Ship activities sea days on Spirit Alaska Itinerary

[CanWeGoYet?]

I hear so much about how Alaska cruises are completely different than other itineraries. It's all about the ports and watching for whales, & taking in the scenery as you are cruising.

 

Are there the usual activities like exercise or dance classes, etc on the sea days? Just wondering if they even offer these things, or if they would be so poorly attended that the cruise line just skips them. I don't care anything about bingo or the newlywed game, etc. Just hoping there is something on the sea days, there will be 3 of them on the cruise I have booked.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

I hear so much about how Alaska cruises are completely different than other itineraries. It's all about the ports and watching for whales, & taking in the scenery as you are cruising.

 

Are there the usual activities like exercise or dance classes, etc on the sea days? Just wondering if they even offer these things, or if they would be so poorly attended that the cruise line just skips them. I don't care anything about bingo or the newlywed game, etc. Just hoping there is something on the sea days, there will be 3 of them on the cruise I have booked.

Did Spirit in May and you're right, the naturalist is constantly making anouncments concerning whale and other nature sightnings. The casino is open and so are the shops and there are other activities, but I'm not sure what. Bring your camera. Cruising Tracy Arm is amazing and don't miss Mendenhall Glacier in Skagway. Have a great cruise.

[CanWeGoYet?]

Thanks for the reply! That's sort of what I was expecting. We aren't going to cruise tracy arm on this one, it's the first of the season and a little different itinerary.

[CanWeGoYet?]

Anyone else? If someone has a copy of the fun times (is that what it's called now - I keep wanting to call it the capers) I'd love to see!

 

Thanks in advance. :)

[imluvncruzn]

Hello. We are looking to book our first Alaska cruise next year and I was kinda wondering the same thing. Are the pools open on an Alaska cruise? Are they heated? We are looking to go in late August or early September.

[BSUGrad]

We went on the Spirit at the end of June this year. The pools are open, but the outside pool was practically never used. There is one pool and hot tub that are in a covered area, and I think the pools were heated. There is also a hot tub by the outdoor pool that I did see people in occasionally. I second the amazing comment about Tracy Arm. It was cold and drizzly when we were there, but it was still one of the best days I have ever had during a cruise.

[l2f]

We have never cruises Alaska but plan to in the next few years. So if sight seeing is the main attraction during sea days, (departing from Seattle) which side of the ship is best/preferred if you get a balcony room?

[PAPERBKWRITER]

We have never cruises Alaska but plan to in the next few years. So if sight seeing is the main attraction during sea days, (departing from Seattle) which side of the ship is best/preferred if you get a balcony room?

If you plan on an inside passage cruise it won't make any difference besides, you'll get both views, one side going and the other side going back. You'll find Alaska a much different experience than the warm weather itineraries. I'd suggest you check ports on this site (CC) and make your plans accordingly. there is a lot to do that you can do on your own without spending big bucks.

[CanWeGoYet?]

I hear the cruises that depart from Seattle aren't inside passage though - they go on the west side of vancouver island. So I don't know if different rules for "best side" apply.

[dustyroad]

there will be plenty too do. they have craft things going on, trivia games too join in on, hairy chest contest, ice sculpting deminstrations, wine/martini tastings, scavenger hunts, lectures in the theater about the ports and excursions, towel animal lessons. you can play miniature golf, basket ball, shuffle board, ping pong and chess on a huge game board on the open deck. the fun times will be loaded with things too do each day. you can just set and relax or get involved if you want. it will be a wonderful cruise. have fun.

[happylady]

Here is the link to my thread listing the fun times from our May 24 cruise. Sorry it's not clearer...if you have any questions, just ask.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1424592

[CanWeGoYet?]

Here is the link to my thread listing the fun times from our May 24 cruise. Sorry it's not clearer...if you have any questions, just ask.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1424592

 

Thanks Kathi, somehow I missed your thread.

