Westerdam/Amsterdam...Glacier Bay/Tracy Arm

We are taking my husband’s parents on a cruise to Alaska in August. They’ve never really been on a big vacation and will be 82 so we really want to do something special for them. My dilemma is this… we booked the Amsterdam as it is round trip Seattle and the timing was such that we’d only have to take one week off work. I got what I think is a great deal – 849.00 for our ocean view and 1399.00 for their balcony. Final payment is due next week I think. BUT… this goes to Tracy Arm, and we have 2 full days on the ship before our first port stop. I am now debating a very similar itinerary on the Westerdam. It would mean taking an extra day of vacation, but goes to Glacier Bay, and we only have 1 sea day, then a port stop, then the next day is Glacier Bay. These two things seem preferable to me. Right now balconies are 1599.00 and ocean view is 1399.00, but I really want them to love this trip – do you think the price difference would be worth it? Thanks so much for your helpful insight! :)

That's a hard one to answer. TA is spectacular scenery but one is never guaranteed that one gets close to the glacier. GB assures viewing of glaciers and is lovely, too, but in a different way than TA.

If the budget allows, I would go for GB. But, since it's the first time to Alaska, TA will not disappoint, particularly if one does not realize that there is a large glacier at the end of the fjord.

Good Luck with your decision.

GB is well worth it. Been to both and I would pick GB for sure.:):)

Paulsen:

I have been to both. Most people will agree that, if all else is equal, Glacier Bay is the more scenic destination. However, the premium you are thinking about paying is just not worth it.

There is scenery everywhere....not just on the scenic cruising days. We got up close to the glacier in Tracy Arm (I think it was called the Sawyer Glacier) and it was just beautiful.

If your mother in law and father in law have a verandah, they should be set for a great cruise either way. Save the extra money for the casino or a photo package or the many other things that will spoil them on the ship. Have a great time. This will be an experience your in laws will never forget.

How are they for mobility? The Westerdam is a bigger ship. Could that present problems?

As for Glacier Bay vs Tracy Arm. They are both spectacular, in different ways. Glacier Bay is a huge bay with multiple glaciers. Tracy Arm is a fjord with great sightseeing, and the possibility of getting to the glacier at the end of the fjord.

We have been to both. And several times we missed Tracy Arm because of ice flows.

Westerdam is bigger -- Pinnacle Grill has windows that are ocean view.

On the Amsterdam the Pinnacle Grill is located inside on the Promenade Deck -- no ocean viewing.

Here's a pic of Tracy Arm -- no broad views, the fjord walls are very close.

Thanks much for the feedback! His parents are pretty mobile (love to polka!) so I think the Westerdam would be fine for them to navigate. We cruised HAL for the first time this spring on the Zuiderdam and loved it, so I'm also a bit drawn to the Westerdam for that reason. I want them to be truly wowed even if it costs us more to do it! I was just wondering if I was a bit crazy to spend that much more. It seems Tracy Arm would be wonderful as well, but if there is a chance we wouldn't get in I would be so disappointed for them. I suppose the "good" news is now that the ocean view and verandah are so close in price, we might spring for a verandah ourselves too. :D

IMHO the chances are good for getting into Tracy Arm in August. We prefer TA over GB so I guess we are in the minority.

We loved sailing Tracy Arm and is one of the most beautiful viewing we have ever enjoyed on a cruise..... and we cruised a great deal. Your chance of getting into Tracy Arm in August is very much better than May. It is stunningly beautiful. :)

IMHO the chances are good for getting into Tracy Arm in August. We prefer TA over GB so I guess we are in the minority.

We were posting at the same time saying the chances of seeing Tracy Arm in August are good. :)

Sail, it was great to get your confirmation about being able to get into Tracy Arm in August. To us, Tracy Arm and the fjords are just stunningly beautiful so definitely feel like you do. If one wanted to see GB would they get closer on the Amsterdam than the Westerdam since it's a smaller ship?

I don't know there would be much difference in distance. Though Amsterdam is certainly smaller she isn't exactly 'small'. :) I believe she is in the range of around 63,000 ton while Westerdam is about 82,000.

paulsen02 - you might want to get a quote from some of the TA's that can advertise on Cruise Critic.

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