Time To Start

[AlohaPride]

Now that our trip to my MIL's house is over, I can focus all my energy on our Alaskan Cruise next Summer.

My first question:

Which port should we sail from: Seattle, Seward, Vancouver?

[RuthC]

Hi, Mary! So good to "see" you again! :) I've been thinking about you, and Keaka, and Hannah lately. Everybody all right?

Now, remember, I haven't guaranteed I'll be going with you, but if I do, my first preference is sailing out of Vancouver; second choice is Seward. But please, don't make the plans based on what I want---I'm flexible (not the joints, but the spirit, you understand ;) ).

Have you zeroed in on dates yet? If I know when you're looking at I might be able to plan my own schedule better. It's #2 grandgirl's turn to be taken away by her "cool" grandmother (her word, not mine). :D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi Mary:) Last week we just booked the Zuiderdam out of Vancouver for September 12th. Not sure you can go in September but we had a great cruise in September last year and the prices a definitely much better;)

[AlohaPride]

We were looking at late season. August or September ;)

Seems that Vancouver is a popular port. Does anyone have any advice about what air fare is like? Is it comparable to traveling to a US air port?

[RuthC]

Seems that Vancouver is a popular port. Does anyone have any advice about what air fare is like? Is it comparable to traveling to a US air port?
I've never priced air to Seattle, but have read many times on this board that it's less expensive than Vancouver.
I'm betting Anchorage (for Seward), is more expensive than Vancouver---if only because it absolutely will require at least one overnight for so many of us, and then there's the transfer to Seward.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We were looking at late season. August or September ;)

Seems that Vancouver is a popular port. Does anyone have any advice about what air fare is like? Is it comparable to traveling to a US air port?
Sadly it is considerably more to fly to Vancouver rather than Seattle at least from Las Vegas I would think the same would be for you as well. Right now the September 12th 2009 is so far away that I am not even thinking about air fare..... yet. We are doing a one way on Princess that ends in Vancouver in May and the price quote from Princess was actually quite good that we went ahead and set it up for Princess to do our air. We have never done that but it may help with rising air costs. The other options that I hear many do and have not checked myself is fly to Seattle then take the bus transfer that HAL provides to Vancouver. We make look at that option as we get closer. From Las Vegas we have a great non-stop that leaves at 7 AM and arrives at 9:30 I am just not sure how late that would get us to the ship in Vancouver and we are ones that prefer to be on the ship early. Right now for the same dates this year the cost is $566 per person where it is about $200 less to flight to Seattle rond trip for the same dates.

[kenish]

Another option is flying to Bellingham, WA (BLI). It's just south of the border and 30 miles south of Vancouver. Horizon (Alaska Air) flies there from SEA; Delta from SLC, and Allegiant from LAS. I'd personally hesitate to book with Allegiant, they could be the next airline to stop flying due to their low fares on gas-guzzling MD80 aircraft.

[AlohaPride]

Sadly it is considerably more to fly to Vancouver rather than Seattle at least from Las Vegas I would think the same would be for you as well. Right now the September 12th 2009 is so far away that I am not even thinking about air fare..... yet. We are doing a one way on Princess that ends in Vancouver in May and the price quote from Princess was actually quite good that we went ahead and set it up for Princess to do our air. We have never done that but it may help with rising air costs. The other options that I hear many do and have not checked myself is fly to Seattle then take the bus transfer that HAL provides to Vancouver. We make look at that option as we get closer. From Las Vegas we have a great non-stop that leaves at 7 AM and arrives at 9:30 I am just not sure how late that would get us to the ship in Vancouver and we are ones that prefer to be on the ship early. Right now for the same dates this year the cost is $566 per person where it is about $200 less to flight to Seattle rond trip for the same dates.

If we could get tickets for $600 each to Vancouver, we'd book it in a heart beat. It's so hard to get tickets for less than that to ANYWHERE except inter-island.

Keaka really wants me to set a "budget" for how much we should expect to save for the trip next year. I don't even know where to start! lol

[Taxguy77]

Seatac is not too far from Canada, but Bellington is right on the border. We stayed there one night & I didn't know they had an airport!:eek:
Can you find a day for Seatle:confused: it's a great city to spend a couple of days!:cool:
Smooth seas & Sunny skies.:)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Another option is flying to Bellingham, WA (BLI). It's just south of the border and 30 miles south of Vancouver. Horizon (Alaska Air) flies there from SEA; Delta from SLC, and Allegiant from LAS. I'd personally hesitate to book with Allegiant, they could be the next airline to stop flying due to their low fares on gas-guzzling MD80 aircraft.
Sadly you could not pay us enough money to get on an Allegiant flight. Tom works at the airport and does the catering for Allegiant and he is over an hour late coming home tonight from work once again because of Allegiant and all their numerous mechanical problems. He is frankly surprised they ever get off the ground, they never ever arrive or leave on time so that would never ever be an option.

