Planning

[IunmistakableI]

I am trying to look into planning a Alaskan cruise for my mom and myself in May 2005. My mom has always wanted to go to Alaska. I've never been on a cruise, and neither has my mom. I am just looking for some suggestions ...

*My mom prefers the colder weather, and doesn't want to go when it is warm. I heard May is a cooler month, and also a cheaper time to go. Is this true?

*I'd like to go from 7 to 12 days on a casual cruise line. Nothing fancy, but something clean, fun, with things to do, and good sight seeing, a room with a balcony, maybe even a indoor pool or heated outdoor, casino possibly. Any suggestions on a ship?

*Is there any chance to see the northern lights this time of year, or any time of the year in which the cruise ships sail to Alaska?

*Inside or Outside package?

We are from NYC, so we'll most likely have to fly to the departure port.

If there is any other information, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[BSeabob]

Here's some basic reading for you do do first.
click

You can sail from San Francisco,Seattle and Vancouver now but of course I am a little bias towards the later.

 

[bfpierce2004]

alaska feels wonderful in may and june. the weather is cool at night and wonderful during the day. it is cheaper to go either in may and early june or near the end of the season in late aug. or sept. a good cruise line to go on is princess....this is by far my favorite line. i love leaving out of seattle becuase you can fly directly there. if you leave from vancouver then you most likely have to fly to seattle and then drive to vancouver. that isnt a whole lot of fun. i would at least get a cabin with a window. if you can afford it get a balcany. they are definatly worth the extra money. it is wonderful to wake up and go sit on your balcany and have brekfast while watching a glacier. there is nothing better. please ask if you have any more questions. happy cruising!!!

 

[dusty]

hi and welcome to the fun of planning the cruise.

i have been on one cruise. lt was last sept to glacier bay on the carnival spirit. we left from vancouver. it was awesome to say the least. i loved it so much i am going again next may 11on the same ship and doing glacier bay again. may and sept are better for the gorgeous scenery, cooler temps, cheaper because they are shoulder months and the ship wont be full of kids like it will be in the summer months. all i can tell is to decide if you want to take a roundtrip or go north or south bound. i love vancouver and spend an extra day there. it is realy a wonderful city and there are so many great things to see and do there. seattle is a lot cheaper to fly into. i am going to that this next trip and take the 'quick shuttle' to vancouver. round trip to vancouver and back to seattle after the cruise is around $70. well worth the money for what you save. as it has been posted though, the ships that leave seattle are wonderful too and will give you a great cruise. the seattle ships spend more time out in the open water than the vancouver ships do. i liked being closer to the shore for better viewing of the landscape. the spirit is more relaxed and still is a fantastic ship. the food was outstanding, it was very clean and well kept and the crew is great. so decide what ports you want to visit, one way or roundtrip and how much you want to spend for a cabin. i had an inside cabin the first cruise. i was only there long enough to sleep and change clothes so it was no problem for me. this time my friend and i will have an oceanview. good luck and you will have a great time for the next year planning on the net, buying clothes and getting ready to go. i got a great price for my next cruise on cruise connections. the first trip i used vacationstogo.com and got a super price there also. you never have to pay what the ship wants by going through a ta or cruise company. have a wonderful time and maybe we will be on the same ship.

if you have any more questions just ask here and you will get lots of helpful info.