Absolutly no idea which ship to Alaska

[maja]

Friends of mine are considering an Alaska cruise & have no idea how to decide which ship to take. Since I don't have any experience with Alaska, I was hoping to get some input here.

They are looking for a great rate, and will probably book an inside cabin.

Princess has some good rates out there on the Coral, Dawn, & Sun for 2005.

Which of the above ships do you recommend? Any other cruise ship recommendations?

How important is it where the ship departs from & returns? They are flying from NJ. What about the time of year? Rates are lower in the Spring & then the Fall.

Does each season have its positives & negatives? HELP!

[SEPyle]

Hi Maja,

 

I'm actually a cruise specialist selling for a .com agency. I'm on these boards because this is my first trip to Alaska, so I'm in learning mode. I do know cruising and have learned some pointers from my fellow workers, so here goes:

 

If your friends are doing cruise only w/o a land tour (the way to see Denali, and the beautiful interier of Alaska) a round-trip, either Seattle or Vancouver is most likely the best bet. One big advantage of a round trip is that air is more cost effective (however often rates on the cruise are higher as well). We are doing a Northbound cruise from Vancouver to Seward because we are doing a 5 night land tour. Many choose to do the land portion first then relax on the cruise. We are doing the cruise first because the tour I want is offered after the cruise only. We've chosen the Summit because first of all, Celebrity is my favorite line. Celebrity doesn't go into Glacier Bay (from what I hear a negative) however they do Hubbard Glacier and a new port Icy Strait. My understanding is that Icy Strait is a really nice port. Our original plan was to do the Sun Princess. Good rates, however the ship isn't as new. Making a decision on a cruise line is dependent on many factors. People look for different things when they choose a cruise and each cruise line offers something different. I try to listen to my clients, finding out what they are looking for, and then suggest a ship that meets their needs.

 

You asked about time of the year. Yes, rates are lower in May and September. This too depends on what you are looking for. Late May is the time the animals are coming out of hybernation, so it's a great time if you are looking for wildlife. May however is too early to see the salmon running. Temperatures are cooler in May and hotter in mid summer. Rates are also higher, and so are the mosquitos!I've been told they are BIG in Alaska, and for that reason July I wouldn't pick July.

 

By the way we are booked on the 5/20 Summit, so you can see I like good rates and wildlife!

 

I'm by no means an expert on Alaska and when I first began in the cruise business I let other agents sell Alaskan cruisetours. Alaska is complicated and since it's often thought of as a trip of a lifetime, you don't want to make mistakes. I mentioned the "trip of a lifetime" line to my husband, and his reply: "Don't be so sure of that!!

 

As I mentioned at the beginning of my post this will be my first year experiencing Alaska, so I don't want to come off as sounding like an expert because I'm a Travel Agent.

I'm interested in hearing from the "tried and true" Alaska veterans. Do my reflections make sence?

 

Know what I love about my job? Before I found the job of my dreams, I cruised because I was addicted. Now I cruise for "Professional Enhancement"! It works for me!

 

Sharon

[Budget Queen]

Traveling Alaska is indeed unique and since you ask- I will give my opinion , a 5 day add on land tour is not enough time. A great deal of your time is in transit, you can do more independent in 5 days than you can on a fixed tour. Are you aware of the differences in traveling in Denali Park?? and frankly the "bugs" are seldom a problem where most tourists go, so your July reference is way off base. Clearly the more you know the better. Fixed group travel is just not for me, it's interesting that you see some poster's claim they will travel independent the next trip but never the independents wanting to take the cruisetours. :) Fortunately there is something for everyone, but everyone need to be informed- there is a lot undisclosed on the tours. :)

[General Max]

Sharon, your reflections do make sense. Our first cruise was an Alaskan cruisetour in August, 2004 on a HAL ship (Ryndam) and it was better than we expected. We combined this with some independent travel which Budgetqueen likes; car rental in Anchorage to drive to Fairbanks, Rockymountaineer railtour from Vancouver to Calgary and an unescorted weekend in Vancouver with friends from Seattle.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[CEWayfarer]

Before we booked our June 2005 cruise to Alaska, I spent weeks looking at every different line, ship and accomodations. For what an inside cabin on Princess would have cost, we were able to get an extended balcony on the Carnival Spirit.

We've cruised Carnival before and enjoyed it, so it wasn't a major compromise.

I REALLY wanted a balcony for our first Alaska cruise. That was my deal-breaker!

[SEPyle]

I agree Budget Queen about a 5 night not being enough. vacation time off does come into play here and I must say, we're doing the cruisetour because I want to experience what my industry has to offer. It doesn't make sence for me to sell cruisetours to others and then when I go, forge out on my own. I have traveled Europe and never with a tour. A few years back, I actually took my daughters and we "Eurailed" for 15 days. I'm certainly not shy of independent travel, but this time it's the way we will be introduced to Alaska! I will remember your advice for our next Alaskan trip. As far as the bugs...people who I've talked to seem to disagree-wonder what that means? Maybe the "M" population varies by year???

 

General Max, your combination sounded like it was a great combination. I do wish I had the luxury of time. Carnival does have very competive pricing. They aren't known for Alaska and would be a great choice for someone going on the cruise and then touring independently to the interior!

 

Sharon

[Host Caroline]

There are simply too many reasons why people choose independent vs. cruisetours, one ship over another etc. etc. For some it's time, others convenience and for some finances (either not a concern or a major concern).

