Please help me decide! Celebrity or Norwegian to Alaska

[CruisingGiants]

For weeks I have been trying to choose between two cruises to Alaska in September. They both come out about even price wise, so my deciding factors are ports and boats themselves (with more emphasis on ports). Anyone have thoughts on these? I'd really love some more input!

 

Here are the options:

1) Celebrity Solstice - 11 nights - 9/11 - 9/22

Seattle

Ketchikan

Tracy Arm

Skagway

Icy Strait

Inside Passage

Juneau

Victoria

Nanaimo

Vancouver

 

2) Norwegian Jewel - 10 nights - 9/19 - 9/29

Seattle

Inside Passage

Ketchikan

Juneau

Skagway

Glacier Bay

Icy Strait

Sitka

Victoria

Vancouver

 

The main differences are Tracy Arm vs. Glacier Bay and Nanaimo vs. Sitka.

 

Thanks so much for your help! I'll post this both in Alaska and main board.

[mapleleaves]

you didn't post the port times which are a very important consideration.

 

But based on the general itinerary you posted, I'd choose #2. Definitely Glacier Bay and Sitka .

Did you look at the Nanaimo and Sitka web sites to review the options on sights and activities?

 

(OTOH, I'd never choose a sailing at the end of the season. Too much chance for a fall storm. )

[xlxo]

Another vote for #2 because of Glacier Bay.... you get to see 4 to 5 glaciers instead of the single Sawyer (which may not be accessible due to ice congestion).

 

Both cruises end in Vancouver.... I recommend staying an extra 2 to 5 days to check out this incredible port.

Edited February 28, 2015 by xlxo

[Budget Queen]

I would give 1 a first consideration, due to the date. Week by week, you have a bigger risk of compounded foul cold weather. Daylight is also significantly missing, and keeps getting worse.

 

I don't agree with the constant claims, Glacier Bay is the only worthwhile itinerary. In my opinion it isn't, I have definitely had a lot more scenic sailing in Tracy Arm compared to Glacier Bay which is much wider. I find some of the posts with very one sided recommendations, forgoing the whole itinerary, which could be just as important. I'm a firm believer in looking at several factors before eliminating a cruise.

 

If the port times get posted, that would offer more details for ideas.

[CruisingGiants]

I do know weather is a concern and the later it gets in September the colder/wetter/darker it gets. Unfortunately it's the only month we can travel. Here are the port times for both...

 

 

1) Celebrity Solstice - 11 nights - 9/11 - 9/22

9/11 Seattle - Depart @ 5

9/12 Sea Day

9/13 Ketchikan 7 - 6 p.m.

9/14 Tracy Arm 10 - 5 p.m.

9/15 Skagway 7 -7 p.m.

9/16 Icy Strait 7 - 5 p.m.

9/17 Inside Passage 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

9/18 Juneau 7 - 8:30 p.m.

9/19 Sea Day

9/20 Sea Day

9/21 Victoria 7 - 5 p.m.

9/22 Nanaimo 7 - 5 p.m.

9/23 Vancouver Arrive @

 

2) Norwegian Jewel - 10 nights - 9/19 - 9/29

9/19 Seattle Depart @ 4 p.m.

9/20 Sea Day

9/21 Ketchikan 7 - 4 p.m.

9/22 Juneau 9 - 9 p.m.

9/23 Skagway 7 - 8:15 p.m.

9/24 Glacier Bay

9/25 Icy Strait 8 - 4 p.m.

9/26 Sitka 7 - 4 p.m.

9/27 Sea Day

9/28 Victoria noon - midnight

9/29 Vancouver Arrive @ 8

 

** It looks like maybe the Norwegian doesn't do the Inside Passage after all -- I thought I had read they did.

 

Thanks for your help!!

[Budget Queen]

I do know weather is a concern and the later it gets in September the colder/wetter/darker it gets. Unfortunately it's the only month we can travel. Here are the port times for both...

 

 

1) Celebrity Solstice - 11 nights - 9/11 - 9/22

9/11 Seattle - Depart @ 5

9/12 Sea Day

9/13 Ketchikan 7 - 6 p.m.

9/14 Tracy Arm 10 - 5 p.m.

9/15 Skagway 7 -7 p.m.

9/16 Icy Strait 7 - 5 p.m.

9/17 Inside Passage 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

9/18 Juneau 7 - 8:30 p.m.

9/19 Sea Day

9/20 Sea Day

9/21 Victoria 7 - 5 p.m.

9/22 Nanaimo 7 - 5 p.m.

9/23 Vancouver Arrive @

 

2) Norwegian Jewel - 10 nights - 9/19 - 9/29

9/19 Seattle Depart @ 4 p.m.

9/20 Sea Day

9/21 Ketchikan 7 - 4 p.m.

9/22 Juneau 9 - 9 p.m.

9/23 Skagway 7 - 8:15 p.m.

9/24 Glacier Bay

9/25 Icy Strait 8 - 4 p.m.

9/26 Sitka 7 - 4 p.m.

9/27 Sea Day

9/28 Victoria noon - midnight

9/29 Vancouver Arrive @ 8

 

** It looks like maybe the Norwegian doesn't do the Inside Passage after all -- I thought I had read they did.

 

Thanks for your help!!

 

 

both of these cruises sail the "inside Passage". If you are referring to inside Vancouver Island, a lot of the sailing will be dark.

 

Have no idea what 9-17 reference is about, but, it is not correct. You are "inside passage" the entire time, leaving Hoonah and arriving Juneau. It's a very short distance, and the ship would have to be stalling all the way there, to have a "day" in between?

Please double check these, and make any corrections if any.

[Coral]

I do know weather is a concern and the later it gets in September the colder/wetter/darker it gets. Unfortunately it's the only month we can travel. Here are the port times for both...

 

 

 

Can you go next year at a different time? I wouldn't want to travel those dates in September. The chances of fowl weather is definitely there.

 

I would choose the Jewel of the two ships/itineraries.

[Pushka]

I haven't travelled to Alaska yet, and while I love Celebrity, for me, seeing Glacier Bay is a must. So it is either Princess, or NCL. I'm basing my whole decision on that.

[Budget Queen]

I haven't travelled to Alaska yet, and while I love Celebrity, for me, seeing Glacier Bay is a must. So it is either Princess, or NCL. I'm basing my whole decision on that.

 

Hal also has Glacier Bay itineraries.

[Pushka]

Hal also has Glacier Bay itineraries.

 

 

But for some reason I'm not a fan. Although I've never been on a HAL cruise. And I don't know why! :p