Torn between two cruise lines.

[bobolink]

Hi, I am new to this board, but so very pleased to have found it!

 

We are a couple planning a major anniversary trip to AK in June/July of 2005. We will be taking our 9 year old daughter with us. The size of HAL and Radisson vessels appeal to us. As we are planning independent land portion prior to the trip, we are choosing Southbound trip. This is our first cruise experience.

 

For this trip we require a balcony. We aren't going for casinos or shows. Our style will most likely be to spend a great deal of cruising time on the balcony with a beverage.

 

Please help me with the pros and cons regarding:

 

Raddison suites all have balconies but room for three is available in our price range only on the starboard side. On a southbound trip, is port cabin a must? They are currently offering a pretty good discount.

 

HAL balcony cabins and suites are very limited and look like they are already booked for our time period, according to HAL and AAA websites. Is that likely? Would a TA have diiferent information? The price was certainly right for the S class, but we sure can't afford the largest suite, which appears to be the only one left.

 

HAL cruises College Fiord and Galcier Bay; Raddison cruises Hubbard and Tracy Arm. Pros and cons? Sitka is a requirement as we have a strong interest in the Russian culture.

 

HAL is highly regarded for children's programs. Will our daughter be unwelome on the Mariner because it's not a family-oriented line?

 

Thanks so much!!!!

[cowtec]

Welcome to CC bobolink! Glad you found us! You will find the people here will be tremendously helpful in your plans!

 

We are doing a southbound Alaska next August, but we will be on Princess. I know very little about HAL or Radisson, but I can make a recommendation about the cabin situation for you. Check with the cruiselines directly or with a TA - so often on the Internet sites only about 6 cabins will be shown even though there are many more available. I don't know if this is the case for you, but I would check the deck plans, find a location you like, and then call the TA or cruiseline to check availability. Part of the reason we chose Princess was to cruise Glacier Bay and College Fiord, but I am sure there are an equal number of people who have loved Hubbard and Tracy Arm.

 

Whatever you decide, you will have a wonderful time! Glad you're here! :D

 

Sue

[bobolink]

Thanks, Sue. Princess was out for us because Sitka is not on the itinerary. All of our friends who have cruised Princess in Alaska just loved it!!!

 

I had planned to contact the TA on Tuesday after Labor Day anyway. I was just doing some preliminary searching. Interesting...something is up with the HAL AK suites, though, from what I am reading on the HAL board. One posting reports her TA telling her that HAL is holding them for people who book cruisetours only.

 

Anyone have any ideas about this?

 

So glad to have found my way here!

Barbara

[grouchy]

kids program-not sure how Radisson is.

[ute_fan]

You may not be interested at all, but I'm pretty sure NCL is doing a 10/11 day cruise next year that includes Sitka. We found that their freestyle dining works well for a family, and they may be more likely to have kids than HAL or Radisson.

[Urban trekker]

Norwegian is doing 10/11 day cruises out of Seattle next year that will include Sitka and the true inside passage as they will have more time to take this route

 

Enjoy

 

Dennis

[Thoth]

I was on Holland America's Oosterdam the last week of July. The new Vista class ships do seem to be more family friendly than the older ships in the line.

Sitka IS nice !! Of course I took a ship's excursion which included the Rapter Center, but the thing I most enjoyed was doing my own walking tour of this lovely town. Like you I am into the Russian American history of Sitka. The St. Michael's Cathedral is cute and a "must see", but it is small. It takes only a few minutes to walk through. The Russian Bishop's House was probably the best kept secret. The chapel inside was as good as or maybe even better than the inside of the Cathedral, in my worthless opinion. Plus you can take photo unlike St. Michael's. Although I didn't find any Russian headstones, there are two historic graveyards up the hill worth a see. On the way back to the ship I found a restored Victorian home which is now an office for the US Forestry Service. The very friendly gentleman there gave me a private tour so to speak. If you enjoy Russian Icons like i do, you will wish to visit the St. Michael's Cathedral gift shop across the street. I purchased some Russian made souvenirs. The Dancing is also very good! From what I saw, you might need to be on a pre-booked tour in order to see the Dance. I booked a tour about 2 months out, but still I had to stand.

