Why so many Blue Cards on Alaska cruises - is it one-and-done?.

[Loreni]

I believe that Princess has the best Alasaka itineraries, so why are there so few repeat cruisers on these voyages? I hear an Alaska voyage is one of the best chances to get invited to The Most Traveled lunch, because most passengers are first timers.

 

I know many people who have cruised to Alaska exactly once. I don't know anyone who has done so more than once. Most say once was either enough or more than enough. A few say it was fantastic (yet tellingly they have not repeated the experience). There will always be a few people who will insist that anything they have spent significant money on is great, otherwise they feel foolish. Keep in mind that many of the people I have spoken to are true nature lovers and most are also extremely well-traveled.

 

One person told us she preferred cruising Norway to Alaska for beauty. Another said she preferred circling South America for scenic beauty.

 

One would think that the major population centers around Seattle and Vancouver, combined with last minute discounting, would result in lots of locals that take repeat cruises to Alaska.

 

We have been considering Alaska for a long time. But there are so many other options for exploring new places as well as the option of returning to our favorite places instead. And only so much time. Would appreciate any advice or insights.

[TravelingEA]

Many people will only go on one cruise in their lifetime. Alaska is the ultimate cruise for many people.

[Keith1010]

If you check out the Alaska Ports Of Call Board you will see many people who sail Alaska not only on Princess Voyages but on others and who have sailed Alaska many times.

 

We have sailed Alaska several times and love it so much we are returning again this Summer.

 

While we have sailed Princess several times we have not cruised on Princess to Alaska but am sure it is great.

 

Yes, there is so much to see around the world and thankfully we have sailed extensively although we still have places to visit for the first time but also places to return.

 

As many times as we have sailed Alaska each time is different from the previous one.

 

We have sailed Glacier Bay many times and each time is different. The last time was very special.

 

How many places might look like this on the right day?

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqQs3TEBbcw/T4hXuRKXz2I/AAAAAAAAQqA/XoAXQVQwILM/s1600/DSC_4194.jpg

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0UdF6OlPUIM/T4hXwxtIOwI/AAAAAAAAQqI/hjUyFoGaF1s/s1600/DSC_4195.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlzUwFwKL8Q/T4hX1vim56I/AAAAAAAAQqY/0TZe241SSfY/s1600/DSC_4197.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znUhqiLWDwI/T4hX3dKZ_bI/AAAAAAAAQqg/rK4XrLnAYa8/s1600/DSC_4198.jpg

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ_N-HHz2dI/T4idcb-8oHI/AAAAAAAAQrU/YJ-_LyrFd2Y/s1600/DSC_4203.jpg

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwKfZ5pxEI8/T4idk07txMI/AAAAAAAAQrc/XH7ckvP-m-E/s1600/DSC_4215.jpg

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0ERXiARuIk/T4idpomyZKI/AAAAAAAAQrk/L5chY97PBtg/s1600/DSC_4216.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qxcrjPjkY8/T4idznBV57I/AAAAAAAAQr0/2FKWyQxQk0Y/s1600/DSC_4218.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KORRZnyp__Y/T4ieS9jsJbI/AAAAAAAAQso/N8_e1pw9Gm0/s1600/DSC_4244.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6SmSbcsSSBg/T4ieZN5u8HI/AAAAAAAAQsw/2Cnk9KhuC1g/s1600/DSC_4249.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wT0SyaF3u6o/T4iee1NPtwI/AAAAAAAAQs4/lvmqnlin5lQ/s1600/DSC_4250.jpg

 

Keith

[CruisinChris]

4 times. contemplating going again.

[waltd]

Alaska is a great starter cruise for those uncertain if they will like cruising and it's close to home. If you get hooked like we did then there are so many other places in the world to cruise before going back to Alaska.

[DRS/NC]

I've recently booked my 4th cruise to Alaska -- all Sitmar/Princess.

 

My first was in 1981 w/DH & DD. We didn't return for 20 yrs. for many reasons: so many other places to see, school expenses, etc.

 

DH & I returned in 2001 & did a land tour first -- a long-time wish. We did not plan to go again (much to see elsewhere!). However, in 2006 we finally convinced old friends -- who had never cruised or been to Alaska -- to go, so off we went!

 

Now DH has passed & I'm working on my 'bucket list'. But DD & her hubby want to go; she hasn't been since childhood & he's never been. May 2017 is on our agenda!

 

Alaska is a place I could return to often; it is beyond fabulous! But there are so many places to see & limited time & $$ for this solo senior.:)

[Kamloops50]

On Princess , yes there are many blue cards visible. When we go to the

E/P/S lounge at 5PM there are many cruisers with over 200 days and multiple cruises to Alaska.

