advise - Alaska Cruise

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

We are thinking about going on a cruise to Alaska in Sept. 2009 with RCCL. We would do the cruisetour and on this sailing the tour would be first. Has anyone here been on this type of cruise in Sept? Any suggestions you can offer are greatly appreciated. This is just in the planning stage and trying to work out the situation. There would be about 10-20 people in our party - with most being 65 to 75. My husband and I would be the youngest as we still have jobs and children at home!

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

Rates are lower in September because the weather is dicey. You may get wonderful weather; you may get lots and lots of rain. We went in September and had a mixture of good weather and rain. We also spent a week on Vancouver Island, and the weather was wonderful there. It was a perfect time, but obviously, going north the weather deteriorates.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

As mentioned, pack your umbrella. For that matter, you could need it anytime of the year in Alaska. Especially if Ketchikan is on the itenerary.

We've done two July sailings and one Sept. sailing. I wouldn't hesistate to sail in Sept. again. The rain wasn't all that bad (mostly a fine mist) and we really had pretty decent weather, even when compare to our two July sailings in which we were rained on as well.

If at all possible, book a balcony cabin. Sometimes it's nice to have that personal/private space to sit with a cup of coffee or snacks from room service (free) and watch the scenery pass by. I've seen quite a bit of wildlife just sitting on my balcony with a cup of coffee.

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Most of our group will be senior citizen women who are widows, they will be out and about with the crowd. Is there a public place that you can sit and enjoy the view with a cup of coffee, etc. I do not think that staying in the room is going to be what they want to do.
Thanks for the information about the rain. Our date to sail is Sept 4. We are going to tour before cruising. Any suggestions on which of the 3 tours RCCL offers. It would be the "3 days" not the 4.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

The dining rooms have lots and lots of tables by the windows. They'll be able to find spots easily, either inside in a lounge or dining room or out on the deck.

Check
Cruise Critic - Cruises, Cruise Reviews, Cruise Lines
Cruisemates Cruise Ship Guide; Cruise Ship Reviews, Message Boards and Bargains. for information about the particular cruise
you are considering.

You might also want to look at some of the discount sites like
Discount Cruises, Last Minute Cruises, Cruise, Cruise Line, Cruise Vacation
Cruise Discounts and Discount Cruise Vacations at iCruise.com
cruisecon.com
Escorted Tours-Travel Packages-Discount Travel-Tour Packages
Sometimes they have deals that are truly exciting. Sometimes, they are the same price from the cruise line--just depends, but it's worth checking. We wound up with a flight, hotels, and cruise on the Nile for not much more than the cost of the flight alone if we booked it separately.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Most of our group will be senior citizen women who are widows, they will be out and about with the crowd. Is there a public place that you can sit and enjoy the view with a cup of coffee, etc. I do not think that staying in the room is going to be what they want to do.
Thanks for the information about the rain. Our date to sail is Sept 4. We are going to tour before cruising. Any suggestions on which of the 3 tours RCCL offers. It would be the "3 days" not the 4.

Depends on the ship but, based on your itenerary I'd say you taking the south bound voyage and, if you're on RCCL then you'll be in a Radiance Class ship and they have LOT'S of windows. The buffet area is a very good place to sit and watch the world slide by but, it's also a popular spot. There is also outdoor seating for the buffet and that would be good as well. Most of that area is covered but outdoors. It can be a little chilly at times if you're on the top deck.

I have pictures of Radiance of the Sea's and Brilliance of the Sea's. Both are Radiance Class ships with RCCL. When I get home this morning I'll post links to these two ships (almost identical to each other) and that should give you some idea.

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

dougp, yes it is Radiance of the Seas and I think it is southbound because we are in AK first for the tour part. Can't wait to see the pictures. Thanks!

