Family Alaska Cruise - summer 09

[YanaManolov]

Looking for input on Alaska cruise for family of three (one teenager). What should I look for when I shop, what to avoid, how to get good price..... We have never cruised, but travel frequently. What is the best summer month to do it and from where? Air travel purchase? Thanks in advance.

[Quimby4]

Check out cruisecritic.com

Go to the Alaska Board. Great info.

Price will determine your itinerary. Ideally if you can sail one way you will get to see more ex. Anchorage to Vancouver. Vs. sailing roundtrip from Seattle.

We are sailing rt from Seattle because it was a cheaper cruise and less on airfare for 4 round trip tickets vs. having to pay a one way fare to Ancharage then home from Vancouver.

There are lots of great cruise lines. We are taking Princess but considered NCL. Most cater to kids, teens during the summer.

Good luck!

[Dave M]

What you should look for - since you have never cruised before - is a good travel agent who has cruised many times and has cruises as a specialty. Ask your friends who have cruised for recommendations or walk into a travel agency and start asking questions of the person they give you as the most experienced cruise professional in the agency.

Each cruise line has its own personality and it's important to match that personality and the details of various cruises to your needs.

Some examples:

- Cruises before mid-June and after Labor Day are the least expensive, because that's when kids are in school, leaving most families out of the potential passenger target group. That's also when the weather is typically the coldest (translation: least pleasant for your shore excursions). The most expensive and best weather cruises are likely to be in July and early August.

- Carnival and NCL tend to be the least expensive, RCCL tends to be in the middle and Princess and Holland America are typically more expensive among the mainstream cruise lines.

- Holland America will likely have an older passenger group and fewer teens than some of the other lines. All of the lines have teen programs in the summer.

- Air fare to Seattle is usually cheaper than air fare to Vancouver. Also, you'll find more options for flying to Seattle. Thus, even though there are fewer cruises that depart from Seattle, your total cost will usually be less if you select a cruise from Seattle.

- There are basically two types of Alaska 7-day cruises - (1) up and back from Seattle or Vancouver and (2) one way between one of those cities and a port (Whittier or Seward) that serves Anchorage. The advantage of up-and-back is that your air fare will usually be less expensive than flying to Seattle/Vancouver and back from Anchorage (or the other way around). The advantage of going one way is that you can extend your vacation to see much more of Alaska, such as taking a trip to see Denali National Park. (The cruise lines have many, many optional excursions for the beginning or end of your cruise to choose from.)

- - - -

My suggestion in addition to finding a good agent is to ask that agent for the Alaska cruise books for several of the cruise lines that the agent believes fit your needs. Then you can leisurely read about what they have to offer before sitting down with the agent to book your cruise.

Don't wait too long. Even in this poor economy, options for the best cabins will become more limited as time passes by. Best cabin? Typically one in the center (between bow and stern) of the ship so that motion from waves is less than if you are near either end, especially the bow. Also, it should be a cabin that isn’t immediately below a dance floor or other noisy place that might disturb your sleep.

Also, if you can afford it, please, please book a cabin with a balcony. If you travel one-way on the cruise, it should be a balcony cabin on the starboard side if the cruise goes north; on the port side if the cruise goes south. You'll often be so close to shore that you'll be able to spot wildlife and see spectacular scenery. Book a cruise that visits one of the major glaciers such as Hubbard or Glacier National Park. The glacier visit is usually the highlight of most Alaska cruises.

Most travel agencies will quote you a price that is lower than what the cruise lines will quote. If not (e.g., for RCCL, which does not allow discounting of its prices), they will typically offer on-board credits that can be used for some of your onboard expenses (tips, alcohol and Coke/Pepsi type beverages, etc.)

There's much more that only the right travel agent can really help you with.

[pacheco18]

I have booked 3 cruises in the last three months, including one to Alaska.
The cruise lines are giving cruises away - discounts are deep. I have gotten awesome bargains. Even cruise lines like Regent (ultra luxury) are discounting.

The cruisecritic boards are the bible for cruisers.

Once you decide on your cruise, go to cruisecompete.com. Cruise specialists will bid on it - like Lending Tree.

Play hardball. it's a buyer's market.

[JudyH]

Dave's advice is great. I would also add to read Frommer's or some the guide book to get an idea of what you would like to see. Alaska can be very expensive because of the shore excursions you or family members might want to take. You can't see too much if you just stay in port.
Two years ago, we impulsively booked a trip on a cruise line, and once I started doing research to see where I was going, I realized it wasn't going to the places I wanted to see. I cancelled the cruise. Me personally, I like less cruise ship stuff and more on land, in town stuff. So this year, we are doing a land only trip that I have planned myself after a year of reading cruisecritic.com, and tripadvisor.com.

