Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

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nu2cruising

Guest
OK...you cruise lovers have always given me great advice!.....
Since me and the Mrs have decided it will be Alaska for our next cruise we need your input on another question. First. we have decided on a cruise between 7 and 10 days, Inside passage, out of Frisco or Seattle.
Now......which would you recommend...Princess or Celeb? We went on the Mexican Riviera cruise 2 years ago on the Diamond Princess and loved it! Have never cruise Celebrity but have heard great things about it.
We are in our mid 40's and like to spend time relaxing and (or course) eating. We don't drink.
Also...what is the best time of year to go?

Thanks Friends!
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

There are many Celebrity fans on the Board, but Princess and Holland America have, by far, the longest track record of cruising in Alaska. That is not to say there's anything wrong with Celebrity.

Both Celebrity and Princess sail the Inside Passage round-trip Seattle (7 nights), but only Princess sails round-trip San Francisco on 10 night itineraries.
 
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Beryl

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

When you say "Inside Passage" be very careful to check exactly where the ship is sailing. Many of the round trip cruises out of Seattle sail on the western side of Vancouver Island. You miss a good deal of scenery on these sailings...and nothing wrong with that...as long as you know!
 
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uppitycats

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

I'd pick Princess. I've never been on Celebrity, but Princess does a terrific job, laid back, classy, really a nice experience. Alaska is awesome, but indeed check the itinerary, and see just what areas you want to see and which vessel gets closest. Have a grand time, whichever ship you choose!
 
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nieciez

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

We just got back from the inside passage RT from Seattle on Star Princess and we LOVED it, so much we are doing it again next summer same week 10 days out of SF on the Sea Princess.

Here is a link to my pics....Alaska are the first 6 albums: http://picasaweb.google.com/nieciez
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

[quote Beryl]When you say "Inside Passage" be very careful to check exactly where the ship is sailing. Many of the round trip cruises out of Seattle sail on the western side of Vancouver Island. You miss a good deal of scenery on these sailings...and nothing wrong with that...as long as you know![/quote]

Beryl - sometimes it's the luck of the draw. On the larger ships (which now includes most ships cruising to Alaska), it's a matter of the tides at Seymour Narrows. If the tide is too low for safe passage, the ship will sail the outer route instead of remaining "inside".
 
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Beryl

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

You are right Mary Ann...this is why ships sailing to Alaska from Vancouver do not wait for late arrivals!!! I remember staying up very, very late in the evening to watch as we sailed through. You can pretty much count on ships sailing from Seattle to sail up the West side of Vancouver island though All I really meant was that if it is important to you....check!!!

This site it the interesing story of Ripple Rock....have you seen it?

http://www.vancouverislandabound.com/tamingof.htm
 
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anton

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

Dear nu2 -

Miz Anton and the rest of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood are confirmed Celebrity cruisers,
Their last cruise was a 13-day Pacific Northwest/Inside Passage repositioning cruise on board Celebrity's "Summit" in May 2007.
The cruise was pure magic from start to finish. Celebrity's people provided top-notch service and assistance, and sailing the Inside Passage northbound and then southbound was to sail through scenery right out of Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings."
Check out my Cruise @ddicts review in the "Summit" for the particulars.

Just my two cents, y'unnerstand...

anton
 
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BarbaraK

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

We haven't sailed on Princess so I can't comment on them but we are taking our 5th Alaskan cruise with Celebrity in September. We have always enjoyed our time with them :)
I know that one of our C@s has been on Princess Alaskan cruises several times and he loves them.
So PEB come out, come out where ever you are and post some of your great comments on this thread :D
I will e-mail him and ask him to come and post his thoughts :)
 
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BSeabob

Guest
Re: Celebrity or Princess to Alaska ?

Well I haven't ever cruised on Princess but those that I know have always said that they enjoyed the staff better on =X= and that X's food was better. Personally I doubt if it makes much difference really.

That out of the way. I just did the 7 day return out of Seattle on the Infinity and I would not recommend it to anyone that wanted to see the Inside. YOU DON'T and Won't They even have the new adds out for next year and claim that it's an Inside Passage cruise. Once again they have just copied the material from last years text and changed the dates. (Now that's on photo copied material from the ship..Supposedly up to date) The Ports are rushed and you spend ALL your time outside of Vancouver Island South of Ketchikan going up and back.

Don't get me wrong it was a great cruise but the trip out of Vancouver in those seven days is way nicer.
 
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