Celebrity Cruise Booked for Alaska

[incognitotoday]

We are heading to Alaska in the Summer of 2015.  Has anyone had any experience with this cruise line?  I feel like I have a ton of questions, but don't know where to start!  I've been on many cruises throughout the Caribbean, but am wondering if cruising in Alaska (besides it being more tropical down south) is much different (meaning the whole cruise experience)?

[ginkgoleaf]

I haven't been to Alaska but heard the passengers tend to be a few years older... No personal experience if that's true or not. I have cruised celebrity and has a fantastic time.

[G22]

I've done an Alaskan cruise (not through celebrity). Definitely bring a jacket and warmer clothing. We went in July/August and did Glacier Bay and Inside Passage. It was chilly on the outside decks most of the time. In most of our outdoor pictures we were wearing jackets. It rained here and there, but not enough to stop us from hiking and stuffing when we did our land part of the vacation. But it was such a fun trip and still one of my favorites I've taken.

[caddywompus]

You're going to love Alaska! I was there a few years ago, but not on a cruise. We flew into Anchorage, and drove all around. Have fun!

[majesty318]

I have done 2 Celebrity cruises and am a big fan. The service and food were great. They were Caribbean and Mediterranean, though, so no help specifically Alaska.

[GilliC]

I thought the passenger demographic in Alaska was a lot younger than other parts of the world (Asia, Europe, or Africa). Also, because the cruises are in the summer, there were more families with school-age children than I usually see.

[incognitotoday]

Dec 23, 2014 22:40:28 GMT -5 G22 said:

I've done an Alaskan cruise (not through celebrity). Definitely bring a jacket and warmer clothing. We went in July/August and did Glacier Bay and Inside Passage. It was chilly on the outside decks most of the time. In most of our outdoor pictures we were wearing jackets. It rained here and there, but not enough to stop us from hiking and stuffing when we did our land part of the vacation. But it was such a fun trip and still one of my favorites I've taken.

I was wondering if we would have to bring several seasonal clothing items.  I am looking into Uniqlo for a jacket, I can roll, but will provide some warmth for outdoor excursions if need be.  We are going in July.  I hear it is amazing.

We are doing a week of cruising and then a week on land (train ride also through Canadian Rockies).

[incognitotoday]

Dec 23, 2014 22:43:17 GMT -5 caddywompus said:

You're going to love Alaska! I was there a few years ago, but not on a cruise. We flew into Anchorage, and drove all around. Have fun!

We are going to do both.  It is our HM.  We are doing a week of the cruise ship and then a week on land; ending with a train ride through the Canadian Rockies.
Thank you!

[incognitotoday]

Dec 23, 2014 23:15:37 GMT -5 majesty318 said:

I have done 2 Celebrity cruises and am a big fan. The service and food were great. They were Caribbean and Mediterranean, though, so no help specifically Alaska.

Maybe not the same destination, but glad to hear the food/service were great!  Always a plus! Thank you!

[G22]

Dec 24, 2014 13:16:04 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

Dec 23, 2014 22:40:28 GMT -5 G22 said:

I've done an Alaskan cruise (not through celebrity). Definitely bring a jacket and warmer clothing. We went in July/August and did Glacier Bay and Inside Passage. It was chilly on the outside decks most of the time. In most of our outdoor pictures we were wearing jackets. It rained here and there, but not enough to stop us from hiking and stuffing when we did our land part of the vacation. But it was such a fun trip and still one of my favorites I've taken.

I was wondering if we would have to bring several seasonal clothing items.  I am looking into Uniqlo for a jacket, I can roll, but will provide some warmth for outdoor excursions if need be.  We are going in July.  I hear it is amazing.

We are doing a week of cruising and then a week on land (train ride also through Canadian Rockies).

Yes I would bring a summer and fall clothes if your doing the land tour as well. For the land part, we did had nice days where we got away with wearing short sleeves and shorts. It seemed to be the coolest on the cruise and when it rained on us in Anchorage.

