We went in July, and we were aft on the starboard side in a minisuit on the Caribe deck. However, if the price is no object, you may want to spring a little extra for a starboard balcony suite if youd like a closer view of the shoreline. There is a viewing deck on the back of the ship that is not crowded. One of the most affordable cruises from Seattle to Alaska, the Star Princess is really a star among cruises. Something to note is that on Northbound sailings, youll get sunrises and morning sun on the starboard side and sunsets on the port side. ), Devils Thumb, Alaska Exploring The Unclimbable Mountain, Does It Actually Rain A Lot In Seattle? Alaskans are inviting people who love to share what makes their state unique. And be aware that it would be cold out there, so you might not be able to stay long and leisurely smoke your cigarette. The sounds of the occupants in the other balcony can also be heard from yours, as the wind carries sound. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handlingand the services of the representative. Round-trip Seattle doesn't matter - The first and last days are sea days where the ship is far enough from land that it's hazy at best. The balcony is all yours, but its not as private as you think it is. However, there were other considerations and hence, my choice. On northbound cruises, you'll get the best views of the glaciers on the starboard side of the ship; when you're sailing southward, the port side is the way to go. The port side (left) offers a better view on the return leg as you will see the mainland during day light hours. Youll see from our chart below that dozens of ships are sailing Alaska in 2020. Privacy Policy. Most people may prefer the viewing deck rather than watching from their balconies, as they can witness the whole scene without interruption. Rush across the snow on a dog sled with a professional musher, fly fish for salmon in fresh rivers and soar over miles of glacial tundra in a helicopter. Likewise, you can appreciate the variety of wildlife you may have never encountered in other continental states. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Relax on the lounge chairs of an upper-level pool deck as the sun fades. That is to say, youll get both views, one on the way up and the other on the way back. If you like to explore on your own, Sitka is the port for you! 1. An Alaskan cruise trip is a fun-filled adventure full of spectacular views. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. If your cabin is on the left side of the cruise ship while you travel north from Washington through the Inside Passage to Southeast Alaska, itll be mostly water that you see from your cabin window. Best time to cruise the Mediterranean 28 April 2023 / Comments. Most likely your ship will dock a few miles outside of town, but theres a free shuttle downtown that goes every 15 minutes while a ship is important and its easy to zip around. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111770793', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise to Alaska from Seattle, Going from Seattle - Juneau - Skagway - Glacier Bay (cruising) - Ketchikan - Victoria BC - Seattle. Having a central and lower cabin would also deprive you of windows to view the impressive scenes around you. View cruiseswith Victoria, B.C. FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Alaska Cruise Vacations Carnival cruise-which side of ship is best? - Alaska Forum Choose a port side stateroom for sunsets. ), that doesnt necessarily mean that it is the best for everyone. We cant wait to see you here as part of your next exciting Alaskan adventure! You are sailing to Alaska and you have a balcony. Think out of the box. From this, we can deduce that most people prefer being on the right side of the ship. shore excursions. In Summer 2021, Quantum of the Seas joins sister ship Ovation of the Seas in Seattle for our biggest, boldest Alaska season ever. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world Choose one that allows you to have a complete view of whats outside the ship. If privacy is of concern to you, you might want to reconsider an aft stateroom. You may have to endure the smell when you decide to spend time on your balcony. Whats the difference between port and starboard? Experience the Great Land on a 7-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Seattle. Booking cabins with wider balconies can be extremely costly. However, if youre sensitive to motion or vibrations, consider choosing something mid-ship instead. Simply put, port is the left side of the ship and starboard is the right side of the ship. Headed south or east? 7-Day One-Way Alaska Cruise Among the best Alaska cruises is our top-rated 7-day, one-way Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary. Cruise To Alaska With Windstar Cruises Part 3, Where Are Norwegian Cruise Ships Registered, Can You See Northern Lights From Alaska Cruise, What Cruise Lines Sail Out Of Jacksonville Florida, Cruise Lines Leaving Out Of Jacksonville Fl, Should You Buy Travel Insurance For Cruise, What Is The Best Mexican Riviera Cruise Line. When you sail along the Inside Passage, there is land all around you, and it is relatively close. Worked out perfectly for us! If you opted to stay in balcony cabins, take advantage of it optimally. Pointing in 'the right direction' in Anchorage. If you have an excellent cabin view, then its worth it. You can have an astounding view of everything from the public viewing deck and spend nothing for it, except that you can be with a lot of cruise-goers. It does matter "one bit" to me - and as stated, I specifically chose the port side for a number of reasons. RCCL seems to have a leg up on other cruise ships in Alaska. The Royal Caribbean or Harmony of the Seas cruise ships offer fantastic Alaskancruisesthat