Why is everyione saying thet Princess or HAL is the way to do Alaska?

[Lookingforfacts]

I think it was said with tongue in cheek!

 

I put:) next to the quote. You would have gotten it without the :). Sorry if it wasn't obvious to others.

 

I think it is a given that on port days there are no activities because at the end of the day you are going to see Alaska, not the ship. But none the less, the ship is important for sea days or scenic cruising as well as the rest of the time you are spending there. For me at least...

 

You have to book whatever vacation (including ship, itinerary...) which meets your needs. You want a traditional formal dining night experience. Skip NCL. You like to game in the ships casino. Skip Disney. You have kids who want to take advantage of kids programs. Check it out.

 

The point is to many people the inclusion of Glacier Bay or more time in port is of greater importance in decision making then comparing the difference in food between Princess, RCL and Celebrity.

 

I accept the fact that some people may be looking more to the cruising experience and have less interest in port time, glacier viewing etc.

[born2cruize]

Can't get the photo to show.

[gymjudge55]

Is Glacier Bay really that much better then Hubbard Glacier? We chose Celebrity over HAL more for the better land itinerary. HAL did too much "touristy" things for our taste, just not what we were interested in. We wanted as much time in Denali as possible.

[TheCalicoCat]

Not me :)

 

We booked on RCL but we had our reasons. HAL was simply out for us as we had young uns. Between princess and RCL, RCL was deemed more kid friendly so we went ahead with that. .

 

& Yet, we are taking our 3.5 year old on HAL... :) (Hasn't happened yet, so time will tell how wise that decision was. I'm sure it will be fine, he has liked his previous cruises just fine.)

[Budget Queen]

Is Glacier Bay really that much better then Hubbard Glacier? We chose Celebrity over HAL more for the better land itinerary. HAL did too much "touristy" things for our taste, just not what we were interested in. We wanted as much time in Denali as possible.

 

Frankly HAL has superb "land itineraries", and certainly one similar to what you have booked.

 

But, with the all day scenic sailing and multiple glaciers, Glacier Bay is spectacular. a lot of return posters claim, their cruises of Hubbard Glacier didn't get "close" enough. It's a wide glacier face. People are impressed by it's size. But if you happen to be on a ship that doesn't get within good viewing of the activie calving, then having a good pair of binoculars are necessary , but less than ideal.

 

It's all about going for every opportunity, if glaciers are a priority to see. Spend some time mainland Alaska, get out on a Matanuska Trek, sail Prince William Sound, sail Kenai Fjords, sail Columbia Glacier, get to Mendenhall, do at least one glacier flight etc etc etc. Take advantage of it all. :)

[born2cruize]

Again uploading photos failed. Sorry

[gymjudge55]

Frankly HAL has superb "land itineraries", and certainly one similar to what you have booked.

 

But, with the all day scenic sailing and multiple glaciers, Glacier Bay is spectacular. a lot of return posters claim, their cruises of Hubbard Glacier didn't get "close" enough. It's a wide glacier face. People are impressed by it's size. But if you happen to be on a ship that doesn't get within good viewing of the activie calving, then having a good pair of binoculars are necessary , but less than ideal.

 

It's all about going for every opportunity, if glaciers are a priority to see. Spend some time mainland Alaska, get out on a Matanuska Trek, sail Prince William Sound, sail Kenai Fjords, sail Columbia Glacier, get to Mendenhall, do at least one glacier flight etc etc etc. Take advantage of it all. :)

 

Hmm, after 6 hours with the travel agent we really did like this itinerary the best counting in HAL and Celebrity. We are going to the Kenai Fjords, Mendenhall and have a flight over the Misty Fjords in Ketchikan. We are on one of Celebrity's smaller ships so hopefully they will sail close.

 

I will look up the other things you mentioned, thanks for the tips, you are a wealth of knowledge.

[gymjudge55]

Tried to edit, too late. I just looked at HAL cruisetours and for a similar one in a regular verandah cabin on HAL was $1300 more than our Aqua Class cabin on Celebrity, so I am pretty happy about that. Our sailing date is one of the most expensive everywhere but it was the only one our friends could do.

[Tenn4ever]

Tried to edit, too late. I just looked at HAL cruisetours and for a similar one in a regular verandah cabin on HAL was $1300 more than our Aqua Class cabin on Celebrity, so I am pretty happy about that. Our sailing date is one of the most expensive everywhere but it was the only one our friends could do.