[Krazy Kruizers]

JMO - sailing out of Vancouver is much better as the ships that leave from there do the inside passage.

[GmaPajama]

Sadly you could not pay us enough money to get on an Allegiant flight. Tom works at the airport and does the catering for Allegiant and he is over an hour late coming home tonight from work once again because of Allegiant and all their numerous mechanical problems. He is frankly surprised they ever get off the ground, they never ever arrive or leave on time so that would never ever be an option.

Sorry, Mary, I don't mean to hijack your thread - but YIKES! I'll be on Allegiant in a couple of weeks. I liked the idea of using a smaller airport in the Chicago area (Rockford, actually), but am now thinking I've made a bad choice. No refunds, so the adventure is ON! :(

[CGinMTL]

We did the Alaska Cruise last year and based the decision (Seattle vs Vancouver )only on airfare as the price of the cruise & the ports were almost the same.
Although am from MTL, Qc. It was cheaper to fly to Seattle.
My 2 cents, do a quick search on airfare to see what you can expect. But prices on air & sea can change a lot in 1 yr.

[Roz]

Cruising from ANY port to Alaska is great. That said, here are some things to consider:

1. Flying to Vancouver is an international flight (more expensive) as opposed to a domestic flight to Seattle. Hotels also a little less in Seattle vs. Vancouver.

2. Ships from Vancouver go up the Inside Passage (more scenic).

3. Seward to Vancouver as opposed to Vancouver to Seward - scenery becomes more scenic (does that make sense? :D ) as you travel northbound as opposed to southbound.

If your cruise isn't dependent on school schedules, I recommend May or September - less expensive, fewer children, and colder which equates to more snow, if you like that sort of thing.

Roz

[Barek]

JMO - sailing out of Vancouver is much better as the ships that leave from there do the inside passage.
Minor pet peeve of mine ... but technically, the inside passage runs from roughly Puget Sound up to Glacier Bay - so because Juneau is on the northern portion of the inside passage, any ship that stops in Juneau is doing the inside passage - so both Seattle and Vancouver departures do the inside passage, or at least parts of it. The difference being that departures from Vancouver travel more of it as they include the Strait of Georgia, which is the southern portion of the inside passage between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland; while Seattle departures sail open ocean west of Vancouver Island then join the inside passage after getting further north.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Sorry, Mary, I don't mean to hijack your thread - but YIKES! I'll be on Allegiant in a couple of weeks. I liked the idea of using a smaller airport in the Chicago area (Rockford, actually), but am now thinking I've made a bad choice. No refunds, so the adventure is ON! :(
Donna, I did not mean to worry you hopefully you are not on any time constraints. I am sure you will be just fine maybe knowing in advance that they tend to have delays you can go expecting it and if they are on time then all the better.:)

[AlohaPride]

Looks like Seattle is a few hundred dollars cheaper in air. That's a bummer. If YOU were interested in sailing with us, would Seattle be a deal breaker? Hypothetically, of course. ;)

Who knows, we might even do a b2b. So many options, so little time!

[Barek]

Looks like Seattle is a few hundred dollars cheaper in air. That's a bummer. If YOU were interested in sailing with us, would Seattle be a deal breaker? Hypothetically, of course. ;)

Who knows, we might even do a b2b. So many options, so little time!
Seattle is usually let expensive air fare; but if you want to do Vancouver, you could fly into Seattle, then take a bus or train to Vancouver. I'm not sure how that adds out, because it may require an extra night than you had originally planned ... but it's an option to look into.

[RuthC]

If YOU were interested in sailing with us, would Seattle be a deal breaker? Hypothetically, of course. ;)
Not a deal breaker, but you know it's my last choice. But not a deal breaker! :)

[AlohaPride]

Which cruises typically have the MOST sea days? That is something we REALLY like.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Which cruises typically have the MOST sea days? That is something we REALLY like.
Mary in Alaska we have found all the 7 day cruises to be identical. You get one sea day at the beginning then it is sort of a sea day the day you are at a Glacier since you do not get off the ship. Then almost all that leave Seattle cruises have a short day in Ketchikan and then stop the last night in Victoria .

Here is an example of what our September 12th itinerary will be out of Vancouver, note we go to Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay.

