What would be the major differences in these cruises? They only vary in one port....but is Sitka better than Skagway or vise versa?
Norwegian / Norwegian Star
Seattle, WA 4:00pm
Inside Passage (Cruising)
Juneau, AK 2:00pm 10:00pm
Skagway, AK 7:00am 8:00pm
Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Cruising)
Ketchikan, AK 6:00am 1:30pm
Victoria, Canada 6:00pm Midnight
Seattle, WA
OR
Holland America's Westerdam
Seattle, WA 5:00pm
At Sea
Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Cruising) 2:30pm 5:00pm
Juneau, AK 7:00am 8:00pm
Sitka, AK 8:00am 4:00pm
Ketchikan, AK 7:00am 1:00pm
Victoria, Canada 8:00pm Midnight
Seattle, WA

I also answered on the Alaska board. Sitka and Skagway are equally worthwhile places to visit. Request their visitor guides for more information.

HAL has a ship naturalist which is excellent for first time Alaska visitors. NCL has freestyle dining which is great in Alaska for the flexability of touring.

Both offer a good Alaska sailing. Look at price and cabin selection perhaps?

I think you will find HAL more formal vs. Norwegian. The overall reviews of HAL are quite superior to Norwegian which tend to be spotty. Expect better food, service and accomodations on HAL. Go to www.cruisecritic.com for a large number of passenger reviews. Also do expect an older crowd on Alaska cruises. Good luck, Larry

I've been on both and jacketwatch is dead on. HAL is superior EXCEPT for the 2 set dining seatings which I don't care for. For that reason I would probably opt for NCL (although I'm not crazy about that line) for the free style dining. JMO

I have sailed both lines to Alaska, don't know if the other posters have? Alaska is a unique destination where some people, including myself, find far more outside the ship and the priority.

I have listed some differences, perhaps others who have sailed Alaska on the lines can add?

Personally I prefer both the destination AND the ship to get me there. JM2C.

Thank you so much for the information. I did have a few more questions...
What is a the ship's naturalist? Do they put someone over the loudspeaker as you are going through certain areas...or do they have them speaking in a certain area?
Also, I thought that I read somewhere that when we go through Glacier Bay that state parks people will board the ship. Does anyone know if this is on all cruise lines?

A ship's "naturalist" is an expert on the area. In the case of Alaska, yes, they do put the naturalist on the public address system from time to time. Usually they point out sights of interest, give some background about the area you are passing, and they are often pretty good at spotting wildlife and bringing it to the passengers' attention.

Naturalists also might give lectures and present slideshows in the theater. It depends on your cruise line.

In addition to a naturalist, when your ship enteres Glacier Bay, at least one Park Service guide will come aboard to take over the microphone and give a running commentary. I'm pretty certain they perform this service on all ships. Aboard Crystal Harmony last year the Park Service guide was quite informative. It was my first time through Glacier Bay and I was surprised that most shipboard activities were curtailed during our time there--a National Park rule, I was told.

Linda Coffman
Author, Fodor's "The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises"

2 National Park employees come on the regular cruise ships in Glacier Bay and narrate on the way in, which is important to note if you want to stay in your port balcony.

A ship naturalist is as described above and all that I have known do have presentations in the theater at least a couple times during the week. They are ideal for trends of the previous week and give great information. Some will also be out on deck allowing you some great 1-1 information.

Glacier Bay requires the ship to be escorted in, they allow 2 large cruise ships per day, and yes they have always closed down all shopping and casinos since they are "within" the US when they enter under National Park Service regulations.

In Sept. the John Hopkins Inlet is open, allowing ships to sail the 5 miles up to the Glacier, otherwise they usually just sail to the point of viewing then back out since this is a harbor seal sanctuary.

In Glacier Bay, have a good pair of binoculars, at least a 10 power since it is a big bear area. In early season, it is not uncommon to see brown bears along the coast. It also is very worthwhile to be up at dawn on this day, since you sail though some heavy humpback areas. Both my trips this year saw plenty of whales but only me and one other out watching early. If your ship makes a left turn, again stay out on deck when it leaves Glacier bay as you are going back through Point Adolphus, for some more humpback looks.

We sailed Hal's Oosterdam Alaska last summer and did an NCL of the Caribbean a few years ago. To me HAL is a far superior line, hands down. Imo the food quality was significantly better on HAL. HAL does get an older clientele but it would be my choice for Alaska again, and we did Princess the year prior in Alaska too. Looking forwanrd to cruising Glacier Bay the next time I'm about 99% certain the state park people boarded the HAL ship when we visited Hubbard Glacier. Hope this helps.

Hi there!
I did the HAL trip to Alaska for my honeymoon a while ago, and my only advice is to remember that the guided trips of the small Alaskan towns really aren't necessary. You are in the US, without any language problems, and the size of the small towns really makes travelling around on foot absolutely reasonable. I remember booking a trip, cancelling it, and then on our trip around town, running into the guided tour group at every stop! Just a thought.
Have fun!

BUT, be sure to pick up the walking tour maps available at every visitor center. It is pointless to walk around aimless when you can have a nice route and information about what you are seeing.

Holland-America is a much higher quality cruise line than Norwegian. Check the cruise reviews and you will see that this is almost universally agreed upon.
Some people seem to like freestyle dining, but I found it overrated. At popular times, you often have to wait for a table. And, with varying waiters, the service is in and out. Just my opinion, but I prefer the set dinner times and tables.