I wore a spring/fall season jacket that was water-resistant. So if your going in the summer, you won't need a winter coat necessarily.

You will have a great time! Its so beautiful up there. We saw orcas and humpbacks on the cruise! And we got to see the glaciers calving, and that was so neat.

[incognitotoday]

Dec 24, 2014 13:24:02 GMT -5 G22 said:

Dec 24, 2014 13:16:04 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

I was wondering if we would have to bring several seasonal clothing items.  I am looking into Uniqlo for a jacket, I can roll, but will provide some warmth for outdoor excursions if need be.  We are going in July.  I hear it is amazing.

We are doing a week of cruising and then a week on land (train ride also through Canadian Rockies).

Yes I would bring a summer and fall clothes if your doing the land tour as well. For the land part, we did had nice days where we got away with wearing short sleeves and shorts. It seemed to be the coolest on the cruise and when it rained on us in Anchorage.

I wore a spring/fall season jacket that was water-resistant. So if your going in the summer, you won't need a winter coat necessarily.

You will have a great time! Its so beautiful up there. We saw orcas and humpbacks on the cruise! And we got to see the glaciers calving, and that was so neat.

This will be our HM. We just got married on 12/13/14, but couldn't take a HM right away with the Holidays.  Plus, we heard that Alaska is perfect in July; so we booked it for then.  Thank you!

[gtkim]

What ports are on your itinerary? We cruised Alaska a couple of years ago on Princess and it was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had. Excursions are very pricey, but worth every penny. We found more people our age on this cruise than on a couple of the others we were on.

[incognitotoday]

Dec 24, 2014 13:41:04 GMT -5 gtkim said:

What ports are on your itinerary? We cruised Alaska a couple of years ago on Princess and it was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had. Excursions are very pricey, but worth every penny. We found more people our age on this cruise than on a couple of the others we were on.

Cruise-Seward-Hubbard Glacier-Juneau-Skagway- Icy Strait Point- Ketchikan-Vancouver

[ellipsis]

I was in Alaska last summer on a cruise, but different cruise line. Fellow passengers were mostly older couples and very few young kids. For port stops I wore jeans, a short sleeve top, and a light rain jacket. If you go out to see the glaciers it can be VERY cold (if you're outside on deck cruising by or walking on them directly) so I'd bring a hat, gloves, scarf, etc just for that. In the morning it was typically kind of rainy and cloudy, but usually cleared up and was gorgeous by mid or late afternoon which makes for amazing sunsets...at 10pm Most of the places we stopped are actually in the rain forest, so expect rain!

In Juneau we went to Mendenhall glacier via helicopter and did whale watching. In Ketchikan we mostly walked around the shops. In Skagway we did the railroad tour. On cruising days, we'd hang out on the deck (can also be kind of chilly with the cool wind) and look for whales and bald eagles and just take in the scenery. It is gorgeous and pictures really don't do it any justice. Enjoy!

[incognitotoday]

Dec 28, 2014 11:12:38 GMT -5 ellipsis said:

I was in Alaska last summer on a cruise, but different cruise line. Fellow passengers were mostly older couples and very few young kids. For port stops I wore jeans, a short sleeve top, and a light rain jacket. If you go out to see the glaciers it can be VERY cold (if you're outside on deck cruising by or walking on them directly) so I'd bring a hat, gloves, scarf, etc just for that. In the morning it was typically kind of rainy and cloudy, but usually cleared up and was gorgeous by mid or late afternoon which makes for amazing sunsets...at 10pm Most of the places we stopped are actually in the rain forest, so expect rain!

In Juneau we went to Mendenhall glacier via helicopter and did whale watching. In Ketchikan we mostly walked around the shops. In Skagway we did the railroad tour. On cruising days, we'd hang out on the deck (can also be kind of chilly with the cool wind) and look for whales and bald eagles and just take in the scenery. It is gorgeous and pictures really don't do it any justice. Enjoy!

