MamaMia4

If your son is 18, I'm going to say Princess might be a good choice to look at.

 

My opinion is Glacier Bay is a major priority if it's your first time to Alaska. Princess and Holland have the most slots for Glacier Bay.

 

Princess is more old school, British classy (some people find it stuffy). First time I went to Alaska on Princess, was senior year in high school. I LOVED it. So far from anything I'd experienced before. I like set dining times because the staff pics up on my quirks and preferences, so I feel like I'm extra cared for. It's just little things like having a coke already there for me before I arrive so I don't have to order it. Extra sugars. Putting in an order for 6 lobsters (yes, I try to eat my cruise fare back) before I arrive. With set dining times, it dovetails nicely with the evening show and I just plan around that.

 

I'm going on the Bliss on Norwegian. While it's nice to not have to pack a set of dress clothes, I really didn't mind it. Some people refuse to wear a tie (you don't have to; a blazer and collared shirt looks fine). Some people want to be able to eat whenever they want, and have more choices of restaurants. I wouldn't mind more choices for food, but I dislike paying extra for it. Takes the fun out of cruising (see the above where I'll eat 6 lobster tails with no guilt and nothing extra out of pocket). Norwegian doesn't even have lobster night anymore. They don't have a lot of different shows either. A friend we normally vacation with isn't going on the cruise with us because they went not too long ago and felt Norwegian was really blah. Not bad. Just a real let down after having done Disney before it. The included meals weren't anything memorable, service was just adequate, etc. Everyone I've personally known who's gone on Norwegian just kind of shrugs their shoulders at it. They don't say it's bad, but it's far from their first choice.

 

Disney is like a cut above Princess. I suppose more on the par of Celebrity or Holland. My parents have been on Celebrity (not sure about Holland) right after a Disney cruise (with us). They said Disney is hands down better in terms of food and service. It helps if you like Disney, but it's still somewhat subtle in many ways. It's like a high class ship, with Disney touches if you look for them. Their crowd management is the best, bar none. There's no crash of passengers switching from dining to show and vice versa. It just all flows really well. And the themed dining rooms are really fun. Stuff is even animated. Like chandeliers that look like flowers and "bloom" throughout the course of the meal so it's fully opened by the end. YouTube Animator's Palate. Words don't do it justice. The bathrooms have tubs, and are sectioned off, so someone can take a shower while another uses the toilet. It's like two half bathrooms. First time I went on Disney was in college. I like Disney, but not a super fan or anything. It was my favorite cruise (Wonder) for a long, long while... until it got beaten by another Disney cruise decades later (Fantasy).

 

I haven't been on any new Carnival ship. For the older ones, it's a fight with Norwegian for last place. Probably wins. It's more a party and get drunk type line for cheap IMO. Great for some people, but that's not me. For a hilarious review of a Carnival cruise, see:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/p_570_11488_cruising_with_theme_park_review_carnival_ecstasy_review_-_tprs_klassy_kruise_2012

That is all really awesome information! We’ve always stirred clear of Disney because kids other than mine drive me crazy.

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SO SORRY THAT THIS IS SO LONG!

 

Though I haven't yet been to Alaska, I have been doing a lot of research over the past few weeks. I think what some of the others are trying to say is that there are so many variables. I can't tell you which cruise is best for you, but I can tell you what I have found, though much of it is subjective.

 

1. Most people I know who have been to Alaska have said that it is best to do a cruise that also has a land tour. (part land trip, part cruise). To do this, means you would need to choose a cruise that either starts (or ends) in Alaska. I assume the airfare would be more than if you just flew in and out of Seattle, but haven't priced it out.

 

2. July seems to be the most costly month (at least in terms of cruises). The cost differential between a July 1st cruise and an Aug 26 cruise on one of the cruise lines I looked at was almost $6,000 per person!

 

3. Best time to visit is between mid-May to mid-September, though, depending on what you prioritize, whether you want to go closer to May or Sept would be subjective. Weather is warmer (obviously) in the summer, but it is also wetter as the summer progresses. Daylight is longest at start of summer (late June). July is supposedly best weather-wise, but there are apparently lots of mosquitos out then. July through mid-Sept is best time to see bears, if that is something you want to do, though I believe I read that the closer to Sept. the better (though I may be mis-remembering). Best time to see whales is June to mid-Sept., though June-July is best chance to see Humpbacks. If you plan to go hiking, you should wait until July to visit. The later in the year you go, the better your chance of seeing the Northern Lights, though even in mid-September, you may not be able to see them yet. Lastly, best time also depends on what glacier you want to see. Most of the things I read suggest that you want to look for an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay. Tracy Arm is another very popular glacier. The itinerary I am choosing goes to Glacier Bay and, though it is a long excursion, I can go to Tracy Arm as well. If you do a search in this forum you can see lots of posts comparing the different glaciers. For me, since Glacier Bay is a priority, I chose a cruise that goes in August ships are more likely to be able to sail near it.

 

4. Cruise Lines - I can't really tell you which is the best since I have no experience going to Alaska, but here is what I found. Just FYI, the prices I got were for 6 people for conceirge class or above, except for DCL, where I looked at balcony cabins. Disney cost about the same or more but is top-notch everything (but no special perks). Princess and Celebrity both have several itineraries (though I don't think Celebrity goes to Glacier Bay). I have never been on either so can't speak as to service. NCL has three choices--the Jewel, Pearl and Bliss. The Jewel sails out of Vancouver and has cruisetours available. The other two are out of Seattle. Bliss is brand new (not even sailing yet) and was most expensive, Jewel was over $5k less than Bliss and $2k less than Pearl (again, for a family of six). Bliss will have a giant glass viewing wall, as it was built for Alaska. I think Princess, Celebrity and NCL are comparable, though some have set dinner times and some have flex times. Holland Cruise Line, which I did not look at, may be an option for you as well, since you are not traveling with any young children.

 

Hope this info helps!

That’s just what i was looking for other people’s experiences; thank you for taking the time. It’s helped me tremendously! Have fun on your cruise; we head to the Mexican Rivera in May

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Oh dear lord people, rather than picking me apart scroll past. Forget I asked [emoji849]

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Im going on a cruise next week and im going to an island known as mystery islaned in the south pacific ive heard its very small and im very scared at waht would happen if an earthquake/tsunami occur while im on the island im having trouble sleeping thanks in advanced

So stay on the ship you don’t have to get off the ship.

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Okay I need info people best Alaska Cruise what time of the year and best ship. Looking at taking my son that’s will be 18 when we do this.

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