Which cruise to choose?

[BunnyHatgis]

Hello!

 

We are considering our first Alaskan cruise for August 2023. We have previously done two Trans-Atlantic and two Caribbean cruises on MSC, Celebrity and Norwegian. We are in our fifties, active hikers, vegetarian and enjoy quiet entertainment with drinks rather than crowded excursions and casinos. Our budget for the Alaska trip is limited and we are most interested in great scenery, photography opportunities, hiking and independent activities at various stops.

 

I have narrowed down our selection on 3 different HAL itineraries which I think would be a good fit for us, particularly since they seem to be great for vegetarians. I would need assistance in making the final decision between these three 7-day cruises:

 

Volendam Vancouver roundtrip (Inside Passage, (Tracy Arm) Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Inside Passage)

Koningsdam Vancouver roundtrip (the same itinerary but leaving on Saturday, instead of Wednesday which I understand would be more quiet itinerary in ports)

Noordam Southbound to Vancouver (Whittier, Hubbard, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage)

 

We are looking at the cheapest possible inside cabin and the prices for those are more or less similar on all these cruises (Koningsdam is slightly more expensive). There are no differences in flight prices. Which ship and itinerary would be best suited for an Alaska cruise, with comfortable common areas for viewing and photographing the scenery and enjoying the voyage?

 

I realise the Southbound cruise would also allow us some time (not more than 2-3 days) in Alaska where we've never been before. How would things like 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier compare to things that we are likely to see from the cruise? Would staying in Whittier and exploring the surrounding area be much more expensive than doing the same in Vancouver? We have never visited either.

 

Finally, we are contemplating HAL's Have it All fare which would include drinks, wi-fi, some shore excursion credit, one speciality dining and 200 USD cruise credit. Does anyone have experience of this particular rate type? It seems like good value to me. Thanks for any input!

[Hllb]

My first question would be, are you sure the flight prices are the same? I found that the open jaw flights (starting and ending in different places) are considerably more expensive. If you found good pricing for them, great! Most people, in that case, would recommend a one way cruise over a round trip. I haven't been on an AK cruise yet (June 2023), but that's what I found while researching for my trip.

 

For the HIA fare, I would just caution you to do the math. We aren't big drinkers, so if I had two drinks a day, that would be plenty. The shore excursion credit is fairly small. You can buy the specialty dining separately too. And, I learned this, if you book through a travel agent, they may been that on board credit amount, or at least likely match it. For my family (family of 5, two cabins, including a balcony and an inside), I got a slightly better rate and a lot more OBC through a travel agent. 

 

[BunnyHatgis]

Thanks for your reply!

 

My flights are complicated anyway because I arrive from a different country and return to another (it's a long trip where Alaska is just one leg) so in that scheme the flight prices are the same.

 

My original plan for the Alaska cruise was to take a balcony cabin and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of my own room. On my previous cruises, I've always had a balcony. That said, in case of Alaska, I can either get a balcony, with no extras, or an inside cabin, with all the extras. The price is just about the same.

 

I figured I would maybe enjoy the cruise more if I had the drinks package and could hang out in the common areas of the ship enjoying the scenery and various drinks. That is why I was interested in differences between the three ships: which one would be best for scenic cruising and photography if I don't have a balcony cabin?

 

Basically, I am just trying to get most value for my hard-earned money. Maybe I should also have mentioned that I usually spend zero money onboard once I've paid for the cruise. So I wouldn't be having a couple of drinks per day if I don't have the drinks package or go for any speciality dinners (yeah, I am weird that way 😝).

 

As for agents, they always seem to quote much higher prices that I find on the cruise lines' website or on icruise.com myself.

 

[CruiserBruce]

I would do the Noordam because it has Glacier Bay and Hubbard. A very common recommendation here is to try for a cruise with two glacier days.

[BunnyHatgis]

I am certainly tempted by that, just a little bit worried about a potentially costly stay in Whittier (Alaska) prior to the cruise. I have to spend 3-4 days either there or in Vancouver before taking the cruise and I am trying to keep the costs down...

[Coral]

1 hour ago, BunnyHatgis said:

I am certainly tempted by that, just a little bit worried about a potentially costly stay in Whittier (Alaska) prior to the cruise. I have to spend 3-4 days either there or in Vancouver before taking the cruise and I am trying to keep the costs down...

You would not stay in Whittier (one hotel).  You would stay in Anchorage. I love the one ways as you get 2 glacier days and have better times in port. I don't think one ways are more expensive than Vancouver RT when using cruise line air.

