Help with ? Cruise to alaksa

[Cruisegirl6]

Hello,

 

I have a few questions about cruising to Alaska if anybody can help us, thank you.

 

1- Am I correct to think that the casino's are all closed when cruising?

 

2- We not sure to do Vancouver - Seaward or San Francisco - San Francisco cruise

 

3- How is customs at the airport in Vancouver?

 

We are debating taking Celebrity or Princess any advice? We love RC but the ships are older.

 

4- Are the seas rough between May - July?

 

5- Which is our best time to go May or June, any advice on this?

 

6- If we go in June does it rain a lot more than May?

[DaKa2002]

We prefer Seattle to Seattle for Alaskan cruises; I like May (shoulder season) cruises - there is more to see as the trees and underbrush have not yet bloomed to cover the landscape. My wife likes September (ya, we are opposites often).

Second choice would be Vancouver to Seward. Our experiences through the Vancouver airport has been quick and efficient without any problems. The train ride from Seward to Anchorage was very enjoyable (much more so than driving or bus ride, from our perspective)

Check where the ship actually sails - both Canadian and Alaskan inside passages are relatively smooth; the Gulf of Alaska can be pretty rocky in rough weather, even in big, modern ships.

Sorry, I wouldn't want to try to predict the weather in Alaska (even though we used to live there) and we don't use the casinos so never took notice if they were closed or open.

You will love the scenery, whenever you go; just plan on layering clothing to handle inclement weather.

[filthybeagle]

Just got off the solstice cruise and yes, the casinos are open while cruising. They open/close at various times each day depending on port arrival and departure times. They are open very late as well.

 

We experienced very calm seas but dense fog while cruising in the open ocean. We had many days of rain too, but it didn't dampen the cruise (pun intended)

 

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk

[Ashland]

Sorry you consider the RCI ships older...the Radiance is a favorite and has been updated very recently..nothing old feeling about this particular ship...We're getting ready to leave on her for the 3rd time to Alaska May 30th Northbound out of Vancouver..love this itinerary :D

Edited May 23, 2014 by Ashland

[vbmom87]

I have responded within your post;

 

 

Hello,

 

I have a few questions about cruising to Alaska if anybody can help us, thank you.

 

1- Am I correct to think that the casino's are all closed when cruising?

 

Someone answered this.

 

2- We not sure to do Vancouver - Seaward or San Francisco - San Francisco cruise

 

If you have to include some time in the interior of AK, do Vancouver to Seward/Whittier or Seward/Whittier to Vancouver

 

3- How is customs at the airport in Vancouver?

 

We had no problems. It was well organized and the wait wasn't terrible, but I am sure it varies on the day.

 

We are debating taking Celebrity or Princess any advice? We love RC but the ships are older.

 

I would prefer Princess because they offer a cruise from Whittier to Vancouver that includes BOTH Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. I am all about the scenery, so that itinerary is a hit for me. Celebrity does not have permits for Glacier Bay, which I consider a highlight not to be missed.

 

4- Are the seas rough between May - July?

 

Generally the seas are okay during this time, but you never know when a freak storm can appear. September is the month to be weary.

 

5- Which is our best time to go May or June, any advice on this?

 

I would suggest end of May beginning of June.

 

6- If we go in June does it rain a lot more than May?

 

I have read many times that the last two weeks of May and the first two weeks of June are generally the drier times to go. However, just like anywhere else on this earth, you can always go during the "Best Time" and Mother Nature will have her own idea.

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2014 by vbmom87

[Cruisegirl6]

You are all great!

 

Two of you mention Vancouver to Seattle that is one of the sailings that I was thinking of, since none of you mentioned San Francisco I may just dismiss that itinerary.

 

I am thinking of the end of May first week of June. :)

 

I love RC my favorite cruise line but the reason why I am hesitating on going on the Radiance is because she was last in dry dock/renovation on June 11th, 2011, if I went this year it would be fine but I generally don't go on ships that go into dry dock within a year its scheduled, but I won't dismiss RC either because I really need to stick with one cruise line now, if I was totally loyal to RC I would of been diamond by now but I am only Platnimum so this is something also to consider.

 

I also read for tours into Denali they are available mid June to end of August can anybody verify this? I also read that mosquitos are bad there, this information I found is there truth to it?

Edited May 23, 2014 by lyndamr

[twinmom38]

agree.. Radiance is a beautiful ship.. and of course, it's just my opinion, but I like them better anyway.. Radiance and Carnivals' Miracle are two of my favorite ships.

[Cruisegirl6]

I keep that in mind anybody else care to comment. Does carnival also have its casino's open during Alaska cruise at times?

