Why is southbound Voyage of the Glaciers more expensive?

[jasbo49]

We're thinking about doing a Voyage of the Glaciers sometime in the next couple of years. Could be 2018 or 2019, could be a Princess Cruisetour or it could be a Princess cruise with our own pre or post cruise arrangments in Alaska.

 

The point is that in isolating the cruise itself for 2018 in the May-June range, I find that every southbound cruise is roughly $200 more (sometimes more) for a balcony than the northbound. Can anyone explain this? I've heard people recommend doing the tour first, then the cruise (obviously that would be southbound), but I don't understand why.

 

I guess if southbound is more popular, then it's more expensive, but why do people prefer the tour-first, then cruise south arrangement?

[4cats4me]

I don't know why the cruise itself costs more, but I can only speak for myself and say that I much prefer SB because our flight home is much shorter and it makes disembarkation day more bearable, 2.5 hr flight vs 5 hour flight with plane change , plus a long drive from Cruise port to airport in Anchorage before that long five hour flight

[Thrak]

We prefer the southbound as it's a nice relaxing voyage after being on buses and the train going from lodge to lodge. It also visits Hubbard Glacier which the northbound doesn't due to logistical reasons. A flight home from Vancouver is much shorter than a flight home from Anchorage. I'd rather get the longer flight out of the way first.

[QuilterGirl]

I wonder if provisioning for the SB voyage is more expensive than for the NB? All those foodstuffs, fuel, etc. have to be moved to Alaska before they can be loaded...

[ar1950]

After checking out those cruises for the past 3 years in hopes of doing a cruise tour we have always found the southbound to be more expensive compared to the northbound. Also, they seem to sell faster. My guess is that they are a bit more popular and that might explain the higher fare.

[casofilia]

My guess would be "demand and supply"!! People would prefer the shorter flight home from Vancouver than from Anchorage. I doubt that the flight cost is much different in either direction.

[Wishing on a star]

We chose S/B.

On the Southbound, you can do the boat tour of Prince William Sound and College Fjord, just before boarding. And, also includes Hubbard Glacier.

On the Northbound, there is a longer time in port at Juneau, which allows the Adventure Bound tour.

 

We were on the Coral Princess... Especially since we traveled in late May, it was chilly for a balcony.

The OV rooms in that hallway on the Starboard side, across from the Casino, are better rooms with slightly higher ceilings and huge picture windows. Same layout as balcony cabins. The (very small) International Cafe is also SO convenient from there for coffees and croissants in the mornings.

 

Happy Planning!

 

 

Happy Planning!

[Pam in CA]

My guess would be "demand and supply"!! People would prefer the shorter flight home from Vancouver than from Anchorage. I doubt that the flight cost is much different in either direction.

Exactly. Demand. More people prefer to get the longer flight over before the cruise.

[Coral]

Most prefer to do the land trip first.

[jasbo49]

Most prefer to do the land trip first.

Yes. And my question is why.

 

Jim

[Jersey42]

Yes. And my question is why.

 

Jim

As Thrak said, the land tour is much more tiring, and the cruise is much more relaxing. Thus most people want to get on their cruise after doing the land tour.

 

Plus, as many have said, it is a shorter flight home.

[Pierlesscruisers]

I wonder if provisioning for the SB voyage is more expensive than for the NB? All those foodstuffs, fuel, etc. have to be moved to Alaska before they can be loaded...

 

While it might be, as others have suggested, because the southbound is more popular so they reduce the price on the northbound one a bit as an incentive to take that one I believe you have hit on the real reason. I've seen the volume of stores being loaded onto the ships sailing out of Seattle and that has led me to believe that those increased shipping costs are probably the basic reason. Good thinking!

 

Tom

[frugaltravel]

As was said above, the SB voyages include both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay.

 

 

Yes. And my question is why.

 

Jim

 

As Thrak said, the land tour is much more tiring, and the cruise is much more relaxing. Thus most people want to get on their cruise after doing the land tour.

 

Plus, as many have said, it is a shorter flight home.

 

I hear that often, but the only reason the land tour is more "tiring" and the cruise is more "relaxing" is because people don't pace themselves. I find the land tour can be just as relaxing as the cruise - in fact sometimes even moreso. With the cruise, you only have a few hours to see/do things in each port, so I tend to leave the ship early and return late. With the land tour, I can plan to spend as much time in each place as I wish. The main benefit (to me) of the cruise is unpacking and packing up only once during the 7 nights vs. changing lodging more often.

