Has anyone been on an Alaskan cruise? Did you enjoy it? What cruise line? What is the best time of year?

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rick d

Alaska is a GREAT place to take a cruise. 2 things for you to consider.
If you just want to see water, nature at its finests, wildlife, meet people from all over the world, take amazing picture and have stories to tell everyone you know then take a 7 day cruise.
If you want all that plus, see a part of the real Alaska then take a cruisetour-9 days or more. Well, worth every penny.

There are some big name cruise companies in Alaska. Most take the inside passages and stop at 4 ports of call.
Norwegian & Princess offer the best rates as well, as the more relaxed dress code. Who wants to get dressed up on vacation?
May & Sept. have the lower fares however you need to book early as these sell out fast.
Sept. all stores in ports have 50% off sales on all souveniers.
Princess offers the best 5 star loges to stay in at Denali & Fairbanks. All lines offer great excursions.
Whale watching excursion only take one that is guaranteed. It is $125.00 each but, if you do not see a whale they give you back $100.00 each.
Norwegian & Princess offer an excellent buffet.
When booking your cruise an inside cabin can save you up to $500.00 each plus, you are not in the room that much, you spend your days in port and with a balcony you only get to see 1 side of things.
Weather in May- on ship 40's to 50's and on land in the 60's and 70's.
No matter what anyone tells you Alaska is no more expensive to go out to eat than anyplace else. Actually cheaper than where I live.
You can either call the lines or look on their sites and they will send you afree brouchure.

This will be one cruise you will never forget.
Princess also offers a free Cd to play on any DVD player that shows parts of Alaska.
Princess .com or 1-800-Princess.

BusyMom

In August 2005, I took my family on an Alaskan cruise (inside passage), and we're going back again this summer. It was so beautiful there. The weather was sunny and warm, around 70 degrees. But we may have been lucky. The Alaska cruise season is usually May thru the end of September. Princess, Carnival, NCL, Celebrity, Holland America and Royal Caribbean sail to Alaska from Seattle, Vancouver B.C., and some even start in Alaska.

We sailed on Holland America out of Seattle. Holland America has excellent service. It's a little more upscale, but you will enjoy how the crew and staff pamper you while you are on the cruise. The ship is very elegant and the food is wonderful. Generally, HAL has a slightly older group of passengers, but during the summer months, there are lots of younger age groups and families aboard.

If you are looking for a slightly more casual cruise, then you should consider Carnival or NCL. Carnival sails mainly out of Vancouver, B.C. , but NCL sails out of both Seattle & Vancouver. Carnival is considered to be the "party ship". They tend to have more passengers who like to drink a lot and stay up very late partying. So, it all depends on what type of atmosphere you are looking for when you are trying to select a cruiseline.

Make sure you take your camcorder or digital camera with you........lots of beautiful scenery (glaciers) and you may see some whales! Also, take along some small bottles (pocket size) of hand sanitizer......the norovirus has been hitting a lot of cruises recently. The ships will have some by the dining areas, but not all ships have hand sanitizer at multiple locations throughout the ship, like Holland America. When you pack, make sure you take clothes that can be layered. Even during the summer months, it can be cool in Alaska. Also, take your appetite with you........lots of wonderful food.

You will have a great time!

tech_fanatic

Alaska is a beautiful cruise, one of my favorites. There are tons of sites online with lots of info, so you shouldn't have any problem finding what you need to know in your planning stages. I've included a link to Cruise Critic, they are a great site, really good info that is accurate and it is all wrapped into one site, so a lot less time spent researching.

There are a few different options for cruises. You have inside passage (my favorite), you have one way cruises (allows you to have more ports, generally they are just as long as a roundtrip cruise, you just fly back from Alaska) you have cruise tours, etc. So, there are a lot of different options.

There are two seasons for Alaska the Shoulder Season and Peak Season. Shoulder Season is May, the first week of June, the last week of August and all of September. Peak Season is most of June, July and August.

