Alaska itinerary options - advice needed please

[Gordo]

We finally were able to get mom on her first cruise at 70 (YEAH :) ) and are now trying to convince her to try a cruise to Alaska. Since there are several sailing routes for Alaska and we are not familar with this destination we are hoping that someone can offer their advice/opinion on the different options. For example, what are the advantages of an outside passage versus an inside passage, or vice versus? Also, what are the "must-see" ports of call in this area?

 

We were hoping to travel in either May or September, but would be open to other travel dates. We have no preference on departure or disembarkation ports. We would probably want to book a cabin that would work for three people so that needs to be a consideration as well.

 

Mom would love to see whales and a polar bears. She also loves the dining experience and loves to gamble so a ship with a casino would be ideal.

 

Royal Caribbean or Princess would be the preference, but we would be open to other lines as well.

 

Thanks for your help.

[RetireeWannabee]

You will want to check Ports of Call on this board for Alaska - there is soooo much to consider!

 

I took my mother (77 at the time) to Alaska on Princess. I figured we might never get there again, so wanted to see as much as possible, so did Southbound from Whittier to Vancouver.

 

Flew into Anchorage, overnighted (wished I'd had more time to spend several days based there....), took the train to Whittier, did a daycruise in Prince William Sound - saw much wildlife, got very close to glaciers.

 

Glacier Bay was a major highlight. I chose Princess partially because of the onboard naturalist so there was commentary while going thru. Princess also has Anytime Dining so we could have meals on our timetable. Could be important if Mom gets on a roll in the casino around dinnertime ... :)

 

We had thought of booking whale watching, but decided instead to pay attention while leaving Juneau, and sure enuf, a dozen or so whales breaching. The show must have lasted nearly an hour, until it was too dark to see them anymore. This was a September cruise.

 

Our ports were Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. All were great.

 

Debarked in Vancouver, did the HOHO bus, amtrak'd to Seattle, overnighted, flew out a lot cheaper next day.

 

Just start digging in and narrowing things down. It's going to be great no matter what, but work as many of your priorities in as you can both for shipboard preferences and land experiences.

 

The picture of Mom and I dogsledding on a glacier is going to be a favorite of mine forever.

[chipmaster]

We finally were able to get mom on her first cruise at 70 (YEAH :) ) and are now trying to convince her to try a cruise to Alaska. Since there are several sailing routes for Alaska and we are not familar with this destination we are hoping that someone can offer their advice/opinion on the different options. For example, what are the advantages of an outside passage versus an inside passage, or vice versus? Also, what are the "must-see" ports of call in this area?

 

We were hoping to travel in either May or September, but would be open to other travel dates. We have no preference on departure or disembarkation ports. We would probably want to book a cabin that would work for three people so that needs to be a consideration as well.

 

Mom would love to see whales and a polar bears. She also loves the dining experience and loves to gamble so a ship with a casino would be ideal.

 

Royal Caribbean or Princess would be the preference, but we would be open to other lines as well.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Alaska as a great cruise. I thik both Royal and Princess are great lines and will have all that you are looking for. I'd recommend a balcony for this cruise if you can afford it. It is the one cruise we planned up front for a view as doing the passage is amazing.

 

I'd say got to get a cruise that goes all the way north to Glacier Bay. There are a few cruises that start in Seattle and don't make it that far, I'd say pick a cruise that does the Vancouver to Anchorage to make sure you get Glacier Bay.

 

Be warned that May and Sept are the very beginning and end of the season and you could expect weather to be less than ideal; cold, rainy, stormy. We did september last cruise, had some great days, had one day of nasty storms, one of constant drizzle, and it was in the 40s and 50's in Glacier bay. BTW that was a good weather for a cruise during that time.

 

Wildlife is hit or miss, we saw lots of eagles, otters and a few whales from the distance, no bears. If bears are a must you'll need to plan to spring for an expensive excursion or add a land segment into Denali.

 

Good luck planning

[yogi2929]

HAL Amsterdam has a 14 day roundtrip itin that hits the major ports as well as some of the minor ones in May 2010. There is a sale going on right now also.

 

A cruise/tour is another possibility.

[boulders]

You're not going to see polar bears. It's not the right area. For the best chance of seeing Alaskan brown bears, go in August or September.

 

RCCL's Radiance is a great ship for Alaska. We saw whales from the Windjammer. Our whale watching excursion in Juneau was so much better though. Book these excursions early as they fill up fast.

[Fredr]

HAL Amsterdam has a 14 day roundtrip itin that hits the major ports as well as some of the minor ones in May 2010. There is a sale going on right now also.

 

A cruise/tour is another possibility.

 

Hello,

 

Yogi's suggestion is an excellent one. This way you really see a lot of Alaska, have a great day in Seward or (Whittier), and if it is Seward treat her to a day on a Catamaran ride to Kenai Fjords National Park.

 

Plus, you may be able to save some money on airfare. Fly into Seattle and take the bus to Vancouver and after the cruise the bus will take you direct from Vancouver's cruise terminal to the Seattle Airport.

[ITMan]

Hi there all,

 

My wife and I have just returned from our first cruise, 6 nights round the Med with RCL. We now want toplan a trip next August to Alaska with our 16 year Old daughter. We would prefer to stick with RCL as we had such a good trip this time - are there any otehr options with good reasons to move to a different line?

