Alaska cruise ?

[Megan's Mom]

My parents told us last night that they want to go on an Alaska cruise this summer and that they are looking for information. Has anyone been on an Alaska Cruise and if so which company and would you recomend a line? Also they are looking at the month of June and the first half of july. What time period would be better?
Thanks

 

[WDWLVR]

I've never been on one, but hope to in a couple of years. The line I have heard good things about is HAL. They are also the line that Disney Vacation Club uses for thier Alaskan cruises.

HAL is Holland American Line. I think Princess and Royal Caribbean have some great cruises up there as well.

 

[Aprille]

I've been researching Alaska cruises as we plan to do one in Sept '05 for DH's 50th birthday. I think we're going to go with Royal Caribbean. They also have land/sea packages called cruisetours. I'm sure other cruiselines have similar package deals. Royal Caribbean has a great website: RCCL

If your parents are thinking about going this year they might want to get something booked pretty quick. My travel agent knows we're looking at RCCL and told me that the June cruises have limited space available. The Alaska cruise season is mid-May to mid-Sept so July would be the height of the season and probably the best (and most expensive) time to go.

 

[kaseyC]

We are going on an Alaska Cruise in May. Our first trip without the kids. During my research I found that Holland America (HAL) and Princess seem to have the most ships sailing Alaska so there are alot of choices and a variety of itineraries. A good place for research for any cruise is www.cruisecritics.com , its a great place to read about the different lines, they also have message boards devoted to each cruise line and port of call.
One thing my TA told me was that it is best to book Alaska cruises before the end of Feb. for the best prices and cabin choices especially for peak season which is late june and the month of July.

 

[Kimberle]

We went to Alaska on our honeymoon. Not on a cruise, though. We flew into Anchorage & did many day trips, including 1 day boat trips. It is just so beautiful! The boat would stop & we'd just stand watching the glaciers "calf" for hours.....

 

[KathyTX]

I cruised Alaska'a Inside Passage and Glacier Bay on Princess in June 2002. Your parents would love this itinerary!

If they want to go this summer- BOOK QUICKLY!!!

The very peak of the Alaska cruise season is the Summer Solstice- should be June 21 or therabouts. This will be the longest day of the year, and in the "Land of the Midnight Sun" it will never get truly dark! I have photos of glaciers that I shot after midnight, and it looked like twilight.

Princess offers many "cruisetours" that include time either before or after the cruise (depending on the itinerary) at their own lodge located at Denali... They have lots of great information on their website. Go to www.princess.com, choose "destinations" and "alaska" for details and some breathtaking photos.

 

[Meriweather]

We're going in June.....Holland America.
I was told that's the "old" people cruise line Fine with me....I'm old...but not as old as the travel agent old me would be in the majority (over 60).
Princess is supposed to be middle age group.
But......Princess was full for the time and cruise I wanted.....so if it if for this summer....do not delay with ressies.

 

[TxJasmine]

We took our kids on the Carnival Spirit last July. The Spirit is one of the most beautiful cruise ships I have ever seen and I have been on 13 cruises with 8 different cruise lines. Carnival has really improved tremendously in the last few years. The service and food were excellent. The rooms are not as large as on DCL, but they are very functional. When we were checking out Alaska cruises, we felt that Carnival had the best itinerary with the most ports and the longest time in each port. My kids really loved the fact that the Spirit has a domed pool, so that they could go swimming regardless of the outside temperature. I know that some of the Princess ships also have domed pools (I think Princess started the trend), but not all of them, only the newer ships. Even though Princess and HAL "own" Alaska - be sure to check out some of the other choices. Whatever you decide - you will have a wonderful time!

 

[wld]

We went last year over summer solstice for our 25th wedding anniversary. cruisecritic.com is a good place for information. We used www.thecruisemarketplace.com to book our cruise. We gave them our ages, likes and dislikes and she picked Radiance of the Seas a Royal Carribean ship. It was beautiful and your Alaska cruise will be worth what you spend. We had a verandah room which we loved. Vancouver where the ship leaves from is also beautiful and worth the extra day I wish we would have spent there. Different cruise lines cater to different ages, kids, and activities so research or talking to a travel agent is a good idea. In general the earlier you book, the better price you get unless you are willing to bet on booking less than 90 days out. Some good deals can be had that way. If interested in that try vacationstogo.com
I'm jealous, wish I was planning again this year!

Oh and using biddingfortravel.com I learned how to get a good hotel in Vancouver for the night before on Priceline. It ended up being the Westin right on the harbor for $70. They even upgraded us to a king room on the harbor and when the check in person found out it was a anniversary trip she recommended a restaurant, made ressies and secretly called them and we got a complementary appetizer.

 

[Mary Ellen]

We've sailed to Alaska 4 times - all on HAL. I was 27 the first time (many years ago) and obviously loved it. This past summer a number of my family came with us, the 'parental units' (for Dad's 80th birthday, step-mom is 65), us (late 40s-50s), DB & SIL (40s) and 2 half-sisters (late 20s-early 30s). We ALL had a wonderful time on HAL. The half-sisters can't wait to go on HAL again.

HALs cabins are large (second in size to DCL) and the dome over the main pool retracts - it is open in good weather, closed in the rain. The aft pool is on an open deck.

The summer in Alaska draws a large number of families. However, it is NOT for the party-hardy crowd. If one is looking for wet T-shirt or cannonball contests, they would be happier on another line.

I suggest HAL or Princess for Alaska. I just prefer HAL because their ships seem to have more open deck space for viewing - especially in the bow of the ships. Princess is probably better if one is looking for a larger number of children on board.

 

[shoes99]

We are going on the Diamond Princess this June. The Diamond is a new ship and we are sailing the inside passage round trip from Seattle. We are going with the Pink Ribbon Cruise Group. We sailed with them last Sept on the Disney Magic and had a great time. Avon is sponsoring the group and they came thru with lots of nice gifts, and some good seminars..
Check out their website for more information.
We booked a mini-suite guarantee and have already been upgraded 4 categories. We are happy.
Michele