Vancouver, British Columbia (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=YVR&durationCode=2&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=YVR&shipCodeSearch=UU&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=U948&destCode=A&dateCode=) 05:00 PM
1 At Sea
2 Tracy Arm, Alaska, USA (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=TA1&durationCode=2&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=YVR&shipCodeSearch=UU&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=U948&destCode=A&dateCode=) CO 08:00 AM Noon
2 Juneau, Alaska (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=JNU&durationCode=2&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=YVR&shipCodeSearch=UU&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=U948&destCode=A&dateCode=) 02:30 PM 10:30 PM
3 Skagway, Alaska (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=SGY&durationCode=2&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=YVR&shipCodeSearch=UU&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=U948&destCode=A&dateCode=) 07:00 AM 09:00 PM
4 Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=GB1&durationCode=2&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=YVR&shipCodeSearch=UU&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=U948&destCode=A&dateCode=) CO 07:00 AM 04:00 PM
5 Ketchikan, Alaska (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=KTN&durationCode=2&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=YVR&shipCodeSearch=UU&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=U948&destCode=A&dateCode=) 02:00 PM 08:00 PM
6 At Sea
7 Vancouver, British Columbia (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=YVR&durationCode=2&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=YVR&shipCodeSearch=UU&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=U948&destCode=A&dateCode=) 07:00 AM


Here is a typical one going out of Seattle

Seattle, Washington (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=SEA&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=SEA&shipCodeSearch=WE&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=W852&destCode=A&dateCode=) 04:00 PM
1 At Sea
2 Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=GB1&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=SEA&shipCodeSearch=WE&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=W852&destCode=A&dateCode=) CO 10:00 AM 07:00 PM
3 Juneau, Alaska (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=JNU&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=SEA&shipCodeSearch=WE&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=W852&destCode=A&dateCode=) 07:00 AM 08:00 PM
4 Sitka, Alaska (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=SIT&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=SEA&shipCodeSearch=WE&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=W852&destCode=A&dateCode=) TR 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
5 Ketchikan, Alaska (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=KTN&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=SEA&shipCodeSearch=WE&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=W852&destCode=A&dateCode=) 07:00 AM 01:00 PM
6 Victoria Canada (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=YYJ&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=SEA&shipCodeSearch=WE&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=W852&destCode=A&dateCode=) 06:00 PM 11:59 PM
7 Seattle, Washington (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetailsPort.action?cruiseDetailPortCode=SEA&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=SEA&shipCodeSearch=WE&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=W852&destCode=A&dateCode=) 07:00 AM

[AlohaPride]

Looks like I'm going to have to find a way to leave from Vancouver. Three sea days. Gotta love it!

[AlohaPride]

What the difference between the North/Southbound, Inside Passage, and the Alaskan Explorer. Is there any difference aside from ports of call?

On an Alaskan cruise, what are some ports that we simply MUST NOT miss?

[RuthC]

On an Alaskan cruise, what are some ports that we simply MUST NOT miss?
Don't miss any of 'em! :D
That means you just have to pick an itinerary the first time, then keep coming back again, and again, and .... And eventually you have to do some interior touring, too!

[AlohaPride]

Don't miss any of 'em! :D
That means you just have to pick an itinerary the first time, then keep coming back again, and again, and .... And eventually you have to do some interior touring, too!

Jee, thanks for helping me narrow it down, Ruth!! lol :p

[AlohaPride]

Okay, I've narrowed it down to:

Alaska-Inside Passage 7 Days • Holland America Line • ms Volendam

On either August 19 or 26.

Vancouver 5:00 P

At Sea

Tracy Arm 8:00 A 12:00 P

Juneau 2:30 P 10:30 P

Skagway 7:00 A 9:00 P

Glacier Bay 7:00 A 4:00 P

Ketchikan 10:00 A 6:00 P

At Sea

Vancouver 8:00 A


This is, unless my sister returns from Vermont with a wedding date in October (this is the new rumor) then I'll have to move the cruise to early season :(

[cruiseca]

There is a daily shuttle, I think it is called the Quick shuttle that runs daily between Seattle (airport) and Vancouver at various times. My parents in law are flying out of Seattle and get the Quick shuttle from downton Vancouver. It is ridicilous how expensive travel in Canada is, where you can fly out of Seattle for half price.

[AlohaPride]

I'll look into that! Thanks!!!!

[AlohaPride]

Ok, so my sister is getting married October 10.

Now we have to sail in Early June or Late May.

DH and I want to book the cruise sometime this weekend. ;)

[pipedreams62]

Which cruises typically have the MOST sea days? That is something we REALLY like.


We just did a back to back on the Veendam,when you do a back to back you get 2 sea days and 2 glacier days (which are like sea days)


I'm waiting for Hal to advertise 14 day trips for next year (that's what we booked this year ,not separate 7 day cruises) I spoke with them on the phone and they said they would be doing it? When I don't know.

have fun planning.

[AlohaPride]

We just did a back to back on the Veendam,when you do a back to back you get 2 sea days and 2 glacier days (which are like sea days)


I'm waiting for Hal to advertise 14 day trips for next year (that's what we booked this year ,not separate 7 day cruises) I spoke with them on the phone and they said they would be doing it? When I don't know.

have fun planning.

Oooo!! That would be FUN!