If you had to pick between an Alaskan cruise and a Caribbean cruise, which would you pick and why?

Question

The travelers include a 20 year-old college student, a 45 year-old mom, and a 76 year-old grandma. Our dilemmas include:
1. Not being bored
2. Having activites that everyone will be able to do and enjoy
3. Price
4. Not getting sick (how often do people get sick on cruises?)
5. A really, short time frame (last 2 weeks of July)

Thank you!

Answer 1

I suggest Alaska. The Alaska cruise season is from May to Sept. The weather is generally warmer in June, July and Aug, but it can also be pleasant in May and Sept. When we went a few years ago in May it was shirt sleeve weather (70's) in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The odd thing was, it was cooler further south in Juneau and Skagway than it was up north. It was rainy and cloudy in Ketchkan. It will be cold, like coat, hat and gloves weather, when you get close to the Glaciers. Otherwise they would melt. When you pack, think layering of your
clothes. A couple long sleeve shirts/tops, a sweater/sweatshirt, a light jacket, maybe with a hood.

The best prices will be in May and Sept but you will see the same things as other times. The port stops will be the same but may be in a different order. Some cruises ship itineraries are run in reverse order, North to South vs starting in Seattle or Vancouver. Check the cruise line web sites for variations by date, itinerary and price.

The best Alaska cruise experience is the CRUISE-TOUR. Princess, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean all run cruise tours which take you by train all the way to Fairbanks, Alaska. Princess and RC have special domed train cars for this. Your best chance to see wild animals will be if you do a cruise-tour where you go further north after cruising the inside passage. The only animals you are likely to see in the inside passage is seals. On these tours You can arrange to stop for a night or two in Taketna, or Denali National Park. This will be your best opportunity to see Moose, Caribou, eagle, wolf, and bear. But you really need two days at Denali so that you have time to get one of the Park Service's busses that go deep into the park. Regular tour busses , cars and campers can only go about 3 or 4 miles into the park. The Park Service runs busses about 17 miles into the park, but you must get to the visitor center very early to reserve a spot on one of their busses. The train stops going
north and south do not get you to Denali in time or allow enough time for the deep back country busses. With Princess, Holland America, and RC you can do the tour part first and then go to Seward or Whittier to get on ship for the inside passage part. I recommend doing the tour part first.

Alaska cruises and tours are mostly scenic and cultural. The usual stops for the inside passage portion are Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and College Fjords. The scenic parts are the animals, mountains, glaciers, fjords, and waterfalls. The cultural parts are the Alaska Native, gold rush, fishing industry, and historical sites.


Some people worry about getting sea sick, but the ships being used these days have automated stabilizers which minimize the rocking. The larger ships cut through the water so easy that you don’t even feel like you are moving. When there is bad weather the cruise lines will steer around and away from it, sometimes changing the order of port stops. Also, the ships generally move overnight and dock in the mornings so you don’t feel much movement. Consequently, your chances of getting sea sick are minimal. There is generally less motion than on an airplane. If you do get
sick, all ships have a doctor and they will dispense sea sick medicines. If you are prone to motion sickness, just get pills or a patch from your own doctor before you go, or go to a boating store and get a sea sickness bracelet.

Answer 2

Points #1 and #2, both are great options, so it's what you want to do most. Point #3, Carribean cruises are really a great deal. Shop around and don't stop at one site but pick a reputable site and not something that seems too good to be true.. Pick Eastern or Western Carribean, both are good if you've never been there. It will be very hot, so pack some strong sunscreen and use it. You will get a nice tan and not be faced with sun poisoning in day 2. It just ruins the whole trip.

Most islands are really very poor, meaning the general population, but you stay on the ship and it's interesting to take a few day trips to see the locals and how they interact with tourists. They are very friendly (my experience anyway).

Now Alaska will cost more but it's an entirely different experience. Your party will have to decide. You can't go wrong either way.

#4, not many although you've no doubt read about cruises having a short duration due to a virus on the ship getting many people sick at a time and having to return to shore. The key is to wash your hands, many times a day, and I stress many. If you think about the hundreds of thousands of cruises going out in any given year, it's very low. Motion sickness? If you have a large ship, it should not be a factor. I've been on smaller cruise lines and really never noticed the motion.

#5 Last minute bookings are where you find the best deals, so spend some time looking and you should be in great shape. Enjoy!

Answer 3

I would pick the Caribbean for sure. For me a holiday is going somewhere warm. To get a tan, go to the beach etc. If you are more interested in sightseeing, then an Alaskan cruise might be better for you. Its all preference.
I don't think on either cruise you will be bored. There is always lots to do. Something for everyone.
I believe both cruises would be the same price. The flight on the other hand is where it may vary. Depending on where you are from Florida may be closer then Vancouver and vise versa.
By sickness, do you mean sea sickness or a boat wide sickness. Getting seas sick is much more likely. The boats are very clean to insure that no boat wide sicknesses occur. Don't let that be a reason why not to go.
Your time frame would work for either destination.
I hope that was of some help!

Happy Cruising!

Answer 4

I really think that Alaska is the best option for making all 3 generations happy. Your 1st 4 questions all depend on which cruise line and which ship, not on the destination. We have been seeing some really good deals for Alaska lately. July is peak time for going to Alaska and many people book a year ahead. When it gets really close to sailing time, there may be a short sale to make sure they get a full ship. I have seen sales that are only good for bookings made on a given day or during a 2 or 3 day period. That is why you should hook up with an agent as soon as possible, preferably one who specializes in cruises because they will get alerted to these sales. Also, if you talk to an agent from an agency that specializes in cruises, such as Cruises Inc, the one I work for, the agency usually has some blocked space that they can use to give you good rates and some additional benefits such as shipboard credits to spend as you wish.
Happy cruising.
Sally B

Answer 5

1 - 4 Alaska without a question. Alaska for some reason people think is expensive which it is not. I have been there 19 times and I would say dollar for dollar it would cost you less. However you are getting short on time. Caribbean you spend too much time on open seas. Plenty of things to do for all ages on ship & off. If a member of AAA they can save you on both cruise & airfare. A cruise tour is best to see all sights. Try Princess.com they offer 5 star lodging. Enjoy.

Answer 6

Caribbean cruises are way better than an Alaskan cruise. You will never get bored with all the fun things to do on and off the cruise ship. The price is not cheap, but it is worth it for all the things they have to do on the cruise ship. If you take medicine you probably won't get seasick, but people do get sick quite often. These cruises can last from 1 week to 13 weeks. Have fun and your welcome!!

Answer 7

I would pick a Caribbean cruise. I live in Florida, and can get to Port Canaveral and Tampa in less than two hours. I am more interested in the cruise than the destination. Alaska is also more expensive.

However, be aware, last year I did a Caribbean in Sept, and it was still nearly 100 degrees in Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Answer 8

For question 4: The bigger the ship, the less movement you will feel, thus the less chance for seasickness.

For everything else: You have to decide if you want to escape the heat or embrace it. Secondly, there are no warm sandy beaches in Alaska, so if you choose Alaska prepare to do all your swimming in a pool.

Answer 9

I would pick the alaska, because i have never been there but i have seen it on t.v and brochures, it is beautiful, but it does seem alittle laid back for someone my age, but i like it like that!! there was a lot to do and see though, i also heard there is a shortage of women!! lol so alot of guys there lol, but that wouldn't be the reason to go, i would go just to see the sites!!

Answer 10

in my oppinion caribbean. it just depends on what you like. you wouldnt be bored you would have activites. not sure on price. it depends if you get motion sick real easy. not sure of time. go to google and type in caribbean cruise see what it says