rubyreader

Did you book via ship or yourself? If so what was name?

Thanks much.

I booked on my own and the company is called Juneau Whale Watch. I booked the Mendenhall glacier and Juneau whale watch combo tour.

Looking for whale watching and Mendenhall glacier tour recommendations. I booked at tour with one of the groups however, I am disappointed that they take you to Mendenhall Glacier first then whale watching. We get in to part at 2pm and for the afternoon tours, they do the glacier first then the whale watching. I would like to spend more time at the glacier and hiking the falls. Thank you.

I used Juneau Whale Watch in May so that I could do what you are hoping to. I had called them and explained that I wanted enough time to hike to the falls, so they had me put "request more time at glacier" as a note when I made my reservation. I did the whale watching first, which felt like plenty of time, and then stayed at the glacier as long as I wanted because their shuttles back to the ships ran every half hour, so I just left when I was ready. It was great!

We did a 10-day over spring break on HAL many years ago (early 2000s). I think there were about 30 teens onboard and maybe 60ish kids/teens all together. It may have changed since then, but at the time it was a large enough group to be fun but small enough that it never seemed crazy.

 

Now that I'm cruising with my own kids in the kids clubs I'm back to keeping track of this! That said, we did Royal over Thanksgiving a few years ago and we're advised that clubs may hit capacity but never had an issue getting our kids in (not sure if others/other ages ever had issues).

Thanks, this is exactly what I had hoped to hear! We're so interested in this particular Holland America itinerary, and honestly, I love traveling with my daughter, anyway, that if she and I just hang out together, that's fine, too. I've only been on one cruise, and she's hasn't cruised at all, so the itinerary is a real priority for us. Maybe I'll have to start the roll call and encourage some kids!

Checking the roll call is a good idea; I'll keep my eye on it. I was just looking at some reviews of some Royal Caribbean cruises at spring break, and it looks like a madhouse! I know this is totally speculative, but does the madness drop off a bit on a 9 day cruise? I could do their 9 day on the Harmony of the Seas, but the itinerary is not as good. Or a 9 day Navigator of the Seas.

The longer the cruise the less you will find kids on board. Although not guaranteed, just not likely.

Do you think a Princess cruise will be essentially the same? It's 10 days instead of 11, so not much different, but is Princess a little more family oriented? There are also a couple 9 day Royal Caribbean cruises during our dates, but those huge ships intimidate me! I'm sure my daughter would have plenty to do, though!

My 15 year old daughter has a longer spring break, so we could actually fit in the 11 day wayfarer on the Koningsdam and that itinerary looks so interesting. We don't need loads of kids, but I know that Holland America may have less to start, and then given the length of the cruise, are there generally any kids? Since it will be just the 2 of us, she would probably enjoy some youth-oriented activities.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Holland America does tend to cater to an older clientele so I understand your daughter's concerns. Happy that you enjoyed your cruise. Sometimes people stick with one line, others tend to try different lines.

 

Would suggest looking at Royal Caribbean. A lot of choices and ships to choose from, and probably more for your daughter. Royal Caribbean ships, especially the Oasis, Freedom and Voyageur class of ships have a lot to offer to families of all ages. Shows include Broadway productions, ice shows, and on the mega Oasis class an aqua theater with outdoor water/diving shows. They have a multitude of activities for all ages. Price-wise I think you would find them very comparable to what you currently have.

Thanks for your thoughts! It's so hard, because we are a pretty reserved bunch, and I'm trying to find a balance between what I like (the person paying!) and still giving her a good time. I truly believe that she would like a ship with a few kids better than TONS of kids. At spring break this year, we were touring a museum, and one of my kids said, "we seem to do things that lots of old people do". But they were having fun!

If you have a balcony cabin including gratuities and on board credit for approximately $1000 per person you already have a good deal. You might save $50 - $100 pp but that time of year prices tend to go up, not down.

Thanks, that's what I thought, but it's helpful to get another opinion. Because this is my first time looking at spring break, I just wasn't sure.

