Which ship to take to Alaska?

[shoreguy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Thoth:
From what I understand all the big name large ship lines are good. Much depends on your taste or dress code.......snip.... My advice to first timer cruisers is look at price and itinerary first and formost if comparing Carnival, Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have to agree with the above. Find the itinery first and then the price. You will not have a bad experience on any of the major cruiselines.

After your first cruise you will be in a better position to select a ship that enhances the things you liked (ie alternate dinning) and the things you want to avoid (formal wear).

Seaward 1/89,Southward II 1/91,Windward 10/93,
Norway 3/94,4/96
Dreamward 4/97
Dream 12/99
QE2 4/02
Carnival Spirit 7/02
NCL Sun 10/03
NCL Dawn 2/03,7/03,2/04

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2004;8;22;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]  Alaska NCL Sun

[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=5023051067&m=527108012"]8/22 Sun - Roll Call[/url]

[davis0056]

We've enjoyed reading everyone's responses. Our first Alaska cruise was on the Celebrity Galaxy without a land component. We loved the cruise, the ship, the crew, but missed not seeing the interior. Last year we decided to try Princess (sailing with them for the 3rd time), with their history in Alaska and brand new ship, the Coral Princess. None of the land options met our preferences. We wanted all train, no bus transfers. We ended up doing our own land package, staying where we wanted and on the train all the way. We booked the Princess train independently( yes-you do not need to do a Princess package). Train was great, hotels in Denali (all from what could see) were okay, hotel in Talkteena was great (Talkteena Lodge) also was used by Celebrity and Royal Caribbean (and maybe HAL). Seward was great. Now for the Coral: ship was nice, mini-suite was okay, crew was indifferent except for our room steward (who acknowledged the crews' attitude as being tired or bored) although the crew in the New Orleans resturant who were very good (they remembered us during our second dinner there and arranged special seating to accommodate my wife's wish to overlook the sea). The main resturant staff never remembered or used our names and never remembered our preferences (ice tea with dinner and after dinner cordials for myself). All our excursions were booked independently so can't comment on Princess's. We're planning on Alaska again next year but will go back to Celebrity.

Dave and Elaine

Transatlantic sailing on the Constellation
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;9;1;17;0;00&timezone=GMT+0000[/img][img]http://www.zooish.com/_borders/drinkin_md_wht.gif[/img] [img]http://www.zooish.com/_borders/lickin_food_md_wht.gif[/img] Our Cruise Pictures [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/davissatx"]http://community.webshots.com/user/davissatx[/url]

[margeaux]

I have to agree with ruvidu. Cruised to Alaska on Princess 3 years ago, and it was the best experience. Returned to Alaska on Princess this year and it was very, very disappointing.

There have been many cutbacks. These may not be noticeable to the first time cruiser, but they certainly affected the enjoyment of our cruise.

Next time, we are trying a different line.