Alaska Cruise Question

[swokie]

We are begin to plan a cruise to Alaska next summer. Are there major differences in cruise lines and excursions offered? It appears that Carnival and Holland offer different excursions. One goes to Sitka and the other to Skagway. Also, are there differences between Glacier Bay and Tracy's Arm Fjord? Any suggests will be greatly appreciated. We are considering the 7 day round trip out of Seattle.

[eh2zed]

Holland America and Princess have been in Alaska the longest, have the most permits to get into Glacier Bay and have the most on land infrastructure. Glacier Bay is in a National Park and generally is considered the best glacier related scenic cruising opportunity in Alaska.

[Fergus]

We did the Spirit northbound from Vancouver to Whittier (Anchorage). We stopped at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka. When we arrived in AK, we rented a car and spent several days on land before we flew back, but could just as easily have gotten transport thru Carnival to the airport in Anchorage for return. By the way, our whole family LOVED it - one of our best cruises ever!

[paul929207]

We have been to Alaska twice, both with Princess. By far the best day was the one we spent in Glacier Bay. If possible I would take a cruise that includes it.

[chipmaster]

HAL and Princess are the two biggies with the most sailings to Glacier Bay.

 

Yes Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm are different, kind of like comparing a National Park to a State Park, you want the iconic glaciers pick Hubbard or Glacier Bay.

 

As to port, I find them less critical than the scenic cruising, pay attention to time in port and scenic cruising that is what will seperate the great experience from the good experience.

 

For roundtrip there are just a few sailings to Glacier Bay, book early and expect to pay a tad more than Tracy Arm but well worth it.

 

We are begin to plan a cruise to Alaska next summer. Are there major differences in cruise lines and excursions offered? It appears that Carnival and Holland offer different excursions. One goes to Sitka and the other to Skagway. Also, are there differences between Glacier Bay and Tracy's Arm Fjord? Any suggests will be greatly appreciated. We are considering the 7 day round trip out of Seattle.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have cruised 3 different cruise lines in Alaska.

 

We love Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.

 

We have been on cruises where Tracy Arm was on the itinerary -- and this year for the first time we actually got close to the glacier there.

 

And on the opposite end -- we were always able to get very close to Hubbard Glacier previous years -- but not this year -- we were about 5 - 6 miles away.

[boewok]

If you can afford it (time and/or money), do a cruise-tour. HAL does it well. The area away from the ports is fantastic!! We have done it twice. And if at all possible we will do it again. Once from Ankorage through Yukon Territory to Skagway to catch the ship. The second time, we went from Calgary, Canada, to Vancouver for the cruise. Both trips by bus and train. When you do it through the cruise line, the trips are well planned and escorted.

 

Barb

[ggto4]

We are begin to plan a cruise to Alaska next summer. Are there major differences in cruise lines and excursions offered? It appears that Carnival and Holland offer different excursions. One goes to Sitka and the other to Skagway. Also, are there differences between Glacier Bay and Tracy's Arm Fjord? Any suggests will be greatly appreciated. We are considering the 7 day round trip out of Seattle.

 

Swokie....if you will go to the Alaska board, you will get a lot of great info. If I were wanting the best Inside Passage cruise to Alaska, I would go RT out of Vancouver, because it has the most scenic route. Of course you can go Northbound of Southbound, too. Seattle ships cruise on the W. side of vancouver Island....which is all ocean. Out of Vancouver you go thru beautiful scenenery...the E. side of V. Island. Look at a map and you will see. It may be a bit cheaper on air fare to go out of Seattle, but lots of folks fly into Seattle and take a rental car, shuttle, amtrak, etc. to Vancouver. I would truly choose a route with Glacier Bay for its beauty. We are taking our 5th Alaskan cruise this week. It is a magnificent experience. I think all major lines offer similiar excursions, but many of us go for independents, also. check out the Alaska boards and you will find everything and more, without even posting. gg

[Gloria Mundi]

We've booked Innersea Discoveries; you might want to look them up. It's more expensive and much smaller ships (78 passenger). It will maximize closeness to nature- heck, you can kayak in the fjords or sit on the deck and have the whales practically breathe on you- but the accommodations are spartan and there ain't no casino or Broadway shows. This is the only type of Alaskan cruise we'd consider.

[GORDONCHICK]

What time of year are you going? If you are going early in the season, look at cruises that go to Glacier Bay. If you're going in August or September, I'd look at ones going to Hubbard. Having done both, Hubbard was definitely more jaw-dropping, but the ships can only get close late in the season because of ice in the water - hence my recommendation. Certain lines go to certain glaciers.

[jschm27]

For a first time Alaska cruiser, I'd recommend embarking in Vancouver. You get to cruise mostly in the inside passage. Very scenic. Make sure on your first cruise to get into (1 ) Glacier Bay. In 2006 we were on VEENDAM and were the first ship of the season to enter the Johns Hopkins Fiord to see the Johns Hopkins Glacier. It is one memory that will stick with me for the rest of my life! Skagway (2) has the railroad that goes up to the top of Dead Horse Pass and paralles the Dead Horse Trail that the miners took going to the Klondike gold fields. They have a couple of steam engines, but most trains are pulled by diesels that are historic in their own right. There is also Klondike National Historic Park in Skagway that is operated by the National Park Service. If you like history, it is fun to go there. Finally (3) see Ketchikan. You can walk to Creek Street and no tour is required.

 

On our last trip, we left on a round trip out of Seattle on WESTERDAM. I didn't think that the itinerary was as good as our first trip but we did go to Sitka. And we all fell in love with Sitka. In all of your other ports of call, you can have up to 5 large cruise ships disgorging passengers on those small towns. In Sitka, we were the only ship in. The town retains much of its character, lots of Russian and Native American influence. We all want to go back there again.

 

Hope this helps

 

John