Has anyone sailed on smaller cruise ships that operate in Alaskan waters? Not the mega cruise ships of 1,000 plus people.
Thanks
JJS
Loc: SE Michigan & SW Florida
Oceania "Regatta". Nice Ship. Maybe 800-900 Passengers. Able to get into some smaller ports. Not cheap.
We took a week-long cruise to the inland waters and Glacier Bay in Alaska on the UnCruise line, and could not have been happier.
Very pricey, since there were about sixteen crew for 30 passengers, but as a one-of-a-lifetime trip for us it was worth it.
Great Captain and crew; passengers were welcomed on the bridge except for times such as navigating through ice, etc.
Many shore trips and activities were available via Zodiak type boats. Be warned: If you choose to go on a land excursion in Alaska called "bush-whacking" you'd better be fit!
Here is the boat we were on. More photos of the trip are available at the Flickr link if you are interested.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78687170@N00/27006905514/in/album-72157669655875355/Marshall
bluezzzzz wrote:
We took a week-long cruise to the inland waters and Glacier Bay in Alaska on the UnCruise line, and could not have been happier.
Very pricey, since there were about sixteen crew for 30 passengers, but as a one-of-a-lifetime trip for us it was worth it.
Great Captain and crew; passengers were welcomed on the bridge except for times such as navigating through ice, etc.
Many shore trips and activities were available via Zodiak type boats. Be warned: If you choose to go on a land excursion in Alaska called "bush-whacking" you'd better be fit!
Here is the boat we were on. More photos of the trip are available at the Flickr link if you are interested.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78687170@N00/27006905514/in/album-72157669655875355/Marshall
We took a week-long cruise to the inland waters an... (
show quote)
Thank you for your reply and the site to view your pictures. What did you think of the food and your cabin?
JJS wrote:
Oceania "Regatta". Nice Ship. Maybe 800-900 Passengers. Able to get into some smaller ports. Not cheap.
Great, Thank you. I will check the out.
traderjohn wrote:
Thank you for your reply and the site to view your pictures. What did you think of the food and your cabin?
Food was gourmet quality, with an excellent chef on board. Wine and mixed drinks.
Cabin was immaculate, made up by staff every day. Overboots provided for shore activities, and hosed off when getting back aboard. Everything very shipshape.
Our cabin:
ATJSX26May16_145A by
Marshall Smith, on Flickr
Marshall
You really want to do it right, go on the National Geographic/Lindblad tour. Get to go areas the big boats can't with very knowledgable staff and great food.
pmorin
Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs
traderjohn wrote:
Has anyone sailed on smaller cruise ships that operate in Alaskan waters? Not the mega cruise ships of 1,000 plus people.
Thanks
Yes. I have been on 4 of those cruise tours. There are different size ships too. Some hold 200 guests and from what I hear aren’t too bad. Lots of kayaking and other activities while onboard. The ones I’ve done are on smaller boats in the 100 ft range. 8 guests onboard and 5 crewmen. Those are awesome. Expensive, but awesome.
This is one of the tour companies and their boats. We were on the Alaskan Song.
https://www.inca1.com/yachts/alaskan-song/overview
UTMike wrote:
You really want to do it right, go on the National Geographic/Lindblad tour. Get to go areas the big boats can't with very knowledgable staff and great food.
Thank you we are looking into their offerings.
bluezzzzz wrote:
We took a week-long cruise to the inland waters and Glacier Bay in Alaska on the UnCruise line, and could not have been happier.
Very pricey, since there were about sixteen crew for 30 passengers, but as a one-of-a-lifetime trip for us it was worth it.
Great Captain and crew; passengers were welcomed on the bridge except for times such as navigating through ice, etc.
Many shore trips and activities were available via Zodiak type boats. Be warned: If you choose to go on a land excursion in Alaska called "bush-whacking" you'd better be fit!
Here is the boat we were on. More photos of the trip are available at the Flickr link if you are interested.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78687170@N00/27006905514/in/album-72157669655875355/Marshall
We took a week-long cruise to the inland waters an... (
show quote)
Excellent coverage, I feel like I made the trip with you! Looked cold and wet!
pmorin wrote:
Yes. I have been on 4 of those cruise tours. There are different size ships too. Some hold 200 guests and from what I hear aren’t too bad. Lots of kayaking and other activities while onboard. The ones I’ve done are on smaller boats in the 100 ft range. 8 guests onboard and 5 crewmen. Those are awesome. Expensive, but awesome.
This is one of the tour companies and their boats. We were on the Alaskan Song.
https://www.inca1.com/yachts/alaskan-song/overviewThis looks interesting. How would you classify the size of the stateroom, the food, do they have a bar, wine? I'm guessing spa days are not an option.......thanks
bluezzzzz wrote:
We took a week-long cruise to the inland waters and Glacier Bay in Alaska on the UnCruise line, and could not have been happier.
Very pricey, since there were about sixteen crew for 30 passengers, but as a one-of-a-lifetime trip for us it was worth it.
Great Captain and crew; passengers were welcomed on the bridge except for times such as navigating through ice, etc.
Many shore trips and activities were available via Zodiak type boats. Be warned: If you choose to go on a land excursion in Alaska called "bush-whacking" you'd better be fit!
Here is the boat we were on. More photos of the trip are available at the Flickr link if you are interested.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78687170@N00/27006905514/in/album-72157669655875355/Marshall
We took a week-long cruise to the inland waters an... (
show quote)
WOW! Very impressive album with some absolutely gorgeous images. Thanks for sharing.
We did a seven day cruise on a small ship - Admiralty Dream. There were 60 passengers, 27 crew. Based out of Sitka sailing the inside passage. Plenty of opportunity for photography, sailed during the night, sightseeing during the day. Food was excellent but not opulent like the larger cruise ships. Saw glaciers (up close), lots of wildlife. One afternoon in Juneau (plenty of time to see Mendenhall Glacier, shop or whatever). Eagles galore, whales by the ton. The difference between the big ships and the small ships is the announcements like "Whales on the port side" (big ships), "Whales on the port side, lets go see them" (small ships).
Downside: Cost ($4,500+), Small cabins.
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
I took the Alaska Ferry. It is rudementary with great food. Just sit all day and watch the scenery go by. But only a couple hundred dollars from Bellingham to Ak.
traderjohn wrote:
Has anyone sailed on smaller cruise ships that operate in Alaskan waters? Not the mega cruise ships of 1,000 plus people.
Thanks
Look into roadscholar.org
Outrage trip had 52 people in the inner passage and we were able to get very close to glaciers
Will PM you some photos
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