Alaska Cruise Lines, Viking or _______?

[Scootoir]

Mr. Wonderful and I are considering a cruise to Alaska next year.  We have primarily been independent travelers but loved our one and only ocean cruise on Viking.  We are considering Viking to Alaska but they have only one itinerary.  Are there other cruise lines to Alaska comparable to Viking that we should consider?  We liked Viking's cabin comfort, excursion options, spa, opportunity to dine outside on deck and included specialty restaurants.  We are not interested in a casino or a huge ship.  Thanks in advance for your advice.

[Scootoir]

Oh and Mr. Wonderful does not want to dress up for dinner.  Slacks, a collared shirt and perhaps a sweater are the limit.  😉

[Heidi13]

Other than the Hurtigruten ship Roald Amundsen, I don't see any other small ships out of Vancouver that are comparable to the Viking experience.

 

Seven Seas Mariner (Regent) does alternating 7-day N'bd/S'bd cruise that only stop at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway & Icy Point Strait.

 

Silver Muse (Silversea) - similar alternating 7-day N'bd/S'bd.

 

Both of those are more formal than Viking.

 

Regatta (Oceania) has a late season down to L/A

 

Roald Amundsen - 16-day cruises with lots of small port stops, with much of it is above Seward

 

[Scootoir]

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

Other than the Hurtigruten ship Roald Amundsen, I don't see any other small ships out of Vancouver that are comparable to the Viking experience.

 

Seven Seas Mariner (Regent) does alternating 7-day N'bd/S'bd cruise that only stop at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway & Icy Point Strait.

 

Silver Muse (Silversea) - similar alternating 7-day N'bd/S'bd.

 

Both of those are more formal than Viking.

 

Regatta (Oceania) has a late season down to L/A

 

Roald Amundsen - 16-day cruises with lots of small port stops, with much of it is above Seward

 

 

Thank you, I will take a look at these.  The cruise could depart from Vancouver or Seattle.  I read Holland America sails out of Seattle but we're not sure that what they offer onboard is what we are looking for.  I would also like to stop in Victoria but would have to do that ourselves post cruise with Viking.  I've got some research to do.

[Heidi13]

1 minute ago, Scootoir said:

 

Thank you, I will take a look at these.  The cruise could depart from Vancouver or Seattle.  I read Holland America sails out of Seattle but we're not sure that what they offer onboard is what we are looking for.  I would also like to stop in Victoria but would have to do that ourselves post cruise with Viking.  I've got some research to do.

 

Seattle is a great city, but be aware that Seattle is about 100 miles further from Alaska than Vancouver and you must also visit a Canadian port. Both these factors result in Seattle ships having less time in Alaska. Due to the US PVSA, all Seattle cruises to Alaska must be R/T, so you can't get up to Prince William Sound.

 

The Seattle ships also spend a considerable portion of the cruise in the Pacific Ocean, as they head out Juan de Fuca and steam up/down the Pacific, West of Vancouver Island to/from Alaska. 

 

If sailing from Seattle, the time in Victoria is usually from 16:00 - 19:00 until 23:59, so minimal time to see anything. If heavy weather is experienced, the Victoria arrival is often delayed, so even less time.

 

Victoria is easy to reach from Vancouver, with hourly ferry service from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. They have a bus service from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria, on each sailing.

[Scootoir]

3 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Seattle is a great city, but be aware that Seattle is about 100 miles further from Alaska than Vancouver and you must also visit a Canadian port. Both these factors result in Seattle ships having less time in Alaska. Due to the US PVSA, all Seattle cruises to Alaska must be R/T, so you can't get up to Prince William Sound.

 

The Seattle ships also spend a considerable portion of the cruise in the Pacific Ocean, as they head out Juan de Fuca and steam up/down the Pacific, West of Vancouver Island to/from Alaska. 

 

If sailing from Seattle, the time in Victoria is usually from 16:00 - 19:00 until 23:59, so minimal time to see anything. If heavy weather is experienced, the Victoria arrival is often delayed, so even less time.

 

Victoria is easy to reach from Vancouver, with hourly ferry service from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. They have a bus service from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria, on each sailing.

 

This is a really helpful explanation, thank you!

[Heidi13]

20 hours ago, Scootoir said:

 

This is a really helpful explanation, thank you!

 

Another consideration I forgot to mention.

 

When sailing by ferry between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Victoria (Swartz Bay) they take a much more scenic and challenging route than the cruise ships.

