Hello from a new member

[xcruisieating]

by way of introduction I'd like to surprise my wife with a cruise which is something we have never done and i know she would like to do. We're Scots, living in England, have spent time in Scandinavia, Southern Africa and have visited U.S. India, Protugal, Corsica, Malta etc. But where to cruise? She has mentioned Alaska and whales, the Nile, the eastern Mediterranean, the Rhine (can you do north sea to black sea via rhine and danube?) . Just too many to choose so i need to research.

 

 

 

Frankly, for putting up with my nonsense she deserves a break.

[puppycanducruise]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Cruising is wonderful. A great way to see a little piece of the world.

Our first cruise was to Alaska, and we loved it. We did a round trip from Vancouver.

Most of our cruises have been in Europe. Love the Eastern Med, especially Venice. A beautiful city to spend a few days before the cruise.

We also enjoyed a Baltic cruise. St Petersburg is fascinating.

Cruising the Norwegian fjords is breathtaking.

And sailing down the Rhine was great too.

 

 

A couple of thoughts.

Rules are different for cruisers from UK than from here in North America.

 

Talk to a reputable Travel Agent. Get lots of glossy brochures.

 

Set your budget.

Spend a few days in the area your cruise sails from. Don't fly in the day of the cruise. Maybe stay a few days in the area your cruise ends in.

 

Ask lots of questions on Cruise Critic. There are lots of people with great advice (but, be prepared for a few jerks too).

 

Enjoy the research.

[paul929207]

We sailed from the Black Sea to the North Sea via the Danube, Mein and Rhine rivers. It was a wonderful trip. About 26 days as I recall.

[Bookworm1985]

I loved Alaska. We stayed in Seattle a couple days before this past Alaskan cruise and explored the city. It is one of my top five vacations.

 

 

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[Heidi13]

Welcome to CC from a fellow Scot, now living in Canada.

 

I worked for P&O/Princess Cruises and with cruises as a passenger have spent almost 40 yrs with them, however have now moved to Viking Ocean. Basically been around the world many times, with only a couple of areas yet to visit.

 

You have a huge variety of cruise lines available, so my suggestion is to brainstorm what you are looking for in a cruise line. Personally, I categorise cruise lines into 3 main categories

- Mainstream Lines - known for ever increasing sizes, with some ships now having > 6,000 pax. Lots of activities, lots of nickle & diming. Top end of this group would be Cunard, P&O - UK, HAL & Celebrity.

- Luxury/Premium Lines - smaller ships, older demographic, more all-inclusive, better meals, less congestion, etc. Some even include a free excursion in every port. Higher price for base fare, but limited additional costs when onboard. Examples are Viking, Oceania, Azamare, Seabourn, Crystal, Silversea

- Expedition - even smaller ships doing specialist cruises

 

You mentioned both Ocean Cruises & River Cruises, at present I know of only 1 company that does both - Viking Ocean, although Scenic is currently building their first Ocean ship and may have opened bookings.

 

Cruise Regions

- Eastern Meddy, most enjoyable, as I spent 3 months in this region many years ago. The Greek islands are spectacular, as are visits to Israel & Egypt. Note tours in Israel and Egypt are long days and attractions are very busy. Cruising the Dardanelles & Bosphorus up to Istanbul is amazing, unfortunately I believe many cruise lines have cancelled this port. Reading that some may be returning in 2019. Our last visit to Istanbul was 2015 and we had a fabulous tour, feeling very safe.

- Alaska, again spectacular, having completed 2 full seasons and many cruises as a pax. You have 2 main options for departure - Seattle or Vancouver. Seattle cruises are all R/T due to the US Passenger Vessel Services Act. Seattle departure also go up the West Coast of BC to Alaska, whereas Vancouver departures use part of the Inside Passage. Always recommend Vancouver due to better scenery through BC. Easy flights from multiple UK airports.

 

Vancouver also has a choice of R/T cruises, which normally are 7 day and only go so as far as Skagway. The 1-way cruises head out Icy Strait and go up to Prince William Sound (PWS). Whether embarking or disembarking in PWS, you also have the option of pre/post cruise land excursions. The other option is to complete a round trip to Vancouver.

 

If opting for Alaska, suggest also allowing for a few days in Vancouver/Victoria/Rocky Mountains

 

- River Cruises - while most tend to do 15-day Amsterdam to Budapest, I have also seen a longer cruise from Amsterdam to the Black Sea. Suggest checking schedules for Viking River & Scenic.