 

I had currently been looking at the Seatle round trip via the Sawyer glacier to reduce the airfare costs fo getting to or from Seaward. Am I missing out big time by being a cheapskate???

 

We have heard from someone who recently returned from an Alaska cruise that they"didnt see any Ice, just rainforrest" is this likely, I find it hard to believe!

 

Sorry dont wnat to hijack the thread, just seem to have some common interests!

 

Regards

 

Alex

[mr green]

May is your best, and driest month.

Go Princess.

No Polar Bears in this area.

 

john

[dandro]

We finally were able to get mom on her first cruise at 70 (YEAH :) ) and are now trying to convince her to try a cruise to Alaska. Since there are several sailing routes for Alaska and we are not familar with this destination we are hoping that someone can offer their advice/opinion on the different options. For example, what are the advantages of an outside passage versus an inside passage, or vice versus? Also, what are the "must-see" ports of call in this area?

 

We were hoping to travel in either May or September, but would be open to other travel dates. We have no preference on departure or disembarkation ports. We would probably want to book a cabin that would work for three people so that needs to be a consideration as well.

 

Mom would love to see whales and a polar bears. She also loves the dining experience and loves to gamble so a ship with a casino would be ideal.

 

Royal Caribbean or Princess would be the preference, but we would be open to other lines as well.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

 

End of May, and/or beginning of June is good for an Alaskan cruise.

 

I highly recommend stopping in Sitka, that was our favorite port.

 

I can assure you that you WON'T see polar bears. You may see other bears, though.

 

Your mother may like a cruise on Holland America Lines, you might want to check them out.

 

Happy cruising!

[Assateague Island Princes]

I would recommend HAL's new 14 day roundtrip Seattle which includes the "new" ports of Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak as well as the usual suspects, and also includes Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier! Woo-hoo! We're booked on the May 31st trip, which will put us in the first two weeks of June timeframe. Have sailed in mid-Sept. in 2006 - awesome calving at Hubbard that time, though rainy and cool trip, then sailed again first week of June in 2008 - Hubbard wasn't doing a thing and couldn't get very close, weather better though and saw lots of whales, and even a bear on the shore in Juneau. Looking forward to spending quality time in the Anchorage area w/a rental car to do as we please, then maybe some bear viewing out of Homer or Kodiak. Lots of options out there with wonderful itineraries - check out port times, port stops, etc. and consider all that interests your Mom. Have fun planning and have a wonderful cruise!

[Gordo]

Thank you for all the great information. This is my first attempt at booking a trip to this part of the U.S. and it really helps to receive the all of the input.

 

Unfortunately I would not be able to get the time from work to take the 14 day option so we will need to stick to a 7 day cruise with a potential for a few days pre- or post-cruise.

[ILoveScotland]

Gordo, my husband (who was 86) and I (late 60s) took the Radiance from Vancouver to Seward the first week of September 2008. Alaska had had an unusually cool summer, so the weather was a bit brisk. But we loved the cruise and loved going 7 days north.

 

We stayed one night in Seward and then two nights in Anchorage before flying home. I wish we'd added the tour up to Denali as a part of our package as I don't know if DH will ever get there again.

 

I had never wanted to take an Alaskan cruise, but DH did. What a wonderful surprise for me. It was just great.

 

I love the Radiance class ships because of all the glass which allows you to see outside from many vantage points - this was doubly nice as we went up the Inside Passage.

[mapsmith]

Contrary to the others who have responded. I would suggest late Augus/ Early September as the best time for Alaska. Sure, you may get the rainy day.

 

BUT, the Salmon start their runs back into fresh water in late July/Early August. By the time you arrive in Late August, they will be in the rivers and streams. The Salmon runs bring the Whales and Bears to the inlets of Southeast Alaska.

 

On our cruise last year, we went in Late August and landed in Whittier the Friday before Labor Day. Stayed in Anchorage for a day or so, then drove up to Denali. (Hit Palmer for the Alaska State Fair which always includes Labor Day). Only Rainy Day was in Juneau.

 

Total of 13 days for Cruise and driving. Mapwife wants to do it again.

 

 

Animal Tally.

 

Eagles, more than I can remember.

Whales, about 4 across the sound from us in Sitka. One night there was a report from the on-board Naturalist about a pod of 6-8 Orca. But did not see them

Bears. Several (Both Black and Grizzly) at Mendenhall Glacier. About a Dozen in Denali. (All Grizz)

Moose. Momma and Baby in Anchorage at the Earthquake Park. Several in Denali.

Elk. Several herds in Denali.

Wolf. Yep, two packs and a loner in Denali. The loner walked right by the bus, within 10 feet!! Wahoooo!

Red Fox. Two in Denali

Dall sheep. Two herds in Denali

Salmon. Jumping in Ketchikan. Many, many, many in the streams.

One Jellyfish at Sitka.

 

Now I am ready to start planning for my return Cruise.

 

Oh Yeah, another reason for the late season cruise. Prices are a little cheaper, and the "Tourist Joints" have all the souveniers on sale for 20-75% Off. (So you can get your Winter Holiday Shopping done cheaply. Heck, Aunt Gertrude would love that Fleece Vest that says "Alaska" that you can buy for $7.)