Cruise Talk: Alaska Cruising

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Author

Topic: Alaska Cruising

steeplechase
First Class Passenger
Member # 4056

posted 09-23-2005 08:05 PM

Friend of mine plans on taking a Honeymoon on an Alaskan cruise. I was wondering what would be the best time and the best ship or campany for a 20 something couple? Or would the cruises be more of a older cruiser type? Which is the better direction northbnound or south? Thanks

Posts: 663 | From: elkton maryland | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 09-23-2005 08:32 PM

Look into Princess and Holland America. Both have long histories cruising the region and have excellent extended stay shore options as well. Carnival offers a more relaxed cruise expierence compared to their sister lines. The most common cruise is the 7-day roundtrip from either Vancouver or Seattle. Princess I believe also offers a roundtrip sailing from San Francisco. The later in the season the colder it can get w/weather best in late June through the end of August.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Jonathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 5201

posted 09-23-2005 09:41 PM

Celebrity is also a great line. They offer a wide range of on land pre or post cruise. The summit does the sweard,alaska southbound and then the alternation week it does vancouver, B.C. The Infinity comes from san diago round trip. and the galaxy does seattle round trip. All three offer great itinerarys. HAL and Princess are also the next leading cruise lines in alaska.

Jonathan

Posts: 559 | From: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 09-24-2005 03:18 AM

Here is a link to a thread that wil be of GREAT help to you...

http://www.travelserver.net/travelpage/ubb-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=7&t=0003 86

It goes on for 4 pages of great info and board members personal insights and opinions...

Hope it helps! :-)

[ 09-24-2005: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

sunviking82
First Class Passenger
Member # 4930

posted 09-26-2005 01:55 PM

I agree that Princess and Holland America are the best in Alaska. Princess has beautiful lodges and the service is outstanding. Especially enjoyed the Denali and Mt McKinley Lodges. . just breathe taking.

Posts: 383 | From: Minneapolis Minnesota , USA | Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 09-26-2005 04:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by steeplechase:
I was wondering what would be the best time and the best ship or campany for a 20 something couple?

I would have thought that 'Holland America' would be very wrong for many 20 somethings?

RCI might be more up their street if they are active sorts and would probably be good value. The 'Radiance' class are great ships for such a scenic destination (lots of glass!)

On the other hand, if they are looking for a refined experience, Celebrity might well be a good option, but hardly cheap.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Jonathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 5201

posted 09-26-2005 04:29 PM

My travel agent said that celebrity is the best in alaska, and she has been 5 times.

Jonathan

Posts: 559 | From: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 09-26-2005 04:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jonathan:
My travel agent said that celebrity is the best in alaska, and she has been 5 times.
Jonathan

...with 5 lines or 5 times with Celebrity?
I guess Celebrity improved since I have bee nwith them in Alaska - but concrning shore excursions HAL and Princess are still very "dominant".

Nevertheless, of the convetional vessels my favourite was the Crystal Harmony (I hope they will send a ship to Alaska again) - which I still woudl not call the best as nothing of the mentioned vessels can compete with the sometimes visiting smaller ships expedition ships or the Europa.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 09-26-2005 05:38 PM

Maybe they don't care what else is around if on their honeymoon... but don't forget lines like CruiseWest, or perhaps for a bit more 'fun' take the ferries. If I were 20 something again, I would not have taken Celebrity or HAL, maybe Princess with a tour or NCL without... but most likely the ferries. That would still probably be my preference today if I ever get there.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 09-26-2005 05:42 PM

Thew ferries are really nice - but a bit like Hurtigruten it is not only the vessel and how it is operated (which I would prefer) but also the itinery which is different.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

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