Alaskan Cruise

[sjams]

My siblings and I are thinking about giving my parents an Alaskan Cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Cruise lines to use or avoid and stuff like that??

thanks!!

 

[padams]

Isn't Disney doing Alaska sailings in 2011? When's the anniversary?

 

[castmemberb4]

My MIL who is retired and cruised 54 days last year (not all at one time!) prefers Princess Cruise line

 

[crjack]

First I would suggest checking out the cruise critic website. It is loaded with valuable info on every cruise line, ship and destination.

We were advised to determine our itinerary first and then pick a ship. We did a round trip out of Seattle, some go r/t from Vancouver and you can also do a one way trip with more stops in AK but you have to fly one way in or out and it can be a significant added expense.

We really wanted to go to Glacier Bay and not every ship can go there. From there, we narrowed down the ships and picked one based on reviews, activities, price, etc.

We did the NCL Pearl in Aug. and we chose it mainly because of free style dining and our children. If it was just me and DH I probably would have gone with Princess.

Alaska has been my most favorite trip by far and I strongly suggest going to Glacier Bay.

Best of luck with your planning.

 

[minnie56]

Nobody does Alaska like Princess and Holland America only they can go into Glacier Bay...and remember, the best part of Alaska is not accessible by Ship so a Cruise tour added at the end of the cruise (or the beginning) is the best way to take full advantage of getting into the Wilderness!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Minnie is right!!!

I know that this is the DIS board, but, honestly, when I saw the itinerary of the Disney Alaska Cruise... No way I would choose that one.
No Glacier Bay... or other great sights...

I would love to take an Alaskan Cruise one day!!!
(Unfortunately, with airfare from here in the south to add on, it is pretty prohibitive on our budget)

I have done a little research...
And, I know exactly which cruise I would choose....

Princess Cruises...
The Coral Princess on the Whittier to Vancouver itinerary.

It is one of the very few, if not the ONLY, one that stops at both Glacier Bay - AND - Hubbard Glacier.
Two of the most magnificent sights!

It is supposed to be an excellent ship and an excellent itinerary.

Now, for something simpler, you could choose a Princess round-trip from Seattle... I think they would get Glacier Bay on that one.
If that would be enough 'Alaska' on that limited itinerary, you could consider that.
But, IMHO, the one-way itineraries are where you really get to see what you go to Alaska for.

And, the previous poster is right...
The other option would be Holland America.
They probably have some pretty good itineraries too.
If you see a good itinerary, and are choosing by which Cruise Line would be more to their taste... Then look up cruise reviews and especially good photos of the ships... Note that by all accounts, that Holland America is considered the 'old folks' cruise. (floating nursing home... Hahahah!!!)

I would NOT consider a NCL cruise to Alaska.

Personally, I would consider the Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas.
That would probably fit my younger tastes.
But, again, as Minnie just posted, the itinerary is limited compared to what Princess or Holland America can offer.

For your parents.
I agree with the above poster.
Go look at Princess and Holland America...
See what they have to offer...
Choose from there.

Hope this helps!

 

[cinderellascastle29]

Nobody does Alaska like Princess and Holland America only they can go into Glacier Bay...and remember, the best part of Alaska is not accessible by Ship so a Cruise tour added at the end of the cruise (or the beginning) is the best way to take full advantage of getting into the Wilderness!

I agree, we went on the Star Princess (out of Seattle) and it was amazing! I think your parents would enjoy it because we went at peak vacation season and there were hardly any kids on the ship. In fact, there were so few "young adults" our single friends were dissapointed!

 

[crjack]

Nobody does Alaska like Princess and Holland America only they can go into Glacier Bay...and remember, the best part of Alaska is not accessible by Ship so a Cruise tour added at the end of the cruise (or the beginning) is the best way to take full advantage of getting into the Wilderness!

We were on the NCL Pearl in August and we most definitely went to Glacier Bay. NCL, Princess and Holland all had ships in port at virtually the same time when we were in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

One way cruises are wonderful but airlines are limited flying in and out of AK so it can be another significant expense.

I wouldn't rule out NCL for AK at all but for the OP I wouldn't recommend it since it is for his parents 50th. Our ship was new and beautiful and absolutely had a great visit to Glacier Bay along with great port times.

 

[joviroxx]

One of my favorite trips ever was my cruise to Alaska and you are getting great advice here

We did the NCL Pearl, roundtrip from Seattle. We wanted the freestyle dining. I think that is the first decision you need to make. Roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver or a one-way cruise.

Then, what part of the summer you want to go. We went in June as we wanted to do the helicopter to the glacier and ride the sled dogs. Couldnt do that later in the summer. But the salmon aren't running until later in the summer. Bears are also more plentiful a bit later as they wake up from hibernation.

Whatever you decide, it will be great and I concur... pick a cruise that goes to Glacier Bay! We had a beautiful day.

I would look into Princess Cruise Lines.

 

[erincon23]

We went on Princess (Sapphire) for an Alaskan cruise tour (week on ship, 3 days on land with a trip to Denali National Park). If I ever went back to Alaska, I doubt that I would choose Princess again. I felt that the food was just so-so, the entertainment was boring (one Broadway-style revue, two comedians -- one decent, one not, one ventriloquist from the '80s -- I remember this guy).

The land portion started on a 9-hour train ride. I had seen the Travel Channel special about a Royal Caribbean cruise with the same itinerary, and their train looked comfortable and exciting -- not the Princess train. It was old, seats were hard, the food was warmed-over hot dog-type stuff. In contrast, at least on TV, the RC train cars had glass domes, you sat in lounge chairs around tables. We went on a short RC cruise several years ago, and the entertainment and food were MUCH better. The big advantage Princess has, if you do the cruise-tour, is that they own lodges in Denali (one was old and rustic, but the other was very nice).

