Here are our options for an Alaskan Cruise leaving and returning to the port of Seattle. Other options would include departures from San Francisco (10 days), OR one way passages between Anchorage (Whittier/Seward ports) and Vancouver, Canada, which would allow viewing of Hubbard Glacier (the biggest), Glacier Bay NP and College Fjord. I’ve not researched this option due to the complications of travel.
So …. back to the options leaving from Seattle:
Outside of spending a kings ransom on smaller luxury or expeditions cruises, the mainstream cruise line options are: Royal Caribbean (RCCL), Norwegian (NCL), Princess, Celebrity, Holland America and Carnival. All of these are 7 day cruises, with the exception of the NCL Sun which has 9, 10 & 11 day cruises.
All of these ships have very similar itineraries, with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria BC. Differences include either a viewing of Endicott Arm (ending at Dawes Glacier) or Icy Strait (Mendenhall Glacier). For the best description of these port stops, check out THIS PAGE LINK via Holland America.
I’m also beginning to question if July is the best time of year for us to go. Take a look at THIS PAGE LINK for pro-cons of travel May-October. I’m finding the best deals in May that are 50% of the pricing in July. Weather in May doesn’t seem too bad either and we’d skip the children who’d still be in school.
NCL – Offers two 7 day itineraries on their new mega ships (165K tons, 5K passengers), the NCL Bliss (departs Saturdays) or NCL Encore (departs Sundays). Another option is a 9-11 day cruise on the NCL Sun, a smaller ship built in 2001 (77K tons, 2K passengers). In addition to the normal stops on 7 day cruises, the 11 days itinerary offers a stop in the towns of Sitka and Haines, plus sightseeing at both of the glaciers noted above. NCL has very good pricing right now (with all inclusive deals) which supposedly ends TODAY (eek). The 11 day cruise is less $ than the 7 day cruise on most other lines, but being a smaller, older ship might not have all the bells and whistles.
RCCL – Offers two 7 day itineraries on their mega ships, the Quantum of the Seas (departs Mondays) or the Ovation of the Seas (departs Fridays). RCCL stops in Sitka instead of Ketchikan. There aren’t any great deals going on right now on RCCL, so I’d lean towards an NCL mega-ship simply due to pricing.
CELEBRITY – There’s a 7 day cruise on the Celebrity Solstice (which is identical to the Reflection we sailed on last November). They also have a 7 day cruise on their new Celebrity Edge (2018) which features the “infinite verandas” with floor to ceiling glass patios (top half opens down via a switch). The Edge is a mid-sized ship, 130K tons, 3000 passengers. I’m interested in this, didn’t delve too far yet into pricing until we decide on dates.
PRINCESS – Has two mid-size ships (142K tons, 3,600 passengers) going to Alaska: The Discovery Princess (2022) and the Royal Princess (2013). These are Saturday or Sunday departures, same itinerary except one does Endcott Arm, the other Glacier Bay. Princess also has the 10 day cruises out of San Francisco. Princess got the highest rating on Cruise Critic.
CARNIVAL – This is the smallest of ships, they call the “adventure fleet”, 88K tons, 2100 passengers, the Carnival Luminosa (2009) and the Carnival Spirit (2001). These were built for all-weather cruising with retractable domes. However, a quick look showed all dates pretty much SOLD OUT already, unless we want a balcony ($$).
HOLLAND AMERICA – I’ll be honest that I’m hesitant on Holland, based on our last experience. Their ships going to Alaska are the smallest (80K+ tons, 2000 passengers), but the ships are also older, the Westerdam (2004) and the Eurodam (2008). Typical itineraries. I think I’ll pass.
That’s the quick and dirty. Let me know your thoughts, and I’ll get into specifics.