Alaskan Cruise

[Aerogirl]

Who here has gone on an Alaskan cruise?? I'm kind of looking at this for 2013. It's something I never really considered but I'm looking for something different other then Mexico or the Caribbean.

My plan was to sail Victory out of San Juan but now I’m thinking something different all together. I know it’s a long way off but I’m always thinking vacation.
Carnival Spirit sails that way and she look like a nice ship.

Planning a cruise is like foreplay, it’s half the fun!!

[green_rd]

I like long range planning. We are also planning an Alaskan cruise in 2013. Our close (but older ) friends who live in Florida want to head North for their 40th anniversary.

[Henry43]

In 2008 we did a 14 day Alaskan trip .Seven days land followed by 7 days cruise ,all through HAL. We flew to Fairbanks and toured by bus ,train and ferry .It was a great way to see Alaska .Then the cruise portion ,fantastic .Our last stop was Vancouver ,BC and then we flew home.

[Mike M]

Alaska is a destination that I strongly recommend for everyone. You will see sights that you never see in the Caribbean. The beauty of glaciers, fjords, wildlife, whales, eagles and other things are things you will remember for the rest of your life.

Doing a cruise/tour is a great way to experience both coastal Alaska and the interior.

Carnival is an alternative for the cruise but I would suggest some of the other cruise lines that have Glacier Bay on their itineraries. Holland America and Princess have excellent itineraries and also have the best cruise/tour packages.

No matter what cruise line you want I do encourage you to: "Just do it". You won't regret it.

Take care,
Mike

[Aerogirl]

I think Alaska’s a very strong possibility; I’m just not sure if hubby would mind me going with just the girls. He retires that year so this just might be his first cruise. Up to this point he’s wanted nothing to do with cruising as well as our son, but I think they would love it.
I’ll have to do some investigating.
Thanks!

[Kuki]

Im with Mike on Alaska. A MUST DO at some point. I've been several times, and would definitely go again.

Not many other places you can go dog sledding on a glacier without being a well trained adventurer.

[Manuel]

We did one Alaska cruise and it was breathtaking. It's an experience that everyone should do.
I plan to do it again someday.

TM

[Henry43]

As much as I loved Alaska ,I'm too old for repeat cruises .There is so much of this world that I have yet to experience .

[Aerogirl]

Thats how I feel about Mexico & the Caribbean Henry, been there, done that! I'm looking for new adventures!

[Rev22:17]

Aerogirl,

Ah, why wait??? Alaska is one of the most fantastic destinations that you'll ever visit! The major ports of call there actually offer more activities and more variety of shore excursions than any other cruise destination in the world, including Europe!

Originally Posted by You

Who here has gone on an Alaskan cruise?? I'm kind of looking at this for 2013. It's something I never really considered but I'm looking for something different other then Mexico or the Caribbean.

Ah, why wait???

Alaska is one of the most fantastic destinations that you'll ever visit! The major ports of call there actually offer more activities and more variety of shore excursions than any other cruise destination in the world, including Europe!

Originally Posted by You

My plan was to sail Victory out of San Juan but now I’m thinking something different all together. I know it’s a long way off but I’m always thinking vacation.

Originally Posted by You

Carnival Spirit sails that way and she look like a nice ship.

Planning a cruise is like foreplay, it’s half the fun!!

My recommendation, for people going to Alaska, is to go with whichever cruise line is your favorite. All of the lines offer the same three basic itineraries -- (1) Gulf of Alaska Northbound, from Vancouver to either Seward or Whittier, (2) Gulf of Alaska Southbound, from either Seward or Whittier to Vancouver, and (3) Round Trip Inside Passage, from either Seattle or Vancouver -- by whatever marketing name they call them. All call at three of the four major ports (Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Skagway) with at least one day of glacier viewing, plus either a minor port of call or a second day of glacier viewing. Overall, the major differentiator is the shipboard experience.

That said, I also strongly recommend doing one of the Gulf of Alaska itineraries so you'll get to Anchorage -- which is a really neat city! It's worth spending a weekend there, even if you don't have time to do much else. In addition to a great downtown, Anchorage offers several easy day trips if you rent a car. If you have more time, you can drive up to Denali and Fairbanks yourself -- but be sure to reserve accommodations in advance if you choose to do this, as it's peak season a long way to the next town if you encounter those pesky "no vacancy" signs.

Norm.

[Aerogirl]

It's not that I didn't want to go there I really never thought of it. When I think of a cruise I just think south, beaches & palm trees. I do believe Alaska will be the one we take in 2013.

[Donna]

You just might fall in love with an Alaska cruise. They are quite different from the typical Caribbean cruise. You'll have to try it and be in awe most of the time.. They are fun, just a different kind. I've gone twice now and I'd rather go there than the Caribbean anyday. Have fun with the planning, you are right, its slmost half the fun researching and then booking it.

[Rev22:17]

Aerogirl,

Originally Posted by You

It's not that I didn't want to go there I really never thought of it. When I think of a cruise I just think south, beaches & palm trees. I do believe Alaska will be the one we take in 2013.

Yes, I saw your year in an earlier post -- but 2013 is 2 1/2 years away. That's why I'm trying to encourage you to back it up to 2012 or even to 2011.

BTW, I have been to Alaska twice -- and, like Donna, I'm very eager to go back because there is so much more to see and to do!

Sadly, many people make the mistake of putting off a cruise to Alaska until they grow older, only to discover that they can no longer participate in many of the more active adventures that await. That's why I'm trying to encourage you to make your first trip there as soon as possible.

Norm.

[Manuel]

Originally Posted by Rev22:17

Yes, I saw your year in an earlier post -- but 2013 is 2 1/2 years away. That's why I'm trying to encourage you to back it up to 2012 or even to 2011.

Norm.

I agree, you should go as soon as you can. You will love it.

TM

[Aerogirl]

Originally Posted by Manuel

I agree, you should go as soon as you can. You will love it.

TM

Originally Posted by Rev22:17

Aerogirl,



Yes, I saw your year in an earlier post -- but 2013 is 2 1/2 years away. That's why I'm trying to encourage you to back it up to 2012 or even to 2011.

BTW, I have been to Alaska twice -- and, like Donna, I'm very eager to go back because there is so much more to see and to do!

Sadly, many people make the mistake of putting off a cruise to Alaska until they grow older, only to discover that they can no longer participate in many of the more active adventures that await. That's why I'm trying to encourage you to make your first trip there as soon as possible.

Norm.

I'm already booked on Freedom for 2011. I don't know maybe 2012 but if not 2013 for my 50 th birthday would be nice.

[DiBob]

We cruised NCL Pearl to Alaska for my husband's 50th last June.

It was amazing as everyone has stated. It was us, our 3 kids, 16, 13 and 4...along with extended family so we had a large group.
I enjoyed NCL for this cruise....it is beautiful....he wanted to go back, but we have a Western Caribbean planned for 2013!
So never to early to plan!
Funny thing was, all our friends/family couldnt believe we were going to "Alaska"....why cruise there etc.....they are just sadly misinformed of the beauty and scenery that belongs to us here in the US!
Glacier Bay was such an experience!
However right now.....I am thinking palm trees and beaches with this blizzard! lol