Advice on which cruise line

[sunbird21]

Hi,

 

I am in the early stages of researching a cruise to Alaska for my mom and I this September. Its the first Alaskan for us both,will be my 11th(or 12th) cruise by then, my mother's third. As you can see from my signature, I've only cruised Carnival and NCL, not Platinum on either but building meager perks LOL. My mom has been on one each on Carnival/NCL.

 

 

My mother wanted at least an oceanview cabin, so I've factored in those prices along with the ship and itinerary, and would like some advice on which seems to be the best deal overall. Surprisingly, I ventured onto Royal's site and found the Explorer of the Seas is competitive with pricing(they're usually not for me). So, here are the choices:

 

1.Carnival Legend- 7 day RT Seattle, includes Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan(sp?) and Glacier Bay. Cheapest option overall, but an obstructed oceanview is about the same price as an interior with window on Royal. From what I've read, it's an older ship w/o the 2.0 upgrades, which is fine for me, as I have yet to cruise on one with them. However, my mom and I were on the Dream, and she wasn't thrilled with the food options on it, so I'm guessing the Legend is similar to that...

 

2. Royal Explorer of the Seas- Also 7 day RT Seattle, but it doesn't go to Ketchikan or Glacier Bay- instead it spends two days cruising in Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier. I'm not sure if this is better/worse. The Royal Promenade room(interior with window overlooking middle area) is about the same as the obstructed oceanview on Carnival. The actual oceanview is about the same price as NCL's but NCL has perks included. It seems like this ship has more dining options than Carnival and the most to do, but it looks like this will be the first season for it in Alaska, so haven't found any reviews on it. Also, this would be the first time trying out Royal, although I haven't accumulated any fancy perks on either of the other two yet, so it doesn't really matter.

 

3. NCL Pearl- Also 7 day RT Seattle, same itinerary as Carnival, most expensive of the three (their obstructed oceanview is $600 more than Royal/Carnival, and the full blown OV is $100 more than that). However, they do include the 2 free perks(which would likely be the UBP and UDP). It would be the oldest NCL ship that I've been on, so the entertainment options would be less,but they have the most dining options.

 

 

To give you some more background, I am in my thirties, my mom in her seventies-not into casinos at all, will watch shows( more musical and comedy than variety/magician) or go to adult only area and read, like to try out different bars/restaurants. For Alaska, I know we want to see glaciers obviously, would like to see wildlife(me, whales and other marine life, her, bears) would do hikes if they were not strenuous, and look around towns/shopping.

 

Any advice is appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Stacey

[Coral]

I am curious when in September you are planning on going? And why you chose September?

 

Mid-September on can potentially have bad weather. Can you move the trip up to August?

[Keith1010]

If you like Carnival I prefer the itinerary over the other two. Glacier Bay is not a stop but a wonderful day to sail this area. And Ketchikan is a nice stop. So in terms of itinerary I like that one. You clearly know two of the three cruise lines.

 

Keith

[Coral]

2. Royal Explorer of the Seas- Also 7 day RT Seattle, but it doesn't go to Ketchikan or Glacier Bay- instead it spends two days cruising in Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier. I'm not sure if this is better/worse.

 

I just looked at the itinerary and from what I can tell - it spends 1 day in Tracy Arm. It would be rare to spend 2 days there unless you are on a very small ship (boat) - such as 50 passengers or so.

[sunbird21]

I am curious when in September you are planning on going? And why you chose September?

 

Mid-September on can potentially have bad weather. Can you move the trip up to August?

 

I'm looking at either the 1st or 2nd week of September. Finances are the deciding factor here.

[sunbird21]

If you like Carnival I prefer the itinerary over the other two. Glacier Bay is not a stop but a wonderful day to sail this area. And Ketchikan is a nice stop. So in terms of itinerary I like that one. You clearly know two of the three cruise lines.

 

Keith

 

 

Thank you! Yes I am very familiar with the other two, Royal came into the running with price and new experience factor. It's tough!

[sunbird21]

I just looked at the itinerary and from what I can tell - it spends 1 day in Tracy Arm. It would be rare to spend 2 days there unless you are on a very small ship (boat) - such as 50 passengers or so.

 

Yeah, it's weird-it calls itself a Sawyer Glacier cruise, but spends one day cruising TA. It also says it cruises the Alaska inside passage, not sure if this is a main viewing point.

[Coral]

Yeah, it's weird-it calls itself a Sawyer Glacier cruise, but spends one day cruising TA. It also says it cruises the Alaska inside passage, not sure if this is a main viewing point.

 

It is transit cruising to Victoria. Not the main viewing - the day at Tracy Arm/Sawyer Glacier will be the main viewing day. I think the Explorer of the Seas has the weakest itinerary as it doesn't go to Ketchikan but it does spend more time in Victoria (which I do love Victoria). So it depends if you want to spend more time in Alaska or more time in Victoria. This would still be the weakest itinerary of the 3 IMO.

 

I would stick with a Glacier Bay itinerary. Not sure how anxious you are to book, but there may be some discounts in May for August sailings.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Coral

[familycruzer]

I was going through the same dilemma and decided on Carnival Legend. After a lot of research Glacier Bay was at the top of my list of where I wanted to go on my cruise.

My advise .. Research each port or scenic cruising day and decide what itinerary interest you the most. To me the ship was at the bottom of my decision. It was just a way to get me where I wanted to go.

[xlxo]

I am curious when in September you are planning on going? And why you chose September?

 

Mid-September on can potentially have bad weather. Can you move the trip up to August?

 

I'm looking at either the 1st or 2nd week of September. Finances are the deciding factor here.

Additional thoughts....

• some excursions will have shut down.
  
