epi

We are new to the cruise world, and are planning a cruise to alaska. We want a room with balcony, and a smaller ship. I have narrowed it down to Cruise West and Radisson sevens seas. Both have good comments on the board, but has anyone cruised one each of them? Also RSSC has discounted prices listed on their website. Does Cruise west ever discount?
Thanks for your help.

Holldoll

Boy, you sound like me a few months ago. I had the same dilemma and, with help from this Forum, selected Regent Mariner of the Seas (used to be Radisson). I feel it's a better value, more luxury, but still not a huge ship, which is what I looked for as well. I was a little afraid of Cruise West because there was little to do during down time. And Regent was considerably less money, though a shorter cruise. I'm happy with my choice.

epi

Holldoll,
If you are reading this again, could you fill me in on whore trips: how many choices are there, how much do they cost, were there many people in a group when touring on land...?
Thanks for your help.

Cruiser

WHAT????!!!!
Time to delete that thread, don't you think?? YIKES!!!

abram

I assume that epi meant "shore" trips, and that cruiser's reaction was a joke.

Holldoll

Oh dear, my post must have been misleading. My cruise isn't till next May--just that I made the decision which one to take, and feel very comfortable with it. I had some apprehensions with Cruise West (not the company, just some personal thoughts) and feel my friends and I will enjoy Regent more. A little luxury adds to the enjoyment, and though Cruise West offered more "up close and personal" with the animals, I felt it was a tad bare bones and Regent provided more choices on board. Plus a Cordon Bleu restaurant--and all-balcony suites!! But I can't report back till next May! Sorry for the confusion!

Holldoll

p.s. Not to mention lots of rave reviews on the internet for Regent--
for example, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13418758/

epi

I guess I should watch my typos, but that was a funny one. Thanks, Holldoll, the article was great.

CollegeMom

Having just returned from an Alaskan cruise (7/06), I would offer just a word of caution on the small ships if your itinerary takes you on open seas. We did the HAL northbound Vancouver cruise, and would highly recommend it with only 1200 guests. The Cruise West ship often was in port with us (as well as Princess and NCL), but that ship was SO small, I would be very concerned about motion sickness on open seas. Our open sea day was calm, but there were many people who couldn't eat dinner that night plus a lot of motion patches were obvious the next day. We looked into going Cruise West, but opted for HAL as a medium sized ship compromise, and are glad we did. We were concerned about waiting in lines etc on the larger ships since we regularly travel indepently, but the ship's staff was so organized for meals, embarking, etc., there were no lines unless you arrived early and had to wait because you were early. The Glacier Bay stop was excellent plus we saw a lot of marine life off the deck while cruising from port to port. We had great food service and excellent meals in the dining room. We chose to eat in the dining room for all our meals as compared to the buffet because the service was so excellent! To us it was more of a luxury to have the service, but others like the buffets. While ship size does make a difference, my suggestion is to book by the ship's itinerary as your first choice.

petlover

I'm not familiar with Cruise West but I'm very familiar with Regent (formerly Radisson) as well as most of the other major cruiselines. I can't imagine a better cruise in Alaska than on the Regent Mariner. You'll have a great time!

shorebrau

We have sailed on Cruise West, and I don't believe they have "balcony" type accomodations. We booked the largest room on board the "Spirit of Adventure." The room was pretty utilitarian, with a double bed, tiny bath and a desk and chair. We had a picture window. The room was about 10 x 14, I believe. It was not a place where you'd spend "down" time, except to nap.

The meals were pretty good, with tables of 6 to 8. I don't think they had any tables for 2 or 4. So you have to adjust to spending a lot of time with other people at close quarters. We went with a group, so we knew most of the cruisers. If we went on our own, I don't know if I would have enjoyed a week with strangers, on a small boat. There was a duo in the lounge for entertainment. Other than that, there is nothing to do on the boat. I would foresee a lot of time up on deck, viewing the scenery.

I'm sure they have a good resident naturalist, and can get closer to some sights. I think your choice depends on what you want out of the trip. Cruise West is very expensive, and the comments about motion on the ocean are probably well founded. You can take Bonine for that, which works very well.

Moongoddess

I've never cruised on Radisson/Regent, but went on an Alaska cruise with Cruise West (aboard the Yorktown Clipper) this spring and absolutely loved it. I second CollegeMom's and Shorebrau's comments. There are no balconies on a Cruise West ship, but they'd be redundant in any case, as the ship has plenty of outdoor sitting areas. Cabins are functional rather than elegant, and on the small side, but comfy. You spend most of the time either in the ship's lounge looking out the windows, or out on the decks. The focus is strictly on the natural beauty of Alaska, and you get amazing views of wildlife, because the ship can approach very close to the shoreline. We had whales and dolphins within 10 feet of the ship on multiple occasions, and we weren't viewing them from 100 feet up in the air, as on a standard cruise liner, but from right near the water level! You will feel more motion on the smaller ship than you'd feel on a larger one, but there usually aren't too many places on an Inside Passage cruise where the water gets really rough.

If ship amenities are important to you and you'd like to be pampered, choose Radisson/Regent. If you want the best possible look at the natural beauty of Alaska (especially wildlife), and don't mind strictly functional accomodations, choose Cruise West.

epi

This is a hard one. FYI there is one ship in the Cruise west line that does have balconies off some rooms. It is the Oceanus. Has anyone been on that one? Normally I would choose Cruise West because small looks better to me, but we may have some health issues and do need comfort.

newyorkgolfer41

Best cruise we ever went on was Alaskan cruise on the Mariner. Small ship, no waiting in lines, every cabin has a balcony and walk in closet, outstanding service and food, all inclusive, friendly crew including the casino staff, and the most beautiful scenery we've ever seen.

Moongoddess

I've not been on the Oceanus, but I do know that before Cruise West purchased it, the ship was a part of the Reniassance fleet. It's certainly going to be a more plush ship than the rest of Cruise West's line. It also has an elevator.

Have you looked at American West Steamboat? Their ship is smaller than the Regent ships, has an elevator, and almost all of the cabins have balconies. If you want a comfy AND small ship it might be worth considering as well.

epi

Moongoddess and others,
I hadn't looked at American West. It too looks appealing. I like the idea that excursions are included. The Regent includes nothing, Cruise West includes some, and it would be nice to not have so much decision making. My only concern is the possiblity of a less stable boat for seasickness. Has anyone done the Juneau to Juneau trip? I assume that would be less likely to have rocky seas. I am not concerned about me because I can and will use the patch, but am not sure if my husband can. Also, less importantly, how is the food?

Moongoddess

Most of the waters on the Juneau to Juneau trip are very sheltered, making big waves and serious seasickness unlikely; however, there are no guarentees. Does your husband get motion sick easily (on rollercoasters, car rides, etc.)? If he does, I'd go with a larger ship. If he doesn't, he'll probably be fine on a smaller boat.