Cruise Line Recommendations

[bgyoshi]

I know many people have asked this question before and I've done some research, but hoping for a more tailored answer to our situation. We will be three grandparents (late 50's early 60's), myself and husband (early 30's), our 3 year old son, brother-in-law (mid 30's), and sister-in-law and boyfriend (late 20's).

 

We want to sail to Alaska to enjoy the view, see some glaciers, definitely some fishing. My husband and I usually cruise with RCCL. We're concerned about everyone having something to do on the ship when not in port. My in-laws like a casino (so Disney is out). We also want to be on family-friendly cruise line and just a chill/relax vibe. Budget would be around $1200 (maybe a bit more for balcony). 6-8 day cruise.

 

What cruise line would everyone suggest? We're flexible on ports of calls and where we sail out of. We're on the West Coast so flying to Seattle or Vancouver isn't a big deal to us. Also what time of year should we sail? No school kids yet so we're open to all times of year. We're looking at 2018.

 

Thank you!

[CCJack]

In my opinion from what you describe about your situation, any of the mainstream lines would be fine. We really enjoyed our RCCL Alaska cruise on the Radiance, and have sailed most of the other lines elsewhere.

 

If I were in your position I would be looking hard at the ports of call, dates, etc. Of course, I would also be looking at cost, deals, and freebies such as shipboard credit.

 

Have fun planning....

[Melinda Brasher]

I also think that any of the lines would work. I personally like Holland America and Princess, plus they have more Alaskan sailings and more itineraries than many of the others, so you often get better prices. Holland American won't have quite as many kids as some lines, but they still have stuff for the young ones.

[shadowmeboy]

You need to figure out what ports/areas you want to see. Questions to consider: How long do you want to be in port; Round trip or one way; price.

 

My DW and I enjoy Norwegian. It works for us. I can't say that it will work for you.

[gottagoacruzn]

In my opinion from what you describe about your situation, any of the mainstream lines would be fine. We really enjoyed our RCCL Alaska cruise on the Radiance, and have sailed most of the other lines elsewhere.

 

If I were in your position I would be looking hard at the ports of call, dates, etc. Of course, I would also be looking at cost, deals, and freebies such as shipboard credit.

 

Have fun planning....

 

Hi, I'm with jwith2boys, Rcl is the best!! My first cruise was on a rinky dink banana boat, back in 82, it wasn't much of a ship, but enough to get my feet wet, then the following yr, found Rcl. Have taken a few cruises with Princess, but always go back to Royal. It feels like home every time you go back. Had taken a cruise with Rcl in 2010, then hadn't cruised with them for five or six yrs, then felt the tug to go back, an... Next cruise is comin up on the Radiance Ots to Alaska in mid May.

 

Virginia

[xlxo]

Some additional thoughts...

• how important is your Alaskan glacier experience? If a priority... look for a ship that includes Glacier Bay. I think Princess and Holland America should be included in your research.
  
• price vs warmth vs wildlife vs dry weather vs daylight.... each month offers different advantages. There's a reason July cost more than September with storms.
  
• if your ship includes Vancouver..... plan for extra days with lots of activities that could possibly fill a week.
  

[GradUT]

I think you'll have a problem finding a balcony cabin on an Alaskan cruise for as little as $1200 per person, even going early in the season (May) or late in the season (September).

 

Last year, we booked our Alaska cruise on HAL for May 2017 as the rates were the cheapest of all the months. We got a deal on a balcony room through our travel agent, yet we are still paying $1500 per person when the taxes and port fees are added in.

 

On Royal Caribbean, whose rates are less than HAL and Princess (the best Alaska cruise lines IMO), the only cabin you could get now for Alaska under $1200 would be an inside cabin. (The fares for 2018 aren't yet online, but expect them to be higher than those for 2017.)

[TheCalicoCat]

 

What cruise line would everyone suggest? We're flexible on ports of calls and where we sail out of. We're on the West Coast so flying to Seattle or Vancouver isn't a big deal to us. Also what time of year should we sail? No school kids yet so we're open to all times of year. We're looking at 2018.

 

Thank you!

 

Well... The season is generally from May through September. (Occasionally the end of April is available as a start date.)

 

The cruise line is generally referred to as your transportation to/in Alaska. Meaning that it is the destination that matters not so much the ship/cruise line.

 

I'm of the mindset that you should choose a cruise itinerary that includes Glacier Bay, it is a world heritage site for a reason.

 

Maybe after you have researched more of what you would like to see or do you can make a chart of some sort & let your likes determine your ship. Do you want to visit Sitka (The Russian portion of Alaska's history)? That will limit your choices... If you want to ride the White Pass Rail Road - any ship that goes to Skagway will allow that experience (we liked driving to the Yukon). Do you want to see bears? Then you need to look at when the salmon are spawning - because the bears like to eat them. (Our June cruise was too early for bears.)

