Alaska cruise questions

[tjsmama]

We are going on an Alaska cruise next June and I am curious as to how different the activities on board an Alaska cruise vs a Caribbean cruise (which is what we normally sail) will be. Has anyone cruised to Alaska (recently) and can tell me if they still offer the same activities...ie trivia, karaoke, themed events, etc? I am assuming the menu will still be the American Table menu, but do they add more seafood options on an Alaska cruise? How many shows do they do during a 7 day cruise? Are the shops on board the standard Carnival shops or are they different? Since we do not leave the US (until the last stop in Victoria, BC) are the shops still considered duty free? Has anyone been on the Spirit? I know it has been in Sydney, and not Alaska but curious about the ship since it will be switching to Alaska for the next summer season.

Any information/tips/helpful hints will be greatly appreciated.

[kctwinmommy]

First, this will probably get moved here, but this is the forum you want to post this in.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/33-alaska/

 

As far as some of the things you're asking, yes there are things the same and some things different. They still have the various activities, but you'll have less of the Lido deck type parties. The cruises tend to be more about the scenery, less about sitting inside. But they still do have most of the things. There are more naturalist talks, obviously to give info about what you can and might see.

 

We found the Alaska cruise less "party like" because people are busy actually looking at things off the ship. And I don't mean that in a bad way, and we never had any real problem with Carnival's Caribbean atmosphere either. It's just a little more subdued, IMO.

 

Anyway, ask all your questions in the Alaska forum, or look there, lots of these things have been asked many times. Enjoy!

[Host Carolyn]

The shops are the same with added Alaska themed clothing merchandise, more binoculars, ponchos. Because people are generally back.on board all evening unless you have extended port call some activities that are often held during the day like trivia are offered in evening. Stil.karaoke, club shows but ship isn't as active later cause  most folks are up early  enjoying scenery, getting ready to go ashore etc.

    Alaska is one of those itineraries where it's more the destination than ship IMHO. Been 12 times and it never gets old

 

****** I'm not moving this to Alaska port of call board linked above but highly recommend you check it out for info on ports

Edited November 26, 2019 by Host Carolyn

[coevan]

As everyone says the beauty of Alaska is indescribable. We loved all our excursions despite the weather not fully cooperating. Our only complaint is on sea days the interior of the ship is packed, shops and casino. For us the Lido deck was not comfortable and very quiet.

[jimbo5544]

3 hours ago, Host Carolyn said:

The shops are the same with added Alaska themed clothing merchandise, more binoculars, ponchos. Because people are generally back.on board all evening unless you have extended port call some activities that are often held during the day like trivia are offered in evening. Stil.karaoke, club shows but ship isn't as active later cause  most folks are up early  enjoying scenery, getting ready to go ashore etc.

    Alaska is one of those itineraries where it's more the destination than ship IMHO. Been 12 times and it never gets old

 

****** I'm not moving this to Alaska port of call board linked above but highly recommend you check it out for info on ports

12 Alaskan cruises is impressive 

[marshhawk]

Nature talks

No, not more seafood.  Get it when you get off the ship and get if fresh (sad)

Make sure you have enough batteries for your camera-they had none by day three, and I had to pay 10 bucks for 2 in Ketchikan

I remember losing at a Broadway Musical Trivia but I think that is all we did, except for enjoying the local artists that they brought on the ship.  Every day was wonderful, every night I slept like a baby.  Enjoy!

[jdemps]

Plan for $50 - $100 per person to enjoy the Alaskan king crab in Juneau @ Tracy's crab shack right on the pier. 

I didn't notice any additional or different menus on AK cruise vs other destinations.  The games were on our fun times but it was better to be outside watching the scenery and wildlife than be in the bar playing games.  The did have different items in the fun shops geared toward colder weather and sight seeing.  More sweatshirts and things like that. 

Not many kids on our AK cruise starting on Memorial day, which was nice and a change from warmer weather cruises. 

There weren't ever 10 kids in the hot tubs peeing it it everyday....lol 

Have fun if you go!

[desiree741]

Probably not as big on deck parties since there was a noise ordinance to protect the wildlife. But worth every second and every dollar as the views are amazing. 

[coevan]

I believe the noise ordinance is land based, can't hear much at sea

[jsglow]

Prepare for any kind of weather and embrace it no matter what.

[1city@atime]

If you want seafood, opt for NCL. I think it was the second and fourth days on a week cruise they did a salmon barbeque for lunch on the pool deck. Nice big slabs of salmon barbecuing on the deck and it was delicious. 

[joepeka]

Agree with virtually everything mentioned thus far. We did Alaska last late July/early August on Legend and really the scenery and port stops are the features, not so much the ship or on board activities. There were shows every evening in the main show room and the on board shop items were definitely oriented toward Alaska and cool weather. Honestly, there is so much to see and do either on the outer decks (e.g. Tracy Arm fjord) or in port, that the usual Carnival on board activities are really scaled back.

[jimbo5544]

41 minutes ago, joepeka said:

Agree with virtually everything mentioned thus far. We did Alaska last late July/early August on Legend and really the scenery and port stops are the features, not so much the ship or on board activities. There were shows every evening in the main show room and the on board shop items were definitely oriented toward Alaska and cool weather. Honestly, there is so much to see and do either on the outer decks (e.g. Tracy Arm fjord) or in port, that the usual Carnival on board activities are really scaled back.

Agree, it is a different beast.

[marci4tony]

On 12/1/2019 at 9:49 AM, coevan said:

I believe the noise ordinance is land based, can't hear much at sea

When you go down Tracy Arm, they shut off the loud speaker and music for noise.  Find yourself a nice window, or if its warm enough, go outside on your balcony with a blanket and binoculars.  We say a great big Griz back by the glacier.

[joepeka]

1 hour ago, marci4tony said:

When you go down Tracy Arm, they shut off the loud speaker and music for noise.  Find yourself a nice window, or if its warm enough, go outside on your balcony with a blanket and binoculars.  We say a great big Griz back by the glacier.

True about the outdoor speakers. The CD made a couple of announcements early in the cruise to that effect - outdoor speakers would be turned off for the usual announcements when in proximity to shore (Tracy Arm, the inlet to Skagway, etc.). IIRC, the naturalist that was on board was allowed to use the speakers quietly and sparingly to point out things on shore.

Edited December 3, 2019 by joepeka

[ABQrobin]

Alaska cruise is fantastic...we just booked our 2nd, for the Carnival Spirit in July 2020.  

Yes, different vibe from a Caribbean cruise, less drunks and wild evening activities.  Most people are tired by 9pm.  They do the Playlist performances or shows every night, and the early show was always full when we went.  And then we would crash for night as we had excursions at every port, so up early.