What the difference in an Alaskan Cruise

[pompeynanny]

My DW and I have been on several Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises but have never been to Alaska.
Obviously, the scenery and port tours are very different, but what about life on board?
With colder weather the outside pools will not be much use so does the covered pool get very crowded?
Are the lounges crowded during the sea days?
Are there any other differences that we should be aware of?

Looking forward to replies from those who have cruised Alaska.

[luvlake]

We have been on two Alaska cruises. One was in late May and the other was a B2B on July 4th. The Alaska cruises are all about scenery. For us the ship was not the focus. That said our ships the Coral and Sapphire were beautiful and definately made our cruise more enjoyable.

On our B2B we were fortunate to have very beautiful weather and spent a great deal of time on our balcony. An Alaska cruise is definately more laid back. You will find alot people looking at the horizon with binoculars in hand. We were fortunate to see many whales, dolphins, seals and sea otters.

If you are a scenery person then you will not be disappointed in this beautiful state!

Video and pictures below may help.

[gertz]

Originally Posted by pompeynanny

My DW and I have been on several Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises but have never been to Alaska.
Obviously, the scenery and port tours are very different, but what about life on board?
With colder weather the outside pools will not be much use so does the covered pool get very crowded?
Are the lounges crowded during the sea days?
Are there any other differences that we should be aware of?

Looking forward to replies from those who have cruised Alaska.

Been there four time looking for the 5th. No comparison to the Caribbean or Mediterranean.

Just awe inspiring scenery like no place else.

The Princess ships sailing Alaska have excellent space ratios. You will not be crowded. The out door pools are heated and with normal weather will be in use. The retractable top will generally be closed but not normally crowded. Unlike the Caribbean you probably won't stand in line for a lounge chair or much of anything else.

But do College Fjord and Glacier Bay with a balcony and you might try a little land on your own also.

[mr green]

Overall I prefer to be a little cool, to too darn hot!
The differences you will have to find out for yourselves, but, in all probability you will return.

john

[Kerry&LuAnn]

Originally Posted by gertz

Been there four time looking for the 5th. No comparison to the Caribbean or Mediterranean.

Just awe inspiring scenery like no place else.

The Princess ships sailing Alaska have excellent space ratios. You will not be crowded. The out door pools are heated and with normal weather will be in use. The retractable top will generally be closed but not normally crowded. Unlike the Caribbean you probably won't stand in line for a lounge chair or much of anything else.

But do College Fjord and Glacier Bay with a balcony and you might try a little land on your own also.

One of our happiest memories is sitting in the hot tub at the back of the ship, surrounded by glaciers, with a light rain falling down.... it was magical.

[georoc01]

The other thing that was nice in Alaska is that they have a naturalist on board and bring the park service onboard during our stay in Glacier Bay.

They gave great presentations in the theater. They had a performer in the lounge that sang the history of Alaska in 30 minutes. They also brought an Iditarod champion and her dogs onboard too.

[Kerry&LuAnn]

Many people are asking the same sorts of questions, and there is a lot of good information for you on the Alaska board:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum...aysprune=&f=55

[gertz]

Originally Posted by Kerry&LuAnn

One of our happiest memories is sitting in the hot tub at the back of the ship, surrounded by glaciers, with a light rain falling down.... it was magical.

Agree, It doesn't get much better.

Our happiest and most memorial Alaska cruise (perhaps all of our cruises) 06 Coral Princess. We took our lovely one month shy of 13 grand daughter. To see everything through the eyes of an almost grown little child. Wow!

Originally Posted by georoc01

The other thing that was nice in Alaska is that they have a naturalist on board and bring the park service onboard during our stay in Glacier Bay.

They gave great presentations in the theater. They had a performer in the lounge that sang the history of Alaska in 30 minutes. They also brought an Iditarod champion and her dogs onboard too.

The lady that won the Iditarod was on our cruise with GD. GD loved her dogs and her.

You know georoc01;--- I think we have more posters from Colorado on this Princess board than any of the surrounding states. Kansas only has one.