[mapleleaves]

When looking at an itinerary, consider which ports you want to see and what you will see and do while you're there. Will you be in port long enough and at the right time of day to accomplish those things? As for when to go, there's usually more sun and less rain until mid June. If you have specific interests and priorities such as fishing or bear viewing, be aware that there are specific peak periods of time at the various locations so you would need to do some research.

People generally prefer sailing to/from Vancouver because the ship sails BETWEEN Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. This provides a more scenic trip because you're close to land plus you're in sheltered waters. In and out of Seattle usually takes you on the west side of Vancouver Island so you're in open ocean, farther from land and definitely exposed in case of poor weather.

 

Denali is just about always open, but the bus trips into the park don't start until near the end of May. The road opens to Eielson Visitor Center at Mile 66 on June 1, to Wonder Lake around June 10. Look at the Park web site for the exact dates, as well as a map of the park road, info on the buses, etc http://www.nps.gov/dena/siteindex.htm I encourage you to research as much as possible ... the more you know, the better your trip will be.

 

There are a couple of books specific to Alaska cruises that your library may carry ... Ann Vipond has Alaska by Cruiseship and Fodor has Alaska, Ports of Call. Both books discuss cruiselines, ships, itineraries, ports, activities, excursions, etc. There are also many detailed trip reports in the STICKY above ' 2013 Alaska cruise review list". Go to reply #45 where the reports have been sorted by cruiseline/ship.

Edited May 24, 2014 by mapleleaves

[Cruisegirl6]

Thank you will check into it and read, great idea!

[vbmom87]

You are all great!

 

Two of you mention Vancouver to Seattle that is one of the sailings that I was thinking of, since none of you mentioned San Francisco I may just dismiss that itinerary.

 

I am thinking of the end of May first week of June. :)

 

I love RC my favorite cruise line but the reason why I am hesitating on going on the Radiance is because she was last in dry dock/renovation on June 11th, 2011, if I went this year it would be fine but I generally don't go on ships that go into dry dock within a year its scheduled, but I won't dismiss RC either because I really need to stick with one cruise line now, if I was totally loyal to RC I would of been diamond by now but I am only Platnimum so this is something also to consider.

 

I also read for tours into Denali they are available mid June to end of August can anybody verify this? I also read that mosquitos are bad there, this information I found is there truth to it?

 

Rather than spend time at sea getting to AK and back, I would just rather be in Alaska touring the interior, which is why I did not suggest the round trip San Francisco Itinerary. Combining a scenic cruise along with some days in the interior of AK is really time well spent.

 

RCL also has no permits for Glacier Bay, which is why I don't consider them for AK. However, I am all about the glaciers and beautiful scenery.

 

You need to decide which is most important to you: the ship or the itinerary. For some cruisers the ship is most important to them and for others the itinerary is most important. You do need to choose whichever will make you and your traveling companions most happy.

 

Beginning June 8 the road into Denali fully open. However, it will be open before that, just not as far. Check their website to see the dates. We took the Wonder Lake Shuttle into Denali in June and the mosquitos were bad at Wonder Lake. However, unless you are planning on hiking in the area, it is really a non-issue. If you are concerned, just go as far as Eilson. We did not run into mosquitos anywhere else. The shuttles into Denali are inexpensive and an awesome experience traveling into the wilderness of Alaska with the bonus of seeing some wildlife in their natural habitat.

 

FYI: Vancouver sailings are more scenic than Seattle sailings. Also, Vancouver sailings are less likely to run into rough seas.

[MaryRSnyder]

Casinos are only open when the ship is at sea, not in port. I wish I could respond to more, but I have only one Alaskan cruise under my belt.

[Cruisegirl6]

I will say it again you all are so very helpful we truly appreciate it.

 

What we want on this Alaska trip is to see the glaciers, wildlife, whales and see the must do's only we don't know much what these are lol.

 

We would like to hear from you, if you may, which tours/things to see/do is a must do on our trip here to Alaska.

 

Do you suggest us doing a 7 night or 10 night cruise, we do want to do a land vacation prior to our cruise, any suggestions what you feel is a must see and do and how about a railroad tour? I am just started doing research on these, but you are the ones who have been there and I feel you know best and can give us better advice/suggestions.

 

Our problem is flights from where we live in Florida, we trying to keep our flight time (connections only available to us) to the minimum as I live with fibrymyalgia and anoloking spondolosis, sitting in one place will be very difficult but so worth it lol. The best flight time is around 8 hours 10 minutes which would mean we take United going to Vancouver, then coming home from Seattle taking Delta be 7 1/2 hour fight time so it appears this is best. I can't find a flight with less than 10 plus hour flight time from/to Anchorage. It seems my cruise needs to start in Vancouver and end in Seattle.