[Bimmer09]

I wonder if provisioning for the SB voyage is more expensive than for the NB? All those foodstuffs, fuel, etc. have to be moved to Alaska before they can be loaded...

 

I believe that the ships take on all their provisions in Vancouver to cover both NB and SB sailings.

South Bound cruises have the land tour passengers aboard and they are unlikely to baulk at an extra $200 in the pricing. I have done both SB and NB and hope to do both again but I do like the NB as it saves the glaciers for last and the sailaway from Vancouver is very scenic. The late sailing from Whittier means it is dark soon after sailing and there is only one dinner seating if memory serves.

A land tour is high on my bucket list and Hubbard Glacier is a doozy.

Norris

[frugaltravel]

The late sailing from Whittier means it is dark soon after sailing

 

I guess in late August or September it might be dark when sailing from Whittier, but most of the summer it is light in that area almost around the clock.

[Thrak]

I guess in late August or September it might be dark when sailing from Whittier, but most of the summer it is light in that area almost around the clock.

 

It was certainly never dark when we did the land tour. Only as we sailed south did night resume. We just did a 7 week camping trip through Canada and Alaska and had no dark while in Alaska at all. It got darker but never dark. One could easily walk around any time of day or night without needing a light of any kind.

[jasbo49]

Thank you everyone. I can understand people wanting to get the longer flight out of the way. I wasn't aware that Hubbard Glacier made the SB more attractive, so I'll have to check that out.

 

I think like Norris, though, that it might be fun to have the glaciers and the land tour at the end of a buildup to the big prize. And save money in the bargain.

 

Jim

[Coral]

Yes. And my question is why.

 

Jim

 

People think the land is more tiring and they can relax on the cruise. If they do great excursions on the cruise, it probably is not more relaxing.

 

People also like reminding in one room towards the end of the trip (not re-packing every day or every 2 days).

[Wishing on a star]

An above comment is just not true...

The sun sets late that far North, until the end of the season.

I don't remember it being dark.

 

Since the Sail-away from Whittier (which is also very scenic) is late... Dinner is open-seating.

We walked by the dining rooms when we boarded after the 26 Glacier Tour, and they greeted us warmly, ready to seat us right away.

(We decided to go get cleaned up and dressed first)

[Coral]

People think the land is more tiring and they can relax on the cruise. If they do great excursions on the cruise, it probably is not more relaxing.

 

People also like remaining in one room towards the end of the trip (not re-packing every day or every 2 days).

 

Correct a word.

[WisCruiser2]

I agree with some of the others -- doing the land first gets the longer travel day at the front end and not when we're ready to go home, as well as changing from lodge to lodge at the front end and then being in one "hotel" for the cruise week. Also, you get to know folks on the tour who will be on the ship with you and although I'm sure it works the other way, too, I think it would be more difficult to meet those on the same tour on the ship first.

[MCC retired]

SB is more popular ( reasons reflected in previous posts ) .

NB lower rate to attract those price conscious .

 

 

 

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[Gopherpharm]

We did northbound and I think I prefer it that way because the scenery really "builds" as you go north - College Fjord was the icing on the cake for us!!

 

 

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[Coral]

We did northbound and I think I prefer it that way because the scenery really "builds" as you go north - College Fjord was the icing on the cake for us!!

 

 

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On a gorgeous day, College Fiords is amazing! My days there have beat my days at Hubbard Glacier.

[Wishing on a star]

It was SO gloomy and foggy and rainy when we arrived at Whittier, we almost didn't board that Glacier Tour.

But, it was paid for... so, literally, at the last second, we headed for the boat, and were the last ones to show up for the tour.

 

The Narrator, who actually turned out to be very very good, started out by saying things like "On our right is xxxxxx, and xxxxx, if we could see it..." Our eyes were rolling.... okay, I was thinking.... that's nice....

But, when we got out to the Glaciers, the fog lifted and the sun tried to peek thru. Even in those conditions, it was amazing! The best glacier area is the one you don't see on the Cruise ship routes.

 

It is totally different, and like 100% better to get out there on a small vessel and experience these areas!

Highly, highly, recommend getting off the Cruise ships to actually see and experience Alaska!