Alaska cruise coming up, ridic expensive...looking for tips...

[hsmamato2]

ok.... I switched my hotel based on this, then I found some other articles in addition about that area being more sketchy than actual downtown.... I don't doubt the hotel itself is ok,being a chain brand but I will give up the free breakfast for the easier walkability of the downtown crowne plaza..... (using points to book) thanks for the heads up! Let me ask, can we uber from here to pier 91 for our cruise?

 

[MillauFr]

The area along Aurora between Denny and Mercer is perfectly fine. Sure some of the hotels are complete dumps like the Seattle Pacific, but the neighborhood is fine. The nasty areas on Aurora are generally north of Lake Union, especially north of 85th St. I would stay in the hotels around Seattle Center if I was trying to save money. They are cheaper than the ones downtown and the location is still pretty good.

 

[MillauFr]

I've done 2 Alaska cruises. Everything is more expensive, just no way around it. We went HAL to save money.

Unfortunately true. I checked pricing on a cruise for last Summer. Disney was $11k HAL was $3,700. I can't believe Disney is getting away with charging as much as they do. I made a pitch to go on HAL to Alaska but since they don't have Peter Pan and Captain Hook it was a no go.

We ended up going to Las Vegas, Disneyland, and Universal instead.

 

[ilovecraigandcooper]

You guys are amazing!!!! So much great advise! Thank you so much

 

[Jimsig]

What ship are you sailing on?

We did the NCL Pearl last summer with our 6yo DD. We booked all the excursions on our own and saved quite a bit of money over what the cruise line wanted. In Juneau we took the Mt Roberts Tram to the top, we bought tickets that day as the weather was clear. After that we took a tour out to Mendenhall Glacier that we booked with a vendor that was right outside the Tram.

Mendenhall Glacier

In Skagway we booked with Chillkoot Charters and did one of the train trips on the White Pass And Yukon RR.

View of the Saw Tooth Mtn's from the train

In Ketchikan did the Deadliest Catch Crab Boat Tour on the Aleutian Ballard and we booked directly with them.

Aleutian Ballard

In Victoria BC we walked from the dock to downtown area.


I wrote a trip report on Cruise Critic that includes pics as well more descriptions of what we did if you are interested in reading it.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2379752

Hope that helps

 

[disneylove69]

Ports in Alaska you can do yourself. Many tour groups will be at the ports offering discounts. Just do some internet research prior. I rarely buy the cruise excursions.