Cruise to Alaska

[Kwaipie]

So, I'm bending my will and arranging an Alaskan cruise for my 5th wedding anniversary. I've heard people say that if you pay what the website says, you're a moron. I don't want to be a moron. What websites do you recommend I research to get the best deal/experience possible?

 

[Syrch]

wow this time of year it would be beautiful out there. Though that doesn't answer your question and i don't have an answer for your question it got me thinking of something other than the Phoenix heat

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
So, I'm bending my will and arranging an Alaskan cruise for my 5th wedding anniversary. I've heard people say that if you pay what the website says, you're a moron. I don't want to be a moron. What websites do you recommend I research to get the best deal/experience possible?

Maybe they mean you should call them up instead of paying?

I don't know...that would be the opposite of how the airlines work...ususally you get the best rates by booking on their site.

What kind of cruise are you looking at? Probably one that starts in Washington and finishes in Seward are Whittier? Are you planning on spending sometime IN Alaska as well or just taking the cruise and fly right back? If the former is what you're interested in let me know, I worked in the tourism industry for years up here.

Oh...and if you want my personal recommendation...I would never consider a cruise to, or from, Alaska...3 of those days are crossing the gulf...which has nothing to see. I'd fly up here, rent a car, and go that route...

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: Syrch
wow this time of year it would be beautiful out there. Though that doesn't answer your question and i don't have an answer for your question it got me thinking of something other than the Phoenix heat

Actually...this is the beginning of the storm season...not the best time to take a cruise...although it seems like he's planning it for next year.

 

[Kwaipie]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
So, I'm bending my will and arranging an Alaskan cruise for my 5th wedding anniversary. I've heard people say that if you pay what the website says, you're a moron. I don't want to be a moron. What websites do you recommend I research to get the best deal/experience possible?

Maybe they mean you should call them up instead of paying?

I don't know...that would be the opposite of how the airlines work...ususally you get the best rates by booking on their site.

What kind of cruise are you looking at? Probably one that starts in Washington and finishes in Seward are Whittier? Are you planning on spending sometime IN Alaska as well or just taking the cruise and fly right back? If the former is what you're interested in let me know, I worked in the tourism industry for years up here.

Oh...and if you want my personal recommendation...I would never consider a cruise to, or from, Alaska...3 of those days are crossing the gulf...which has nothing to see. I'd fly up here, rent a car, and go that route...

Currently, planning the 7 day round trip from Seattle. I can drive to Seattle from Portland saving airfare.

Day Port Arrive Depart
Sat Seattle - 4:00 PM
Sun Cruise Alaska's Inside Passage - -
Mon Ketchikan 7:00 AM 3:00 PM
Tue Juneau 7:00 AM 1:30 PM
Tue Cruise Sawyer Glacier - -
Wed Skagway 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
Thu Prince Rupert 4:00 PM 10:00 PM
Fri At Sea - -
Sat Seattle 8:00 AM -

 

[Pantoot]

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
So, I'm bending my will and arranging an Alaskan cruise for my 5th wedding anniversary. I've heard people say that if you pay what the website says, you're a moron. I don't want to be a moron. What websites do you recommend I research to get the best deal/experience possible?

I recommend two places:
Good cruising deals

Everything else about cruising

 

[richardycc]

I just tried cruisecompete.com for a cruise, got 6 different quotes so far, prices are everywhere......one even has a too good to be true price, and I have never used them before, so buyer's beware.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
...I don't want to be a moron...

Oops too late.

j/k

 

[yllus]

Heck if I know, but be sure to take photos!

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Oh...and if you want my personal recommendation...I would never consider a cruise to, or from, Alaska...3 of those days are crossing the gulf...which has nothing to see. I'd fly up here, rent a car, and go that route...

:thumbsup:I agree, I was in Alaska about a month ago and I flew from Ohare to there. Alaska is huge and the attractions are far apart. Spend as much time possible in Alaska as possible.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Pantoot

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
So, I'm bending my will and arranging an Alaskan cruise for my 5th wedding anniversary. I've heard people say that if you pay what the website says, you're a moron. I don't want to be a moron. What websites do you recommend I research to get the best deal/experience possible?

