Overwhelmed: What Cruise line?

[avic77]

I have been pouring over itenaries for days and I am settled on making sure Glacier Bay is on the list which narrows me to 3 cruise lines. All are within the same price range. We are a late 40/early 50's couple celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. First time to Alaska. Not huge drinkers or partiers. We enjoy shows/music on cruise ships but not all the sales pushes, casinos or bingo.

 

NCL Encore

Sunday, May 21 Seattle, WA5:00pm

Monday, May 22 At Sea

Tuesday, May 23 Juneau, AK2:30pm11:00pm

Wednesday, May 24 Skagway, AK7:00am8:15pm

Thursday, May 25 Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, AK

Friday, May 26 Ketchikan, AK7:00am1:15pm

Saturday, May 27 Victoria, BC, Canada7:00pm11:59pm

Sunday, May 28 Seattle, WA6:00am

 

Princess / Crown Princess

Saturday, May 20 Seattle, WA4:00pm

Sunday, May 21 At Sea

Monday, May 22 Juneau, AKNoon10:00pm

Tuesday, May 23 Skagway, AK7:00am8:30pm

Wednesday, May 24 Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, AK (Cruising)

Thursday, May 25 Ketchikan, AK 7:00am1:00pm

Friday, May 26 Victoria, BC, Canada 7:00pm11:59pm

Saturday, May 27 Seattle, WA 7:00am

 

Holland America/ Eurodam

Saturday, May 20 Seattle, WA 4:00pm

Sunday, May 21 At Sea

Monday, May 22 Stephens Passage, AK (Cruising)

Monday, May 22 Juneau, AK 1:00pm10:00pm

Tuesday, May 23 Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, AK (Cruising)

Tuesday, May 23 Icy Strait Point, AK 6:00pm10:00pm

Wednesday, May 24 Sitka, AK 8:00am5:00pm

Thursday, May 25 Ketchikan, AK 7:00am1:00pm

Friday, May 26 Victoria, BC, Canada 6:00pm11:30pm

Saturday, May 27 Seattle, WA7:00am

[karatemom2]

We were on the Encore last year and we really enjoyed, but based on the itineraries you shared, it would be my last choice for one big reason. Your port time in Ketchikan is already very short and NCL docks at a remote location - Ward Lake. It is a good 20 -30 minutes each way to shuttle back and forth into the town of Ketchikan and you also have to be back to the ship at least 30 minutes prior to departure. When you factor all that in it amounts to just a few hours in that port. Not ideal! Even though the other two options have short days in Ketchikan as well, at least you will be docked in town and can maximize your time there.

 

Clearly the Holland America option has a nice itinerary with an extra port day, although I might be sad to miss Skagway. But getting to visit both Icy Strait Point and Sitka is a nice option - they both have a lot to offer, especially if you want to get a taste of the more rural and natural Alaska that Icy Strait Point offers. The downside of that port is that there isn't as much to do there as there is in Skagway so you will want to look at the excursions for each port and compare what you really want to see and do. Also, being that you are on the younger end of the spectrum you may find Holland America skews considerably older in terms of its passengers and is very quiet and low key by comparison in terms of evening entertainment. We found on our HAL Alaska cruise that the ship was pretty dull after 8 p.m. 

 

We love Princess - have cruised to Alaska on a number of different Princess ships. They do a great job of everything about Alaska as far as I'm concerned. The entertainment is great and well balanced to a wide audience - there is lots to do on the ship. The food is good, service great, staterooms are nice and the Alaska educational offerings are top notch. There is no real sales pressure - except maybe in the spa, but easy enough to slough off. Given these three options I would probably go with Princess.

[rkacruiser]

Of the 3 itineraries you posted, the itinerary on Crown Princess appeals the most to me.  Why?  Skagway:  there is very ample port time for a rail trip into the Yukon (Carcross) if it is available with a return to Skagway with unhurried time to explore Skagway.  Why?  Earlier arrival in Juneau than Eurodam.  Why?  Ketchikan:  your ship ought to be docked in a much better location (for tourists) than Encore.  Why?  Eurodam's port time at Icy Point Strait is too short and too late in the day that you will have spent visiting Glacier Bay.  It may be too much sightseeing in one day.

 

Both HAL and Princess have excellent onboard Alaska programming.  I'd give an edge to Princess based on my most recent experiences with cruises on the Westerdam and Coral Princess in 2019.  

[Ferry_Watcher]

I would go with the Eurodam because of ISP.   Although you would only be there for a short time, it is such a pretty location.   Even if you didn't do a whale watching tour, or the zip line, or ride their new gondola, just walking around would be relaxing.  It would be a nice way to end your Glacier Bay day.

[Kitty Ellas Mom]

My cruise hasn't happened yet, but I chose Princess b/c of their long standing time in Alaska.  Also, for me, the "personality" of Princess suited me best.  The only other one I would have considered is Holland America, but as a 40 something it seemed too old for me.

[GloriaF]

I am biased since we've preferred Princess for the majority of the cruises we've done, and are elite now.  We are taking the same Alaska itinerary on Crown leaving Seattle June 11th-18th.  I was thrilled to find the Seattle RT cruise visited Glacier Bay, as I would not want one without GB!

 

We started cruising in our late 40s/early 50s, our first cruise was on Princess.   Like you, we don't enjoy the casino and aren't heavy drinkers/partiers, but we do enjoy the production shows and nightly entertainment Princess offers.   

 

On our first Alaska cruise in 2005 Princess gave every cabin a 300+ page book "The Alaska Cruise Companion" complete with illustrations and fold-out maps, and we had a special presentation by Libby Riddle and some of her dogs from the  Iditarod.  I have no idea if they do these things now, the pandemic changed so much. 

 

 

Edited March 29, 2022 by GloriaF

[Northern Aurora]

Given that the Eurodam visits both ISP and Sitka that cruise would be my first choice.

[Ferry_Watcher]

Adding on to my previous answer, since you are from the Atlanta, I truly believe that if you get off the ship in ISP and just walk around (you can even walk on the shore), surrounded by water, trees and mountains, you will feel like you are really in Alaska.  It will probably be light out until 10 pm.  You will love ISP - there isn't anything like it on the east coast.  

[Cruise Suzy]

12 hours ago, GloriaF said:

On our first Alaska cruise in 2005 Princess gave every cabin a 300+ page book "The Alaska Cruise Companion" complete with illustrations and fold-out maps, and we had a special presentation by Libby Riddle and some of her dogs from the  Iditarod.  I have no idea if they do these things now, the pandemic changed so much. 

 

On our 2008 Princess Whittier to Vancouver cruise, they didn't provide any book.

[GloriaF]

3 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

On our 2008 Princess Whittier to Vancouver cruise, they didn't provide any book.

So, I guess we were the lucky ones in 2005!  Thanks for confirming.

[Crew News]

ISP has the most active whales I have experienced in my 15 Holland America Line cruises to Alaska.

 

[avic77]

Thank you all. I have booked Princess , Crown Princess. Now to figure out excursions. I'll be doing a lot of reading here on this board. 

@CrewNews your pics are amazing!

[avic77]

On 3/29/2022 at 9:26 PM, Ferry_Watcher said:

Adding on to my previous answer, since you are from the Atlanta, I truly believe that if you get off the ship in ISP and just walk around (you can even walk on the shore), surrounded by water, trees and mountains, you will feel like you are really in Alaska.  It will probably be light out until 10 pm.  You will love ISP - there isn't anything like it on the east coast.  

We live outside Atlanta but I am originally from rural Alabama. We camp a lot and adore the outdoors. I have never been to the PNW tho and am very excited. I am sure any cruise will WOW us.

 

 

[markloch]

My wife and I are debating between the HAL and NCL cruises (in July).  This will be our first Alaska cruise.  Previous cruises were on RCCI Jewel and Serenade (Carib, Baltic).   

