Hello CCers!
We recently did a multi-generational trip to Costa Rica and it was a smash success! Now we’re thinking in a few years we’d like to try an Alaskan Cruise. Problem is, none of us have ever been on a cruise! None of us are big drinkers or partiers, no interest in formal nights, etc. So I’m thinking a mid-size or small cruise ship is the way to go.
Anyone have any experience or recommendations? I’ve been combing Cruise Critic but it’s a bit overwhelming.
Hope all is well!
Kate
I’ve mentioned this company a few times on CC - we’ve never used them, but if you fit the profile for their cruises (some of the things you mentioned in your thread suggest you might check them out at least), I’ve heard Lindbladt is an awesome company to do an Alaskan cruise with. If we ever get around to doing one, this is the only company I would consider. We also are not partiers, drinkers, late night people or into formal nights. They partner with National Geographic on their cruises. Even if you don’t use them, check out what they have to offer so you have an idea of what features you’d like to have on a small ship.
http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/alaska/
They are pricey, though. Even so, I can’t imagine spending half of what they charge to spend my time on a large cruise ship feeling like I’m part of a cattle call.
Thank you! They look perfect and I love everything I see but, wow, the price! I’m going to send for information.
Even though not a small ship, our cruise on Princess was great. Very good itinerary, very quiet, not a cruise for partiers as most people were there to see and enjoy the scenery. This was in mid-June so although there were families the ship was not overrun with lots of kids. There was a naturalist on board and as this is a ship that could enter Glacier Bay, there was an afternoon in which Park Rangers came aboard and had a presentation as well as information tables. They also had a presentation by Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod. The meals and service were excellent. That cruise left from Vancouver but there are other smaller ships that leave from Juneau which is of course not as easy to get to as Vancouver or Seattle, another major departure port.
From the Northwestern Alumni Travel … check your own college
We did this a couple of years ago. It was fantastic, truly magical. Since it was alumni group they were smart and fun, (not all NU) This size cruise could get right up to the Glaciers. The captain got us to whales. We saw grizzlies eating whale killed by a big cruise ship. It was really really good, Kayaked out from the ship, I don’t think any other cruise offed that. Yes, suite was TINY, but that was OK with us.
DISCOVER SOUTHEAST ALASKA
AUGUST 5 – 12, 2016
Aboard the Admiralty Dream
Maximum of 65 Participants
Sitka · Hidden Falls · Gambier Bay · Tracy Arm · Juneau · Dundas ·
Point Adolphus · Gustavas · Glacier Bay National Park ·
Chatham Strait · Peril Strait
Orbridge Travel
From $2,995 per person based on double occupancy
Yes, one of my friends did a small cruise ship that included kayaks, which she and many passengers enjoyed. Not sure if this is the one. We did the Golden Princess Glacier Bay cruise in September, Seatle R/T. It was nice, quiet and mostly adults. It was warmer and rarely rained and no mosquitoes.
Have taken 4 Lindblad trips with family to various places. Great trips and worth the money. Remember you are not getting the mass of people. You get great wildlife experiences and evenings of enjoyable lectures on culture and wildlife. No added costs for excursions like big cruises. Also check out the Un Cruise Adventures. We had an amazing trip to Alaska on one of their boats ( It was a different company name at the time). It felt like we were practically on our own yacht with amazing upclose wildlife and nature experiences. Highly recommend both companies. In this case- you get what you pay for and it is worth it!
We took Golden Princess from San Francisco to Alaska last September and loved it. It’s a large ship but somehow they manage the space and traffic flow so that we rarely felt crowded. (We did sometimes feel like cattle on Royal Caribbean.) We’re not drinkers or partiers either, and that was no problem. Actually, it wasn’t a party ship at all. I suspect Alaska attracts the older crowd; partiers and young families tend to head south to beach destinations.
You don’t have to participate in formal night; one of the advantages of a large ship is that there are lots of dining options. The buffet is great.
Like @bookmama22 our itinerary took us into Glacier Bay, which is breathtaking. In fact, all of Alaska is.
During the open-ocean parts of the voyage, I’m not sure I would have wanted to be on a smaller ship. It was stormy a couple of days and I got a little seasick even on that big ship.
The other couple we cruised with wanted to go to the steakhouse specialty dining on Golden Princess one nite, so we did on a nite we didn’t think the regular menu sounded very interesting. It was a very nice, tasty meal and worth the small extra charge.
We didn’t really feel crowded on the Golden Princess, even tho it is a big ship.
We did Silver Sea Vancouver to Seward last year with another couple. There were plenty of families on board, more so than on their other itineraries. Most shore excursions are not included, but when you do an excursion, the groups are small. This is probably classified as a mid size ship, but because of this there are more dining choices, and more places to hang out onboard than the small ships. Plus there is a gym which is important for us.
I have taken Holland America twice to Alaska and have loved it both times! It is definitely not a party ship. No matter what ship you take on an Alaskan cruise I highly recommend having a room with a large window or even better a veranda. There is so much gorgeous landscape and wildlife to see and I spent hours with my binoculars or just looking out.
We have been on four Alaska cruises all on mid sized Celebrity ships. (even then I thought that the ships were too big 
that’s just me ) Unfortunately they have retired this class of ship for the larger, more popular ships that don’t appeal to me. Since our favorite segment of the cruises was the inside passage leg, we are going to arrange an inside passage ferry trip next year instead of the full on cruise.
http://www.bcferries.com
Pretty sure it was a Royal Caribbean ship we were on. The inside passage trips only take smaller ships so don’t think any ship will be too big if you go that route. Pretty sure all rooms had a view. Waking up to the captain announcing “We’re here! Look out the window for the glacier view!” SO much fun! Bounce out of bed, stare out the porthole…then everyone grabs a camera (and their coat) and runs on deck. Perfect family time. Daily stops at laid back places to hike around…
It was wonderful! Went from Seward to Vancouver. Gorgeous.
We took a helicopter ride to a glacier–special but I was afraid to move because it was so slippery! But the pictures and memories are truly special.