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

My niece used to work in a restaurant in Anchorage and she said the folks that did the land portion first liked it better than doing the sea portion first. She said the service on the ship was so great, that folks were disappointed with the service (it was good) on the land portion. I am sure that you all will have a wonderful time. My parents took a trip to Alaska the first part of September and really enjoyed it.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

dougp, yes it is Radiance of the Seas and I think it is southbound because we are in AK first for the tour part. Can't wait to see the pictures. Thanks!

This is the link to our Radiance pictures. She is a beautiful ship and I'm sure you'll enjoy your time on her. We sailed her for a W. Caribbean cruise a couple of years ago. The bedding should be updated by now from what we had during our sailing. RCCL has put better bedding on all of their ships. We have yet to sail since the change but we are looking very seriously at the 7 night W. Med. cruise on Voyager out of Barcelona for next year.

Click on the photo and it should take you directly to our Radiance album.

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Thanks for posting the link to the pictures..... I am so excited now.... now all the planning etc. I will be making all the decisions and plans. This is a trip for memories for most going on the cruise because of the older age and the distance we are from AK. Are there any perks for the C & A ? We are members but have only cruised one time and that was in Jan. 08. Yes we are hooked and you can add line and sinker to it too.

[btcctomtb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close btcctomtb]

I would personally like the #20 Which includes the Train Ride. I find the Cruise Tours to be very expensive. There are no promotions or special rates on this sailing yet. Here is what you should expect to pay with the fuel surcharges and taxes

Inside Cabin Cat. Q - $1975.72 or $987.86 Per Person
Ocean View Cat I - $2375.72 or $1187.86 Per Person
E3 Balcony - $3375.72 Or $1687.86 Per Person

Cruise tour packages Are prices at;

Inside Cabin Cat. Q - $3175.72 or $1587.86 Per Person
Ocean View Cat I - $3675.72 or $1837.86 Per Person
E3 Balcony - $4775.72 Or $2387.86 Per Person

If you do end up with 10 Cabins you will get group rates which would be lower.

I am sending my MIL on the #20 05/29/2009

The people I have booked in the past really enjoyed the cruise much more than the Cruise tour. And a few have actually set up there own type of Cruise tour. Good luck I would like to do this cruise myself.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Thanks for posting the link to the pictures..... I am so excited now.... now all the planning etc. I will be making all the decisions and plans. This is a trip for memories for most going on the cruise because of the older age and the distance we are from AK. Are there any perks for the C & A ? We are members but have only cruised one time and that was in Jan. 08. Yes we are hooked and you can add line and sinker to it too.

Yes there are benefits to being a C&A member. There will be coupon books for each C&A member (with at least 1 completed cruise under their belt) in your cabin. There is usually a nice welcome back party for C&A members that includes an hour of free drinks and snacks. Generally these have been very nice parties and I've enjoyed them. Sometimes there will be coupons issued that will get you a reduction in the price of your cruise. Since your's is towards the end of the season, I'd watch the RCI (Royal Caribbean International) web site.

Be SURE that all of your guests get pre-registered online no fewer than 3 days BEFORE the sale date.

[mlsmn Member Find all posts View Profile Close mlsmn]

We did this cruise in 2006.

We did the land tour first so we could relax on the cruise at the end.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Found my old list of Gold C&A member benefits (after first cruise). They may have changed but are probably similar to the list I have.

Onboard Benefits
- Ultimate Value Booklet
- Complimentary Wine Tasting
- Welcome Back Party
- Commemorative Gift

Cruise Planning Benefits
- Special savings certificates in every issue of the Crown & Anchor magazine

Additional Benefits
- Recieve extra cruise credit when you purchase and sail in a suite
- Recieve an extra cruise credit when you sail on a 12 night or longer cruise/cruisetour.
- Award winning Crown & Anchor magazine
- Member Section on website
- Members contest
- Member cruises
- Crown & Anchor Society Desk fo r membership questions (800) 526-9723

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Doug, benefit posting helped. Thank. Also do you receive the magazine? All we have had is emails.