Celebrity or Princess to Alaska

[kelmac]

We are dyed in the wool Celebrity cruisers. Unfortunately they only have seven day cruises to Alaska. Princess has a ten night from San Francisco.

 

After so many Celebrity cruises we are a little hesitant to sign on with Princess. But it's a long flight from NJ for a seven day cruise. We almost never take seven day cruises. They're just too short.

 

Any thoughts, pros and cons on the issue?

 

Hi PandN,

 

My standard answer is -- why not do both? We've done this before and recommend taking one ship (Princess) north bound to Alaska, spend some time on the "mainland" area, and take a different ship southbound (Celebrity). You will get some different ports, like Glacier Bay on Princess and Hubbard Glacier on Celebrity. (I prefer Hubbard for a couple of reasons)

 

Actually is very cost effective as you need only R/T air to Vancouver and no "open jaw" flight from or to Anchorage.

 

Example:

 

ITINERARY Pacific Princess this summer

 

DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART

Mon Aug 10 Vancouver, BC, Canada 4:00pm

Tue Aug 11 At Sea

Wed Aug 12 Ketchikan, AK 7:00am 2:00pm

Thu Aug 13 Juneau, AK 8:00am 9:00pm

Fri Aug 14 Skagway, AK 7:00am 8:30pm

Sat Aug 15 Glacier Bay National Park, AK (Cruising)

Sun Aug 16 College Fjord, AK (Cruising)

Mon Aug 17 Anchorage (Whittier), AK 12:30am

 

ITINERARY Celebrity Millennium

 

DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART

Fri Aug 21 Anchorage (Seward), AK 8:00pm

Sat Aug 22 Hubbard Glacier, AK (Cruising) 2:00pm 6:00pm

Sun Aug 23 Juneau, AK 9:00am 9:00pm

Mon Aug 24 Skagway, AK 7:00am 8:30pm

Tue Aug 25 Icy Strait Point, AK 7:00am 4:00pm

Wed Aug 26 Ketchikan, AK 9:00am 6:00pm

Thu Aug 27 Inside Passage (Cruising)

Fri Aug 28 Vancouver, BC, Canada 7:00am

 

Gives you four nights to kick around the Kenai and Anchorage. We rented a car and stayed in a Princess Lodge. You will arrive in Whittier and leave out of Seward (not that far apart).

We did 23 days total, with overnights in Vancouver, for less than a 12 day Land/Sea package.

 

Just a thought,

Kel:)

[ClaudiaB]

I would do the 7 day cruise one way.

 

Then do-it-yourself cruise tour. Don't bother with the big buses on the cruise line's cruise tours. You can rent a car in Seward and stay there a few days. Then head on to Anchorage for a day and then head to Denali for a few more days.

You get Milestone which is a comprehensive road map book. There's really only one road that connects everything, you can't really get lost. THEN.... your 7 days from the east coast is 14 days or maybe a bit longer, depending on your time. I agree, 7 days seems pretty short and the round trips are wonderful cruises but you really don't get way up into Alaska.

 

The cruise tours are fine. Except you are stuck to their schedule. You have to stop where they want to stop. If you see something outside the window, you can stop your own car and get out. You don't have to wait 30 minutes for a rest room stop while 50 of your closest friends "go." It takes a lot of time to load and unload a big bus. You have their hotels. You have their timetable and it doesn't always allow for flexibility. it would drive me nuts, honestly.

The price will be cheaper and you can see more for less. Get on over to the Alaska forums here on cruise critic. I've found them extremely helpful and informative.

 

You can also stay in the places you want to stay. Seriously, if ever there was a place tailor made for do-it-yourself, it's our 49th state!!!

[Pushka]

We are doing a B2B next year. Originally booked Princess then went to Celebrity (my choice cruise line) now back to Princess. Glacier Bay won out. On the Southbound leg we do both Hubbard and Glacier Bay, northbound, Glacier Bay and College Fjord. Hopefully got it coveted. Just wish Celebrity went to Glacier Bay.

