Cruise???

[Flames9_RN 358]

Howdy all. I graduate in May, so we have decided we want to do a 7 day cruise to Alaska. Been on numerous cruise review sites, but it is still hard to get a feeling of the better companies? You get a lot of great reviews,and then a lot of crappy reviews,lol What are your experiences with the various cruise lines? And I get the feeling the Alaska cruise tends to be catered for the "older" customer,lol We are only in our 30's. We have did 1 cruise, a short 3 or 4 day cruise from LA to Mexico, and it was ok, think it was on carnival. Love to hear advice, the do's and don'ts, thanks

[trailmix 77]

Oh good thread Flames! I will be interested to hear everyones experiences and reviews.

[Krikit 1,165]

OMG, I totally have to share Scott Adams' review of his Alaskan cruise! Wait! Let me go find it!

[Emancipation 2]

tee hee.. I thought you said we were going on a cruise.. VJ Canada forum takes to the high seas!!

Doesn't Peter Coade do a cruise to Alaska every year?

[Krikit 1,165]

Okay, I suck. I somehow managed to delete the alaskan cruise story. I've asked my aunt for her reviews. They took one recently.

[sly_wolf 199]

Its been quite a while since I have been on a cruise (8 years ago) and I can only hope to have the money to go again one day.

I went with Princess cruise lines. They were really great. It left a good impression on my boys as well at the time

My brother also went with Royal Caribbean once and he said they were great as well.

Celebrity cruises is also good and I think they cater to adults more. If you went with one of those 3 cruise line I dont think you can go wrong.

Sly

[sly_wolf 199]

Oh, I forgot to mention. If you can get onto any one of the newer ships they are just awesome. Dining is also excellent on the crusie lines that I mentioned.

Sly

[sly_wolf 199]

Howdy all. I graduate in May, so we have decided we want to do a 7 day cruise to Alaska. Been on numerous cruise review sites, but it is still hard to get a feeling of the better companies? You get a lot of great reviews,and then a lot of crappy reviews,lol What are your experiences with the various cruise lines? And I get the feeling the Alaska cruise tends to be catered for the "older" customer,lol We are only in our 30's. We have did 1 cruise, a short 3 or 4 day cruise from LA to Mexico, and it was ok, think it was on carnival. Love to hear advice, the do's and don'ts, thanks

What made you decide on Alaska? I went to the Caribbean.

I hear the Panama cruise is nice but thats 10 days I believe. Mediterranean is another option but those are both more expensive. All depends what you want to do I guess. I do love the sun and beach and I sure miss that.

Sly

[Flames9_RN 358]

Wife has always wanted to do Alaska. I have been through a lot of the passages in the West coast, and then some,lol with the Navy, and love the scenery. We figure do the 7 day cruise, head to interior BC to see my sister and the new baby, and a few more days touring in Seattle. Just have to find the right cruise. The Norwegian sounded interesting--as they described it as "freestyle" one doesnt lock in their meal times, BUT after some reading, people complained the food sucked, and huge line ups at the "free" places, so many ended up paying extra for the meals. It did have a bowling alley, but of course that was extra $$$$.

Caribbean is ok, been there done that with the Navy,lol Wil see

Edited February 9, 2009 by flames9

[Krikit 1,165]

Celebrity is owned by Royal Caribbean and they're pretty popular. Holland America is awesome too. Run as fast as you can from Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Seriously.

I've always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise too. If you're wondering where all the seniors are when you visit Florida, they're on the Alaskan cruise ships. At least you'll have the nightclubs to yourselves.... but get to the bingo really early! I hear the polar bears are the size of pencil erasers so you may want to bring along a pair of binoculars.

Edited February 9, 2009 by Krikit

[sly_wolf 199]

Wife has always wanted to do Alaska. I have been through a lot of the passages in the West coast, and then some,lol with the Navy, and love the scenery. We figure do the 7 day cruise, head to interior BC to see my sister and the new baby, and a few more days touring in Seattle. Just have to find the right cruise. The Norwegian sounded interesting--as they described it as "freestyle" one doesnt lock in their meal times, BUT after some reading, people complained the food sucked, and huge line ups at the "free" places, so many ended up paying extra for the meals. It did have a bowling alley, but of course that was extra $$$$.

Caribbean is ok, been there done that with the Navy,lol Wil see

I think many cruise lines don't lock in the meal times anymore. As I said above, I really dont think you can do wrong with the 3 I mentioned. Going with a newer ship is a big plus though.

