Princess or HAL for Alaska??

[Kamloops50]

Does HAL have naturalists on board for the entire cruise (in addition to the National Park Service rangers who board for Glacier Bay day)? On our two Princess Alaska cruises the on board Princess naturalists were a great addition to the experience - I wish all cruises everywhere had the equivalent!

 

Princess does to.

 

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[Aquahound]

Sorry, that is very dated information.. HAL like Princess no longer allows smoking in their cabins or balcony's

 

I feel if your going post and answer questions you should be able to give correct information, and not old and out dated incorrect information swayed by your personal prejudices

Srpilo

 

Wow, this post of yours was quite the fail. It's one thing to be wrong..we all do it from time to time...but it's another to lecture someone else and be so condescending while being wrong.

 

HAL definitely still allows balcony smoking. Take your own advice.

[kennicott]

Thanks for the tips!

 

We are non-smokers and (like most people) don't care for the smell of second hand smoke. Do you really think that would be a major issue? Are there *that* many smokers out on the balconies on HAL? If so, that could be a deciding factor.

 

Yes, unfortunately that is true. HAL is now the only major that allows balcony smoking. Since the last hold outs on balcony smoking only discontinued the practice a relatively short time ago it will take a while for word to get out and the percentage of smoking passengers to increase on HAL. However, there is evidence this is indeed taking place.

 

Oh by the way, they allow cigars on the balcony as well.

[Pierlesscruisers]

I'd make a decision based on departure port (we prefer Vancouver over Seattle)

Just out of curiosity, why the preference for Vancouver? :confused:

 

Tom

[Colo Cruiser]

HAL definitely allows balcony smoking and there is anecdotal information that smokers are migrating to HAL, the so called ashtray of the seas.

 

I would choose Princess for many reasons including a brand new Alaska enrichment program. We are booked on the Coral in May.

 

Wow, this post of yours was quite the fail. It's one thing to be wrong..we all do it from time to time...but it's another to lecture someone else and be so condescending while being wrong.

 

HAL definitely still allows balcony smoking. Take your own advice.

 

 

Boom!

[Kamloops50]

We prefer Vancouver because it's a 5 hour drive from home with no border crossings.

Otherwise we prefer because you will actually more time in ports.

 

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[Pierlesscruisers]

We prefer Vancouver because it's a 5 hour drive from home with no border crossings.

Otherwise we prefer because you will actually more time in ports.

 

Sent from my SGH-I317M using Forums mobile app

 

Two very good reasons! Thanks.:D

 

Tom

[Cindy]

Sorry, that is very dated information.. HAL like Princess no longer allows smoking in their cabins or balcony's

 

 

I feel if your going post and answer questions you should be able to give correct information, and not old and out dated incorrect information swayed by your personal prejudices

Srpilo

 

I agree with others...your information is incorrect. HAL does indeed allow smoking on balconies. A quick glance at the HAL board will allow anyone to find a very long thread discussing the topic.

 

We all make mistakes, but this one was huge! You actually called others out for giving incorrect information, when if fact the only misinformation concerning the different smoking policies came from you.:confused:

 

The balcony smoking information could be very important to someone trying to make an informed decision. I hope nobody reads your post and takes it as accurate.

[Shake]

The highest rated ship sailing Alaska is the Celebrity Solstice, out of Seattle (better US resident air pricing than Vancouver).

 

IMO, the modern contemporary S Class ships are miles ahead Princess and there is no smoking, "anywhere inside the ship", including the casino! Plus they are running a great promo on free drinks, free gratuities and OBC. Happy sailing. :)

[gizmodog]

They do not go to glacier bay

[Coral]

The highest rated ship sailing Alaska is the Celebrity Solstice, out of Seattle (better US resident air pricing than Vancouver).

 

IMO, the modern contemporary S Class ships are miles ahead Princess and there is no smoking, "anywhere inside the ship", including the casino! Plus they are running a great promo on free drinks, free gratuities and OBC. Happy sailing. :)

 

While it may be the best ship, it has one of the worst itineraries in Alaska. Itinerary really is important in Alaska!

[Aquahound]

While it may be the best ship, it has one of the worst itineraries in Alaska. Itinerary really is important in Alaska!

 

I agree. No other ship in Alaska is as nice as the Solstice, but r/t Seattle cruises tend to be the worst itineraries.

[Coral]

I agree. No other ship in Alaska is as nice as the Solstice, but r/t Seattle cruises tend to be the worst itineraries.

 

It also had bad timing in Juneau.

 

It is sad as in the past, they put their best Naturalist on the Solstice.

[Cindy]

The highest rated ship sailing Alaska is the Celebrity Solstice, out of Seattle (better US resident air pricing than Vancouver).

 

IMO, the modern contemporary S Class ships are miles ahead Princess and there is no smoking, "anywhere inside the ship", including the casino! Plus they are running a great promo on free drinks, free gratuities and OBC. Happy sailing. :)

 

While it may be the best ship, it has one of the worst itineraries in Alaska. Itinerary really is important in Alaska!

 

I agree with Coral and others. If all things were equal, I would select the Solstice without question, but they aren't. Alaska is different than the Caribbean where the most important consideration for many is the ship and the on-board experience. In addition to choosing Princess or HAL in Alaska for their better itineraries and many years of experience in both cruises and land tours, I would also opt for a cruise out of Vancouver over Seattle.

Edited April 28, 2015 by Cindy