Which Alaska for first timer?

[CruiseFever]

I'm looking at Alaska for Summer 05. The choices are all gibberish to me having sailed only in the Caribbean.

Which should I choose of these:

Sapphire Princess- Inside Passage- 7 days
1 Seattle, Washington
2 At Sea
3 Ketchikan, Alaska,
4 Tracy Arm Scenic Cruising
4 Juneau, Alaska
5 Skagway, Alaska
6 At Sea
7 Victoria, British Columbia
8 Seattle, Washington

Coral Princess- Voyage of the Glaciers- 7 days.
1 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
2 At Sea
3 Ketchikan, Alaska, United States
4 Juneau, Alaska, United States
5 Skagway, Alaska
6 Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising, Alaska,
7 College Fjord Scenic Cruising, Alaska
8 Whittier (Anchorage)

Dawn Princess- Voyage of the Glaciers - 7 days
1 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
2 At Sea
3 Ketchikan, Alaska
4 Juneau, Alaska
5 Skagway, Alaska
6 Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising
7 College Fjord Scenic Cruising
8 Whittier (Anchorage)

Island Princess- same deal

Sun Princess- ditto

or one of these:

1 Sail from Vancouver.

1 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 5:30 PM View
2 At Sea
3 Ketchikan, Alaska, United States 6:30 AM 2:30 PM View
4 Juneau, Alaska, United States 7:00 AM 7:30 PM View
5 Skagway, Alaska 7:00 AM 8:30 PM View
6 Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising, Alaska, United States 6:00 AM 3:00 PM View
7 College Fjord Scenic Cruising, Alaska, United States 3:00 PM 6:00 PM View
8 Whittier (Anchorage) 2:00 AM View
8 Disembark in Whittier and enjoy a scenic motorcoach transfer to the Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge for the night.
9 Ride to Talkeetna and board the Midnight Sun Express for a rail journey to Denali National Park. Afternoon at leisure at the Denali Princess Lodge.
10 Take a morning Natural History Tour into the Park. Reboard the Midnight Sun Express bound for Fairbanks for a 2-night stay.
11 Cruise an authentic sternwheel Riverboat down the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Visit the El Dorado Gold Mine and pan for your own gold! Overnight in Fairbanks.


Which to choose?
12 Your tour ends this morning in Fairban

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
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Star Princess 10/24/04
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Carnival Miracle 03/13/05
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[srphnx]

So easy.... Saphire. If she is in Dry dock.. Saphire.

All kidding aside, Alaska isn't a one time shot, no one cruise will do it, heck no 5 cruises will, so pick the easier air (r/t) a nice port (Seattle) and the sweet, sweet sister to our girl Diamond.

Life is at it's best when your address floats
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Century 9/96

[CruiseFever]

Well ya know, that was the direction I was headed. thanks

Cruise or Cruisetour?

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Diamond Princess 12/22/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05
Carnival Valor 10/30/05

[vacationhappy]

We did RT out of Seattle last summer and it was great. I took alot of heat on the boards for that choice because many would say that Glacier Bay and Denali are the highlights but we couldn't take more than 8-9 days vacation. And, flying into Seattle was significantly less expensive (x4).

Tracy Arm was spectacular and what people don't tell you is that there are glaciers all over the place. We will do a one-way trip the next time around (and there will definitely be a next time!). We were so tired from the port intensive trip becasue we tried to squeeze so much into it. I couldn't imagine continuing on to see Denali. Next time.

[nhcruiser]

Chris,

Of the options you posted I wold tend to select option #3 the twelve-day cruise & rail tour. We were able to do a similar cruise / rail tour in 2002 aboard the Star Princess. The itinerary that you listed addresses a couple of “must do’s” in Alaska; Glacier Bay & College Fjord and extra days in Fairbanks.

Glacier Bay & College Fjord Scenic Cruising are remarkable and are like nothing else in the entire world! Also having a couple of extra days in Fairbanks to explore is much better that the itinerary that we had that arrived at 9PM from Denali and rushed us to the Fairbanks airport the next morning at 7AM for the flight back to Seattle.

If you can do the twelve-day cruise / rail tour you will not be disappointed. This itinerary will give you a nice taste of Alaska as opposed to the Inside Passage cruise, which is simply not enough. If you can’t do option #3, then the 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers on either ship will at least get you to Glacier Bay & College Fjord.

