Considering Alaska ?

[Cruisegirl6]

Hello,

 

We are going to book Alaska for next year and have a few questions if you can help us:

 

1- What is your favorite itinerary for an Alaska cruise and or, which port do you like going out and returning to?

2- We are considering going in May due to the fact we have airline mileage credit but travel must be completed by May 13, 2020 (even if we are able to use it one way that be great and we just pay for the return, at least we won't waist the entire 100k mileage credit points)

3-  Is there anything we need to know about cruising during May?

4-  We like to also do a land based short trip before our trip, what did you like or can suggest?

5-  I assume if we take a cruise that embarks and disembarks out of Seattle, I realize there is no customs for flying, am I correct?

 

 

 

[Ourusualbeach]

The first cruise out of Seattle next year is May 22.

 

there is a one way northbound Vancouver to Anchorage May 15.

 

based on your airfare that probably changes things. 

[Cruisegirl6]

I have credit mileage points of 100k that I must use before May 13,2020, but I believe there is a way to put the points in my account and be able to use them anytime, I believe it will cost $175 which isn't bad if it covers the entire airline cost.

 

The 15th would work also, at least having one way air travel free of cost.

 

Curious, are the casino's open at any point during an Alaska cruise?

 

[breezy_carol]

We are going to Alaska this August for the first time.  This board has a lot of Alaska info and I have been there a lot.

[Cruisegirl6]

Thank you!

[reallyitsmema]

19 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

The first cruise out of Seattle next year is May 22.

 

there is a one way northbound Vancouver to Anchorage May 15.

 

based on your airfare that probably changes things. 

 

The northbound cruise is Vancouver to Seward, if you add the two day cruise tour, it ends in Anchorage.

[OCSC Mike]

I posted an extremely long review of our Alaska trip last summer when we spent 10 days DIY on land before Radiance southbound.  You may find it helpful...

 

Be warned, it’s excessively long.

 

To answer some of your questions, I personally wouldn’t want to go in May b/c of weather & I will not go back unless the back of Denali is open as it was a highlight of our trip (amongst others).

 

I also advise anyone, if they can manage it, to spend as much time on land as they can.  You can do plenty in the port cities but you’ll miss out on a lot of other stuff.

[Cruisin' Again 86]

1 hour ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Hello,

 

We are going to book Alaska for next year and have a few questions if you can help us:

 

1- What is your favorite itinerary for an Alaska cruise and or, which port do you like going out and returning to?

2- We are considering going in May due to the fact we have airline mileage credit but travel must be completed by May 13, 2020 (even if we are able to use it one way that be great and we just pay for the return, at least we won't waist the entire 100k mileage credit points)

3-  Is there anything we need to know about cruising during May?

4-  We like to also do a land based short trip before our trip, what did you like or can suggest?

5-  I assume if we take a cruise that embarks and disembarks out of Seattle, I realize there is no customs for flying, am I correct?

Just returned from Alaska, we did tour 5B, which is 5 nights prior to 7 night cruise. This takes you to Talkeetna, Denali ( yes we saw Denali ) and then to Alyeska Ski Resort. This tour does include RCCL's train ride for 1/2 day where you will see tons of wildlife ! The weather was perfect, in fact a bit too warm, but no rain at all. 

 

We flew into Seatle, stayed 2 nights, then flew to Anchorage which is where the land portion begins, and cruised on Radiance, which is showing her age. Now that Ovation is there I would look into that instead. 

 

We saw tons of wildlife, grizzly bears, black bears, eagles, moose, caribou, sheep, goats, whales, sea otters, sea lions etc, I highly recommend this cruise and/or land portion !!

 

 

1 hour ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

 

 

 

[Cruisegirl6]

Oh boy, getting lots of good info from you.  Now, I am leaning on the last week of May possibly the first week of June.  Wanted the Radiance but now hearing she is showing her age, she doesn't go into dry dock into 2021 so that factors in big time in our decision.  The Ovation pretty much does two inside passages (cruising) and only two ports, Juneau and Skagway, but it does not do Ketchikan, how do you all feel about not going to this port?  What is the main attractions/thinkgs to do in this port?

 

We love the fact its seattle/seattle no customs at the airport so that is a plus for my other half.  

 

I was thinking if we do seattle/seattle on the ovation, we would spend 2-3 days in Seattle before the cruise, what do you recommend is a must see there?  Or, do you feel Anchorage is better to see and if so, what is a must to see there?