can provide top-notch entertainment, magnificent live views from any suite stateroom, and virtual balconies. For the southbound itineraries I prefer the port side as there's a lot more open water to see while in the inside passage. Which side of the ship is best for Alaska Cruise? - Fodor's Pros and Cons. The other days are in port or Glacier viewing and will have mountains on both sides. Watch migrating humpback whales from the deck of a catamaran or Native craftsman carve a traditional totem pole, and expand your Alaska cruise experience. If your cabin is too close to an elevator, a staircase, or another area that people will be walking through all day, it could get a little too loud, especially for light sleepers. Read Also: What Cruise Lines Go To Grand Turk. Theres was once a rumour that derived from the 1930s that sailing between the UK and India, certain passengers would request port out, starboard home, or POSH a way to protect themselves from the high heats of the sun and take advantage of the cool breezes. The Norwegian Jewel owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, with space for . With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. That's a bummer to give up such a view. Please view our. Cabins on the right side will see the coastline, as cruise ships generally travel between one and five miles from the shore. The Solarium is one such place on chilly days in Alaska. This question is worth considering because they are very different experiences. I was on a tight budget on my first cruise to Alaska. If youre traveling alone and on a tight budget, deciding on a cruise line for Alaska is a tough decision. Choose from These Alaska Cruises | Royal Caribbean Blog During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training. At first glance many mistake Victoria for an English coastal city or northern European town. The Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal anchors an 11-acre complex along Seattle's downtown waterfront. Your Seattle cruises transit the Pacific Ocean side of Vancouver Island. Luckily, youll see incredible views during your cruise whether youre starboard or port side. Most people may prefer the viewing deck rather than watching from their balconies, as they can witness the whole scene without interruption. Which side of the ship was best for their cabin? While this is not true of all cruise ships, some ships have a sloping aft. Pike Place Market buzzes with merchants while coffee shops house locals drinking espresso in America's coffee capital. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. It's certainly not "first come, first serve." I'm not sure there actually is a "bad side" though! From exploring historic gold mines to venturing in the footsteps of early explorers, learn about Alaskas Inside Passage and discover the wonders awaiting you. However, you dont need a balcony cabin to be able to fully appreciate the scenery. What Is It Like to Work on a Cruise Ship? I know it is round-trip, but am wondering if one side has significantly better views than the other? Oceania Cruises Insignia is one of the ships that received a failing score, 80 out of 100, due to issues with maintaining proper pH and halogen levels in its drinking water. No. Scope out calving glaciers from the North Star, the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. It may be just a personal preference but we like the port side in Alaska. It just depends on what you are looking for. Every journey features two glacier-viewing experiences, which can include Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord. On Southbound sailings youll get sunrises and morning sun on the port side and sunsets on the port side. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Which side of an Alaskan cruise ship is best? In late September, at the end of the Alaska season, most cruises from Seattle are repositioning cruises to Hawaii, Asia, the Panama Canal and Caribbean. Which Alaska 2021 Cruise Ship Is Right For You? - Cruise Critic Now that you know a few things about the difference between starboard vs. port side, youre ready to take the next step in your cruise vacation planning. Choosing the best stateroom for your ideal getaway is understandably an important step in the planning process. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Best side ship for Northbound Alaska By Travelw, October 3, 2009 in Alaska Travelw 350 September 23, 2003 Peru, IL, USA #1 Posted October 3, 2009 What is the best side of the ship for a. About Us Affiliate Disclosure Privacy Policy Contact Us. Travel back in time and pan for gold like a prospector during the Gold Rush. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikans waters make for incredible fishing. Denali National Park is a major draw for many visitors, but its also worth exploring alternative options such as the Kenai Peninsula, Copper River Center or Katmai National Park . Relish the beauty of the superb views and fresh sea air around you. Then the scenery would not be the same. And staterooms with balconies are highly desirable for Alaska cruising, so its important to book early to be assured a balcony cabin in your preferred location. There are several you can see downtown, including at the entrance to Creek Street, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center and the Totem Heritage Center. Even the captain does not always know in advance which way the ship will be docking. For the glaciers they will move the ship around so that both sides can see but quite honestly the only time I didn't move around the ship when we've been sailing near the glaciers was when we got a last minute upsell to an aft suite. Read about Alaskas must-see attractions, signature cuisine, and how to prepare for a wild adventure into the heart of The Great Land.