Alaska vs New England/Canada cruises

[Schoifmom]

15 hours ago, kwokpot said:

This is the itinerary the OP is considering. Those are the only port stops.

My bad.  I would have SWORN that I read Boston and Portland on the original post!! 😬

[jsglow]

Alaska is fantastic.  And it can be done economically.  On our trip we did an obstructed OV. We spent the entire day outdoors on top deck.

 

Alaska is a sight seeing trip. I'd discourage anyone from rejecting HAL and Princess. They dominate up there and control essentially all the Glacier Bay permits. Nobody else has anywhere near their market presence.

[Colorado Cruzer]

We went to AK on Carnival May 2014 and spent about 3K during the trip with excursions, cheers, steakhouse, etc. Our cabin was comped for an oceanview on deck 1 I think dur to Carnivalcorp and cruising in general getting abag reputation th eyear before with the Triumph poo cruise and the concordia beching itself..lol.  The worst room we've ever sailed in under the bar/lounge with the sea right at our window but the trip was still amazing! 

 

The weather was beautiful for us from Denver at about 60-65 degrees every day. Only rained in one port, Juneau at that time of year. I think weather is something you really need to see the history before doing Alaska. I have no idea what it's like getting closer to Fall there and drizzle every day would be a reall bummer at those prices!

 

Excursions are average about $300 per person for the really good stuff in AK.  I don't think I'm adventurous enough to do one of those jenky helicopters but those were running like $500 per person when we went.

 

You could secure a date now for like 2023 or maybe even 2024 and save up/pay a little at a time to get to AK.

Good luck with your planning and have a grear birthday trip!

[Oceansaway17]

On 2/7/2022 at 4:03 PM, Schoifmom said:

You don't believe that Boston and Portland, ME are in New England???

omg I must have missed this comment.

 

too funny bless their little heart.  

[Oceansaway17]

4 hours ago, jsglow said:

Alaska is fantastic.  And it can be done economically.  On our trip we did an obstructed OV. We spent the entire day outdoors on top deck.

 

Alaska is a sight seeing trip. I'd discourage anyone from rejecting HAL and Princess. They dominate up there and control essentially all the Glacier Bay permits. Nobody else has anywhere near their market presence.

 

yes yes yes.

and as for Carnival, well if you look at rooms and decks they have many pricing levels and really a lot of their ships are not that cheap.

 

For Alaska, going with the big THREE, Princess, HAl, RCI and yes let us add NCL one can not go wrong.    I would not pay for whale watching because you get to see them for free going in and out of glacier bay.   I think walking around Juneau and taking Mt roberts tram is a great tour.  And then do the train in Skagway.

[loohoo1]

On 2/7/2022 at 11:09 AM, Indytraveler83 said:

What are the overall thoughts on the Carnival experience in New England or Alaska.  I'm not afraid to switch to a different line if I can get a better sailing, but not a huge fan of the overly formal cruise lines.  My parents were avid Princess cruisers for a while, and from what they described, I'd likely hate it.  

 

Out of 15 cruises, Alaska was my favorite and NE was my least favorite. Alaska (8/21) was chilly with mostly sunny days. Just so beautiful. We did not spend a fortune on excursions. We did kayak in Ketchikan and we did the cruise to get closer to the glacier (so worth the price! and sells out fast). Mostly, we hiked (AllTrails app was great!) and visited the towns.

 

NE cruise, although July, was cold and rainy from the moment we left NYC until we returned. The fog horn blew constantly. We got off in the ports but I honestly just wanted to get back on the ship. Maybe it would have been different if the weather was nice. I know I'd never book that cruise again, though.

[antmaril]

I have cruised to Alaska twice (HAL and Princess) and NE/Canada twice (NCL and Carnival).   My cruises to NE/Canada out of NYC included stops in New Brunswick, Halifax and Bar Harbor (NCL) and New Brunswick, Halifax, Portland and Boston (Carnival).  I think the itinerary you are looking at is lacking.  Take a look at other lines that include at least Portland, Boston or Bar Harbor.  I enjoyed these cruises very much!  
 

