Help choosing an Alaska Cruise
 

Have been searching for a couple of days and would really appreciate what your favorite place to visit is. One TA said Glacier Bay was the #1 most visited spot. We have been to Alaska but not on a cruise. What should I forsure include? It will only be 7 days. Thanks!

Hi cd... this will be my family's first cruise to Alaska too - we'd gone on 2 others - both to the Caribbean.

From all I've read, Glacier Bay is THE most raved about stop. I'm sure people who don't it on their itinerary still LOVE their cruises, BUT, since you have the choice, why not choose it?

I've also read (quite often), that the prettiest journey is from Vancouver north, or vice versa, as opposed to Seattle round trip.

That all said, we chose to go on the Coral Princess - northbound out of Vancouver. We selected a starboard cabin, so that we will have the view of land outside our window.

Round trip out of Vancouver is supposed to be nice as well, but I don't think Princess had that choice with the Glacier Bay stop...

We chose Princess for the following reasons: It goes to Glacier Bay (most others, except for Holland America are not permitted to go there - they limit the amount of ships that able to enter it for environmental reasons). We opted for Princess over Holland because we liked the reviews of their ships better and felt Princess would have a possibly younger crowd -and maybe better entertainment.

Have fun with the planning - I love that part!!

Lisa

Besides Glacier Bay, try to choose a cruise that goes to Prince William Sound with all the college glaciers. I strongly prefer Holland-America to Princess, but I have found on this forum that every cruise line has its fans and detractors. On thing I like about HAL is that it has smaller ships than Princess. The cruises northward bound are better, in my opinion. These are just some ideas for you to consider.

I also prefer the Glacier Bay/College Fiords combo on a cruise.

Thanks everyone your replies have been helpful. I have a cruise on hold until I try and get flights. Since I'm using FF miles for that, it might not be easy. I chose NCL Star because it had the itinery we wanted (Glacier Bay) and the date we needed and good reviews on CruiseCritic. Holland offers one also with Hubbard Glacier instead of Glacier Bay for the same price ( a balocny is a priority)and I understand it is #2 attraction but we wanted Glacier Bay along with Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. I would be interested in any comments on our choice. Thanks!

cd - I would be interested to hear if you were able to use your FF miles. I would like to use mine as well on NWA to Seattle but have had no luck for a standard ticket...doubt if i will. DARN!
They say it is an easy transfer to Vancouver so don't discount a Vancouver roundtrip.Times in port are much longer than the Seattle trips.

We did NCL Dream last year but no naturalist on board. I think it would have enhanced our trip a great deal.

Good luck with your flights. It is quite the challenge!

My ideal Alaska cruise is HAL round trip Vancouver with Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm. I never do one way trips without at least another week for interior Alaska travel, take advantage of being all the way there. And I too give HAL one ways a big edge over Princess for Seward- which is a gem if YOU SEE it, plenty do not. Just don't be one of them. Has one of the top Alaska attractions- Kenai fjords, consider it. :)

I sailed the Star last year, a very nice ship and freestyle is just wonderful in Alaska.

Seattle/Vancouver transfers are easy, but an overnight will be required if you do not arrive by 11am usually. Amtrak, one way car rentals, Quick Shuttle, cruise contracted buses, are all transfer options.

Thanks BudgetQueen
I'm asking for a starboard balcony, but on a rouund trip, whether its Seattle or Vancouver, does it matter if it's starboard or port? I would seem like six on one, half dozen on the other. But for some reason, there are more port balcony rooms then starboard, am I missing something?

Opps, forgot to ask. We will be going May 20. Will this be too cold to USE our balcony? Thanks.

On round trips doesn't really matter what side expect for my comments above on Glacier Bay, get port, it you aren't going to get out of your cabin. :)

You need to be well prepared in your attire. Will you be dining on your balcony??? Very doubtful, just too cold, but if you have your layers, lightweight jacket, even knit hat and gloves with you, you are prepared for some excellent scenic sailing. :)

I am so excited! I've worked for hours but this is the final line. I did get FF miles into Vancouver! So I changed the cruise and the itinery is wonderful....Tracy Arm,Sawyer Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, & Ketchikan. It is Holland and we have a starboard balcony. Any comments or suggestions are very welcome for shore excursions. Thanks!

Wow! That sounds great. I don't think you can go wrong with HA and the itinerary sounds wonderful as well. You will have a great time.
What airline are you using?

Delta I would suggest you try your FF miles. NW had some open, just not the dates I wanted

cd - All I see are flights that require 50000 miles for Vancouver. Seattle requires 35000 miles. I don't have enough. Guess I will have to cough up the fare!