Sly

[Emancipation 2]

Flames.. just hire Spirit & have her sail you to Alaska.. I'm sure you'll have a more interesting adventure that way anyway!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Flames.. just hire Spirit & have her sail you to Alaska.. I'm sure you'll have a more interesting adventure that way anyway!!

She is too hard core!!! probably uses a sextant for navigation!! and I woul dhave to stand upper deck watches!! No thanks,lol

[trailmix 77]

Flames.. just hire Spirit & have her sail you to Alaska.. I'm sure you'll have a more interesting adventure that way anyway!!

She is too hard core!!! probably uses a sextant for navigation!! and I woul dhave to stand upper deck watches!! No thanks,lol

[RBAL_TN 0]

I've sailed on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and a few smaller lines in Florida. I still prefer Royal Caribbean over them all for the sheer elegance their ships have. In fact, my fiancée and I took Royal Caribbean just last summer down to Belize and Mexico and sold me on Royal even further we had such a wonderful time. Carnival is a good party ship which is okay for spring break, but I've outgrown that and it gets old after day 3.

I took a 7-day Alaskan cruise on Royal Caribbean out of Vancouver about 5 years ago and loved it. So much that I want to go again for longer next time and spend some time exploring the interior. I sailed on the 'Radiance of the Seas' and it's absolutely beautiful. There is so much to do on board, but the difference between cruising the open ocean and the inside passage is there a lot more scenery to enjoy on deck.

I went in late summer, towards the end of the season and most of the shops in port had massive sales to clear inventory. Not a bad thing and the prices were very reasonable. However, there is so much to do on shore excursions that deciding what to do was really tough. However, do not miss the White Pass Railway in Skagway - that trip is amazing.

A few things I learned from that trip and others:

• DO try and book originating port hotel from cruise line - or at least airport pickup/return. Many times you would spend a day or so before the cruise in Vancouver if you were coming from far away. Booking through the cruise line takes the worry about manhandling your luggage as they will handle it for you. Remember, a 7- day Alaskan trip still requires a fair amount of cool to cold weather clothes (especially in Glacier Bay) as well as formal wear for the one formal night at dinner (the rest are smart casual).
• DON'T fret about inside or outside cabin. I've been on both and while having a window in your stateroom is nice, I have never slept better than in a inside stateroom. Pitch black, soundproof an on the inside passage of Alaska you can barely tell you are moving.
• DO book the shore excursions from the cruise line. It might be slightly more expensive, but most times you get priority de-embarking in port which can save time on short port of calls. I've booked excursions both ways and with some independents you may not have recourse if something goes wrong. I've had good luck with shoretrips.com but I've been on cruises where the excursion was running late and because it was booked through the cruise line - the ship waited. You won't get that when booking through an independent or dockside and catching up to the ship would be at your expense.
• DON'T bother with the expensive spa treatments. Many of those end with a sales pitch for some high priced exotic products. The spa is good for a massage, or to do your hair on formal night, but you can ignore most of the exotic stuff. If you choose to have a spa session - book it as soon as you can when first getting on board. The spa staff can tell you when the formal night is if you don't know beforehand.
• DO go to the midnight buffet. While every meal on board is fantastic, the art of cooking really comes out in this event the chef's put on.
• DON'T waste your time at the art auction. Trust me.
• DO go to a show. If nothing else, make time for the Newlywed style game show on board. You'll never laugh harder than this.
• DON'T try to do everything. There is a LOT to do on board, but the idea is to relax and have a good time.
• DO tell the cruise line you are on a 'Honeymoon'. Many times you'll get a bit more special treatment including window seating at dinner. Sometimes at a table for 2 instead of table for 6-8.
• DON'T overspend on drinks. While almost everything is all-inclusive with your ticket, drinks are not (water is still free and soft drinks are included with dinner).You can buy a special mug for one price and get unlimited refills on soft-drinks while on-board. Everything else is charged to your stateroom using to your cardkey (the bars will not accept cash). You have to settle your bill on the last day and can be a bit shocking if you are not expecting it. Thankfully, alcohol is not too terribly overpriced.
• DO bring a jacket for Glacier Bay - even in July.
• DON'T forget to bring a swimsuit either. Some of the open air pools may ba closed in cooler weather, but most ships have solarium type pools which can be enjoyed year round.

All in all, I have traveled many places and cruises definitely are a good value for the money in my opinion. Alaska is such an amazing place to see the cruising the inside passage is really more enjoyable than open sea due calmer waters. Many people think cruises are filled with nothing but seniors; however every cruise I have been on has been such a diversity of age groups and backgrounds.