[Cruise Raider]

What about smoking? Would have to give the edge to Celebrity. No smoking anywhere inside the ship.

 

Celebrity's smoking policy is more restrictive although neither line allows smoking in your stateroom, your balcony, the dining areas or shows. Celebrity does not allow smoking in the casino and Princess has alternating nights of non-smoking in the casino -- definitely no smoking on formal nights. While smoke really bothers me, smokers have also paid for their cruise, so don't begrudge either line for having designated smoking areas -- just as long as I don't have to be around it. Celebrity's policy makes it easier to escape it.

[kelmac]

We are doing a B2B next year. Originally booked Princess then went to Celebrity (my choice cruise line) now back to Princess. Glacier Bay won out. On the Southbound leg we do both Hubbard and Glacier Bay, northbound, Glacier Bay and College Fjord. Hopefully got it coveted. Just wish Celebrity went to Glacier Bay.

 

I've always thought that Glacier Bay is over-rated. Global warming has shrunk the glaciers to a shadow of it's former self. At least Hubbard Glacier is huge, powerful and calving all summer long. I don't "get" Princess -- mediocre food and crowded ships. I will however keep trying, as many people seemed to like their experience on Princess ships. My last try, on the Golden was in 2013, -- not great.:o:)

 

I would substitute HAL, or even NCL(with the ultimate dining package) over Princess.

 

No such thing as a "bad cruise", so you can't really make a mistake here.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I've never seen Hubbard Glacier, but between Glacier Bay and College Fjords- the Fjords were more interesting in my opinion. We got up close and it was beautiful.

[Pushka]

I've always thought that Glacier Bay is over-rated. Global warming has shrunk the glaciers to a shadow of it's former self. At least Hubbard Glacier is huge, powerful and calving all summer long. I don't "get" Princess -- mediocre food and crowded ships. I will however keep trying, as many people seemed to like their experience on Princess ships. My last try, on the Golden was in 2013, -- not great.:o:)

 

I would substitute HAL, or even NCL(with the ultimate dining package) over Princess.

 

No such thing as a "bad cruise", so you can't really make a mistake here.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

 

I looked at NCL and just didnt like the ship - Sun. Poor reviews for things that would have likewise bothered me. HAL - priced a balcony and much more expensive than Princess and Celebrity. I have travelled on Princess before and was happy with the meals and service. At least with this itinerary I can compare all three experiences and report back.

[kelmac]

I looked at NCL and just didnt like the ship - Sun. Poor reviews for things that would have likewise bothered me. HAL - priced a balcony and much more expensive than Princess and Celebrity. I have travelled on Princess before and was happy with the meals and service. At least with this itinerary I can compare all three experiences and report back.[/QUOTe]

 

P,

 

Sounds like a good plan! :)

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

[Host Jazzbeau]

Celebrity and other cruise lines did not apply for a permit when they were last issued in 2009. They are not "banned"

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Alaska-s-Glacier-Bay-awards-10-year-deals-to-cruise-lines/

 

I think X is very happy going to Hubbard which is a monster glacier that is actively calving. When you are in the bay it sounds like it is alive - growling, loud bangs, and booms when huge ice falls hit the ocean!! It is spectacular:). Please note Alaskan resident Northern Auroa's post #11 comments as well.

 

I think the stop that was missed a lot because of fog and ice was Tracy Arm

 

The Princess Southbound cruise goes to BOTH Glacier Bay AND Hubbard -- so there's no need to choose one or the other, or to take two cruises to get both. That's why this itinerary is the absolute best for Alaska.

 

It was Hubbard that we were fogged out of -- and we were told (both on board and I believe here on CC) that it is often that way. So if you have put all your eggs in that basket, you'll end up with nothing.

Edited July 13, 2015 by Host Jazzbeau

[kelmac]

The Princess Southbound cruise goes to BOTH Glacier Bay AND Hubbard -- so there's no need to choose one or the other, or to take two cruises to get both. That's why this itinerary is the absolute best for Alaska.

 

It was Hubbard that we were fogged out of -- and we were told (both on board and I believe here on CC) that it is often that way. So if you have put all your eggs in that basket, you'll end up with nothing.