Not to be a cynic but the port towns in Alaska are campy and nothing really special. Researching the tours that you plan to take carefully will be time well spent! Some that sound simple are spectacular and some that are billed as spectacular are not properly staffed and subsequently not done very well! Advice is always available on this page, as you know.

Hope that this helps,

Rod

[Richard Stein]

I've been to Alaska 6 times on a cruise ship. Do the inside passage on Sapphire first. You could encounter really rough seas in gulf of Alaska if you go to Anchorage. We did this on our first Alaska cruise and had the roughest seas of any of our 31 cruises. Besides the airfare is much cheaper when you can book round trip.

Horizon, 9/5/04, Sapphire Princess, 6/13/004 ?
Zuiderdam-2003, Constellation -2003, Infinity-2002, Vision of the Seas-2002,
Mercury-2001, Norwegian Sky-2000, Horizon-2000, Ryndam-1999, Grand Princess-1999, Westerdam-1998, Grand Princess-1998, Oriania-1997
1985-1996-3-HAL, 1-RCCL, 2-NCL, 11-Princess, 1-Royal, 1-Cunard

[thebrat99]

I vote with NHCruiser. We did 7 day cruise and 7 day land tour, and while the land tour was a little frantic moving from place to place, it was more than worth it. Alaska's interior is just as amazing as the cruise is, and the cruise was just outstanding! We did the Dawn for that one. JMHO

Till two weeks on the Golden Princess!
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[Coral]

I recommend one way (and add land tour if you can). My one way trip was far superior in beauty then my RT out of Vancouver. Glacier Bay and College Fiords is not to be missed!

[roohound]

Just got off the one way Vancouver to Whittier on the Coral last weekend.....highly recommended :tu:

We were the first cruise of the season and had *perfect* weather..smooth sailing the whole way http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[srphnx]

Ok, obvious answer.. ALL, but you gotta start somewhere. So as I said, do the inside R/T is is the basic and best approach for a taste IMHO.

I am a cruise only guy, I admit being prejudiced here, so the cruisetour recommenders are right to think me close minded.

For me, the appeal of a cruise is a ship, when they put them on rail road tracks I will go on tour as well.

I travel alot by other methods but a cruise is a cruise is a cruise. Why would I want to give up my dining rooms to see several million more trees that I saw a lot of from my balcony?

Life is at it's best when your address floats
<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[Commodore Suzy]

Chris,

Isn't this board GREAT?! Everyone has such a different view.

I'd say to definatey do the Voyage of the Glaciers, as it can be very rough and not scenic going around Vancouver Island from Seattle. The Glacier routes are definately better.

Further, I want to pick something not on your list. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Is that allowed? I ALWAYS suggest cruising Southbound as the currents run southerly and its smoother. MY Voyage of the Glaciers cruise in 2002 was the smoothest cruise I've ever taken. Also, its great to get the big flight to Anchorage out of the way and not have that waiting for you at the end of the vacation. AND you go through "Seymour Narrows", one of the prettiest parts of the inside passage, in daylight hours.

Further, my favorite "add on" thing is not one of the cruisetours, but adding on the "Cruise Plus" 3 night package that goes to the Kenai Princess Lodge. Its SO beautiful there!

So, I suggest
Fly to Anchorage
do 3 night "Cruise Plus" package
Cruise Southbound on any of the four ships

And, if I really had to pick one of your choices, I say do the cruisetour. Alaska is SO far up there, make the most of it! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

My Alaska Review - VERY LONG (http://reviews.iserver.net/PrincessCruises/StarPrincess23.htm)

Cheers!

Suzy

NEXT --> Monarch family weekend 10/15/04 & Grand Galveston 12/11/04
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[MNYTRPS2GO2]

In June we are on the Sapphire doing the "been there done that, now everyone back on the bus"tour..Since most of us in our group of 7 have no attention span we decided the 7 day inside, Seattle to Seattle would work out well for us..we can always make the trip again if we decide at some point to broaden our horizons..
Another consideration for me was giving up my very valuble warm summer weather..In retrospect though it is now not that much of a sacrifice since summer here has started early..

[Host Caroline]

If you can wait just a couple of weeks (well, you have to since rates aren't out yet) you might want to join our Cruise Critic Alaska cruise which will either be roundtrip from Seattle or San Francisco and most likely on Princess -- my first choice having cruised Alaska with Princess x 3 and then others .. Princess is wonderful..

