I just got back from my first cruise on the Star and is was better than my expectations. I loved it all and am already planning another for next year. I went June 22nd and the weather was not all that bad. I would like to take one that you fly to Anchorage and then cruise back.
I would like a little help in choosing the right time to go for this trip. I was thinking the end of July maybe 26th. I would like to see bears and maybe do a land tour before getting on the ship.
Is this a good cruise and am I going to the right place to do what I want to do.
The Star Princess was great and the staff and cruise was all I could ask for.
I would like to stay on The Star or one just just like her. I liked the balcony we had on the Caribe deck, it was larger than the rest. I was in a BA balcony stateroom. Is the ship that goes to Anchorage the same as the Star.
This is my first post. so if I am asking in the wrong place or need to put more info in my question please let me know.
Congratulations on getting hooked on cruises, just like the rest of us! I'm glad to hear your Star Princess cruise exceeded your expectations.
Doing a southbound cruise from one of the ports closest to Anchorage, which would be Seward or Whittier, is actually the most popular kind of Alaska cruise. You can do an inland tour to Denali Park, Mt. McKinley, and as many other places as you have time and money to do, all before the cruise. Then you get on the ship and cruise to Vancouver or Seattle, depending on the ship. It's a terrific way to see both inland areas and then choose interesting tours at the port stops.
I eb, welcome aboard! Glad to hear you enjoyed Princess. From the sounds of it, you liked them as much as we do, they're our favorite line so far. They also offer land/sea packages that sound like they would fit your needs. Glad to have you on board and hope to see what you book real soon!
So glad to hear you enjoyed your first cruise and are planning your next already. As Sandy says, the southbound "Voyage of the Glaciers" will give you all kinds of possibilities, and late July is a great time to go. I think doing the long flight and land tour first is the way to go. Then you can just relax and enjoy the cruise back.
The Star Princess and sister Golden Princess are doing the Inside Passage again next season; your choices will be sisters Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess or sisters Island Princess and Coral Princess. Since you liked Star Princess, I would suggest either Sapphire or Diamond princess as their deckplans are most similar to Star Princess. But all four ships have Caribe Decks with the larger balconies.
So have fun planning your next adventure; and with the land tour it will truly be an adventure. The planning and anticipation are half the fun.
Thanks for all the responses. I went on this cruise with my wife's sister and brother-in-law and they loved it too. I think I have them leaning towards going again when we do.
She is the one who suggested the northern cruise.
Where is the best place to look and book the cruise through. Is it any cheaper using an agent or is it the same rate just doing it through Princess?
E B
Good question; and there are probbly as many different answers as there are members here.
I guess the first thing I would ask is, how did you book the cruise you just took? You seem pleased with the results. A cruisetour is a little more complicated than just a cruise, and if you plan to use air other than Princess, you should probably consider using a travel agent the specializes in cruises and cruisetours.
But many here are comfortable making all the arrangements themselves. There is no hard and fast rule as to where to get the best price. The best thing to do is just compare prices--and make sure you are comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Then when you find what you consider a good price, lock it in, so long as you feel comfortable with the agent. Good customer service is going to be a must on a cruisetour because you and the others travelling with you are going to have lots of questions. But I have always had great customer service dealing directly with Princess.
Just a tip, if you book on board, you receive an on board credit in an amount depending on the length of the cruise you book. Also, your deposit is only $100/pp. Be sure you go and talk to the representative on your next cruise, the hours of operation will be listed in your Princess Patter.
The cruise that looks like the one that fits my list is the Sapphire on july 18 09.
How much time before the cruise do you need to go to Danali or somewhere like that without being rushed to get on the ship.
I have not looked at the excursions yet so I don't know what I would choose yet. Just trying to get a rough time frame.
Thanks
E B
[/url]
Linear Mode