 

Hi Jazz,

 

Wow, I've been to Hubbard Glacier three times and never experienced fog. I guess we were just lucky? Many captain's will get you very close to the Hubbard Glacier and you can hear it pop and crack, with huge chunks of ice calving into the bay. The ice is two or three times the height of a cruise ship and when it hits the water it will rock the boat.:) Very impressive!!

 

http://alaskancruiser.com/glaciers/video-of-hubbard-glacier-alaska/

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

Edited July 13, 2015 by kelmac

[cattman]

Read all the posts and applaud all the great advice. Just like to add a couple things:

 

After twelve cruises to Alaska on Princess, RCL, X, and HAL, with visits to Glacier Bay, Hubbard, College and Tracy Arm fjords I would have to give the edge to Princess.

 

While I agree with some others that the shipboard experience can be a better one on the other lines, we have found Princess to just do a better job all around when it comes to what matters most - presenting the best of the Inside Passage. Their naturalist program is the best, and they offer added enrichment programs such as a presentation by Libby Riddle(an iditarod winner) and daily naturalist presentations.

 

As Host Jazzbeau pointed out, they also offer the best of the larger cruise ships for outdoor viewing in Alaska - Coral Princess, a medium sized ship with front and back viewing platforms, a wrap-around Promenade and the highest passenger-to-space ratio in Alaska. Sailed with Celebrity last year and while we enjoyed the shipboard experience, we were very disappointed with the lack of open deck areas for scenic viewing, resulting in way too crowded decks. Not to mention the almost non-existent natural history element. And isn't this what's important on a cruise to Alaska?

 

As for Glacier Bay vs Hubbard vs Tracy Arm, you may only get to Alaska once. Yes, Glacier Bay is shrinking, but it and College Fjord offer the highest concentration of tidewater glaciers in Alaska and is a major bucket list item. And while we prefer the glaciers of College over GB, chances are if you are going to see wildlife during the cruise it will be in Glacier Bay. We have witnessed sea lion birthing, brown bears mating, and pods of Orcas. Not so much in Disenchantment Bay(Hubbard).

 

A southbound Whittier(or Seward) to Vancouver cruise - and most RT Vancouver cruises- have the added bonus of a daylight sailing through the beautiful BC Inside Passage. Cruises out of Seattle stay out to sea and are less scenic and can be a little rough.

Edited July 23, 2015 by cattman

[RDC1]

Celebrity and other cruise lines did not apply for a permit when they were last issued in 2009. They are not "banned"

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Alaska-s-Glacier-Bay-awards-10-year-deals-to-cruise-lines/

 

I think X is very happy going to Hubbard which is a monster glacier that is actively calving. When you are in the bay it sounds like it is alive - growling, loud bangs, and booms when huge ice falls hit the ocean!! It is spectacular:). Please note Alaskan resident Northern Auroa's post #11 comments as well.

 

I think the stop that was missed a lot because of fog and ice was Tracy Arm

 

While it is true that they are not currently banned. There was a period when RCL owned companies were banned from applying after their felony convictions for violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1998 and 1999.

 

That these violations occured in a number of places, not Glacier Bay. It was the felony conviction that made them unable to compete for the government concession contracts that allow access there for a period of five years after the conviction.

 

 

The current contracts allow access for:

 

Princess Cruiselines

Holland America, Inc.

Norwegian Cruiselines

Carnival Cruise Lines

Crystal Cruises

 

During the last competitive process Princess was considered to have the strongest application.

 

“Strong competition and excellent proposals from the cruise ship industry will help minimize air and water pollution, focus ship-board activities on understanding and enjoyment of Glacier Bay National Park and provide fee revenue to sustain park research, resource monitoring and other park operations”, said Payne.