Alaska is another level!  Spectacular!  I, too, am considering the Carnival Freedom in August, 2023.  My friend received an amazing casino offer for that cruise and we are considering it.  She has never been to Alaska and is on a budget.  This could be the way to go.  We are hesitant because we were on the Carnival Sunrise in 2019 (NE/Canada) and, while we had fun and enjoyed the itinerary, we weren’t crazy about the ship.  I don’t know how the Carnival Freedom compares.  I assume they would be very similar.  
 

I just want to add that you can do Alaska without spending too much money.  I was in an inside cabin twice.  It was fine.  We were out of the cabin most of the time.  We took a bus to the Mendenhall Glacier, did the Mt. Roberts Tramway.  Most expensive excursion was the White Pass Railway and it was worth every penny.   Amazing!  
 

Good luck with your decision.  Be sure to explore other lines.  You might find something that is perfect for you.  

 

 

[Indytraveler83]

16 minutes ago, antmaril said:

I have cruised to Alaska twice (HAL and Princess) and NE/Canada twice (NCL and Carnival).   My cruises to NE/Canada out of NYC included stops in New Brunswick, Halifax and Bar Harbor (NCL) and New Brunswick, Halifax, Portland and Boston (Carnival).  I think the itinerary you are looking at is lacking.  Take a look at other lines that include at least Portland, Boston or Bar Harbor.  I enjoyed these cruises very much!  
 

Alaska is another level!  Spectacular!  I, too, am considering the Carnival Freedom in August, 2023.  My friend received an amazing casino offer for that cruise and we are considering it.  She has never been to Alaska and is on a budget.  This could be the way to go.  We are hesitant because we were on the Carnival Sunrise in 2019 (NE/Canada) and, while we had fun and enjoyed the itinerary, we weren’t crazy about the ship.  I don’t know how the Carnival Freedom compares.  I assume they would be very similar.  
 

I just want to add that you can do Alaska without spending too much money.  I was in an inside cabin twice.  It was fine.  We were out of the cabin most of the time.  We took a bus to the Mendenhall Glacier, did the Mt. Roberts Tramway.  Most expensive excursion was the White Pass Railway and it was worth every penny.   Amazing!  
 

Good luck with your decision.  Be sure to explore other lines.  You might find something that is perfect for you.  

 

 

 

Thank you for another comprehensive overview.  I'm definitely shying away from the New England itinerary I mentioned above.  Other lines don't have their East Coast schedule for 2023 out yet, so I'm evaluating options there.

 

I've been looking into Alaska quite a bit since I started this thread and have come to a few conclusions:

1) To remain on a budget, and to ease my own issues with international flights under pandemic guidelines, I'm currently only considering cruises that start and end in Seattle. (This could change if international flight guidelines do, but until then, I won't consider any flights out of the country)

 

2) While it seems other lines have access to quite a few very cool excursions and land based vacations to add onto the cruise, none of those things are within my budget.  I've yet to see any reason (within my financial means) to book for any reason but price.

 

3) So far the absolute cheapest rooms are still Carnival, with the "Inside" cabin with a "walkway view" (essentially a forward facing ocean view) being the most interesting.

However, the cheapest balconies by far are guaranteed balconies (they pick your room) on Royal Caribbean.  

 

4) I'm also considering a land based vacation in Alaska too, but I'll need to do more research to see if that's a viable alternative.  While I like the idea of spending the entire time on land, the costs of hotels, rental cars and the increased rate for airfare directly to Alaska seems like it could far exceed airfare to Seattle and cruise fare.  

 

[kwokpot]

5 minutes ago, Indytraveler83 said:

4) I'm also considering a land based vacation in Alaska too, but I'll need to do more research to see if that's a viable alternative.  While I like the idea of spending the entire time on land, the costs of hotels, rental cars and the increased rate for airfare directly to Alaska seems like it could far exceed airfare to Seattle and cruise fare.  

If you're on a budget there's no way a land trip through Alaska is going to be less expensive than a cruise.  No way. 

I've done Alaska although a long time ago. We never did any helicopter Glacier tours yet had a great time. It's all about the scenery. Don't get hung up on the expensive crazy tours. If you get to Mendenhall Glacier then that's a good, inexpensive tour.

Edited February 9, 2022 by kwokpot

[Indytraveler83]

7 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

If you're on a budget there's no way a land trip through Alaska is going to be less expensive than a cruise.  No way. 

