Anyone been to VAncouver/Alaska?

RACT

Hello,
has anyone been to Vancouver and then gone on a cruise to Alaska? It would be great if I could get some feedback on cruise ships you've been on etc. This might be our honeymoon but we are still not sure of it. It needs to be a combination or relaxation, adventure (for OH) and sightseeing.

Also, would there be 30 year olds on the cruise ship - have never been on a cruise before so not sure what to expect really.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Erikin_2

Big question as there are so many options available.

Personally, if time and money not the real issue but something special, and if Alaska is the objective I would fly to Anchorage, do a land tour of Alaska / Yukon and then take the 7 day cruise one way from Seward to Vancouver.

Most of the cruise ships out of Vancouver go so far just touching Alaska and then double back to Vancouver.

American ships (say Holland America) are considered less formal than British ones.

Have a wonderful trip whatever you decide.

SoozyJ22

I've not been on a cruise, but I've seen cruise ship passengers check into hotels in Vancouver many times and on the whole they seem to be older people - I'd say 60+.

chalky_bertie

Erikin wrote: »

Big question as there are so many options available.

Personally, if time and money not the real issue but something special, and if Alaska is the objective I would fly to Anchorage, do a land tour of Alaska / Yukon and then take the 7 day cruise one way from Seward to Vancouver.

Most of the cruise ships out of Vancouver go so far just touching Alaska and then double back to Vancouver.

American ships (say HollandAmerica) are considered less formal than British ones.

Have a wonderful trip whatever you decide.

Totally agree. You must go to Anchorage, do a land tour but on your own and not on an organised tour if possible, and then head down to Seward to catch the cruiseline. Anchorage is soo nice and laid back. There are trains down to Seward and upto Fairbanks from there. Seward is absolutely lovely and you could spend a week there just touring if you wanted. We got a self-catering bungalow just off the sea front while we were there. We could see the mountains from the front room - picture perfect. We went on Royal Caribean and they were nice. We were in our early 30's when we went and we didn't feel out of place. Just beware the Puddings on the American ships are awful as they don't use sugar i think! Make sure you go to Seward or Whittier as the ships that just go up and down back to Vancouver don't really see it all. Vancouver is nice aswell. Try CRUISE CRITIC WEBSITE for loads more info. See if you can get a ship that calls at Icy Strait Point as this is were we saw Whales bubble feeding about 100ft from the shore. We went in June and the weather was fine.

Can't get pictures on here but if you want to see a snapshot of what we saw then PM me.

RAINS

Am looking too for an alaska cruise i june2008 as it is are 30 th wedding annv.
Have looked at celebrity cruises but need more suggestions. Wld also like to do the Rocky mountains and Vancouver. Love to know deals around. Wld like an occean view

chalky_bertie

Try Bolsover Cruise Club and use there Cruise Search on the right hand side of the homepage. There are lost of choices for next year but see if you can get a Balcony Suite as they are worth the extra money.

Princess Cruises do the tours aswell as the mother-in-law went on one of theirs so give them a call but I always try BCC as they knocked my last cruise down by over £600 on what the cruise line gave us.

colmil

We are leaving this Saturday flying to Calgary, five days touring the Rockies, three nights in Vancouver and a seven night cruise to Alaska, Arfur Daley would have a nellie if he knew how much it is costing!

I will post a brief report on my return, promise!

cheekymole

www.ncl.com I have come across, no dressing up in dickie bows etc. I am booking one of their cruises for June 2008

colmil

I forgot to post the report I promised about our holiday.

I'll keep it brief, five days touring the Rockies by coach, fabulous scenery, the Canadians are really friendly, three nights in Vancouver, OK, I was a little bit disapointed with it, I suppose after the Rockies, anything would be an anti climax.
I would really suggest a full day out to Victoria and Butchart Gardens, a really superb day out!

Then we had a seven day cuise with Holland America to Alaska, the scenery was terrific, the ship, Zuiderdam is due a re-fit in March and needs it, but the food was very good.

All in all, we had a really wonderful time.

If I can help anyone, please ask.

alchemista

Cruising to Alaska is amazing. We went from Seattle on a 7 night cruise. Amazing to see the wildlife, humpback whales, killer whales, bald eagles, and more. Out of the many places we've been in the world, that's one trip we always remember. We went on Princess Cruises.

colmil

Cheekymole,

NCL will have formal nights but you will not be out of place if you dress smartly and casually. It is only formal in the main diining rooms, we are booked on NCL in December, having cruised with them twice before, I like the quality of everything.

I have just put my evening suit away from Alaska, but we like to dress up, there were two formal nights on the Alaskan cruise, again, if you wish, you can eat in the self service restaurant, there's always penty of options.