[J0Y0US]

On 5/27/2022 at 12:11 AM, Scootoir said:

We are not interested in a casino or a huge ship. 

 

NCL Haven was amazing. No clue about price difference but it's bascially a ship within a ship. Limited access to areas only for Haven guests including a observation lounge and a pool deck right at the front of the ship. 

 

So it's a bigger ship but seems smaller as well.

 

They do go to Glacier Bay as well. 

 

Oh and you can have every meal served in your room on your balcony as well if you wanted and there is an outside seating area in the restaurant area but since we traveled last in September it was too cold to be out there. It's all from the Haven Resturant which is very good (and I can be a harsh critic of resturants). 

 

I want to outline I don't know Viking well though maybe they do more unquie excursions but with ports of call to me it doesn't matter the size of ship since 3/4/5 other ships are in port anyways. 

Edited May 29, 2022 by J0Y0US

[GTJ]

You might want to consider American Cruise Lines or American Queen Voyages. The former operates the American Constellation, a small vessel for 175 passengers, on 14-night one-way repositioning cruises between Seattle and Juneau, and 7-night and 10-night round-trip cruises out of Juneau. The latter operates the Ocean Victory, a small vessel for 186 passengers, on 10-night and 11-night one-way cruises between Vancouver and Sitka. Caution is in order because these smaller vessels may not offer all of the amenities you might be expecting from a large vessel: there is usually a trade-off between vessel size and amenities.

[GloriaF]

Whichever cruise line you decide on, be sure it includes several hours of scenic cruising in Glacier Bay.  GB is the highlight of any Alaska cruise!  

 

 

Edited May 30, 2022 by GloriaF

[Scootoir]

7 hours ago, GloriaF said:

Whichever cruise line you decide on, be sure it includes several hours of scenic cruising in Glacier Bay.  GB is the highlight of any Alaska cruise!  

 

 

Thank you.  From what I have been able to find online, access to Glacier Bay is limited and not all cruise lines have it on their itineraries.  I have read that Holland America and Princess have historical access.  Viking, Seaborn and Disney visit Hubbard Glacier.

[GloriaF]

15 hours ago, Scootoir said:

Thank you.  From what I have been able to find online, access to Glacier Bay is limited and not all cruise lines have it on their itineraries.  I have read that Holland America and Princess have historical access.  Viking, Seaborn and Disney visit Hubbard Glacier.

We have cruised with Princess for 25+ cruises, and find it to our liking.  In fairness, we have never experienced Viking, so cannot compare.  For Alaska cruises, Princess has a Naturalist onboard to help passengers learn about  and enjoy Alaska.  In Glacier Bay, a National Park Ranger comes aboard as well.  Princess itineraries sometimes visit Hubbard Glacier as well.  

 

As you stated, neither do we care for the casino.  We originally enjoyed dressing for dinner, but now do not pack formal wear.  Formal evenings are less and less popular in general it seems, and we can blend in for the evening wearing smart casual so we still enjoy the evening entertainment.

[Heidi13]

16 hours ago, Scootoir said:

Thank you.  From what I have been able to find online, access to Glacier Bay is limited and not all cruise lines have it on their itineraries.  I have read that Holland America and Princess have historical access.  Viking, Seaborn and Disney visit Hubbard Glacier.

 

Glacier Bay permits are issued for 10-year periods, with cruise lines submitting proposals.

 

Viking were awarded a permit, as were Seabourne, when last issued in 2019. However, I'm not aware that Viking have actually used the permit, as they are on a 10-day schedule, rather than the mega ship's 7-day schedules.

[Scootoir]

8 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Glacier Bay permits are issued for 10-year periods, with cruise lines submitting proposals.

 

Viking were awarded a permit, as were Seabourne, when last issued in 2019. However, I'm not aware that Viking have actually used the permit, as they are on a 10-day schedule, rather than the mega ship's 7-day schedules.

 

Interesting, thank you.  It seems like it wouldn't be difficult to swap Glacier Bay for Hubbard but I'm sure there's much I don't know about scheduling cruises.

[Scootoir]

On 5/28/2022 at 11:05 AM, Heidi13 said:

 

Another consideration I forgot to mention.

 

When sailing by ferry between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Victoria (Swartz Bay) they take a much more scenic and challenging route than the cruise ships.

 

Please tell me what you mean by challenging?  Rough water?

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, Scootoir said:

 

Please tell me what you mean by challenging?  Rough water?

