ALASKA Cruise - Not Disney - Advice Needed!

Guest · 7 Mar 18, 06:19 PM

Hello all!

Looking to book a cruise for my DM and her husband (both in their late 60s). They are extremely active and game for anything. They appreciate good food - but it's not their number one priority.

What line would you recommend? Princess? Holland America? Somebody else?

I've ruled out Carnival - and the DCL Alaska sailings cost somewhere between

and

.

Please help!

**Loopylooloo** · 7 Mar 18, 07:05 PM

Depends when for - next year RCL are sending Quantum of the Seas to Alaska, which will be a great option, otherwise Princess or Celebrity are good choices to consider. Princess cruises kind of specialise in Alaska, they have their own trains etc for tours.

**catlady** · 7 Mar 18, 07:36 PM

I'd say Celebrity too? They're known for their food, little bit more adult orientated but with children too, if that makes sense?

I was looking today at their Alaskan cruises and I like their itineraries, if my quote from my TA comes in too high today for next summer's Disney cruise I'm going with Celebrity 😁

redspottyowl · 7 Mar 18, 07:39 PM

Love NCL, so do my parents

Omega1 · 7 Mar 18, 08:11 PM

In 2014, we did a true 14 day itinerary (not two 7 day b2 b) on Holland America out of Seattle. It was a wonderful cruise that visits some of the more out of the way places eg Kodiak, Sitka and Homer as well as the usual ports on Alaska cruises. The ship was the Amsterdam, which is smaller than average but the service was impeccable and the food outstanding. Back in 2014 they only offered two or three 14 day itineraries per season, but due to their popularity they are doing far more this year.
We've done 35+ cruises and this was one of the best. HAL and Princess are our cruise lines of choice.
We added on a short road trip after the cruise to the Olympic NP, Washington/Oregon coast, Cascade Mtns and Columbia River valley.
Personally, I would avoid RCL in Alaska.

Pootle · 7 Mar 18, 08:33 PM

Princess and Holland and America are the cruise lines with �history� in Alaska, which may not matter depending what type of cruise you think your mother and her husband want.

I would recommend choosing a cruise which goes to Glacier Bay (not all do). Both of the above companies have built their own lodges in Alaska, and doing a cruise tour into Denali National Park is just amazing. I looked into the eyes of a moose at the side of the train we were on, and I fell in love

Celebrity is my favourite cruise line and I am taking a 10 day Alaska cruise with them next year and I�m sure it will be wonderful but it doesn�t go to Glacier Bay, which is beyond stunning! It is a round trip from Vancouver and includes Vancouver island, which is what I wanted this time.

Frommer�s does a good guide to Alaskan cruise ships (pros and cons of each cruise line) and ports of call. My 2014 is out of date, but there�s a new one out at the end of this month. That might be worth getting.

Guest · 9 Mar 18, 11:18 AM

Thanks so much, everybody!

I will present DM with your opinions and let her choose. I think that you are right and l will add on something else - probably the Denali trip.

Pootle -

I drove the ALCAN the summer I was 20 - and had to just STOP in the middle of the highway up in the Yukon. There were two moose RIGHT in the road. It was just...perfect.

7 Mar 18, 06:19 PM	#1
	7 Mar 18, 06:19 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	ALASKA Cruise - Not Disney - Advice Needed! Hello all! Looking to book a cruise for my DM and her husband (both in their late 60s). They are extremely active and game for anything. They appreciate good food - but it's not their number one priority. What line would you recommend? Princess? Holland America? Somebody else? I've ruled out Carnival - and the DCL Alaska sailings cost somewhere between and . Please help!

7 Mar 18, 08:11 PM	#5
	7 Mar 18, 08:11 PM Omega1 Imagineer
Omega1 Imagineer Join Date: Jan 08	In 2014, we did a true 14 day itinerary (not two 7 day b2 b) on Holland America out of Seattle. It was a wonderful cruise that visits some of the more out of the way places eg Kodiak, Sitka and Homer as well as the usual ports on Alaska cruises. The ship was the Amsterdam, which is smaller than average but the service was impeccable and the food outstanding. Back in 2014 they only offered two or three 14 day itineraries per season, but due to their popularity they are doing far more this year. We've done 35+ cruises and this was one of the best. HAL and Princess are our cruise lines of choice. We added on a short road trip after the cruise to the Olympic NP, Washington/Oregon coast, Cascade Mtns and Columbia River valley. Personally, I would avoid RCL in Alaska. Edited at 08:15 PM.

9 Mar 18, 11:18 AM	#7
	9 Mar 18, 11:18 AM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	Thanks so much, everybody! I will present DM with your opinions and let her choose. I think that you are right and l will add on something else - probably the Denali trip. Pootle - I drove the ALCAN the summer I was 20 - and had to just STOP in the middle of the highway up in the Yukon. There were two moose RIGHT in the road. It was just...perfect.