My wife wants to go on an Alaskan Cruise this next year. Anyone been on one? Any dos and don'ts?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Those are well known "swinger" cruises

Do!…go on one.

Don’t!…listen to anything anybody says here.

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I have always wanted to go on one. It sounds pretty cool. According to Whistler taking a shit off the railing of the lido deck in the cold alaskan air is second to none.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Yeah Bob, my 80 year old MIL was full of stories.

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I've been there several times, only cruised once while there, more of a ferry ride to Seward.

I can only say that any trip to that area will be the highlight of your life, the natural beauty is unparalleled, the openness is fantastic. I recommend every on-land tour you could take, and actually think driving the state is best to see more of it. Not everyone has the extra week, but that sure would be nice, drive to McKinley, Fairbanks, Kenai, Homer, etc.

Everyone we know that has taken one said they are great.

I wouldn’t use the bathroom the entire time I was there

you wearing your Timberlands?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

An Alaska cruise is one of the best cruises you can take. I have taken several and have a few suggestions

1: If doing a closed loop, chose Vancouver as you get more Alaskan ports rather than wasting a day on a port of call in Victoria (which Seattle departures have to do). The extra Alaskan stop is worth it and much better than Victoria, BC. You also get a more scenic inside passage for your days at sea with the Vancouver departure

2: Make sure you book a whale watching boat excursion. This should be offered in Juneau and possibly in other ports as well

3: Make sure you get a balcony stateroom. You'll want it for Glacier Bay or whatever scenic places your boat is going. Side of ship doesn't matter as your captain will maneuver the ship in a way so that both port and starboard passengers get a view.

4: June/July are the best months to go. They are more expensive, but that's for a reason

5: Make sure you are on a ship with a sliding glass dome over the pools. You may want access to it during your sea days and this is the one way to guarantee it.

6: This is the type of cruise where the destination is the most important focus so remember that when choosing a ship/line. You may want to consider a line for Alaska that wouldn't fit your needs or desires for a warm weather cruise. Case in point, I would find Holland America to be a line catering to a crowd a bit too old for my tastes in the Caribbean, but for Alaska they would be near the top of my list as the things they excel in are what you probably want in an Alaska cruise. I'd give a similar rec for Princess on Alaska. On the flip side, I may want a Norwegian cruise for a warm weather cruise, but the extras like water slides and go-kart tracks don't really fit my needs for an Alaska cruise.

7: Have fun, I can promise you this won't be your last Alaska cruise as you'll quickly find an urge to book another.

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“When I walked in this morning, and saw the flag was at half mast, I thought 'alright another bureaucrat ate it.'" - Ron Swanson

Just cruise at the local bus depot. Mostly clean folks down there.

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I would go on an Alaskan cruise in a minute. Of course wife would probably insist we wait a couple more years due to Covid.

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Elections have consequences.

Thanks for all the info, appreciate it. Do you need a passport for it or only if you leave from Vancouver?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

This wasn’t a very helpful post
Did u see what OP was asking ?

You familiar with Spiral Stairs?

I'm not sure if you need one for closed loop from Seattle or the Seattle-Whittier one ways, but it's just a good idea to have one in general. You have more than enough time between now and Alaska cruise season to get one so best to get started on the process.

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“When I walked in this morning, and saw the flag was at half mast, I thought 'alright another bureaucrat ate it.'" - Ron Swanson

Did an Alaska cruise in late June 2019. Loved it.

I agree with the advice previously given, especially about getting a balcony.

Also agree it's a good idea to get a passport. One of the excursions we took in skagway was a train ride to the Yukon Territories. A passport was required for that.

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"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

Another thing that just came to mind re excursions. You may find excursions offered not from the cruise line, but remember if anything goes wrong (bus breaks down) and you are running late, the boat won't wait for you.

If you book your excursion through the cruise line and something happens, then the ship will wait for you and you don't run the risk of missing the ship and becoming a pier runner.

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“When I walked in this morning, and saw the flag was at half mast, I thought 'alright another bureaucrat ate it.'" - Ron Swanson

I think I have done 5 cruises and have never booked an excursion through the cruise line. Many more options going with the independents and much less $$. In my view the 'miss the ship' thing is just a scare tactic. The independents rely on reviews. We have never come close to getting back late.

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"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

what would i do on a cruiseship?

prolly grab my mp3 player and post here 2bqh

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I went to Alaska for my honeymoon but not a cruise. Great time and would go back. I think you miss out on a lot of the adventure by cruising. Someone else is in control of your trip.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Booked a cruise on Princess for the end of May.

Really looking forward to it.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

the best part about cruises nowadays is you might book a 7 dayer and end up getting a 2 monther for no additional charge.

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Dress for success. I seem to remember lots of rainy and 55F highs, in July. On the water, even chillier and windier.

That said, I'd ride along any time, if I could.

Which one?

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"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

2019 we went at the end of June. Sunny almost every day, temps in the high 70s-low 80s. We never touched all the cold & foul weather gear we brought.

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"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

Crown Princess for 7 days

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Except for Glacier Bay instead of Dawes, ours was essentially the same on NCL Bliss.

Loved it all except for Victoria. Getting off the ship was a waste of time.

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"I honestly don't see a good bet on the board here."

Dont go, no cruises.

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