2014 Alaskan Cruise

[beamqueen]

Hello! I am new here at Cruise Critic and to the world of cruising. I was on a cruise as a child but really don't remember a ton about it.

 

Anyway- my fiance and I are planning a cruise for our honeymoon. We are looking to go on an Alaskan cruise at the end of May or beginning of June 2014. I have been reading countless reviews and am still stuck on which cruise line to pick!

 

We are both quite active people, we like to be busy and have something to do so I want to make sure we have many activities to choose from. In addition to that we also would like to have something fairly fancy (we will most likely be booking a suite). Since it is our honeymoon we do want to be catered to a bit. I want a combination of some fun activities and luxurious amenities on board our ship. Anyone out there who has cruised to Alaska have any ideas about what might be a good fit? We have talked most about Celebrity or Royal Caribbean but are open to anything!

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who has some ideas

[Keith1010]

Welcome To Cruise Critic.

 

Before you mentioned the cruise lines you were considering as I read your post I was thinking Celebrity.

 

They do offer a lot on their ships and they also have great suites and do very nice itineraries in Alaska.

 

As to Alaska, you will be able to learn a lot about Alaska from the Cruise Critic Alaska Ports Of Call Board.

 

Keith

[Assateague Island Princes]

If you're interested in a 14 day sailing, check out HAL's 14 day itinerary (really unusual itinerary with no repeat ports) sailing out of Seattle RT (usually less expensive airfare than flying to Vancouver), and on a beautiful smaller ship - MS Amsterdam. This itinerary includes some little visited by cruise ship ports including Homer, Kodiak, and the city of Anchorage itself (sailing right up Cook Inlet).

 

I've done this sailing twice - 2010 when it first became available, and then again in 2011, missed it in 2012, and it isn't available in 2013 - however HAL did bring it back for 2014 on limited sailings, so guess who is booked again on May 18th in 2014?:D Yup, going for the trifecta! HAL has amazing service - for ALL categories of cabins, but if booking a suite, I think you'd be very pleased with the pampering you'd receive.

 

No matter who you choose to sail with, doo your homework, discover what is important to you in each of the ports you'll be visiting. Always go for longer times in port, which is a bonus with all Alaska has to offer. Plan on pricey excursions if you're into flightseeing, whalewatching, dog sledding on a glacier, etc. I think you'll find that the entertainment is off the ship - all around you with spectacular scenery, magnificent glaciers, and amazing wildlife. Enjoy - and happy wedding/honeymoon!

[paul929207]

All of the major cruise lines in Alaska will have many activities and they will all cater to you.

 

Every evening, you will get a schedule for the following day. It will list all the activities. Often in the section for the cruise line on Cruise Critic, someone will post a schedule or two from their cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Congratulations on your up coming marriage. A honeymoon in Alaska on a ship -- great!!

If you are able to take the 14 day Amsterdam cruise, it is wonderful. We have also done it 2 times.

But if you only able to do a 7 day cruise -- Celebrity would be a good choice.

[c.c.legs]

We also are excited about Amsterdam' return to the GREAT schedule. We have just gotten off the Maasdam after a 15 day repositioning to Montreal. While on this cruise we found out about HAL bringing back the 14 day Alaska cruise. We have booked it for August again. Sadly we won't be sailing when you guys are. Are you going to be in your secret "balcony"room?

Carol and Jack too!

If you're interested in a 14 day sailing, check out HAL's 14 day itinerary (really unusual itinerary with no repeat ports) sailing out of Seattle RT (usually less expensive airfare than flying to Vancouver), and on a beautiful smaller ship - MS Amsterdam. This itinerary includes some little visited by cruise ship ports including Homer, Kodiak, and the city of Anchorage itself (sailing right up Cook Inlet).

 

I've done this sailing twice - 2010 when it first became available, and then again in 2011, missed it in 2012, and it isn't available in 2013 - however HAL did bring it back for 2014 on limited sailings, so guess who is booked again on May 18th in 2014?:D Yup, going for the trifecta! HAL has amazing service - for ALL categories of cabins, but if booking a suite, I think you'd be very pleased with the pampering you'd receive.