I was a TA for many years and learned, if nothing else, that you shouldn't/ can't "tell" your clients what to do -- you can offer suggestions and then let them make the choices.. it's their money and their vacation. The boards here are the same -- just because someone chooses one ship over another, one method of touring over another etc. etc. doesn't make their choice right or wrong. Just take the information and plan what you hope (and I can almost guarantee in Alaska) will be a trip to remember... and know that many who say they will only go once return again and again as we do.

I've done Alaska with a tour and independently and enjoyed both. Done just a cruise and had a great time. The tour was a year I simply didn't want to hassle with all the arrangements myself.. we met great folks, had a wonderful time.

What is one person's choice may not be for you but that doesn't make yours wrong.

Caroline

[Babyblue]

I am now beginning my research on Alaska so that I can book one soon.

I have traveled Carnival and Princess both.

 

The main thing for me this trip is that I will get at least a Balcony this trip. I never have had one but for Alaska and Tahit I will splurge because that is what I feel is important for me.

 

Now if airfare wasn't a concern( traveling from Texas) then I would choose Princess. But since flying is not free( unless I have been dooped for all these years :D ) I will probably go with Carnival.

 

I love both cruise lines so will just have to go the least expensive line for this trip.

 

Heard that you need to see Glaciar bay but If I don't get to see it this time I will have a good excuse for going again.

Been leaning towards a back to back so we can fly out of the same airport but the problem with that is I will more than likely have to pay for both me and my cruise companion(either my sister or my stepdaughter) cruise and airfare.

 

Karen

[Budget Queen]

My point is not clear. I don't care how people see interior Alaska. But I do have a BIG problem with people not knowing what they are purchasing on a cruisetour. I get emails every day from people who have purchased a cruisetour- only to later find out- they are all day on a bus, arriving after 8pm in Anchorage, have no idea that the Natural History tour is useless, and likely no wildlife etc etc etc. I think the tours deserve JUST as much research as independent touring does so as to fully understand what is being purchased. Even though- "everything" is taken care of- make sure this is what you want out of Alaska. The cruise brochure photos are GREATLY enhanced and never are there good descriptions- so factor transit times out, distances, locations etc.

[stephenandrew]

Well, with regard to Budget Queen's statements, it would be hard to argue that people should not be informed about the decisions they make--e.g. know when they will be traveling, how long they will be on the road, etc. We took a a four night pre-cruise tour--basicially going from Fairbanks to Whittier. It was our first trip to Alaska, and while it was not how I would have traveled had I gone independently, I must say that it was an enjoyable trip, very easy to dela with from a planning perspective, and frankly, a decent introduction to the interior of Alaska. If we go back, I know where I would like to spend some more time and stay (Talkeetna) and where I see no need to return (Fairbanks--in spite of others recomendations on this board.) I doubt my next trip will be with a tour, but for the reasons above, it served us well.

 

I would also note, that anybody who does not recognize how much time they are going to be spending in transit on a cruise tour (or any vacation for that matter) is a bit dull. All one has to do is look at an itinerary, ask a travel agent, call the cruise line itself, post a messae here, etc. Complaining about the time in transit after a tour or after one has made a final payment is frankly an admission to poor planning.

[Host Caroline]

I would also note, that anybody who does not recognize how much time they are going to be spending in transit on a cruise tour (or any vacation for that matter) is a bit dull. All one has to do is look at an itinerary, ask a travel agent, call the cruise line itself, post a messae here, etc. Complaining about the time in transit after a tour or after one has made a final payment is frankly an admission to poor planning.

 

Thank you, thank you.... all you have to do is look at a map to see that there's a lot of ground to travel.... :rolleyes: And you're right, a cruisetour is a very good intro. When I was a TA lots of people came back from cruises to the Caribbean especially, had found an island destination they really liked -- and had maybe not expected to like -- and booked a vacation there in the future. Same thing applies here...

[naplesam]

We travel Europe and NEVER consider a tour but rather go "on our own" stopping when, where and how long we want within constraints of the hotel, etc. However, in Alaska several years ago we did a Princess cruise tour and we thought they did such a great job that we are again with Princess on a cruisetour this August. Their organization is supurb. Yeah, there is sometimes a lot of time on a bus, it is beautiful territory with a new scene around every corner. And the train is great!

 

With that said, I would stretch and spend as much time as I possible could on land to see that part of Alaska too. You get two distinct views and both should be witnessed if at all possible. The last choice for me would be the actual ship. If Carnival meets your needs, then go for it! But also think of trying something else if it would bring new things, i.e., going further into Denali! Read the fine print and watch theses boards!

 

FWIW

[holton]

We are taking our 6th cruise to Alaska this summer and have a couple of recommendations for you. We live in the Seattle area and are thrilled that cruises are now going our of our ports. However, the one disadvantage is that they cruise the outside of Vancouver Island before coming into the Inside Passage. The cruises leaving from Vancouver do the Inside route. It is much calmer and much more scenic.

 

We have cruised on the Coral Princess, actually did her inaugural trip 'through' the entire Canal and will be cruising on her again this summer on a return trip from Alaska in May. We will be going up to Alaska on her sister ship the Island Princess May 7-14....touring on our own for a week and returning on the Coral May 21-28. We have done the Inside Passage 4 times and one other time did a Cruisetour with Princess...cruising Vancouver to Seward and taking the Princess train from Anchorage to Fairbanks via Denali.

 

Since this is your first time to Alaska, we would highly recommend letting Princess do the 'driving'. They have it down to a tee...their lodges are great and their train is fantastic. Wonderful domed cars with lots of glass on the upper level and dining facilities below with food even better than on the cruise.

 

Whatever you decide...you will not be disappointed in Alaska!