Holland America Alaskan Cruise?

Question

I am going in late September on the alaskan cruise with my family. I have been cruising once before and I got a little queasy one night, but the waters were pretty choppy that night. I was wondering if anyone else has been during this time and how rough the waters are this time of year. I know that we are only taking the inside passage one way and down to sitka and around on the way back........

Answer 1

I took 'that' Cruise.....B-O-R-I-N-G  as h**l!

If you're only going for Relaxation, Food, Entertainment, Casino (is GREAT), Rest and just being on a Ship in General...FINE!

The BEST Alaska Cruise is to see the Glaciers....Go walking with a tour on them and SEEING ICE! (Further NORTH)

You're too far down to see the REAL GOOD STUFF!

Sitka is a 'beat down' OLD Russian community....Prostitutes Galore. There is even an 'Old  Whorehouse'....just the  Building ( No Prostitutes anymore, though)

BUT,  as for 'Motion sickness' those cloth type, elastic Wrist bands WORK GREAT! I'm a 'motion sickness' fool! They worked for me...I even SHOWERED with them on...lol..lol..they dry quickly.

The Night we went Thur the Passage form Victoria to Alaska, we HIT 20ft. SWELLS....I woke up to the 'rocking & creaking'...looked out the Window...said OH S**t.....went back to Bed.... and slept thru it.

Next morning at Breakfast  about 35/40% of the Passengers were NOT at Breakfast.....SICK in their Staterooms or Hugging the Toilet!

THE Wrist 'Bands' 'DO WORK GREAT for the Motionsicknesss..... PAY Attention to the Instructions....Need to be in a CERTAIN Position with your 'Pulse beat'!

HAVE FUN.....Great Fudge Shop there!

p.s. IF you Smoke....Bring plenty of your OWN. Cigs are about $8.oo a pack and Cartons OVER $80....That's enough to make you QUIT on the SPOT!

Answer 2

The inside passage is as smooth as glass, so you will not have any problems there. The rest of the cruise, I found to be not much wave motion at all, but you never know. I would bring some sea sick pills with me just in case or try sea bands which you can get at any pharmacy. They work great for my husband.

Answer 3

I was on a Carnival Alaska cruise in September of 2005. It was no rougher than any other cruise I have been on, and actually quite a bit smoother than most. Most of the waters in the area you will be travelling are quite protected. In September you are probably not going much further north than Glacier Bay, so you won't really be venturing into a whole lot of open water. I''m sure you'll be fine.

Answer 4

I have been on 23 cruises to Alaska and everything was GREAT. The inside passage is between land masses so there is no rough water. Coming back the outside passage you are more into open water and may see rougher water. However with todays ships you feel very little movement. There is plenty to see both in ports of call & wildlife from the ship. If you love nature you will enjoy this cruise. If you like meeting people from all over the world you will like this cruise. If you like seeing amazing scenery you will like this cruise. If you what to buy your family & friends souvenirs then in Sept. all shops in port have 50% off sales & you will like this cruise. If you like life,fresh, people waiting on you, trying new foods, have fun etc........................................ Then you will like this cruise.

Everyone takes alittle something different from each cruise. I beleive this is a cruise everyone should take at least once. Some are nuts like me and keep going back. However a Cruise Vacation is the best.

ENJOY.

Answer 5

Generally the weather is a bit rougher in late September which is close to the end of the cruise season for Alaska.  I have been in late August and found very little problem with motion sickness.  My other half however ended up going to the ships medical centre due to the motion of the vessel.  Although she was taking over the counter medication it did not help.  I would suggest that if you are concerned you see your family physician before leaving.  He or she can prescribe an effective medication for motion sickness generally.  Remember to insure that you have travel medical insurance, it saved us over $1,000 for the visit to the medical centre.

As mentioned in a previous answer, the inside passage is generally quite smooth while the other way may find you facing rougher seas.  Of course it all depends on the weather at the time you travel.  When I went a lot of rain was predicted and, with the exception of the day of departure and part of the day in Ketchican the weather was quite good, especially in Juneau.

Alaska cruises can be quite enjoyable and there are several galciers within the range that you are travelling.  Actual hikes on the glaciers are generally optional excursions but a close up encounter (relatively speaking of course) can be very interesting.  The last cruise I was on had to cut their time by the glacier short as we watched a nice piece break away and start floating towards the ship.