 

Generically, any of the cruise lines would be fine for your age range...

[CaribbeanIsland]

You should look into Princess. They do a great job in Alaska with a lot of Alaskan talks and speakers who come onboard. They were so much better than our Royal Caribbean cruise in Alaska who had no one onboard. And Princess goes to Glacier Bay. My second choice would be Holland America.

[Italy52]

You should look into Princess. They do a great job in Alaska with a lot of Alaskan talks and speakers who come onboard. They were so much better than our Royal Caribbean cruise in Alaska who had no one onboard. And Princess goes to Glacier Bay. My second choice would be Holland America.

 

What Royal Caribbean ship were you on? We have been on the Radiance quite a few times and they did have some one on board that gave lectures and spoke while we were at Hubbard --- unfortunately, I don't remember the names.

[CaribbeanIsland]

What Royal Caribbean ship were you on? We have been on the Radiance quite a few times and they did have some one on board that gave lectures and spoke while we were at Hubbard --- unfortunately, I don't remember the names.

 

We were on the Radiance on a Back to Back cruise. Not one speaker at all for 2 weeks. This is so different from Princess who has several speakers come on board many days plus someone all week plus Park Rangers at Glacier Bay. There were talks all the time on Princess. Nothing on Royal Caribbean. We asked the Cruise Director about this and he said they don't get speakers every week and he even said the speakers they get are not very good and not well attended when they speak. He didn't seem to care if they had speakers or not. I would not recommend Royal Caribbean to anyone in Alaska unless it is free.

[Italy52]

We were on the Radiance on a Back to Back cruise. Not one speaker at all for 2 weeks. This is so different from Princess who has several speakers come on board many days plus someone all week plus Park Rangers at Glacier Bay. There were talks all the time on Princess. Nothing on Royal Caribbean. We asked the Cruise Director about this and he said they don't get speakers every week and he even said the speakers they get are not very good and not well attended when they speak. He didn't seem to care if they had speakers or not. I would not recommend Royal Caribbean to anyone in Alaska unless it is free.

 

Interesting. We have done 2 Princess, 9 Royal Caribbean (4 B2B) and 8 Celebrity (4 B2B) cruises to Alaska. All have been outstanding --- maybe we have been lucky. I guess if lectures and speakers are a priority then I can understand the need for one particular line over the other. In our case, itinerary and port times are our first priority. Lucky for all us cruises there are a lot of choices to suit our individual needs.

[CaribbeanIsland]

Interesting. We have done 2 Princess, 9 Royal Caribbean (4 B2B) and 8 Celebrity (4 B2B) cruises to Alaska. All have been outstanding --- maybe we have been lucky. I guess if lectures and speakers are a priority then I can understand the need for one particular line over the other. In our case, itinerary and port times are our first priority. Lucky for all us cruises there are a lot of choices to suit our individual needs.

 

For us--- I get all the ports I want plus a lot of enrichment programs which enhances the ports. One ends up leaning a whole lot more about Alaska due to this. It seemed odd on Royal Caribbean that nothing was done. If I hadn't experienced the other lines I would not know what I was missing. I am all about ports, about seeing glaciers and learning as much about Alaska as possible. I think education -- especially fun education only enhances a trip. I can't go back to Royal Caribbean after experiencing other lines. Celebrity has a very good naturalist when I was on their sailing but their itineraries were weak and both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity can't go to Glacier Bay. Negative for me -- poor itineraries and glaciers that are often missed.

[bgyoshi]

Thanks everyone for the insight! I think my biggest concern is, I don't want to be on a cruise line that isn't popular with families (i.e. I don't want to be the one family that has a kid haha). I personally love RCCL but also don't want to deal with an 8 hour flight with a 3 year old from SFO to Seward, AK, so sailing out of SF or short flight flying to Seattle/Vancouver is ideal for us.

Lots to research and definitely going to enjoy the planning process (as I always do!). Thanks again!

[TheCalicoCat]

Thanks everyone for the insight! I think my biggest concern is, I don't want to be on a cruise line that isn't popular with families (i.e. I don't want to be the one family that has a kid haha). I personally love RCCL but also don't want to deal with an 8 hour flight with a 3 year old from SFO to Seward, AK, so sailing out of SF or short flight flying to Seattle/Vancouver is ideal for us.

Lots to research and definitely going to enjoy the planning process (as I always do!). Thanks again!

 

We sailed on Holland America with a 4.5 year old, he wasn't the only kid. (There weren't 100's of kids, but he wasn't alone either.)