Best Cruise Line for Alaska Cruise

[SnowBird Cruzer]

HI anyone and everyone,

 

My 88 yr old Dad has wanted to get to Alaska all of his life. He's finally decided to go, but Old Man Time has "forced" him to take a cruise.

 

He isn't interested in shopping. He wants to see Alaska. As much of it as he can. Any shore excursions would have to be nature themed.

 

His only physical limitation is his feet. He probably isn't going to do any long hikes, but a escorted tour through some area would be fine.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I was going to suggest Princess or Holland America. I've never been on HA myself, and my Princess cruise was 20 yrs ago.

[SuiteTraveler]

Princess is considered one of the absolute best for Alaska - especially for a cruise tour.

 

Note, going up can be rough - be sure to get a midship cabin.

[paul929207]

Princess and HAL are much more experienced in Alaska and offer more choices. I would definitely take one going to Glacier Bay.

 

We have been to Alaska twice, both times with Princess and loved both.

[cndycruiser]

Ive done two on Holland and they were GREAT! Love the promenade deck for viewing and chaise lounges chairs and blankets out there to watch it all go by. If you start your cruise in Vancouver, you will get to see all of the inside passage, as opposed to starting in Seattle which can be rough sailing and leave out part of the beautiful inside passage!

[romnan]

I'm glad to see what I am reading. I have just been forced into retirement,so rather tan feel sorry for myself I am planning a cruise to Alaska:D

[chipmaster]

You have identified the two best.

 

HI anyone and everyone,

 

My 88 yr old Dad has wanted to get to Alaska all of his life. He's finally decided to go, but Old Man Time has "forced" him to take a cruise.

 

He isn't interested in shopping. He wants to see Alaska. As much of it as he can. Any shore excursions would have to be nature themed.

 

His only physical limitation is his feet. He probably isn't going to do any long hikes, but a escorted tour through some area would be fine.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I was going to suggest Princess or Holland America. I've never been on HA myself, and my Princess cruise was 20 yrs ago.

[Putterdude]

I agree that you have likely picked the two best for Alaska. I would also suggest that you seriously look at Princess's "Voyage of the Glaciers" southbound that will give you Glacier Bay and the Hubbard Glacier...that is hard to beat. The northbound one is good as well but you only get Glacier Bay and then College Fjord.

[kelmac]

My standard answer to this question:

 

If he wants to do Alaska "right" -- take Holland America northbound to Seward (you will see Glacier Bay); spend a few days or a week in mainland Alaska; and take Celebrity southbound (you will see Hubbard Glacier and Icy Strait).

This 21 -- 23 day trip will cost about the same as a 12 day "Land tour/Cruise" with Princess or HAL. No need for open jaws flight out of Alaska, just R/T air to Vancouver.

 

Good Luck,

Kel

[Krazy Kruizers]

we have done alaskan cruises on hal, princess and ncl

the best alaskan cruises we had were on hal and princess

[dolittle]

We have done Hal and X in Alaska both are great. But for A 88 year oldman Hal is the only choice the food and Excursions are geared to an older demo. Do not miss the White pass railroad, easy on the feet.

[jewopaho]

We're Princess fans (several Alaska cruises ... another one coming up in May). Here are a couple of other considerations ...

 

Are you and your father comfortable (physically and financially) flying to one city and leaving from another? The north/south cruises can be a bit pricey, given the difference in airfare between them and a roundtrip Seattle or Vancouver ... and it can get a little tedious. It's definitely something to think about.

 

If you select an Inside Passage cruise (usually roundtrip Seattle), plan one that includes Glacier Bay, rather than Tracy Arm ... much more to see. Princess has two ships sailing this route ... but only the Golden does Glacier Bay. That's the one we've booked.

 

Cruisetours are fabulous ... but they're longer, and naturally much more expensive. Most don't involve much walking ... but check with the cruie lines, and inform the rep of your father's limitations.

 

If you do an Inside Passage trip, the cruise lines offer many excursion choices ... or you can look at an operator such as http://www.viator.com for independent excursions. As noted above, do not miss the White Pass Railroad trip in Skagway ... book it through the cruise line; it's about the same cost, and much more expedient.

 

We've seen and spoken with many older passengers on our Princess cruises (and we're no spring chickens ourselves). Virtually every one of them would book the cruise again ... and several did (including us).

 

Again, our choice is Princess. The Golden is an excellent ship from which to see the sights (and often wildlife) go by. I'm certain both you and your father will love the experience. Have a great cruise!

 

Al

[agabbymama]

We are 64 and 67. Our first trip to Alaska was on HAL just the 7 day cruise kind of last minute, so we got a great deal. We loved the smaller ship and thought HAL did a fantastic job. So elegant and everyone was so friendly.

 

For our second trip, I wanted to see more of Interior Alaska and the Yukon. I looked at both Princess and HAL cruisetours. Princess only had 1 that did an overnight in Dawson City, but it was 8 days land and 7 day cruise for 15 days at $4400 pp. I ended up choosing HAL Yukon Wilderness cruisetour #1 that was only 3 days on the ship and 8 days on land for a total of only 11 days (I didn't have enough vacation time for the Princess), but only paid HAL $2770 pp including airfare.

 

Your Dad has to decide if he really wants to do a cruisetour (it's a lot of riding in coaches and that's not for everybody) or just a cruise. There again HAL is offering a 14 day on the Amsterdam (I think) that everyone is talking about on this website. I'd love to do that one, as it goes to a lot of the smaller Alaska towns and you see more than jewelry shops that abound in the main ports of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

[dbreenie]

Last late summer - I took my hubby on a Holland American cruisetour.. giving you days cruising the Inside Passage and days on land including two full days at Denali. Of the cruises we have done - by far the most varied in stops and activities. Probably the biggest kick for me - was a helicopter ride at Denali up and over - then landing on one of the huge glaciers there. The train ride was awesome - viewing Mt. McKinley.. and the glaciers to see are unreal. Definitely go on a "small" boat - we pulled right up closed and just stalled there for hours - giving everyone a great chance to see the glaciers and watch them calve.... I would go again in a heartbeat..

[SnowBird Cruzer]

Thanks a lot everyone for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

I'll pass on everything to my dad and my older sister.

She just recently retired and has the time and $$ to go with him.

 

I'm just doing my part in getting some good info.

If they decide on a cruise(tour), I'll let you all know.

 

Have a great cruising season. Still trying to plan my next one.

[SnowBird Cruzer]

HI all,

 

I spoke to my 64 yr old sister. She will be Dad's companion.

She really liked the itinerary and price for the Jewel on one of these dates.

It works with her busy schedule being a Grandma. And gets Dad home in time so his garden doesn't go to heck. Cuz, of course, none of us can take care of it for him. LOL.

 

Anyway, once my sister has booked for sure, I'll go to their Roll Call for more advice. We'll be looking for best advice on shore excursions with a minimum of walking.

[SadieN]

If they are planning to fly in/out of Canada or take certain excursions (train) then they will need passports.

 

Have her read up about NCL's dining. Some love it and some hate it.

[ILoveScotland]

In late August 2008 DH and I took Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas from Vancouver to Seward and loved the 7 night one-way itinerary. We didn't do an add-on tour, because of time constraints, but I wish we had as it was DH's last cruise. At the time he was 86 and already in a wheelchair. He's now 88 and living in a skilled nursing facility.

 

Guess I'm saying a) one way either north or south bound is my preference, b) the Radiance class is great with all the glass that allows one to see the views from the ship, c) would definitely do a tour on up to Denali and d) lots of options for tours for those who can't walk long distances.