Peak Season tends to cost more because the weather is better and that is when more people can travel. The This is the most likely time for families to take cruises, etc. More people are able to go and more people can go, so prices are higher. During shoulder season you will be able to save some money because the cruise lines are trying to get more people on board. Both seasons are great and just as beautiful as the next. You go at different times and it just a different type of beauty.

As far as when to go anytime between May and September is good. Obviously to save money you would be better going during shoulder season. Spring is absolutely beautiful because all the flowers are blooming, but Fall is also a great time because of the foliage.

If you go in June and July you will have the warmest weather and the longest days. So really, all the months have good points for why you would want to go, so you can pretty much schedule when you are available to go.

If you can, try to do an inside passage cruise. This is my favorite way to go. You will go to more ports this way and see a lot more. There are also cruises where they include a tour at each port, which is a really fun way to go, especially for your first visit. You will learn and see a lot by taking the cruise.

I think the two best lines for Alaska cruises are Princess and Holland America. Both are also great lines for seniors with fewer families and children onboard, so it tends to be a little more relaxing and a little more quiet. They are a little more expensive, not sure of your budget, but Alaska can run a little higher anyway.

jerry

For seeing the most wildlife and good weather potential I would recommend Early June.

I had a great time on Princess, but Carnival is cheaper and more active. If you can get a balcony room.

It's Best to talk with a good travel agent, they will give you great advice and are just as cheap as dealing direct with the cruise lines.

Plus you get some extra protection, etc. using a travel agency. Also their trip insurance is much better than the cruise line insurance and usually cheaper.

My best deals have been from Barbara, email her at: kustomtravel@yahoo.com.

I highly recommend the train ride to Denali & Fairbanks if you have the extra time and cash.

I personally enjoyed that more than the cruise.
The Princess Wilderness Lodges are Superb and the food is World Class!!

roosmom38

Outstanding! We went August 2006 with 20 friends and family on Royal Caribbean. The ship, staff, everyone was so nice and helpful. With 10 kids, most of them teenagers, enjoyed our time in Alaska. We are planning to go back in 2 years and do it again. Hope you enjoy your time there.

Lex

I went to Alaska last summer on my first cruise. Let me tell you, you will not be disappointed in Alaska, no matter what cruise line you choose. Although, I would recommend NCL for your cruise to Alaska. I really enjoyed my trip. They have good service, excellent food, great policies to follow, and a great price. The best time of year is late May or early June. It's warmer in Alaska, the whales have already gotten up there, and the mosquitoes and other bugs aren't out yet.

lsails2

We did the inside passage/Hubbard Glacier trip on Royal. It was excellent. My first cruise, but still my favorite. Alaska is breathtaking and otherwise indescribable. So, beautiful and everything is BIG! (Leaves on the trees the size of dinner plates - rainforest walking tour!) We went in mid-June. Weather was warm, spent alot of time on deck and on the balcony. (Morning coffee on your own balcony in your bathrobe watching the most beautiful scenery flow by - what a great way to start the day!) Took my mother who will never forget it. She still talks about it to anyone who will listen 3 yrs later. Enjoy!

LPnerd

Yes I enjoyed it, I dream of it! UNBELIEVABLE.
We went got the best deal on Hollad and have no complaints except the casino wasn't very good. Really, you're so busy running to watch the whales that just blew, or breeched who cares. I heard from several others that Celebraty is good two.
We went second week in June. There for longest day of the year. We were outside taking pictures untill 2 am! Dusk, LOL Get an inside cabin if you can't sleep in the daytime.

mother of Bridezilla

great the summer months

really now!

i work on a criuse ship!
Carnival spirit it goes to Alaska its beautifully and now is the best time of the year!

wear seasick armbands, make sure u bring camera evening gown and lots and lots of money to spend in the spa!
like their hot stones massage or their pedicure

REnate

I have several friends who have been. You can only go in the summertime. Everyone I know has loved the cruise and most went back at least once.

Manisha

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