Which Side of Ship is Best for Alaskan Cruise?

[bamagirl@hrt]

We are looking at doing an Alaskan cruise next summer. I think we will splurge for a balcony. Is there a preferred side for scenery? Or so you think they are pretty equal? Thanks so much!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are looking at doing an Alaskan cruise next summer. I think we will splurge for a balcony. Is there a preferred side for scenery? Or so you think they are pretty equal? Thanks so much!

For the most part, there is really no "best" side. Since the trip is a round trip, what one side sees going out, the other side will see coming back.

And, really, you can get a better "feel" for the vistas if you're up on deck, and able to see both sides, forward as well as aft.

 

[tbower54]

We were on the starboard side and it was perfect. It is true you go up and back, but I felt like the captain kept on saying " on the starboard side"... Most importantly, DO get a room with a verandah. It was well worth the extra cost. It was amazing to sit out there with our hot chocolate and look for wildlife or watch the sunset at 10pm. It was amazing!!

 

[DISGRL13]

We were on the Port side on our Alaska Cruise and the views were amazing! We really used the balcony too. Saw so many eagles and such beautiful scenery. It sounds like you can't go wrong on either side! At Sawyer's Glacier the boat turned so both sides could see, but we were up on deck to get a better view of the glacier. You will love having a balcony though. Enjoy!
Here is a picture I took from our balcony one evening.
http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232fp539<3>nu=32:;>83:>;96>WSNRCG=3689:378;7337nu0mrj

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Beautiful photo, DISGIRL13! Looks like I'll be fine either side. We'll just plan to spend some time up on deck as well for panoramic views. I've been wanting to take this trip since Disney first announced they would do Alaskan cruises. Other destinations won out the past few years, tho. I'm hoping to finally make it in 2015!!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

You go up to Sksgway and back down, Aldo up Tracy Arm back down so overall you see everything from the ship decks or a verandah.



So overall it doesn't matter.


However when we were at Tracy Arm the top if it we stopped with port/forward having the best views we stayed there for about thirty minutes then turned so Starboard saw but we were turning slowly but didn't stay there.


So everyone gets the view but Port got it far longer and earlier.

The verandah was the best place you saw everything and you can still also go on deck if you have a verandah you do not have to stay there 24/7 note our decks were crowded with all best places gone by early morning with people setting up their place early, you could nip in for a photo but could use someone else's space.

A verandah you can come back to anytime still visit the restroom get room service go out to eat and still come back and have a brillinent view.

PS Ensure all posters / replies are from people who have been on the Wonder to Alaska. My photos are in my signature line.

 

[Donna3271]

We were Starboard (cabin 8586). I loved the location, and were right by the secret stairs to run up to deck 9 if we felt we were missing something.

BTW… our ship made the full rotation at Tracy Arm. We had plenty of viewing time from our balcony.

 

[Pens Fan]

We were on the port side and it was amazing. However, as others have said, while you're cruising down the inner passage, it really doesn't matter. The only time we were really glad to be on the Port side was at Tracy Arm. As noted above, the forward and port sides see the glacier first. They kept announcing that they were going to turn the ship and they appeared to be trying, but to our eyes they never made that full rotation. We assumed there was an ice issue and couldn't turn the ship all the way around. The entire time we were at the end of Tracy Arm we had a view of the glacier (mid - port balcony cabin). We felt bad for the starboard side cabins.

We also had a great view when docked at each port. Though from what I understand, they don't always come in the same way at certain ports, so I don't know if we just got lucky.

All in all, I'd book port again just because it worked out so well the last time!

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Ok, next question. Which dinner seating do you prefer for Alaska? My kids will be 17 and 13, so it's not an issue of them being too tired/sleepy for the late seating. Do you prefer to have as much time as possible at port and eat a later dinner? That's what I'm thinking, but I'm not sure.