Winter 2018 had some good bargains but that can be attributed to concern about ports impacted by hurricanes in the fall of 2017. Hopefully the upcoming hurricane season will be quiet giving all ports time to fully recover. Working in your favor may be that Easter (and the attendant school vacation weeks) is late in 2019 (April 29th) but March is the month that most universities have a week long break. Since it is a week long, if you chose a 10 day cruise that should rule out spring breakers as should cruising on HAL. Why not reserve now and watch the prices? If they decline, ask the cruise line or your travel agent to re-fare the cruise (this is possible on Princess not sure about the other lines, but just ask on their boards)?

I did reserve on Holland America; I think part of what is making me second-guess my choice is that my 15 year old daughter is concerned that it may be a little "too" quiet for her! Our break in 2019 is nice and long, a full week and a half, and is well after most college breaks (we begin March 27) but before Easter next year, so I think I almost have too many choices that would work!

I totally agree that I would happily pay more next year as a result of a quiet hurricane season for everyone!

Oops! I meant 2019. I can't figure out how to change the title.

A little background. I just returned from my first cruise to Alaska on Holland America's Westerdam. It was absolutely fantastic, and I found that I really liked cruising. My family has made many trips to the Caribbean and Mexico, but my husband just won't cruise, so I went to Alaska with my Dad, and while on the ship, I booked a Caribbean cruise with my teenage daughter for late March 2018. I'm happy with the price that I booked for a balcony cabin, but I was just looking at other options, and there are actually 22 7-10 day cruises from Florida that would work for us during the dates we need.

A few other things to note. I'll have flexible airfare booked with Southwest, so I'm not worried about flights. We are very thankful, happy, easy going travelers. I would like a balcony, or a certain itinerary, but we have a big family trip planned next summer, so I'm trying to keep spring break on the cheap. For the right price, I could do an inside cabin for 2, or a different set of ports.

I really liked the Holland America vibe, and my daughter doesn't need water slides... but we are open to any cruise line. So, how low might we be able to go if we wait? Our dates are not right before or after Easter next year, so that is probably to our advantage. Right now I think our price is about $2,000 total for a nice balcony room and prepaid gratuities with a decent room credit, so we already have a good deal. Is saving much more than that even realistic?

Thanks for any advice!

Thank you so much for taking the time to craft such a detailed and thoughtful review, Commander Benson. I was a couple weeks before you, on a different ship, but also experienced my first cruise on the Westerdam to Alaska. I, too, was struck by the attention to detail. Our embarkation was also something of a mess, but our experience after that was really something very special. Thank you for helping me to appreciate it again.

What a lovely review and beautiful pictures! I was on a different ship, but the same itinerary a few weeks before you. Thank you for letting me experience it on some level again!

I went a few weeks ago, May 6-13, and our weather was amazing! Warm (in the 70s for at least 4 days), sunny for part of every day, and we had only a couple hours of drizzle total in Ketchikan. It may have rained hard one night during the night, but we couldn't tell for sure. I picked May because of the unpredictability of the weather during the cruise season. It looked like you could get cold and rain in July or any month, so I rolled the dice and saved some money and lightened up the crowds and it was way beyond what I could have hoped for. I expected it to be cold and rainy, and would have enjoyed my cruise either way, but at least I went into it expecting the worst. I absolutely would try early in the season again.

I used Dyea Dave a few weeks ago, and it was a fantastic day! Deb picked us up at the dock, and I think we had about 14 people on our bus. She stopped so many times, including when she spotted a bear on the side of the road, and was so familiar with the area. The size of the group was great, and allowed us to be flexible. We drove up to Carcross, and split up for lunch on our own. After lunch, we drove up to Emerald Lake, and then back to Fraser where she brought us to the train station. The one way train trip back from there was perfect; a relaxing way to end the trip. She then picked us back up where the train ended in Skagway, and dropped people off either in town, at a restaurant, or back at the ship.

It ended up being my favorite excursion of the trip!

We are going on our first cruise July 1 in Alaska on Westerdam. I've seen Gala Night mentioned in a few threads. What exactly is it and when is it? First night? Random night? I understand dress may be up a notch or two but since Alaska typically seems a little less formal is it also less formal on Gala Night?

