Alaskan Cruises?

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm in the very beginning stages of planning an Alaskan cruise trip which would probably happen in 2014. Where should I begin? There will be 4-6 adults, no kids. We're probably not interested in doing a Disney cruise but haven't ruled it out. Any great websites or resources I should check out? None of us have ever been on a cruise but I casually check out the cruise specials on the Travel channel with the do's and dont's of cruising (not that I remember any of them lol). I'm thinking the budget would probably be about $5,000-$7,000 for two people? Thanks for any help you can give! This is my Dad's lifelong dream and I would love for all of us to go together.

 

[bumbershoot]

cruisecritic dot com! First stop, middle stop, last stop. Terrific site and forum.

We did RCCL's Radiance of the Seas for our Alaskan honeymoon. Was lovely. We just did the up and back in 7 days, stopped in Skagway (loved it), Juneau (liked it), and Ketchikan (yawn...note: we are opposite of most who love Ketchikan and dislike Skagway).

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Since you have your destination down, you need to decide what size ship you want to be on. The smaller ships can get closer in. We sailed down the Tracy Arm (sp) and that was beautiful.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Great! Thanks for the help! I'll check out that website. and talk to my family about what they want to see/do on this trip.

I didn't realize there was another thread created today about the same subject. It didn't come up in the search.

 

[crjack]

Definitely check out Cruise Critic. You can search by cruiseline, destination, etc. It was very helpful when we were planning our cruise.

Several cruise lines go to Alaska but only a few have access to Glacier Bay so the port cities may be the same but Glacier Bay for many is an important part of the itinerary. It was for us so the first thing we did was narrow it down to those ships.

We went with NCL Pearl for a few reasons. The ship was pretty new and with the anytime dining it was definitely more casual than other cruise lines. We wanted that traveling with kids and also coming from the east coast we wanted to limit our luggage.

There were all age ranges on the Pearl and lots of activities. Our day in Glacier Bay was a highlight of our trip.

On our cruise, we were often in port with a Princess or Holland America ship so itineraries can be very similar.

For us, the itinerary was key, then ship ammenities then price. Cabins don't really vary that much in size but you can compare them easily on the website to confirm.

We went in Aug 2009 and it was by far my favorite trip ever. Enjoy!

 

[CPT Tripss]

A couple of things to consider beyond the size of the ship. Seconding all the recommendations about cruise critic. Check out each of the cruise lines that do Alaska . . . some people find one a better fit than the others. I think DW and i have been on every line that cruises Alaska and to be honest, we never had a bad experience . . . but some experiences have been better than others.

Do you want just a cruise or do you also want a land portion (aka cruisetour)? We did just a cruise and now I regret no doing a cruise tour despite the considerable added cost.

There are basically two Alaska cruises (really simplifying things here) . . . seven day round trip from Seattle/Vancouver or a seven day one way between Seattle/Vancouver. Or, an "Anchorage" (in quotes beacause it is a several hour scenic bus ride from the actual ports) to Seattle/Vancouver. Obviously, you can also travel the reverse . . . you can also make it into a two week "back to back" they typically stop in different ports going the other direction.

It's a long flight to the West Coast from the DC area . . . and it's that far again to get to Anchorage.

Last thoughts, if you are travelling with other couples, get your reservations linked by the cruise line so that you share the same dinning table (if traditional dinning." Opt for late dinning . . . 8:30 pm on the ship will be 5:30 (or earlier to your east coast body).

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Cruisecritic is a great place to start. We did a one way (southbound) from Fairbanks which is further north of Anchorage taking the train to Denali, spending the night in a lodge and then the train to Anchorage spending the night at a Hilton. Bus to Seward where we boarded the ship where we saw College Fjord, Glacier Bay, Haines, Juneau and Ketchikan. It was $1200.00 without air but included all of the above plus two nights in Fairbanks. On the ship we had an oceanview stateroom. We were NOT sorry that we didn't have a veranda for two reasons, one it was cold so you couldn't just sit out there and enjoy and two, you see the glaciers so much more up close and personal from an open forward deck. We were on the Holland America Cruise line. We were told to be prepared for wheelchairs and walkers from so many people. I guess Holland America has a reputation for that but honestly it was a perfect cruise. Check their website often as they have deals all the time. In fact, ours was 50% off.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Me here!!!!

