Originally posted by corsair: The ugly side of the cruise industry, while very convenient, depending on cruise-line and itinerary package, you're completely insulated from the location you're visiting. Might as well go to Disneyland for an isolated, curated environment, detached from wherever you're at. Venice Italy pushed back hard and limited cruise ship visits because of the disparity those ships brought and nobody benefited. For visiting Alaska, I get it, for the majority of people, it's their ONLY time visiting the state, and the Inland Passage is isolated so, travel by ship is the easiest way to see things.
If it were me, I’d do a 1-way cruise from Washington State to Seward, AK. Spend a few days at Princess’ Seward Lodge and explore Seward (my favorite place in Alaska). Take the train up to Anchorage and get a rental car. Go wherever you want in Alaska.
Fly back out of ANC or FAI.
Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity
DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
February 27, 2023, 03:29 PM
HRK
Question for those who cruise out of Seattle, how was the makeup of the people on board. Out of Vancouver it was filled probably 40 to 50% Asian mostly Chinese.
There was a bug going around on the ship as well, I didn't get it nor did the wife but a couple in our group did come down with the squirts...
February 27, 2023, 05:14 PM
Russ59
We did a Royal Caribbean out of Seattle last September. It was great. Most of the passengers were from the US, mainly middle aged and older Americans from what I could tell. A few young families, but not many.
P229
February 28, 2023, 09:54 AM
corsair
quote:
Originally posted by tatortodd:
quote:
Originally posted by corsair: The ugly side of the cruise industry, while very convenient, depending on cruise-line and itinerary package, you're completely insulated from the location you're visiting. Might as well go to Disneyland for an isolated, curated environment, detached from wherever you're at. Venice Italy pushed back hard and limited cruise ship visits because of the disparity those ships brought and nobody benefited. For visiting Alaska, I get it, for the majority of people, it's their ONLY time visiting the state, and the Inland Passage is isolated so, travel by ship is the easiest way to see things.
If it were me, I’d do a 1-way cruise from Washington State to Seward, AK. Spend a few days at Princess’ Seward Lodge and explore Seward (my favorite place in Alaska). Take the train up to Anchorage and get a rental car. Go wherever you want in Alaska.
Fly back out of ANC or FAI.
I would go a bit further, train from Seward to Anchorage, then train from Anchorage to Denali. Spend 3-4 nights at one of the lodges in Kantishna, within Denali NP. Bus ride to lodge, through the park, you'll see spectacular views and high likelihood of wildlife, to include grizzlies. Train from Denali either back to Anchorage or, up to Fairbanks. Return to lower-48 from either.This message has been edited. Last edited by: corsair,
February 28, 2023, 10:39 AM
P250UA5
quote:
Originally posted by tatortodd:
quote:
Originally posted by corsair: The ugly side of the cruise industry, while very convenient, depending on cruise-line and itinerary package, you're completely insulated from the location you're visiting. Might as well go to Disneyland for an isolated, curated environment, detached from wherever you're at. Venice Italy pushed back hard and limited cruise ship visits because of the disparity those ships brought and nobody benefited. For visiting Alaska, I get it, for the majority of people, it's their ONLY time visiting the state, and the Inland Passage is isolated so, travel by ship is the easiest way to see things.
If it were me, I’d do a 1-way cruise from Washington State to Seward, AK. Spend a few days at Princess’ Seward Lodge and explore Seward (my favorite place in Alaska). Take the train up to Anchorage and get a rental car. Go wherever you want in Alaska.
Fly back out of ANC or FAI.
I like this idea, may look into that for maybe next year.
The Enemy's gate is down.
March 01, 2023, 03:29 PM
flashguy
This offer came today: https://www.affordabletours.co...204&utm_content=6451 I like Insight, their US tours use coaches with much more comfort -- more legroom and a very nice bathroom aboard. Haven't done them in Europe, but expect they are the same there. Some of their deals appear to be in line with the OP's budget.