Which Cruiseline to Alaska

[wannacruise655]

OK starting to think about the "Dream Vacation"

 

Which line is best considering Cruise and Inside touring?

 

I'd Like some Opinions please.

 

 

Royal Caribbean

 

Princess

 

Celebrity

 

HAL

 

other

 

 

thanks for your input

[Mike2131]

OK starting to think about the "Dream Vacation"

 

Which line is best considering Cruise and Inside touring?

 

I'd Like some Opinions please.

 

 

Royal Caribbean

 

Princess

 

Celebrity

 

HAL

 

other

 

 

thanks for your input

 

Hi!

 

There are a lot considerations but the main one is that if you want to go in 2005, you need to act pretty soon. Bookings are up and if you have not started your research, you are a little behind the curve. Get a knowlegeable TA and then decide on the following (among other considerations):

 

1) When are you going to go?

 

2) How much time you can take?

 

3) RT Inside Passage cruise or all the way up? Both have advantages.

 

4) If all the way up, time in the interior (highly recommended!)? Independent or cruise tour?

 

5) Does it include Glacier Bay (Hubbard Glacier is poor substitute)? Not all cruise lines have permits for Glacier Bay.

 

We have been twice (both with Celebrity) and like the service, ships, and cuisine but they do not go to Glacier Bay. HAL and Princess do and both have a major presence in Alaska. Princess has its own lodges.

 

You will have a great time!

[GoBucks04]

We have a cc group cruise coming up in June :)

[Coral]

Mike has some very good points that you need to address in your research.

 

I have sailed 4x to Alaska - 3 with Princess and 1x with RCCL. My Princess cruises to Alaska were far superior then my RCCL cruises. Princess just did a much better job then RCCL. Plus, my Princess cruises included Glacier Bay and College Fiords. I am not sure if I would consider a cruise to Alaska with out seeing both GB and CF.

 

I would also look into Holland America - I hear a lot of positives about HAL and Alaska. I just haven't gotten around to trying HAL yet.

[MSEm]

You may want to check out a small ship cruise such as Cruise West or Glacier Bay. Remember that shore activies and/or water actives are included. The small ships are a very different type of cruising. No formal nights, No casinos, no kids camps (and very few kids on board). You have to decide which cruise is right of you. Have a great time.

[Pugdog007]

We've selected RCCL's Serenade of the Seas for the younger demographic and the new ship.

[Budget Queen]

You are best to look at several factors- then fill in the ship. :) Ports. time in port, ship naturalist, route (most Seattle sailings do too much outside passage sailing for my preferences), glacier- I have been to all three and Glacier Bay is my clear preference, price- budget fully for costly excursions. As for one way or round trip- my opinion only- I never would go on a one way without adding at least another week for interior Alaska touring- Alaska isn't a frequent destination for most so take advantage of being there. I also give a big priority to Seward and College Fjords- just too excellent to miss. HAL fits the bill for many of these highlights.

[wcal]

I am sure whatever cruise line you choose will be great. We are going on Celebrity this August. Almost booked with Princess but TA gave Celebrity a little better recommendation for Alaska. I would definitely try to do a cruisetour also.

[socialworker]

Have done two r/t inside passage sailings - first with Princess, second with Celebrity. Then did one cruisetour (14 days) with Holland. All were wonderful.

 

While there are many things to consider when selecting a cruise, I think one needs to start with the basics - time and money. When do you want to travel and how much are you willing to spend to do so.

 

Once you've narrowed the field, then you can look at the "personality" of the cruiseline. And this is where a really good T/A comes in, as T/A should be able to guide you through this process based on your preferences.

 

For first timers, I would also recommend Glacier Bay over the others, since it is so widely associated with "the true Alaska experience."

 

Whichever line you choose - enjoy!

 

Judy

[sisocialworker]

Judy-like your screen name!

 

we are considering alaska for 2006, DW and 7yo son. since he still young so we will do cruise only. next time do a tour when he can really enjoy it. of the three lines what do rate as the best?

 

we are not into late night parties/drinking. but do like contemporary music, ( 49yo and 46yo-young attitude yet conservative).

 

I am doing extensive research of the boards-but since we never cruised and don't know anyone personally who has we are muddling through-what fun!

 

thanks

 

barry

[JohnQ]

Lots of good info already provided here. I tend to side with BQ when it comes to cruise priorities and favorate locations. I would give preference to one way trips with land week before, Seward rather than Whittier, Glacier Bay rather than Hubbard Glacier, book land on your own rather than cruisetour. Having said all that, I took the non glacier bay tour in Sep because it went to Icy Strait Point, a new port, that sounded great. Still don't want to go into Whittier but may have to if we are ever going to try Princess. Prefer smaller to mid size ships with lots of outside decks and viewing, rather than the all glass-all balcony designs, especially for photography. HAL and Celebrity are the two we have tried so far, and Statendam came out on top by a little. Do more reading on these boards, get visitor guides from potential ports, look thru cruise brochures, and maybe get Frommers Alaska book.

[wannacruise655]

Thank you all so much, we are just in the research stage right nowaybe summer of '06