lisabees

Doesn't that sound impossible - it's the quote I got today for a seven day Alaska cruise for next July - two balcony rooms.

Should I go for it? My kids are ages 2, 6, 9, 12.

My kids have never cruised before and with kids that far apart it's hard to accommodate everyone. And my goal is to show them things they've never seen before. Me too!

Thoughts?

Lisa

bjboothman

As for the price, I really couldn't say, I'd just advise you to do your homework and check with a number of sources before commiting to a price. I've used online services such as www.cruise411.com and www.ecruises.com. Also, www.kimskruises.com comes highly recommended. One thing I'd check out is this: some ships do not have adjoining rooms and do not allow minors in a room alone, so consider that you and your husband may have to split up and each take a room with the kids. I'd want to know if they were adjoining (connected) or just next door. You could probably have access by way of the balcony, but I'm not sure that's the case on every ship either. Just a thought.

I'd also check out the airfare before I made any final decisions.

happycruiser

Not impossible at all. Prices are going sky high this year. And this is RCCL which does not allow discounts any more. But you can get a good deal on NCL or Princess cruise. Just don't book with cruise line directly. Either do it yourself online, if you feel comfortable, or find an agent who'd give you a discount.

travelinwifey

I think you will find the new Diamond Princess to have much better pricing. Per above, RCCL has taken away travel discounts and it is showing. Did the Diamond for Alaska, it was a great ship. And the Sapphire is also another brand new ship, similar itinerary. You should be able to book 4 balcony rooms on Princess for the price you'll be paying with RCI.

travelinwifey

Oops, I meant RCCL has taken away travel agent discounts. You can do a quick price comparison on bestpricecruises.com.

Theresa

Alaska is expensive - though the price doesn't look too bad for Alaska. I would also look into Princess.

I have sailed both Princess and RCCL to Alaska and Princess did a much better job. Also, with Princess you have the option of Personal Choice dining (eat whenever you want in the dining room) - this is great for Alaska since you are often in port late.

Frank

If I have this right, it's $2550 per balcony room? Sounds like a bargain for Alaska in July, with taxes and port charges, I rarely see prices of less than $3000. Grab it and enjoy your vacation.

DOCK

Sounds very reasonable to me for 2 balcony rooms. Are you sure they have not misquoted you for only 1 room? I am paying for next July, Med. cruise $6546 for quad occupancy in 1 balcony room. I have done Alaska on RCL 4 years ago and it was great. I have not been on Princess so I cannot give you a comparison. Have fun.

lisabees

I should have made myself clear - I think this is a bargain. I then called Princess and got a quote of $12,000!

I'm about to call RCCL again.

BTW, are there better routes than others to take? Do I understand that we should see the most of the inside passage?

Lisa

lisabees

Well - too good to be true. That was only for one room. Total for two rooms, six people, $8559.30.

Lisa

travelinwifey

The cruise line direct is most likey several hundred dollars more expensive per person, especially Princess. I am almost positive if you check bestpricecruises.com or another consolidator you will find prices a few thousand cheaper. Expect $1500-1600 per cabin for 2 people balcony and go from there.

travelinwifey

Yikes, that 3rd person is expensive. After a quick search I found $4300 per room but I don't know your dates.

travelinwifey

Oops, that was for Diamond Princess BTW.

Frank

Keep in mind that 3rd person takes advantage of all the food, entertainment, pools, destinations, etc. Having said that, the $12,000 price seems very high, more like suites. Check a price with cheapertravel.com, generally the lowest rates.

travelinwifey: That's $1500-$1600 per person not cabin up to Alaska in July. No way a consolidator is going to save you "a few thousand dollars". Everyone saves you a few thousand dollars off the "brochure price" even the cruise line. The "real" prices are generally within a couple of hundred dollars up or down per cabin.

travelinwifey

Oops sorry for the typo. Yes that was 1500-1600 per person for a cabin. 3rd person pricing approx. 750-850.

In my experience the travel agent has always been a few hundred dollars cheaper than the cruise line direct online. My travel agent saved me $1000 per person on my Pride of Aloha sailing 12/12 vs. NCL pricing online. My point is that I never book by the cruise line direct, they are always higher than a cruise consolidator.

BudgetQueen

As for the route question- by far the Princess Seattle sailings are lacking, more outside passage and Sawyer Glacier. Hubbard is superior in my opinion. If you are flexable- bargains for Alaska hit 3-4 months out. If you are only interested in certain ships- then book now and KEEP track of pricing trends YOURSELF. Immediately contact your booking agent for an adjustment if the price drops. There are bargains in Alaska- I find them all the time- just got back from trip #18 (10 cruises).