Opinions Requested: what cruise line does Alaska best?

Carnival Corp &PLC.----11/11/2013----Stein Kruse, currently president and CEO, Holland AmericaLine, being appointed CEO of the Holland America Group, addingPrincess Cruises and Holland America/Princess Tours (which handles landoperations in Alaska) to his current responsibilities, which include HollandAmerica Line and Seabourn. Kruse will report to Donald, and will replace MickyArison as chairman of the board of MANCO, the UK-based entity whichoversees operations of Carnival Australia including P&O Cruises.

Stein Kruse was promotedto Group CEO Holland America Group and Carnival UK in July 2017. Kruse becameChief Executive Officer of the Holland America Group in December 2013. In thatcapacity, he had full operating responsibility of Holland America Line, PrincessCruises, Seabourn and Holland America Princess Alaska Tours. He was presidentand chief executive officer of Holland America Line from 2004 to November 2013.

The Holland AmericaGroup has made the move to its new Seattle headquarters located a stone'sthrow from the company's long-time headquarters. The custom-designed buildinghouses Holland America Line, Seabourn, Princess Cruises and the company'sAlaska tours division.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=200767&p=irol-govmanage

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-govBio2&ID=155622

http://www.hollandamericagroup.com/

We usually sail on smaller ships but sailed to Alaska on the Coral Princess twice. It was fabulous. Make sure you include Glacier and Hubbard Bay. In my opinion, not to be missed!

We just did the Southbound Voyage of the Glaciers on Princess. We did two days at Denali as well.

I had always heard Princess does Alaska amazingly well. I have nothing to compare but not a single complaint about this cruise. We had the most fabulous time - had an amazing Captain that made sure we got so much out of the trip.

Best of luck to you in planning. You're going to love Alaska.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Seabourn is supposed to have a tremendous product there- they're owned by HAL so you have all the expertise from them but get to experience it on small, yacht like ships with amazing food and standard accommodation that would be a top suite in any other larger ship. Add zodiacs and stops in smaller, out of the way areas away from tourists and that's the way we're leaning for next season.

Just remember no zodiacs in Alaska due to regulatory issue. Just returned from seabourn Seward to Vancouver 14 day.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Just remember no zodiacs in Alaska due to regulatory issue. Just returned from seabourn Seward to Vancouver 14 day.

I wonder if they won’t have this resolved by next season as it sounds specific to Seabourn. There are small ship lines that use zodiacs with no issues. Windstar is returning to Alaska in 2018 and they are advertising zodiacs.

I wonder if they won’t have this resolved by next season as it sounds specific to Seabourn. There are small ship lines that use zodiacs with no issues. Windstar is returning to Alaska in 2018 and they are advertising zodiacs.

Interesting, I hadn't heard about this. Seabourn pulled out of Alaska 15 years ago but decided to return this season. Apparently they thought they had their permits for use of Zodiacs squared away with Dept. of Homeland Security but didn't. This problem wasn't specific to just Alaska for them but all US Coastal waters.Their Zodiac operations in Canada were okay.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7888 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/19/4.80

I second the comments about Lindblad - small ships and their expedition team really is second to none. Kayaking, hikes ashore, ruining about on zodiacs - a great way to experience Alaska in a small group/

How can I navigate to find out more about these smaller ships?

How can I navigate to find out more about these smaller ships?

Welcome to cruise critic! It does take awhile to learn how to navigate all the boards but it is well worth the effort since there is a wealth of information on them.

• To start at the very beginning go to the home page for everything: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/
  
  • Each cruise line has a board listed under "Cruise Lines A-O" and Cruise Lines P-Z". These boards are cruise line specific.
    

  [*]If you are a first time cruiser there are lots of cruise critic articles collected at https://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/.

Regarding finding information about the smaller ships ---most are not listed in the regular information sites on Cruise Critic. We loved the Alaskan Dream and found it by doing a google search of Alaskan Dream Cruises. I am sure the same can be done for the other small boats.

How can I navigate to find out more about these smaller ships?

There are a few threads on the smaller lines in Alaska over at the "Other Cruise Lines" thread.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=218

My husband and I are planning an Alaskan cruise in May, 2019. We are looking for experienced cruisers' opinions on which cruise line is best for this trip. Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts.

HAL in my opinion