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Frequent Contributor
Posts: 89
Registered: ‎04-15-2010

Re: Alaskan cruise recommendations?

We've cruised Alaska four times now, and all on Princess. Our favorite is the Denali Explorer HA5 12 day cruisetour, which is 7 days of cruising Vancouver to Anchorage with all of the typical stops.( Take the White Pass & Yukon Train ride out of Skagway.) Then there are 5 days of land tours. The land tour portion is the highlight. There are many tour options to different locations, but I would suggest skipping Fairbanks. Princess owns most of the lodges, so it is advantageous to book wiht them. On the HA5, you disembark and get on the train to Denali for two nights at the Princess Wilderness Lodge; bus to Princess Mt McKinley Wilderness Lodge for two nights (visit Talkeetna which is a sleepy little spot and the take-off point for those climbing Mt. McKinley); and end up in Anchorage for 1 night. Last year we rented a car in Anchorage and took off on our own to Seward to see the fishing fleet and Kenai Fjords National Park. Cruises are less expensive in the beginning and end of the season. Check on the Denali National Park website to see when they expect the scenic road through the park to open. The deeper you can get into the park, the better to see all of the wildlife: bears and cubs, moose, deer, sheep, and eagles. The road isn't crowded. We've also taken a 7 day roundtrip cruise out of Seattle because it was on sale and we happened to be there. One last tip if you happen to live on the east coast as we do. It is usually less expensive to fly into Seattle instead of Vancouver. Board the Amtrak Cascades train in Seattle or Everett ( less expensive lodging) and ride into Vancouver. The track follows the shore line all the way and it is a beautiful trip with great views of the coast, and the train is very comfortable. The highway from Seattle to Vancouver is inland with little to recommend it.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,653
Registered: ‎03-26-2010

Re: Alaskan cruise recommendations?

THANKS to all of you that replied.  I appreciate your insights about cruise lines, excursions, and length of cruise. I think that I will need to sit down with a travel agent because I'm not sure that I can book this on my own. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,660
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Alaskan cruise recommendations?

only certain cruise lines have licenses to cruise in Glacier Bay.  THe day we spent gliding past the magnificent glaciers with the whales alongside the ship was a highlight of the cruise so make sure you pick a cruise line that has access to cruising in Glacier Bay.

Unlike some others reviews I found the trip inside Denali National Park to be a huge,disappointment.  WE sat  for hours in a converted school bus with no padding on the seats bouncing down rutted unpaved roads to see wildlife which was virtually nowhere to be spotted.  the wildlife we did see was so far away that it was difficult to even make out what the animal was.  A complete and total waste of time.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,464
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: Alaskan cruise recommendations?

I’m going to focus on the OP’s first sentence - that she and her husband have never been on a cruise before - because I often see new cruisers complaining about some items that aren’t very important and, had they done even a minimal amount of research, they should have expected them.

To be fair, I’ve never been on an Alaskan cruise and my experience is with other cruise lines than some mentioned here. Nevertheless, still wanted to highlight the annoying so it can be expected.

1) There may occasionally be areas that are more crowded than others. The buffet, in particular. Don’t let those crowds get to you, but look for places away from the crowds. Look for alternative places to eat, for example. The MDR for breakfast rather than the buffet, if it’s too much.
2) Speaking of crowds, expect lines when it’s time to disembark. Everyone wants off at the same time - and the ship wants you off. Expect to be out of your room by 8:30 on your last day.
3) People will save seats. Not supposed to, but they will. At least you won’t be sitting out by the pool in the Caribbean, where people wake up at 6 to put a towel out.
4) The cruise line would like you to spend money. You obviously don’t need to do anything you don’t want, but expect to be asked to part with your cash in a variety of ways. Specialty restaurants, drink packages, art sales, spa procedures, etc. I’m sure some lines are better than others - and I’ve heard it’s gotten better on the line I frequent. Simply say you’re not interested - or engage them in a completely different conversation that they can’t wait to get out of! They are simply doing their job. It’s a minor annoyance, yet people don’t know to expect it and complain afterwards.

I don’t mean to put down cruising- I’ve been on two this year and have another on the books for next September. They really are convenient and relaxing and I’m sure it’s an incredible way to see this part of Alaska.

I can’t recall if Cruise Critic has been mentioned before on your thread. They have forums specifically for each cruse line and for each location (Alaska is a separate section, for example, and you can get ideas what to do each port). Once you select your cruise, they also have a roll call section where you may interact with others on your cruise. Some are busier than others, but some put together activities for anyone who wants to join.

Hope you come back and let us know which cruise you select!
Valued Contributor
Posts: 580
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Alaskan cruise recommendations?

OMGosh. My Mom and I just returned from a fabulous cruise to Alaska on Seabourn Sojourn.  Have been to Alaska about 15 years on Princess with our entire family and it was a lot of fun. The Seabourn Sojourn, at 460 pasengers, can get into some of the smaller rivers and fjords.  The wildlife we saw was absolutely incredible!!  It is pricier than most other cruise lines but absolutely worth the service you receive.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,660
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Alaskan cruise recommendations?


@TootyJane wrote:

OMGosh. My Mom and I just returned from a fabulous cruise to Alaska on Seabourn Sojourn.  Have been to Alaska about 15 years on Princess with our entire family and it was a lot of fun. The Seabourn Sojourn, at 460 pasengers, can get into some of the smaller rivers and fjords.  The wildlife we saw was absolutely incredible!!  It is pricier than most other cruise lines but absolutely worth the service you receive.


 

 

sailed Seabourn to The Baltic and to,the Carribean.  Fabulous cruises.  no nickel and diming you to death.  No constant sales pitches like you get on the large mass market ships where they want to sell you the special drink cups and charge for fresh Orange juice. they always have their hands in your pocket.  Yes Seabourn, Regent, Crystal Cruises are more expensive but so much more is included in your fare.  It makes for a much more relaxed cruise experience