• if the weather is bad.... the port will be skipped as it's unsafe to dock
  
• daylight will be less
  
• with a stronger likelihood of rain.... it can make the port days depressing.
  

there's a reason why September cruises are discounted.

 

Another cheap option would be May or June. The season is just starting.... but the weather is statistically dryer. You may lack some wildlife, but you will have a more pleasant experience walking around towns.

[Budget Queen]

Hi,

 

I am in the early stages of researching a cruise to Alaska for my mom and I this September. Its the first Alaskan for us both,will be my 11th(or 12th) cruise by then, my mother's third. As you can see from my signature, I've only cruised Carnival and NCL, not Platinum on either but building meager perks LOL. My mom has been on one each on Carnival/NCL.

 

 

My mother wanted at least an oceanview cabin, so I've factored in those prices along with the ship and itinerary, and would like some advice on which seems to be the best deal overall. Surprisingly, I ventured onto Royal's site and found the Explorer of the Seas is competitive with pricing(they're usually not for me). So, here are the choices:

 

1.Carnival Legend- 7 day RT Seattle, includes Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan(sp?) and Glacier Bay. Cheapest option overall, but an obstructed oceanview is about the same price as an interior with window on Royal. From what I've read, it's an older ship w/o the 2.0 upgrades, which is fine for me, as I have yet to cruise on one with them. However, my mom and I were on the Dream, and she wasn't thrilled with the food options on it, so I'm guessing the Legend is similar to that...

 

2. Royal Explorer of the Seas- Also 7 day RT Seattle, but it doesn't go to Ketchikan or Glacier Bay- instead it spends two days cruising in Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier. I'm not sure if this is better/worse. The Royal Promenade room(interior with window overlooking middle area) is about the same as the obstructed oceanview on Carnival. The actual oceanview is about the same price as NCL's but NCL has perks included. It seems like this ship has more dining options than Carnival and the most to do, but it looks like this will be the first season for it in Alaska, so haven't found any reviews on it. Also, this would be the first time trying out Royal, although I haven't accumulated any fancy perks on either of the other two yet, so it doesn't really matter.

 

3. NCL Pearl- Also 7 day RT Seattle, same itinerary as Carnival, most expensive of the three (their obstructed oceanview is $600 more than Royal/Carnival, and the full blown OV is $100 more than that). However, they do include the 2 free perks(which would likely be the UBP and UDP). It would be the oldest NCL ship that I've been on, so the entertainment options would be less,but they have the most dining options.

 

 

To give you some more background, I am in my thirties, my mom in her seventies-not into casinos at all, will watch shows( more musical and comedy than variety/magician) or go to adult only area and read, like to try out different bars/restaurants. For Alaska, I know we want to see glaciers obviously, would like to see wildlife(me, whales and other marine life, her, bears) would do hikes if they were not strenuous, and look around towns/shopping.

 

Any advice is appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Stacey

 

I suggest not considering past the first week. Reason- lack of daylight, and dark by 7pm. Plus the worse weather potential of the season.

 

Look further at the port times. Tracy Arm- in my opinion, does require the add on ship excursion. ;)

[Lisichka]

I think the Legend actually starts in Seattle but ends in Vancouver. For that reason alone I would pick the Legend. But then, I think Victoria is a wasted stop and hate going there at all. Just take the train from Vancouver back to Seattle after the cruise and you have an awesome trip!

 

The Legend has the best itinerary, hands down!

Edited February 28, 2016 by Lisichka

[familycruzer]

I think the Legend actually starts in Seattle but ends in Vancouver. For that reason alone I would pick the Legend. But then, I think Victoria is a wasted stop and hate going there at all. Just take the train from Vancouver back to Seattle after the cruise and you have an awesome trip!

 

The Legend has the best itinerary, hands down!

 

 

The Legend I picked starts in Vancouver and ends in Seattle. I also wanted the scenic cruising leaving Vancouver but the lower cost of flying in/out of Seattle.

[Budget Queen]

The Legend I picked starts in Vancouver and ends in Seattle. I also wanted the scenic cruising leaving Vancouver but the lower cost of flying in/out of Seattle.

 

I've taken this cruise the last 2 years, and Carnival did NOT sail inside Vancouver Island.

[familycruzer]

Is this map wrong or not considered Vancouver Island?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Budget Queen]

Is this map wrong or not considered Vancouver Island? [ATTACH]378409[/ATTACH]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I'm just saying, the map meant nothing on my 2 trips. Plus, having inside Vancouver Island is way superior going southbound so most of it is during daylight. On northbound sailings, a good part of it, is at night, with some ships, I've been on, were completely past it early morning.

[familycruzer]

Thank you for the heads up. I will hope they change it but be prepared if they don't. Glacier Bay was the huge draw so I at least still get that.

Edited March 1, 2016 by familycruzer

[Budget Queen]

Thank you for the heads up. I will hope they change it but be prepared if they don't. Glacier Bay was the huge draw so I at least still get that.

 

If you are interested in humpbacks- it is well worth my time to be out most of the first and last sailing days, since you go through the migration. 2014 they also went through Snow Pass, did not last year. Biggest bonus is a ship naturalist on board, although, it's way superior to at least know basic, since they aren't "hand holding" and announcements usually aren't made.

 

I just plan my day to always have an eye outside, and never be without your binoculars. I have mind with me, all day- yep at meals etc.

[TheCalicoCat]

For Alaska, I know we want to see glaciers obviously, would like to see wildlife(me, whales and other marine life, her, bears) would do hikes if they were not strenuous, and look around towns/shopping.

 

September is too late for bears.

 

Have you looked at Princess & HAL as well? (No sense in limiting yourself.) Our first HAL cruise was too AK - better itinerary, which was our number one priority.