I am the one who started the other Alaska Cruise thread the other day....

OP, that is a long time out in advance!!!!
You really can't make assumptions and plan that far ahead.

I would LOVE to plan an Alaskan cruise for May 2012... I have done TONS of research, and have learned a lot!!!!

So, here goes... For me, I would have to choose Princess, or possibly HAL if that type of atmosphere 'vibe' (different decor, older passenger demographics) floats ones boat.

These are the ones, right now, who do Alaska the best.
Many other lines do not have the access to places like Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, etc... The lines that have been there the longest have these contracts locked up tight.

In a cruise like this, to see Alaska, the itinerary is EVERYTHING.
(Thus, Disney Cruise is not even close to being in the running....)

As it stands, I have not heard wonderful glowing reviews of Alaska on NCL at all.... In fact, a group we are a part of planned an Alaska NCL cruise a year or so ago, and they seemed very disappointed.

To see the most, a one way itinerary is really recommended. There may be several good ones out there, but for me, the Voyage of the Glaciers, SOUTHBOUND, from Anchorage/Whittier on Princess is hands down the one I would like to do.

The dates for 2012 have just now been pre-released... not even truly 'official' yet... They will be released officially I think next week. And booking begins on the 17th.

The Sapphire Princess will be undergoing a month long complete and total refurb next winter... Hopefully to get a full 'Piazza', the International Cafe food and coffee/cappucino bar. etc... When I heard that they were putting the Sapphire on the Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary, I was so excited...

However, looking at the prices and total cost of such a trip was a huge shot of reality, and we will not be booking..... Looks like Alaska will have to wait

We are now thinking about a timeshare exchange to Playa Del Carmen... I have never been there to Mexico!!! So it is also on my To-Do wish list. This would be much, much, more reasonable... basicly limited to the cost of a much cheaper airfare ( 1/2 the price of Alaska ), food, etc...

Anyhow, OP, I hope we can both get to Alaska much sooner than later!!!

I hope my comments help!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We have gone to Playa Del Carmen as well. Where is the time share?

OP, I respectfully disagree with the PP. It doesn't hurt you to plan ahead. Read everything you can. You will get a better grip on what you want to see and do. You therefore can make a more informed decision. We had 2 weeks to figure it all out for us so I crammed, crammed, crammed. I was lucky enought to meet a lady on cruise critic that gave me so much helpful information.

 

[Dolce27]

I'm planning an Alaskan trip for next year and plan to book RCL's Radiance of the Seas - as soon as dates open. I took the Radiance's sister ship (meaning the ships are identical), Jewel of the Seas, on a New England cruise two years ago and the ship was beautiful. It's designed with lots of glass and what I loved was the adult only Solarium (not that there are too many kids on these type of cruises - but there are some). For the New England cruise, all days except for the last day, it was cold and nasty outside. The adults could go to the climate controlled Solarium and have their own pool and hot tub or just pull a lounge chair up to watch outside.

The ship isn't the largest of cruise ships, nor is it the smallest. I thought it was nice and there was plenty to do including a small put-put golf course and a rock climbing wall. RCL does have a My Time Dining but I prefer the traditional dining on cruise ships. The Radiance does do Hubbard Glacier but not Glacier Bay.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's designed with lots of glass and what I loved was the adult only Solarium (not that there are too many kids on these type of cruises - but there are some).

