Which cruise line for Seward or Anchorage to Vancouver?

[NoobCruise]

I am looking at sailing the Seward or Anchorage to Vancouver route and am looking at the various cruise lines trying to decide which would be a better fit. We like the itinerary with Hubbard Glacier, Icy Straits Point, Skagway, and Tracy Arm since we haven't been there yet. We're an active mid40s couple but don't "party" much. I'm asking broad end questions just looking for opinions, and I know everyone's opinions on the same thing are different.

 

We sailed on Carnival Elation in 2003. It was fun but we like a little more class and a lot less party. It was a little too much spring break for us. We don't drink much and prefer a quieter relaxing vacation.

 

We sailed on HALs Westerdam in September and enjoyed it very much, although it would be nice to have a little more entertainment going on in the evenings. The ship seemed to get very quiet after 10pm unless you were in the casino. We're not looking for a big party, but some live music somewhere would be nice.

 

I'm currently looking at balconies on RCI Radiance of the Seas, NCL Sun, and Celebrity Millenium. I really like this itinerary, so I'm interested in opinions from anyone who has sailed any of them. Am I missing a cruise line?

 

Cigarette smoking is a bit of a concern because I have asthma. How bad is the smoking on balconies? Please don't start a smoking argument on the right or wrong of smoking. I'm simply asking how avoidable it is for health reasons. It was fairly easy to avoid on the Westerdam because I mapped out the smoking locations and was able to avoid them. Yes, I know Princess doesn't allow smoking on balconies, but I like the itineraries on these better.

 

How do the cabins compare in size and amenities? We're just looking at a standard balcony.

 

How's the service and friendliness of the crew?

 

How does the food compare? How are the desserts??? I was disappointed in HALs desserts which were bland and had a weird soggy consistency.

 

If you were choosing for this itinerary, which would you choose and why?

[Kamloops50]

All passengers on Alaska SB cruises to Vancouver pass thru Anchorage (main gateway for cruises) . Cruises leave either from Seward or Whittier .

The two big players in the Alaska Cruise industry are HAL and Princess.

Have you considered a cruise that visits Glacier Bay instead of Icy Point.

Most cruise lines in Alaska tend to be a little quieter because many people are tired from all the ports . Have you considered a 14 day round trip from Vancouver.

[Ashland]

We have done and very much enjoyed the northbound (as the sail north views just keep getting better) on RCI Radiance, Vancouver to Anchorage via Seward...The northbound sailout under Lionsgate Bridge and past Stanley Park is an amazing way to start an Alaska cruise....Then one of the highlights for us is the cruise contracted train transfers from Seward to the Anchorage airport...Looking forward to this again in May :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done the 14 day cruises on HAL where we sailed from Vancouver -- went to Seward and returned to Vancouver. They were wonderful.

HAL still permits smoking on the balconies and verandahs -- and we have been bothered by it at times.

[Aquahound]

II'm currently looking at balconies on RCI Radiance of the Seas, NCL Sun, and Celebrity Millenium. I really like this itinerary, so I'm interested in opinions from anyone who has sailed any of them. Am I missing a cruise line?

 

Cigarette smoking is a bit of a concern because I have asthma. How bad is the smoking on balconies? Please don't start a smoking argument on the right or wrong of smoking. I'm simply asking how avoidable it is for health reasons. It was fairly easy to avoid on the Westerdam because I mapped out the smoking locations and was able to avoid them. Yes, I know Princess doesn't allow smoking on balconies, but I like the itineraries on these better.

 

...

 

If you were choosing for this itinerary, which would you choose and why?

 

I just had this same dilema, and I had it narrowed down to the same ships for the same reason as you....I liked their itinerary the best.

 

I am familiar with all 3 cruise lines. First, I eliminated NCL. I've had enough bad experiences with them to knock them right out of my consideration. To many negatives to say, so I'll just leave it at that.

 

Radiance and Millennium are both beautiful ships and both have recently been refurbished. Both have glass covered Solarium pools. The big difference is the smoking policy. On Celebrity, balcony smoking is not allowed. Nor is it allowed in the casino and most other indoor venues. I believe there is only one section of 1 indoor lounge that allows it. All other smoking areas are outside. This was actually what made me choose Millennium over Radiance, becuase everything else was pretty equal.

 

Standard balcony rooms on both are comparable.

 

Service and friendliness on both RCI and Celebrity are excellent.

 

I also find the food to be pretty good on both lines. I would give the slight nod to RCI. They have a new menu that has some pretty good deserts.

 

So all in all, and for the reasons you gave, I recommend the Millenium.

[NoobCruise]

All passengers on Alaska SB cruises to Vancouver pass thru Anchorage (main gateway for cruises) . Cruises leave either from Seward or Whittier .

The two big players in the Alaska Cruise industry are HAL and Princess.

Have you considered a cruise that visits Glacier Bay instead of Icy Point.

Most cruise lines in Alaska tend to be a little quieter because many people are tired from all the ports . Have you considered a 14 day round trip from Vancouver.

 

We just sailed the 7 day Alaskan Explorer to Glacier Bay on HALs Westerdam in September. We loved Glacier Bay, but would like to see places we haven't seen yet. We also loved the Westerdam, but none of the HAL ships do this itinerary with Icy Straits or Hubbard Glacier.

 

I would love to do a 14 day cruise, but DH can't take that much time off at once from work.