Alaskan Cruise line ship advise?

Question

I am planning a cruise to Alaska in July with my wife and two children ages 8 and 6. Departing from Seattle and traveling through the inside passage. I am trying to decide between Holland America Oosterdamm and Princess star. I would appreciate advise on which cruise line would be best for my family. Please only respond if you have traveled on both lines.

The order of importance for me are the following

1. Stateroom quality

2. Food/Dining quality

3. Service

4. Overall Ship Quality

5. Childrens activities

6. Excursions

Answer 1

I would choose Princess because they excel in everything that you named. They have been named the best for shore excursions in Alaska too. My trip to Alaska was the best and even though I have been on 7 other cruises with Princess, Alaska was my favorite. I highly recommend a cruise/ tour with Princess. We went to Denali by train. Spent  3 days their. My two favorite shore excursions were the husky homestead tour out of Denali where we went to Jeff Kings, the ididerod winner 4 times over, operation. My other favorite is the white pass railroad, I think out of Jueno. What a spectacular ride that was. Kids would like both of those tours too. Kids can hold a puppy of Jeff Kings if they want, so cute.

Answer 2

Holland America is a cruise line that is more geared towards older adults and its cruises are usually more expensive.  Princess cruises are more geared towards having fun, though the service and quality may suffer alittle bit with that said.  Princess cruises will most likely have better children's activities and much more of them.  As I said, Holland America is certainly not geared towards children at all.  The advantage of Holland America would be better food quality and probably better service.  Both ships were build with a year of eachother and are both rather new, so both should be in good condition.  THe excursions should also be the same because the cruise lines always tend to have the same excursions.  It is not the cruise line that plans the excursions, instead they make deals with locals and tour companies to take people from your ship as a group.  

With that said, it is your choice. If you prefer more luxurious surroundings pick Holland America. If you prefer more of a "fun" feel and more activities for families and children pick Princess.

Answer 3

I have cruised both lines to Alaska. I agree 100% with Ms Time Traveler, a cruisetour is the best way to see Alaska. Besides the wildlife, scenery, people from all over the world, the train or bus ride from Whitter to Denali is something hard to put into words. Although both lines do their best to ensure everyone is able to enjoy different events on the ship Princess is better for children and if you can do a cruisetour they put you up at 5 star lodges. Denali & its wildlife is amazing. In Fairbanks you cruise on on real sternwheeler and stop at a native Indian village where there are some of the animals of Alaska, the husky dogs, and you see and learn how theses people lived and survied. For your Children it is something with pictures from Mom & Dad they can share with their classmates. Excursions depends on your taste. If you pick whale watching make sure you get one that is guaranteed, that way if you do not see awhale you will get most of your money back. The train rides in Skagway are great.

Princess is now offering afree Escapes CD where you pick the area you want. It comes with 5 or 6 different places to cruise to but, for Alaska it offers a tour of the ship, great scenery and a map in which your cruise will take. Either;

1-800-Princess   or

www.Princess.com

Also incase you did not know the same cruise line owns Princess & Holland & several others.

Enjoy.

Answer 4

Your children are young and Holland America ia NOT known for their children's program.  This cruise line is definitly for the age group of 60 and up.  The ships are beautiful, the staterooms are a bigger and the price tag will definitly be higher than Princess.  

Princess has very good food, good sized staterooms, good service and a good children's programs for a much more affordable price.

As a travel agent I would encourage you to take a Princess cruise for your family.

Have a great cruise!

Answer 5

alaskan cruise ships are th most dangrous, and they carry the least amount of rescue boats