dcsam

Thank you.  I’ll try and change, even if we pay more to move up a category.  We spend more time in our cabin than the average cruiser (due to husband’s walking issues). Having an unobstructed view is important. 

Just booked Regatta in cabin 8062.  The TA said there's a partial obstruction?  Anybody have first-hand experience in this cabin?  It was the last available in the lowest PH category.  

Thank you!

PSR,

Like you, we’ve cruised with HAL to Alaska many times.  But this would be a first for Oceania.  If you were to do Alaska again, which line would you book with?

Thank you! 
The ports vary according to sailing date, which we haven’t decided yet.  But most itineraries include Ketchikan, Juneau.  One that interests me the most includes Skagway.  
   Off subject, but it seems there was quite a bit of availability a couple weeks ago, and now many dates are waitlisted.  Guess we should decide sooner than later. 
Thanks again!

We have narrowed down our choices to either the Regatta or Holland America Eurodam. I know Holland America has great docks spaces - typically right in town. We’ve cruised the same itinerary with HAL before.   Curious about the areas Regatta docks.  Can anybody share their experience with this?  
Thank you

Wow!  The Explorer is stunning! I called Regent today, inquiring about their Alaska cruises.  You know how they get you on the phone, and place a courtesy hold on the cruise? Well... I just did that.  It's a back to back, Alaska cruise.   I've also considered the Seabourn Odyssey. It looks nice, but not nearly as nice as the Explorer.  Even though the Explorer looks quite formal, I've read the dress is actually more casual than we might find on Seabourn.  We're definitely not dressy folks, and find that Viking, Oceania dress codes 'fits us' nicely.  We've never cruised with Seabourn or Regent. Just hoping we'd find Regent casual and welcoming too. 

Mobility… this is the reason I posted the question in the first place. We wouldn’t use the included excursions  due to my husband’s mobility issues.  We find enjoyment simply being on the ship and venturing on our own (utilizing private tours). Our travel friends, however, would sign up for as many tours as possible.  So it seems Regent might be a good fit for us after all .

Sounds great.  Thanks for the feedback.  

Curious if you'd still cruise with Regent if you didn't take full advantage of their excursions?  

Thank you

Still looking at the possibility of cruising Alaska with Viking. Space is filling up, but I’ve noticed most ‘sold out’ cruises are the Vancouver to Seward ones.  Curious why that is.  
When would an August Alaska cruise be paid in full?  What are the chances of cancellations between now and summer?

In the past, we’ve purchased the HAL bus transfer to and from Vancouver.

Does in- suite dining (dinner) include specialty restaurant menus?  Or just the main dining room and room service menu only?  How about breakfast in-room dining… could we order from the main dining room menu?

Thank you.

Thank you all for the feedback.  Although I’d love to do Alaska with Oceania, I’ll look at a winter getaway aboard the Vista.  As mentioned above, the value of the PH (aboard the smaller ships) just isn’t there.  Oceania and Viking are our preferred lines.  Both simply fit us best in dress, service and overall ambiance. 

It’s been several years since we’ve cruised with HAL.  We’re considering booking a Neptune Suite aboard the Volendam.  I read that ia Neptune gives access to ‘Club Orange’.   What is CO?  Also, there may be times when we decide to have dinner in the cabin - what are the options (ie, only from the main restaurant, specialty)?

Thank you. 

Seabourn:  

  June 30 (14 nt cruise)

  Balcony cabin  (~250-300 sq. ft)

  ~$700 per person per night

  Close to  all-inclusive

Oceania (does not include tipping or drinks):

   -August 8 (10 night cruise)

   -penthouse cabin (~320 sq. ft)

   - ~$750 per person per night

  -standard balcony (we’ve stayed in these before and they are cramped): ~$500 per person per night

I didn't mean to imply that Regent costs less - their cost is higher.  But that rate includes more .  Great for those who partake in excursions, drink.  Tips are included too.  So it seems to be a better value.  

I've been searching for an Alaska cruise for quite some time now.  Oceania would be easy for us (drive to port). But I'm having a very hard time justifying their cost.  Seems the luxury lines (out of Vancouver) offer more, for a comparable (if not less) rate. I'd be booking with Seabourn today, but I am concerned it may be a bit 'stuffier' and dressier than Oceania. Silversea is out, due to the formality in dress.  Regent is out too - we don't do excursions or drink (much  ;-).  Do I wait and hope Oceania will have reduced rates closer to sailing?  We are very flexible when we travel.  We can wait and hope for the best, or just take the plunge and go with Seabourn.  I'm not usually so apprehensive about choosinga cruise, but the cost for this is more than we've spent in the past, and there are several options.  

Thank you!  I hear ya.  We’ve cruised with HAL many times.  And they do get the best docking.  They do know and do Alaska right. Was just hoping to find something that is a splurge - don’t want the  nickel and diming.  Last time we cruised HAL, we upgraded to the Neptune and it was lovely.  But leave the confines of the cabin, and I felt I was amongst huge crowds - especially when in the lido and pool area. Still… that is an option I should keep open, especially if we decide to cruise latter part of August and aboard the Volendam.  

I posted the same on the Viking board.  Not getting much response.  Perhaps I’ll get more input here.  
 

Debating between an Alaska cruise with either Seabourn (Odyssey) or Viking.

 With all the flights and transfers, Viking would end up costing more and involves   more  (getting to and from

the ship).  Still… we love Viking (walk-around deck, casual, spa…).  But Seabourn sure would be easy-peasy and less cost. For those who have cruised both, how did Seabourn compare?

Thank you!

I see Seabourn is cruising Alaska into October. Anybody ever cruised there that late in the season?  If so, how was it?  I know Alaska can be quite rainy in the summer months (or beautiful sun and warm).  But October?  
Also, what’s the average temp of the pools?

Thank you!

Should have researched their website before posting the above.  Looks like they do work with Air Canada.

Thanks.  The only non-stop flight (I can find), Seattle to Montreal is with Air Canada.  Does Viking work with them?

I’m looking at the Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, October cruise.  One of the big draws for us is that Air Canada has non-stop to Montreal from Seattle. We’d also be able to fly non-stop Fort Lauderdale back to Seattle. Sooo… with Viking’s included air, how can we insure we  get non-stop flights only? 
Thank you!

Thank you.  I’ll take a look at the Fold & Go.