 

No matter who you choose to sail with, doo your homework, discover what is important to you in each of the ports you'll be visiting. Always go for longer times in port, which is a bonus with all Alaska has to offer. Plan on pricey excursions if you're into flightseeing, whalewatching, dog sledding on a glacier, etc. I think you'll find that the entertainment is off the ship - all around you with spectacular scenery, magnificent glaciers, and amazing wildlife. Enjoy - and happy wedding/honeymoon!

[MCC retired]

I suggest you look at itineraries first , then chose a ship.

All of the mass market cruise lines will have suites , activities.

 

Are you limited to 7 nights .

Then you have Inside Passage r/t that take you to the lower part of Alaska. The Glacier routes north or south will take you farther north as well as the Inside Passage ports along the way.

 

More than 7 nights , I suggest a Cruise/Tour . 7 nights north or south combined with a land tour to visit places like Denali , Fairbanks , ect.

 

A good TA who has actually been to and sells a lot of Alaska can help you

choose . Interview TA before booking as to experience and any fee's .

[NoobCruise]

Personally, I would cruise by itierary first. I think Glacier Bay National Park is a must. That narrows your choices down to 3 cruise lines because the park only allows a couple of ships into the park each day, so the ships have to have permits to enter. Norweigan Cruise Lines, Princess, and Holland America hold those permits. Carnival has a couple of the permits at the very beginning and end of the season, but not at the time you want to sail.

 

Do you want to sail out of Seattle, Wa or Vancouver, Canada and do you want a one-way (setting sail out of Seattle or Vancouver and ending in Whittier Alaska, or the opposite direction) or do you want a round trip beginning and ending in the same port? They say sailing out of Vancouver through the inside Passage is much more scenic than Seattle.

 

Next, I would recommend reading on the three cruiselines to see which line fits you best. NCL is more laid back as far as attire, especially "formal night". Princess does not allow smoking in public areas, in cabins or on balconies. HAL allows smokingin the casino, a couple of bars, and on balconies. Princess sails to Skagway while HAL sails to Sitka. Princess has huge tv screens outside by the outdoor pool. HAL does not. There are lots of little details to consider. OR go with whichever one you get the best deal on.

 

If you are interested in a suite, I highly recommend an aft corner suite on one of HALs Vista ships. They have a huge huge balcony that wraps around the back corner. Part of the balcony faces out the side of the ship and part of it faces out the back. We were in Deluxe Verandah Suite SB8147 on the Westerdam. They just changed the cabin names so I think it's called a Neptune Suite now. Anyways, there are pics in both my review of the Westerdam and in my Alaska Trip Report links in my signature. It was a fabulous cabin, and the service was fantastic. Although, next cruise, I want to sail out of Vancouver through the Inside Passage.

[Assateague Island Princes]

My apologies to the OP for jumping in on this thread to catch up with old friends.

 

Hi Carol and Jack - been thinking about you 2 and haven't seen you post in awhile. A cruise is a good excuse for lack of posting - hope you had a wonderful time! Yes, I'm going on the May 18th sailing next year - sharing our "secret cabin" with Michelle from the 2010 sailing (yes, Gary's staying home again, poor guy;)). SillyJilly will be in the other "secret cabin" next door with another friend. LVSue and Rhodi are sailing on that date as well, and we're trying to talk Sue from Canada into joining us as well - a 2010 reunion! Consider canceling the Aug. sailing and join us - would be fun! Head over to our VERY active Roll Call and join in the chat - we welcome one and all, even those not on our sailing.:D

[beamqueen]

Thanks everyone! We have narrowed it down to a couple sailings and hopefully we will be deciding soon. It will either be Celebrity Solstice- May 30 2014 or May 23rd 2014 Rhapsody of the Seas. So we will see what happens! Excited to be able to celebrate our honeymoon and I am sure no matter what ship we are on it will be a blast!