tiny bit better) and they tend to have the most cruises to Glacier Bay (far superior to Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord) as well as terrifc pre/post cruise land packages to Denali Park (also highly recommended). We personally enjoy starting with a pre-cruise package from Seward and then sailing south (ending in Vancouver), as opposed to the reverse itinerary. <BR> <BR>We also highly recommend a balcony cabin if you can swing it. The ships always stop at the glaciers and spend time (1/2 - 3/4 hour) with EACH side of the ship facing the glaciers. Having a romantic breakfast on your balcony while watching this scenery is an unforgettable experience. You also avoid the typical crowding in the main observation lounge and deck areas. <BR> <BR>Although all the cruise lines tend to offer similar shore excursions, we found that Princess also had the most variety (including adventure type tours such as bike riding, white water rafting, and horseback riding in addition to the regular helicopter/plane/bus sightseeing). Princess also lets you pre-book excursions in advance, although other lines are now moving to this trend.

Bill

My wife and I sailed on HAL's Nieuw Amsterdam southbound Glacier Discovery from Seward to Vancouver Jun 8, 2000. Wonderful trip, wonderful HAL service, breathtaking scenery. Glacier Bay a must on whomever you choose.

Nellie

Dear Donna and Craig, <BR> <BR>I have done Alaska 5 times as I live in Vancouver. As what the other travellers have told you either go on Princess or Holland America because these 2 cruise lines know Alaska. They have sailed Alaska when cruising is not popular yet. They have been sailing since the original Love Boat was on TV. Both Princess and HAL have invested a lot of money in Alaska with their own buses/tours. In fact Princess have several hotels and both of them have their own train. <BR> <BR>As you plan to do the inside passage invest in a cabin with balcony as you wont regret it. I found that on a cruise when I had my own balcony I never left the room literally. The scenery is so beautiful that you can fall asleep in your own lounge chair in the balcony. Having an inside or outside cabin on other destinations are ok but for Alaska having the privacy of your own balcony is something you wont regret. BTW HAL have bigger balconies if you are taking a room with balcony. <BR> <BR>Choosing between Princess and Holland America depends on your personality. If you want a classier ship with fewer activities but very good food then HAL is it. But if you want more activities and fun then Princess can deliver that. BTW Princess has better desserts. <BR> <BR>For shore excursions - in Juneau they offer the light plane or helicopter tours to step on top of a Glacier. But if you plan to go to Canada's Rocky Mountain as in Banff and Jasper - there is a cheaper way of stepping on top of a glacier. Its going to the Columbia Icefields in Athabaska. What I would recommend that is fun is the Float trip on the Mendenhall river. Its not exactly whitewater rafting its very tame cuz its only class 1 rapids. <BR> <BR>Skagway - the train trip is very scenic and picturesque. <BR> <BR>Another important thing since this is your first Alaska cruise. Pick the sailing that goes inside Glacier Bay. <BR> <BR>If one of the ports happen to be Sitka the ship may have some wavy encounters due its on the side of the Pacific ocean.

Paige

Message for Wayne and Tommie: I was interested in your statement preferring to sail from north to south. Why do you prefer this? I was thinking I would want to sail from the south to north as I expected things to be more interesting the further north you go. Is this an incorrect assumption?