[Tyga11]

We are thinking of going in June. Holland America has been recommended. My budget is $7k max (including air fare)

My apprehension is that I've never been on a cruise and I think we may get bored since it seems like it's mostly just looking at glaciers...but it seems like a cool trip since my fiance and I haver never experienced anything like that.

If you have been, do you recommend it and what cruise ship did you go with?

[dradernh]

We did a Vancouver to Seward cruise in '03. The view off the boat was what that trip was about, and it was the only way we were going to see that part of the Alaskan coast with little effort.

From Seward, we drove up to Denali and enjoyed the (apparently) unusual experience of the massive mountain being out of the clouds and totally visible for three straight days. Standing out all by itself, it's an impressive sight. That drive was also about enjoying the scenery. Afterwards, we hit Anchorage's top restaurant before getting on the plane back to Vancouver.

The stops in the Alaskan towns along the way weren't particularly interesting to us. That's definitely a YMMV situation, though, as there's a distinct quality to isolated coastal towns (including Alaska's state capital).

It's the only cruise we ever took. The couple we went with wanted to do more cruises with us, but for the wife it was "I've already done the cruise thing."

[wtwo3]

This is definitely something on my list of things to do when the kids are old enough to be left with their grandparents for an extended period of time.

[evil-G-nius]

I went back in 2013 on Holland also. We left from Seward and went to (don't remember the order) Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan Island & Glacier Bay. It was so very cool, there are quite a few things to do on board. Ultimately though, take the time to relax & unwund! There are a lot of photography opportunities, grad a drink at the bar and look for whales, catch up on a book you always wanted to read. There is also a casino on board, movie theater (depending on the ship), shops, trivia and so much more. Seriously don't worry about being bored....relax & enjoy the scenery!

[Watching The World Burn]

Is it considered poor etiquette to hum songs from the titanic soundtrack whilst on these cruises or do you figure no one will notice?

[Llarry]

(After retirement from the Navy) I took a couple of cruises; one to the Caribbean and one to the Canary Islands.

I wanted to do an Alaskan cruise for years, but have come to consider cruise ships as dangerous virus petri dishes and no longer desire to go.

[Nuckle]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

We are thinking of going in June. Holland America has been recommended. My budget is $7k max (including air fare)

My apprehension is that I've never been on a cruise and I think we may get bored since it seems like it's mostly just looking at glaciers...but it seems like a cool trip since my fiance and I haver never experienced anything like that.

If you have been, do you recommend it and what cruise ship did you go with?

How old are you? I went on one when I was 35 and while I enjoyed it there were definitely times that it wasn't exciting. We went on a Celebrity boat and the activities were limited. The boat was full of seniors. By 8pm the boat was dead. It is a beautiful trip though!

If budget keeps you from doing the big excursions then I would wait until the budget could be increased.

[flybigjet]

https://uncruise.com/pages/alaskan-adventures

My wife and I did one of these a few years back and really enjoyed it; Ketchikan up to Juneau.

Small boat cruises are a different breed of cat-- much more outdoor focused rather than the internal focus of the large "you and 5000 of your friends" boats.

Spendy, but I'd do this way a dozen times over before I set foot on a large cruise (cattle) boat.

R.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

ncl cruises 50% off

free booze and drank

[RKM]

I've been on cruises all over the world and although Alaska was ok it's the only one I wouldn't do again.

[rice_rocket88]

Agree with RKM, been on a lot of cruises, but the Alaska outback wasn't as exciting for me. Other places that were warm (ie Caribbean) there is more beach/snorkel/surf/horseback riding etc. Alaska had few excursion trips that I liked. The view was amazing though.

Cruises to me are great... the nicer the boat, the better amenities. No Carnival party boats!! (Unless that's your thing to have drunk and rowdy kids). I like the boats more compared to resorts. You have your own room for the week, food is available 24/7. Formal dining room is actually VERY nice. Entertainment is also better quality. Some boats have crazy things like rock climbing walls, surf machines etc. Casino is almost always there as well. Excursions you can book depending on where you go on your own. Also it is nice to go bed and arrive at a new location to experience (more bang for buck to me).

Resorts may have nicer pools/places. Food is not as good. Entertainment is not as good. Usually once you leave the resorts it is pretty sketchy/poverished. Booze is way cheaper. Not as many "free" activities, you need to book more excursions on your own.

[Tommy-G]

In for someone to post pictures hopefully but I aint floating on no door

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by rice_rocket88

Agree with RKM, been on a lot of cruises, but the Alaska outback wasn't as exciting for me. Other places that were warm (ie Caribbean) there is more beach/snorkel/surf/horseback riding etc. Alaska had few excursion trips that I liked. The view was amazing though.