As a FWIW, on our cruise the solarium wasn't adults only.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Wow, I never said not to plan at all....
I have dreamed and researched and pre-planned for many of our vacations many months and years in advance... Which is how I was able to offer the info that I did on
Alaska. It is just too early for any details or specific planning!!!! When it comes to timeshare vacations, as many may know, it is sometimes best to plan your exchange a full 12 months in advance! I guess that, having said that, I just couldn't imagine knowing the specifics of a trip three and a half years from now...

I also couldn't imagine trying to research and plan for a trip as grand and Alaska in a very few weeks!!!

I understand that the RCCL Radiance is a gorgeous ship!!! The glass windows and vista's and the solarium sound just wonderful for a scenic cruise to Alaska. If we werent' past Princess cruisers, and I didn't dream of that one really great itinerary... That would definitely be in consideration.

PS: if it would matter to the OP, I would research whether the Solarium is open to kids or not... Since it is the only covered all-weather pool, I do suspect that on the cooler Alaska cruises it is open to all.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We have gone to Playa Del Carmen as well.

Hey! not to derail this Alaska thread... But how did you like PDC???? You can send me a PM if you wouldn't mind!

We would be right at the edge of town.. not on the main 'strip' area... But close enough to 'be there'.

A full day at the Ruins and Tulum area sounds wonderful...
I would also love to snorkel the reef off Puerto Morelos.

Those would be the two biggies, along with chilling on the beach at PDC!

 

[Dolce27]

Wow, I never said not to plan at all....
I have dreamed and researched and pre-planned for many of our vacations many months and years in advance... Which is how I was able to offer the info that I did on
Alaska. It is just too early for any details or specific planning!!!! When it comes to timeshare vacations, as many may know, it is sometimes best to plan your exchange a full 12 months in advance! I guess that, having said that, I just couldn't imagine knowing the specifics of a trip three and a half years from now...

I also couldn't imagine trying to research and plan for a trip as grand and Alaska in a very few weeks!!!

I understand that the RCCL Radiance is a gorgeous ship!!! The glass windows and vista's and the solarium sound just wonderful for a scenic cruise to Alaska. If we werent' past Princess cruisers, and I didn't dream of that one really great itinerary... That would definitely be in consideration.

PS: if it would matter to the OP, I would research whether the Solarium is open to kids or not... Since it is the only covered all-weather pool, I do suspect that on the cooler Alaska cruises it is open to all.

I have read on cruise critic that they sometimes will open the Solarium up to kids at certain times of day if the weather is crummy and the kids can't use the outdoor pools. When I was on the Jewel the weather was crummy but I never noticed any kids the times I visited the Solarium. There were signs in the Solarium stating that kids were not allowed.

 

[Jigsaw]

I went on an Alaska cruise about 2 years ago with a bunch of my family. My grandma paid for everyone to go so I'm not sure about the prices but I know they are a lot. I heard that the rooms that are in the middle of the ship (with no windows) are cheaper. We went on the Holland America (Volendam). It's neat because the price includes all the food so you dont really have to worry about paying extra for that. I'd say checkout the Holland America site and see what all they have. (I think they have ones that go different ports)

 

[adkkev]

