In the video below, I answered two frequently asked questions:
- What's the best itinerary?
- What's the difference between cruise ships?
This is a Facebook Live I did. If you want to join these types of presentations live, be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW the Trips with Angie Facebook page.
Best Itinerary
Most cruise lines offer a round trip sailing from Seattle or Vancouver. The benefit of this option is the ease of travel. You get to see Alaska without that long flight into Anchorage.
The other option is a one way sailing between Alaska and Seattle or Vancouver. This is a great option if you want to spend some time on land in Alaska.
Difference between cruise ships
Kid Friendly Lines - Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian all sail Alaska. Norwegian is launching the largest ship ever to sail Alaska in 2018. It will have go carts! This is a great option for multi-generational families who want to see Alaska, but are concerned there won't be enough for the kids to do on Sea Days. Carnival generally has the lowest price point. Norwegian frequently runs promotions to make the sailing more inclusive.
Premium Lines - Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity offer Alaska itineraries. I think Princess does the best job in Alaska. They have the most itineraries into Glacier Bay. Their on-boarding programming with naturalists and guest lecturers is terrific. Holland America draws an older crowed. Celebrity has newer ships and frequently runs promotions to make the sailing more inclusive.
Small Ships - Azamara, Oceania, Seabourn, and Viking offer sailings to Alaska on smaller ships - less than 1,000 passengers. These itineraries tend to be longer since these ships can dock at smaller ports.
All inclusive luxury - Regents Seven Seas offers an all inclusive experience. Their prices include flights, excursions, all drinks on board and specialty restaurants. This is a tremendous value in Alaska because excursions tend to be more expensive.
Expeditions - Uncruise delivers a unique experience on their small expedition vessels. You kayak or paddle board right from the back of the ship. These itineraries are designed to get up close and personal with nature.
I love connecting travelers with the right Alaska experience. 2018 sailings are filling up. I'm also starting to book 2019 sailings. Let's chat. Click here to schedule a time for me to call you.