Cruises to me are great... the nicer the boat, the better amenities. No Carnival party boats!! (Unless that's your thing to have drunk and rowdy kids). I like the boats more compared to resorts. You have your own room for the week, food is available 24/7. Formal dining room is actually VERY nice. Entertainment is also better quality. Some boats have crazy things like rock climbing walls, surf machines etc. Casino is almost always there as well. Excursions you can book depending on where you go on your own. Also it is nice to go bed and arrive at a new location to experience (more bang for buck to me).

Resorts may have nicer pools/places. Food is not as good. Entertainment is not as good. Usually once you leave the resorts it is pretty sketchy/poverished. Booze is way cheaper. Not as many "free" activities, you need to book more excursions on your own.

Re: alcohol

The boat we were on allowed us to bring our own on board, so we brought a few cases of wine with us.

The formal dining room had Silver Oak Cab for $90/bottle. I thought that was an unusual bargain.

[E92 M Sport]

Yes, I believe it was Royal Caribbean in 2010. Make sure you get a balcony. It’s not all glaciers, Juneau, Skagway and the Canadian Yukon / Great White Pass (railroad trip) and Ketchikan were all very nice excursions.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by E92 M Sport

Make sure you get a balcony.

^ This. Otherwise, don't go. My 2¢, of course.

If you're sailing north, you may find that a balcony on the right (starboard) side of the ship is the more attractive choice. You see more of the coast and land on that side.

[CamasM3e93]

You’ve received a lot of solid feedback on your question. My experience in 2017 on Norwegian and the standard 7 day itinerary out of Seattle was positive, glad we went, and I like Norwegian for the different restaurant style dining options. For me living in the northwest, Alaska was mostly just a colder summer version of what I see at home so it was a once and done type of experience.

I could take or leave cruising overall. I would be more enthusiastic if I could book a dirt cheap inner cabin because I would love the bargain all week long, but family considerations preclude.

[ToddBlack88]

My family and I did it as a quick turn around 7 day round trip cruise on a whim, in 2019. I live in Vancouver so figured why not, it’s an easy relaxing week.

It will be different depending on where you are from. We met people from all over the world on the cruise that absolutely loved the scenery and views, but to us it was……normal and home.
The Hubbard glacier was very cool, not because of what it is, but because of the sound it makes. It’s incredible when it splits. If you can spring for the heli trip over the glaciers, do it. Totally worth the money in my opinion.
Some of the stops along the way will make you laugh. There is one,(can’t think of the name right now) that is supposed to show traditional living villages etc for the “First Nations” people, but when you float in on the boat you can see them all in there cars driving to this fake village to open up there tourist shops. It made us all laugh out loud.
Definitely get a balcony, and if you can get an aft one. You may have to deal with a little soot from the stacks, but the daily cleaners look after it and it gives the best views imo.

[UncleWede]

Fall 2020 we did NCL from Seattle. First time we did 7 days.
The scenery was stunning, and the captain was amazingly able to literally spin a 1000' boat 360 degrees at the head of glacier bay, so everyone got a chance to see.

Our family got the "thermal spa" optional upgrade, so every day we would go hang in saunas, jacuzzis, various hot rooms, and the snow room.

Cafeteria dining is pretty good. When you book a cabin you generally get at least 2 dinners in the specialty restaurants. Steak house, Mexican, French, Chinese/sushi, are all pretty standard with NCL.

The ports were a little unusual for me, but they are just tourist stops along the way. My wife and her 2 sisters each got new diamond wedding rings in Juneau, I think. I was initially interested in a fishing trip, but since you only spend a few hours in each port, it's not really an option. We did a couple of unguided hiking excursions, didn't pay any extra for land excursions when we went.

Casino, baby! Pretty much every night we spent at least some time there.

I ended up attending a Thomas Kinkade lecture, and came home with a painting.

Oh, and drinking. Specialty calls there is an extra charge, and I think they limit you to 15/day. I'd start around 7:30 with Irish coffee. . .

I'll post up a few pics in a bit.

[2000cs]

This is the only cruise I’ve had an interest in doing, but not enough to do it (yet). I just really dislike the idea of cruises.

We did fly to Anchorage a couple of years ago (pre-Covid) and took a day cruise to see glaciers calving and the whales, etc. That was sufficient for me. From Anchorage there are several tours/trips available including Denali, northern lights (try Fairbanks), etc.

In the 1980s I went on a couple of trips with my dad and his buddies flying out of Seattle in a Beaver and landing on the rivers and lakes of BC for fishing and camping. I really liked the Campbell River area but it has been so long that I can’t say how it would be today. Float planes are a nice way to see a lot and access some places that otherwise are only really practical by boat.

[UncleWede]

Some pics

[evil-G-nius]

Some of my pics too...

[Gugge72]

Never been on one, but would love too.