casperthegm

A quick thanks to all those who have offered their insights- much appreciated. I've done some further research and I think we'll aim for a trip in mid to late May, probably around the 21st or so. Based on the itinerary, I think we'll be looking at RC's Quantum or Discovery Princess (anyone have any experience on either?), and we definitely will be going with a balcony- we won't waste the ships offerings but we do like our down time in the cabin as well. Quantum might be slightly more appealing, but I've seen reports that an ongoing engine issue has forced itinerary changes. I'm assuming that will be long resolved by the time May rolls around, but it makes me nervous. Anyway, based on what I'm seeing here, there's no benefit in waiting any longer, so we'll probably make a decision this weekend, after a final review. Thanks again to each of you.

Gotcha- thanks for the heads up about that.

I've started my research for our Alaska cruise we're planning to take this coming mid May to early June. I know this much; we are looking to take a 7 night cruise to Alaska, round trip from Seattle. There are 3 of us (me, wife, and 22 yr old son), staying in one room, which will be a balcony room. We're going to spend a couple of days in the LA area prior and then fly to Seattle, so those dates will be locked in well in advance, with no flexibility. With the goal of finding the most affordable fare, I'm wondering if I should be looking now and the next month or two or if it's wise to wait and see if they lower prices as the date gets closer and they try to fill unsold cabins- not sure I could stomach the roll of the dice. With all that rambling out of the way; Any suggestions on the best time to think about booking? And in addition to wondering when to book, are there a couple of reputable sites that offer good rates that anyone can recommend? Last question (for the moment) is regarding shore excursions. Is there a general consensus as to whether or not it's worth it to save money and book directly with the shore excursion companies, or is it generally preferred to book through the ship, since they guarantee they'll wait for you if delayed? Thanks in advance!