I've done Alaska although a long time ago. We never did any helicopter Glacier tours yet had a great time. It's all about the scenery. Don't get hung up on the expensive crazy tours. If you get to Mendenhall Glacier then that's a good, inexpensive tour.

 

Yeah, I'm starting to see that. My other option I've been considering is a cross country road trip, which looks cheaper, but hotels are still crazy expensive!  

[kwokpot]

2 minutes ago, Indytraveler83 said:

 

Yeah, I'm starting to see that. My other option I've been considering is a cross country road trip, which looks cheaper, but hotels are still crazy expensive!  

That's the thing about a cruise, in general the value can't be beat. That's why they're so popular.  You have your lodging, all meals, entertainment, and transportation to different places all in one package. There's nothing wrong with being a value cruiser. As I said you never have to spend hundreds of dollars on ships tours. Lots of people do, but it doesn't mean you need to. In the towns like Skagway and Ketchikan there's no reason you have to take a tour. Just get off the ship and enjoy what the town has to offer.  Juneau you go see the Glacier and the intown fishery was very interesting. In Victoria see Butchart Gardens and stroll the harbor. That's your Alaska cruise. 

[Indytraveler83]

10 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

That's the thing about a cruise, in general the value can't be beat. That's why they're so popular.  You have your lodging, all meals, entertainment, and transportation to different places all in one package. There's nothing wrong with being a value cruiser. As I said you never have to spend hundreds of dollars on ships tours. Lots of people do, but it doesn't mean you need to. In the towns like Skagway and Ketchikan there's no reason you have to take a tour. Just get off the ship and enjoy what the town has to offer.  Juneau you go see the Glacier and the intown fishery was very interesting. In Victoria see Butchart Gardens and stroll the harbor. That's your Alaska cruise. 

 

I do appreciate the value tips. I work in local government, and while money isn't terribly tight, I'll likely never be able to dump thousands on my excursions or any crazy cabins on a cruise ship.  That said, still trying to get out and have as many experiences as possible before my already messed up back prevents me from going anywhere in my older years.  

[curmudgeon98]

My few cents worth, having been on two Alaska cruises:

 

1)  You can have a great cruise without spending much on excursions, though the excursions can certainly add to the experience.

 

2)  Weather is variable all cruise season, but more chancy in May or Sept.

 

3)  No matter which line, Alaska cruises will have a different clientele and mindset compared to typical tropical cruises - more outdoors minded and more families, not especially formal.

 

4) Some ships are better suited to Alaska than others; you want a good forward observation lounge and preferably a promenade deck.  If you have those, a balcony doesn't matter all that much.

 

5) The Seattle roundtrips are a bit squeezed for time, and take the less scenic (and rougher) route around the outside of Vancouver Island.  The stop at Victoria is awkwardly timed.

 

6) The one-way trips are often a bit cheaper cruise fare, but require flying to Anchorage and Vancouver, with a (scenic) transfer on the Alaska end.  They spend a day crossing the (sometimes rough) Gulf of Alaska.  Seward could be worth a day or so, Whittier not so much.  Denali is a popular add-on, but pushes the cost up quite a bit (and the mountain is often socked in with clouds). 

 

7) Icy Strait Point is a very limited port; it's not unusual for folks to treat it as another sea day.

 

8  Glacier Bay is definitely a plus versus the alternatives, which gives an edge to HAL/Princess

[baseballmom2007]

Thanks to everyone who posted! Hubby has tried to convince me to cruise to Alaska and I've been hesitant - until I read many of your comments.

If value is a consideration (it is with me as well) and driving not a problem, you might consider a driving vacation to New England. We went to Maine - Acadia and Bar Harbor were our destinations, but we stopped along our drive to/from DC.  I love cruising, but enjoyed this trip as much.  We went late August/early September. Lobster, hiking, star gazing, whale watching, strolling quaint New England towns... 

Good Luck with your decsion.

[Indytraveler83]

40 minutes ago, baseballmom2007 said:

Thanks to everyone who posted! Hubby has tried to convince me to cruise to Alaska and I've been hesitant - until I read many of your comments.

If value is a consideration (it is with me as well) and driving not a problem, you might consider a driving vacation to New England. We went to Maine - Acadia and Bar Harbor were our destinations, but we stopped along our drive to/from DC.  I love cruising, but enjoyed this trip as much.  We went late August/early September. Lobster, hiking, star gazing, whale watching, strolling quaint New England towns... 

