Calling all Alaska pros...

[maddam_5maria]

I am interesting in booking a short Alaskan cruise for 2010. I originally thought August was the best month to go, but now I am reading otherwise because it seems to be "rainy". I am totally clueless on the whole subject as I haven't started researching hard enough. All I know right now, is I will be using Carnival as I always do for my cruises. They always seem to have reasonable prices...and my type of people on board. It will be two sets of couples. I'm 29, my husband is 35, our male friend is 37 and his wife is 33. We all live in New Orleans.

 

Questions:

Which month do you recommend? (we don't want freezing, or rainy)

Which itinerary do you recommend? (This will be my one and only visit)

What would be the best way to travel there? (straight there from here?)

Is a balcony a "must" like I read? ( since friends will be on the ship)

 

Those are my "starter" questions to atleast get us booked. Thanks in advance.

[wolfie11]

Questions:

Which month do you recommend? (we don't want freezing, or rainy)

Which itinerary do you recommend? (This will be my one and only visit)

What would be the best way to travel there? (straight there from here?)

Is a balcony a "must" like I read? ( since friends will be on the ship)

 

Late May and June are the driest months, but it can be 40 degrees and rainy any time of the summer.

 

Carnival doesn't do Glacier Bay, so you will be stuck with Tracy Arm. If you are interested in glaciers you should do a one way and then a tour in Prince William Sound or Kenai Fjords. A one way is usually better than a round trip, and out of Vancouver better than out of Seattle.

 

I don't think balconies are a "must" as I would rather spend the extra money on shore excursions.

[jhannah]

Weather is a crap shoot. We went in early August a few years ago and had wonderful weather. We're going again this Ausust and hope we luck out again!

 

Balconies are a personal preference. We won't cruise without one, but many prefer oceanview or insides for the dollar savings.

 

Check with a site like Orbitz or Travelocity to get an idea of flight schedules from New Orleans. Going through Dallas will provide lots of connecting flight choices.

[kenish]

A few tips- Alaska is very port intensive, and you will probably want to direct your time and money on land. In my opinion, a balcony is not a big deal in Alaska. The best views are on deck, most of your port days will be on land, and I recommend a lower category cabin and putting the money into better shore excursions (which are pricey in Alaska). But if you are not on a budget, go for the balcony! Or get one of the two cabins with a balcony and share the extra cost, especially if you all hang together anyway.

 

In Alaska, HAL and Princess generally have the best iteneraries. They more or less pioneered Alaska cruises, and have the majority of permits to enter Glacier Bay. HAL ships are midsize, you don't need 15 minutes to get from your cabin to the dining room, and they really feel like a ship and not a floating Vegas hotel/casino. I've been on Carnival, and HAL is definitely a few notches higher in every way (think Chevy vs. Lexus). HAL definitely has an older demographic than Carnival or even Princess, but summer Alaska cruises have all age groups. My only negative HAL comment is anyone under 55 will charitably describe their entertainment as "lame" although the disco was surprisingly lively. Since all of you are couples, the lack of singles isn't an issue.

 

If you stick with Carnival, I recommend going in August or late July if you want to see glaciers. The places they visit are often iced in until then. Late July is nice because the salmon are probably running which brings out bald eagles and bears.

 

The 3 basic iteneraries are RT from Seattle, RT from Vancouver, or OW Vancouver-Anchorage (or vice versa). I've listed them in increasing quality, but also cost. There are many cruise and excursion bargains for this summer though.

 

Hope this helps, you are likely to get dissenting but equally good opinions especially on the balcony issue.

[NancyIL]

Carnival has only one ship in Alaska. It does roundtrips from Vancouver in early May and mid-September, and those go to Glacier Bay. The rest of the season it does one-ways between Whittier and Vancouver, and goes to College Fjord, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

[NancyIL]

The dates of Carnival Spirit's roundtrips that go to Glacier Bay are May 6, Sept. 2, and Sept. 9.

[tonkadq]

Great not to miss shore excursion is whale watching! Our August cruise had great weather. Other family went on Princess in June. Both were great weather wise but can be cold and rainy anytime in Alaska. Like RCCL's indoor swimming pool especially in colder climates. Have fun!

[kellywhitehills]

I am interesting in booking a short Alaskan cruise for 2010. I originally thought August was the best month to go, but now I am reading otherwise because it seems to be "rainy". I am totally clueless on the whole subject as I haven't started researching hard enough. All I know right now, is I will be using Carnival as I always do for my cruises. They always seem to have reasonable prices...and my type of people on board. It will be two sets of couples. I'm 29, my husband is 35, our male friend is 37 and his wife is 33. We all live in New Orleans.

 

Questions:

Which month do you recommend? (we don't want freezing, or rainy)

Which itinerary do you recommend? (This will be my one and only visit)

What would be the best way to travel there? (straight there from here?)

Is a balcony a "must" like I read? ( since friends will be on the ship)

 

Those are my "starter" questions to atleast get us booked. Thanks in advance.

 

We have cruised in July and Sept..We got less rain in Sept than July but that was weird weather..You never know what weather you will get..The best thing to do is be prepared for any kind of weather..:)

 

We have done SB and R/T..I think we preferred the SB better because it allowed us enough time to cruise Tracy Arm via small boat..It was awesome to get up so close to Sawyer Glacier..You will also get to experience College Fjord and Sitka..

 

R/T was in Sept and included Glacier Bay..Awesome experience..The weather was awesome too..This R/T sailing out of Vancouver has alot more scenic sailing..You will do the Inside Passage twice and have one less port..Its towards the end of the season so you dont have the crowds to deal with in port and can take advantage of SALES ..Everything just seemed alittle slower paced..Cruise prices are slightly lower as will your airfare because you are flying R/T or you could fly into Seattle and take a shuttle over..

 

Balcony...For us it is necessary...and I couldnt cruise anyother way...But there are plenty of wonderful viewing spaces if you were looking to save money...

 

I am getting together a group cruise through CC for Sept 2010 on the Carnival Spirit..so far I have about 40 cabins filled with people who are interested..I know not all will come but it has generated alot of interest! You are more than welcomed to join us..

 

Kelly

[maddam_5maria]

That is very interesting Kelly..I will mention it to my husband and our friends. I've been on a cruise with just my husband, been on a cruise with just a girl freind..but they best cruise ever was my wedding cruise that had 44 of our family members and close friends with us. We love a crowd!

 

 

To all the others...you guys have given me some serious information here! I will look into the Princess ship as well to compare the ports. I do think the ports are the main issue here...I want to experience the best. Husband and I were talking about the balcony last night and decided to go with just an ocean-view room. Since I am the type of person that is ALWAYS cold, chances are I would be inside, looking out either-way. I would rather dump the money on excursions. A helicopter ride is a "must" for me..and I know that comes with a nice price tag so that will help. Like I mentioned before, this will be a one time thing for us so I want to see all that I can see and have no regrets.

 

Keep the suggestions coming...I have my notebook ready!