Alaskan Cruise..... for Honeymooners?

[shoegal24]

Hi there,

 

Fiance and I were seriously considering doing a Crystal Alaskan Cruise for our July 2011 honeymoon, but now we realize that we just can't justify that $10,000 pricetag. So instead, we want to use $5,000 on a honeymoon, and get a top of the line hot tub for our backyard with the other 5

 

I'm wondering if anyone can provide some insight or feedback into their experience on sailing to Alaska with Princess.

 

1. What was the service like?

2. Was breakfast / lunch and dinner crowded?

3. How were the shows?

4. Were there a lot of kids on the cruise?

5. How are the rooms?

6. Do you feel crowded, or are there lots of chairs available by the pools / spots at the bars?

7. Think this is a good choice for a honeymoon? (Some people think we are crazy for not going somewhere exotic and warm.)

 

Thanks to those who apply! I really appreciate any feedback I can get.

[cruznliz]

Most of the people on this Board will recommend Princess, myself among them. I feel the service is excellent.

 

Breakfast and lunch can be very crowded in the buffet, but the dining room is usually wide open. For dinner there is traditional dining where you sit at the same table or "Anytime Dining" which is more like a restaurant that you either walk up to or make a reservation. Dinner in the buffet is never crowded.

 

The shows are excellent. On an Alaskan cruise there will be children on board, but they are usually well entertained in the Fun Zone. The longer the cruise, the less children on board. (Take a 10 or 14 day cruise rather than a 7 day cruise).

 

The cabins are a good size. If you really need elbow room, mini suites are nice.

 

Pool side in Alaska should be wide open as are the bars. I have never seen a crowded bar on a ship.

 

Is an Alaskan cruise good for a honeymoon? Only you can answer what you want from a honeymoon. If you want to just "do nothing", you might enjoy a warmer climate cruise. But if you want to see some spectacular scenery and very interesting, historic towns, than you would enjoy Alaska.

 

Let us know what your decision is!

[lilacbirman]

When we got married 15 years ago my hubby and I did a Alaska honeymoon cruise from Seward to Vancouver on Princess. Then stayed in Vancouver for a few days. We loved it! Back then there was no anytime dining so we choose to be seated at a table of six so we could meet other people.

 

I cannot speak about what it is like now since we haven't been there lately, but it was a wonderful honeymoon with glorious scenery! We are taking our son this July so we're excited! :)

[Kilgore32]

I will preface this with I have yet to go to alaska BUT I have my honeymoon planned for Alaska this May. Here were my thoughts.

 

$5000 was my budget. Half went towards the cruise and flights. I think we have $2300 for excursions and ship expenses.

 

We got a balcony, because, well, we didn't want to miss out on any of the scenery while we did our thing. And we certainly didn't want to rush to fix our hair before joining the crowds.

We plan on doing breakfast room service. We chose anytime dining because we aren't concerned with the waiter getting to know our thoughts before we think them and the idea of eating with someone different every nite sounds like fun. There's plenty of romantic time that doesn't involve a meal.

Both of us are more cold weather, active people, vs basking in the sun, ocean folk. Our excursions are more like adventures we couldn't do here in Colorado, glacier trek, open water kayaking, whale watching. The rest of our time will be enjoying each other (without kids..we have 2) and local flair. There are a few breweries in the ports and we plan on bringing a six pack or so back to the ship with us (that's my husbands desire).

We'll grab a few drinks while on the decks (there are only 3 cruising days) and we'll utilze the spa once or twice or perhaps the sancuary (since I hear not many people in Alaska religously partake) Otherwise, we'll go on "dates" to see the shows or MUTS or whatever. We don't mind bundling up, if need be.

 

Happy planning! It's a lot of fun. I'm sure the honeymoon will be better!

[mytime53]

7. Think this is a good choice for a honeymoon? (Some people think we are crazy for not going somewhere exotic and warm.)

.

 

And I think you should do what you are interested in for a honeymoon;) So many people seem to think romance only comes along with sand, sun, and water. Cuddling is so much more fun when the temperature outside is cooler!

[Sea and Me]

Our son and his wife did an Alaska cruise for their honeymoon July '95. They loved Alaska and it being their first cruise enjoyed the cruise also. They did the helicopter tour and walked on a glacier.

 

The price tag that you quoted is very high. You can get a cheaper price and enjoy a great cruise. My husband & I did a 10 day Alaskan cruise on Princess and really enjoyed it. Alaska is a breath taking experience. Pictures don't do it justice. It is an awesome cruise. I would say go and enjoy your honeymoon, the cruise and Alaska. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

 

Carol

[cruiser113]

Shoegal 24

We did Alaska for the second time last Sept. From Vancouver with a 4 day land package ending in Fairbanks. We have sailed Princess 9 times.

