We (a couple in our young 50's) are kicking around the idea of an Alaska cruise and would like to hear from those of you who have done it. I have only cruised once (Boston-Bermuda) on Norwegian. Seas were rough and I did not have the best time.What are the seas like? What cruise lines give the biggest bang for the buck? Are some ships more "party" while others are not? How about land excursions while in Alaska? I have always been more of an independent traveler and I love sightseeing, nature and a little luxury now and then. Any and all thoughts! Thanks!

Don't forget you also have the option of cruising on the Alaska Marine Ferry. It's a much smaller boat and Alaskan casual is as fancy as you have to dress. True, the food is mediocre and the cabins are spartan but the deck I was standing on wasn't that far from the two orcas who swam next to the ferry as we departed one port. The daily lectures by the US Forest Service were top notch. We were lucky to be on the Columbia's first trip north after being remodeled so it was running at half capacity. There were plenty of seats anyplace except the deck chairs in the solarium where people had opted to spend the night rather than pay for a cabin. There was only one time when we crossed some open water when it was a little rough. The captain gave advance notice. Otherwise it was very calm. Because the ferry is smaller, it goes thru a section of the Inside Passage that the cruise ships are too large to navigate. At this point, the cruise ships might possibly be in rougher water. We got on in Bellingham WA and departed in Skagway. Some people opt to spend some time in each port and get on another ferry. Should you consider the ferry, cabins need to be booked as early in the year as possible. There are some travel agencies which will take a reservation before the ferry system officially opens for summer reservations but then they have staff who book with the ferry system on day 1. The ferry system is used by Alaskans so you have the opportunity to "cruise" with more than just other tourists. Tents are allowed on the fan tail but you have to bring your own duct tape!

You might start by doing a search on the 'Cruises' forum and reposting there. My husband and I really enjoyed Intrav's 12 day repositioning cruise on the 138 passenger Yorktown Clipper last May. It's a small ship experience though and you won't find all of the amenities that the large ships offer. On the plus side, you don't have to deal with long lines for embarking and disembarking in small Alaskan ports and you will be able to get your first choice on land excursions options. Meals are open seating and offer three or four different gourmet course options. Passengers tend to be 50+, well educated, and well traveled. You will not find children on these cruises, nor will you find a "party ship" atmosphere. We had a naturalist and first people's artist onboard for the entire cruise and we picked up another naturalist once we reached Alaskan waters. You shouldn't find rough water along the Inside Passage, even with a small ship experience.

I was thinking of the same thing missj and if we go after all I choose Radisson 7 Seas. But I have never been so can't really saw. But as the above mentioned, check out the cruise forum, lots of info.

You need to determine how much time and money you wish to spend. With a couple weeks- you can do a week interior Alaska with a one way cruise. With a week consider a round trip cruise. Overall - there are few kids on Alaska cruises compared to the Caribbean. Majority of passengers are middle aged and above on all lines- including Carnival- no party ships yet to Alaska. Budget fully for shore excursions- you get only 1/2 a trip without them. It is also a MYTH that Alaska cruises are "smooth as glass". Routes can be changed and all inside passage ships sail outside part of the trip. If prone to seasickness TAKE PRECAUTIONS. 3 out of 10 of my Alaska cruises encountered rough sailng- one trip 3 days worth. No guarantees.

Last August we took a Celebrity Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage (or the port nearest it). We loved it.
The ship, the Summit, was immaculate, the service was excellent, and the food was very good (as well as abundant, of course).
The best way to take full advantage of the cruise is take excursions that match your interests, ability, without bankrupting you. The excursions tend to be expensive (whether booked through the cruise or on your own), but if you don't take them, you will have hours to spend in port towns that you can do in about an hour or two.
I was amazed at the variety of excursions offered by Celebrity. We splurged and took a helicopter ride that landed on a glacier, took a bus tour to a different glacier and then went on a nature-hunting (including whale watching) trip on a small boat, and rafted down a river looking for eagles. However, other options included a scenic train ride, a log-rolling show, horseback riding, and fishing, to name only a few.
Also, most cruise lines offer pre- or post-cruise excursions further inland. We were sorry we didn't take one.
It was not a party cruise, but there was pretty good entertainment, dancing, and gambling. There is also a small gym, library, and shopping area.
If you take an Alaskan cruise, consider a cabin with a veranda. Because it is in a passage, the cruise is very scenic.

I took my 1st cruise (to Alaska) a few years ago, when in my early 50s. We took Holland America, and it was pleasant and relaxing. In addition to enjoying the relaxation, the best parts were exploring ports on our own. Most Alaskan coastal cities are compact, and it was also easy to find enjoyable explorations on foot in Ketchikan, Juneau, and especially Sitka. The food was no better or worse than good banquet cuisine that you?d get in a (US) hotel.

After reaching Seawrd, we arranged for our own smaller 1-day cruise through Kenai Fjords cruises, and that was a major highlight. We also forsook the cruise company?s bus ride to Anchorage, taking the wonderful Alaska Railroad ride instead. After a few days in Anchorage, we rented a car and headed up to Denali Nat?l Park for a few days.

Seemed to me and my companion that the cruises are best-suited for people who are most comfortable having others make decisions about what to do and where to go on any particular day. More independent travelers might well prefer alternative types of trips.

My husband and I (40+) are taking his parents (70+) on a small-ship cruise through the Inside Passage later this month. We selected Glacier Bay Cruiselines, but there are at least two others of similar style and price range. (www.glacierbaytours.com, Cruise West at www.cruisewest.com and Lindblad Expeditions at www.expeditions.com) Glacier Bay Cruiselines seemed to have the best access to the Glacier Bay National Park and we were interested more in nature than the small port towns. These are all smaller lines, of 70 to 100 passengers, with less "party" and more "expedition". They seem more expensive than "traditional" big cruise lines, but when I started to research the costs of upgrading to a cabin with a view, the shore excursions and such, the big cruise lines seemed to really add up. I think it depends on what you are looking for, the casino, floor show, etc. just doesn't do it for us. I will post a review when we return. Enjoy planning your trip!

We did an Alaska cruise several years ago on RC's Legend of the Seas. We flew from Boston to Vancouver where we met the ship. It was first rate all the way. The Inside Passage was smooth sailing all the way. There were all age groups on the ship-in fact we are seniors and had 2 very young honeymoon couples sitting with us at dinner and another couple our age, and we all got along just fine-lots of laughs! In fact, we travel every year with the couple of our age. Alaska is awesome in every sense of the word. There are lots of excursions from which to choose.