What Alaska Cruise is most basic?

[grandma3girls]

Hubby and I are casual people. We are traveling To Alaska to enjoy the wildlife, scenery, nature,.. Is there a a cruiseline and cruise that is less in to extra costs, dressup night, casinos?

 

We have even considered small ship cruises, however are more expensive. After reading the boards maybe not if there all the extra charges. I went on a cruise 20 yrs ago and that was the advantage of a cruise, since we payed most everything up front.

[cb at sea]

NCL is the least "dressy" of the cruiselines, followed by Carnival... neither requires "formal" dress at all.

[deladypilot]

I agree with Cub, NCL is probably your best choice, then Carnival

 

My dh and I are very relaxed. We work very long hours and when we go on vacation we want to relax but still be treated great. We do not want set times to eat or to feel like we have to dress up. NCL has been the perfect fit for us. There are several places to eat on the ship where bluejeans are just fine, but if you feel like getting even a little more dressed up (slacks & sweaters or dress shirts) there is always the specialty restaurants or the main dining room. They also have a formal or not night. So it is all up to you.

 

Also Alaskan cruises as a whole are more relaxed because of the weather and adventure.

 

Last year we sailed on the Norwegian Star to Alaska. It was round trip Seattle. They have replaced the Star with the Jewell this year but it is the same ship. They also have the Pearl which does roundtrip Seattle. However, starting next year they will have 1 way trips from Vancouver to Whitter or vise versa. We loved last years cruise so much, that we booked another for next year.

 

Best of luck in your search

[kitty9]

Every mass market ship has a casino, but that should never impact your decision on what line to cruise. NCL is the most casual of all the lines.

[AceDoc]

Hubby and I are casual people. We are traveling To Alaska to enjoy the wildlife, scenery, nature,.. Is there a a cruiseline and cruise that is less in to extra costs, dressup night, casinos?

 

We have even considered small ship cruises, however are more expensive. After reading the boards maybe not if there all the extra charges. I went on a cruise 20 yrs ago and that was the advantage of a cruise, since we payed most everything up front.

 

Our family (extended- from age 5 to 65) took NCL round trip from Seattle. It was relaxed, and fabulous. I loved the beauty of the ship, but it paled in comparison to the majesty of Alaska.

[alcpa1]

Grandma3girls,

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

The majority of the ships sailing to Alaska are no longer focused on Formal Night. Even the ships that celebrate this tradition have many options to dine without dressing to the nines.

You will see more of Alaska leaving either from Vancouver or Anchorage (Whittier or Seward) on a one way itinerary through the Inside Passage.

If I am reading your post correctly you are considering costs as well as ships. Please be aware that the excursions in Alaska are very pricy and best booked through companies recommended on the Ports of Call boards.

Alaska is one of our favorite itineraries but any cruise there involves planning and expectations.

I hope you find the perfect cruise and enjoy Alaska as much as we have. If any of use can be of more assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.

[Mary Ellen]

You will definitely have better scenery if you don't take a 7-day Seattle cruise. We've done a number of Alaskan cruises. On the one from Seattle essentially all of the first and last days are 'at sea', too far from land to see anything. You might be able to see some land on the horizon, but basically you could be anywhere at sea (but cooler than in the tropics).

 

My top suggestions for Alaska are far and away HAL and Princess. Both have dining options that allow you to dine when you wish. I beleive they both have a naturalist onboard for the entire cruise. From what I've read posters on other lines have been thrilled when they've had one on for just a day during the cruise. They didn't know what they were missing the other days.

 

I'd give HAL the edge as the design of their ships have so much more open deck space available to take in the spectacular Alaskan scenery.

[Starry Eyes]

NCL is casual...you might like that. all the mainstream cruise line have similar "extra" costs...spa, drinks, casino, gift shops, specialty restaurants, excursions, etc. If you are comfortable saying "no, thank you" to those, your final bill will be lower than if you say yes. NCL has more specialty restaurants...some people are bothered by that...I don't get it...go or do not go...your choice. spend or not...your choice. Service charges/gratuities are expected on all the mainstream lines.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

NCL is the least dressy cruise line.

Don't worry about the Casino -- we don't gamble either and it doesn't bother us to have them on the ship.

[thinfool]

Hubby and I are casual people. We are traveling To Alaska to enjoy the wildlife, scenery, nature,.. Is there a a cruiseline and cruise that is less in to extra costs, dressup night, casinos?

 

We have even considered small ship cruises, however are more expensive. After reading the boards maybe not if there all the extra charges. I went on a cruise 20 yrs ago and that was the advantage of a cruise, since we payed most everything up front.

 

This would seem to fit your parameters, even tho the initial cost may be somewhat more.

 

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/

 

If this isn't what you have in mind I would comment that the major cruise lines, in order to fill ships, make a profit, etc, have configured their product in much the same way.

 

In one form or another they all allow you to participate, or not participate in:

Casino activities

Formal night

Conventional or any time dining-you can even eat all meals at the Lido buffet, or order room service.

Choice of rooms

Choice of ports (limited)

Round trip or one-way itineraries

 

Other than gratuities, there are NO extra costs on a cruise ship if you don't drink alcohol or soda, dont' shop in the onboard boutiques and don't dine in the extra cost restaurants. Actually, most lines have provisions to pre-pay gratuities, so even that would not be an added cost at the end of your cruise.

 

No one is required to participate in onboard activities. You can actually be a hermit onboard (it does happen), doing your own thing. Or you can join any number of activities, excursions, etc. It is important to note...NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU DO or what you spend/don't spend as long as you don't interfere with their vacation.

[mtwingcpa]

This would seem to fit your parameters, even tho the initial cost may be somewhat more.

 

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/

 

I'll "second" that suggestion. :-)

 

Here is a review I wrote of one such trip, including some comments on costs:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=806341

 

And here is a photo album:

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/105784483325273237662/Alaska08

[calliopecruiser]

Hubby and I are casual people. We are traveling To Alaska to enjoy the wildlife, scenery, nature,.. Is there a a cruiseline and cruise that is less in to extra costs, dressup night, casinos?

 

All the mass market cruise lines will try to up-sell you and get you to spend more money while on-board - that's a major way they can offer such low cost cruises. You don't have to spend that extra money, but you will frequently be faced with those options (and potentially some pressure from the staff, based on the experience of some friends of mine). The luxury lines cost more, but because they are almost all-inclusive, there's no need spend more and no pressure to sell you more once you're on-board. As you've noted, though, the ticket price is higher......Only you can decide if the final price is worthwhile, based on your preference for drinking pop, alcohol, or specialty coffees, your preference for specialty dining options (and your palate for quality of food), your use of cruise ship extras like fitness classes. The costs of those extras varies by ship.

 

Dress code is the one area that it's easy to find a ship to match your preference, but there will always be some compromise in your list. For instance, if you choose a luxury line where there are dressy or formal evenings, there are still options if you don't want to participate (for instance, room service on your balcony).

[binkysmom]

NCL is good. I just got back from an Oceania cruise and it's always resort casual and the food and services were the best I've encountered at sea. I'd make them my cruiseline of choice if I could afford them all the time :D