Normal
No problem, Howie. I probably would have figured that out (read it) prior to the trip anyway. Those details are kind-of “tier two.†You and PEB have accurately gleaned from my lame attempt to get information that natural beauty is my primary objective. Also, I’d like to touch/feel/smell the environment rather than viewing from the ship’s deck (except for calving glaciers ). I doubt that the salmon will hold still long enough for me to pet. Plus, my son-in-law went to Alaska a couple of years ago and did the salmon fishing thing. Great experience for him, but I don’t plan to be at any one spot long enough to do much fishing.Now that I’ve got some folks’ attention who actually know something about Alaskan cruises and my preferences, do you have any recommendations for cruise lines? Actual ships? I’m at the point of probably needing to zoom in on something a little more specific so that I can begin pricing individual tours. In my ignorance, I initially thought about a round-trip cruise from the Pacific NW was needed and that I would need 10-11 days or so. I’m now thinking that it may be better to cruise in one direction, and the general advice seems to be that south-to-north is better. I’m also wondering if, given the shorter boat trip (one-way) if maybe a 7-day cruise will work. I’d also like to stay away from the smaller ships where you may get a better look at nature but have to disembark daily and stay on-shore. I discussed this option with my wife and she nixed it immediately because of having to drag all her “stuff†around from boat-to-shore and back.I know that much of what I’m asking is for subjective information, but I do value your thoughts. I think I can evaluate in the end what is subject to the vagaries of personal taste. Another significant variable is that I’ll be traveling with another couple for sure, and there are a few other couples that are waiting for the outcome of my research before they commit. It’s likely that I’ll need to compromise my wants to some extent.
No problem, Howie. I probably would have figured that out (read it) prior to the trip anyway. Those details are kind-of “tier two.†You and PEB have accurately gleaned from my lame attempt to get information that natural beauty is my primary objective. Also, I’d like to touch/feel/smell the environment rather than viewing from the ship’s deck (except for calving glaciers ). I doubt that the salmon will hold still long enough for me to pet. Plus, my son-in-law went to Alaska a couple of years ago and did the salmon fishing thing. Great experience for him, but I don’t plan to be at any one spot long enough to do much fishing.
Now that I’ve got some folks’ attention who actually know something about Alaskan cruises and my preferences, do you have any recommendations for cruise lines? Actual ships? I’m at the point of probably needing to zoom in on something a little more specific so that I can begin pricing individual tours. In my ignorance, I initially thought about a round-trip cruise from the Pacific NW was needed and that I would need 10-11 days or so. I’m now thinking that it may be better to cruise in one direction, and the general advice seems to be that south-to-north is better. I’m also wondering if, given the shorter boat trip (one-way) if maybe a 7-day cruise will work. I’d also like to stay away from the smaller ships where you may get a better look at nature but have to disembark daily and stay on-shore. I discussed this option with my wife and she nixed it immediately because of having to drag all her “stuff†around from boat-to-shore and back.
I know that much of what I’m asking is for subjective information, but I do value your thoughts. I think I can evaluate in the end what is subject to the vagaries of personal taste. Another significant variable is that I’ll be traveling with another couple for sure, and there are a few other couples that are waiting for the outcome of my research before they commit. It’s likely that I’ll need to compromise my wants to some extent.