 

[KnightRail]

Ok, next question. Which dinner seating do you prefer for Alaska? My kids will be 17 and 13, so it's not an issue of them being too tired/sleepy for the late seating. Do you prefer to have as much time as possible at port and eat a later dinner? That's what I'm thinking, but I'm not sure.

I did 2nd seating when we cruised to Alaskan last month. I enjoy it better because I felt like I could spend ample time in the ports without having to rush to dinner. (All adults in my group) and we never did the comedy/variety shows so that was more time to spend in port. Also, my first cruise I was first seating (in 2005) and felt like I had to rush through dinner so we could get to the theater early to get good seats--never had the chance to truly enjoy dinner. That's prolly the main reason I love second seating

 

[KnightRail]

Also if you have any other questions about Alaska, feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to answer

 

[ItAllStrtdWAMouse]

Ok, next question. Which dinner seating do you prefer for Alaska? My kids will be 17 and 13, so it's not an issue of them being too tired/sleepy for the late seating. Do you prefer to have as much time as possible at port and eat a later dinner? That's what I'm thinking, but I'm not sure.

We sailed in June of 2013. We selected the 2nd seating. I was really concerned since we are from the East Coast and we were basically eating at midnight our time. We spent a few days in Vancouver prior to departure and adjusted our eating schedule slowly. We had a diabetic in our party and needed to be somewhat consistent for her.

We planned a long train ride at Skagway. We took the Bennett Lake trip on the White Pass railroad. The trip was over 8 hours, but worth it. We had to schedule the second seating to accommodate this trip.

We enjoyed the later seating. Service was not rushed. We are a chatty family and often are the ones closing down the restaurant. We adjusted rapidly to the time change. I was happy with the later seating and recommend it. Our party ranged from age 9 to 70.

Hope that helps

 

[lbgraves]

We had a porthole for Alaska and loved it. DD and I were on a friend's verandah for a little while on the day we went to Sawyer's Arm, the alternate for Tracy's Arm if visibility is poor, but I have to say that the best views were on decks 4 & 10. We spent much of the cruise out there whale watching and enjoying the panoramic views. If there is wildlife out on one side, you will miss it if your verandah is on the other.

 

[islandsnoopy]

Ok, next question. Which dinner seating do you prefer for Alaska? My kids will be 17 and 13, so it's not an issue of them being too tired/sleepy for the late seating. Do you prefer to have as much time as possible at port and eat a later dinner? That's what I'm thinking, but I'm not sure.

We just returned from the Wonder. My kids are teens too. We've always chosen the 2nd seating for dinner, and Alaska was no exception. With the 2nd seating, we had plenty of time for excursions and didn't feel rushed at all. Also had time for the shows prior to dinner at 8:15pm.

You'll love Alaska!

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your help! I took the plunge and booked our cruise. I reserved room 6060, which is actually the same room we had on the only other cruise we've been on. It's port side, midship. I also booked second dining. I think we'll enjoy not feeling rushed at the ports. And if we get hungry before dinner time, there is always food available. I'm sure we will make use of the upper decks for viewing in addition to our verandah. I just like the idea of having a quiet retreat away from the crowds.

Again, thanks for your advice! And I welcome more!!

 

[mwmom]

We just got back and had port side mid-ship (room 7054) and I LOVED it! My friend came up and we ordered room service (cheese platter) and had our bottle of wine and sat there and enjoyed the scenery while the kids went on a scavenger hunt. We definitely had a good view for a long time since the ship sort of goes in at an angle to the fjord near the glacier and the port side is the one who gets the view going in. I got some great photos from that view.

When we got really close, we went up on Deck 10 and had no problems getting pictures. It is true that people started leaving after they saw it and we had a chance to get up to the railing to take a picture.

Then I went back to my room and enjoyed the view going back out of Tracy Arm. You will not regret having a verandah. In my opinion, it was totally worth the price in Alaska!

We had 2nd seating and thought it was great not to rush back from excursions. It was late for us on the nights when we had to get up early the next day, but my DD and I managed it.