Don't let anyone tell you that you're cheating yourself if you cruise roundtrip and don't do a tour.. the tour is icing on the cake and some of the best icing you'll ever have BUT the cake by itself is supremehttp://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Host Caroline
<font SIZE="1">One can never have too many days at sea...</font> http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Sept 04-Royal Hounds Mariner of the Seas
Feb 05-Partae Pirates Carnival Miracle

[kkorman]

I would choose the COral Princess SB. Add a few days in Anchorage... that is what I am doing next week. I just spent 18 nights on the Coral through the Panama Canal and it is a magnificent ship with an even better crew. I am not one to repeat ships, but specifically chose the Coral so I can have the same quality of service I had.

Also, I personally think Glacier Bay is a must see in AK. The Sapphire does not go there. As for the airfare in or out of Anchorage, I got the same price from Phoenix into Anchorage out of Seattle that I originally booked for a round trip to Vancouver. It is expensive to fly there regarless of which itinerary you choose. Always choose Seattle to fly from though and pick up the Quick shuttle for the $40 or so. You will save at least $100/person on airfare (at least that has been my experience.)

Next: Coral Princess 6/04 Dawn Princess 10/04
Photos: http://community.webshots.com/user/kkorman
http://community.webshots.com/user/kkorman1
Coral Princess 4/04, (Canal-FLL-VAN), Conquest 12/03 -New Years, Norwegian Sky b2b 12/03, Carnival Pride 06/03, Star Princess 03/03, Norwegian Star 07/02,Voyager of the Seas 06/01, Ecstasy 12/00, Exporer of the Seas 11/00, Zaandam 08/00, Destiny 04/00, Nordic Empress 08/99, Rhapsody of the Seas 04/98, Sensation 12/96, Legend of the Seas 8/96, Imagination 8/95, Jubilee 3/92, Sovereign of the Seas 10/88

[prophotogal]

I did the following last Aug/Sept.
1) Arrive in Fairbanks rest of day on your own 2 nights at Princess Riverside Lodge
2) Fairbanks; Pipeline, Goldmine and Riverboat tour
3) Train to Denali. Tour the National Park night at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. (Saw the Music of Denali show there at the lodge very funny!)
4) Train to Anchorage. night at Hilton Anchorage
5) Bus to the ship (Dawn Princess)
6) College Fjord cruising
7) Glacier Bay cruising
8) Skagway
9) Juneau
10) Ketchikan
11) Cruising the Inside Passage
12) Vancouver

I would do this all over again! With the exception of maybe an extra day in Anchorage!

pictures can be seen at http://comminuty.webshots.com/user/prophotogal

Enjoy!

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Caribbean Princess here I come!

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[NightOne]

Chris,

I've been researching Alaska cruises for about 2 years now. That is what got me to these boards. The decision will be tough and there are a lot of options to consider. I still haven't went and will probably do my 2nd and 3rd Caribbean before I finally get to Alaska.

I recommend you check out the Ports of Call >> Alaska board here and look at posts from Budget Queen. You will learn a lot.

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[lindberg]

Alaska -
If you have one week do the RT Alaska out of Seattle.
If you have two weeks do a B2B so you can catch Glacier Bay, twice.
If you have three weeks, cruise up, rent a car for a week, and cruise back down to Seattle. I took the Princess cruise-tour and it was nice. But I like to do things on my own and would go the rental car route next time.

Diamond Princess Mexico 10/9/04
Crown Odyssey, Mediterranean 2002
Crown Princess, Baltic 2000
Crown Princess, Alaska 1998
Princess, Caribbean 1988
Carnival Festival, Caribbean 1987

[Florida Beach]

I am not qualify to vote, since I haven't been to Alaska (yet). However, these are the reasons I selected Sapphire Princess:
<LI> She is brand new and I heard lots of nice thing about Princess Cruise Line
<LI> The price is right for my budget at the time of booking
<LI> Round trip Seattle is more convenient and reasonable price for us
<LI> This is our first (of so many more) to Alaska, so the Glacier can wait
<LI> Seven days is a perfect lenght to be on a ship. Just long enough to make us want to take another cruise and short enough so we won't have to suffer as much when we get back to work.

This is our first, but surely not our last to Alaska http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Have a great trip on the ship of your choice http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

March 28, 2004 - Mariner of the Seas
July 4, 2004 - Sapphire Princess - Alaska

[CruiseFever]

Thanks so much for the responses, I am even more confused now than I was before I asked...but it's a good kind of confused due to your many, varied suggestions.