 

Assuming Ovation does the two day land trip and ends in Anchorage what did you get to see?

[reallyitsmema]

13 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Oh boy, getting lots of good info from you.  Now, I am leaning on the last week of May possibly the first week of June.  Wanted the Radiance but now hearing she is showing her age, she doesn't go into dry dock into 2021 so that factors in big time in our decision.  The Ovation pretty much does two inside passages (cruising) and only two ports, Juneau and Skagway, but it does not do Ketchikan, how do you all feel about not going to this port?  What is the main attractions/thinkgs to do in this port?

 

We love the fact its seattle/seattle no customs at the airport so that is a plus for my other half.  

 

I was thinking if we do seattle/seattle on the ovation, we would spend 2-3 days in Seattle before the cruise, what do you recommend is a must see there?  Or, do you feel Anchorage is better to see and if so, what is a must to see there?

 

Assuming Ovation does the two day land trip and ends in Anchorage what did you get to see?

 

The cruise tours are with Radiance either before or after the cruise.  They are not with Ovation because you aren't even going near Seward, let alone Anchorage.  Ovation also does not do as much of the Inside Passage as Radiance as Ovation is too big for part of it and has to go around Vancouver Island,

[steveru621]

Denali does not fully open until June 5th or so.

[Cruisegirl6]

You all are really helpful and we truly appreciate it!  This will be a brand new itinerary for us and what better way to get the right information right here.

 

Ok, so listening to you I will go the first week of June or take a cruise starting the last few days in May and will make sure Denali will be open when I get there.

 

Ovation is now off the list, I did think it limited us in seeing Alaska and you confirmed it.

 

Usually cruising its all about the ship to us so we always make sure we go on a ship that won't have a dry dock scheduled until after a year out from our cruise, with this being said, since Alaska is a place we never been to the ports will be the main issue not the cruise ship.

[little britain]

Hi, we also did a lengthy review. I would echo Mike - start in the north and head south.

Hope this helps:

 

 

[reallyitsmema]

This link will help a lot when it comes to looking at cruise tours and what is included in them.  Make sure you go into the resources tab and then excursions to see all the optional excursions that you can add on to what is already included in the cruise tours.

 

http://www.royalcaribbeancruisetours.com/

 

We did 4B last May followed by a southbound cruise on Radiance.  I am glad we did the tour but will do a DIY tour in the future, especially after seeing what Mike was able to do.  The long bus days and waiting for others at every stop just proved what we already knew, we are not bus people and prefer to control our own destiny.

 

 

[Cruisegirl6]

Good point, I check out that link now thanks.

[mapleleaves]

be very careful with the short cruisetours .  Alaska is a big state so if you only have 2 or 3 days, you'll spend most of your time in transit with little time to enjoy the location when you arrive.  

If you travel in May and want to visit Denali, keep in mind that the park road to Eielson Visitor Center doesn't open until June 1, and the end of the road opens June 10.  If you go before June 1, you;ll only be able to get the Denali History Tour which only goes to Mile 30 of the 100 miles available.  You need 2 nights in Denali if you plan on taking a bus into the park to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

There are few hwys in Alaska and they're mostly 2 lanes so it's very easy to rent a car and go DIY.   This gives you the ability to stop for other points of interest and wildlife you see along the way.   Many people will take the train from Seward to Anchorage then rent a car for the land tour.   Lots of good info and past trip reports on the Alaska forum.

Enjoy your research and planning !

[reallyitsmema]

2 hours ago, mapleleaves said:

be very careful with the short cruisetours .  Alaska is a big state so if you only have 2 or 3 days, you'll spend most of your time in transit with little time to enjoy the location when you arrive.  

If you travel in May and want to visit Denali, keep in mind that the park road to Eielson Visitor Center doesn't open until June 1, and the end of the road opens June 10.  If you go before June 1, you;ll only be able to get the Denali History Tour which only goes to Mile 30 of the 100 miles available.  You need 2 nights in Denali if you plan on taking a bus into the park to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

There are few hwys in Alaska and they're mostly 2 lanes so it's very easy to rent a car and go DIY.   This gives you the ability to stop for other points of interest and wildlife you see along the way.   Many people will take the train from Seward to Anchorage then rent a car for the land tour.   Lots of good info and past trip reports on the Alaska forum.

Enjoy your research and planning !

 

They will be able to do the Tundra Wilderness Tour that goes as far as Toklat, which is mile 53.  

[OCSC Mike]

Go all the way if you can...