[Host Caroline]

IMHO only, Holland America will be much better for you as a family.. Club HAL has some wonderful programs (you can find out more about them on Holland America's website) and there are very very few children on Radisson. Radisson has had children's program in Alaska in the past but not sure if they are offering in '05.. check the website http://www.rssc.com. I'd check closely to see if you can find accommodations on HAL.

[bobolink]

Thanks so much for all the helpful replies. Sitka is a must and sounds like we'll love it.

 

I'm still hoping for HAL one-way as we don't want to travel roundtrip, but we have our hearts set on an S cabin. All the quotes I've gotten say all balconies are sold out. Guess I just waited too long.

 

Still looking.

 

Barbara

[Coral]

You may want to check with some large agencies to see if they are holding any group space for the cabins you are interested in with Holland. Also, if you do book with HAL and do not get the cabin category you want, ask to be waitlisted for that category.

[santaharry]

Congratulations on a wise choice to celebrate your anniversary. We have been to Alaska 4 times and this bulliten board wil give you many good suggestions.

Personally I prefer the itenery that has College Fjord and Glacier Bay. However you are planning an independent tour and I recommend that you take the day cruise out of Whittier to see the glacires of College Fjord and then the itenerary that goes out of Seward to sitka and the HUbbard Glacier. We went on RCCl a few years ago and really liked it and they have a good childrens program. Tracy Arm is excellent however you may be able to get there from Juneau. The Vision of the Seas has this itenerary and is a nice ship. Granted it is a larger ship than the HAL or Radison and you lose the small ship feeling but you should be happy and I would do it again.

Look closely at the web sites for the local ports and get a feel of what excursions are available and then make your decision.

First time cruise I recommend the following:

Sitka - town tour and Raptor center

Juneau - Whale watching or town tour with the Mt. Roberts Tram

Skagway - White pass and Yukon Railroad

Ketchican - Saxman Villiage tour and any other you can get at the pier.

This ship also goes into the Misy Fjords national monument and it rivals the Tracy Arm except there are no glaciers.

 

We plan to go again in 2005 and will do the same things again except we will rent a car and drive to emerald lake and perhaps take a side trip to Tracy Arm.

 

Enjoy!

[Giantfan13]

Just got back from sailing the Sun Princess. Glacier Bay was great but College fiord was simply spectacular. We had a bright sunny day, the snow covered mountain peaks and the glaciers was calving every few minutes. Can't imagine any other place better than this. Simply spectacular. We had friends who were on the Mercury who went to Hubbard, and that cannot compare to this.

[merela]

either Diamond or Sapphire.

 

Tracy Arms fjords are breathtakingly beautiful. That along is worth the trip.

 

Princess has a very nice kids' program, but it really depends on the child how much he/she will enjoy the kids' program.

 

I think Princess ships have a good balance which cater to both adults and children.

 

Also for anniversaries, only Celebrity cruises and Princess cruises can do justice to your celebrations.

 

BTW, if you are going to check cruise prices, your starting point should be http://www.cruisevalue.com so you can get a sense of what the market rate is, then go to http://www.*****.com to see if any TA out there can beat the prices offered by cruisevalue.com. Then use the best price you find on-line and negotiate with your own TA to see if he/she can beat it. Your TA should not charge you more than what cruisevalue.com charges.

 

If you can afford a balcony room, do so for Alaskan cruises. But do check different cruiseline boards to find out whether you should book a room on the starboard side or the port side of the ship for the particular cruise you want to book.

 

Also, depending on your daughter and whether she would appreciate seeing the Alaskan scenery day in and day out and how independent she is, you may need to find things for her to do other than having her go on sightseeing tours with you. My 5YO found beautiful Alaska a little dull for her. So a good kid's club, unlimited soda card, good dining room food, and great movies/entertainment helped her cope with her boredom.

 

HTH.

[Budget Queen]

I too give a big vote for HAL, superb deck space, but don't plan spending a great deal of time at your balcony- get out on deck expecially glacier viewing days - nothing beats the full front views. With a Seward arrival- consider a Kenai Fjords boat tour then either overnight there or take the regular run of the Alaska RR arriving in Anchorage around 10pm. Rent a round trip Anchorage car then continue touring- add at least 5 days. Denali Park will take up 3 if interested in going there.

