Favorite Ship to Alaska?

[Quincella]

My sisters and brothers and I are planning to send my parents on an Alaskan cruise for their 50th anniversary. Neither has ever cruised, and we want it to be special for them. However, budget is a concern for both us and them, so it looks like a 7-day will be the only option. Also, we would prefer that they leave out of Seattle because of airfare and so that they don't have to get passports (mom has one, dad does not and will never need it again).

 

So, my fellow CC-ers, what ship would you suggest? I've been on the NCL Spirit to the Caribbean and thought it was beautiful! Classy, and not so big that first-timers in their early 70s would be overwhelmed. The Spirit doesn't have too many balconies, though, and we all think it would be great for them to have a balcony in Alaska.

 

Let me hear your wisdom!!!

[mbisson]

I'm confused by the comment about passports. Passport requirements will be the same from either port. If your ship leaves from Seattle, it will be an inside passage cruise with a stop in Canada. If the cruise is this summer, you won't need a passport from either port. Next year has a whole new set of rules and a passport WILL be a requirement to board.

 

As for which ship will make it special. Since they have never cruised, I just bet that any of the ships sailing to Alaska would be fantastic to them. Personally I love freestyle, but with the little I know of your parents if possible you might want to consider Holland America. BUT then again, if price is a major consideration, go with what fits the budget. They're all good.

 

-Monte

[Quincella]

I should have clarified...the cruise won't be until '06. I'm not 100% sure of new rules, but it's my understanding that if they don't get off the ship in Canada (if it sets sail from the U.S.) that they won't need passports. Anyway, that's the least of my concerns, really.

 

Monte...why HAL? What makes it better than the others? It's not that much more than the others, actually. Just don't think we could do the really high-end lines.

 

As for mom and dad: Mom can and does make friends anywhere and with anyone. She would be perfectly happy to hang out in the casino playing nickel slots, cigarette in one hand and drink in another, all day and night (actually did that in Vegas one time and I thought I'd lost her! Tracked her down at about 6:30 am....) She also once made friends with some pot-smoking (not that she would ever do that herself) biker-types on a deep-sea fishing excursion off of Galveston, TX. She would be happy with anything!

 

Dad, on the other hand...he's rather a curmudgeony old fart, frankly! But he will love Alaska and will have fun meeting new people and admiring the scenery.

[Love Cruis'n]

As long as both of your folks were born in the USA - and "raised seal" birth certif.s are readibly available, passports are not a concern. But if (like my Mom) either was born outside the USA, then the passpost issue gets real big - real fast.

I sent my parents on a cruise for their 50th, and getting Mom set up was a huge pain, but everything turned our just fine (although it took almost a year of effort - and that was B4 9/11).

Think about their health, and how active they can be. Most excursion books provide guidance.

[Nessi]

There was a very good article about this topic (new passport policy) in yesterday's travel section of the Los Angeles Times. According to the article, all cruisers will have to carry a passport if traveling to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean. Sometimes ships have to change itineraries and visit countries not orginally planned. What if you get sick or hurt? I recommend researching this further before your parents sail. They have plenty of time to both get a passport.