7 Day AK Cruise - Feedback Request

[SimpleeB]

I am looking at booking a 7 day AK cruise on Holland this summer. I noticed that there are three options - 1) Originate/return to Seattle, 2) Originate/return to Vancouver, or 3) Originate/return to Vancouver or Seattle.

My question is -if you have been on one of these cruises or have booked one why did you book that particularly itinerary? Or if you have been on an AK cruise do you wish you would have done a different itinerary?

Just a little info about us - we are primarily interested in the sites/ports - so I am trying to figure out which one would show us the most interesting sites/ports in AK. Also we aren't able to do anything longer than 7 days so none of the 14 day and cruise/land combos are an option for us. And we don't have a preference on which ship the cruise is on, other than it needs to be Holland.

TIA! :)

[trvldog]

I have been on Vancouver round trip, Vancouver start Seattle return and Seattle round trip. Since I live just 30 minutes from Seattle my choices are usually based on price as I can easily do all 3 ways. Others who live elsewhere may also want to see Vancouver which i think is great idea but flying more expensive. Since you live in Portland you could easily do the train round trip or drive.
I actually like Hubbard Glacier so I chose mine this year based on that. I also enjoy Sitka over Skagway but many people like the other better. Best thing to do is look at excursions and see which places fit your liking more. All are great!
Also forgot to add alot of people to enjoy Vancouver better for the fact your going up inside passage and out of Seattle most are at Sea the first day. (inside passage is very nice!!)

[AZNative2000]

I am looking at booking a 7 day AK cruise on Holland this summer. I noticed that there are three options - 1) Originate/return to Seattle, 2) Originate/return to Vancouver, or 3) Originate/return to Vancouver or Seattle.

My question is -if you have been on one of these cruises or have booked one why did you book that particularly itinerary? Or if you have been on an AK cruise do you wish you would have done a different itinerary?

Just a little info about us - we are primarily interested in the sites/ports - so I am trying to figure out which one would show us the most interesting sites/ports in AK. Also we aren't able to do anything longer than 7 days so none of the 14 day and cruise/land combos are an option for us. And we don't have a preference on which ship the cruise is on, other than it needs to be Holland.

TIA! :)
You should peek at this thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1339168

Same kind of discussion ... Vancouver or Seattle:)

[SimpleeB]

Thanks for the replies.

AZNative2000 - I checked out the other thread and that was exactly what I was looking for - thanks! I had done a quick look at the board and missed that thread so I apologize for the duplicate.

[AZNative2000]

Happy to help. So, which did you pick ... Vancouver or Seattle?

Whichever ... have a great time seeing The Great Land!:):)

[SimpleeB]

I am leaning towards Vancouver - but I told my DH that he could choose since he would be more familiar with the pros/cons of the different ports. We really enjoy kicking back and looking at the scenery and the pictures you posted from your AK cruise are amazing.

In my original post - I meant to say for option #3 - the one-way 7 day AK cruises that either depart from Seward (Anchorage) or Vancouver. Have you taken one of those cruises? Or would your preferences still be the 7 day round trip from Vancouver?

Thanks again for pointing me to the other post.

[TiogaCruiser]

Our first was volendam from Vancouver to Seward. Fabulous trip! ( I really don't think you can go wrong with Alaska).

We went second week of September. Because of the shorter days we did not see as much as June or august, so that could be a factor to consider. But we got incredible gold Aspen fall color in the Yukon on the day trip from Skagway.

DH fell in love with glacier bay (so did I). College fiord was lovely but rainy and evening so we could not see as well. It was during dinner that we were there. If we ever did it again it would be no mdr on college fiord night for us! I believe southbound you go through GB on the morning.

We took the train transfer from Seward to anchorage. The sun did not rise until almost an hour into the trip but it was worth it.

~TC

[AZNative2000]

I am leaning towards Vancouver - but I told my DH that he could choose since he would be more familiar with the pros/cons of the different ports. We really enjoy kicking back and looking at the scenery and the pictures you posted from your AK cruise are amazing.

