What is the Best Cruise Line for Alaska

[AdamEfimoff]

My sister wants go on a cruise with her family and aunt and uncle. She has two rambunctious kids. So I would imagine the DCL would be best for them. She is quite wealthy.

 

[China Expat]

I have sailed RCI and HAL to Alaska. All of the lines are great, it's the itinerary you want to analyze.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Would Silversea be better or National Geographic?

 

[jdb in AZ]

As mentioned above, it depends on the itinerary. Glacier Bay is a top priority for us. I didn't see any Silversea cruises that include Glacier Bay. National Geographic spends 24 hours at Glacier Bay. The smaller ships do get in to areas the large cruiselines cannot, but I would be concerned about lack of onboard entertainment for the kids. If they enjoy hiking and kayaking they may be too worn out from shore excursions to care about evening activities. How old are the kids? Are the adults in good health? The small ships like National Geographic don't have elevators, so wheelchairs would be a problem.

 

[jenpink]

"Best" is very subjective. For example, I have been to Glacier Bay and it is not a must for me, whereas a stop at Skagway is important to me I enjoyed Holland America very much but would never think of making my daughter endure it
Your sister needs to figure out what is important to her and find a cruise line that fits those needs.

 

[xlxo]

DCL's only weakness is missing Glacier Bay. I remember the excitement in seeing Sawyer.... but I think Glacier Bay is a better experience for glacier seekers. Sawyer has retreated so much... the Wonder needs a few hours up the arm to get to the glacier.

In addition to cruise lines.... have you thought about which month/week?

• May and September is cheaper, but colder and some excursions are not running
• May can mean ice congestion to glacier viewing at Tracy Arm/Sawyer
• May to July is dryer in Alaska, August will see more rain and September will be wettest. If too stormy to dock.... cruise ships will skip the port.
• July to August will be dryer in Cascadia
• May to August will give you more day light
• August and September offer better wildlife opportunities
• I like late-July for weather compromise and wildlife. It's also priced higher.
• some ports offer seasonal opportunities like fireworks and pride celebrations, but can also mean congestion.
• http://www.alaska.org/advice/best-time-to-visit-alaska => it recommends mid-June to mid-July!

 

[MUN]

My sister wants go on a cruise with her family and aunt and uncle. She has two rambunctious kids. So I would imagine the DCL would be best for them. She is quite wealthy.

Wealth is good! DCL is the best for them.

 

[Ofinn]

If itinerary is important I've heard good things about Princess. Just about every line has kids clubs. Some ships have a retractable roof over their pool which I think would be nice for Alaska. I would do some research on "cruise critic". It's a forum that covers all cruise lines, and they reviews on every ship.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We did Alaska on Disney. Loved the ship but I would much prefer going one way from Vancouver so you can see glacier bay and get to Denali. I've heard good things about princess for Alaska and their kids program. Without kids I would do one that got you closest to the wildlife like national geographic or REI.

 

[COASTIEandMATE]

If itinerary is important I've heard good things about Princess. Just about every line has kids clubs. Some ships have a retractable roof over their pool which I think would be nice for Alaska. I would do some research on "cruise critic". It's a forum that covers all cruise lines, and they reviews on every ship.

Just remember that Princess pioneered Alaska and owns lodges there and has wonderful train excursions as add-ons to your cruise! That being said we have done Alaska with DCL IN 2011 AND 2013 and we are sailing again this spring!!

 

[xlxo]

Princess has one weakness for kids.... NO photo packages. If you like pictures.... you might find that stack of photos cost more than the cruise!

 

[krisinparis]

We did Princess with our kids and had a great time!

 

[seacruise]

My choice for mass market Alaska cruising is HAL. Somewhat smaller ships, crows nest covered forward observation lounge, covered pools, more ships and itinerary options in Alaska. Summer Alaska sailings will have plenty of kids on any major line so I wouldn't worry about that. Club HAL is fine, our kids have done it many times. Polar opposite from kids clubs on Disney though. Lot fewer kids so more personal attention, arts and crafts, games, etc. Plus, Alaska is more port intensive so activities on the ship aren't as important.

I would look at one way sailings as from Vancouver and then add on a HAL Denali train trip at the end. Many of the one way sailings on various lines do two glacier days. Usually adding Hubbard or College Fjord along with Glacier Bay - all of which are "better" than Tracy Arm, IMHO.

We've also done Princess, NCL, and X to Alaska and they were all fine as well. Princess Pelican's kids club was lousy on our last Alaska trip, but we've had good experiences with their kids club on other cruises.