What is your favorite cruise line and what did you take to Alaska? (price, experiences)

[jhlcomp]

Planning ahead - my husband and I have never been on a cruise, but would like to go to Alaska in September 2009. We would appreciate hearing from you and your experiences and recommendations. We are in our 50's.

Thank you.

[nitram]

Well, we've to Alaska twice on Princess and it was fantastic. Good ship, good food, good service, good shows, lots of fun and neat things to do on the ship, and you only un-pack once. As long as it doesn't rain you'll enjoy Alaska. Sept is usually a rainy month so take that in mind. They get about 220 inches per year and it rains nearly every other week.
Our first trip to Alaska was in Sept it rained everyday and most of our excursion trips were canceled. Our second trip was in June and and perfect weather.
FYI, the reason for the low prices in June is the rain is a crapshoot, off season.

[jhlcomp]

Thank you for the valuable info. I wanted to give you a rep point but it said I had to spread some around ... :-)

I didn't know about the rain. Any recommendations on excursions? Thank you.

[KwaK]

jhlcomp
This time last year we were in Alaska
We were on Royal Caribbean
we had terrific weather lol the whale watching tour we were on they wanted to keep us in Juno because they said we brought the sun
This was our 2nd cruise on RC we really like the cruise line

Friends of ours are going on Celebrity for their cruise to Alaska in about 2 weeks

You are going to have lots of options for departure you can leave out of Seattle or Vancouver or Seward
We flew into Anchorage and met the ship in Seward we went a day early and had a great time in Seward we got to hang out with rance & sweden
One of our favorite stops was the Hubbard Glacier in Glacier bay

If you want we have a terrific cruise agent that has book all 4 cruises we have been on as well as the one our friends are going on in 2 weeks I can DM you her info
she has been on many cruises to Alaska and really knows the excursions


You are going to love going !!!!

[nitram]

I meant to say the low prices in Sept is because of the rains. May-June-July are the premium price months.
No matter what ship you go on, you're going to have a great time.

Princess, RC, Holland America all have the same itenary, along with a few others, and anyone should be good. We're partial to Princess as we've cruised with them 8 times so far and have enjoyed everyone of them. Our neighbors went on Holland America and said it was just so so on board. I believe it's whatever you make of the trip to enjoy it.

As far as excursions, oh there are so many. You may want to pull up the cruise lines web sites to see what is offered. They have town tours, helicopter tours, seaplane tours, walking tours, trips to villages etal. You will have a choice of a dozen or so to choose from at each port, so pick one or two that interests you the most since you're only in port one day at each stop.

Note, when you arrive at any port, there is usually 3 or 4+ more ships docking and unloading at the same time. So the towns/ports increase in population during these stops from about one thousand to as many as 10,000 or more people. It can get crowded near the port areas. And also at the port areas, most souvenirs are imported from China. If you're looking for something native, ask where it's made. You'll find native made souvenirs on many of the tours that are out of town.

[jhlcomp]

Terrific!! My thanks to both of you for the great info.

[KwaK]

just a couple pictures to give you an idea of the beauty









lol now I want to go back !!!

[nitram]

Hey Karla those are great pixs. Looks like we saw the same things you did.
We're hoping to go back again within the next year or two.

[Barkingowl]

I just got back from a 7 day northbound on Carnival Spirit. I'd recommend that you get a balcony. The food was stunningly average in the dining room & the buffet & exceptional in the supper club. It rained almost every day that we were there but we shrugged it off & went on the shore excursions that we booked.

More beauty...

[cb at sea]

Go to the Cruise Critic. com website--and click on the line of your choice! Tons of info there! (Sorry--that isn't a link, but just type it in--it should take you there!)