In my original post - I meant to say for option #3 - the one-way 7 day AK cruises that either depart from Seward (Anchorage) or Vancouver. Have you taken one of those cruises? Or would your preferences still be the 7 day round trip from Vancouver?

Thanks again for pointing me to the other post.

For our very first cruise (Alaska) we chose the 7-day r/t Vancouver and loved it. It was a great introduction to cruising ... great weather, calm seas ... awesome. We, too, knew it would be all gorgeous sights and we were NOT disappointed. (More photos below.:)) We loved Skagway. Juneau and the Mendenhall Glacier was not to be missed, and Ketchikan was beautiful. Don't miss the funicular.:)

The NEXT time we go to Alaska we will look at either the one-way Anchorage to Vancouver (since the flight home would be shorter and the idea of a full day flying ... airports etc ... is not my idea of how to end a great vacation). OR ... the 14-day r/t since some cabins are hard to get on the one-way because they hold them for the 14-day cruisers.

But the first time we wanted a leisurely, quiet, non-port-intensive time and we got it.:D

Can't wait to hear about your trip and which selection your DH makes.

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af337/aznative2000/Zuiderdam%20Alaska%20June%202010/MILLIONDOLLARVIEWS_0604.jpg

http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af337/aznative2000/Zuiderdam%20Alaska%20June%202010/P1000202_0650.jpg

[LindaKE]

We chose the Zuiderdam for our upcoming cruise for several reasons. It is round trip which we find easier than a one way, sails out of Vancouver, goes to both Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm, and balconies are cheaper on the Z than on the Volendam. One other point which is an idiosyncrasy for us, we like the deck plans better on the Z, because, knowing our routine on cruises, the Z will make me walk less than to doing the same routine on the Volendam.

[aliaschief]

Happy to help. So, which did you pick ... Vancouver or Seattle?

Whichever ... have a great time seeing The Great Land!:):)

Noticed that you are on the Ms Rotterdam May 17 TA to Rotterdam and the Baltics. We have a great Roll Call going with over 50 members. Would love to have you join our fun group.

[Kittycat2009]

Our very first cruise ever was Vancouver to Seward. We loved it. We flew a day early, rented a car and drove up to Whistler. We ate at Gordon Ramsey's Araxi grill that evening, than took a leisurely scenic drive back to Vancouver where we boarded the ship the next day.

For our departure, we took the scenic cruise train to Anchorage, than rented a car and drove up to Denali.

We loved this cruise! The entire trip was wonderful. Only downside was the Vancouver airport where we waited in line about an hour and a half to get thru customs.

[SimpleeB]

Thanks for the additional replies - especially those that did the one way cruises to Seward (Anchorage). For those - did you go out to the open ocean or did you stay the same inland path as the roundtrip to Vancouver? I really like the idea of being able to see the shore line and enjoy the scenery...

And I love the idea of going to Gordon Ramsey's restaurant. We LOVE all of his shows (my DH and I rarely agree on TV shows so this is a big deal :)). I hate to ask this (because I think I know the answer) - but is it family friendly at all? We will have a 7 month old by the time of the cruise. We are those parents that don't like to have our child be a disruption so if it isn't family friendly at all - we would pass until we could go by ourselves or until she is older.

[TiogaCruiser]

On our volendam Vancouver to seward we went east of Vancouver island at night. We passed through Seymour around 11:30p as that when slack tide was. As it was September it was already quite dark by 7:30p so we didn't see anything. The next morning we were in queen Charlotte sound and in fog with a healthy chop. It remained foggy so captain bos took us out where they could see better and in the afternoon we cut back in and got clearer weather. Of course, crossing the gulf you will be too far from land to see. If you take this run and you want to see the beautiful land, stay on deck for the trip from glacier bay to the open ocean. ( inian and icy straight, north passage). You will get a great shot of Brady to the north. You likely may see whales depending on season. The place was loaded with them in June. I'm sure the navigator wasn't thrilled......