 

Princess Cruises submitted the best proposal of the six companies competing for the contracts and was allocated 58 trips (32 of them under historical rights). Princess proposed the use of turbine engines, low sulfur distillate fuel and other strategies for reducing air pollution and to a “no discharge” policy to minimize water pollution. They committed to underwater sound signature testing, developed a “whale strike avoidance program,” offered a number of enhancements to the interpretive/educational program focused on Glacier Bay, and proposed a franchise fee of $12/passenger, $5 above the minimum. Princess Cruises is to be commended for its excellent proposal.

 

The remaining contracts and trips were awarded to Holland America Line (65 – 39 of them under historical rights), Cruise West (8), and Norwegian Cruise Line (22). Disney Cruise Line submitted a proposal but withdrew from the competition. Du Ponant, a French cruise operator, also submitted a proposal and could be offered a contract for use outside the June through August prime season.

 

It is unclear how effective RCL lines would be in winning slots under the concession contract process, considering that Princess and Holland America have almost half of the slots under historic rights and are routinely the largest winners of those awarded competitively. Winning slots requires substantial investment by the competing cruise lines.

 

From back in 1999. Back in that time they had applied prior to the debarment, but did not win.

 

Dave Nemeth, chief of concessions at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, said Royal Caribbean is on a government-wide debarment list, which restricts the business the company can do with federal agencies.

 

The debarment runs through 2004, he said, and he understands the company won't be granted permits to visit Glacier Bay until it is off the list.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency put Royal Caribbean on the list last year, Nemeth said, after the cruise line entered a plea agreement connected to other pollution violations.

 

But being denied access to Glacier Bay doesn't appear to make much of a difference because Royal Caribbean can't go there anyway. The company did bid for some of the peak-season cruise ship visits allowed for the next four summers, but its proposal wasn't accepted.

 

Nemeth said Royal Caribbean has not asked for permits to visit the bay during the off season. If it did, it wouldn't get one until the company is off the list, he said.

Edited July 23, 2015 by RDC1

[teecee60]

I'm a big fan of Celebrity as well, but did a 14 night Diamond Princess Alaska cruise two years ago and loved it. (It was a B2B of two 7 night cruises)

 

The ship was not as "glitzy-cool" as an S class but still very nice. There were more "small venue" entertainment spaces on Princess than on X, and I MUCH prefer Princess for their entertainment and music, (ESPCIALLY a piano bar) but MUCH prefer Celebrity for their gym.

 

I think Service is fantastic on either and food is pretty close as well. Specialty restaurants on X are *M*U*C*H* better.

 

Star Princess is the only one(?) OR one-of-the-few Princess ships that still has the "Skywalker Lounge" that is THE best spot on the ship. (the counterpart to Celebrity's "Sky Lounge" but at the ship's stern)

 

I would book more cruises on either or both. ;)

Edited July 23, 2015 by teecee60

[RDC1]

I have been to Hubbard Glacier 3 times (two Celebrity, one Princess), Glacier Bay 3 times (two Princess, One HAL), Tracy Arm 1 time (HAL).

 

If I was only doing Alaska once, and had to choose one of the three it would be Glacier Bay. Not only do you get the Glaciers, but very good wildlife viewing as well. It is a full day event. Out of the three visits one had fog for part of the day (morning), but it did clear up later. The other two were clear all day.

 

If you do Tracy Arm, sign up for and take the small boat excursion that goes right up to the Glaciers. Tracy Arm probably has the worst record of the ships not making it all the way to the Glaciers.

 

Out of my three visits to Hubbard, one was great, clear day, ship got right up close (Celebrity). One was ok, lots of ice in the water, Capt did not want to approach very closely at all due to the ice (Princess). One time was a total bust, ship did not even enter within viewing distance (Celebrity).