[BuckeyeLady]

I too liked HAL. We did not cruise with children but became friends with a 6 yr old dinner companion and her family. She and they were very pleased with Club HAL. She had exiciting adventures to tell us each day. HAL has many wonderful decks, covered and open that you'll find lots more than your balcony to enjoy.

[dpfred]

We took an north bound cruise this summer. Had a great time. I don't think it mattered which side you were on. With the inside passage there is beautiful scenery on either side.

[MOUSE LADY]

If You Are Thinking About Celebrity, Think Twice. We Passangers On The Summit Sept. 17th Sailing Have Been Bumped To The 20 And Lost 3 Days And 3 Ports And No Communication Except A 1-877-200-2897 Number That Are Not Real Happy Campers...

They Have A Problem With The Pod On Some Of There Ship So Break-downs Happen..i For One Never Again...oh Yes They Are Giving Us 25% Off A Future Cruise With Lots Of Rules...no Thanks.

This Has Cost Us Lots Of Money..now 3 More Days In Vancouver Bc That Insurance Will Not Pay.

Oh What Fun...

That Is My Experience..

Princess Here I Come. Even If You Don't Give Me Free Icecrean

[Outhouse]

We just last week returned from a Southbound on Island Princess which stopped in College Fjord and Glacier Bay. WONDERFUL trip. We also had a Starboard side cabin and it didn't matter. We spent most of our time on the top deck where we could watch both sides. You might check out the Island Princess. I cannot find one thing about the ship that we didn't like. Plenty of activities that did not involve shows, gambling and such. The pools are fresh water and heated and were used constantly by the guests. We never felt like we were in a crowd which is one thing I was concerned about. If you need more info, let me know.

[bobolink]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies.

 

We have booked a NB S class on the Ryndam. Won't go to Sitka, but I think we'll be more than happy, anyway. Sitka was because of Russian heritage portion, but we'll pass on that port this trip to enjoy AK beauty everywhere else.

 

Will be able to allow about 5 days for post-cruise independent in Seward and Denali area, including a car rental so we can make our own schedule.

 

Can't stop thinking about it and it is months and months away!

[Budget Queen]

Frankly- 5 days is not enough for both Denali Park and Seward- if you are including travel days. I would concentrate on one area or the other. They are about 9 hours apart driving with stops. Ideally you need 3 days for Denali Park from Anchorage. Plan carefully. A necessary reference is THE MILEPOST, get a copy from your library to review now.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have done several cruises to Alaska - the last few on HAL.

Going southbound - port side a must.

You will find the cabins on HAL ships much larger than the other cruise lines.

Don't worry about a kid's program for Alaska - you all will be off the ship more than on it as there is so much to see and do in Alaska.

[ladyw]

I have not been on Hal, however I have been on princess and RCCL. As for the kids programs, I think RCCl is way better than Princess. My 8 year old even agrees (she has 5 cruises under her belt already). I also heard through the rumor mill that RCL is switching all of its pools from salt to fresh water -- another plus). RCL has category D balcony cabins in the AFT area that we really like (big enough for 3 with a sitting area that becomes a bed instead of having a bunk bed.

 

We just returned from the Diamond 8/28 RT and had a great time (because it was R/T it really didn't matter what side cabin you were on). The trend with Hal is more towards the "over 55" crowd, their kids programs use to only start at age 5; however I have seen some articles that mention re-vamping the kids areas and increase the age groups. Since we followed a HAL ship and I like to people watch, I don't really remember a lot of "young families" on board.

 

My father/mothers(1st timers) just got off of RCL Vision northbound and also has a "cruise tour" with them for an additional 7 days. He was very happy with the ship and with the cruise tour so far.

[General Max]

We just returned from a southbound Ryndam cruise in a suite. Its great if this is your first cruise. Too bad you are not doing a land tour prior to the cruise. We did one week in Alaska prior to our cruise and had all our laundry done free on ship because we were suite passengers.

 

General Max