Anyone taken an Alaskan cruise?

[3fifty7]

My wife and I decided on an Alaskan cruise for our 20th anniversary. It’s actually next week but we are looking to plan the cruise for next summer.
So from anyone that’s been what’s The Good The Bad and The Ugly ?

 

[Bigchillin83]

Tag for info

 

[drill sgt]

No cruise but lived in the interior (Ft. Greely / Delta Junction / Fairbanks) (US ARMY) winter1973 to fall 1979 before returning back to Louisiana.... Cruises are ok but sometimes you are forced into their time scheludes as to how much time you have to do their activities between departures. And possibly not being able to do or go somewhere that you might want due to the time constraints... Same goes for the bus tours.. Pack approperate personal clothing but be aware of the possible major weather conditions changes so as not to be suprised even though it is summer time by the month of the year ...Wishing you a great anniversary trip to be remembered for years to come... Enjoy... plenty of digital photos and tourist trap soveniers.... If going off the ship inland DO NOT FORGET the bug repellant.. Louisiana mosquitos and gnats cannot hold a candle against the Alaskan versions..... Enjoy.............. drill sgt.

 

[sksshooter]

Never been but is on the list to do. I have a couple friends who have gone. They both loved it. They did some whale watching excursion and saw not only whales but all kinds of wildlife.

 

[AK shooter]

My wife and myself went twice but no cruise. We flew to Anchorage, rented a car and house. Booked fishing trips. We did things on our schedule.

 

[AustinBR]

My wife and I decided on an Alaskan cruise for our 20th anniversary. It’s actually next week but we are looking to plan the cruise for next summer.
So from anyone that’s been what’s The Good The Bad and The Ugly ?

I haven't been on one, but just a note that my wife is a travel agent and usually can find better deals than what's listed on cruise line websites. I can connect y'all if you want, just shoot me your email address and I can have her reach out and give y'all some quotes

She doesn't charge a fee and just makes a commission directly from the cruise line.

 

[DavisDefense]

I've been on several cruises. Bahamas, Cancun, etc. Alaska was by FAR the best. 4 day land tour and then 7 day cruise down to Vancouver. Flew into Fairbanks. I think it was through Princess cruiselines. 100% would do it again!

 

[Gator 45/70]

Flew up 4 times, Hunted, fished, chased hoe's, got drunk and always have taken the planes.
Wife and a few others want to take the cruise but if I can't shoot off the handrail then there's no sense in me going?

 

[jdindadell]

Flew up 4 times, Hunted, fished, chased hoe's, got drunk and always have taken the planes.
Wife and a few others want to take the cruise but if I can't shoot off the handrail then there's no sense in me going?

Chased hoes? If the hoes are running they are not really hoes ..

 

[Gator 45/70]

Chased hoes? If the hoes are running they are not really hoes ..

Alaska Bush Club Anchorage AK
Or more like the Trim-Lo dance club if you have 100 bills.

 

[La26]

The time of year is really important. One season is too cold, one season is nothing but biting flies, one season (when we went in August 18-25), rain, rain, and some more rain. All excursions were canceled due to weather. I'm sure there is a season that the weather is best, and that will be the season that costs more $$$. Follow up on AustinBR suggestion and speak with his Wife concerning when the best time is to go. We took it for our Anniversary which is in August so we were stuck with that time of year. We wouldn't do that time again.
One suggestion is to get a balcony room. It is more $$, but the main reason for an Alaska Cruise is the sights, and sitting on your balcony with a cup of coffee and a pair of binoculars is really something to experience. Tons of wildlife, eagles, whales, grizzly bears etc.

 

[Pocket]

I’ve been on 4 Caribbean cruises (done with that) and 2 Alaskan cruises. Will be going again in July for our 40th anniversary. All were from south to north and all in the summer. Our very best trip was when we extended our trip by a week to travel on our own in Alaska. Some of the places we went the mosquitoes were very bad. Worst than any I’ve encountered in Louisiana including the marsh. Not so bad at the ports of call. A south to north trip the scenery just keeps getting better so I would recommend that trip. The first day there is not much to see for a while. Weather can be rainy but rain only washed us out at one stop.

