Looking at an Alaskan Cruise next year; overwhelmed

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Fri May 21, 2010 6:45 pm

Next summer, Pete and I would like to take an Alaskan cruise. We've never done a cruise before and aside from Alaska, the only other place we'd consider taking one is in the Greek Isles. But, I digress. Anywho...

I have gotten some fabulous ideas for "upscale" cruises but the price points are a bit out of range ($30K). Googling it turns up way too much to sort through. Anyone have experience with an Alaskan cruise? Here is what we are looking for:

1. Small(ish) ship ~ NOT a mega boat. Want to be able to get close to things and don't want massive hoards of people when we disembark for excursions.

2. I am not all that great on water (panic/sea sickness) so, I'd like a really nice room with a large veranda and preferably floor to ceiling windows. Okay, maybe this doesn't have to do with the whole motion sickness thing, I just want a really nice balcony and not too small of a room.

3. We DO NOT need casinos.

What would your advice be as to the length of the cruise and any "must have's" on the itinerary?

Thanks everyone!!

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Fri May 21, 2010 7:36 pm

Maybe Holland America or Princess would be a good choice. We did a Holland America cruise and I can't say enough about the staff. It's way more upscale than Carnival or the other ships. Wonderful Phillipino wait staff. And not as pricey as Crystal or some others.
I've heard the best Alaska trip is part sea and part train through Denali..

loria · Post by **loria** » Fri May 21, 2010 7:58 pm

http://www.expeditions.com/

we looked at doing a galapagos cruise with this outfit--they may fit your bill--they aren't cheap, but not 30K!!!--

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Fri May 21, 2010 8:02 pm

Try to build in some time for the fine city of Vancouver if possible.

jdw · Post by **jdw** » Fri May 21, 2010 9:52 pm

You will have no regrets if you decide to take an Alaskan cruise. It is a trip I will never forget. Words absolutely cannot describe the beauty. We booked through Holland cruise line. Our ship was the Amsterdam and we sailed out of Seattle. If you have never visited Seattle you should plan to spend one day there - lots of fun. Our trip was in the middle of July and the weather was perfect. And don't scrimp (is that a word??

) on the excursions - they are worth every penny!!

Please let me know if you have any specific questions.

Jamie

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Fri May 21, 2010 9:53 pm

Hi Marcia,
I book for Expedia Cruiseship Centers..and from reading what you are looking for...I think you might possibly be interested in the "Smaller ships" Princess has...There is a particular ship called Princess Royal. She only carries 680 passengers and has an Alaskan Voyage out of Seattle...and Princess just opened up their 2011 booking dates. I highly recommend Princess for Alaska cruises. And of course there are dates still available for 2010 as well. They also offer the cruise tour where you would take the train thru different parts of Alaska and stay the night at their resorts. I would be happy to share some info with you if you would like. Please feel free to take a peek at my website and contact me if I can help or possibly answer any questions. Also once you are on my web page...enter to win the free cruise...no strings attached...(and I dont call and harass you a few people from here have entered)...just enter to win..

www.janiceshaw.cruiseshipcenters.com

Coden · Post by **Coden** » Sat May 22, 2010 7:21 am

We've done a 7 day Seattle/Seattle Alaskan cruise. We went to Juneau, Glacier Bay (a must), Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria Island. We absolutely loved our Alaskan cruise and will go back to Alaska.

If we were to book again today, here is what we would do:

Fly into either Fairbanks or Anchorage, rent a vehicle and drive around ourselves for 5 - 7 days - staying in hotels, B&B's, cottages, etc, then do a Southbound cruise into Vancouver or Seattle, then home. This way, doing the Land Portion first, you have the Southbound cruise to relax on after running yourselves ragged trying to see everything in the North.

JMHO...have fun planning. Once we retire I would like to go live in Alaska for a year.

It is that beautiful!

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Sat May 22, 2010 9:13 am

I didn't realize Royal Princess was in Alaska. My first cruise was to Alaska on Sky Princess (loooooong time ago) and the next year we did Royal Princess in Europe. Royal was a different ship back then too.

That's a great trip for 2011 but it is 14 days. Are you looking for a 2 week trip, Marsh?

patr · Post by **patr** » Sat May 22, 2010 9:43 am

I agree with Coden, would like to live there in the summers and winter in St John. (a girl can dream, right?)

We fell in love with Skagway, where we hired a bush pilot for a tour. We were on a Princess Cruise and absolutely loved it! A must-do is the Yukon train excursion, the beauty is unbelievable!

toni · Post by **toni** » Sat May 22, 2010 9:44 am

We've sailed Princess 3x in the Caribbean on the big ships, 3000+. We did a minisuite each time and really enjoyed the space and the balcony. Previously we'd sailed Carnival 2x on trips won through work and would not sail them again-felt too crazy, not our demographic (we're in our 40's). We enjoyed Princess/cabin for the privacy level of service and just overall "vibe" as well as their anytime dining option where you don't have to eat with the same people all the time. We really never felt crowded at dining or anytime, ships were well laid out. I get sea sick on small boats and had no problem with the Princess ships-they suggest getting a cabin midship for less "rock". We're looking at Holland America too for a greek cruise. Cruises are an exceptional value currently-seems like they're having trouble filling them with the economy. Least I know this year I'm bombarded with cruise offers. There's a cruise compete site where you can put in your info and get offers too.

I've done Alaska on a land trip and it is outstanding. If you can combine the ship/land please try-it's beautiful taking the train up to Denali. Wildlife is amazing. We trained to Denali and back and flew to Homer/Kenai peninsula. Just a fabulous amazing trip.

It can be overwhelming but fun planning too!

Feel free to email if you have any questions.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Sat May 22, 2010 10:29 am

Thank you all for your responses so far. I'll dive into this project a little later today and start doing more research.

MBW, I don't know how long of a cruise we want...7 days seems short but 14 seems maybe too long????

Doing a land/cruise combo might be a good idea. I hadn't considered that until now.

bubblybrenda · Post by **bubblybrenda** » Sat May 22, 2010 12:11 pm

Sorry, I don't know how to post a link on here but there was a good Alaska thread on about page 13-14 of the Off Topic forum.

Amazing pics to go along with that thread. The link of photos was imbedded within a post in that thread.

Don't know if this link will work.

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ght=alaska+

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Sat May 22, 2010 12:15 pm

just personal opinion but I wouldn't put myself on a ship for 14 days w/out knowing I liked it! Land sea is a good option. Again personal opinion but I would always do land first.

usvi-on-line

Login or Register with your Facebook account

Looking at an Alaskan Cruise next year; overwhelmed

Looking at an Alaskan Cruise next year; overwhelmed