Help for First-Timer/Last-Minuter

[pdxsteeler]

Background:

- Desire to do a 7-day Alaska cruise this August

- North or South is fine (Seward-Vancouver or Vancouver-Seward)

- Family of 4 (2 adults, 3 1/2 boy, 1 yr. old girl) -- So accommodations need to fit all of us and need a kid-friendly ship.

 

Options:

- Norwegian Sun (8/15-8/22, south): Mini-suite w/balcony (Room 1213). Norwegian offering @ $5970 w/choice of free dining or beverage package

- Holland ms Noordam (8/7-8/14, north): Verandah (Room 10026) @ $4460

- Celebrity Radiance of the Seas (8/5-8/12, south): Sky suite @ $6900

 

Obviously the price difference is a factor but we more interested in what value we are getting than the absolute price, so that isn't the final factor.

 

The questions:

a) Are any of these ships clearly better/worse experiences? From what I can tell from various readings, they all have their +/- but none particularly stands out positively or negatively.

b) Similarly, is any one of these better/worse for the kids?

c) Is the Celebrity sky suite worth the extra money?

 

Thanks in advance.

[xlxo]

Thoughts...

• If you like dry weather.... I recommend the earliest August dates for the driest weather. Mid-August is when the wet weather comes to Alaska.
  
• which of those three does Glacier Bay? If you want see a glacier... this is the place to include in your ship itinerary.
  
• Vancouver has a fireworks competition.... if you can get July 30th in Vancouver... Disney has a big show planned.
  

[Sequim88]

Radiance of the Seas is Royal Caribbean - but Celebrity has Sky Suite - so not sure which X ship to compare. It's been so long it would be Apples & Oranges to compare over this many years but service on HAL in our Verandah cabin was great. Regular verandahs are pretty tight. That said the suites are going to offer more room and concierge/butler type service that may be handy with small kids.

[pdxsteeler]

Radiance of the Seas is Royal Caribbean - but Celebrity has Sky Suite - so not sure which X ship to compare. It's been so long it would be Apples & Oranges to compare over this many years but service on HAL in our Verandah cabin was great. Regular verandahs are pretty tight. That said the suites are going to offer more room and concierge/butler type service that may be handy with small kids.

 

Good catch. Celebrity is the Millenium.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

For Alaska the ship is less important the itinerary. Look at time in port, number of sea days, which glaciers they go to. For me, when it comes to Alaska the itinerary is the deciding factor.

[gpb11]

We were in one of the deck ten Verandah rooms on Noordam this spring, down the hall from 10026.

 

The room location was absolutely fantastic. We had super quick access to the outside decks above the pool level and could cross to the other side, as well as super quick access to the Crows Nest. There was little traffic or noise in the hallway, and it was simple to head to the Lido market buffet. We'd grab one of those rooms again in a heartbeat.

 

Plus on the day we visited Glacier Bay it was nice to be able to quickly/easily retreat from all the on-deck chatter and quietly enjoy the scenery from our own balcony at times.

 

With all that said, as others mention the FIRST thing is figure out where you want to visit and choose the ship that goes there. I just wanted to attest to really enjoying that particular room location on the Noordam.

[Budget Queen]

What is important to you, and why did you pick Alaska? You have verified your flights? When would you be arriving? Why aren't you also looking at Princess?

 

Any of these cruises could be an excellent trip. I suggest you read up on the port and glacier differences and determine if YOU have any priorities?

 

Any port activities- you want to be sure to take advantage of?

 

 

OR is the ship the only priority? All of those are "kid friendly".

[pdxsteeler]

What is important to you, and why did you pick Alaska? You have verified your flights? When would you be arriving? Why aren't you also looking at Princess?

 

Any of these cruises could be an excellent trip. I suggest you read up on the port and glacier differences and determine if YOU have any priorities?

 

Any port activities- you want to be sure to take advantage of?

 

 

OR is the ship the only priority? All of those are "kid friendly".

 

Princess is basically sold out in August so not an option.

Have looked at flights and they are not much of an issue. Flying in/out of Portland, so easy (and cheap) direct flights to Vancouver and Anchorage.

 

Port activities -- Not sure. That will be the next post :) We need to figure out what is possible with the kids.