Recommend your Alaskan Cruise line and favorite ports

[Anonymous]

I know Glacier Bay is supposed to be importantly but I don’t know if I want to do any of the cruise lines that offer it. Hoping to leave out of Vancouver so we can combo the trip with a visit to see family nearby.

What were your favorite ports, and do you recommend your specific ship or cruise line? We’ve done two Disney Caribbean cruises and I would sail them again but open to others. Our two teens will be with us too.

[Anonymous]

Regent inside passage

[Anonymous]

Holland America. Inside passage was great; lots of whale watching.

[Anonymous]

We have planned a one-way southbound from Whittier to Vancouver this August with Royal Caribbean. Our kids are both in elementary school and I think it was the best compromise. We considered Princess and Holland too for glacier Bay, but I was afraid there wouldn’t be enough for my boys to do.

[Anonymous]

We haven’t gone yet, but we booked with Holland America, RT out of Vancouver, inside passage including Glacier Bay, 3 ports (Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan). Based on reviews, we only considered Holland and Princess (apparently these 2 lines have better port times and locations than the others?). Went with a smaller Holland ship because we wanted quiet and as few people as possible within our budget, so we’ll be cruising with the elders.

[Anonymous]

Ruby Princess, inside passage, multi-generational trip, old ones, young ones, and those of us in the middle all had a great time

[Anonymous]

We did princess and loved it. Avoid the dinning room at all costs but good food in the speciality restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Princess "reserve collection" gets you a special dining section in the MDR with some extra selections. Plus you don't have to reserve or wait in line. (That's pretty much the only real perk of the club-type stateroom.) Also recommend getting a balcony for the ease of glacier viewing.

Princess and HA have the best access to Glacier Bay NP and the best berths in the ports.

Try to include at least a few days on land on your own (not a cruise line run thing). Many worthwhile options. You'll be bemused by the simplicity of the road system in AK once you leave Anchorage.

[Anonymous]

Is Glacier Bay really that much better than Endicott Arm/Dawes glacier or Mendenhal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Glacier Bay really that much better than Endicott Arm/Dawes glacier or Mendenhal?

I'd say so. You are surrounded by glaciers for a whole day, while Mendenhall is a land-based excursion/hike from a visitor's center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Glacier Bay really that much better than Endicott Arm/Dawes glacier or Mendenhal?

Mendenhall is an excursion on all the cruise lines. Glacier Bay is an experience. We have gone on both Princess and NCL, and the NCL ports were inferior. Glacier Bay was incredible.

[Anonymous]

I did a ton of research before our Alaskan cruise last summer. Many cruise lines appear to have similar itineraries but when you start really looking at time in port and what spots they dock in, Princess and Holland really are superior.

Overall, Princess has an edge over Holland for families- there are more kids on board and more things for them to do. My top choice was Princess Sapphire one way cruise between Whittier and Vancouver.

Unfortunately their sailing dates didn’t line up with our schedule so we ended up on Holland Noordam from Whittier to Vancouver with our 6 year old. We had an amazing time. There are not a ton of kids on board, but they all find each other and play. The itinerary is very port heavy so we spent port days off the ship and then had lazy days on the ship. There was a kids club, movies, a polar plunge, a game night and an indoor pool/hot tub to entertain the kids. During Glacier Bay they also ran two really nice kids programs with a National Park Ranger and a man from a native village nearby.

These things might sound boring to families wanting bigger kids clubs, water slides, rock climbing walls etc. to entertain the kids. If this is your family definitely choose a line other than Princess or Holland.

[Anonymous]

Interesting focus on spots in port because our Disney ship always seemed docked closest to the shore.

OP - if your family enjoyed previous Disney cruises, you will enjoy this one.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I am second-guessing myself if my teens will even enjoy this. They are both girls and I’d say pretty “typical” teens. Not super sedentary but not crazy outdoorsy either. Both play sports/are athlletic.

Also, just how cold and rainy is it? Some reviews make it seem really bad so I just want to be sure I’m thinking this all the way through. I know it won’t be warm and that’s fine, but I don’t want to be soaking wet all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I am second-guessing myself if my teens will even enjoy this. They are both girls and I’d say pretty “typical” teens. Not super sedentary but not crazy outdoorsy either. Both play sports/are athlletic.

Also, just how cold and rainy is it? Some reviews make it seem really bad so I just want to be sure I’m thinking this all the way through. I know it won’t be warm and that’s fine, but I don’t want to be soaking wet all the time.

Only you know your teens. My teen girl loves trips like this—a couple more adventurous excursions, relaxing looking at the scenery, looking for wildlife, etc. She’s not at all into things like shows and waterslides.

The weather depends on when you go, which ports, and luck. It can change quickly. Just bring the right layers and you’re fine. There are plenty of packing lists online to help.