[TiogaCruiser]

One other thought- if you take volendam roundtrip (assuming it is the same run we did ) get up early - with the sun - on the Tracy arm/ Juneau day. Chatham straight is incredible! Our daily said " scenic walk" set for 7:00a. We were on deck around 5:30 ( when we felt the ship stop rocking and we suspected we had entered the protected waters.) well, those who waited til 7 really missed out! We got the equivalent of 90 minutes of excursion worthy scenic cruising in before the predicted time! This was June 2009. YMMV.

[janmcn]

Vancouver to Seward.

[Jemima]

We've done a 7 day Vancouver round trip and a 14 day B2B Vancouver to Seward & Seward to Vancouver. We'd planned a 14 day for this summer, but have switched it to a 7 day Seattle round trip. I'd suggest any of the 7 day itineraries for a first Alaskan cruise. The one way northbound or southbound probably give you the most scenerary and variety, but they also involve more flight time and flight cost.

[LindaKE]

One other thought- if you take volendam roundtrip (assuming it is the same run we did ) get up early - with the sun - on the Tracy arm/ Juneau day. Chatham straight is incredible! Our daily said " scenic walk" set for 7:00a. We were on deck around 5:30 ( when we felt the ship stop rocking and we suspected we had entered the protected waters.) well, those who waited til 7 really missed out! We got the equivalent of 90 minutes of excursion worthy scenic cruising in before the predicted time! This was June 2009. YMMV.

Thanks for the tip. We'll make it a point to be out on deck early that day! Maybe a good day for breakfast on our balcony.

[fann1sh]

I've done the one way, Vancouver - Seward, but as a 14 day back to back. Friends came with me northbound, and got off in Seward.

They found the transfer to Anchorage a PITA. Went directly home from the cruise. If you do a one way, consider a northbound (more daylight scenery) but add a couple days on the end when you can explore Denali on your own, instead of ripping off to the airport.

One noticeable difference between Seattle and Vancouver: all Seattle itineraries - one way or return - MUST stop in Canada. Usually a short, useless night visit to Victoria - not enough time to see Butchart Gardens. Reason: legislation = PVSA.

Vancouver departures spend an extra day in the Great Land. One great thing about scenic viewing days - no expensive shore excursions!

[Kittycat2009]

Thanks for the additional replies - especially those that did the one way cruises to Seward (Anchorage). For those - did you go out to the open ocean or did you stay the same inland path as the roundtrip to Vancouver? I really like the idea of being able to see the shore line and enjoy the scenery...

And I love the idea of going to Gordon Ramsey's restaurant. We LOVE all of his shows (my DH and I rarely agree on TV shows so this is a big deal :)). I hate to ask this (because I think I know the answer) - but is it family friendly at all? We will have a 7 month old by the time of the cruise. We are those parents that don't like to have our child be a disruption so if it isn't family friendly at all - we would pass until we could go by ourselves or until she is older.
It was a very quiet restaurant. All ages and types in there. The food was excellent! All our dishes were excellent, not a one complaint.

During the cruise we almost always saw land on one side or the other. I think we did hit open seas sometimes during the evening hours. Once I get my new computer set up, I'll try to share some more pics.

[Jemima]

The one way cruises go the same inside route as the Vancouver round trips. The maps show the 14 day cruises going inside one direction and outside the other. The 14 day B2Bs go inside both north as these are a combo of a 7 day north and a 7 day south.

[SimpleeB]

Thank you for all the responses. It sounds like any of the 7 days out of Vancouver are preferred - but there is potentially an extra challenge with the one way due to flying out of Anchorage. I think I will let my DH know that those are the preferred routes and then let him choose from there.

Since this will be our first vacation with our new little one - I doubt that we will really get to spend any extra time in Vancouver or AK (depending on which cruise we choose) so we will really focus on the sites/ports in making the decision.

Thanks again!

[sfels]

You can't really go wrong with any of them. Last year we did the 7-day Seattle round trip and this year we're doing the 7-day Vancouver round trip. The only possible downside on the Seattle route is the open ocen sailing where you frequently encounter rough seas. The Vancouver route via the Inside Passage will have calm seas.