[Kenosha Cruiser]

Keith, love your photos of Glacier Bay. We are returning to Alaska on the Crown Princess in May. Last year we did our scenic cruising to Tracy Arm Fjord, looking forward to doing Glacier Bay this year! This will be our third cruise to Alaska and plan more there with different cruise itineraries in the future. Alaska is one beautiful destination I recommend everyone to see.

[Keith1010]

Kenosha Cruiser, you are very welcome. Glad you enjoy Alaska as we do.

 

Keith

[Phyljim]

We will be going again. Our 11th and 12th time. We have over 90 cruises on all lines, and still love to return to Alaska. Have also traveled all over the world. Sure we have seen lots of blue cards, but also lots of silver and black cards.

[Eagle_and_hawk]

We have been three times and have number four booked for next year. We have taken so many land vacations to the Caribbean through the years, we just don't have much interest in going back by a cruise ship.

 

We enjoy the sights & nature in Alaskan ports as can't really get that on any other cruise in the USA. Someday, we would like to do Norway on a cruise, as we know we would enjoy it.

[DougH]

When I started doing Alaska multiple times my cruise friends thought I was strange. Then they all did Alaska, fell in love with it and all have now cruised there multiple times. (I'd say most of them 5-6+ times) My first cruise was to Alaska, I had always dreamed of visiting and I guess the same with many others also.

 

Sometimes you are surprised. When I did Antarctica I thought it would be all experienced cruisers. Instead it was mostly first timers as they were going because it was someplace they had always wanted to see and that was the only way to get there. Even the Captain was surprised that we had 50+ different nationalities of passengers and about 45 of crew.

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

I get casino comp cruises. So far only NCL includes Alaska in their choices, so were taking our 2nd Alaska trip from NCL in May.

 

On the other hand, we just got off Princess Crown, Calif Coastal, and earned a Comp cruise.

 

Guess where its NOT valid? Alaska

 

So at least for Me? I won't be sailing on Princess to Alaska.

 

Its good for Carrib. or another Calif Coastal, which I'll probably do cuz saves on flights.

 

At least thats MY reason for not doing Princess alaska.....:rolleyes:

[Sandy Sails]

Living in Seattle, naturally Alaska was my first cruise ever. All of my next cruises were tropical. Remember that Alaska doesn't look that much different than Seattle or Vancouver, so the locals may not wish to repeat the same old cold-weather cruise when they can go tropical and see different topography. I see eagles and otters all the time here (there's an otter that swims in the bog next to my bus stop) so I don't really need to cruise to Alaska.

 

And on my third cruise, I met my husband, who is from Wyoming. He has no desire to do Alaska, so I can't even get him to go there.

[Cruise Raider]

When I started doing Alaska multiple times my cruise friends thought I was strange. Then they all did Alaska, fell in love with it and all have now cruised there multiple times. (I'd say most of them 5-6+ times) My first cruise was to Alaska, I had always dreamed of visiting and I guess the same with many others also.

 

 

I am with you. Alaska was one of my first cruises and just loved it. We were on the Sky Princess at the time, which was about 20 years ago. We've since sailed on 7 more cruises to Alaska and have another one booked for this summer. Not all of my cruises up there have been on Princess, but we always seem to be on cruises with a fair number of elite passengers, regardless of the line. Most of our cruises with this itinerary have been out of San Francisco, though. I wonder if that makes a difference.

[capriccio]

The Alaska cruise is a wonderful introduction to cruising and to Princess and that accounts for many of the blue cards.

 

An Alaska cruise tour was our first experience on Princess in 2007. In 2012 we convinced (really didn't take too much arm twisting :D) my sister, 2 brothers, and their spouses (all new to Princess) to do the same cruise again (and 2 of the new couples extended their cruise with a Princess land tour. So right now we have introduced 6 people to Princess. One brother and his wife have since gone on 2 additional cruises (Caribbean and Quebec to FL), the other one and his wife have since gone on 1 additional cruise (Caribbean) and my sister and her husband will be on 2 cruises (LA to Valparaiso and Valparaiso to Rio) next winter.

 

In 2018 we are planning on bringing our 2 kids, their spouses and our grandchildren (1 right now, who knows how many in 2018) on an Alaska cruise to celebrate our 45th anniversary. So more blue cards and future Princess cruisers!

[Loreni]

Living in Seattle, naturally Alaska was my first cruise ever. All of my next cruises were tropical. Remember that Alaska doesn't look that much different than Seattle or Vancouver, so the locals may not wish to repeat the same old cold-weather cruise when they can go tropical and see different topography. I see eagles and otters all the time here (there's an otter that swims in the bog next to my bus stop) so I don't really need to cruise to Alaska.