Good to know about gloves, scarf, and hat. I'll definitely pack those! I'm looking for a foldable and easily traveled coat/rain jacket Thank You for your suggestions.

[Alyssa]

I was on a Holland American cruise and I would say it was mostly retired couples 50+ and a few families with young children. It definitely wasn't a party ship. There was a nightclub and people were there at night but it wasn't what you would see going on in the Caribbean.

We went in Aug. and it was cold and drizzly all the way up until we got to Valdez. Definitely bring layers, a jacket and good shoes for walking on a wet deck. It's a beautiful place, I do want to go back.

[starryfish]

Dec 27, 2014 17:17:11 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

Dec 24, 2014 13:41:04 GMT -5 gtkim said:

What ports are on your itinerary? We cruised Alaska a couple of years ago on Princess and it was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had. Excursions are very pricey, but worth every penny. We found more people our age on this cruise than on a couple of the others we were on.

Cruise-Seward-Hubbard Glacier-Juneau-Skagway- Icy Strait Point- Ketchikan-Vancouver

We did the railway excursion in Skagway and LOVED it. It was so beautiful and relaxing. It takes you through the Yukon Mountains. 

we did whale watching in Juneau and the Mendehall Glacier. Loved those too.

Did whale watching in Victoria (right outside Vancouver) and saw 2 Pods of killer whales, they were right next to our boat. AMAZING! 

[msgeeksout]

My husband and I along with my in-laws are going on an Alaskan cruise (Disney) at the beginning of June so I'm glad I stumbled on this post!

One issue I am having is that I keep waffling on the train in Skagway. I grew up in the mountains of Colorado and there are several narrow gauge trains in the area, all of which I have been on, beautiful mountains and all. My mother works for one so I get free rides whenever I visit besides. And we are riding Amtrak up to Vancouver from Seattle in order to board the cruise. So basically I dunno if I want to waste the money. And my husband doesn't care either way. I hear it can't be missed though.

[peppermint]

ahhh i'm so jealous incognitotoday!!! you HAVE to give me a complete report when you guys get back, this is one of my dream vacays! (the other being another place you mentioned before - banff/lake louise!)

[incognitotoday]

Jan 6, 2015 11:02:43 GMT -5 msgeeksout said:

My husband and I along with my in-laws are going on an Alaskan cruise (Disney) at the beginning of June so I'm glad I stumbled on this post!

One issue I am having is that I keep waffling on the train in Skagway. I grew up in the mountains of Colorado and there are several narrow gauge trains in the area, all of which I have been on, beautiful mountains and all. My mother works for one so I get free rides whenever I visit besides. And we are riding Amtrak up to Vancouver from Seattle in order to board the cruise. So basically I dunno if I want to waste the money. And my husband doesn't care either way. I hear it can't be missed though.

I say do it, if others say it can't be missed!  How often would you get to go back to see it if you didn't!?  Have a great time!!!

[incognitotoday]

Jan 6, 2015 13:04:04 GMT -5 peppermint said:

ahhh i'm so jealous incognitotoday!!! you HAVE to give me a complete report when you guys get back, this is one of my dream vacays! (the other being another place you mentioned before - banff/lake louise!)

What other place did I mention?!  I swear it, I am losing my mind.  Between the wedding, holidays, I need to write stuff down!  LOL!

[peppermint]

Jan 8, 2015 14:38:45 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

Jan 6, 2015 13:04:04 GMT -5 peppermint said:

ahhh i'm so jealous incognitotoday!!! you HAVE to give me a complete report when you guys get back, this is one of my dream vacays! (the other being another place you mentioned before - banff/lake louise!)

What other place did I mention?!  I swear it, I am losing my mind.  Between the wedding, holidays, I need to write stuff down!  LOL!