Good Luck with your decsion.

 That's actually another great idea, thank you.  We could easily do an east coast road trip and enjoy ourselves!

 

My two great traveling passions are cruising and camping (quite opposite I know).  Looking at both for next year!

[Indytraveler83]

Just an update for everyone:

 

After hearing a tons of pro's and cons about everything, I've been monitoring sales on all the cruise lines.

 

Today I noticed a 72 hr Early Saver sale on Carnival that included Alaska in 2023.  I booked the Freedom out of Seattle (7 day) in a 4J room (technically interior, but has the forward facing window on the "secret deck").

 

Figured we could leave the weekend ahead of the trip and spend a few days in the Seattle area before the cruise too.

 

It's no balcony, but it's as cheap as I've seen Alaska on any cruise line, so hopefully it'll be worth it!

[SNJCruisers]

I noticed that you put an early saver deposit down on an Alaskan cruise.  I'm sure you'll have a good time, but Princess and HAL are the experts in that area. 

I was going to suggest you drive to Bayonne NJ and go out on a 9 day Liberty of the Seas cruise to NE and Canada leaving on Thursday 8/24/23, getting back on Saturday 9/2/23.   It stops in Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, St. John and Halifax.

[SNJCruisers]

On 2/10/2022 at 2:11 AM, curmudgeon98 said:

 

8  Glacier Bay is definitely a plus versus the alternatives, which gives an edge to HAL/Princess

This is why I booked a 14 day on the Majestic Princess on 5/27/23.  It stops at Glacier Bay Northbound and Southbound, so we'll get two times to view the area in case one day has bad weather.

[Indytraveler83]

23 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

This is why I booked a 14 day on the Majestic Princess on 5/27/23.  It stops at Glacier Bay Northbound and Southbound, so we'll get two times to view the area in case one day has bad weather.

Yep, and I get it.  But 14 days is definitely not possible for us, and so far the pricing hasn't been there either.

 

The best price I've found was RCL for a true inside room.  But as soon as that went to ceanview or better, it got crazy again.

 

I'm pretty happy with the price I have on Freedom, but it's also Early Saver, which allows me a TON of flexibility.  

 

I'm also thinking that since the cruise leaves on a Tuesday, I could spend a few nights in Seattle and the surrounding area exploring, as I've never been to that part of the country.

[keels81]

Alaska can ABSOLUTELY be done economically. I had a balcony for my first Alaskan cruise and after that? All interiors (all on Celebrity, my first on Carnival will be this August). We're on the 6 day out of Seattle and it's an absolutely satisfactory itinerary for what we want to do at a great price point. 

 

What I learned is that I preferred going to main areas for the cruising portions where the naturalist was speaking and I preferred watching the scenery from the hot tub versus my balcony. But that's just me.

 

Alaska is also the one itinerary where I don't even bother looking at excursions offered by the cruise line -- there are so many more tour providers that give a more intimate experience at half the cost .. and way more exciting and different offerings. Currently, our most expensive excursion is $89/pp and that's tidepool snorkeling in Ketchikan. We're doing a Summit-to-Sea cycle tour in Skagway that was $70/pp and whale watching in Juneau for $50/pp.

[Indytraveler83]

27 minutes ago, keels81 said:

Alaska can ABSOLUTELY be done economically. I had a balcony for my first Alaskan cruise and after that? All interiors (all on Celebrity, my first on Carnival will be this August). We're on the 6 day out of Seattle and it's an absolutely satisfactory itinerary for what we want to do at a great price point. 

 

What I learned is that I preferred going to main areas for the cruising portions where the naturalist was speaking and I preferred watching the scenery from the hot tub versus my balcony. But that's just me.

 

Alaska is also the one itinerary where I don't even bother looking at excursions offered by the cruise line -- there are so many more tour providers that give a more intimate experience at half the cost .. and way more exciting and different offerings. Currently, our most expensive excursion is $89/pp and that's tidepool snorkeling in Ketchikan. We're doing a Summit-to-Sea cycle tour in Skagway that was $70/pp and whale watching in Juneau for $50/pp.

Care to share some tour provider info?  I would really appreciate some leads on that end!