I recommend two places:
Good cruising deals

Everything else about cruising

holy shit those links are gold

10* for you

 

[Syrch]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: Syrch
wow this time of year it would be beautiful out there. Though that doesn't answer your question and i don't have an answer for your question it got me thinking of something other than the Phoenix heat

Actually...this is the beginning of the storm season...not the best time to take a cruise...although it seems like he's planning it for next year.

I'll take that too, i haven't seen real rain in 6 months

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: amdskip

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Oh...and if you want my personal recommendation...I would never consider a cruise to, or from, Alaska...3 of those days are crossing the gulf...which has nothing to see. I'd fly up here, rent a car, and go that route...

:thumbsup:I agree, I was in Alaska about a month ago and I flew from Ohare to there. Alaska is huge and the attractions are far apart. Spend as much time possible in Alaska as possible.

But what you forget is that on the cruise there is a lot of cool shows and great food. The cruise part is half the fun. Sure, if you are only concerned with seeing Alaska up close, then a cruise might not be great, but if you want to pack a suitcase once and have a nice "home base", then a cruise might be a good idea.

 

[dartworth]

talk to lolawiz...

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: Kwaipie

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
So, I'm bending my will and arranging an Alaskan cruise for my 5th wedding anniversary. I've heard people say that if you pay what the website says, you're a moron. I don't want to be a moron. What websites do you recommend I research to get the best deal/experience possible?

Maybe they mean you should call them up instead of paying?

I don't know...that would be the opposite of how the airlines work...ususally you get the best rates by booking on their site.

What kind of cruise are you looking at? Probably one that starts in Washington and finishes in Seward are Whittier? Are you planning on spending sometime IN Alaska as well or just taking the cruise and fly right back? If the former is what you're interested in let me know, I worked in the tourism industry for years up here.

Oh...and if you want my personal recommendation...I would never consider a cruise to, or from, Alaska...3 of those days are crossing the gulf...which has nothing to see. I'd fly up here, rent a car, and go that route...

Currently, planning the 7 day round trip from Seattle. I can drive to Seattle from Portland saving airfare.

Day Port Arrive Depart
Sat Seattle - 4:00 PM
Sun Cruise Alaska's Inside Passage - -
Mon Ketchikan 7:00 AM 3:00 PM
Tue Juneau 7:00 AM 1:30 PM
Tue Cruise Sawyer Glacier - -
Wed Skagway 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
Thu Prince Rupert 4:00 PM 10:00 PM
Fri At Sea - -
Sat Seattle 8:00 AM -

Ahh...so you're not really coming to Alaska then...

Southeast is great...but it's only a small bit of Alaska...if you want to experience what Alaska is really about I really think starting from Anchorage and branching out is the key. Go to Seward, go to Homer, go north to Talkeetna and Denali (Mt. McKinley)...now THAT's Alaska.

Juneau and Ketchikan are cool...very cool, but you're getting a very minimal Alaskan experience by only go to those two cities.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis

Originally posted by: Pantoot

Originally posted by: Kwaipie
So, I'm bending my will and arranging an Alaskan cruise for my 5th wedding anniversary. I've heard people say that if you pay what the website says, you're a moron. I don't want to be a moron. What websites do you recommend I research to get the best deal/experience possible?

I recommend two places:
Good cruising deals

Everything else about cruising

holy shit those links are gold

10* for you

We have had the best luck with http://www.bestpricecruises.com. We have used them 4 or 5 times and they have always been the cheapest. List rates given by the cruise companies are insane and should never be a judge of the true rate to pay.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Southeast is great...but it's only a small bit of Alaska...if you want to experience what Alaska is really about I really think starting from Anchorage and branching out is the key. Go to Seward, go to Homer, go north to Talkeetna and Denali (Mt. McKinley)...now THAT's Alaska.

Juneau and Ketchikan are cool...very cool, but you're getting a very minimal Alaskan experience by only go to those two cities.

Just got back last week from my trip to Alaska and I wish I could have stayed longer, but 9 days was all the budget could take. ANC-Talkeetna-Denali-Seward-ANC. A cruise would never have delivered the same experience. Talkeetna/Denali was like night and day different from Anchorage and Seward.