 

We did the ultimate balcony breakfast and the ultimate balcony dining. We did them during the days we cruised the glaciers. It was incredible drinking champage and running out on the balcony to take pictures of the scenery.

 

 

 

1. What is the service like?

Have had the best cabin stewarts, we have many special requests and they kept our beer chilled , champage chilled extra clean glasses and anything we requested they went above and beyond to may sure we enjoyed our cruise.

 

Our dining room staff made our anniversary and my birthday special by making a napkin swan and brought his ukele to sing a song he made up for us. ( We do anytime dining , but called the reservation line to request the same staff and table each night.)

 

Mostly went to the dining room to eat , not a big lover of the buffet, like to be served and not carry a tray. Some days due to excursions we did go to the buffet and the pizza / hamburger stations. Food was excellent across the board. Depending on the time you go the dining room can be a little crowded. 7PM is busy time. 9AM is busy.

The pizza is cooked daily and we always do pizza at least once on the cruise. Mostly we bring it back to our room and eat on the balcony and enjoy the scenery and people watch.

 

Had a mini suite the last cabin on the port side near the secret balcony. If a mini is not an option would certainly do the balcony. We planned the room so we were on the side that saw the glacier. With the secrect balcony we were able to go out on deck to see the other side when we went into some of the coves.

 

Alaska can be exotic and cool/ cold. They have lap blankets that you can ask for to cover up on the chilly days. Alaska even on a rainy day , to me is a good choice for a honemoon , anniversary or just a vacation. It feels like somedays your eyes cannot drink in all the beauty it has to offer.

 

No shows , so can't comment. Very few children , but the ones on the cruise were well behaved.

 

Hope this helps. If your cruise expectation is 100% then Alaska would come in at 200%.

[cruiser113]

kilgore 32

 

We snorkeled in Ketchikan in wet suits, very unique and highly recommend.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Hi there,

 

Fiance and I were seriously considering doing a Crystal Alaskan Cruise for our July 2011 honeymoon, but now we realize that we just can't justify that $10,000 pricetag. So instead, we want to use $5,000 on a honeymoon, and get a top of the line hot tub for our backyard with the other 5

 

I'm wondering if anyone can provide some insight or feedback into their experience on sailing to Alaska with Princess.

 

1. What was the service like?

2. Was breakfast / lunch and dinner crowded?

3. How were the shows?

4. Were there a lot of kids on the cruise?

5. How are the rooms?

6. Do you feel crowded, or are there lots of chairs available by the pools / spots at the bars?

7. Think this is a good choice for a honeymoon? (Some people think we are crazy for not going somewhere exotic and warm.)

 

Thanks to those who apply! I really appreciate any feedback I can get.

 

 

If you do traditional dining, you won't have to worry about a dinner crowd (you have assigned seating so you just show up at your time -- only line is on the first day as each party is escorted in to their table). If you use the dining rooms for breakfast and lunch, you probably won't have a wait unless you request a table for two.

 

As for kids, July is when most have off for summer. So it's an optimum time for families to cruise. On our Alaskan cruise it seemed most of the kids, including our daughter, were busy with the kids' program, doing things. So unless you have parents who let their kids loose, there shouldn't be any problems. You might not see too many kids just hanging out.

 

The weather on an Alaskan cruise can vary, but most likely be in the 60s or 70s (it could be in the 80s even). Some of the ships that Princess deploys in this region have a covered pool under a retractable roof. So if the weather is rainy or cool, that pool may be quite busy on a sea day. But anybody on a deck chair will be there just to relax or to watch kids that are in the pool...can't tan in that situation.

 

The cabins on the ship won't be huge, if that's your question. We usually go for insides to save money since we try to be out and about the ship as much as possible. But I imagine you'll be in your cabin a lot;) so maybe you'll want to go for a fancier cabin.

 

We like the big production shows, but yes, they can get a little corny. Sometimes you'll luck out and the entertainers will be good. There was one comedian on our Alaskan cruise that the first part of his act was pretty bad. But we ended up glad we didn't walk out because then he started showing a slide show (supposedly comparing another cruiseline on the cheap side with a Princess cruise) and it was hysterical.

 

I can't see anything strange about going to Alaska on a honeymoon. You'll discover that there will be plenty of newlyweds onboard.

[2278]

We did a southbound from Seward to Vancouver in "98" for our Honeymoon. That was on the Dawn Princess, a little smaller then the ships today, but a very comfortable one.

 

We spent two days in Anchorage before boarding and stayed two days in Vancouver before returning home. The cruise was wonderful and we talked about moving to Alaska for ten years if the opportunity presented itself.

