Alaska Cruise?

Question

I am trying to plan an Alaskan Cruise for my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary. I have three years. PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

You have more than enough time to plan and book this cruise, which will be a wonderful experience for your parents. We booked our Alaskan cruise eight months before. Unfortunately, at this time, only the 2007 cruises are open for booking. So start checking next summer and see if the 2008 cruises are announced yet.

Some decisions you can start researching before then:
1. One-way or round-trip. All of the cruises will involve a stop in Canada (for legal reasons). But some will go roundtrip from Seattle, Vancouver, or SF. (Princess, HAL, Celebrity). Some will go on a Southbound or Northbound between Vancouver or Seattle and Anchorage (Princess, HAL, Celebrity, Carnival). Still others are "repo" cruises in early May or late September in which the ship moves from other locale or to another locale.

One ways mean more expensive airfare since it's not a round trip flight. But if you want to add a cruisetour (say to Denali), then the one-way is what you want.

2. Time of year. Cruises here start in early May and go to late September. Temps may be cooler at these times and often may get warmer (even up to the 80s in mid summer).

3. Cruiselines. You probably won't go wrong with Princess, Hal, or Celebrity. We went on Princess and there's a naturalist aboard when you're going through the glacial cruising part (trust me, everyone is out there with binoculars and cameras) narrating what you see. Hal also does this. Not sure about Celebrity.

4. What kind of cabin. Insides are least expensive. oceanview is a bit more (sometimes they are "obstructed view") and balconies much more. There are also suites, minisuites, etc.

Answer 2

you could in basic terms cruise to Alaska from previous due could to early Sept. I went previous due could because of the fact I heard the mosquito's are extensive there and surely pop out in July. yet with that mentioned, there is not any longer a foul time to flow to Alaska on a cruise. We did a cruise/excursion with Princess. We flew into Fairbanks, stayed in one day, then took the practice into Denali the place we spent 2 days. That became a spectacular adventure in Denali. We went to a renowned Mushers homestead and took a organic worldwide excursion. Princess owns there very own motels in Denali and a few different places, so each and every thing became desirable. We then took yet another practice to the port and then began our cruise. I surely have been on 8 cruises with Princess and this became nonetheless my prominent. I plan to flow lower back to Alaska, yet on a diverse path.

Answer 3

My best advice is to find a travel agent that specializes in cruises. I was on Holland America's Amsterdam for a seven day cruise to Alaska. They were spectacular. Many cruise lines go to Alaska, so you need an agent who can help you pin down exactly what kind of experience you are looking for. Lucky you! Alaska by cruise ship is a dream come true.

Answer 4

I went on one some time ago. It's beautiful/luxurious ! Not much to plan - the cruise operators handle EVERYTHING. All you need do is decide which operator to use, the cabin choice (with window would be more expensive), the level (8 floor and up) more expensive. Make your booking 3-4 months earlier. No cruises during the winter months as the place is closed.

Answer 5

Here are some tips...........
Holland America or Celebrity Cruise lines would be my recommendation as they have a more mature clientele generally speaking and excellent service.

Set up the air portion so that they arrive a day or more before the cruise. This accomplishes 2 things, it protects them in case of flight delay, cancellation, reroute that they don't miss their ship...and it provides an opportunity to get a little visit of a cool city like Vancouver or Seattle. Ships are not held for late passengers like they are sometimes in the Caribbeans, due to tides.

Buy trip insurance.....something like Travel Guard. When you are spending thousands on a trip of a life time, spend a couple hundred to get the trip insurance. Illness, accident, mechanical problem, lost baggage are remote possibilities but they happen and you don't want to have to worry.

If you are not comfortable with your experience setting up travel to an area you perhaps have not visited, don't hesitate to work with a travel agent who specializes in cruises. The wont cost you extra and you can benefit from their experience helping others. Just be clear to them what you want, and don't let them talk you in to sailing the same day that you fly into port. I work for an airline and see misconnections to cruises all the time...,an extra day's hotel cost is peanuts compared to the peace of mind.

Check out CruiseCritic.com...cruisediva.com for ship reviews and layouts. Cabins in the middle of the ship and mid-level have a better ride, but you dont get much wave action except for some brief time in the Pacific on the way to Inside Passage.

If you have a high limit budget....check out http://www.cruisewest.com/

Good luck and happy planning.

Answer 6

Go with Holland America Line. They are the longest running cruise line in Alaska. It is a great line. They have a department that works with direct clients if you don't have a travel agent too. They will not have that far out open yet. No line will. They open about 1 year in advance, but you can get materials for the current year and it will be close to the same in 3 years.

Answer 7

Consider small-ship cruising, with someone like Tauck. My wife and I did an Inside Passage cruise with Tauck and loved it, would do it again in a heartbeat. The small ships are more intimate and friendly than the larger ones, and the level of care with Tauck cannot be beat. Have you checked the online forums, like Cruisemates.com? Lot's of good info there.

Answer 8

Ms; I went 3 times last year & already booked for 07. A cruise tour 11 days is great. They will never forget. If they love nature you can't miss. If you would like more info on ships and such email [e-mail]. Glad to share. My father can not stop telling people about it.

Answer 9

What a wonderful anniversary present! Maybe you should consider going as well. Twenty of us went in August 2006 to Alaska, and have planned to go back in two years. It is unbelievable, and the most gorgeous scenery we've ever seen. There are so many cruiselines that go there, we went on RCL and it was absolutely amazing. Good luck!

Answer 10

bok the inside passage only more scenic and more stops book them the trip into denali park to see mt mckinley on the way to anchorage before they fly home ,give them 3 extra days in vancouver prior to the curise so they can go sightseeing