Alaskan Cruise In May?

Question

My husband and I will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary and want to go somewhere different. We have been considering a cruise to Alaska the end of May. We have never been on a cruise, & we have only been to Mexico (cancun & cozumel) and Costa Rica. We are in our mid-twenties and like to see nature & different cultures. We aren't partiers so we don't want to be on a party boat but we don't want to hang out with a bunch of retirees either. We like to get out and see what different places have to offer and we like a bit of adventure. We don't mind dressing up occasionally but we'd rather not have to all of the time. Is a cruise right for us? Which cruiseline would be best? Would they herd us like cattle or could we do our own thing? I've also noticed that all of the cruises have different iteneraries (ie northbound, southbound, roundtrip). Which is best? Are there any shore excursions or places we should definitely visit? We don't eat seafood, by the way. Thanks!

Answer 1

Well you picked the right destination; Alaska!

Cruises here are broken down into a few categories, and time parameters. they are 3, 4, or 7 days in length. They are either Inside Passage or Gulf cruises.

The Inside Passage cruises will sail North to as far as Yakatat Bay, and the largest tidewater glacier Hubbard Glacier.

The Gulf Cruises include the Inside Passage, but carry you North across the Gulf of Alaska to either the Port of Seward, or the Port of Whittier Alaska (depending on which cruise line).

Ports you will visit with both include: Juneau (state capital), Ketchikan (Gateway city), Skagway (The Klondike Gold Rush Gateway), Haines (A stones throw from Skagway), Glacier Bay (not a port but a destination), Hubbard Glacier (the largest tidewater glacier).

Certain Ports are in lieu of another such as Glacier Bay, and Hubbard Glacier; and Skagway and Haines. The rest are regular stops for the ships.

The age demographics of Alaska are changing, but predominately they are the "boomers". We are seeing a change; the age is creeping lower, but well, you get the idea. Don't let that stop you!

Alaska is not to be missed.

The inland tours of course bring you the rest of Alaska. Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Anchorage, and all points in between. If this is in your thought process, include the Alaska Railroad.

A trip to the Yukon and the Klondike region, opens your eyes to the big wide open of both the Yukon, and Alaska. Dawson City, Whitehorse and beyond; the lore of the "Last Great Gold Rush", comes alive as you travel in the footsteps of the Stampeder's headed North. Robert W. Service will bring the tales to life through his verse. "There are strange things done in the midnight sun..." The Cremation of Sam McGee.

Picking a cruise line can be daunting as there are a myriad of choices. Over the years, I have found two that stick out for their Customer Service Excellence; Holland America, and Princess; both owned by Carnival.

Your Shore Excursions are numerous, and definitely plan ahead when it comes to financing these. They can be spendy! Include at least one flight seeing trip whether it is on the ship or Denali. Alaska can truly only be seen from the air.

You can find a listing of shore excursions on the web sites for each cruise line below.

You may also want to look into a more inclusive tour package. Most of the time this will save you time, money, and frustration. These tours include meal packages, and most of your "optional" activities whle traveling the interior of Alaska.

I have included our web site. I am a tour manager for a smaller company, that has been coming to Alaska since the 1950's. It is a "Mom and Pop" company, family owned and very personal. I have spent 29 years as a tour guide here in Alaska, and this is the way to see it!

I also have included a web site for a former guests trip.

Camai!

Answer 2

First permit me say that Alaska is for every physique who likes Nature, flowers and fauna, surprising ecosystem human beings plus, the folk who you will meet on the cruise. superb cruise line ? good question as there's no answer. specific, Princess is rated # a million regardless of the undeniable fact that that covers cruise excursions as another strains do no longer grant them. all of us like and dislike distinctive issues. If a cruise line grew to become into as undesirable as some say why are they nevertheless crusing ? I somewhat have been to Alaska 29 circumstances( with 4 extra this 12 months) on 3 distinctive strains. Holland, Princess and Norwegian. All super cruises. All had lots of activities and the foodstuff grew to become into super. I constantly %. an interior cabin as i'm fortunate if i'm in there 6 hours aday. A Balcony might in straight forward terms provide you a one sided view & the perspectives are extra effective on deck. A cab from the Seattle airport with cab & tip $50.00. The cruise line grants floor transportation regardless of the undeniable fact that on the airport all cruise strains have the folk meet at one end of the airport & it gets very crowed & noisy. Cab trip 20 minutes or much less. Your flights are a topic. You arrive at 3:06 pm what approximately achieveable delays ? choosing up your bags? secure practices at dock ? Alot of the cruise ships pass away at 4 to 4:30 pm. Your return flight maximum ships return between 6 & 7 am. Then the ships team has to pass threw customs before every physique is permitted to pass away the deliver. mutually with your flight time you will possibly desire to examine and have an early departure meaning you carry your very own bags off the deliver to customs, before you are able to pass away for the airport then you certainly might desire to examine in and pass threw customs there. maximum return flights I somewhat have taken are at 10am. Now that's accomplished an interior passage is the wonderful. the two from Seattle or commencing in Anchorage. you will see lots of issues which you will talk approximately for years. relish.

Answer 3

Alaska is a perfect destination...
if you are wanting to plan-your-own adventure....depending on where your nearest port is check out the alaska marine highway.

please note this is not the most romantic way to travel (but comfortable), but it will allow you to plan your adventure. you will be able to stop where you want.

may is a good time of year to travel! ketchikan and anchorage are great places to visit in the summer!

Answer 4

Note: For a list of discount Alaskan cruises, click here to make your selections. For a list of Alaskan cruise ports, click here.

Alaskan cruises have surged in popularity in recent years, and demand to see America's last unspoiled frontier continues to grow. If you decide to cruise Alaska you can see snowcapped peaks, mighty glaciers, steep fjords and such wildlife as whales, black bears, brown bears, bald eagles, sea otters and seals. You'll also find historic gold rush towns, Native American art and culture, Russian heritage and plenty of outdoor adventure. Because of this region's popularity and short season, the per-diem prices for Alaskan cruises are among the highest in the cruise industry.

Alaskan cruises are generally divided into two types, Inside Passage cruises and Gulf of Alaska cruises. The Inside Passage has been the traditional way to cruise Alaska, with most ships sailing round-trip from Vancouver or Seattle, through glacier country as far north as Skagway or Juneau. Gulf of Alaska cruises cover more territory as they travel from Vancouver through the Inside Passage and up to Seward/Anchorage (or the reverse). Airfare for a Gulf of Alaska cruise is generally more expensive because Anchorage is so far north.


The Alaskan cruise season lasts from May through September.


Cruises to Alaska are seven to 12 days in length.


You can find the most affordable Alaskan cruise rates in May and September, the off-peak periods.


Nearly half of all passengers add a land tour to their Alaskan cruise. Denali National Park, the Yukon gold rush country and the Canadian Rockies are among options.


Alaska experiences long hours of daylight during summer, lasting up to 23 hours a day in June.


In addition to popular sightseeing tours via train and motorcoach, cruise lines have added more adventurous shore excursions to Alaskan itineraries, such as sea kayaking, mountain hiking and salmon fishing


If you have frequent-flier miles, this may be a good time to use a free ticket to fly round trip to Vancouver, the main port of departure for Inside Passage cruises.


Because in most cases you’ll need to fly a long distance to reach your port of departure, we suggest that you arrive at the port city at least one or two days in advance of your cruise. This will give you time to rest and get oriented before boarding the ship. Most cruise lines offer pre-cruise hotel packages.


check - http://www.accessiblealaska.com/cruiseAK2.htm