 

We chose Celebrity because of their restrictive smoking policy. It over rode everything else for us. We are traveling with another couple and they agreed. That is what made our final decision. We are going Vancouver to Seward on June 1. That's Millennium's first cruise to Alaska after being solitized/refurbished in April. So, that was a plus too. Also, Celebrity has less children than some of the other lines. I don't mean this as an offense but that is important to us. Plus, with the early June date many schools are not out and we hope to still see some snow capped mountains. These were the factors that helped us make our choice. Since we made our reservations last year Princess has also changed their smoking policy with their balconies effective January this year - no smoking.

 

This will probably be our one and only cruise(we travel often but by land/air) so many factors came into play besides the itinerary only.

[Budget Queen]

Also, Celebrity has less children than some of the other lines. I don't mean this as an offense but that is important to us. .

 

You are making inaccurate statements. Celebrity, doesn't have any fewer kids, sailing Alaska than any other line except Disney. The bulk of passengers on all of them is still middle aged and above, with all ages sailing, including Carnival.

 

I sailed Celebrity last year, and some kids were on board.

[Tenn4ever]

You are making inaccurate statements. Celebrity, doesn't have any fewer kids, sailing Alaska than any other line except Disney. The bulk of passengers on all of them is still middle aged and above, with all ages sailing, including Carnival.

 

I sailed Celebrity last year, and some kids were on board.

 

I apologize but I was just going by what long time cruisers on the Celebrity board are indicating that there are less children on that cruise line. Maybe they are incorrect. That's the only thing I had to go by. I don't have the experience to know that.

 

The June 1 date was the main factor we used in considering less children(not the cruise line). Most schools are not out by June 1 (the end of May) - a few, maybe, but not most. We're just trying to optimize our chances of less children.

 

However, the Celebrity smoking policy was the overriding factor not the kids (We have young grandchildren who we have taken care of several days a week from time to time so I don't have a problem with kids and we have taught youth classes ). The ship being refurbished and solitized doesn't hurt either. :)

 

We wanted a one way itinerary and either Hubbard or Glacier Bay. That was our consideration for itinerary. But, as others have said itinerary isn't the only consideration but the ship or cruise line may be also.

[dmwnc1959]

However, the Celebrity smoking policy was the overriding factor not the kids (We have young grandchildren who we have taken care of several days a week from time to time so I don't have a problem with kids and we have taught youth classes ). The ship being refurbished and solitized doesn't hurt either. :)

 

I was on Celebrity Millennium for 10-nights Nov. 28th - Dec. 8th this past year and she was a truly wonderful ship, well maintained and absolutely beautiful. I can only imagine how much better she will be post-Solsticization, if that is even possible.

 

And I agree about their smoking policy. My last three cruises were with them, as is my 10-nt B2B on Celebrity Constellation Feb. 2013 and my planned Alaska cruise on Celebrity Solstice next summer. Celebrity Cruises has become my cruise line of choice.

[Budget Queen]

I apologize but I was just going by what long time cruisers on the Celebrity board are indicating that there are less children on that cruise line. Maybe they are incorrect. That's the only thing I had to go by. I don't have the experience to know that.

 

The June 1 date was the main factor we used in considering less children(not the cruise line). Most schools are not out by June 1 (the end of May) - a few, maybe, but not most. We're just trying to optimize our chances of less children.

 

However, the Celebrity smoking policy was the overriding factor not the kids (We have young grandchildren who we have taken care of several days a week from time to time so I don't have a problem with kids and we have taught youth classes ). The ship being refurbished and solitized doesn't hurt either. :)

 

We wanted a one way itinerary and either Hubbard or Glacier Bay. That was our consideration for itinerary. But, as others have said itinerary isn't the only consideration but the ship or cruise line may be also.

 

Your general repeated comments are not specific for Alaska. Demographics are similar on all the lines, except for maybe Disney, and I will speculate that line probably has less kids that what sail the Caribbean.

[gymjudge55]

The smoking policy was a big factor in our decision also as the friends we are going with are very sensitive to smoke.

