Alaska Cruises

[RKB]

I know this is off topic, but I thought some of you veteran cruisers could help me out. We have pretty much decided to do an Alaskan Cruise summer of 2006. We really wish that Disney went there, but will have to pick another ship! I will go to cruise critic to research, but was wondering if anybody here had any advice on the best cruise line, or anything else that would be helpful in the early planning stages. Kids will be DD 17, DS 12 and DS 7. Thanks in advance!!

 

[TootyJane]

We did an Alaskan cruise on the Regal Princess three years ago. It is one of Princess Cruise Lines' older ships and did not have a great childrens program. However, we all liked the ship itself. Princess has two new ships going to Alaska, the Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess and I'm sure they would have better childrens programs. Also, look at Royal Caribbean. Two of my co-workers raved about the Radiance of the Seas! HTH

 

[mickeyfan1]

While I can't speak to any childrens programs, I can say that HAL has beautiful ships and great add on tours. I sailed on the Ryndam in September, the last cruise for them that year due to 9/11. It is a totally different cruise than a carribean cruise, but I enjoyed it. HAL has (I believe) 3 ships sailing to and from Alaska, Royal Carib has at least one as does Princess and Carnival. I would go to each cruise lines website and do a lot of research.

It is a beautiful place to cruise to, for sure.

 

[kaseyC]

We had a great time. Alaska is gorgeous. In 2000 we sailed to Alaska on the NCL Sky, between the 2 we enjoyed Princess much more. Once you start reasearching you will see that Princess and HAL have the most choices for Alaska, the most ships as well as the better Land and Sea Combos.
We are planning to do a land and Sea Alaska trip in a few years when our youngest DD is at least 5 or 6.

Also do not hesitate to book the Glacial Flightseeing and Dogsledding excursion. It is a bit pricey but landing on Denver Glacier and driving a dog sled was an awesome experience.

 

[dhamilt]

We went last summer on Carnival's Spirit. The ship is only a few years old and was very nice. DS (3 1/2 at the time) loved the children's program. We had to drag him away. The dining staff was great with kids as well. You find very few kids on board so they are treated extra special. It is a wonderful trip..Alaska is well worth the money. DS still talks about it all the time.

Denise

 

[hydster]

We did the Carnival Spirit through Alaska and it was awesome! This was our 2nd trip on the Spirit the first being to Belize and Panama but the ship is beautiful, not a glitzy as the older Carnival ships and I feel your older kids would have more to do. Our 3 kids LOVED the kids program at Camp Carnival!! Also since the Spirit was designed to go to Alaska they have A LOT of balcony rooms! My parents are going on that ship in August and for the 2 of them in a balcony room with Carnival doing their air and transfers it was about $3700 in a balcony room and including taxes, fees, airfare, transfers to and from the ship and airport and insurance. We got our best cruise quotes to Alaska on cruise.com and they are wonderful to work with! As good as Dreams that's for sure!

HTH
Heidi

 

[disboo]

My daughter and son-in-law-to-be are doing an Alaskan cruise next summer for their honeymoon. They are thinking of Radisson. (Money might not be a problem, since Grandpa is offering to pay). They are not hard partiers. Any suggestions for them? Would they like Radisson? Thanks for any suggestions!