CruisingGiants Posted February 28, 2015 #1 Share Posted February 28, 2015 For weeks I have been trying to choose between two cruises to Alaska in September. They both come out about even price wise, so my deciding factors are ports and boats themselves (with more emphasis on ports). Anyone have thoughts on these? I'd really love some more input! Here are the options: 1) Celebrity Solstice - 11 nights - 9/11 - 9/22 Seattle Ketchikan Tracy Arm Skagway Icy Strait Inside Passage Juneau Victoria Nanaimo Vancouver 2) Norwegian Jewel - 10 nights - 9/19 - 9/29 Seattle Inside Passage Ketchikan Juneau Skagway Glacier Bay Icy Strait Sitka Victoria Vancouver The main differences are Tracy Arm vs. Glacier Bay and Nanaimo vs. Sitka. Thanks so much for your help! I'll post this both in Alaska and main board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mapleleaves Posted February 28, 2015 #2 Share Posted February 28, 2015 you didn't post the port times which are a very important consideration. But based on the general itinerary you posted, I'd choose #2. Definitely Glacier Bay and Sitka . Did you look at the Nanaimo and Sitka web sites to review the options on sights and activities? (OTOH, I'd never choose a sailing at the end of the season. Too much chance for a fall storm. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted February 28, 2015 #3 Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) Another vote for #2 because of Glacier Bay.... you get to see 4 to 5 glaciers instead of the single Sawyer (which may not be accessible due to ice congestion). Both cruises end in Vancouver.... I recommend staying an extra 2 to 5 days to check out this incredible port. Edited February 28, 2015 by xlxo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted February 28, 2015 #4 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I would give 1 a first consideration, due to the date. Week by week, you have a bigger risk of compounded foul cold weather. Daylight is also significantly missing, and keeps getting worse. I don't agree with the constant claims, Glacier Bay is the only worthwhile itinerary. In my opinion it isn't, I have definitely had a lot more scenic sailing in Tracy Arm compared to Glacier Bay which is much wider. I find some of the posts with very one sided recommendations, forgoing the whole itinerary, which could be just as important. I'm a firm believer in looking at several factors before eliminating a cruise. If the port times get posted, that would offer more details for ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingGiants Posted February 28, 2015 Author #5 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I do know weather is a concern and the later it gets in September the colder/wetter/darker it gets. Unfortunately it's the only month we can travel. Here are the port times for both... 1) Celebrity Solstice - 11 nights - 9/11 - 9/22 9/11 Seattle - Depart @ 5 9/12 Sea Day 9/13 Ketchikan 7 - 6 p.m. 9/14 Tracy Arm 10 - 5 p.m. 9/15 Skagway 7 -7 p.m. 9/16 Icy Strait 7 - 5 p.m. 9/17 Inside Passage 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. 9/18 Juneau 7 - 8:30 p.m. 9/19 Sea Day 9/20 Sea Day 9/21 Victoria 7 - 5 p.m. 9/22 Nanaimo 7 - 5 p.m. 9/23 Vancouver Arrive @ 2) Norwegian Jewel - 10 nights - 9/19 - 9/29 9/19 Seattle Depart @ 4 p.m. 9/20 Sea Day 9/21 Ketchikan 7 - 4 p.m. 9/22 Juneau 9 - 9 p.m. 9/23 Skagway 7 - 8:15 p.m. 9/24 Glacier Bay 9/25 Icy Strait 8 - 4 p.m. 9/26 Sitka 7 - 4 p.m. 9/27 Sea Day 9/28 Victoria noon - midnight 9/29 Vancouver Arrive @ 8 ** It looks like maybe the Norwegian doesn't do the Inside Passage after all -- I thought I had read they did. Thanks for your help!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted February 28, 2015 #6 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I do know weather is a concern and the later it gets in September the colder/wetter/darker it gets. Unfortunately it's the only month we can travel. Here are the port times for both... 1) Celebrity Solstice - 11 nights - 9/11 - 9/22 9/11 Seattle - Depart @ 5 9/12 Sea Day 9/13 Ketchikan 7 - 6 p.m. 9/14 Tracy Arm 10 - 5 p.m. 9/15 Skagway 7 -7 p.m. 9/16 Icy Strait 7 - 5 p.m. 9/17 Inside Passage 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. 9/18 Juneau 7 - 8:30 p.m. 9/19 Sea Day 9/20 Sea Day 9/21 Victoria 7 - 5 p.m. 9/22 Nanaimo 7 - 5 p.m. 9/23 Vancouver Arrive @ 2) Norwegian Jewel - 10 nights - 9/19 - 9/29 9/19 Seattle Depart @ 4 p.m. 9/20 Sea Day 9/21 Ketchikan 7 - 4 p.m. 9/22 Juneau 9 - 9 p.m. 9/23 Skagway 7 - 8:15 p.m. 9/24 Glacier Bay 9/25 Icy Strait 8 - 4 p.m. 9/26 Sitka 7 - 4 p.m. 9/27 Sea Day 9/28 Victoria noon - midnight 9/29 Vancouver Arrive @ 8 ** It looks like maybe the Norwegian doesn't do the Inside Passage after all -- I thought I had read they did. Thanks for your help!! both of these cruises sail the "inside Passage". If you are referring to inside Vancouver Island, a lot of the sailing will be dark. Have no idea what 9-17 reference is about, but, it is not correct. You are "inside passage" the entire time, leaving Hoonah and arriving Juneau. It's a very short distance, and the ship would have to be stalling all the way there, to have a "day" in between? Please double check these, and make any corrections if any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted February 28, 2015 #7 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I do know weather is a concern and the later it gets in September the colder/wetter/darker it gets. Unfortunately it's the only month we can travel. Here are the port times for both... Can you go next year at a different time? I wouldn't want to travel those dates in September. The chances of fowl weather is definitely there. I would choose the Jewel of the two ships/itineraries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted March 1, 2015 #8 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I haven't travelled to Alaska yet, and while I love Celebrity, for me, seeing Glacier Bay is a must. So it is either Princess, or NCL. I'm basing my whole decision on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted March 1, 2015 #9 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I haven't travelled to Alaska yet, and while I love Celebrity, for me, seeing Glacier Bay is a must. So it is either Princess, or NCL. I'm basing my whole decision on that. Hal also has Glacier Bay itineraries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted March 1, 2015 #10 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Hal also has Glacier Bay itineraries. But for some reason I'm not a fan. Although I've never been on a HAL cruise. And I don't know why! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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