Alaska scenic cruising

[mjmiller]

Hi. We're looking at booking a Vancouver round trip Cunard cruise. It does scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier and Misty Fjord. Can anyone tell me which direction the ship turns? This would definitely have an impact on which cabin we book. Thanks!

[Victoria2]

The ship will most likely turn in the scenic areas such as the Bays etc but as you'll be out on deck to gasp and admire [especially if you're lucky enough to see a glacier calve] it won't matter and if it's a round trip. what you don't see on the way up, you'll see on the return stretch.

Edited September 2, 2023 by Victoria2

[mjmiller]

When we cruised Alaska last year on a different line, our cabin was luckily on the "correct" side of the ship. If we would have been on the other side, we would have been on the inside of the turn. Thus, from our balcony, we would not have been able to see the end of the Fjord/bay/glacier during the turn. 

Edited September 2, 2023 by mjmiller

[D&N]

We were lucky to visit on the previous Sun Princess in 1998. We discovered that the atmosphere on the open decks was extremely moist, and even though we still lived in Scotland at that time we've always been averse to getting wet unintentionally.

However the prom deck was covered and proved to be the best place for glacier cruising, along with the Shetland Wool blankets from our cabin. We've not been on QE, but I don't think she benefits from a covered prom deck.

[Pushpit]

24 minutes ago, D&N said:

We've not been on QE, but I don't think she benefits from a covered prom deck.

The QE promenade deck is more covered than not, whether by lifeboats or the infrastructure of deck 4. The fore section is enclosed, and doesn't have a view except for two sheltered areas port and starboard, a bit like a sheltered balcony.  The Aft section of promenade is also sheltered, but with a view. There again, this doesn't stop moisture from coming in sideways, which is perfectly possible in Alaska.

[Victoria2]

Anyone prepared to let dampness stop the enjoyment of being on deck to soak up the fabulous scenery, has booked the wrong itinerary or doesn't have the correct clothing.

Alaska is damp...except when it's not!

[Floopyzebra]

@mjmiller  We just came back from Alaska 3 weeks ago. We went with Princess on the Sapphire Princess. When we got to the largest Glaciers the Captain turned the ship around so first of all the people on their balconies on the Port side got 30 minutes of viewing and then he turned it around so the Starboard side got 30 minutes. We only had an inside cabin, so we were up on deck, it was fantastic weather and no coats needed once the ship stopped, so we were lucky, we got to see the Glacier for a whole hour. Have fun, I hope the weather is as kind to you as it was to us.

Edited September 3, 2023 by Floopyzebra