Help with Alaska Cruise

[Carl2860]

We are looking for a cruise in June 2007 and desire a balcony room for this sailing. I have never sailed on this line and could us some recommendations on which ship and cabins to look at.

Thank you all!:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have cruised Alaska several times on HAL. We prefer the smaller ships - R and S class ships. We always book suites - that's just us. We have sailed on the Ryndam several times in Alaska and hopefully will be doing the Statendam this June.

[Pudgesmom]

We loved the Statendam for our Alaska cruise.

You may, but not neccesarily, have a better view if you book starboard (right) side going north, and port (left) side going south. Round trip, all bets are off.:D

I also read, but don't know personally, of the fact that the mid-week departures will put you in the ports with a much smaller number of ships. This would be a really good thing as the towns themselves are quite small. Of course, the countryside is very large!

It is also my understanding that the Vancouver departures have better scenery and less sea action than the Seattle departures. From Vancouver, you will get a beautiful tour of the Northwest Passage.

One of my favorite cruise memories is sitting on my balcony with blanket and coffee early in the morning traversing the Northwest Passage. It was very very still, and a little brisk. I saw many beautiful waterfalls just yards from the ship, and soooo many birds.

I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did.

Beth

[Carl2860]

I was looking on the RCCL website at the Radiance and it stated cabin with balcony. On HAL do I have to book a suite to get a balcony?:confused:

[Pudgesmom]

No, although the stateroom names are REALLY confusing.

The HAL website gives a pretty good explanation of the types. Just remember, that some of the "suites" are not really that. Read the description of what comes "with," and also look at the pictures and cabin layouts to get a good idea of what you would get.

Also, book early, as I think the balcony cabins are especially popular in Alaska.

Beth

[bookworm0911]

We loved the Statendam for our Alaska cruise.

From Vancouver, you will get a beautiful tour of the Northwest Passage.

One of my favorite cruise memories is sitting on my balcony with blanket and coffee early in the morning traversing the Northwest Passage.

Beth
I believe you mean the Inside Passage. There is a Northwest Passage, but this is not where the HAL ships usually sail on Alaska cruises, though I could be wrong and your cruise did?

[Pudgesmom]

Also, the balcony cabins on the Statendam are especially spacious in comparison to some of the other lines. They include a whirlpool bathtub included with the shower which is very nice.

I'm not sure if the larger ship (Vista class?) balcony cabins include a whirlpool with the bathtub.

Beth

[Pudgesmom]

I believe you mean the Inside Passage. There is a Northwest Passage, but this is not where the HAL ships usually sail on Alaska cruises, though I could be wrong and your cruise did?


Oops!!! I guess I shouldn't post in the morning before coffee!!!

Lewis and Clark were looking for that Northwest Passage, but that was a few years ago. It is definately "Inside Passage!"

Beth

[Ine]

The bigger and newer ships like Oosterdam, Westerdam etc., offer more cabins with balcony, not just suites.
Those ships are a different type then Statendam, Rijndam etc.

[NancyIL]

We are looking for a cruise in June 2007 and desire a balcony room for this sailing. I have never sailed on this line and could us some recommendations on which ship and cabins to look at.

Thank you all!:)

The ship you choose depends on the itinerary you choose. Do you want a roundtrip cruise out of Seattle or Vancouver? Or do you want a one-way north or southbound from either Vancouver or Seward? HAL will have 8 ships sailing to Alaska in 2007: Zaandam, Volendam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Noordam, Ryndam, Statendam, and Amsterdam. Go to HAL's web site and look at the deck plans, after deciding which itinerary you want.