 

We're leaning towards HAL's itinerary.  ICP+Sitka vs Skagway - we're not really days-at-sea type so an extra port, even for a short time, is a positive.  We still need to weigh Sitka vs Skagway but in any case whichever we miss we'll hit the next time.   The impact of Encore's Ketchikan mooring location is a negative.  

 

That really leaves the ship - convince me why we should pick Encore over Eurodam if we favor HAL's itinerary?    

• My wife is concerned she'll get seasick, which tips the scales towards Encore (assuming larger=better).    Conversely, she's generally inclined towards a smaller ship.   The plan is to get a balcony stateroom amidships.   (Though anything special about the Eurodam's Spa Verandah rooms on the Observation and Panorama decks?)
• Which is the better ship for being outside, enjoying the sightseeing/scenery, moving from one side of the ship to the other, etc?
• Daytime activities - there's a lot of time at sea on these cruises.  (Our other 7-night cruises had five all-day ports of call).  While we wouldn't spend a lot of time doing go-kart laps, Encore looks to have a lot more going on.  That said, we'll be happy spending much of the day hanging out at a pool, presumably indoors.
• Nighttime entertainment -  listening/dancing to music (blues, R&B, rock/pop) more important that the shows.  Strolling around the ship. 
• Food, on-board expenses, etc - on HAL we'd take the "Have it All" deal with beverages,  excursion credit, 1x specialty restaurant (maybe buy a second).     Reviews suggest Encore will nickel-and-dime you (do they really up-charge for sundecks?). Otherwise I can't see dining a deciding factor one way or another.  

Decisions, decisions ...

Edited April 1, 2022 by markloch

[Heidi13]

7 minutes ago, markloch said:

My wife and I are debating between the HAL and NCL cruises (in July).  This will be our first Alaska cruise.  Previous cruises were on RCCI Jewel and Serenade (Carib, Baltic).   

 

We're leaning towards HAL's itinerary.  ICP+Sitka vs Skagway - we're not really days-at-sea type so an extra port, even for a short time, is a positive.  We still need to weigh Sitka vs Skagway but in any case whichever we miss we'll hit the next time.   The impact of Encore's Ketchikan mooring location is a negative.  

 

That really leaves the ship - convince me why we should pick Encore over Eurodam if we favor HAL's itinerary?    

• My wife is concerned she'll get seasick, which tips the scales towards Encore (assuming larger=better).    Conversely, she's generally inclined towards a smaller ship.   The plan is to get a balcony stateroom amidships.   (Though anything special about the Eurodam's Spa Verandah rooms on the Observation and Panorama decks?)
• Which is the better ship for being outside, enjoying the sightseeing/scenery, moving from one side of the ship to the other, etc?
• Daytime activities - there's a lot of time at sea on these cruises.  (Our other 7-night cruises had five all-day ports of call).  While we wouldn't spend a lot of time doing go-kart laps, Encore looks to have a lot more going on.  That said, we'll be happy spending much of the day hanging out at a pool, presumably indoors.
• Nighttime entertainment -  listening/dancing to music (blues, R&B, rock/pop) more important that the shows.  Strolling around the ship. 
• Food, on-board expenses, etc - on HAL we'd take the "Have it All" deal with beverages,  excursion credit, 1x specialty restaurant (maybe buy a second).     Reviews suggest Encore will nickel-and-dime you (do they really up-charge for sundecks?). Otherwise I can't see dining a deciding factor one way or another.  

Decisions, decisions ...

 

Couple of points to consider - I believe both of those ships are based in Seattle, so you will spend over 2 days in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean.

 

If motion of the ocean is an issue, ships based in Vancouver spend more time in sheltered waters.

 

Sorry, but bigger = better is a myth with respect to how ships handle the ocean. It has more to do with the design, scantlings, stability and the ship's course/speed in relation to the conditions. I have crossed the Atlantic & Pacific many times in ships smaller than the current cruise ships, and the passage was way more comfortable than modern cruise ships.

[Dancing Shoes]

I would choose a R/T with HAL out of Vancouver.  We were on the Volendam.  Their ships dock close at Ketchikan.