Alaska Cruises

Question: Should we choose norwegian or princess for our alaska cruise?

(Posted by: timandrea27103 on 2010-02-28 13:22:24)

My husband and I are going on a cruise to Alaska in May of 2011 to celebrate our 10 Year anniversary. I am anxious to book the cruise because I'm excited and not a very patient person. As of today, Norwegian has their rates published and I could book with them. Princess still has no information available for that time frame. Several people have told me that Princess does Alaska better than anyone else, but I would like some more opinions. I'm getting impatient waiting for Princess! Thanks for your input! I should add that visiting Glacier Bay is a high priority for us. Holland America and Royal Caribbean do not go to Glacier Bay.

Posted by: rick d on 2010-02-28, 15:21:58

For a 7 day cruise I would go with either Norwegian or Princess. Princess is better for a cruise tour to Alaska. I have have done 29 cruise, cruise tours to Alaska on 3 different lines. They all pretty much visit the same ports of call, have activities, offer excursions etc. The main thing is to find a line where you get your cruise at your price, with the cabin you want. No matter what line you choose Alaska is Amazing. Scenery, Wildlife, People etc. Enjoy.

Posted by: notyou311 on 2010-02-28, 13:25:32

Neither one. Those lines are not very good. If you want good food and good service, go with Holland America, Celebrity, or Royal Caribbean. I have taken more than 10 cruises and those are the only cruise lines I will use.

Posted by: kookies_101 on 2010-02-28, 13:26:38

I'm from Alaska and I have never heard of Norwegian. I see Princess tour buses everywhere though. Everyone we know who has come to visit us in Alaska and wanted to see the sights took Princess. It may be more expensive though. I'm not sure. If Norwegian has their prices up already however, it might be better to just get them now, before prices go up later. I'm sure the service ands stuff is still good and you will still get to see the same sights. You should take the Alaska Railroad up to Seward and then take a cruise on the Kenai Fjords. It's amazing up there. You can see all kinds of wildlife and wilderness.

Posted by: timetravler on 2010-02-28, 13:34:35

Princess is number one for Alaska. If you do a land tour too, Princess owns the lodges you would stay in. They also own the train cars you would ride in to get to the ship. Princess just knows how to do Alaska. BTW, Celeberty and Royal Carribean do not go into go into Glacier Bay . Glacier Bay in my opinion and many others is an absolute must see.

Posted by: mhcsis08 on 2010-02-28, 13:55:51

I've gone on a cruise with Norwegian and I am so glad I did. The freestyle cruising allows you to be free! No set dinner times and you can eat where you want, when you want, and whatever you want! The staff is so friendly and there when you need them. There is always something going on on the ship and you are never bored. You should defiantly go with Norwegian! Have a good vacation!

Posted by: Juice on 2010-02-28, 14:10:17

Definetly Princess Cruise. The rooms with a balcony are nice and spacious, includes, small Tv and small refrigerater, very nice. You NEVER go hungry, food 24/ 7. No times for dinner, eat when you want to. Lots of shows and activities, and you always know whats going on everyday when you get your 'Princess Patter' of events that day. I will never take another cruise line, have been on NCL (terrible) and Carnival..( just okay) Good Luck

Posted by: MomSezNo on 2010-02-28, 16:39:40

If you must choose one of those, go with Princess. Celebrity or Holland would be better. You may want to do some research on cruising. Your library or bookstore will have books that give a lot of general info about cruising, the different lines and the different ships. There are a lot of choices to be made before you can talk with a travel agent to book your cruise. One thing to keep in mind: If you're not doing a round trip cruise, then your airfare is going to be expensive. This is one time it might pay to use cruise line air arrangements, although they will not be the most convenient. [You can pay to get a deviation, however.]

Posted by: ideas on 2010-02-28, 19:08:02

"Holland America and Royal Caribbean do not go to Glacier Bay. " I don't know where you got your info, but Holland America does go to Glacier Bay. I went to Glacier Bay in 2008 on the Amsterdam, and I just pulled up their 7 day sailings from Seattle in May, 2011. All of them feature a day cruising Glacier Bay. I like HAL very much and I recommend them. (Both HAL and Princess have the same parent company, by the way). Of the two lines you mentioned, I would go Princess if the price was at all comparable. NCL is a decent cruise line, but Princess is more upscale. For a better rate, I would consider NCL. Good luck!

Posted by: travelin gran on 2010-02-28, 21:14:17

Holland America does a 7 day out of Seattle that tours Glacier Bay. I understand that you are anxious, but I would suggest that you contact a travel professional that can get you the cruise you want. A 10 year anniversary is really something to celebrate. The TA salary is paid by the cruise line so there is no additional charge to you. Carnival and Princess would have inferior food and entertainment compared to Royal Caribbean and Holland America. I can not recommend Norwegian. Also, RCI has a fare guarantee that would give you on board credit if the fare goes down by cruise time. RCI also spends an entire day in Victoria, BC giving you time to do Butchart Gardens and tour. The other lines arrive there after dark and leave the same evening. Perhaps you want to add a cruise tour to your plans. There really are a lot of choices, I would suggest you pick up a Princess, a Holland America and a Royal Caribbean brochure at your local travel agency and spend some time deciding what you want. You have plenty of time to make it perfect, don't jump the gun and have regrets later.