How is the Alaska cruise?

Question

were thinking about going, i want to know your opinions, pics would also be great!

Answer 1

GREAT !!!!

I have been to Alaska twice, once on business for 2 weeks with some weekend sightseeing and a cruise on a small ship, and then on a Princess cruise-tour. In my opinion the best cruise for you  would be a cruise-tour. The cruise tour allows you to see more of Alaska by land (bus and/or train) either before or after the cruise.  They typically afford an opportunity to stay a night or two in/at Denali National Park, Anchorage, Talkeetna, or Fairbanks, Alaska. There are four cruise lines that use the train to transport you from/to the cruise point to/from the park and Fairbanks. The train ride is magnificent and when you do the cruise tour you will have the best opportunity to see wildlife like bears, caribou, moose, fox, wolf, and a few others. These cruise-tours can be from 12 to 15 days or more while normal cruises are 7 days.

There are several ways to have a cruise to Alaska. You can cruise north from San Francisco, Seattle, or Vancouver Canada or cruise south from Anchorage (Whittier or Seward). Cruises typically cruise the "inside passage" which is a waterway much like a river where you can in most places see land on both sides of the ship. It provides a very smooth ride on that part of the cruise. Cruises typically go to Juneau (the capitol), and Ketchikan, Skagway, and stop at one or more glaciers like Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord. Some cruises do other port stops. So you need to pay attention to which itinerary (port stops) the cruises will have.

The 4 cruise lines which offer the cruise-tours and all would be good; Princess Cruise line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Holland America.

We did our cruise tour with Princess and it was very good. We did the cruise part first and then had a day and night in Anchorage, a great train ride from Anchorage to Denali National Park, and after a night at a lodge owned by Princess We took the train the next day to Fairbanks for a night there. My recommendation is to do the tour part first and do fly to the start point a day early so you don't get caught in a flight delay.

All four of the cruise lines that I have mentioned use the train for the land tour. But Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Celebrity have special domed train cars that provide great visibility. Not all tour segments are the same so you really have to pay attention to how the land tour is organized and whether it uses the train or buses.

The best time to go on an Alaska cruise is when you can get the best price.   The Alaska cruise season is from May to Sept.  So right now you are near the end of the Alaska cruise season and thus your options may be limited.  But, some cruise lines do have specials and do consider them as they can save you hundreds over the exact same itinerary on a different date.  

The best prices will be in May and Sept but you will see the same things as other times.  The weather is generally warmer in June, July and Aug, but it can also be pleasant in May and Sept. When we went a few years ago in May it was shirt sleeve weather (70's) in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

You will do well to book your cruise now for next year because all of the cruise lines give the best prices for very early bookings.

Alaska cruises and tours are mostly scenic and cultural.  The usual stops for the inside passage portion are Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and College Fjords.  The scenic parts are the animals, mountains, glaciers, fjords, and waterfalls.  The cultural parts are the Alaska Native, gold rush, fishing industry, and historical sites. The cruises generally have more seniors and families.  The ships generally have a solarium (covered pool and hot tub area) so you can enjoy the ship about the same as when you go to the Caribbean.

These are the luxury high priced cruise lines:

Regent Seven Seas:

http://www.rssc.com/

http://www.regent-seven-seas-cruises-dis...

SILVER SEAS:

http://www.silversea.com/

http://www.silversea.com/destination.asp...

These are the other cruise lines that most people go on:

HOLLAND AMERICA

http://www.hollandamerica.com/

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruis...

CELEBRITY:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/home .

http://www.celebritycruises.com/search/v...

ROYAL CARIBBEAN:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/gohome.d.....

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis...

NORWEGIAN:

http://www.ncl.com/

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruisesearch/c...

PRINCESS:

http://www.princess.com/index.html

http://www.princess.com/pb/searchResults...

CARNIVAL:

http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/

http://www.carnival.com/searchResults.as...

My advice is look for a cruise going in Sept this year,  OR a discount,  OR consider going in 09 but look to book early. Also I recommend Celebrity, Princess, and Royal Caribbean, all cruise lines I have been on and enjoyed.

Answer 2

Greatest cuise in N America...contact a travel agent, don't do this one [e-mail] tomorrow and I will send you information

Answer 3

I have been on 8 cruises and my cruise to Alaska was the best one. We did a cruise/tour which means we spent 4 days inland before getting on the ship. I loved cruising to Alaska so much, I am going to do it again , but a different route next year with my whole family. Pictures do not do it justice as seeing it in person is the only way to see Alaska. it's hard to explain, but i guess the size, the beauty, and the adventure spirit really comes out on these cruises.