 

Please, any suggestions regarding tours and such be truly appreciated, thank you.

[Pitzel]

IMO, I would actually go towards the end of the season (Aug, Sep), if for no other reason than it is possible to get much, much closer to the glaciers than you can early in the season (when there is still significant ice). We went during the end of August, early September and the glaciers were stunning.

[epixx]

s.

 

It seems my cruise needs to start in Vancouver and end in Seattle.

 

The above requirement really narrows your options. Very few cruises have this itinerary. Check out NCL Jewel, September 13-20, 2014, or Carnival Miracle, September 10-18, 2014. If you can do the reverse itinerary, i.e., start in Seattle and end in Vancouver, then you can consider Celebrity Solstice, September 12-23, 2014. There may be other options, but not many.

[mapleleaves]

Alaska Airlines has flights to Anc from seattle almost hourly. It's a 3 1/2 hr flight.

 

Perhaps you could fly into Seatac, overnight, then catch a morning flight to Anchorage? If your cruise ends in Vancouver you can catch the Amtrak Cascades train to Seattle, or the Amtrak bus, Quick Coach, Bolt Bus, or rent a car. Overnight by Seatac then fly home the next morning.

[vbmom87]

If you could let us know how many days total you have including travel days that would be most helpful.

 

Here are my thoughts:

 

Fly into Anchorage. Some highlights to research are:

 

Denali National Park (Schedule arrival there no earlier than June 1)

 

Manatuska Glacier (If you have the desire and mobility to hike on a glacier)

 

Seward for a Kenai Fjords Boat Tour (6 hour or more is necessary to get out in the open ocean to see a glacier and some amazing marine wildlife viewing). Seward also has a great Sealife Center and Exit Glacier is nearby.

 

Whittier has great glacier tours in Prince William Sound. Usually you will also have the bonus of some marine wildlfie.

 

Self drive the Turnagain Arm. The alaska.org website offers lots of links with what to see along the many drives they highlight on their website.

 

Once you are done with the land tour, you would head to Whittier for your cruise. I say Whittier, because you said you wanted to see glaciers and the Princess Cruise out of Whittier will be visiting both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. It also includes Juneau (great place for whale watching and helicopter tours to glaciers), Skagway (great opportunity to take an amazing train journey to Carcross with a stop at Bennett Lake) The Skagway train ride often appears on the top train rides in the world lists. You will also visit Ketchikan which has opportunities for totem pole viewing, a self-walking tour, Duck Tours, kayaking, Bering Sea Boat Tour etc.

 

Your trip could look something like this:

 

Fly into Anchorage

 

Next day drive to Denali and spend 2-3nights. Check the Denali National Park Website to give you an idea of the opportunities that await you there.

 

Head back to Anchorage and spend the night. You could stop at Talkeetna along the way back and take a Summit Flight over Mt. McKinley if interested. You could also try this on your way to Denali and if it gets cancelled try again on your way back. There are lots of places to stop for sightseeing between Anchorage and Denali. Check that alaska.org site.

 

Drive the Turnagain Arm to Seward making lots of stops along the way.

 

Spend one full day in Seward

 

Drive back to Anchorage and spend the night. Use the afternoon/evening to take in some sights in Anchorage.

 

The day of the cruise book a PWS tour out of Whittier. You can buy a combo ticket where the vendor will pick you up in Anchorage and you can take either the train or bus to Whittier for the cruise. Princess might also offer this tour if you prefer to do it that way.

 

Fly home from Vancouver. When looking for flights, choose the multi-city option on the airline's website. You can also check one-ways, but in general the multi-city option will give you a better price. A site like kayak.com is also good for helping with flight options. I use them to help me find flights, but then buy directly from the airlines.

 

Good luck with your planning and feel free to ask more questions.

Edited May 25, 2014 by vbmom87

[GeorgiaPeach51]

We sailed on the Millenium from Vancouver to Seward two years ago. We loved the cruise. We enjoyed getting to see Vancouver and we liked sailing the inside passage. it was a fantastic trip.

 

I did a lengthy review that might help you:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1856917&highlight=millenium

 

One reason we prefer Celebrity is the lack of smoking on the ship. None allowed on the ship or on the balconies; two spots on deck. That is a very individual preference that may make no difference to you.

 

We loved it so much that we are taking our children and their spouses with us for a return trip next summer. Your questions seem to be answered but will chime in if I see anything out there where you still need a reply!

[Cruisegirl6]

Thankyou so very much going to look at your review now, thanks everybody!