Alaska - Here We Come!

[QuiltTeddy]

Just have to share our excitement!

Well, we took the plunge and are using our points to do the 7 day Alaskan Explorer/Glacier Bay Cruise to/from Seattle in June, 2006. We've talked about it for a while to celebrate our 25th anniversary and decided to stop talking and just DO IT! Can't tell you how easy it was -- although it took a little over an hour on the phone with the DVC representative to coordinate everything with Holland America.

We upgraded our room to a veranda suite, so we are paying some cash out of pocket, but DVC makes it so easy to take a vacation. Best investment we ever made!

Has anyone ever taken this cruise? If so, comments?

 

[magicmommy]

That's great. DH and I are hoping to do the same for our 25th! I'm sure you will have an amazing trip!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

You will love that cruise. Very good choice on the upgrade. With an Alaskan cruise, you are there to look at the beautiful landscape. Have FUN!!!

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Thanks. It's gonna be a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg 8 months.

 

[LisaS]

This is something my DH and I have talked about doing. If you don't mind sharing the information, how many points does it cost and how much is the veranda suite upgrade?

I'll be looking forward to reading your trip report!

 

[ACDSNY]

We did the Princess Alaska cruise out of Seattle in Sept 2004. Wonderful trip...fall colors were already showing. Highly recommend the White Pass railroad in Skagway with the bus trip into the Yukon, whale watching in Juneau and we did a private fishing trip in Ketchikan that was alot of fun.

Have a great trip!

 

[AlaskaMOM]

Thanks. It's gonna be a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg 8 months.

and cold

You don't want to go any sooner, Oct - May is winter here!

Just remember it's nothing like other cruises, a bit chilly for most people, the breeze (wind) off the water might surprise you!

You're going to have a wonderful time, It's a beautiful trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

DH and I have been on an Alaskan cruise and we loved it, and you will too! I like what AlaskaMom said, yes, it was one cruise that we didn't use our bathing suits! I have a picture of me walking on a bar of a float plane when we were on one of the fjords, so brave was I! I sensed the water was cold, but it was magnificent.

What a great way to celebrate your 25th anniversary. Congratulations.

Bobbi

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Thanks everyone. We know a lot of people who have gone, so we understand that the weather is volitile and won't be a Carribean cruise.

The total points (in premium season) were 217 per person. The upgrade to the verandah suite varies, dependant on what cabin you are upgrading to. There are actually three upgrades for verandahs. We went with the best one, so it was more.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

DH and I have done 2 Alaskan cruises (Royal Caribbean and Carnival) and can't wait to go again! Aside from taking cold weather gear note that video cameras can freeze up on you and give the the dreaded "Dew" warning at the time you most want to video. This was in July and May! A balcony is a must- our travel agent made sure to book us on the side of the ship to view the coast during the daytime on the way north (does that make sense?). Holland is the cruiseline we want to use the next time- we found we don't need the "party ships".