Alaska Cruise

[jeff10049]

Thinking about a 7 day Alaska Cruise. Anyone done it Cruise line recommendations? I think we have it narrowed down to princess or royal unless someone has a better one to check out. Holland seems to have the worst reviews, yet a few people I know recommend them so it's hard to say online reviews suck because with company's that big you're always going to have some pissed people and there more likely to review than all the people that had a good time.

Also never done a cruise before so suggestions from those who have welcome.


Jeff

[MPlayle]

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.  Also, use plenty of hand sanitizer.

Helps avoid norovirus.

[jedduh01]

My parents  Took a Holland Crruse.. Their First Cruse  and my dad-- not a boat , or that type of vacation guy- Loved it--- They want to  - or will go again. Same shipline for sure.

Shipped out of Seattle - Seven days - up and back stops - Vancouver etc...  picturesque etc.

T

[SoCalMiniFan]

Years ago I was having a pretty crappy year.  At the last minute my mom invited me to go with her and my dad on their Alaskan Cruise. We went through either Royal or Celebrity (I forget) and I had a great time for being 19, the youngest person on the ship by many many years, having to sleep on the pull out couch and tagging along with my parents! It was really pretty, we saw lots of cool wildlife, flew in sea planes, climbed on glaciers, and flew in a helicopter! Not such a bad time. Older now I would likely do it again.

My parents are avid cruisers, they really enjoy cruising around and I'm pretty sure they cruise Royal and Celebrity the most. I wish I could convince my better half that it's a pretty great way to see a lot of different places in a short amount of time.

[jeff10049]

Well we did it ended up going with holland america after all, super happy with that choice. As their was a princess ship in a lot of the same ports as us people said the food sucked and they couldn't get into some of the ports too big and had to shuttle people in with small boats also could not get right up close to sights like we could. Smaller ships are better for Alaska, less people on board is nice too.

Went to juneau, sitka, ketchikan, and vancover island on the way back. Had a great time took a float plane through misty fojords in ketchikan landed in a little cove for a few that was cool got to sit up front and talk a little. I have never been through mountians close like that on a plane. Or been in a de havilland beaver aircraft. Different kind of flying those Alaskan's do. I was impressed with the plane and pilot. Lots of power for a smaller plane id love to fly one. The weather was good super nice 70-75 in Ketchikan the ship had a salmon bake on the upper deck with fish they got in port after we left it was great.

Anyone thinking of a alaska cruise do it in late may or first part of june for best weather and least bugs. we were told by a few return alaska cruiser's that we picked the best time to go. I picked it because I can't get away from the Business later in the year but lucked out in that its also the best time rates are cheaper in may also it was no colder than 60's at anytime for us except maybe out on the ocean at night.

The best thing about a cruise for me was you don't have to do anything for the whole time and the cell phone don't work 90% of the time. Very relaxing we'll do it again someday i'm sure. It was also cool to see the kids on board without a phone in their hand a rare sight these days. Lot's of fun stuff to do on board for the at sea days I really can't say anything bad about it.

Age was a mix lots of people our age late 30's early 40's also lots of older people, and more younger than I would of thought 20's and a handfull of kids. It was nice we didn't feel like we were in a nursing home iv'e read some cruise lines are that way or just all out party this seemed to be a mix.

So Cal,
It is a great way to see a lot and for a good price.

[tsumini]

Just got back May 14 also from Alaska cruise with Holland American. We've done only HA so don't know the difference from others. This was the crew's first trip of the season so had a few rough edges. Food was Ok but breakfast in the dining room was a disaster. Orders wrong corned beef hash made with ketchup ( table mate not me).
Seattle, Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria BC. saw a few whales had great weather.
Right seat in a Beaver is a hoot. From your pictures it looks like a round piston engine (P&W R985). Some have a P&W PT6 installed.   I usually take a Beaver to Prince of Wales island ( 15 minutes west of Ketchikan) salmon fishing nearly every year. Little reluctant to do the Misty Fjords; One of the excursions crashed one there a couple of years back.

[jeff10049]

That was the day we left on the westerdam same ports you went to. If i'd of known i'd of bought you a beer in Seattle. Yea plane had a r985.

[tsumini]

We got off the Westerdam in Victoria to spend an extra day there then ferry back to SEA. Hopefully I'll get with you on the speedo and explain my procrastination.