 

If you are spending a few days in Anchorage area - I would encourage you to maybe spend time in Seward instead of Anchorage. Though you would need to fly out of Anchorage. Otherwise, fly into Anchorage, see the town, spend the night and take cruise line transfer to Whittier. Or you can take your own transportation to Whittier (bus, maybe train) and do the 26 Glacier tour before getting on the ship in Whittier. 

 

Do not look at spending the night in Whittier.

Edited February 17, 2023 by Coral

[Coral]

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

I would do the Noordam because it has Glacier Bay and Hubbard. A very common recommendation here is to try for a cruise with two glacier days.

I agree!

[wolfie11]

One ways are always better.  More scenery and more glaciers.

[BunnyHatgis]

Thank you, everyone! This is very helpful. I didn’t realise one way cruises were so much preferred. 
 

It that’s the case, there is one more option I could consider as the dates match my itinerary:

 

Grand Princess (Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Whittier)

 

How would that compare to the HAL cruises? 
 

And if someone with experience could try and describe the differences of cruising Glacier Bay and taking the 26 Glaciers boat ride

from Whittier, I would be very grateful. I am not sure what to expect since I’ve never been to the area.

 

Thanks again!

[CruiserBruce]

There is a thread just down the board describing the value of the 26 Glaciers excursion:

 

It is an amazing excursion. No matter what your sailing route is, this excursion is worth the time and money. But you could bypass College Fjord on the Princess cruise, and do the Noordam with Hubbard and Glacier Bay.

[BunnyHatgis]

Thanks for that! I hadn’t noticed that thread before. Beautiful photos.

[Coral]

12 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

There is a thread just down the board describing the value of the 26 Glaciers excursion:

 

It is an amazing excursion. No matter what your sailing route is, this excursion is worth the time and money. But you could bypass College Fjord on the Princess cruise, and do the Noordam with Hubbard and Glacier Bay.

Correct - but it is a completely different experience on a small boat. 

[Coral]

HAL and Princess are owned by the same company and their Alaska operations are operated by the same people. Both are going to be good. One ways spend a lot of time in ports and often have 2 glaciers. I think you would be pleased with either.

[BunnyHatgis]

Me again... I am now leaning heavily towards the southbound cruise on Noordam as advised by many.

 

If I go for that option, I will arrive in Anchorage late Friday evening and leave for the cruise on Sunday evening from Whittier. I would like to make the most of my 1,5 days in the area before the cruise. 

 

What would be the best way to experience and photograph natural sights in the area? Rent a car and do your own exploration? Kayak tour? Hike? 26 Glaciers?

 

We are very independent-minded and happy to explore on our own if possible. The key would be to experience things that make Alaska different (glaciers, wildlife). We are not so interested in museums, restaurants etc, so would there be any point in staying in Anchorage at all? 

[geanster]

I'm appreciating this thread. I'm not trying to hijack it but it sounds like we have a lot of the same questions. And I have been researching for WEEKS but there are so many details to figure out! I'm hoping to book for June but will need a lot of things to fall into place with room prefs, etc.

Cruise line/ship: Holland America (Noordam or Nieuw Amsterdam), Princess (Sapphire, Majestic or Grand), NCL Jewel or Celebrity Millennium? I think Celebrity is only option that doesn't go to Glacier Bay.

Northbound (I've read the waters are rougher in the open waters up north and it's helpful to have your sea legs before you hit that portion) OR do we go Southbound so that we can have adventure and then relax on a cruise before we fly home. Assuming it's best to look at land vs open water? re: Starboard or port side. And down to availability at this point.

Land cruise, or do it on our own?

Fly into Vancouver or Fairbanks or Anchorage... Rental car looks to be around $2,000 for the week. I've read about gravel roads, etc. and not sure where that becomes a problem.

Cruise with balcony around $5,000 across the board and that's before excursions and airbnbs or other accommodations for the land portion.

Does anyone have recommendations for accommodations on land portion?

Train arrangements? Between Anchorage and Denali. Seward to Anchorage. Skagway to Whitehorse? Train options seem across the board too with levels of views or comforts?

The flight seeing opportunities with the landing on a glacier seems cool, but $500ish per person.

Matanuska Glacier sounds like a nice option for walking on a glacier?

Kenai Fjords boat trip.

And I thought it would be very cool to fly to Borrow and experience the 24/7 sun for a night... flight prices seemed fine. Has anyone done this? Limited accommodations, but what else is fun to see or do there?

Is this the time to visit Denali if we're so limited with the closed road due to the landslide project?

In the other direction, but the Top of the World Highway to Dawson City seems cool.

And you all have just taught me about this 26 glacier tour.

I'd love to know if anyone has done any of these things, suggestions? Thanks in advance!