torybruno

We finally booked our third Alaska cruise! This time, going with friends! Holland America, Nieuw Amsterdam June 23, 2024. Yeah, baby!

I’ve always heard of people getting price drops, just wondering which way is better to book that we may score a price drop? Any certain cabin type to book for this as well? thanks in advance!

We wanted to stay in Anchorage to do a one day trip to Manatuska Glacier with MICA guides. Yes, 4 nights precruise. Scenic drive… maybe Turnagain Arm train ride is not a must do. Manatuska Glacier and Kenai Fjords tour are two must do. appreciate the help and suggestions!

Looking to plan June 2024 for 6 adults, I know we are a little late to the game! Flying into Anchorage and renting two vehicles. Staying two nights in Anchorage as a base to go to Manatuska Glacier hike, also bike rental and scenic drive. Drop rental off and take train to….. that’s where I’m struggling! Board ship in Whittier, but would like to spend two nights in this area, do the Kenia Fjords boat tour. Where do we stay… how to get around without our car rental? thanks in advance for any ideas!

Hello! We are attempting to book an Alaska cruise for June 2024. A trusted online agency will let me book a balcony guarantee for a specific sailing, but when I go directly to Princess to book, it shows balcony sold out. Thoughts??

Thanks all!

Sorry... this is probably elsewhere, but when I use the search function it keeps booting me out. What are the current drink prices on HA? With Have it all capping at $11 per drink, I'm just wondering what that would cover? We like wine with dinner, (not the whole bottle), hubby likes his fancy bourbon drinks and I like to mix it up.

Loved your trip report, thank you for taking the time! FYI… I have a friend on Carnival Luminosa right now on a 30 day cruise, and they missed the whole Alaska beginning of their cruise due to weather (three ports and Glacier sailing!)

Check out the carnival board. There’s a live cruise post on a 30 day Japan cruise that started in Seattle, they were supposed to have two ports in Alaska and Prince Ruepert, and they are completely missing Alaska because of storms!

Third week of June!

Trying to plan an Alaskan vacation for several active couples in their 60’s. This will be their one time Alaska trip. If you had a choice between a northbound Alaskan cruise tour with Princess that visited Mt McKinley Wilderness Lodge, Denali and Fairbanks, or a cruise (doesn’t matter northbound or southbound) with a do it yourself tour to see Kenai area, and a Matanuska glacier hike with MICA , which would you choose?

not sure how to do the discounted aarp gift cards??

same exact itinerary, both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier

We are 3 couples, early 60's. Neither of the other couples have been to Alaska. If we were to choose HAL, which ship would be superior, and why? We are also considering Princess, but have not been on either in a long while. Also planning some DIY land excursions before boarding in Whittier or Seward. THank you in advance!

We are 4 couples (active 60’s), wanting to cruise in mid June. No one has been, and we’ve only done Holland America years ago. glacier bay is a must we are planning our own land excursion prior to cruise.

We are struggling to pick cruiseline for Alaska June 2024. We either want HoA Noordam, or Nieuw Amsterdam, or Princess Grand or Sapphire. I've sailed on most lines, mostly pre covid, and I'm sure covid has changed every ship. Prices are close together, itineraries are the exact same. HAL seems simplifier benefits, drink package, $200 off shore excursion, tips, 1 fine dining dinner, elite beverages. Princess has of course the drinks and wifi, then talks about medallions and special dessets, and fitness classes? Do any of the ships have a dedicated piano bar, (not a piano show), do they have white tablecloths in the MDR? Either superior over another with a vegetarian in your party? There will be 6 of us young 60'ish adults traveling together, 2 of the 3 couples have never been. We plan on putting a DIY tour for a few days before cruising.. Thanks for the help in advance!

I love the last paragraph! That was written for you, Race fan!!

That's awesome! I really don't remember what we paid, it was on our July 2016 cruise. I'm thinking it was around $70 each, and I don't remember an additional fee... but my memory is not that great! I just remember it was the absolute best excursion, EVER!!! 4 hours out on the glacier, and most of the day was sunny. We dressed in layers, and filled our water bottles right from the melting glacier! I'm sure now the ice trek is at least double... so much cheaper than the fly in helicopter tours that spend 20 minutes on the glacier! Racefan... maybe you can help me... I joined CC way back whenway before apps and cell phones... so is there an app now for CC on your phone, or do you just use the website? I'm a little tech challenged!

Thank you!

Can anyone tell me what is in the back corners? Is it a crew only area? Is it a small outdoor area that is accessible to anyone? Trying to figure what cabin category will give us the most bang for our buck! TIA!

Curious how you have dinner in the MDR at two different scheduled times?

Hello all! I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed this post and reading through all 8 pages! I used to visit cruise critic often during our first cruises, but have not lately. We are newly retired, just turned 60, and have been tasked with planning an Alaska adventure with 2 other couples who have not been. We've been twice, and both times only booked and planned two months out. After reading this post, I'm thinking I better get on it for June 2024!! I really appreciate the news about Denali, I was thinking we would do it again this time, but after reading you cannot go as far into the park... the Seward area is peaking my interest with the bike rentals and boat excursions. We have narrowed down our time line to the last 2 weeks of June, it's just a matter of what cruise line to pick. We are not loyal to any one, we have sailed most of the big lines. Both Alaskan cruises we have done were on HAL. The first time, we did 3 nights in Denali with the cruise line. The absolute best thing we did on that cruise was fly in a day early, rented a car and drove to Majestic Valley Wilderness Lodge for the night. In the morning we did the Matanuska Glacier trek for FOUR hours with MICA guides. Hands down, two trips to Alaska, and this was the most amazing thing we did, and want to repeat it in 2024. Afterward we drove back to Anchorage and met up with our party for the beginning of the cruise/tour. The second cruise we did three years later, when a deal came in my email that was too good to pass up! Round trip out of Seattle, we had two free Marriott nights in Seattle, one free airfare, and the cruise visited two different ports we had not been to the first time, and very cheap for a balcony. If anyone is interested... here's some of the excursions we have done... Juneau, whale watching on a private 6 passenger boat, second time we took a taxi to Mendenhall glacier, hiked to the glacier, then took the tram up and ate lunch at the top, and did a small hike at the top. Glacier Point Wilderness Safari to Davidson Glacier was my second favorite tour after the MICA guides. We did this from Haines, but it's my understanding the same tour runs from Skagway. I'm not sure if they still let you exit the 21 person canoe and walk up to the face of the glacier like we did, but it was an AMAZING tour! Ketchikan... we did an all you can eat crab leg excursion and wilderness tour, and the second time we did a float plane to Misty Fjords with Island Wings (highly recommend!) Victoria was also a new port on the second cruise, and Butchart Gardens did not disappoint! Also loved sailing Glacier Bay day! Again... thank you for this wonderful post, I look forward to following it!

We are currently looking for our first visit to Hawaii. We are looking at four different cruises for the fall, celebrity Solstice, and RC Brilliance, Quantam or Ovation. All are out of Vancouver, and seem to be good deals right now. We just don’t know if it’s better to cruise, or just fly to Hawaii and book hotels at two different islands. 🤷‍♀️

Thanks everyone! I haven’t cruised with “apps” before!

Are the drink prices posted anywhere? It may be worth it if every drink is $15!