tulsanurse1

Have decided to book an Alaska small cruise for June 2019. Having some trouble finding reviews for the different ones. Im interested in a 6-8 night cruise. Recs for any you have experience with.

Find one that is a "Cruise Specialist" that will help. Before you go in, you need to establish what your budget might be.

 

1. Do you want a drinks package -- drinks are expensive on ships and if you drink a lot it might work out better for you.
   
2. How elegant do you want to be? Dressing up a priority? Do you want assigned dining times and be sat at the same table every night with the same people assigned to the table. Do you want flexibility in dining so you don't need to rush back to the ship from sightseeing to dress for dinner?
   
3. Do you want a ship with a lot of bells and whistles? Will it be a port intensive cruise? How much time will you actually be spending on the ship to make use of the slides/climbing walls/go karts etc?
   
4. You can save money by booking a "guarantee" cabin but that will not let choose a specific stateroom. An inside cabin will be the cheapest but won't have any window.
   
5. Make sure you check out the Alaska board here on Cruise Critic -- there are some cruises that will not do Tracy Arm or some other spectacular glacier. Also consider a Back to Back instead of a one way to/from Vancouver.
   
6. Get passports if you don't already have them.
   

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1. We dont drink much but its something to consider. We will each have a drink in the evening.

2. No dressing up. My sister is fine with whatever there is to

eat (within reason). I see us in the MDR most nights.

3. Would like a couple of shows but wall climbing, etc. A nice warm pool/jacuzzi would be nice.

4-What is your take on having a balcony room? Is it necessary?

I would rather be outside, front of ship seeing all the

magnificent wonders. Is that even possible on the larger

ships?

5. Still learning what a back-to-back cruise is. If you dont go North to South or South to North, what other way is there?

PS-The glaciers are one the most important in my search.

6. Working on my passport as we speak.

 

Your response here was awesome. Helped to at least address some pretty important things. One of those things is whether the ship, in our eyes, will just be the vessel of transport or whether the glitz/glam of the ship plays any importance. Now Im left wondering whether I should budget perhaps a little more and go for a smaller outfit like UnCruise or one of those. Wow, so many options.

Thank you so much!!! All this info is so helpful. I have been on CC for a week using any time I have free searching all the forums. This site is invaluable indeed.

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?

I read the rules; I am not asking for a name. I'm asking if there is a way to search for really experienced TA companies. When I did an internet search for TA's there were so many that I was lost how to go about vetting the inexperienced ones out. Sorry if I got anyone in trouble.

I am researching so I thought I would look into the smaller cruise ships. Any pro's or con's you can think of?

I have been researching 2 weeks and still unsure which ship to choose for our Alaska cruise in May/June 2019. I've never used a travel agent. How do I know Ive found a good one? One who has actually cruised a lot?

I am wanting to take my sister (55) to Alaska for her first cruise. It will also be my first cruise. I've been researching, trying to find a nice ship with maybe a broadway play and some other interesting shows. Hoping to have 8-11 days. Is this possible to find?

If its not possible, I want to wait to go to Alaska. Im finding that there are smaller ships that are able to get closer to the glaciers and such and the reviews left are quite positive. Maybe take her on a big bright bright ship with everything in 2019 and then do the Alaska cruise in 2020.

It depends on the cruise itinerary. What cruise line, ship and date have you booked?

I havent found which cruise Im going to choose yet. This is pretty overwhelming if you've done a cruise. Maybe you could suggest?

Will board May or June 2019 (which is best). My sister and I are 55 & 56. Must have balcony for the Alaska view. Interested in a ship with some good shows. I just want it to be perfect for her. We will probably have 2 or 3 drinks but no more than that. Would prefer to not have tons of children but some would be okay. If you have any suggestions, that would be great. I have looked at Celebrity Solstice and the Norwegian Bliss but their are others. It seems difficult to find the entertainment details for the ships. I saw where Cirque was on one of the Alaska ships but couldnt find out which one.

We are going on an Alaska cruise (if I can ever figure this stuff out lol). My sister is in Jacksonville, Florida, Im in Oklahoma. We are going to fly to Seattle to board. As crazy as this sounds, will the ship come back to Seattle? First question, be kind. Im so lost.