 

[Gator 45/70]

Mosquito's in AK,
They are big! and come in like Teal !!!
They however won't cross over fast running water.
No snakes there, just grizzlies.
Remember you don't loose your wife in Alaska
You just loose your turn.

 

[AustinBR]

The time of year is really important. One season is too cold, one season is nothing but biting flies, one season (when we went in August 18-25), rain, rain, and some more rain. All excursions were canceled due to weather. I'm sure there is a season that the weather is best, and that will be the season that costs more $$$. Follow up on AustinBR suggestion and speak with his Wife concerning when the best time is to go. We took it for our Anniversary which is in August so we were stuck with that time of year. We wouldn't do that time again.
One suggestion is to get a balcony room. It is more $$, but the main reason for an Alaska Cruise is the sights, and sitting on your balcony with a cup of coffee and a pair of binoculars is really something to experience. Tons of wildlife, eagles, whales, grizzly bears etc.

We've gone on ~10 cruises together and I never, never, never get a room that's not a balcony.

My dad is even more restrictive than me - he only gets suites on cruises. Royal throws some pretty solid perks their way.

 

[paddle007]

Flew up 4 times, Hunted, fished, chased hoe's, got drunk and always have taken the planes.
Wife and a few others want to take the cruise but if I can't shoot off the handrail then there's no sense in me going?

I have shot skeet from the upper deck.
Think of a cruise ship as a huge suv on wheels. It's very comfortable to travel on. To me the positives outweigh the negatives.

 

[hotbiggun]

Never did a Alaskan cruise but did a Baja cruise. Never slept better in my life. Did have rough seas one day and got sea sick but overall it was a good time. To me its a once in a life thing and have no intrest in doing it again

 

[sffone]

My wife and I have gone on two Alaska cruises and both were wonderful. Work with a travel agent to work out the best time to go and definitely get an outside room with a balcony. I promise, you will not regret the little extra you'll have to pay.

 

[GunRelated]

My wife and myself went twice but no cruise. We flew to Anchorage, rented a car and house. Booked fishing trips. We did things on our schedule.

This would be the way to go. You couldn't pay me to get on a cruise ship these days. Of course, the same could also be said about flying. I've flown many times, none of them recently though, and I'm not sure I'd be willing to anymore.
Regardless of the safety issues of either, if I go on a trip, I want it to be MY trip. I don't want to be stuck on a tourist journey with a bunch of people. I want to go off the beaten path and do my own thing.

 

[AustinBR]

This would be the way to go. You couldn't pay me to get on a cruise ship these days. Of course, the same could also be said about flying. I've flown many times, none of them recently though, and I'm not sure I'd be willing to anymore.
Regardless of the safety issues of either, if I go on a trip, I want it to be MY trip. I don't want to be stuck on a tourist journey with a bunch of people. I want to go off the beaten path and do my own thing.

There are certainly pros and cons to both paths.

 

[Cbt]

Two trips to Alaska:
Cruise with wife was nice. Last of season, I think end of Sept and we were in gale for a couple days ~ even crew was sick. But the ports were enjoyable. A bit rainy, but like a "real" winter day in La. On board was enjoyable, but I didn't care for the cramped time schedule clock-watching.
My first trip was with my Dad on a lark the two weeks after Labor Day 1989. Light frosts knocked out the bugs, and just ending tourist season so no crowds.
Flew into Anchorage and the weather was like La winter ... rainy, windy, just above freezing. We rented a 2-door Cavalier and car-camped. We roadtripped Anchorage > Denali > Fairbanks > Tok > Valdez > Anchorage.
Valdez was the last weekend of the Oil Spill Cleanup and the place was like a Wild West Town .. canvas tent cots for $35/night, trailer shower $5/head. Salmon were running! We caught one first night and cooked over coals, then a dozen next day (limit?).
I did all the driving for 2500 miles. Dad would nap off and I would say, "Dad, there's another beautiful sight if want to look ... if not there will be another soon."
WONDERFUL TRIP and memories!

If I go back, I want to take the train to the interior. I've talked with others and it sounds like fantastic combination of the Cruise and Roadtrip.