Alaska or Caribbean?? HELP

[aearly]

Hey,

 

I am currently booked to go on the August 21st sailing of the Navigator to the Western Caribbean. I am traveling with another family. Between the two groups, we have four adults, two teens, and one twelve year old.

 

I have already been on Voyager-class ships to the Western and Eastern Caribbean. How is Alaska? I am interested in switching to the Radiance/Serenade of the Seas. How do these ships compare to the Voyager-class? What is the weather like in Alaska during August? Note: The Alaska trip is about $1,200 more than the Caribbean trip per stateroom.

 

What are your suggestions/comments?

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Carnival Holiday 8/95

Carnival Ecstasy 8/31/01

RCCL Voyager 8/18/02

RCCL Explorer 8/23/03

 

Till I board the Navigator of the Seas!

[42trvl]

Personally, I think they are two very different experiences. We just did a Caribbean cruise, and think of that as much more relaxiing - just "hanging out." This summer we will be going on an Alaskan cruise, and plan to do a lot more excursions and touring around. For us it will be more "scheduled" than a Caribbean cruise. There's a lot to see in Alaska if you've never been there. August is considered a fine time weather wise. Variable like anyplace else, but it is during the "peak" Alaska tourist season.

 

So, it really comes down to what kind of a trip/cruise you are looking for. I'm not an expert on the RCI ships, but I've heard that the Radiance ships are more subdued than Voyager, and should be beautiful in Alaska with all the glass and visibility around the ship.

[Nancyquilts]

We love Alaska. If you want to swim, go to the Caribbean. If you like scenery and adventure, go to Alaska. The weather in August could be delightful, or it could rain (and mosquito). We were there last year the end of August-early September, and we had rain one day and cold wind one day. Just dress in layers. The Alaskans will laugh, but I always bring an umbrella - sometimes then it won't rain at all.

Nancy

[natesfirewife]

We took the Radiance last summer to Alaska and loved it so much we are talking about doing the Serenade in August 2005 as a group cruise. I agree that on an Alaskan cruise you can keep yourself very occupied but that's half the fun!! If anyone is interested in joining us 08/07/05 on the Serenade drop me an email with Alaska Group Cruise in the message box.

 

Misty

 

 

Roll Call for the Diamond Princess 09/20/04. Anyone coming along for the ride? http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=379107202

 

Roll Call for the Grandeur 12/18/04. Come join us in New Orleans for the Christmas Season!! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=389105961&r=699105961#699105961

Grandeur of the Seas / W. Caribbean / 12-18-04

Diamond / Pac. Northwest / 09-20-04

Vision of the Seas / Mexico / 04-04-04

Radiance of the Seas /Alaska /07-05-03

[amaddog10]

i agree with the above poster that they are two very different experiences...the sights you will see on the alaska cruise are unparallelled...the caribbean is more of a relaxing "fun" trip...as they say...you go to alaska to see the wildlife, you go to the caribbean to be the wildlife.

 

One other note...you say alaska will cost somewhat more...it will be more than that...because to really experience alaska, you almost have to do the excursions in port, and they are expensive...while in the caribbean, its more of an "extra"...when we did alaska, looking at the list of excursions, there were ones that just screamed...i have to do this ( i will never forget the helicopter ride above, and walk on, the glacier)...whereas in the caribbean, the excursions are more like...hmmm...that sounds interesting..

 

soo...they're really 2 different types of trips...you have to decide what you're looking for

[Rick R]

The Caribbean in August will be HOT!! That's why we're going to Alaska in August. We been twice to Alaska and many times to the Caribbean. Both are great and very different. You have to pack more for Alaska cause you never know what the weather will do. You have a hard choice to make.

 

Rick R.

 

[justcruzin85374]

As everyone else has stated, I agree comparing Alaska to Caribbean is not comparing apples to apples, 2 very different experiences.

Since we have been to the Caribbean 6 or 7 times and Alaska only once, I can't wait to go back to Alaska to experience what I missed the frst time!!!

 

***

 

Soveriegn 92 E. Caribbean

Majesty 95 W. Caribbean

Granduer 97 E. Caribbean

Rhapsody 00 Mexico

Vision 02 Alaska

Radiance 03 Panama Canal

Brilliance 3/29/04

 

 

 

Radiance of the Seas/Panama Canal 10/18/2003

Are we there yet?

 

My bags are always packed!

Brilliance 3/29/2004

[cmjaffe]

One other thing to factor in is the price of excursions in Alaska... they are VERY high... we did Alaska as an "impulse" cruise last summer w/7 and 10 yo. We kept to our budget since we didn't do many high-ended excursions... they DO get expensive and you MUST factor them in...but ALAKSA IS AWESOME.. we'd go back in a heartbeat.

Carolyn

[weinoh]

Ditto- to all the repliers- the sights in Alaska are awesome - the excursions are costly (but worth-it) Hope to go back again.

We are going Caribbean this time. Both are so different. We sailed Princess in Alask. And this will be our 4th Royal Caribbean- Caribbean vacation. It seems like we prefer the Caribbean- but Alaska was just so special.

