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Me and my girlfriend are planning a cruise to Alaska. This will be my 4th cruise and my girlfriend's 2nd. Neither of us have been to Alaska (either on a cruise, or hopped on a plane). I have found two cruise deals that would like some help determining which is one is better. The first one is $114/nt 7nt Alaska Cruise on NCL. The other is $111/nt 7nt. I've heard that a Balcony is almost needed for a trip to Alaska. How are the seas out there? We are planning on going in July. What are the best stops? I already know that I want to see Juneau, but where else? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Probably not going to get too many responses on this board. Not many cruises around here.

Anyway, both links came up with the same page so I am not sure what the differences in the cruises are. I have taken the poor mans cruise (ferry) up through SE Alaska. I quite like Sitka myself, Juneau is what it is, and Ketchikan is really nice except for the four hour period during the day when all the cruisers are around

I could see wanting a balcony. Or at least an ocean view from your room. Otherwise, you'd probably have to knock all the really old geezers out of the way to get a view out of the Solarium.

July should be nice and no shortage of sun. The seas generally aren't too bad since for the most part you're protected.

I did a cruise there a few years ago. It left from Vancouver and only stopped for three days (it was a 10-day cruise). Personally, I'm not a fan of long cruises like that. But I did enjoy the time off the boat. We did Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Definitely some great scenery. Whatever you choose, definitely make sure it stops in Ketchikan and try to get to Tongass National Forest.

Forget the big ones- I'd try a smaller ship like Cruise West or Lindblad, if you want to really see Alaskan wildlife and scenery. Also, Juneau is okay but it's incredibly touristy. I liked Petersburg and Gustavus, for a more authentic feel.

Hello, hopefully I can help you since I currently live in Southeast Alaska.

If you are not disabled I would not recommend either cruise to experience Alaska. The best destinations are not even served by Cruise Ship, and Alaska is so big you will miss the best as you sail by in the night.

Consider Alaska is the size of China....

I recommend you consider using our 'marine highway' fleet of State Owned Ferries for a wonderful alternative to the usual cruising style. All have Solariums / Cafeteria and the walk-on fare is very inexpensive and requires no reservations. You can pitch dome tents under covered patios. Ferry travel allows you to get off, visit a place, then catch the next boat that happens your way. They schedule frequently and it's how we Alaskan's get around. You will meet an eclectic mix of backpack travelers, commercial fishermen, you name it but mostly Alaskans. Ferries go into even the smallest of towns, while Cruise ships do not.

My father (previous AK traveler) recently took a cruise trip of SE AK and didn't like it at all. WAAAY too sterile, tour limited and time constrained. They have a logistical ability to herd you quite effectively to see only the corporate-owned guide and gift facilities. This decimates the cores of our communities with seasonal-only gift shops that drive real community assets out of business. This is actually a huge political issue in SE AK.

Cruise ships (purposely ?) never give enough time to see anything but their sanitized itinerary of any town you visit. You will not see the real Ketchikan, Juneau or anywhere else, just a parody of it, like the Ketchikan Logging Show. Cruise ships also stay far from shore because of rocks, so the scenery is wide-panorama unless you are going through a passage. You will see a huge amount of clear-cut forestry development because of this.

If a Criuse is your gig take a balcony by all means, since even with the clear-cutting the scenery is very beautiful in spite. Keep an eye out for whales, interesting looking fishing vessels and Working Vintage Aircraft. Eagles are literally everywhere as are jumping fish and everything else. The waters are alive here like few world destinations anywhere.

I personally would take the British Columbia Ferry to Prince Rupert then transfer. BC Ferries are more comfortable, have minor 'international flair' for a US traveller and make the wild portion of your trip more beautiful since Canadian Logging Practice hides most of it from the ferry routes. I would then transfer to the Alaska Marine Highway System and visit Wrangell and Petersburg for sure. Both towns prohibit Cruise Ships and demonstrate the true Alaska because of it.

Like I said, cruise ship degradation of communities is a really big issue here. I find them a pox if you couldn't already tell and I am far from alone here.

If you are more adventurous, Ak Ferry trips can take you to the smallest wilderness communities, many in the 100-200 person range. You can also take spur ferries like the Inter-Island Ferry to Prince of Wales Island. People in these areas welcome adventure travelers in ways not easily described. There is a status to travel that gets noticed here by us Alaskans. You will meet many more interesting people if you just stay off those cruise ships.

Off-the-Cruise-Ship-Visitors can choose to visit diverse places like the Anan Bear Viewing Site, the Skagway Narrow Railroad through the mountains, Glacier Helicopter/Dogsledding Tours, Glacier Bay NP Area, etc. far to numerous to mention.

And of course there's the Fishing....

A world of opportunity presents here like few other US destinations. In many ways you will be leaving the US behind... Alaska is VERY different than America and you may consider traveling accordingly to get the best of it. Alaska is not a Cruise Ship Destination sorry to say.

Be brave -- grab a backpack (or even roll-around luggage) and jump on a Ferry for a trip unplanned. You will appreciate every single second of it !

I have lived in Alaska the past 28 years and recently took a job last year in Durango, CO. I am still considered an alaskan resident and getting per diem in CO.

I would agree with Lauren about our Alaskan ferry system. My fav stops are Sitka and Ketchikan and I am not too crazy about Juneau. I love Cordova and Kodiak and you can take the ferry there too.

holland america runs great cruises but the crowd is a lot older...like 40+

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Also as an old Alaskan I agree with both Lauren and Karin. Sitka and Ketchikan are my favorites, I also like to take visiting friends up to Whitehorse from Skagway if we have the time.
Hope you have a great time in southeast and then come back and see a bit more of the interior of the state.