 

And on my third cruise, I met my husband, who is from Wyoming. He has no desire to do Alaska, so I can't even get him to go there.

 

Thank you for this insight.

 

I was is Seattle last year for business and had time to take an Argosy cruise as well as take the ferry to Bainbridge Island to visit Bloedel Reserve. It was a clear day when I went to Bainbridge and the mountain was out. I met a woman from Seattle and mentioned to her that I wished that I had time to visit the San Juan Islands and she said that the scenery was not that much different, so it is interesting to hear this is true of Alaska as well.

 

We live in an area that gets about as many sunny hours per year as Seattle, so DH strongly prefers sunny locations for cruising (me too). He also likes to say he has seen enough snow for a lifetime. Still, I am intrigued by Alaska.

[Loreni]

I want to thank all of you for your answers. It is very helpful to me. I am surprised that, except for Sandy, all replies are from those of you who have been to Alaska more than once. The insights from those who have been to Alaska multiple times are very valuable to me. I also hope more people who have only gone once will share their reasons.

 

Thank you all!

[paul929207]

We will take our third and fourth Alaskan cruises in July, 2016

[L&S80]

We've done 10 actual Alaska cruises & 7 Pacific Northwest......that's what they were called.....we did 2 Alaska cruises in 2015...........

 

We really enjoy them.........we've had temps in the 70's & 80's.........have done them in May, August, September & October.........always see different things.........

 

Alaska scenery is so much different from Washington state........lived here all my life & was surprised at how different & beautiful Alaska is....................

 

Have seen lots of all color cards...........

 

 

 

 

Sharon

Edited March 31, 2016 by L&S80
forgot something

[elliair]

I believe that Princess has the best Alasaka itineraries, so why are there so few repeat cruisers on these voyages? I hear an Alaska voyage is one of the best chances to get invited to The Most Traveled lunch, because most passengers are first timers.

 

I know many people who have cruised to Alaska exactly once. I don't know anyone who has done so more than once. Most say once was either enough or more than enough. A few say it was fantastic (yet tellingly they have not repeated the experience). There will always be a few people who will insist that anything they have spent significant money on is great, otherwise they feel foolish. Keep in mind that many of the people I have spoken to are true nature lovers and most are also extremely well-traveled.

 

One person told us she preferred cruising Norway to Alaska for beauty. Another said she preferred circling South America for scenic beauty.

 

One would think that the major population centers around Seattle and Vancouver, combined with last minute discounting, would result in lots of locals that take repeat cruises to Alaska.

 

We have been considering Alaska for a long time. But there are so many other options for exploring new places as well as the option of returning to our favorite places instead. And only so much time. Would appreciate any advice or insights.

 

We're going in May but not on Princess. We've been on all the Princess ships to Alaska and have never been on the Legend. We may book another cruise to Alaska for August on Princess. We love Alaska.

[Kenosha Cruiser]

Kenosha Cruiser, you are very welcome. Glad you enjoy Alaska as we do.

 

Keith

 

Keith, I hope you don't mine, but I did post a few of your pictures on our roll call. I'm just wondering what time of year you took these beautiful photos. I'm thinking April or May with all the snow. We will be on our cruise from May 21 through May 28. Last year we saw a lot of snow in May on our cruise. The snow capped mountains make it that much more impressive. Hoping for the same this May when we do our scenic cruising to Glacier Bay National Park. :)

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

Edited March 31, 2016 by Kenosha Cruiser

[Keith1010]

Keith, I hope you don't mine, but I did post a few of your pictures on our roll call. I'm just wondering what time of year you took these beautiful photos. I'm thinking April or May with all the snow. We will be on our cruise from May 21 through May 28. Last year we saw a lot of snow in May on our cruise. The snow capped mountains make it that much more impressive. Hoping for the same this May when we do our scenic cruising to Glacier Bay National Park. :)

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

 

Ken and Darlene, sure I am fine with that.

 

Yes we were there in April. We were on a cruise that visited Alaska three weeks prior to the start of the season. It was nice to be in Alaska where we were the only ship in port. The irony is we were there the prior August and the weather was overcast.

 

It's just a reminder that you never know what to expect in terms of the weather and that each and every visit provides a slightly different experience.

 

Keith

[TNTLAMB]

There are also a TON of PC employees and affiliates who cruise out of Seattle and they all cruise on Blue cards...............

[Treven]

I've got my third cruise to Alaska coming up next year. I've been to the Carribean several times, as well as the Mexican Riviera, plus a few other places in this side if the world.

As much as I'd love to, financially I can't swing the cost of a Mediterranean or Northern European cruise. Not on a Senior Citizen's fixed income. I guess if I only cruised every five years or so, and very diligent about saving up, I could probably do one of those "exotic" cruises.