KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hello all, the Alaska cruise season is relatively short so would like to find out which are the better cruise companies to go with and any other travel tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks and woohoo the final term exams are over!

bigd wrote:Hello all, the Alaska cruise season is relatively short so would like to find out which are the better cruise companies to go with and any other travel tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks and woohoo the final term exams are over!

It depends on several things:
1. Your budget.
2. Are you going with kids? If so, then a less formal cruise and one with family activities are recommented eg RCI (royal Caribbean international), NCL (Norwegian cruise line), Disney Cruise Line.
3. No kids - Suggest celebrity cruise, crystal cruise etc.
4. Do you have sufficient leave to extend your trip beyond the cruise? If you do, you should because you are already flying so far. You can extend your trip to the Canadian Rockies, or if you think it could be an overdose of scenary, then perhaps combine with West Coast USA with theme parks if you have kids. There are many possibilities. It depands on what you want.

irrespective of which cruise company you pick, I suggest that you try a glaciar tour either for a glacier walk, or a seaplane over the glacier to go to a glacier lodge or if on a budget, at least do a tour to view the Mendahall Glacier in Juneau. It is a must do in Alaska. It is the best I have seen. Saw glacier in China, NZ and Alaska, and the one in Alaska is still the most beautiful.

OK thanks for the tips.

I am planning for a June hols trip for 2013 and if it is a go will post info for the rest.

cheers!

Most welcome.
I went Alaska with royal Caribbean many years back when many of the newer cruise lines were non existent yet. Nonetheless the ports of call and shore excursions have not differed much. So if you have any qns on the shore excursions, I'll be most happy to help if I still remember
You will love it. Alaska is really the last frontier and is beautiful.

Dnls_mum wrote:

bigd wrote:Hello all, the Alaska cruise season is relatively short so would like to find out which are the better cruise companies to go with and any other travel tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks and woohoo the final term exams are over!

It depends on several things:
1. Your budget.
2. Are you going with kids? If so, then a less formal cruise and one with family activities are recommented eg RCI (royal Caribbean international), NCL (Norwegian cruise line), Disney Cruise Line.
3. No kids - Suggest celebrity cruise, crystal cruise etc.
4. Do you have sufficient leave to extend your trip beyond the cruise? If you do, you should because you are already flying so far. You can extend your trip to the Canadian Rockies, or if you think it could be an overdose of scenary, then perhaps combine with West Coast USA with theme parks if you have kids. There are many possibilities. It depands on what you want.

irrespective of which cruise company you pick, I suggest that you try a glaciar tour either for a glacier walk, or a seaplane over the glacier to go to a glacier lodge or if on a budget, at least do a tour to view the Mendahall Glacier in Juneau. It is a must do in Alaska. It is the best I have seen. Saw glacier in China, NZ and Alaska, and the one in Alaska is still the most beautiful.

hi dnls_mum

we were mulling over travel plans... dh suggested alaska, and a search brought me to this thread. the glacier tour and glacier lodge sounded wonderfully cold. the canadian rockies and west coast usa sounded solid.

could u share your experience on the cruise, pricing and where to do book from? do we have to do the booking ourselves or there is a one-stop shop provider? do u think nov, dec is a good time for glacier watching? sorry for the bombardment of questions. would really love to hear your opinion.

tia.

icy_mama wrote:

Dnls_mum wrote:

bigd wrote:Hello all, the Alaska cruise season is relatively short so would like to find out which are the better cruise companies to go with and any other travel tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks and woohoo the final term exams are over!

It depends on several things:
1. Your budget.
2. Are you going with kids? If so, then a less formal cruise and one with family activities are recommented eg RCI (royal Caribbean international), NCL (Norwegian cruise line), Disney Cruise Line.
3. No kids - Suggest celebrity cruise, crystal cruise etc.
4. Do you have sufficient leave to extend your trip beyond the cruise? If you do, you should because you are already flying so far. You can extend your trip to the Canadian Rockies, or if you think it could be an overdose of scenary, then perhaps combine with West Coast USA with theme parks if you have kids. There are many possibilities. It depands on what you want.

irrespective of which cruise company you pick, I suggest that you try a glaciar tour either for a glacier walk, or a seaplane over the glacier to go to a glacier lodge or if on a budget, at least do a tour to view the Mendahall Glacier in Juneau. It is a must do in Alaska. It is the best I have seen. Saw glacier in China, NZ and Alaska, and the one in Alaska is still the most beautiful.

hi dnls_mum

we were mulling over travel plans... dh suggested alaska, and a search brought me to this thread. the glacier tour and glacier lodge sounded wonderfully cold. the canadian rockies and west coast usa sounded solid.

could u share your experience on the cruise, pricing and where to do book from? do we have to do the booking ourselves or there is a one-stop shop provider? do u think nov, dec is a good time for glacier watching? sorry for the bombardment of questions. would really love to hear your opinion.

tia.

Most happy to share my Alaskan experience. The unfortunate thing however is that the Alasan cruise season is very short, normally between late May to early sept each year. The other months are too cold for anyone to travel there.

If you are interested in a cruise, you can check out their websites. With families, I recommend Royal Caribbean or Norwegian cruise line. Many local travel agents can help you with your bookings too. For the shore excursions at each port of call, you can prearrange your own excursions, or book with the cruise liner. For Royal Caribbean, these can be booked online too after you booked your cruise. Another alternative is to book onshore only when you arrive at each port.

For pre- or post-cruise tours, you can do free and easy or again book through your singapore Travel agent. The Canadian Rockies, like Alaska will need to be visited in the summer months only.

I can't remember the exact cruise price. But diff cabin categories will be priced differently. At RC diff cabin category still receive same dining experience and service, but NCL which is part of Star cruise will differentiate dining choices based in cabin category. The rule of thumb is book early for cheaper cabins. That can mean 6 mths to 1 year ahead. They go fast.

thank you so much for replying, dnls_mum.

the cruise season is so short, looks like alaska will have to wait for us next year. my dd is taking her psle this year. i'll see if i can start planning for next june. thanks again.

alaska is one of the places we need to see before we die.

icy_mama wrote:thank you so much for replying, dnls_mum.

the cruise season is so short, looks like alaska will have to wait for us next year. my dd is taking her psle this year. i'll see if i can start planning for next june. thanks again.

alaska is one of the places we need to see before we die.

Haha...yes. It is very beautiful. I would also like to go a second time. It's just that there are still so many places that I have not been yet

Can anybody recommend which travel agent to use for Alaska cruise and Canadian Rockies package?

ngl2010 wrote:Can anybody recommend which travel agent to use for Alaska cruise and Canadian Rockies package?

You are talking about SG or US / CA agent(s)?