 

The route follows a scenic narrow channel that includes 2 large 90 degree alteration. At the narrowest point, S'bd we were only about 500' from the rock face, making good about 20 kts. The tides could also exceed 6 kts.

 

In summer you had numerous small boats and in winter you had weather issues.

 

Great trip for the pax.

[czardas]

I’ve sailed on Mariner with Regent Seven Seas. A luxury cruise line with everything inclusive, excursions, alcohol etc. the ship is a small ship holding around 700 if that. Outstanding service, so much so, I will be doing the same cruise again in September. No upssells or annoying photographers. They also have a fantastic naturalist onboard. 

[puppymama1]

On 5/31/2022 at 10:42 AM, Heidi13 said:

 

Glacier Bay permits are issued for 10-year periods, with cruise lines submitting proposals.

 

Viking were awarded a permit, as were Seabourne, when last issued in 2019. However, I'm not aware that Viking have actually used the permit, as they are on a 10-day schedule, rather than the mega ship's 7-day schedules.

We just got off the Viking Orion on the 10 day Alaska itinerary… had one day in Glacier Bay and one in Hubbard Glacier.  Had outstanding weather every single day and it was an incredible cruise.  The entire cruise was wonderful.. our first time on Viking but we are now spoiled and only want to sail with them!

[Heidi13]

2 hours ago, puppymama1 said:

We just got off the Viking Orion on the 10 day Alaska itinerary… had one day in Glacier Bay and one in Hubbard Glacier.  Had outstanding weather every single day and it was an incredible cruise.  The entire cruise was wonderful.. our first time on Viking but we are now spoiled and only want to sail with them!

 

Thanks for the info - that might be the first time they have been in Glacier Bay, as this is only the 2nd season in Alaska.

[Scootoir]

3 hours ago, puppymama1 said:

We just got off the Viking Orion on the 10 day Alaska itinerary… had one day in Glacier Bay and one in Hubbard Glacier.  Had outstanding weather every single day and it was an incredible cruise.  The entire cruise was wonderful.. our first time on Viking but we are now spoiled and only want to sail with them!

 

Interesting.  What did they skip to include Glacier Bay?  We have only been on one ocean cruise and are afraid Viking has spoiled us for all other cruise lines.  I'm looking at others but we keep comparing to Viking.

[Scootoir]

On 5/27/2022 at 2:04 PM, Heidi13 said:

If sailing from Seattle, the time in Victoria is usually from 16:00 - 19:00 until 23:59, so minimal time to see anything. If heavy weather is experienced, the Victoria arrival is often delayed, so even less time.

 

Victoria is easy to reach from Vancouver, with hourly ferry service from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. They have a bus service from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria, on each sailing.

 

I did find an itinerary on Cunard that has a full day in Victoria (the cruise is round trip from Vancouver).  Unfortunately it appears Cunard requires formal dress for dinner.

[puppymama1]

6 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Thanks for the info - that might be the first time they have been in Glacier Bay, as this is only the 2nd season in Alaska.

They didn’t skip anything.. Glacier Bay was on the itinerary when we booked it.  And yes, it was the first time a Viking ship had been in Glacier Bay… they announced that on the ship.

 

I know it’s a subjective opinion, but we liked Hubbard Glacier much better than Glacier Bay… but we were very lucky and had sunny, beautiful weather and were able to sail in and see everything perfectly.

[Heidi13]

4 hours ago, puppymama1 said:

They didn’t skip anything.. Glacier Bay was on the itinerary when we booked it.  And yes, it was the first time a Viking ship had been in Glacier Bay… they announced that on the ship.

 

I know it’s a subjective opinion, but we liked Hubbard Glacier much better than Glacier Bay… but we were very lucky and had sunny, beautiful weather and were able to sail in and see everything perfectly.

 

Hubbard is certainly a larger and impressive glacier, but similar to Dawes, is susceptible to ice, with the ship being unable to get up to the glacier. Doesn't happen often, but I have missed Hubbard a couple of times.

 

I have well over 20 trips into Glacier Bay and never once failed to see the glaciers. They may not be as impressive as Hubbard, especially on rainy, overcast days, but we always get into the Bay. I also enjoy the talks from the National Park Rangers that board in GB.

 

 

[Heidi13]

10 hours ago, Scootoir said:

 

I did find an itinerary on Cunard that has a full day in Victoria (the cruise is round trip from Vancouver).  Unfortunately it appears Cunard requires formal dress for dinner.

 

Affirmative, Cunard is much more formal and as part of Carnival their standards have dropped significantly since the days of the great ocean liners.