[nwwinelady]

Our first Alaskan cruise was on Celebrity. We went into Hubbard Glacier and it was spectacular! It was bright and sunny, lots of calving. Our next time we will be on Princess and go to Glacier Bay. Very exciting! :D

[Lookingforfacts]

There isn't that big a difference between the smoking policy on Princess and on Celebrity ships.

 

Princess allows smoking in a section of the casino and part of the disco otherwise they appear to be the same. The difference may matter if you're very sensitive to smoke and want to spend time in the casino or disco.

[dmwnc1959]

There isn't that big a difference between the smoking policy on Princess and on Celebrity ships.

 

Princess allows smoking in a section of the casino and part of the disco otherwise they appear to be the same. The difference may matter if you're very sensitive to smoke and want to spend time in the casino or disco.

 

Not to turn this into a 'smoking thread' but....

 

This wasn't the case until very recently, January 15, 2012 to be exact. I gave up Princess years ago because of the more relaxed smoking policy and have been sailing primarily Celebrity Cruises since then.

 

Per the Princess Cruises web site:

'Smoking will no longer be allowed in passenger staterooms or on balconies".

"Smoking will continue to be allowed in the Churchill's cigar lounge, a section of the disco and casino, and a portion of the open decks."

 

That's at least three times as many places as Celebrity...

 

Per the Celebrity Cruises web site:

"Therefore, cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the ship. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, casino, theater, lounge, hallway, elevator or corridor. This policy includes smoking-like products such as electronic cigarettes. Smoking is not permitted inside any guest stateroom, nor on any guest veranda."

[Lookingforfacts]

A person who is considering booking a Princess cruise will have an embarkation date after January 15, 2012. The old rules don't matter.

 

I don't care, much, if this is a smoking thread but your previous posts were very misleading. Perhaps you didn't know about the change in policy on Princess ships? :) Otherwise your posts were incomplete, to the point of being deceptive.

 

Allowing smoking, in a cigar bar, should be a non-issue to passengers who don't smoke. The question is if allowing smoking in part of a casino and disco is an issue to non-smokers. I already mentioned that in my pp. Both lines allow smoking in at least some outdoor areas.

 

I suspect most non-smokers can live with Princess. The difference in policy might make a difference to you but not to others.

 

Your pp suggest the difference is greater then it is.

 

 

 

Not to turn this into a 'smoking thread' but....

 

This wasn't the case until very recently, January 15, 2012 to be exact. I gave up Princess years ago because of the more relaxed smoking policy and have been sailing primarily Celebrity Cruises since then.

 

Per the Princess Cruises web site:

'Smoking will no longer be allowed in passenger staterooms or on balconies".

"Smoking will continue to be allowed in the Churchill's cigar lounge, a section of the disco and casino, and a portion of the open decks."

 

That's at least three times as many places as Celebrity...

 

Per the Celebrity Cruises web site:

"Therefore, cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the ship. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, casino, theater, lounge, hallway, elevator or corridor. This policy includes smoking-like products such as electronic cigarettes. Smoking is not permitted inside any guest stateroom, nor on any guest veranda."

[Tenn4ever]

A person who is considering booking a Princess cruise will have an embarkation date after January 15, 2012. The old rules don't matter.

 

I don't care, much, if this is a smoking thread but your previous posts were very misleading. Perhaps you didn't know about the change in policy on Princess ships? :) Otherwise your posts were incomplete, to the point of being deceptive.

 

Allowing smoking, in a cigar bar, should be a non-issue to passengers who don't smoke. The question is if allowing smoking in part of a casino and disco is an issue to non-smokers. I already mentioned that in my pp. Both lines allow smoking in at least some outdoor areas.

 

I suspect most non-smokers can live with Princess. The difference in policy might make a difference to you but not to others.

 

Your pp suggest the difference is greater then it is.

 

The change for Princess didn't take effect until Jan 15, 2012. We made our reservations last spring before Princess had even announced the change on the balconies. Plus, it does make a difference to us if there is any smoking at all at inside venues:). All four in our party agree completely on the matter of smoking and that was a factor in choosing which cruise line we take.

 

To get back to the debate that the itinerary is the only thing that matters on an Alaskan cruise and that all cruise lines are basically the same is a very generalized and misleading statement especially to be handing out to a new cruiser looking to make their first reservation. For first time cruisers to Alaska I would fear this would cause a problem if they didn't really do their research and then just choose their cruise completely by itinerary because someone had told them that was all that was important.