 

We went back last summer for our 10 yr anniversary on a northbound out of Vancouver to Whittier. We were on the Diamond, much bigger ship with lots more people but it never felt crowded except when trying to get off the ship in a port.

 

We enjoyed this cruise more than the first partly because we knew what to expect. Otherwise we did a 5 day land tour after the cruise which was great and I would say rounded the trip out. One issue, after getting into the interior of the state, the idea of moving there is no longer a point of discussion!

 

We will go back in the next couple of years.

[Oi]

Answers are in between your quesitons below.

 

Hi there,

 

1. What was the service like?

EXCELLENT. We had a blast and felt like royalty! I also recommend doing a "Cruise Tour" if you can. The LAND portion is SO worth it!

 

2. Was breakfast / lunch and dinner crowded?

We were on the Coral, which I 'think' is one of the smaller ships and although it was packed, we never felt it.

 

3. How were the shows?

Adored the shows...ours was 5 years ago though, so don't know what is playing now, but fantastic!

 

4. Were there a lot of kids on the cruise?

Not on ours. We went in June (early June).

 

5. How are the rooms?

We had a window, we actually booked an inside and got upgraded to a window and it was nice. My parents got upgraded from a window to a blacony and their room was great. Spacious and comfy!

 

6. Do you feel crowded, or are there lots of chairs available by the pools / spots at the bars?

Did not sit by the pool, so don't know. Never felt the crowd though.

 

7. Think this is a good choice for a honeymoon? (Some people think we are crazy for not going somewhere exotic and warm.)

Actually, I think Alaska is exotic and we had temperatures in early June in the 90's for the northern parts of the tour and in the 70's/80's as we moved further south. Dressed in shorts for a lot of the trip and moved to layers as it got cooler. Of course, cruising through the glaciers, it's cooler still, but never had to wear an actual jacket. Just sweatshirts with a shirt underneath and enjoyed toasty warm beverages served on deck.

 

Hope you do this and have a wonderful honeymoon! Happy Cruising!!

[Kingsley]

We cruised to Alaska on Golden Princess in Aug '09 and were blown away by the whole experience, would do it all again tomorrow! :) The level of service, from everyone we came into contact with, was outstanding and everyone was very attentive. We never felt crowded anywhere on the ship apart from breakfast on the last morning when everyone had to be out of their cabins! There were plenty of children around and about, but they were obviously kept busy somewhere as we didn't really notice them! We had an outside cabin which was very comfortable and more than adequate in terms of space. We didn't really watch any shows, early mornings on deck watching whales and the amazing shore excursions must have tired us out! I think Alaska would be a fantastic destination for a honeymoon, wish we'd had the opportunity to do it when we married 23 years ago!

Whatever you decide, enjoy :)

[FINTUCKYFARMS]

Hi there,

 

Fiance and I were seriously considering doing a Crystal Alaskan Cruise for our July 2011 honeymoon, but now we realize that we just can't justify that $10,000 pricetag. So instead, we want to use $5,000 on a honeymoon, and get a top of the line hot tub for our backyard with the other 5

 

I'm wondering if anyone can provide some insight or feedback into their experience on sailing to Alaska with Princess.

Going this Sept on the Sapphire Princess. Went in 2007 on the HAL Amsterdam and it was great. Hubby and I went for our 20th Anniverary and it was awesome...

1. What was the HAL service like? Awesome, felt very pampered

2. Was breakfast / lunch and dinner crowded? Main dining room was never crowded, buffet could be if you waited too late. I am an early riser so that was never a problem for me. If you get up before the buffet is open, there is always yoguart, donuts, toast, muffins and fruit set up at the entrance.

3. How were the shows? There were good, the crew talent show was a little cheesey but it was all good fun.

4. Were there a lot of kids on the cruise? No so many that I saw. They were probably in the kids program.

5. How are the rooms? So far HAL has been my favorite. Only had a window (outside) but the room had a bathtub and not just a tiny shower. The room was bigger then the FOS and the bed is the best in the industry.

6. Do you feel crowded, or are there lots of chairs available by the pools / spots at the bars? Never felt crowded on the HAL, did on the FOS. There were always chairs, never had to look far except on the first day before sail off.

7. Think this is a good choice for a honeymoon? (Some people think we are crazy for not going somewhere exotic and warm.)We loved it for our anniversary, there is so much to do or you can just sit back, cuddle and watch the sceanry. We are saving every penny so we can go to Alaska every year. Went to to Caribbean this last Sept and it was soooo hot and humid. I was heat sick most of the time. IF we ever go back it will be in January.

 

Thanks to those who apply! I really appreciate any feedback I can get.

 

Hope this helps, you will love ANY cruise you pick:p