Alaskan cruise

[MrPotatoBread]

Thinking about hitting an Alaska cruise with my wife. We're a young couple and I'm wondering if anyone has done it before? What's the crowd like? Is it fun? Thinking of doing it July.

[TheSquealer]

As someone that was born and raised in Alaska and a commercial fisherman in the gulf and Bering sea/Russia, I've seen a lot of coast. If you are taking about a cruise from Bellingham Washington to Alaska, it is incredibly beautiful and something I recommend often. Having large boats in Alaska means taking them to shipyards in Seattle for maintenence in off seasons and also because all large fisheries related companies are headquartered in Seattle. I have been up and down the inside passage many times from Seattle to Alaska and back and it's an amazing experience.

[kane]

A couple of good friends of mine and their then girlfriends went on an Alaskan cruise. They both said it was beautiful and overall a good experience save for one incident. There was an outbreak of the Norwalk virus on the ship. My buddy's girlfriend got it. One night she suddenly had to go and was trying to climb over him to get out of bed and to the bathroom and she ended up shitting on him in bed.

The shitting aside he highly recommends the trip.

[AaronM]

Did Alaska once on a Princess cruise. If I were to do it again, I would do it the same time of year I did it last time which was during the spring. Lots of animals and their offspring to see that time of year so I got some cool pics. Didn't hurt that I brought a 300mm f2.8 lens and 2x magnifier.

That said, I wouldn't ever do another cruise to Alaska. Sure, it's a beautiful place but I'd rather see it from shore and go more inland rather than take a ship again. I've taken at least 1 cruise a year for almost 20 years and prefer to stick to the warmer climates. The week we went to Alaska, it was unusually warm for that time of year. Everybody was comparing it to a typical Summer day but it was still too cold to fully enjoy a cruise ship IMHO.

[MrPotatoBread]

Thanks guys for the feedback. Seeing as though I spend most of my time between Miami and New England I figured it would be nice for a change. I could always go for a typical island trip around these parts but that seems a bit boring. I'm thinking of hitting Seattle for 24-48 hours then Alaska cruise then back home from there. Just want to make sure it's the right move before booking. I just don't want us to be the only young couple. I'm sure the there's stuff to do on the ship for young folks but there won't be any pool time in July in Alaska I'm pretty certain of that right? LOL

[BlackCrayon]

i think cruises are over rated. i don't want to be stuck on a fucking boat for days.

[Spunky]

I always thought cruises were full of senior citizens who are in bed by 9 pm

[NALEM]

Originally Posted by MrPotatoBread

Thinking about hitting an Alaska cruise with my wife. We're a young couple and I'm wondering if anyone has done it before? What's the crowd like? Is it fun? Thinking of doing it July.

I personally can handle any age group for a week, but if you are not into hanging out on board with A LOT of older folks (senior citizens) than definitely stay away from booking with Holland America.

Second, if you like saving money, then don't book on board all your excursions. As soon as you step off the ship, you can get the same exact tours for 1/2 the price.

Third, avoid making mobile calls from the ship (even while docked) or anywhere close to it. They got some geo fencing that triggers all mobile calls to go through them, and it will cost you a fortune per minute.

Last pieces of advice ... get to know your room steward (typically Indonesians). They will take care of your extra needs. Take advantage of in room dining (room service) for the morning meal. Nothing beats breakfast in bed while on holiday. Last, in the dining room, you can order pretty much anything you want. You don't have to order 1 item for each course. You can double up on one item, and entirely skip something else. Make sense?

Enjoy!

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by BlackCrayon

i think cruises are over rated. i don't want to be stuck on a fucking boat for days.

How many have you been on?

Cruising rocks, we go as often as possible... It's not a fucking boat (if you do it right), it's a luxury hotel where you wake up somewhere new every day.

Alaska is a nice destination, we did the inside passage after a road trip to Vancouver and went as far as Hubbard Glacier, which is about as north as the big ships go...

Originally Posted by NALEM

Second, if you like saving money, then don't book on board all your excursions. As soon as you step off the ship, you can get the same exact tours for 1/2 the price.

I have to disagree with that.

While you WILL save money booking your own tour off-ship, BUT, if there's a problem, such as the tour van gets a flat tire, and you don't make it to the ship on time, it sails without you — however, if you book through the ship on an official tour, they won't leave you behind.

There's always a few folks that don't get the memo, and then are scrambling to catch a flight to the next port of call.

[NALEM]

Originally Posted by Stephen

I have to disagree with that.

While you WILL save money booking your own tour off-ship, BUT, if there's a problem, such as the tour van gets a flat tire, and you don't make it to the ship on time, it sails without you ? however, if you book through the ship on an official tour, they won't leave you behind.

There's always a few folks that don't get the memo, and then are scrambling to catch a flight to the next port of call.

I will not declare myself to be a cruising expert, but I have enjoyed about a dozen + so far. What I noticed, is that there are tour vendors hawking their packages, alongside those who have already negotiated contracts with the cruise lines. Generally I choose the same vendor as the other cruise passengers are with, just pay the lower shore price.

Each time we are on board, we get the same reminder ... "get back to the ship on time. We will sail with or without you." What I cannot confirm is "if you book on board your shore excursion and there is an emergency which causes you to be brought back to the ship late" will the ship really wait for you? I kind of doubt it. There are so many factors involved with the need for ships to leave on time. Among them the steep port taxes they pay to dock each time.

If there was an "emergency" that cannot be resolved quickly, I would be making alternate arrangements to get back to the ship myself if needed. Thankfully nothing bad has happened yet.

Now I am thinking, I wish I had the time to take another cruise.

[BlackCrayon]

Originally Posted by Stephen

How many have you been on?

Cruising rocks, we go as often as possible... It's not a fucking boat (if you do it right), it's a luxury hotel where you wake up somewhere new every day.

.

Honestly, none. It didn't appeal to me. Plus there always seems to be lots of these stories.

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