Alaska cruise, has anyone done it?

[cinnabar]

We''re thinking of an Alaska cruise as our summer vacation this year. It seems there are three cruise lines that do similar trips; a friend went on the Legend of the Seas with RCI and said that while the actual cruise was wonderful, the company''s admin beforehand was absolutely terrible. I wondered if anyone here had done this trip and has any recommendations or horror stories?

We''re probably going on the last cruise of the season, at the beginning of September, due to my work commitments and my husband''s idea that there will be a better chance of seeing aurorae then.

He thinks I''ll hate it because it will be cold (I''m a sunbunny, but I am happy to compromise because he doesn''t love the sun and we did a beach destination last time we went away).

 

[lili]

Date: 4/11/2006 5:07:36 PM
Author:cinnabar
We''re thinking of an Alaska cruise as our summer vacation this year. It seems there are three cruise lines that do similar trips; a friend went on the Legend of the Seas with RCI and said that while the actual cruise was wonderful, the company''s admin beforehand was absolutely terrible. I wondered if anyone here had done this trip and has any recommendations or horror stories?

We''re probably going on the last cruise of the season, at the beginning of September, due to my work commitments and my husband''s idea that there will be a better chance of seeing aurorae then.

He thinks I''ll hate it because it will be cold (I''m a sunbunny, but I am happy to compromise because he doesn''t love the sun and we did a beach destination last time we went away).

We went on the Alaskan cruise twice. Once during the peak season and the other toward the end. Mid June thru mid July yields the best weather. It was nice and sunny when we went during peak season. The temperature was around 76 degrees. It was rainier during the end of the season. So it can be a bit cold, but it is still enjoyable.

 

[rainbowtrout]

I''ve been once in the peak season...great weather. The thing about SE Alaska though is that it RAINS/cloudiness/etc in the winter...so aurorae chances might be best if you can take a flight up to fairbanks somehow.

 

[kbaker]

My husband and I went on Princess at the end of July. Our weather varied greatly from 75 and sunny to 40 and raining. If you like the outdoors, you will love this trip. We went moutanin biking in the Tongass national Forest, kayaking, glacier climbing. It was all too fun.

If we did it again, we''d pick Royal Carribbean though. Princess seems to be getting influenced by their "Carnival relatives" so some of their food was a bit disappointing comared to our RC experiences.

Overall, Highly recommend this trip. Save some money for the shore excursions, because that part really made our trip great!!

 

[hlmr]

I personally have not done it, but I do know a few couples that have, and they were thrilled and highly recommend it. The scenery is supposed to be out of this world. It would be great for someone who doesn''t like a hot weather destination.

 

[mrssalvo]

I had a great Aunt that after her husband passed away she decided she wasn''t going to sit around and wait to die too. She joined a group who took tours all over the world. She went on several cruises and out of all her travels she said enjoyed the Alaska Cruise the most and would love to do it again. I''ve heard it is just amazing from others as well.

 

[Sundial]

My husband and I took our kids on a Celebrity Alaskan cruise in late July one year. We all enjoyed it and the scenery cruising up the Inside Passage was gorgeous. The weather was quite cool during our trip. You never know what to expect in Alaska. We live near the mountains so I think it would be a more special experience for someone who doesn''t have that kind of scenery close by.

 

[websailor]

Date: 4/11/2006 5:07:36 PM
Author:cinnabar
We''re thinking of an Alaska cruise as our summer vacation this year. It seems there are three cruise lines that do similar trips; a friend went on the Legend of the Seas with RCI and said that while the actual cruise was wonderful, the company''s admin beforehand was absolutely terrible. I wondered if anyone here had done this trip and has any recommendations or horror stories?

We''re probably going on the last cruise of the season, at the beginning of September, due to my work commitments and my husband''s idea that there will be a better chance of seeing aurorae then.

He thinks I''ll hate it because it will be cold (I''m a sunbunny, but I am happy to compromise because he doesn''t love the sun and we did a beach destination last time we went away).

We''ve been on, uuuhhhh, a "few" cruises.... okay, a bunch of them. Go to Alaska - it''s a beautiful cruise destination and a great way to see Alaska for the first time.

My recommendation is this - seek out some of the cruise boards (they are just like Pricescope - lots of advice for your questions), and browse the forums in the different cruise lines that you are considering (and maybe the Ports of Call to get an idea of which itinerary you''d like).

I also think your hubbie might be suprised at the temperatures - it''s not cold at all, except the days you go to the glaciers.

But then again, if he''s convinced you''ll be cold, now is the time to book a sun drenched cruise to get warmed up again.... LOL!

 

[cinnabar]

Thanks to everyone for the great advice and stuff

I''m now convinced that this is going to be a great trip, and I''m going to look for the cruise discussion boards like Websailor said.

And start saving up.