Thread: What are the best cruise liners that go to Alaska?

I know Princess does, but what are the others? Do they all sail out of California?

The Radiance Class from RCL were designed for Alaska cruising. There is a great deal of glass in the exterrior. The 2 that sail to Alaska are the Radiance and Serenade. They both sail out of Vancouver BC.

For small intimate experiences with nature and more remote ports - try Crusies West or Alaskan ferry system. A little larger with luxurious amenities - try Radisson. To visit Skagway (pop about 2500) with 3000 of your closest friends, Carnival or NCL is a good add to what's already been posted.

Originally Posted by Blizzard

The Radiance Class from RCL were designed for Alaska cruising. There is a great deal of glass in the exterrior. The 2 that sail to Alaska are the Radiance and Serenade. They both sail out of Vancouver BC.

ditto..... RCI has the best ones.

All the major cruise lines now go to Alaska. As far as I know only Princess currently has cruises that sail out of California, San Francisco to be exact for 10 day roundtrip cruises.

All of the other cruises leave from Anchorage if you are doing Southbound, or Vancouver or Seattle if you are doing Northbound or roundtrip 7 night cruises.

HAL and Princess have the most experience in Alaska. Both cruise lines travel to Glacier Bay National Park. They are the only cruise lines that are given permits by the National Park Service to go there as they are the most established Alaska cruising lines.

I agree that RCI Radiance class ships are perfect for Alaska due to all their glass. Next year, Radiance will be doing alternating Southbound and Northbound 7 night cruises. Serenade will be doing 7 night roundtrip cruises out of Vancouver. And Vision of the Seas, which is not a Radiance class ship, will be doing 7 night roundtrip cruises out of Seattle.

I think really the most important thing about Alaska isn't the ship. Its about getting out there and experiencing the land, the people, the history, the culture. You should do some research on Alaska and start making a list of the things you most want to do and the places you most want to see, then pick a cruise line and itinerary based upon which will give you most of the things you want to do and see. You can see that a lot of the itineraries vary greatly in port stops, and time in port. So choose the one that is right for your needs and wants and also for your pocketbook.

Alaska is such an amazing place, but it wouldn't be half as wonderful if you didnt get off the ship and experience the land. The excursions are 1/2 of what make Alaska so unforgettable

I agree. Best part of Alaska cruise when you are on shore. I reccomand sightseeing and rafting trips in Skagway and Seward.

And there's something you won't see on most other cruises:

I did HAL in Alaska. It was great. I couldn't have asked for a better cruise. I do suggest planning to do the tours through your ship. Alaska offers alot. The ports there are better to see and do through the tours where you can do things more on your own say in Mexico.

As I've heard someone else describe it, Alaska is only half a trip without the excursions. Its the excursions that will make this trip a truly memorable one!

Originally Posted by USNA 72

For small intimate experiences with nature and more remote ports - try Crusies West or Alaskan ferry system. A little larger with luxurious amenities - try Radisson. To visit Skagway (pop about 2500) with 3000 of your closest friends, Carnival or NCL is a good add to what's already been posted.

Another Radisson member! Yea! I am not alone anymore!! Welcome, USNA and nice to meet you. We are now a group of two.

I have never taken Radisson to Alaska, but I am guessing it would be pretty nice. It would be hard to choose between them and the cruise lines that go there all the time and specialize in that area.