We took a Holland America cruise this past August (Volendam) from Vancouver, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and back to Vanouver. We booked on excursion through HA, and another on our own prior to going. We just winged it in Juneau, walking up and out of town to one of the old mines.
HA traditionally serves an older clientele ... average age on our ship was definitely over 60. There were a few teens and smaller kids, but not very many.
The Volendam is a "smaller" ship so it can get into some of the narrower and shallower places (and it can turn 360 degrees sitting in one place).
We had a ocean view room on the lowest deck, upgraded from the hammocks in the engine room class. Room is fine, definitely large enough for two, comfortable bed, etc. We didn't spend much time there.
Food is average, nothing spectacular. We had the anytime dining and we mostly in the buffet/cafeteria area ... our one dinner in the fancier restaurant was fine but again, not spectacular. There is also an upscale restaurant that will cost you an extra $20/person. Didn't eat there.
There are a number of activities onboard while between ports ... we generally didn't participate in group stuff. As a runner I was a little disappointed to learn that I could only run in the exercise room on a dreadmill ... which was okay because of the great view but the temp in the exercise room was really warm (and humid).
We loved Juneau. We did a kayak tour in Ketchikan so we didn't see much of the town. Skagway was fun to walk around because we were the only ship there ... I cannot imagine what it's like when there are more than one or two, it must be bedlam. We did a HA excursion out of Skagway (horseback and canoeing in Yukon Territory) ... fun time with a great guide. I had been to Skagway before when my son & I hiked the Chilkoot ... it hasn't changed in those 5 years that separated the visits.
This was our first cruise, but our 9th visit to Alaska ... usually we fly to Anchorage or Fairbanks and explore from there.
Would we do it again? Probably not. But it was worth checking out, and we did get to see some of Alaska that we'd only flown over before at 35,000 feet on our way to Anc or Fbanks.
Vancouver was awesome, and we wished we'd had more time to spend there.

 

[tvguy]

We took a Holland America cruise this past August (Volendam) from Vancouver, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and back to Vanouver. We booked on excursion through HA, and another on our own prior to going. We just winged it in Juneau, walking up and out of town to one of the old mines.
HA traditionally serves an older clientele ... average age on our ship was definitely over 60. There were a few teens and smaller kids, but not very many.
.

HAL is the way to go to Alaska, been doing it longer than any other line, have the best access permits.
Funny, there were more kids on our HAL cruise than on any other cruise we have taken....other than Disney, of course. HAL has kids clubs, so they must normally have plenty of kids on board. Did you cruise before or after normal school vacation breaks?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Just to state some facts here....
With all due respect....

ALL the ships doing Alaska are more mid-sized ships... (unless one looks at exclusive small ship cruising, of course) None of the ships doing Alaska are the big mega-liners... How close they get to any given glacier or point is definitely up to the conditions that day on the water, and the Captain. (Not ship size)

ALL ships (of any line) that have contracts for any given area (Glacier Bay, Hubbard, etc...) have full access.... Princess and HAL both have permits for all areas... neither are any better in that respect, at all. I feel quite confident that both Princess and HAL have contracts locked up for the best sites/destinations. Compare their itineraries to, Disney, for example.

ALL ships can also do a stationary 360" ( you can NOT even feel them moving!!!) All the ships doing Alaska will do this when necessary so that all people on both sides of the ship have a front and center view of the glacier/whatever.

For anyone who is planning any cruise... Cruisecritic.com is just invaluable for correct and on-the-money information and tips!!!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Wow, I never said not to plan at all....
.

I'm sure that was directed at me. I didn't mean the way I said it. You just said you can't make plans that far out. I just meant not to stop researching. Nothing aimed directly at you. Sorry if you misunderstood what I was trying to get across. I will PM you about PDC.

We were on HAL's Statendam in Alaska which is a smaller ship. I absolutely LOVED, LOVED the size of it. We've been on the Magic, Wonder and Dream and love the size of the Statendam the best.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

ALL ships can also do a stationary 360" ( you can NOT even feel them moving!!!) All the ships doing Alaska will do this when necessary so that all people on both sides of the ship have a front and center view of the glacier/whatever.

That is so true. I still HIGHLY recommend viewing the glaciers from the forward deck that they open for the viewing. It just isn't the same with another deck covering you from above. Standing on the deck up front with nothing over your head is amazing. You can walk around that front portion and view all sides. Totally unbelievable and we were even out in the elements. It was raining but soooooo worth it when the clouds parted and we saw the glacier popping out. We did try one of the covered decks later but it just wasn't the same. IF you plan to do it that way, make sure you dress in layers. It can be cold. We even bought water resistant pants to put over our blue jeans just in case. They sure came in handy on that trip.