Alaska Cruise Question

[atlfalcons28fan]

Wanted to see if anybody has done the Holland America Cruise to Alaska?

Do you know how far inadvance we would need to start booking?

Is this hard to get or is it pretty easy?

Whats your take on the point value of this cruise, seems like a pretty good deal to me................any thoughts?


Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[wingkng]

I am also interested in using the points for the Alaska Cruise. I called MS, and they said that the earliest you can book is 11 months from time of the cruise. Also, the Alaska cruises themselves are only available from May to September. So, the earlies you can book a cruise is June.

I have never been on such a cruise, so I don't know if it is hard to get. I would be interested in any opinions out there. I also am wondering if using points for the cruise is worth it. I am leaning towards booking with points so I don't have to deal with renting my points out (which I've never done).

 

[sleepydog25]

Having lived in Alaska for four years, I can say the cruises there are very popular and certainly a decent enough way to be introduced to the 49th state. However, if it were me, I'd probably rent my points and use the money I made to fly into Anchorage and use the city as my base to explore the state more fully than you can while on a cruise.

For example, fly into Anchorage and spend two or three days there to start. You can visit the natural history museum downtown, go hiking, rent a bike and ride the 120 miles of paved bike trails the city has, visit the Native Heritage Center, take in a show at the Performing Arts Center, fish along Ship Creek (which is downtown), golf at any one of a half dozen public courses in the area, visit Earthquake Park (along the Coastal Trail which is part of the aforementioned bike trail system), or any other numerous fun items to do. After those few days, drive down to Seward or Homer, about 3 hours and 5 hours, respectively, south of Anchorage. There are some great fishing excursions, superb hiking, wildlife cruises, and glacier viewing. Spend a couple of days there, too.

Then, drive to Denali Park--home to Denali (or as Outsiders call it, Mt McKinley)--for a couple of days. There are lodges, hotels, and inns there to stay. Again, there are numerous things to do, not the least of which is the possibility to see Denali up close (you can actually see it from Anchorage on a clear day). Wildlife is abundant as are tours that allow you to see said wildlife, though park entry does have some restrictions. You can even set up flight-seeing trips. Once you're done at Denali, plan to spend at least one more day in Anchorage in order to catch anything there you missed. Keep in mind that during the summer, you have lots and lots of daylight to help you do as many things in one day as humanly possible.

Great restaurants abound in Alaska, particularly in Anchorage, as do superb coffee houses and kiosks. The folks are friendly, helpful, and earnest in Alaska, and will do everything they can to help you enjoy your stay.

Okay, so I got a bit off topic. Yes, I think a cruise would be utterly delightful and worth the money you spend just for the scenery alone. Still, for a real treat, really go INTO Alaska. Have fun!

 

[AlaskaMOM]

Having lived in Alaska for four years, I can say the cruises there are very popular and certainly a decent enough way to be introduced to the 49th state. However, if it were me, I'd probably rent my points and use the money I made to fly into Anchorage and use the city as my base to explore the state more fully than you can while on a cruise.

For example, fly into Anchorage and spend two or three days there to start. You can visit the natural history museum downtown, go hiking, rent a bike and ride the 120 miles of paved bike trails the city has, visit the Native Heritage Center, take in a show at the Performing Arts Center, fish along Ship Creek (which is downtown), golf at any one of a half dozen public courses in the area, visit Earthquake Park (along the Coastal Trail which is part of the aforementioned bike trail system), or any other numerous fun items to do. After those few days, drive down to Seward or Homer, about 3 hours and 5 hours, respectively, south of Anchorage. There are some great fishing excursions, superb hiking, wildlife cruises, and glacier viewing. Spend a couple of days there, too.

Then, drive to Denali Park--home to Denali (or as Outsiders call it, Mt McKinley)--for a couple of days. There are lodges, hotels, and inns there to stay. Again, there are numerous things to do, not the least of which is the possibility to see Denali up close (you can actually see it from Anchorage on a clear day). Wildlife is abundant as are tours that allow you to see said wildlife, though park entry does have some restrictions. You can even set up flight-seeing trips. Once you're done at Denali, plan to spend at least one more day in Anchorage in order to catch anything there you missed. Keep in mind that during the summer, you have lots and lots of daylight to help you do as many things in one day as humanly possible.

Great restaurants abound in Alaska, particularly in Anchorage, as do superb coffee houses and kiosks. The folks are friendly, helpful, and earnest in Alaska, and will do everything they can to help you enjoy your stay.

Okay, so I got a bit off topic. Yes, I think a cruise would be utterly delightful and worth the money you spend just for the scenery alone. Still, for a real treat, really go INTO Alaska. Have fun!

Yep what he said!

Actually the cruises are great (went on one last June), but show you a VERY SMALL part of this VERY LARGE state!

 

[Mary Ellen]

We've sailed to Alaska 5x on Holland America, never using our points though. One of the main things that appeals to us are the tidewater glaciers - a little hard to drive to. It all depends what you want to see and do - a driving vacation in Alaska has VERY little appeal to us. A cruise we'd do again in a heartbeat.

 

[sleepydog25]

Yep what he said!

Actually the cruises are great (went on one last June), but show you a VERY SMALL part of this VERY LARGE state! __________________
Jill

Sorry, Jill, shouldn't have left out Kenai on the trip south! I sure miss my heart's "home." Sigh.

It all depends what you want to see and do - a driving vacation in Alaska has VERY little appeal to us. A cruise we'd do again in a heartbeat.

Absolutely correct! I prefer involved experiences as opposed to snapshots in most instances, but that's not everyone's cup of tea. Sure, you can see the tidewater glaciers on a cruise. In Seward, you can book a wildlife cruise that not only shows you killer whales, humpbacks, seals, and other fascinating creatures, but the same tour takes you within a few hundred yards of a calving glacier--it's colder there, the sounds are eery (loud cracks like thunder), and the floating icebergs are almost within arms' reach. Granted, one has to drive which can be a pain, while on a cruise they do the driving for you. Still, whichever way one prefers to visit Alaska, though, the experience will be unique.

 

[WDWguru]

Been to Alaska on Holland America twice, second time a combination of points and cash. We paid points to get the best available cabin we could in the trade, then paid extra to upgrade to a veranda cabin. At the last minute we were able to upgrade to a suite for more cash, but that was pure luck.

I'd recommend HA in a heartbeat - Alaska is one of our favorite places to travel. Warning though - don't upgrade to the better room unless you're prepared to always pay for it in the future! We were spoiled!! When we go next time (probably summer 2007) we'll have to get a suite. We'll weigh points value, but will likely pay cash since we get great deals being Mariner members (HA veterans).