[Christine Frances]

Then there is this: http://www.ktoo.org/2013/01/29/epa-fines-princess-cruise-lines-for-2011-clean-water-act-violation-in-glacier-bay/

 

or this: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/16879150/ns/us_news-environment/t/princess-cruise-lines-fined-whales-death/#.VbGKCvlViko

Edited July 24, 2015 by Christine Frances

[RDC1]

Then there is this: http://www.ktoo.org/2013/01/29/epa-fines-princess-cruise-lines-for-2011-clean-water-act-violation-in-glacier-bay/

 

or this: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/16879150/ns/us_news-environment/t/princess-cruise-lines-fined-whales-death/#.VbGKCvlViko

 

Lets compare scope

 

http://www.ktoo.org/2013/01/29/epa-fines-princess-cruise-lines-for-2011-clean-water-act-violation-in-glacier-bay/

 

In this one Princess gets fined $20,000 for emptying a swimming pool

 

It is also interesting to note, That the order says there was a software malfunction on the ship the Golden Princess, causing the pool dump valves to open. The malfunction allowed chlorinated water from six of the ship’s pools and spas to drain into the national park and preserve. Princess notified the EPA of the discharges the next day. The wastewater permit for large cruise ships prohibits the discharge of pool or spa water in national parks and refuges. The federal Clean Water Act allows the EPA to fine cruise companies for permit violations.

 

So in that case a self reported accident.

 

In the second they get fined $750,000 for not slowing down near two whales and colliding with one.

 

Lets go over why RCI got a felony conviction and paid $27 million dollars in fines

 

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (RCCL) was convicted in 1998 and 1999 and paid a total of $27 million in criminal penalties. The investigation was initiated as a result of a proactive Coast Guard surveillance operation that filmed the Sovereign of the Seas, then the largest cruise ship in the world, discharging oil on its way into San Juan, Puerto Rico. The investigation discovered that a secret bypass pipe was destroyed after a Coast Guard inspection and that similar methods of discharging waste oil were in use on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. This was the first vessel prosecution to charge false statements for the use in port of a false Oil Record Book, a required log in which all overboard discharges must be accurately recorded and which is regularly inspected by the Coast Guard.

 

The United States successfully obtained favorable district court opinions in San Juan and Miami upholding the prosecution of Royal Caribbean, a company headquartered in the United States and traded on the New York stock exchange, that had asserted that the United States lacked jurisdiction over the foreign registered ships. In 1998, Royal Caribbean pleaded guilty and paid $9 million, while a follow-on investigation resulted in an $18 million settlement in 1999 that included false statement charges for the use of the false Oil Record Book in six separate federal judicial districts: Miami; New York City; Los Angeles; Anchorage; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 1999 prosecution also included violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These violations were based on discharges in port and coastal waters of oily wastes and hazardous chemicals, including dry-cleaning and printing press solvents and photographic chemicals.

 

So do you really want to compare having secret bypass pipes and similar methods in the cruise lines ships for discharging waste oil into the ocean to emptying a swimming pool and accidentally running into a whale.

 

They got the criminal conviction because it was not an isolated case and was supported by fleet wide practices. Fortunately practices that have since been corrected.

Edited July 24, 2015 by RDC1

[LabGuy64]

if it were me I would stick with Celebrity....My wife and I recently did a 7 day coastal from LA to Vancouver and while it was nice, there were many areas where princess was lacking. I will say that we were in an Owners Suite and I guess we had higher expectations than we should have.

Our room steward as nice...but not very good...I made very few demands of him but the few I did make...one being that I wanted the MDR menu each day in case we wanted to dine in the suite....he did it the first day but, not after. another was fruit, we had a bowl of fruit in the room but, on day five I grabbed an orange and the underside was solid mold. It really was disgusting. I am thinking the fruit was left over from the people from previous cruises as mold that thick does not grow that fast.

 

I also think Princess should be more attentive to the top suite guests as they are paying SO much more...all we got was one night specialty dining (not sure if it was from princess or the TA) and one minibar setup free.

 

Also, the excursions were spotty..not going into it but,...if you are on the coastal....avoid anything in ASTORIA that mentions a school bus.

 

Princess just doesn't take care of you

 

 

 

 

We are dyed in the wool Celebrity cruisers. Unfortunately they only have seven day cruises to Alaska. Princess has a ten night from San Francisco.

 

After so many Celebrity cruises we are a little hesitant to sign on with Princess. But it's a long flight from NJ for a seven day cruise. We almost never take seven day cruises. They're just too short.

 

Any thoughts, pros and cons on the issue?