NCL STAR April 28 cruise

[milolii]

Murray

 

NCL is offering a cruise on 04/28/08. The price is about half of high season. Just how misable will it be, or could you considerate it a different type of cruise, experiencing a different Alaska!

 

What would you experience? :cool:

[Toyz711]

since the star goes to sawyer glaciers..don't expect to get close to the glaciers that time of the year. this year's reviews (from many people) were that they were closed out from entering the area (due to ice/weather) until late june. even the excursion tour boats didn't get close, most went to another glacier for viewing.too early for wildlife like bears and such. the views, with the snow still on the ground, should be beautiful.

the NCL star is a great ship, but that is just too early for me.

[Budget Queen]

I did this timeframe last year. And correct, you are NOT going to get within view of the Sawyers glaciers.

 

We had 6 out of the 7 days of cold rain. A WHOLE boatload of underprepared people who did some big complaining- but not me. :)

 

Carcross was "closed" up, boarded up still and nothing open but the post office. Close to 12 foot snowbanks at the White Pass summit and snow in BC and the Yukon. Some tours were not yet running.

 

My opinion only- this is too early for a first timer, perhaps. I go frequently, knew what I was getting into, had a later second trip to Alaska, and the cruise was free. I would not be going before mid May otherwise.

[sharp_cruiser]

Would you see ANYTHING interesting though? The NCL price lists a balcony at $699 pp!!!!

[Toyz711]

well, lets see....

the roundtrip train in skagway should be OK...snow still on the ground? this year the combo, train/bus, became bus/bus. some repairs on the train tracks (due to winter) kept everything but the roundtrips from running.

(the roundtrips goes up to the pass and back down, the other trains goes pass that into Canada).

the people who rented cars in skagway, said that emerald lake (one of the beauty spots) was still iced over and no showing "emerald" yet.

mendenhall glacier, in juneau

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/mendenhall/

is had ice on the lake, it was just starting to break up.

if the weather is bad, the flightseeing won't go up.

humpbacks are up there, but the bear follow the salmon and the salmon won't be running for another couple of months.

http://www.traveljuneau.com/

http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/

http://www.skagway.com/

http://www.alaskacruises.com/alaska_glacier_viewing.asp

i guess it would just depend on what is important to you?

[Yukon]

Sorry, I wouldn't go on that date if it was free - cold, miserable and little open yet. The earliest I'll go regardless of price is about May 20.

 

Murray

[milolii]

Mahalo for all of your replies! :) BudgetQueen, Yukon, Toyz711!

[Toyz711]

it's too great of a trip to not be able to enjoy it. you will find more good prices for other times. have fun researching the trip...it's worth it.

[fti]

Would you see ANYTHING interesting though? The NCL price lists a balcony at $699 pp!!!!

 

If you can wait for last-minute deals (usually 6-8 weeks before departure), you can find prices even less than this for July and August sailings, so why go in April?

[labmom]

Carnival's cruise in April is really great for the money, you do miss out on Skagway though (6 day cruise), and yes you probably will not be able to go all the way into Saywer Glacier. Fishing won't be all that great, BUT....it is Alaska. If this will fit your budget go for it! When you wait for the last "minute deals" that's usually for inside cabins because alot of the balconies will be taken already. Then you have to find the air fair to get there, I've been looking at Hawaii and I can get a great price on a balcony at the last minute but the air fair is outrages:eek: Anyway, back to Alaska, it really is early to go....but it is a great price and it is Alaska!

Go luck and happy cruising,

Pam

[labmom]

I wrote Carnival and I ment NCL...sorry I'm a little bit of a screwball:D

Happy cruising,

Pam