[ginnylbs]

Originally Posted by Dave M

What you should look for - since you have never cruised before - is a good travel agent who has cruised many times and has cruises as a specialty. Ask your friends who have cruised for recommendations or walk into a travel agency and start asking questions of the person they give you as the most experienced cruise professional in the agency.

Each cruise line has its own personality and it's important to match that personality and the details of various cruises to your needs.

Some examples:

- Cruises before mid-June and after Labor Day are the least expensive, because that's when kids are in school, leaving most families out of the potential passenger target group. That's also when the weather is typically the coldest (translation: least pleasant for your shore excursions). The most expensive and best weather cruises are likely to be in July and early August.

- Carnival and NCL tend to be the least expensive, RCCL tends to be in the middle and Princess and Holland America are typically more expensive among the mainstream cruise lines.

- Holland America will likely have an older passenger group and fewer teens than some of the other lines. All of the lines have teen programs in the summer.

- Air fare to Seattle is usually cheaper than air fare to Vancouver. Also, you'll find more options for flying to Seattle. Thus, even though there are fewer cruises that depart from Seattle, your total cost will usually be less if you select a cruise from Seattle.

- There are basically two types of Alaska 7-day cruises - (1) up and back from Seattle or Vancouver and (2) one way between one of those cities and a port (Whittier or Seward) that serves Anchorage. The advantage of up-and-back is that your air fare will usually be less expensive than flying to Seattle/Vancouver and back from Anchorage (or the other way around). The advantage of going one way is that you can extend your vacation to see much more of Alaska, such as taking a trip to see Denali National Park. (The cruise lines have many, many optional excursions for the beginning or end of your cruise to choose from.)

- - - -

My suggestion in addition to finding a good agent is to ask that agent for the Alaska cruise books for several of the cruise lines that the agent believes fit your needs. Then you can leisurely read about what they have to offer before sitting down with the agent to book your cruise.

Don't wait too long. Even in this poor economy, options for the best cabins will become more limited as time passes by. Best cabin? Typically one in the center (between bow and stern) of the ship so that motion from waves is less than if you are near either end, especially the bow. Also, it should be a cabin that isn’t immediately below a dance floor or other noisy place that might disturb your sleep.

Also, if you can afford it, please, please book a cabin with a balcony. If you travel one-way on the cruise, it should be a balcony cabin on the starboard side if the cruise goes north; on the port side if the cruise goes south. You'll often be so close to shore that you'll be able to spot wildlife and see spectacular scenery. Book a cruise that visits one of the major glaciers such as Hubbard or Glacier National Park. The glacier visit is usually the highlight of most Alaska cruises.

Most travel agencies will quote you a price that is lower than what the cruise lines will quote. If not (e.g., for RCCL, which does not allow discounting of its prices), they will typically offer on-board credits that can be used for some of your onboard expenses (tips, alcohol and Coke/Pepsi type beverages, etc.)

There's much more that only the right travel agent can really help you with.

Also - look at shore excursions that match your family onterests. Some are pricey - like the glacier helicoptor combined with a dog sled ride - - - but that one was the hilight of a memorable trip. Alaska is beautiful We had an Orca come up right next to the ship and saw eagles, bear and moose from the ship. Bring binoculars - as you never know what will be onshore to see.

[Anne S]

Princess is offering a 2 for 1 deal on selected Alaska cruises this summer.

[pacheco18]

Every cruise line is discounting Alaska.

You can learn about how to do shore excursions for less on cruise critic as well. Or you can hook up with others on your cruise and share the cost of a private shore excursion and save a bundle.

There is also a wonderful website for those cruising Alaska - cannot recall the site - but you will find it referred to on cruise critic.

There is also a section on Ports of Call on CC to help you decide what you want to do in each port and HOW to do it.

Cruisecritic is to cruising what TUG is to timeshares only MUCH BIGGER. There is no charge to join. As much as I love TUG, I have found cruise critic to be the most informative and amazing user group I have ever seen. You can even hook up with other people going on your cruise through roll calls.

We are leaving for Shadow Ridge Friday and are meeting up with a couple from Pam Springs who will be on our Mediterranean cruise this September. We met on the roll call! Very cool.

[nightnurse613]

For quick, easy price comparison I use VacationsToGo.com. They also have a lot of good information although some of the sites mentioned already are very good. The problem with waiting is the best rooms are usually taken although, in this economy who knows?

[pacheco18]

Vacationstogo.com has good prices and will give you a good idea of the range you can expect (and which cruises are on sale) BUT if you go on cruisecompete.com you will do even better.

With respect to stateroom availability, many people are cancelling because of economic hardship and releasomg some good staterooms. Sad for them but good for those booking late.

Also, most travel agents will get you the lower price if you book early and the cruise line reduces the price. Make sure you are working with someone who does that.

I have a very good TA in FLorida. I found her through cruisecompete. If you send me a private email I will give you her name.

[YanaManolov]

WOW, this is more than I expected.... Thank you all for your suggestions, I appreciate it. Yana