Alaskan or Caribbean Cruise?

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Achaholic

Been to both and I feel like Alaska is one of those trips everyone should take at least once in a lifetime.

The scenery is incredible and there is nothing like it. I would highly recommend a cruisetour if you can swing it. The interior of Alaska is beautiful and taking the glass domed train through the mountains and rivers was something I will never forget.

Do the tour part before the cruise. The reason for this is because on the land portion you have to lug around some of your baggage and you are moving around a bit (usually by rail). It is easiest to do this early on in the vacation while you are still energetic and then go get pampered on the cruise than the other way around. I remember seeing the people on the train going north after the cruise looking much unhappier than our train going south!

Alaska is different than the Caribbean in that it will be colder. Although in summer, its usually around 55-70F. It will get much colder in Glacier Bay though - it was around 40F when we went through. A lot of the excursion and ports involve outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and dog sledding. There are plenty of sightseeing tour excursions as well.

I will let you know that the crowd on an Alaskan cruise tends to be older. My wife and I were in our late 20's when we went and we were some of the youngest on the cruise. There were very few kids.

Either would be nice but Alaska is the "Last Frontier" for a reason and it was much more rewarding for me to see the wilderness of Alaska vs. the tourist towns of the Caribbean.

ms bell

I've been on several Carribbean cruises and it's like going to Florida. I'd rather go on a cruise to Alaska. Alaska is such a beautiful state with spectacular scenery. Everyone I know that's been on an Alaskan cruise has loved it. Most ships leave from Seattle or Vancouver. Most are 1 week in duration. Some of the cruises are longer in duration. You'll see the "inside passage" of Alaska, which includes Juneau, Ketchican, Skagway, Haines, Sitka, Glacier Bay National Park, Misty Fjord.
For more information on Alaska cruises:
http://www.alaskacruises.com/alaskacruises.asp
My dream trip is to go to Alaska and I wouldn't pass up the Alaskan cruise for anything!

Ali

I am 14 and have been on 4 cruises-2 Canada/New England and 2 Caribbean.....One of my dreams is to go to Alaska....It is such a beautiful state I hear and I have had several relatives go there. The Caribbean is basically kind of like going to Florida. You get tired of the hot weather, and you swallow too much saltwater, and you just want to go home after a while. Alaska sounds so much better. The next cruise we go on, we will probably go to Alaska. Alaska is probably a once in a lifetime kind of experience that a person will never get. And hey, you may even run in to Sarah Palin. I would love that. She is amazing. I guess one of my dreams is also to meet her, or at least see her get into office. I would say go on an Alaskan cruise though.

rick d

I have been on 25 cruise/tours to Alaska. Sorry no interest in the Caribbean. There is so much Alaska has to offer not possible to list them all. I would suggest that you call 1-800-Princess and ask for their free DVD Escapes. It will show some of the scenery both by water and land.
Amazing Scenery & Wildlife & meeting people from all over the world.
Seeing the Glaciers ( no camera can capture the color must be seen in person)
The National Parks - Glacier Bay, Denali just to name 2 are out of this world.
Fairbanks you go on a real Stern wheeler cruise to a native Indian village.
Besides the numerous excursions you can see the whales, seals eagles, sometimes bears from the ship.
In each port of call like Ketchikan, Juneau & Skagway the people are so friendly. There many great excursions in each port plus great shops.
Not just me but, also the Travel Channel states Princess #1 cruise line in Alaska.
Stop by any AAA travel center ( you do not have to be a member) & ask for a Princess Brochure to Alaska.
Sorry I could go for hours on Alaska. Compared to other cruises Alaska is not expensive. They are offering 7 day from $499.00 each. Excursion prices are the same as anywhere else.
HAPPY NEW YEAR

wondering

My first cruise was to Alaska, then Mexican Riviera, and then the Eastern Caribbean. I loved them all. I had been to Alaska before on a fishing trip, but in saying that I would fly back to Alaska specifically to a destination, but I could cruise again to the other places.
In my opinion the hardest cruise to go on is the first one - at least it was for me, I didn't want to make any mistakes, waste money, etc. My advice is just pick one and go, unless you really hate the "cruise experience" on a whole, your first won't be your last.
If you want warm go Caribbean. We went to Alaska the last week of July and I stupidly packed warm weather stuff - had to buy a coat, socks, etc because even in July Alaska can be COLD!!
Alaska is BEAUTIFUL and there is great scenery along way - in the Caribbean there is just lots of water between ports.
Enjoy - I recommend NCL cruise lines - only one I ever been on.

gary o

All the cruises to the Caribbean are very nice..and relaxing..........yes with pretty water to look at. It is like watching grass grow.
Alaska is the best as ar as I am concerned...........It is exciting in the scenery you pass and the land itself..But......if you do Alaska you should do the two week program that is one week on the ship and one week on land. You will never forget that trip. Do some research on it

green

I worked for Royal Caribbean and I can tell you that both are nice.
You like worm or cold weather?
Sand or ice?
Take a decision base on what kind of stuff you like to have on your vacation.More older people go to Alaska.
Have fun aether way...

Jackson R

I've been to the caribbean but not to Alaska. Alaska would be nice but in the carribean there are some more things to do on the ship (pools) and you can look at pretty water and do exciting things. It really depends on whether you prefer cool or warm weather.

worknlakeside

Any cruise is a great cruise. There are some things to consider. Cost is the biggie. Alaska tours are expensive and getting to Alaska is expensive (don't know where you are) If cost is not a issue then I would definitely go to Alaska now, from what I understand the Glaciers are disappearing fast. So that might factor into your decision. The caribbean is wonderful where ever you go. East or West I have done them both and I love it. There are some ports I don't suggest but you can get into that more when you pick a direction.

Norma

Sarah Palin is building a new bridge to no where. She wants your money. Get hot in the Caribbean. Alaska should have never become a State.

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