 

Good luck with research and as others have suggested, highly recommend getting a cruise specialist TA.

[jocap]

P&O goes tip free next summer, so not much nickel and diming on there.

One small line we use, in the budget category, is Fred Olsen...old ships without much glitz, but good itineraries, and starting from several ports round the UK. We recently returned from Iceland from Newcastle; the ship was very comfortable and the food excellent.

[Debbdo]

I loved Alaska. We stayed in Seattle a couple days before this past Alaskan cruise and explored the city. It is one of my top five vacations.

 

 

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We are doing the Alaskan cruise out of Seattle next week. We have 3 additional days booked in Seattle afterwards. Any recommendations for must do's (other than Pike Place Market..which is a MUST see) or dining options?

Thanks!

[dchurchward]

We are doing the Alaskan cruise out of Seattle next week. We have 3 additional days booked in Seattle afterwards. Any recommendations for must do's (other than Pike Place Market..which is a MUST see) or dining options?

Thanks!

I live in Seattle. I will provide a few ideas, but some will depend on if you have a car or not while you are here. If you have a car, here are some great attractions to check-out.

1. Mount Saint Helens - Great visitors center and observation center.
   
2. Deception Pass - This is a very scenic location to visit and enjoy the beauty of the state.
   
3. Hoh Rainforest - A very beautiful location over on the peninsula
   
4. The Museum of Flight - Lots of historic aircraft
   

If you don't have a car.

1. Pike Place Market - Lots of different merchants and flying fish.
   
2. The Experience Music Project - A tribute to rock music with many artifacts.
   
3. The Seattle Art Museum - An extremely varied selection of different styles of art.
   
4. Chihuly Garden and Glass - Featuring the glass art of Dale Chihuly. Lots of beauty in different glass sculptures.
   
5. Argosy Cruises - They have a variety of different cruises.
   
6. Seattle Aquarium - Many varieties of fish
   

I will think a bit on your dining question.

[dchurchward]

We are doing the Alaskan cruise out of Seattle next week. We have 3 additional days booked in Seattle afterwards. Any recommendations for must do's (other than Pike Place Market..which is a MUST see) or dining options?

Thanks!

Here are a few food options. Seattle has a large variety of restaurants so it really depends on your taste.

1. Din Tai Fung - Dumplings and noodles, very popular
   
2. Flintcreek Cattle Co. - Focused on farm raised game meats and vegetable dishes.
   
3. Un Bien - Caribbean sandwiches
   
4. Canlis - Asian tinged, but has a wide variety of options.
   
5. Dick's Drive-In - Hamburgers, a Seattle institution
   
6. Matt's in the Market - Fresh seafood
   
7. Any Tom Douglas restaurant
   

Seattle has a lot of excellent food, so ask around as there are many places to get a great meal.

[Debbdo]

Here are a few food options. Seattle has a large variety of restaurants so it really depends on your taste.

1. Din Tai Fung - Dumplings and noodles, very popular
   
2. Flintcreek Cattle Co. - Focused on farm raised game meats and vegetable dishes.
   
3. Un Bien - Caribbean sandwiches
   
4. Canlis - Asian tinged, but has a wide variety of options.
   
5. Dick's Drive-In - Hamburgers, a Seattle institution
   
6. Matt's in the Market - Fresh seafood
   
7. Any Tom Douglas restaurant
   

Seattle has a lot of excellent food, so ask around as there are many places to get a great meal.

Thank you so much!! This is exactly the kind of info I was hoping to get. We won't have a car but out hotel is near the pier, so hoping to be able to walk, or there is always Uber.

[Host Walt]

Our favorite restaurant in Seattle is

Ivar’s Salmon House

 

Phone number (206) 632-0767 401 NE Northlake Way

Wallingford

 

Wonderful salmon fillets with your choice of wood smoking; cedar, alderwood. etc.

[Krazy Kruizers]

OP

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

We have done just about every type of cruise as mentioned in the 2nd post.

Alaska has beautiful scenery. If you do choose to go there, HAL has a 14 day cruise out of Seattle. It is wonderful and does ports that other cruise line don't do -- like Kodiak and Homer.

You really need to talk to a TA in your area.

Let us know what you decide.