Amsterdam to Alaska

[pudzplace]

We're trying to decide b/w two cruises for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. It's either going to be on Holland America's Amsterdam or Celebrity's Mercury. We'll have a group of 8, two of which are children (age 10 &15). I have a sense that Celebrity's cruises are little more children friendly that HAL, but that both seem comparable in food quality, service, etc., with HAL having a slight edge on the "extras" you get. Anyone here have experience on the Amsterdam to Alaska that you'd be willing to share? Thanks! :)

[dcsam]

Make sure it's a true 'inside passage' cruise if that's what you're looking for. A couple years ago (when it was a new itinerary), it was advertised as an 'inside passage' cruise. It wasn't. We spent a lot of time on ocean waters. People on the ship kept wonderding when the inside portion was going to begin. It didn't. We still had a great time, but it was very rough on the way back. The ship is beautiful. The inside passage cruise is just so much more scenic. That was the only part that was a letdown.
Caroline

[Budget Queen]

I very much agree with the above. Most Seattle sailings have way too much outside passage sailing for my preferences. Superior are the Vancouver round trips- there are several via HAL. If you are cruising Alaska for Alaska then you are best to look at several factors- ports, time in port, route, glacier (Glacier Bay always gets my vote), price. A lot of "Alaska" is outside the ship. :) Budget fully for costly excursions- you get only half a trip without them. As for the kids- they'll have a great time. HAL has some great kids programs that are Alaska based, some lines have a naturalist link with the kids programs.

[pudzplace]

thanks so much! I'll definitely check on the inside passage part of the itinerary and also look into going out of Vancouver. We've had such a devil of a time trying to book a balcony at this late a date for July 2005, that our options may be limited this time ... I guess that's just a good excuse for us to go again in the future!

:)

[bepsf]

Budget fully for costly excursions- you get only half a trip without them.

I wouldn't go quite that far - it depends on how you want to travel.

In Juneau, the ship was selling an "excursion" to Mendenhall for $25 but you can take a city bus there for $10/pp. We saw the exact same melty glacier...

In Sitka, the ship was selling an excursion via motorcoach to the Totem-pole park and the Raptor center for $50. We walked to the Totem-pole park (free), watched the salmon running in the stream behind the park (free) and saw where the Raptor center was, but decided against it as we've seen eagles in zoos before, and there was one flying overhead (free)...

Ketchikan was about the only place that you really need an excursion unless you really like being a tourist in a tourist-y part of town. ("George, Look!!! There's Diamonds International!!!!")

[Budget Queen]

I wouldn't go quite that far - it depends on how you want to travel.

In Juneau, the ship was selling an "excursion" to Mendenhall for $25 but you can take a city bus there for $10/pp. We saw the exact same melty glacier...

In Sitka, the ship was selling an excursion via motorcoach to the Totem-pole park and the Raptor center for $50. We walked to the Totem-pole park (free), watched the salmon running in the stream behind the park (free) and saw where the Raptor center was, but decided against it as we've seen eagles in zoos before, and there was one flying overhead (free)...

Ketchikan was about the only place that you really need an excursion unless you really like being a tourist in a tourist-y part of town. ("George, Look!!! There's Diamonds International!!!!")


Sorry to disagree but the high cost excursions are certainly spectacular and definately worth the high dollars. Constant raves for the flights. For clairfication- it isn't the "city bus" that goes to Mendenhall Glacier- that bus stop is a mile away and only $1.50 - nice level walk if a nice day. Your reference is the shuttle buses run by at least 2 different companies with MGT being one of them.