Alaska 2018

I'm new to RCL, only cruised with Disney in the past and never done Alaska. We're looking at Alaska 2018, two rooms, 4 adults.

Can anyone with experience tell me the pros or cons of the different itineraries?

I'm looking at 7-night

Northbound (Radiance)
Vancouver, Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier, Seward

Southbound (Radiance)
Seward, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver

or

Glacier Cruise (Explorer of the Seas)
Seattle, Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm, Victoria BC.

I know there are a lot of variables with why to choose what, and I know I have my homework cut out for me to research itineraries, but I'm curious from those of you who have done one of these cruises, what the pros and cons of these choices are.

We're considering flying into the departure port or if it originates from Vancouver, flying into Seattle and taking a train to Vancouver. So, if you have any input on those, that would be beneficial too.

Thanks for any input you can lend.

Dot

I'm also looking at Alaska for 2018. I'm considering a one way so we can do a land trip in Alaska as well. My plan is to start in Fairbanks, spend a few days in the Denali area and a few days on Kenai peninsula prior to a cruise. I love cruising Royal but they (and Celebrity) don't cruise Glacier Bay and I'd like to see this. This leaves me with a decision between the Norwegian Sun, or sailing with Princess or Holland America. I've never cruised Princess or HAL before but we cruised around Hawaii on NCL's Pride of America and enjoyed Norwegian quite a bit. (We also have liked Celebrity, Royal, and Carnival). I'm not picky about cruise lines - I sail based on price and itinerary. Be sure and check the sailing route - some of them aren't true inside passage routes, in which case you are in open ocean which is less scenic and a bit rougher. I've heard there is great wildlife viewing on the inside passage as well which was important to me (whales apparently love the inside passage). If you don't need a land tour as well, I often have seen better rates on the round trip routes and sales on these. Another thing is that airfare is cheaper if you fly round trip to the same port instead of 2 one way tickets to/from different ports. If you sail from (and return to) Seattle, you don't have to have a passport for you and your family. You do need these in Vancouver/Victoria which will add a bit to your total cost. Do you have kids? I have 3 and I'd like to have the availability for an indoor pool (Norwegian Sun doesn't have this, unfortunately). They all have kids clubs which is nice. Could you give us a bit more info about yourself and how you'd like to travel? I've never sailed Disney (although I'd like to someday) - I just can't stomach the cost. Every time a price it, it is 2-4 times as expensive as the other ship I'm pricing. I usually pick another line and book a suite and it still comes WAY under Disney prices. (For example, I'm pricing Princess, HAL and NCL for Alaska - price is between $6500-$8000 for a mini suite and interior room (for the kids). On Disney, I priced an family veranda (all 5 of us packed like sardines in one room) and the Disney cost is $15,000.

I was on the southbound Radiance in July 2015, and it was excellent. Flew into Anchorage, 3 days in Denali, 3 days in Seward then the cruise. If you are planning to spend any time in Alaska, I recommend the one way cruise. I do not recommend round trip Seattle. Although I agree that it will cheaper, it requires sailing West of Vancouver Island, a typical "sea day" with little land in sight. The part of the inside passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland was one of my favorite parts of the cruise. I also highly recommend Vancouver, which is an awesome city. Not sure if there is any cruise lines (beside Disney) that does round trip from Vancouver? The Kenai Peninsula and Seward were also worth spending a few days. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Following along on this - we just booked a July 2018 northbound Vancouver to Seward Radiance cruise this morning for us and the in-laws. From Seward, we are going to take the train up to Denali for a bit. My FIL is keen on seeing the park and the pre-scheduled cruise tour itineraries didn't look like they would allow enough time to really enjoy the park.

peanutmomma said:

Following along on this - we just booked a July 2018 northbound Vancouver to Seward Radiance cruise this morning for us and the in-laws. From Seward, we are going to take the train up to Denali for a bit. My FIL is keen on seeing the park and the pre-scheduled cruise tour itineraries didn't look like they would allow enough time to really enjoy the park.

Click to expand...

We rented the Carlo 3 bedroom when we traveled with my parents. Looks like you may also need the extra room. Only 17 miles to the Denali entrance. Very good food, except the Steak and King Crab one night- skip that. They made nice boxed lunches for the Tundra tour that we did through Denali.

http://www.mckinleycabins.com/accommodations/carlo-property/carlo-3-bedroom-home.htm

Train from Steward to Anchorage was one of the highlights of our trip. May want to rent a car from Anchorage to Denali especially if you consider renting a house instead of a hotel. Word of caution- no matter how you travel, going to Denali from Anchorage takes forever. Due to road closures and wildfires in 2015, it took almost 10 hours by car to get there, about 7 hours coming back. Train takes 8 hours. Need to bake in 2 days of travel time getting back and forth from Denali.

Did the Alaskan cruise last summer on DCL and it was AMAZING! You're in for such a wonderful time, I'm totally jealous. The trip was a bucket list item for me, just to get to Alaska, and it did not disappoint. In fact, it was far more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. Even my jaded, cynical teenage children thought Alaska was incredible. I have to share a couple of quick pics:

The glaciers are gorgeous. It was incredible watching them calve. That boat is actually very large, it's dwarfed by the immense size of the glacier.



There was something to see all around. Pay attention as you head through passages and you'll see bears, eagles, elk, moose, icebergs, and much, much more. The scenery was unbelievably beautiful.


Our favorite excursion involved dog sledding. We had a blast meeting the dogs, learning about the world of dog sledding, and going for a ride. Let me tell you, they get going pretty darn fast! It was so much fun! Plus, we got to see puppies. Who doesn't love cute & cuddly puppies?


I'm totally jealous that ya'll are going to Alaska. You'll have a wonderful time no matter which itinerary you pick!