I'd STRONGLY suggest getting videos from the different cruise lines, looking at the itineraries, asking them about the entertainment. Frankly, other than the sights, the best thing about our Princess cruise was our dinner waiter -- he was fantastic (and my SIL and her DD went on a European cruise last summer, and had the same waiter!). I must say that my children enjoyed the cruise (more so my older DS, but he makes friends wherever he goes), but since they had nothing to compare it to, and since you're not looking at kids going with your parents, I wouldn't put too much stock in that.

FWIW, the sights were gorgeous, the excursions were fun, and all in all, we had a great time. But honestly, I'd do a different line if I were to go back. Feel free to PM me if you want to know what excursions we did or have any other questions.
Erin

 

[Barbossa]

We took Celebrity Cruises to Alaska for our honeymoon, it was a great experience.

 

[denisem]

It's been 10 yrs. since our Alaska cruise, but I'll echo some sentiments and add some others:

1. Highlight WAS Glacier Bay - find a cruiseline that includes it.

2. Get them a veranda/balcony cabin. DH dragged me from the shower one day to witness a pod of whales portside of our cabin. Chilly, wet & barefoot in a robe, it was an incredible experience.

3. If possible (we couldn't) I'd try to extend the vacation with land tours of Alaska combined with the cruise.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If their anniversary is summer of 2010, the Golden Princess starts its Alaskan cruises in May. It's a bigger ship than the Coral, which is also an extremely nice ship. The Golden has great music, as did the Coral last year (not that I'm biased or anything-those have been DS's ships where he works). Glacier Bay is not to be missed.

 

[JUJU814]

We did a southbound Alaskan cruise last May on the Diamond Princess and it was just glorious!!! We spent three days in Seward first, then took a car to Whittier to catch our ship.

My husband and I are in our late 30s. I think Princess Cruise line is nice, probably more for a little older crowd. Next time we would try Royal Carribean, but truthfully, this cruise was amazing.

We got an amazing deal on cruisedeals.com and had a mini-suite. We paid just under $1000/pp for our mini suite on Emerald deck which has a nice covered balcony..only rooms with a covered balcony. This is VERY important for an alaskan cruise because it often rains. Wouldn't you know we had PERFECT weather?

Our ports were: Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. In Skagway we took a private Yukon territory excursion. In Juneau, we chartered a private whale watch and in Ketchikan, we did the Hummer Tour. All were simply amazing. Glacier Bay and College Fiord were gorgeous. In Seward, we took a semi private Kenai Fiord's cruise and that was amazing as well.

What a nice gift!

 

[dennis99ss]

We have done this once (Regal Princess) before kids and once two years ago (diamond princess) with kids.

We really enjoyed both princess sailings. Go vancouver to whittier or the opposite. Get a balcony. Look at the floor plans and pick your room location. Look out for what is above, below and around the room.

It is one of the best trips we have taken, and it certainly has beauty that you cannot see elsewhere.

go to www.cruisecritic.com

 

[Wishing on a star]

Again, I have read enough reviews, and have also known some people who have cruised NCL Alaska... Just say NO....

One person mentioned the food and entertainment on Princess...
Sadly, the food was our one big disappointment on our one Princess Cruise... Just remember... ALL cruise lines are running cruises at the same prices that they charged 10 years ago, and ALL cruises have cut back... Unless you are paying big $$$$$ for an upscale cruise on one of the upscale cruiselines... You just don't get the quantity and quality of food that cruise lines used to be known for. (same for the level of entertainment)

We were on the Ruby Princess.... And everything was great!!! The ship is magnificent!!! And, probably a good fit for an older couple... But, sadly, I think in ANY cruise line (other than expensive 'upscale') The food and entertainment is now closer to 'convention' quality.

I do know that Princess fans highly recommend the Coral as one of the favorite ships.

And, there are the specialty restaurants where one can pay a few bucks for great food, a table for two, etc....

 

[etoiles]

We just booked an Alaskan cruise for our vacation this year so I am excited to see this topic!

After much research we selected Norwegian Cruise Lines Pearl cruise round trip from Seattle for several reasons:
- Freestyle cruise, no need to make reservations and don't have to show up at a certain time for meals, can have dinner for two privately as a normal part of the cruise (not extra $$)
- Freestyle also means do not have to dress up. can dress casual everyday which we like a lot.
- Goes to Glacier Bay
- Affordable compared to other cruise lines, Seattle is also a much more affordable port to fly to than Vancouver or areas in Alaska if price is a consideration
- Excellent reviews, check out the cruise critic message board as others have mentioned

 

[bimshire]

I would be apprehensive if Radiance of the Seas is all Royal Caribbean has to offer. That ship has been experiencing plumbing problems for months. Some of it is even posted on Youtube.

Now, we've been to Alaska 3 times. On our 10th Anniversary, it was the Sun Princess Southbound (Seward to Vancouver). Then we did R/T Seattle on Holland Ameriica's Amsterdam. Two years ago we did a 10 day from San Francisco on the Dawn Princess.
We still feel the Southbound was the best one. Got to see more of Alaska and Glacier Bay was the a real treat.

I highly recommend either HAL or Princess. Southbound or Northbound. Since it is a 50th Anniversary, I would suggest splurging on the airfare and do the one-way itinerary if you can afford it.