We have decided to try an Alaskan Cruise in June of next year. So many of our friends and relatives have been on cruises, but not us. The idea of being on a moving, swaying boat for so many days with no museums or interesting places to see just never appealed. However, we've decided after hearing so many people raving about it, that we should try it, too. Mom is worried because she doesn't feel she'll have the self control to prevent herself from eating every chocolate item in a cruise buffet and will get scolded by her doctor when she returns. I wish my aunt were available so they could share a room, but she just returned from an Alaskan cruise last month.
We'll just book a room with mom. My brother and sister-in-law will be coming also so this will make it extra fun!
Now comes the hard part. Which cruise line? And is there anything we should know about which travel plan to book? Do you just look it up in Travelocity or whatever? Do you get to choose where your room is? If so, what's the best place? Should we get a balcony room or a suite?
Help!
This sounds like a wonderful cruise. I bet you could find out about the cruise ships that go that way on your computer. I was on a ship once, years ago, and it was so much fun. Thank you for coming by. Have a nice Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what you should do but I will be reading closely as you make plans as that is one of the things on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteI've never been on a cruise, so I'm no help to you. But, I hope you have a wonderful time. Just making the plans will be an adventure.
ReplyDeleteKay, my blog friend, SteveM, told me he always contacts a local travel agent to book the trip. He just returned from his Alaskan cruise a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteIf you are prone to seasickness, he advises you to have an outside cabin with a window. Don't get an interior cabin.
We did a smaller Holland American ship the Ryndam, and we flat out loved it. The boats don't rock. :) The food is great. You can even go right up on the bow and see the glaciers close up. We liked the intimacy of the smaller ship. There are several Holland America blogs....check them out.
ReplyDeletePS: Yes, booked the cruise through our AAA travel agent. And I have one HA blog listed in my links.
ReplyDeleteI've heard Holland America is good also. But we've never been on a cruise. Sounds like lots of fun especially with family along.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who has been on many cruises. She says Holland America is the best.
ReplyDeleteOur Alaska cruise was several years ago, on Holland America's "Amsterdam," booked by a travel agent. The cruise started in Vancouver, BC, sailed to Ketchikan and Juneau, and from there we flew to Fairbanks. Then we took a train from Fairbanks to Denali and on to Anchorage. It was a great trip, very scenic and interesting. No chance for boredom!
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to Captain Albert's Blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hollandamericablog.com/albert/
And there are links to many other blogs in the HAL group.
HAL also has a blog page of it's own that has links to its ships on the right side.
http://www.hollandamericablog.com/
All the lines run Alaskan Cruises, and I know you will find something that suits you well.
I'm going very soon on a Caribbean Cruise from NYC to Bermuda on the Veendam, which is a Holland American ship. This is a fund-raiser for The Nation Magazine. I like the looks of the Veendam.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nationcruise.com/ship.htm
I'll be able to tell you what HA ships are like after this trip.
Kay, Alaska has been on my bucket list for years. Whenever I have talked to anyone who has been on one, they've all said to a person that they had a fantastic time. A couple of them told me to take one of the smaller ships so that they could get into those smaller fjords. I don't know anything about that really. Another place I would really love to go to is Denali some day. Anyhow, I came across this website on the Kenai Fords Glacier Lodge. It sounds very interesting and I thought you might like to take a look.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kenaifjordsglacierlodge.com/
I have taken a Norwegian Cruise to Alaska, and it was great. You only have to unpack your clothes once. I would strongly recommend that you get a balcony room so that you have the option of fresh air. I had an inside room[all canned air, so to speak] that had a window, and wished I had a balcony room. And that's the route I would go in the future if I get to cruise again. You will enjoy the cruise's pace in that you do not have to run anywhere to catch a plane, train, etc.
ReplyDeleteNever been on a cruise ...sounds exciting.I see some very good suggestions above.i am sure some very interesting posts are on way -i love the way you plan your things .
ReplyDeleteyou'll be able to see Russia from there.
ReplyDeleteWe've been twice, both on Holland America ships and loved them, but we have friends who swear by Celebrity (they are owned by the same company). This last time we worked with AAA and they were very efficient. Be sure to take the whale watching excursion. Helicoptering to the glaciers was wonderful too, but you can really see a lot from the ship.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine you'll be bored, but good food IS everywhere. I would want at least a window cabin. Happy planning.
I have not been to a cruise yet, but would love to go. I've no advice to share but will extend my hugs and congratulations on this decision and this lovely opportunity to be able to cruise. Wishing you well on this cruise, Kay! Tc! :) Doing it with family is an added bonus! Yay!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful cruise-glad you are going!
ReplyDeleteWe did an Alaska cruise six years ago. Jill and Corey and a 18 month old Isaac came with us. We did a one way out of Vancouver BC on Princess lines, with a flight back from Anchorage to Seattle. Ther was only one day of solir cruising when we couldn't be ashore. It was a wonderful trip and we did some cool shore excursions. tom and I took a helicopter ride into the mountains and landed on a glacier. Very cool. But the weather has to be right. We went in mid-July.
ReplyDeleteYes, ther food is an issue. I gained weight, but we did a lot of walking both ashore and on the prominade deck.
Cruises are best booked through a travel agent, who can set you up with packages for the whole trip.
Princess Cruise Lines and make sure to get a balcony!
ReplyDeleteTell your mom to eat the chocolate and not visit the doc!! Life is too damn short for anyone to forego such pleasure!
ReplyDeleteAlaska is a large place and it's easy to get overloaded when deciding on what to do while you're there. The top attractions are Alaska Sea Life Center, Denali National Park and State Museum.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, you can also enjoy its beautiful beaches like (Monashka Bay Beach, Buskin Beach) and resorts over there which attracts tourist.