cw2go

I suggest looking at what your must haves are for each port first. For example one trip bears were on my must have list and I wanted to do them out of Ketchikan, that decided my month/options. There is a season for best viewing probability so I went stacking my odds in my favor, worked out great! That year meant June for me. May can still be icy getting to glaciers. There is no bad time but depending on what you're wanting most can determine better times. Pick a cruise line, that has a sailing with the most amount of port hours then look at excursions and make your list. Try not to worry about the ship if Alaska is really what you're after. Ive sailed Princess and Celebrity in Alaska. Alaska gives many people sticker shock, start planning your budget. For me tours are most important so the stateroom comes last but many people love a balcony, I am always top deck. Here are some tours I've done and loved... Hubbard Glacier is massive and imo a must have. Glacier Bay is very nice and many will say you must have it but I was not blown away. Tracy Arm Fjord is beautiful but the glacier view can be limited because of weather/ice. Ketchikan: Bears twice once to Anan and once to Traitors Cove with Island Wings. Floatplane with landing in Misty Fjord Monument. Adventure Karts. Skagway: Rented a car and went to the Yukon on our own. Train Ride is gorgeous but no adventure. I'm retuning this July and will take the train and get off to hike to Laughton Glacier. Zip line fun but typical. The jet boat was super fun and much more educational than I expected. It was great! ISP: ATV's and the Zip Rider... A BLAST! Will be doing it again. Juneau: Whale Watch got lucky with a bubble feed, it was spectacular. Mendenhall Glacier Canoed and hiked Mendenhall glacier, was able to explore an ice cave. HighLight of my life! If beginning or ending in Vancouver: Fabulous city, walk or bike Stanley Park. Very active city. We enjoyed this a lot. Can watch the floatplanes lands. Gastown area steam clock, enjoyed a drink. Aqua bus to Granville Island. It was just a time killer for us. If in Whittier meaning beginning or ending in Anchorage: 26 Glacier Cruise with Phillips is fantastic. Lots of whales and otters. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you even more. Enjoy your planning, Alaska is amazing! Patty

duplicate post oops.

Go into your cruise planner on your cruise hit "Plan My Cruise" I noticed the change earlier today. it will load with a categories tab across the top like a banner bar. Patty

I have done a tour with them and it was fantastic. Glaciers w/Whales and Otters galore!

Dang it! 😛

This is because of your stateroom category, perks & benefits. Not everyone will get that call. With a package you can't book any dining until once on board, doesn't matter that the cruise planner has availability. Many buy a package, get on board and dining options are super limited. Patty

I have all of my tours except one booked with Celebrity for July 2023 Surprisingly, they are all more pricey going private. I've sailed Alaska several times and have always been able to get better rates outside of the cruise line until now. I had OBC to use so booked some excursions very early on, as soon as they were released and they've all increased a lot. I've looked to compare and I have better pricing than going independent this time around. Example: Taku Glacier Floatplane is $23 pep person more independently than I paid with Cel but it has gone up $80 per person since I booked. That being said, Alaska isn't as hard to plan as many think. Take one port at a time as you would anywhere else and select one or two must have activities and book from there. I'm never the "Bus Tour Person" but sometimes I am the person on the transfer bus, like Mendenhall in Juneau as example. The Big Blue Bus is a great way to get to Mendenhall without using the cruise line tours. Without knowing your ports, it's hard to give recommendations. IN ISP if docking there, you'l have to go thru the cruise line for any excursions. My tours with the cruise line or independent are often less than 10 people, in Alaska that's common with Float trips, Canoes, Flights etc. Enjoy your planning, Patty

Thank you for your response. My DH will most definitely have the steak! If by chance you've ever watched Everybody Loves Raymond... All I can think of is the episode with the "Butter Density" conversation between Debra and Ray while enjoying an anniversary dinner out. Yep that will be us 😂

Now I am SOLD ~The butter sealed the deal! 😁 Patty

I did look at some online videos, looks like work of art. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Thank you! My DH who is a boring meat and potatoes guy say's "Let's Just Roll With It" Looking forward to being back on board and trying to squeeze it all in, just hope I can squeeze into my pants end of cruise 😁 Patty

I think that's it! 😛 I decided to book because I really want to enjoy new experiences... But this one might be too "interesting" Not real familiar with french dining. Hoping to get more feedback on the dishes and service, Patty

If you read above, I explained my post was in response to another poster who mentioned seeing bragging online. I did not say I planned a year in advance for all of my sailings. I also have Beyond booked for this Feb and yes they are all sold out. Simply was stating it took pre planning not that I have all of my meals pre planned for all of my sailings a year out. I also have other obligations. I don't have the answer to your question which is why I didn't respond to you.

Tell me more... 😊 I have Le Voyage booked but when I look at this menu I'm a bit leery. What made it special and worth the price for you? Thanks, Patty

Thank you for this detailed response.

Also my point to that poster was it had nothing to do with how many sailings I had taken or stateroom category. I am not suggesting Cel isn't wonky with their reservation system but to assume it was anything other than pre planning wasn't very fair. I have the same chances of booking as anyone else. I wasn't implying people do or don't plan as well as myself or that Cel operates consistently.

Oops meant to quote... sorry But you will be able to book and plan once available, the poster I quoted most likely could have as well. That's what I was meaning... That post referenced bragging about bookings so it was available to them. What ship are you sailing that's not opening up dining? I have Apex Feb 2024 booked. Patty

But you will be able to book and plan once available, the poster I quoted most likely could have as well. That's what I was meaning... That post referenced bragging about bookings so it was available to them. What ship are you sailing that's not opening up dining? I have Apex Feb 2024 booked. Patty

Not sure where you saw this? Online here or elsewhere? I am not booked in a suite and have all of my specialty dining booked, well in advance. Cel status or stateroom category had zero effect, it was simply pre planning. Patty

I've sailed Alaska 4 times in an interior so for me the IV is a huge upgrade. I tend to book all different types of staterooms depending on itinerary and what vacay vibe I'm seeking. Some sailings, I opt for a "real" or "fake" balcony and some not. For me Alaska is all about getting out of port and doing some amazing excursions that I can't do here in Ohio so that's where I put my money. The ship and trinket stores don't make any difference to me. IMO Seattle Itineraries are weak and the sailing is likely more rough but some of Alaska is better than none.

Thx! Looks like the Celebrity food I've always experienced. The links are quirky, I downloaded them to open them. Glad you enjoyed your cruise, Patty

Sounds awful! Wish you a speedy recovery but to answer you question, you'll need to contact your TA

Thank you for this input, very helpful! At this time, I am still waiting to see Celebrities itineraries for the same sailing season/destinations to make a comparison. In the next few weeks they'll be released so meanwhile I'll keep gathering NCL info so I can make a wise decision. I'm also a Golden Lover! 🐶

By "grill' I think you mean a flattop? There wasn't a grill on any of my Millie sailings in Alaska. They did have a station at the year of OVC where they cooked exactly what you describe to order but it was on a large flattop. If I remember correctly they always had stainless steel trays with precooked meats and sides available along with the cooked to order option. I honestly can't imagine that being gone. I also would enjoy this after a long day in Alaska. Post #71 sounds like what I've always experienced on Celebrity. Since you are the OP, I felt it would be on point to respond without going too far off topic. Patty

Agree have used RIL several times and have them booked for our next sailing to the med, also on the Beyond Aug 2023 Patty