Help with Alaska cruise

On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 03:41:49 GMT, "Ray M"
wrote:

My wife and I are looking at taking an Alaskan cruise next year. We are in
our mid 30's and have only cruised once before on our honeymoon. We did
RCI's Vision of the Seas through the Panama Canal in October of 2001 and
enjoyed it very much. We will probably try to take the cruise in May or
early June or a late September one so we can try to avoid all of the family
vacations. It's not that I don't like children, I just prefer well behaved
ones (or better yet, well behaved parents).

I would suggest May/June -- longer days and better weather.

The ship I would suggest is any of HAL's Statendam class
1) They are in a class by themselves for usable deck space (a lot of
it real teak) which is important for the cruising days.
2) They are small enough to get nice and close to glaciers and the
short.
3) Great food, great service
4) By far the most visits to Sitka, the best tourist town in Alaska
5) Comparatively well-behaved people and not so many kids

You will give up the high onboard activity level of RCL -- the disco
shuts down pretty much completely at midnight -- but this matters a
lot less in Alaska with its emphasis on ports and scenery. Also, you
get a younger crowd on HAL in Alaska.

Since we liked RCI, they are in the running. I'd like to ask for opinions
of other cruise lines that you think we might enjoy and potential
itineraries.

I would do a round trip out of Vancouver, unless you want to take a
land trip north of Anchorage. The extra flight time and expense is
very high from Anchorage.

I would plan a few days in Vancouver for sightseeing in the city and a
trip to Vancouver Island (Victoria).

We already plan on getting a balcony room since we had one for
Panama and liked the fact that we could have our own private views if we
preferred.

If I had budget concerns and was on a HAL ship, I'd let the balcony
go, especially off-season when it's going to be chilly. On the other
hand, if the budget is not a concern, a balcony is awfully nice.


Mason Barge

"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
-- Abraham Lincoln

i meant time to explore victoria after the cruise, not during!

we are planning to tour on our own, just trying to figure logistics and
timing

I'm not good with timing ie from here to there. so other then figuring an
overnight in anchorage, a trip to denali, and the train to seward I'm
clueless!

--
Sheree
Join us on the SGC Bermuda!
http://hometown.aol.com/sgc2003
"JLeary256" wrote in message
...
Other then sitka the ports are the same, but one gives
you the opportunity to explore vancouver nad victoria, the other
fairbanks
and anchorage

None of the sailings give you enough time in Victoria- far better is to
add a
few days and go on your own. Also with Fairbanks and Anchorage- add days
and
forget a cruisetour. They don't see either city and there is so much to
consider going on your own. Very very easy to do on your own, a necessary
reference is THE MILEPOST. Try your library and look it over carefully.
You
never get a good deal on a cruisetour especially with 3 people and overall
all
far fewer kids.

just trying to figure logistics and
timing

I'm not good with timing ie from here to there. so other then figuring an
overnight in anchorage, a trip to denali, and the train to seward I'm
clueless!


It is vitally important to be well researched. Distances are vast. As
mentioned- a necessary reference is THE MILEPOST. Gives exact milage and you
can go from there, but don't count on highway, always 55mph driving. For the
above, yes do spend time in Anchorage, plenty to do and see, Anchorage- Denali
Park- 5-6 hours via drive, 8 hours via train, spend 2 nights there and my min.
distance into Denali is Eielson- 66 miles via SHUTTLE, not tour bus. Train
Anchorage - Seward is 4+ hours. Very very easy to go on your own and far
better value.

probably try to take the cruise in May or
early June or a late September one so we can try to avoid all of the family

There are far fewer kids on Alaska cruises compared to the Caribbean. Also if
Denali Park is a priority, I never plan a trip before June 1, when the shuttles
get all the way to Eielson, my min. distance in.

Just returned from ALaska on Carnival Spirit and had a great time. The
ship was terrific and the food as good and sometimes better than other
ships I've been on.
Norma

Ray M" wrote in message hlink.net...
My wife and I are looking at taking an Alaskan cruise next year. We are in
our mid 30's and have only cruised once before on our honeymoon. We did
RCI's Vision of the Seas through the Panama Canal in October of 2001 and
enjoyed it very much. We will probably try to take the cruise in May or
early June or a late September one so we can try to avoid all of the family
vacations. It's not that I don't like children, I just prefer well behaved
ones (or better yet, well behaved parents).

Since we liked RCI, they are in the running. I'd like to ask for opinions
of other cruise lines that you think we might enjoy and potential
itineraries. We already plan on getting a balcony room since we had one for
Panama and liked the fact that we could have our own private views if we
preferred.

Any and all info is appreciated. If you need any more info from me, please
ask.

Thanks,
Ray

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On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 03:41:49 GMT in rec.travel.cruises, "Ray M"
wrote:

Since we liked RCI, they are in the running.

why would you want to cruise with a line that repeatedly commits
felonies, knowingly polluting the pristine waters of alaska,
falsifies the records, and then its environmental auditors,
required by the sentence for polluting, falsifies the audits?

see www.cruisejunkie.com for the lurid details!

================================================== ===========
If you want to see the real Alaska, don't come on a
cruise ship! See the cruise industry rogue's gallery
at http://www.juneaucrondahls.com/ship2000.htm

Dennis P. Harris