Port Side for Alaska Northbound?

[Ken076]

We're doing August 2009 Northbound Alaska on Diamond Princess from Vancouver with relatives. Sounds like STBD Balcony is better for Northbound; are there any advantages to one of us booking a PORT Balcony on the Northbound for an added vantage point?

 

Also, on Diamond, which of the Anytime Restaurants is the "overflow" for Traditional Dining for the first seating?

 

Thanks, Ken

[mr green]

Portside is best in my opinion, you can enjoy every moment of Glacier Bay, just turn up the sound on the TV so that you can hear the ranger speaking.

 

john

[CruisinChris]

the chief advantage of Starboard on northbound AK cruises is that once you get into the gulf you have a magnificent view of the mountains. Depending upon when you sail - earlier in the season they glow pink in the midnight sun. Spectacular. Otherwise during the inside passage portion the scenery is roughly equal and in Glacier Bay and College Fjord they swing the ship around so all sides get equal viewing time. this is a fantastic cruise and ship. enjoy.

[DougH]

When sailing into both Glacier Bay and College fjord the Port side is the one that faces the glaciers first. This way you will hear the commentary over the PA while looking at them. They always say they will turn the ships so both sides can view but in my experience the time after they turn around is usually sigifinicantly shorter. You also really want to move around the ship for different views, things look way different from up top than from the promenade deck.

 

Check the Alaska board on the Ports of Call section for lots of opinions on this

[mii]

Vivaldi dining room is the overflow for the Traditional. After 8p.m. it becomes Anytime.

 

Another good reason for the Portside while going through glacier Bay is the national park service does their talking about what you are seeing as you go in. Once in and they turn the ship to go back out they no longer do their talking other than maybe a word or two. Like someone said to get the full advantage of all of glacier Bay you need to walk around all over the ship. Enjoy.

 

Marilyn

[Grego]

If you are going to confine yourself to the cabin and it's balcony, then maybe the port side is better. But you don't get a real feel of the grandeur of Alaska from just looking out from the balcony. Get on the open decks so you have a real panorama.

[Ken076]

I had heard that it's wall to wall people on the decks??? ken

[mr green]

I had heard that it's wall to wall people on the decks??? ken

 

Yes, if you have to use the washroom, its goodby to your lookout spot.

 

john

[LoriPhil]

We loved port-side on the Coral - the afternoon sun was nice and you have great views as well, which is a big benefit of sailing the Inside Passage where you have land on both sides of the ship. We found it was more important for us to get a cabin located mid-ships, and so chose based on that criteria (well, that and the afternoon-sun part :D).

 

Either side, you can't go wrong!