I can see that there are a considerably larger number of variables than in booking a Caribbean cruise so I need all the input I can get as I map it all out. It's probably a blessing that I can't book this far out yet. I like to have everything well researched and this is going to take some time to come up with the best initial option.

One thing that appears to be rising to the top as something everyone agrees on is that one 7 day cruise will not cover all the bases on seeing Alaska. For DW to get the time off from work for anything more than a 7 day with a travel day on either end will take some work so I need to nail down our travel window better for sure.

I think I'm going to start a new page on our website for this journey which is beginning right here and will end with a fabulous Alaskan Adventure...yes, I think that's what I'll call it. I am just that confident that the CC boards will come through again as the best source of info for this.

I almost feel like I am planning our first ever cruise; this is just such a foreign area. Only difference is now I have this board, then I had a travel brochure.

I really apppreciate this advice. I'll report back what we're planning and hope you'll chime in with your opinions and advice both pro and con

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Diamond Princess 12/22/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05
Carnival Valor 10/30/05

[MCManders99]

Chris,

I am in the same boat, just trying to find which Alaska to do in May '05 for honeymoon and first cruise ever!! This board has helped me alot. I thank everyone for inputting. I'll probably be asking more questions once rates get out there and I have my cruise booked (which I cannot wait). But thanks everyone! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

manders

[Taters]

Fly from your home state of Kansas to my home state of Alaska, or for more familiarity, Fairbanks, and spend a few days. You will really enjoy our 24/7 sunshine and our hospitality and you'll also have a great chance to get over your jet lag. Take the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park for a couple of days and then head down to Anchorage. Do the southbound cruise and head home from Seattle and you will feel refreshed and pampered and will have oh so many tales to tell you less adventurous friends in the plain states!

Whatever itinerary you decide on, just have FUN!

Taters http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Song of Norway, 1971
Imagination, 1/1996
Imagination, 1/1998
Song of America, 1/1999
Jubilee, 1/2000
Inspiration, 1/2001
Enchantment of the Seas, 11/2002 - Back to back!
Carnival Conquest, 9/2003
Island Princess, 12/2004

[Budget Queen]

OK my take- the cruisetour selection is too short- too much time is in transit. I recommend at least a 7 day add on. AND you don't want the Natural History tour at Denali IF you want to see wildlife. I find it very very difficult to rationalize a 3 hour "tour" when it takes all that money and time to get there. For comparism- the Natural History tour goes in 16 miles, Tundra Wilderness 53 miles, but my min. distance in is Eielson - mile 66 on the SHUTTLE. As for the cruise- I don't like the routing of the Princess Seattle sailings- more outside passage than Vancouver. Look also at round trip Vancouver on HAL. I do feel Glacier Bay is a priority. I have sailed ALL 3 glaciers now visited by cruise ships. I totally disagree that the ports are nothing special. In fact the opposite- all worthwhile and different from each other. BUT planning is the key and the above poster probably missed that? Loads of touring opportunites that are excellent- so on that line- have plans and reservations in place before you leave so as to not waste time. Budget FULLY for costly tours- you get only half a trip without them. IF and WHEN you do a one way cruise- I give a big preference to Seward over Whittier. BUT few passengers take advantage and just pass through. Add at least 5 days for interior touring, going independent- Alaska isn't a frequent trip for most- take advantage. Don't be afraid to consider independent travel in Alaska- simple to plan and you will see twice as much for half the cost.
BOTTOM line ANY Alaska trip will be a big compromise- list all your priorities and select a trip that features that. Head to your library and take out Alaska travel books. The more you know the better you can decide. It is never a one trip destination. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[spongerob]

Chris, I agree with the above that flying up to Fairbanks and seeing some of the interior, followed by a southbound cruise gives you the most bang for your buck. One of the best guides to help you plan your trip is the Milepost, available in any book store. A cruise-tour that starts in Fairbanks would also be a good option. The Princess lodges and railcars are quite nice.

Your cruise south will be nice and relaxing after traipsing around Alaska. All that sunlight tends to keep you up late and wake you up early.

Completed:
Sea Princess, Royal Princess, Grand Princess (3X), Caribbean Princess, Golden Princess
Coming up:
Tahitian Princess Oct 14/04
Caribbean Princess redux 6/25/05