I was on the Westerdam on Sunday, May 6, roundtrip from Vancouver, and our Gala nights were on Monday (our first full day cruising the inside passage), and on Thursday night (our day cruising Glacier Bay). I'm not sure I would have noticed a significant difference from the other nights in the main dining room, but there maybe were a couple people really dressed up. The menus looked different, and one night they served lobster tail with filet or something like that. I actually had the sea bass that night, and it was very tasty. Enjoy your cruise! I absolutely loved ours, and it also was my first.

sailing with Princess in July , I need some good recommendations for whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier, want enough time to walk down to falls in Juneau. We will be in port from 6:30-4:00

We used Juneau Whale Watch for our day in Juneau last week. They run shuttles every 30 minutes from Mendenhall back to the ship, so they had us do the whale watch first, and then spend as long as we wanted at the glacier. When I booked they had me put "request extra time at glacier" in the notes field. Our time in port was different (1-10), but we were on the 1:30 whale watch, had time to do the Nugget Falls walk and a few others, and took the 6 or 6:30 shuttle back). The whole experience was excellent, and we had enough time at each stop without feeling rushed. The shuttle drivers were very entertaining, and pointed out things along the way, too.

If you're open to booking on your own, we used Juneau Whale Watch last week for their Mendenhall Glacier/whale watch combo. I had called them before I booked and asked if I could get extra time at the glacier so that I could do the Nugget Falls walk. They had us do the whale watch first, and then had shuttles run from Mendenhall back to the ships every half hour, so you take as much time as you want. It worked out great! I think we were at Mendenhall for maybe 1 1/2 - 2 hours, but I never went to the visitor center (my Dad was there while I went to Nugget Falls). We had a little early booking discount, so the tour was $125/pp or so.

I would absolutely use them again.

I really appreciate your comments, and would love to see your photos.

 

One way to post photos is to use Shutterfly. Just click on your photo in Shutterfly, then select copy image, then come here to your comment box and paste it right in.

https://photos.shutterfly.com/gallery/45c02dd9-10b5-424e-93dd-67fb850b765a/8

https://pix.sfly.com/jHAR2U

Hopefully this works!

Here are some pictures I took which may give you a feel for the unique shape

ACK! Sorry! I thought I added pictures but I still have to figure it out apparently!

Hi guys, anybody know how Dyea Dave is doin these days? Been thinkin about him quite a bit.

 

Virginia

I don't know specifics, but we did a tour with Deb from Dyea Dave this week (it was GREAT) and she said he was hoping to get to Skagway very soon, or maybe he was already back? I don't remember exactly, but it was hopeful.

Thank you! This is what I was hoping for as with also spending time in Seattle (I am imagining that it will be warmer) I am not sure how to pack!

I am so excited about this trip, I can hardly sit still!

This was my first cruise, and it was so great! I'm starting the last leg of my trip home, but let me know if you have any questions and I'll get back to you. You have so much to look forward to!

When looking at the Westy's deck plan we noticed that SS6052 is a bit odd shaped with an angled balcony. Wondering if anyone here has experience with those Signature Suite cabins and whether they are desired or best left alone (because of the potential lack of privacy on the balcony.

 

Hank

I just spent a week in this cabin in Alaska. It was fantastic! The extra space from the angle both blocked the wind, and gave extra space. Most of the balcony is private, but it's great, too, because of the overhang from the cabin above. Very quiet, and conveniently located. On the inside, we used the extra space from the angle for one of the chairs from a desk and the coffee table for a nice seating area with a view outside. I took a bunch of pictures of the cabin, and I'll try to post them tomorrow when I'm home. It was my first cruise, and this cabin set the bar high!

Not sure of the dress code. We are a very casual family and don't dress up much and with this being an Alaska cruise with hiking, etc. we are packing mostly jeans, a pair of khakis and collared shirt for the men and dress pants with nice top for the women--which I understand would be OK for gala night(?).

Can we wear jeans to dinner? I am trying not to pack too much as we are already going to be gone for two weeks and for several different climates. I find this a complicated trip to pack!

 

Thanks!

I just left the Westerdam after a fantastic week in Alaska. I generally worn dressy white jeans with a dressy top, including Gala nights. On the last night I wore nicer jeans with a dressy top. You really saw it all in the MDR.