Some newbie questions

[bmiller297]

The DH and I will be taking our first cruise ever to Alaska this July on the Statendam. Actually, we will be doing a cruisetour. I have read in these posts that it is better to tour first, then cruise, but I do not know why. Can someone enlighten me?

My read on the dress code is that on non formal nights, anything goes short of jeans, swim suits, and tee shirts with writing on them. Correct?

Thanks for all your help!

[uppitycats]

The DH and I will be taking our first cruise ever to Alaska this July on the Statendam. Actually, we will be doing a cruisetour. I have read in these posts that it is better to tour first, then cruise, but I do not know why. Can someone enlighten me?

My read on the dress code is that on non formal nights, anything goes short of jeans, swim suits, and tee shirts with writing on them. Correct?

Thanks for all your help!

The land tour is very busy. Lots of stops, lots of activities, lots of on/off various modes of transportation (bus, train, etc.)...and can be exhausting. It's nice to do all that...then get on board and relax for the rest of the cruise.

The land tour is VERY worth it, however..just can be tiring!

[kazu]

The land tour is very busy. Lots of stops, lots of activities, lots of on/off various modes of transportation (bus, train, etc.)...and can be exhausting. It's nice to do all that...then get on board and relax for the rest of the cruise.

The land tour is VERY worth it, however..just can be tiring!

this explains the first part of your question perfectly -as to your dress question - I think you are right on!

Enjoy your cruise

[travelmatron]

Shorts are not allowed in the dining room for the evening meals, but are fine for breakfast and lunch.

[RuthC]

My read on the dress code is that on non formal nights, anything goes short of jeans, swim suits, and tee shirts with writing on them. Correct?
Dress code on non-formal nights is "smart casual", as opposed to daytime casual. The dress code doesn't change with itinerary; compliance may.

[feathersandnananose]

In addition to being exhausted by a land tour, counting on the tour, you'll find it less "indulgent" than the ship. Admittedly, we took a tour all the way to Prudhoe Bay, but our guide said the people who took the tour in the second half suffered serious shock.

They went from a week of luxury and being waited on hand and foot to a motel made out of some sort of mobile structure / cargo containers in Deadhorse.

http://www.prudhoebayhotel.com/

The next stop was Coldfoot

http://coldfootcamp.com/lodging.htm

Please understand, this is on the Dalton Highway, going north of the Arctic Circle. Lodging in the more civilized (paved roads) areas was more comfy, but still not luxury.

Wouldn't have traded it for ANYTHING!!!!!

Barb in so cal

[SwissMyst]

The smaller ships like the Statendam tend to be more formal by tradition even on casual nights - so really casual may feel out of place on those nights even called casual. It is a lovely dining room with lovely service. so many still feel they want to dress it up just a bit even beyond just casual. (Women know these things, right?) But this is still many notches down from the formal nights which are still suit, tux cocktail dress, sparkly outfits and even long gown affairs.

I think the term is "smart casual" or country-club casual gives a better idea about what may feel best for the non-formal nights onboard. Keeping in mind it can get very cold in Alaska, even in their "summers" so dressing up may happen anyway - unless it means coming into the dining room in a parka. But you gotta do what you gotta do in the Alaska "summers", and the inside temps may also go down a bit too due to all the full glass windows in the dining room.

Lovely ship, great size and layout and terrific scenery make this a special way to see this huge chunk of untracked US territory.

[Alberta Quilter]

My first cruise was an Alaskan cruisetour. We cruised from Vancouver to Skagway and then did the 8 day land tour. We did this because I suffer from motion sickness and we were literally testing the waters to see how I would fare.

What we didn't realize at the time, because I didn't know about CC and didn't do any research, was that we missed cuising Glacier Bay. Also, the previous poster was correct in that it is quite a come down to go from the luxury of the ship to a bus tour. Don't get me wrong, it was a great land tour! It's just that if I had known then what I know now, I would do the land tour first, and then the cruise.

Also, if finances permit, I would do the land tour followed by a full 7 day cruise!

Or, you could do what I did and cruise two more times to Alaska to see what you missed on the first one!! And contemplating another one!

[Himself]

Have a great cruise. Alaska is a wonderful place in the summer time.

[RMLincoln]

The DH and I will be taking our first cruise ever to Alaska this July on the Statendam. Actually, we will be doing a cruisetour. I have read in these posts that it is better to tour first, then cruise, but I do not know why. Can someone enlighten me?

My read on the dress code is that on non formal nights, anything goes short of jeans, swim suits, and tee shirts with writing on them. Correct?

Thanks for all your help!

For smart casual dining in the MDR you'll see a wide variety but most will try to be at least a bit dressy. Alaska can be a more casual venue becasue folks come in late from long dasy on shore often in poor weather. Swimsuits and shorts are usually not the probelm in the MDR in Alaska:) You will probably see jeans in a few cases. And if you see T-shirts, they're likely to be long sleeved! Have a great vacation! m--

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Agree -- do the land portion first. The days can be long riding buses and trains (depending on what tour you take) -- lots to see and so each day in a few hours.

Doing the cruise second -- this gives you the chance to rest after the tour.

You are going to love Alaska!!

[startwin]

For smart casual dining in the MDR you'll see a wide variety but most will try to be at least a bit dressy. Alaska can be a more casual venue becasue folks come in late from long dasy on shore often in poor weather. Swimsuits and shorts are usually not the probelm in the MDR in Alaska:) You will probably see jeans in a few cases. And if you see T-shirts, they're likely to be long sleeved! Have a great vacation! m--

I have never, ever seen a swimsuit in the MDR on any of our Alaska cruises! Nor shorts. Jeans, yes, but not on formal night.:rolleyes: