Serenade of the Seas in Alaska

[Donna]

I'm looking at Serenade of the Seas to Alaska, has anyone done this ship and itinary?? Any info...

Thanks,

[Andrio]

Any info greatly received by me also, we've just booked to go on 13th Sept sailing

Andrea

[Robbie H]

We just did the "Ultimate Alaska on her sister (Radiance) which would be the same as the 09-20-08 run. GREAT trip! Main thing is to let you both know that Sept. is risky as far as visibility. Float plan and helicopter excursions can be cancelled due to clouds. We have been several times so it's worth it to us but something you need to know.

And Donna, if you can score one of the popular aft cabins, they are great for seeing so much without it being as windy. We had 1104 and my Mom so overjoyed that she had me book us into 1102 to Hawaii.

Any specific questions, feel free, Robbie

[Andrio]

Hi Robbie,

I've read a few reviews where September weather is either great or awful - just as well I'm not going for a suntan!

One thing I was concerned about after reading reviews was that the areas where smoking is allowed e.g. The Schooner Bar can be a bit unbearable if the weather is bad and people don't want to go outside. Did you notice this?

Andrio

[Robbie H]

You are right about Sept. since we have been there when it was 70 degrees during the first week. Can't help much about the bars since we don't drink there. You have 3 port days plus the beauty of the "Inside Passage" so people are outside quite a bit on trip. The bars in the Centrum and at the back on deck 6 (can't recall name on Serenade) might also be a consideration.

[Donna]

Thanks Robbie!

[longbeachlarry]

We did the Serenade Alaska cruise in July 2006. It was great. Started and ended in Vancouver which was a nice city to do a pre and post night. We had great weather - in the 60s when we were in Skagway and Ketchikan. Juneau was a little rainy (go figure!) in the morning and then cleared up. The only really cold day was the Hubbard Glaciar cruising day but that added to the experience so it wasn't bad. Neither was the Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps they were selling on the helipad!!
You'll have a great time.

[ms_Kalamity]

We did the Serendade in June 06. You will love the ship! The Alaska run is great, and we enjoyed it very much. Hubbard Glacier will be your coldest day for sure. Dress in layers layers layers to stay warm. Captain Stig got us about a mile away for Hubbard due to a lot of ice in the water. Apparently sometimes you can get closer if there is less ice calving off at the time. We also really enjoyed the glacier gardens/mendenhall glacier excursion out of Juno too it was very interesting.
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

Jane

[Donna]

Thanks Jane,
As far as I'm concerned, the Radiance class ships are about the prettiest around and have plenty of glass, great for Alaska.

[Mike L]

Serenade is the prettyist ship I have been on. Is there a "best month" to visit Alaska?