Which cruise line to Alaska

hello cruisers, please could you suggest between celebrity and Holland America which is better to cruise Alaska , our choice is limited as we need to do round trip to Vancouver and not one way. Is there any other cruise line who do the round trip please .

We have a 10year old so something with kids pool and food entertainment please

Our research led us to the conclusion that Glacier Bay is a must, especially if you don't expect to do many return visits to Alaska. Between your two choices, that means Holland America.

 

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Edited March 24, 2018 by bUU

I agree. Glacier Bay is by far the outstanding site of the Alaskan cruise. As RCI and Celebrity are not allowed there, they are ruled out for me.

It's been quite a few years, but we sailed round trip from Vancouver on HAL ship Volendam.

The ship sails Wednesday to Wednesday, so not as much competition in ports with lots of other ships.

It's a smaller ship (compared to some) and easy to get around.

Not many children on board (but we sailed in June). But I do remember seeing happy kids around.

There is a retractable roof over the pool, and kids (and a few adults) were in the pool.

CC has pointed out that Princess seems to be the go-to line for Alaskan cruises.

Actually, I've never seen CC itself point out that Princess is anything other than a contemporary of Holland America with regard to Alaska. They both have a long history in Alaska, both have privileges in Glacier Bay, etc. The biggest difference between the two is that Princess has comparatively few cruises that fit the OP's requirements: This year they have three 7-night roundtrip Vancouver cruises in May, and that's it. Holland America has about four dozen cruises that fit the OP's requirements, extending from Spring to Fall.

If it were us, we would choose Princess.

 

Two reasons. First, chances are the ship and your cabin will be in better condition. Second. Far more to do on Princess. Better entertainment (not that hard really).

hello cruisers, please could you suggest between celebrity and Holland America which is better to cruise Alaska , our choice is limited as we need to do round trip to Vancouver and not one way. Is there any other cruise line who do the round trip please .

We have a 10year old so something with kids pool and food entertainment please

 

Club HAL for kids is highly rated by kids which means they want to spend all of their time there. Here is a link to the typical kids activities in Alaska that I have collected:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/AL-15-Kids-8-12.pdf

 

Kids have their own menu, if they choose, on HAL:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HAL-Kids-Menu.pdf

 

Most HAL ships have take-out pizza on the aft Lido Deck, Dive-In burgers by the retractable-roof indoor pool, and a Taco Bar, also by the indoor pool, on the Vista and smaller-class ships.

We sailed Celebrity last September and went to Glacier Bay....We were on the Infinity.

 

I agree. Glacier Bay is by far the outstanding site of the Alaskan cruise. As RCI and Celebrity are not allowed there, they are ruled out for me.

My DD’s favorite cruise was on HAL out of Vancouver. She also had a great time on HAL in the Caribbean.

Edited March 26, 2018 by 6rugrats