I was wondering mainly about exercise classes, either charge for classes or free. And if there were any dance classes.

[kennelgang]

Did Spirit in May and you're right, the naturalist is constantly making anouncments concerning whale and other nature sightnings. The casino is open and so are the shops and there are other activities, but I'm not sure what. Bring your camera. Cruising Tracy Arm is amazing and don't miss Mendenhall Glacier in Skagway. Have a great cruise.

 

Actually Mendenhall Glacier is near Juneau not Skagway. Have cruised Alaska 7 times and we are cruising twice next year, Spirit in May and Millennium in Sept. The scenery is breathtaking. Carnival has an exclusive tour in Tracy Arm, where a catamaran pulls up to the Spirit, tour passengers board the catamaran for a up close and personal experience with the Fjord. I don't think any other cruiseline does this. We have booked this tour, which is very popular and sells out quickly, for our May cruise. Information about this tour is discussed on Carnival's website.

[happylady]

Thanks Kathi, somehow I missed your thread.

I was wondering mainly about exercise classes, either charge for classes or free. And if there were any dance classes.

 

Truthfully, I can't answer. We were more in to trivia and I do remember seeing dance classes listed a few times in the Fun Times. My DH & DS did work out one day, but we never looked for exercise classes.:rolleyes:

[CanWeGoYet?]

Truthfully, I can't answer. We were more in to trivia and I do remember seeing dance classes listed a few times in the Fun Times. My DH & DS did work out one day, but we never looked for exercise classes.:rolleyes:

 

Well thanks so much for posting, it still helps to know you saw some dance classes in there somewhere. :)

[Cobra1365]

No "Fun Times" but here's our review

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1437836

 

We were Seattle Roundtrip and did the inside passage

[CanWeGoYet?]

No "Fun Times" but here's our review

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1437836

 

We were Seattle Roundtrip and did the inside passage

 

Thanks Cobra1365, I did see your wonderful review. Recognized it as soon as I saw the first wonderful photos. You really do have an eye for capturing people's personalities. One of my favorite pictures was down by the pike place market. The Native American guy holding the big espresso, dunno why but I loved that one especially. All the scenery was lovely too.

[chocolate melting cake]

I remember many activities, trivia, arts and crafts, and several dance classes (which we didn't attend-therefore no pictures). If you're interested in more pictures of the cruise click on ALASKAN CRUISE and either click on individual photos or click on SLIDESHOW.

[Sailor_Sally]

We were on the Spirit the first cruise to Alaska this year .There were lots of activities on board but the first sea day was scenic cruising of the inside passage starting after lunch . We basically hung out on our balcony and watched the amazing scenery . The second sea day was on our last day so we did trivia , played in the casino a little ,went to bingo, went to the comedy club . I did see people in the covered pool & the hot tub . I also noticed people at a dance class . There are a lot of activities going on but for us the scenery took precedence . We also enjoyed the Naturalists discussions .

[emmysmommy]

Actually Mendenhall Glacier is near Juneau not Skagway. Have cruised Alaska 7 times and we are cruising twice next year, Spirit in May and Millennium in Sept. The scenery is breathtaking. Carnival has an exclusive tour in Tracy Arm, where a catamaran pulls up to the Spirit, tour passengers board the catamaran for a up close and personal experience with the Fjord. I don't think any other cruiseline does this. We have booked this tour, which is very popular and sells out quickly, for our May cruise. Information about this tour is discussed on Carnival's website.

 

You are absolutely correct - the scenery is breathtaking. I have never seen chairs lined up against every window in the Lido buffet restaurant with people just sitting there watching the beautiful coastline. The cruise director had to make an announcement that anyone who was no longer using their tables to please allow other passengers the opportunity to sit to eat since people were just camped out and taking it all in!

 

We did the Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching in Juneau, the exclusive Tracy Arm Fjord iceberg tour from the ship, and the train in Skagway. All amazing!!