Problem Solving Cruise Options

[ksmetamaid]

I have spent hours searching, but apparently my dream Alaska cruise itinerary doesn't exist.  At least on cruise lines within my price range (Holland America, Princess...).  What I'm looking for:

--One-way, approx. 7 nights, Vancouver to Anchorage area (prefer Seward, but can be flexible on the final port)

--Ketchikan, no problem

--Skagway, no problem

--Sitka

--Glacier Bay

 

Seems like Sitka and Glacier Bay are mutually exclusive.  VERY frustrating.

 

Anyone have any ideas?  Am I missing something?  Is there a way to do a day trip to either one of them from another cruise port like maybe Juneau?  Or Icy Strait?  Or...???

 

Thanks.

 

[CruiserBruce]

I don't know about "mutually exclusive ", but it's rare a cruise doesn't stop at Juneau,  so you don't have enough time in a 7 day cruise to hit all those ports. At least one port, if not two, would need to drop from your desired itinerary.  

[ksmetamaid]

CruiserBruce, yes it seems like all the cruises stop in Juneau, which I'm not all that excited about.  I just wondered if it might be possible to spend that day seeing Glacier Bay.

[DaveOKC]

I think the issue is getting both Sitka and Skagway in one cruise.  We were on a cruise last year with Sitka and Glacier Bay and have done this in the past.  On Holland America.

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by DaveOKC

[Glaciers]

I think you may need to let go of something. There are no practical day trips to Sitka or Glacier Bay from other ports while on a cruise. Princess has a dandy 11 night that includes both plus Hubbard Glacier which would be a treat although it’s round trip out of Vancouver.

 

Agree Sitka has been an exceptional port, our favorite.  Glad we went several times years ago now. There is a recent thread on Trip Advisor that indicates it is now getting overrun by visitors and just isn’t what it used to be although still a good stop.

[ksmetamaid]

DaveOKC, Celebrity Cruises has an itinerary for 2024 (they haven't published 2025's) that does include both Skagway and Sitka.  I was so excited... until I realized it didn't include Glacier Bay.  I did call and they said that itinerary will likely stay the same for 2025 and they simply don't do Glacier Bay.  😞  

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, ksmetamaid said:

DaveOKC, Celebrity Cruises has an itinerary for 2024 (they haven't published 2025's) that does include both Skagway and Sitka.  I was so excited... until I realized it didn't include Glacier Bay.  I did call and they said that itinerary will likely stay the same for 2025 and they simply don't do Glacier Bay.  😞  

 

RCCL/Celebrity definitely won't be including Glacier Bay, as they have no permits under the current contract.

[DaveOKC]

33 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

RCCL/Celebrity definitely won't be including Glacier Bay, as they have no permits under the current contract.

That is too bad, as Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier are the things we love to see the most.

 

[Glaciers]

I had read that RCCL/Celebrity were awarded a GB contract but chose not to sign the agreement so they will not be eligible again until 2029. With the popularity of GB you have to wonder why.

[AKStafford]

What about something like this: https://www.alaskandreamcruises.com/cruises/2024-alaskas-glacier-bay-island-adventure/

[ksmetamaid]

Thanks, AKStafford.  I'm sure it's wonderful, but it's a little too pricey for us and I don't see Skagway on the itinerary.  Plus, I want one-way.  Thanks, again, though.

[AryMay]

Are you set on seeing Glacier Bay from the water? If not, a flightseeing tour from Skagway that goes OVER Glacier Bay might be an option for you. We did a tour with Mountain Flying Service on a previous visit to Skagway (in 2017) and it was spectacular!

 

I have a blog post about our tour if you want to get an idea of what it was like. I also have a corresponding YouTube video from our flight. We had a long port day in Skagway and were able to rent a car and drive up into the Yukon and still have time for the flight in the evening. 

[ksmetamaid]

AryMay, thank you.  My first choice was to see Glacier Bay by water, but I hadn't ruled out a possible flight seeing tour.  I just wish it was from some other place than Skagway, since I do have other things I'd like to do there.  But this is something to look in to.  And I'll check our your blog.  Thanks!

[eileeshb]

The closest I can see to your wish list is one itinerary on Norwegian jewel on random dates next summer which has Hubbard glacier rather than glacier bay. Screenshot below.. 

 

 

Edited September 16, 2023 by eileeshb
Wrong screenshot

[ksmetamaid]

Thank you Elileeshb.  I appreciate your research!

[eileeshb]

18 hours ago, ksmetamaid said:

Thank you Elileeshb.  I appreciate your research!

Once upon a time there was a filter option for ports of call, a TA might still have access to that type of search. One of my cousins told me her husband got himself a TA license just so he could access way more information to find good prices for their own cruise holidays.