Calling All Alaska Experts

[KCSungirl]

I am wanting to book an Alaskan cruise this summer. The itineraries vary from ship to ship. I would like to ask the experienced Alaskan cruisers if I would need longer port times in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan? The Diamond has a shorter stop in Ketchikan. The Sapphire has a much longer stop in Juneau. I want to depart from Seattle so that limits me to certain cruise ships/itineraries. I am looking at Princess, Celebrity Mercury, and NCL Spirit or Star. Any feedback would be much appreciated regarding ports and ships. Thanks, Sungirl

[spongerob]

Hi Paige! As far as I'm concerned, there's never quite enough time in ports. I think it would be better to have more time in Juneau than Ketchikan personally, but both ports have lots of great things to do and see.

[Cruizer_J]

Agree, best advice that I could offer would be for you to study the things to do in each port, determine those of most interest and narrow down your list. I would review information available through the CC main page and Alaska board, also books like Frommer's and Fodor's Alaska guides, and try to get a look at the shore excursions offered by the ships. There's a lot to do in each port, many things in all price ranges and levels of activity and you'll have to make choices. If you haven't already, you might want to post questions on the Alaska board. We would rather have more time in Juneau than in Ketchikan, but your interests might be very different than ours.

[tkt2cruz]

I just got back from the Diamond Princess from last week 5/21-28. I loved the ship, but I was disappointed in the itinerary. Last year, I took the NCL Spirit--I helped escort the Oldies 95 group from Kansas City--to Alaska out of Seattle. That ship and itineary are great! When you left Seattle, you cruise through the inside passage all the way up the Canadian border to Alaska. On the Diamond Princess, we left Seattle and cruised a full day at sea, no land anywhere! It was the "outside" passage, west of Vancouver Island. Big difference!

I also did not like that we were in Ketchikan for only the morning...very short time.

Both ships go to Tracy Arm, however, the Diamond Princess does it in the morning...which is foggy many times, so they don't go in. The NCL Spirit does it in the afternoon after Juneau.

Hope that answers some of your questions. Email me if you would like!

Deb from Overland Park

[Bsan1221]

Personally, I rather spend more time in Juneau than in Ketchikan.. Juneau has nicer shore excurions and more things to do and Ketchikan doesnt have as many activities but it is a very nice city.

[mr green]

Having done the trip four times, I would go for more time in Ketchikan, the shopping is better. Skagway is where you need the time, it is a very interesting area. john

[Coral]

I also prefer more time in Juneau and Skagway. Ketchikan is my least favorite port in Alaska (not a shopper).

[sooner2]

anyone have opinion on riding the train in Skagway or renting a car and driving it yourself?

 

Sooner 2

[KCSungirl]

Hi Rob! Hubby hated CB Princess. He said never again. Too many people. I liked it ok. Thanks for your post.

 

Tkt2cruz, Thank you very much for reminding me that Princess does not cruise the inside passage. It is clearly listed as "at sea", while NCL says "inside passage" on sea days. I am really torn between Princess/NCL. I like the Princess product better, but the NCL itinerary is better. Price is basically the same for a balcony cabin. I may email you since you live down the street. ;-)

 

Anymore advice would be appreciated. Most of my cruises are all about the tan, so Alaska would be a whole new experience. I am looking forward to seeing the mountains, glaciers, and wildlife. Sungirl ;-)

[GloriaF]

Not an expert by far, but I think you should do a one way cruise either out of Vancouver northbound, or out of Whittier southbound. It is a little less convenient to get to the cruise itself, but you will cruise through College Fjord and Glacier Bay with one ways and I don't think you get to go that far with the RT out of Seattle unless it is more than 7 days.

 

We're just back from the 5/21-28 Coral southbound, and the glaciers and natural Alaska was the best part! Princess has naturalists on board and it is very rewarding to hear the info and see the glaciers.

 

The ports aren't all that different from anywhere unless you get out of town. There are Diamonds International, Tanzanite, Del Sol, Little Switzerland, etc lining the streets of Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Go for the real Alaska and see the glaciers and wildlife!

[Budget Queen]

I totally disagree, each Alaska port is VASTLY different and very worthwhile. Myself, I don't consider round trip outside passage Seattle sailings. Having had the excellent inside passage cruising many times, it's just too big of a compromise for me to consider. A big consideration for NCL is also Glacier Bay, just excellent.

 

I took the first NCL Star sailing this year and it was just superb. NCL gets a bad rap at times, but I greatly enjoyed my last trip, 11th Alaskan cruise. Freestyle dining perfectly matches my Alaska travels. But my priority is outside the ship. Determine what yours is???

[edYYZ]

After just coming back from the Coral (2nd time to Alaska) I confirmed with myself that my least favourite alaskan port is Ketchikan. I can never really find anything to do for some reason. This time, I wandered, watched other ships and just tendered back early. Personally, I would prefer longer times in Juneau but most importantly Skagway (best excursions). IMO, I'm more concerned with the timing/scheduling for scenic cruising (e.g. Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay etc). Good luck with your decision.

[MCManders99]

I agree with studying the ports. I just arrived back from Alaska and I wish I had more time in Ketchikan than we did. We just had a half day and a full day in Juneau and Skagway. I loved Ketchikan the best and wish I had more time. I spent half the day in Juneau on ship because after excursions and looking through shops in town, I was done. That's just my opinion.

You need to see what interests you and what port caters to that. THen spend the longest day there.

[tkt2cruz]

Sooner2: in Skagway, you might consider doing something in Haines...I have done the Eagle Preserve by Jetboat twice and absolutely love it over there.

I love Skagway, too.....try walking out of town on one of their lovely trails!

Beautiful!

Deb

[GloriaF]

I don't seem to have said what I was thinking. My apologies. I meant to say that the area immediately around the cruise ship docks look pretty much the same with the same businesses/jewelry stores, and that to get the real flavor of a port you must venture past these stores. And sometimes do a little research so that you know what to look for. I do agree that each of the Alaska ports we visited seemed to have it's own personality and I truly did enjoy visiting each one.

[zachnlucy]

anyone have opinion on riding the train in Skagway or renting a car and driving it yourself?

 

Sooner 2

There are a couple of rather current threads on the Alaska board about your question. We're driving ourselves this year; took the train last year.

[KCSungirl]

I decided to book the Diamond for June 25. I did snag an aft balcony, so I hope that is a good thing.

 

Budgetqueen, I know you would be disappointed for me not going to Glacier Bay or inside passage, but this is the "beginner" cruise. I figure we will get a little sample and go back on a different itinerary another year. How is that for a plan?

 

I will save all of my other questions for the Alaska board. I have several clothing/excursion questions.

 

Anyfeedback on an aft balcony on the Diamond would be appreciated. I am not sure I did the right thing or not. Sungirl ;-)

[KCSungirl]

I am still looking for feedback on the dolphin deck,aft balcony cabins on the Diamond. I could change my cabin if necessary. Anyone have experience with these cabins? Thanks, Sungirl

[GloriaF]

We had an aft balcony cabin on Baja on the Carib Princess last November. It was awesome! I think you will enjoy it in Alaska as well. You will have an excellent view for spotting whales, otters, etc. If you are listening to the Naturalist on board, you will just have to wait for your end of the ship to reach whatever it is that was being pointed out. Alaska cruising is mainly about the scenery, and you should have your own picture window on the world.

[KCSungirl]

Thanks Gloria! I needed that extra reassurance. Hope the sun shines too!

Sungirl