Maybe because - we went with my sister, brother and spouses to celebrate my sister's 30th wedding anniversary. Anyway, I am sure I did not answer your question. Have fun.

 

<IMG SRC="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;03;06;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500"

August 1993 Premier Oceanic

March 1997 Carnival Ecstasy

May 1997 Celebrity Century

March 2000 RCI Majesty of Seas

July 2002 RCI SovereignofSeas

July 2003 Star Princess

March 2004 Navigator of Seas

March 2005 Mariner of Seas

[serene56]

We are thinking of Alaska for 2006. So doing research now. Can you tell me some of the excursions and how much using rounded figures..Im sure the price will be different two years from now. I do know that whale watching is a must and that is over 100 per person.

 

Going NOWHERE

 

 

Miracle, February 13, 2005

Legend, October 22,2004

Voyager August 31,2003

Victory September 22,2002

Regal Empress,June 2001

Sensation,August 2000

 

 

[Feline1202]

Nothing beats Alaska! I've traveled a lot and fell completely in love with it.

[caviargal]

ok,I will be the one to express a differt POV here!

 

I have done many Caribbean cruises and am on my way to Alaska next week. I am not a big Alaska fan, although it is quite dramatic and pretty. I think everyone should see it once.

 

I like the warm weather, beautiful beaches and the tropics in general, especially the Southern Caribbean.

 

My first trip to Alaska was on Rhapsody the end of August, 1998. It rained the entire week, EVERY excursion we booked was cancelled and I was bored out of my mind.

 

I did the Norwegian Sun in 2002 and 2003 in June. I was a guest of the line, conducting classes aboard. The weather was consistently good and I got to do many of the excursions. Yes, they are VERY pricey. And so is the airfare for many of us.

 

I have been all over the world, so perhaps that is why Alaska did not impress me as much as others. I know many think it is the ultimate cruise.

 

Re ships, I think Radiance class are the best ships out there. But for Alaska, IMO, the Vision has a better itinerary.

 

For me, the Caribbean provides the relaxing vacation I enjoy most. I am very active and find the water sports and activities of warm weather cruising more to my liking. I also love dressing up every night for dinner as I do not get to do this where we live so for me it is a highlight of my trip. My Alaska sailings have been pretty casual.

 

So why Alaska next week? My BF has been dreaming of visiting Alaska for years and this vacation is his pick.

 

For me, pack the sunscreen!

CG

 

RCI(38),NCL(12),Princess(1),HAL(2),Celebrity(3), Carnival(2), Eastern (13),Radisson(2), Star Clippers(1),Home Lines(2), Costa(5),Big Red Boat (6), Dolphin (1), Commodore (2), Others (11)

 

[travellady]

We had trouble making this same decision so have a maritime Canada on voyager scheduled for this August, a Bahamas Disney cruise the week before Christmas, and an Alaska Cruisetour on Vision of the Seas in June 2005.

 

We do like to vacation, have spent beaucoup time at stationary resorts, and realized I was spending as much if not more money doing those types of vacations. I grew up on the water, am a fisherman's daughter, so need to get back to my roots. My husband was in the Navy so is ready to get back to the sea as well.

[pyrrhus]

Went to Alaska for our honeymoon back in late August 2004 on Celebrity. The off ship experience was excellent. I loved the whale watching and just walking around the towns, but I must say my wife and I both agree the best excursion we took, even though pricey, was an extended heli-glacier tour. We will probably never do another, but it is the one excursion we continue to talk about today.

 

Michael

[pyrrhus]

Make that August 2003.

[cmjaffe]

BTW, we did the whale watch tour last year... wasn't that impressed... saw more whales off the Serenade while cruising back from Canada in September... other excursions in Alaska that are must-dos.... whale watching just wasn't one of them for us. (also saw more when in Boston a few years back on a watch)

JMHO

Carolyn

[Rick R]

Some of the excursions are pricey because to get you to snow you will have to fly. People that go there for the first time seem to think they will get of the ship and be walking around in snow. The amount of planes used for the tours is something to see.

 

Rick R.

 

[sally r]

aearly, if you decide on Alaska, email me at queenofvenus@hotmail.com. We have a group of friends going on the Serenade 8/22/04. Some backed out. I have some very good cabins still on hold and at the lower prices. We booked about a year ago. I hope this is okay to post as I am not a TA, just want fellow CC'ers to have first shot at the cabins before they are released 6/12.

This will be our third cruise there. Always something to see, even on sea days. We have always had good weather and even used the outdoor pools. The glacier is awesome and definately something you will always remember.

 

Sally

NCL Sky 9/00

RCCL 3/01,5/01,5/02,6/02, 9/02,10/02,4/03,8/03,11/03,

4/04,8/04

HAL 9/04 b2b

NCL Sun 4/05 b2b

Schooner Bar rules!

[yogi]

You said you have been to the eastern and western Caribbean. Have you considered the southern Caribbean for a change? This is our favorite. We have been in August however, and it was soooo hot! We prefer to go in January when it's freezing{in Boston}.

We are on the Serenade to Alaska June 20th!!