Looking for info on Alaskan cruises with NCL ....

[rgmacm]

I'm posting this on the NCL board because I'm SPECIFICALLY wanting information on NCL Alaskan cruises.... Hoping this doesn't get moved to the Alaska forum. :)

I'm looking at Alaska for next Aug/Sept. We have cruised Princess and Carnival...and of the two, preferred Princess though would cruise Carnival again if it was the ports/dates/price we needed.

HOWEVER.....I've found a 10 day Alaskan cruise with NCL that seems to cover all the things (ports and sites) we want... We thought we'd have to take 2-3 cruises to see all of those, but NCL would do it all in one cruise (less money in the long run...)

Downside: I've read some things that have made me wonder if Alaska with NCL would be what we're looking for.

 

Something about us that may help those responding.

-We are empty nesters (don't need Kids programs).

-We are not gamblers or partiers (Lounges/Bars or casinos don't matter to us).

-What we DO care about is ports...Nat'l Park rangers on board the ship (Glacier Bay Nat'l Park) to tell us about what we're seeing....educational programs/talks about Alaskan sites, wildlife, etc...

That's what Princess does so well.....they just don't have the 10 day "many ports" cruise that NCL has.

 

So.....here's what I'm asking from faithful NCL cruisers....

What is a NCL Alaskan cruise like? Please give me LOTS of information haha!!

Positives...negatives...... I would like to hear it all. :)

Edited September 14, 2016 by rgmacm

[pspercy]

I'll be following this thread as we're going on NCL Sun's 14dy Alaska cruise in May 2017:)

[spidybabe]

We just took NCL Pearl Glacier Bay 7 day cruise and loved, loved, loved it. It was our first time to Alaska- so no comparison, but about our 16th cruise on NCL. This cruise was very different for us, as it was all about the ports and the sights -- not so much nightlife for us on this cruise, as we were up early almost every morning so not to miss a thing.There were many lectures, films and info. Park rangers came onto the ship early, stayed throughout Glacier Bay and explained everything all day long. They were very informative and thrilled to offer their knowledge.

Safe sailing

[Bubba54]

We have sailed Alaska on Princess, NCL and Holland. NCL in my opinion is in the middle between Carnival and Princess. NCL's 10 day cruise is nice, we did once this year and we are going again on Saturday on the Jewel.

Another option for you is Holland America offers a 14 day cruise that includes Anchorage and Kodiak, we loved that cruise. Just need to know it is an older crowd on Holland but we enjoy the line.

August and September the Salmon should be running, so when you reach Ketchikan take a walk up creek street then up to the river it is an amazing thing to see.

When you go to Alaska remember layers, one day it can be 80 degrees the next day and port it will be 40 degrees. Enjoy.

[xlxo]

I'm looking at Alaska for next Aug/Sept.

 

Positives...negatives...... I would like to hear it all. :)

I went on two Alaskan trips in mid-August.... it was 50% wet in Alaskan ports. My future cruises will be July or earlier.

 

Statistically.... September is affordable for storm chasers.

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/skagway/alaska/united-states/usak0225

 

Pay attention to sunset times, especially for Victoria if you crave daylight. You may want a Vancouver departure if you want a longer experience in Canada.

[rgmacm]

I went on two Alaskan trips in mid-August.... it was 50% wet in Alaskan ports. My future cruises will be July or earlier.

 

Statistically.... September is affordable for storm chasers.

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/skagway/alaska/united-states/usak0225

 

Pay attention to sunset times, especially for Victoria if you crave daylight. You may want a Vancouver departure if you want a longer experience in Canada.

 

I will tell you...many people have told me that Sept is a wet month. That's what caused me to start looking at dates like Aug. 26... etc... There are several factors that cause us to still span a trip into Sept (which is what a late Aug date would do...). First and foremost...my husband would probably NEVER get permission to take off during the summer months. All the employees with kids in school grab those months as soon as they're open and if he requested them, he'd get the looks from "??"....and the chance of getting approval for July (when our kids are grown) is somewhere between NONE...and NOT GONNA HAPPEN.... :eek::p

 

Then....in my efforts to make myself feel better about this inevitability, I've convinced myself that I WANT to see Alaska when it's cold....it just won't seem "Alaska-like" if it's warm. :D (this, of course is me playing mind-games with myself...)

I"m also secretly hoping to see the Northern Lights....realize that's a long shot, but it IS my secret hope ha!

 

If I can make it work schedule wise, we'll spend some time either pre or post cruise in Vancouver....

Edited September 14, 2016 by rgmacm

[pspercy]

For me it's not so much about temperature as about light, late sunset and not too many gloomy/wet days.

[spidybabe]

We went Aug 7th. Only rain was,little drizzle on Glacier Bay morning. Cleared before we were in front of glacier. All other times beautiful days. I know we got extremely lucky

Safe sailing

 

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