Alaska Cruise Round Trip FAQs

What is the difference between main and late dinner?

Generally main dining means that dinner is served in the formal dining room between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and the late dinner is usually served between 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

You may want to consider the main dinner option if you are traveling with small children, have a medical condition that requires you dine at your regular time or if you tend to retire before 11:00 p.m. The late dinner is an attractive option if you would like to enjoy leisurely days in port, perhaps enjoy a nap before dinner or meet new friends for cocktails before dinner.

Whichever you choose be assured that you will not miss the evening entertainment as the shows are offered after each dinner seating.

Are special meal request accepted?

Yes, most ships can accommodate special meal requests such as low fat, low salt, kosher and vegetarian just to name a few. Be sure to advise our cruise consultants when you are booking your Alaska cruise of any special dietary requirements that you have.

How many people will be at my dinner table?

Most tables in the formal dining room seat four, six, eight or ten passengers. There are a few tables for two in the dining room are those are assigned on board, and the maitre d' can help to confirm that for you. Requests can also be made to dine with other passengers that you may be traveling with.

Do you have to eat in the formal dining room or are there other dining options?

You will find that most ships in Alaska offer a variety of alternate dining options. Some are casual dining rooms such as the Windjammer Café on Royal Caribbean ships, room service, pizzerias, pasta bars, hamburgers served on deck - the range of options is endless. Many of the newer ships in Alaska also offer smaller, more intimate restaurants for a nominal charge.

Is the dining room non-smoking?

Today all dining rooms onboard are non-smoking. There are areas in the public lounges that are available for the guests that smoke. Some ships even offer cigar rooms.

Can we celebrate a special occasion onboard?

Absolutely! Usually a birthday or anniversary is celebrated in the dining room with a cake being brought to your table. We can also help to arrange a bottle of wine or champagne to help celebrate that special occasion.

What type of clothing should I wear in the dining room?

On an Alaska cruise there is typically three types of dinners: formal, semi-formal and casual. For the formal dinners we suggest a tuxedo or suit and tie for the gentlemen and a cocktail dress for the ladies. For the informal evenings we suggest a sports jacket and slacks for the gentleman and a more casual dress or pantsuit for the ladies. On casual nights the only requirement is no shorts or jeans in the dining room.

Do you tip your waiter in the dining room?

Different cruise lines have different tipping suggestions. As we feel this is a very personal subject we leave it to your discretion. A general guideline is $3.50 USD per day for the dining room waiter and $2.00 USD for the assistant waiter. Envelopes to extend gratuities in are available the day before your cruise ends and it is common for you to bring your tipping envelope to the dining room on the final evening of your cruise.

Do cruise lines sailing to Alaska ever give free upgrades?

This is a very difficult question to answer. It does happen sometimes but not as often as people think. The assigning of upgrades is done by the cruise line and it is not always clear how they decide who will receive this benefit. Most upgrades go the passengers who have booked early or are past passengers of that cruise line.

When you book a guarantee cabin instead of taking a cabin assignment at the time of booking you have a better chance of obtaining a higher category cabin than what you had booked. The downside to this is that the cabins that are booked on a guarantee basis are generally assigned the week of sailing. If the cabin is not in the location that you had hoped it is generally not possible to move to another cabin.

The bottom line is that if you are concerned about being on a particular deck or close to an elevator then it is wise to secure the cabin placement at the time of booking your Alaska cruise. On the other hand if you want to take a chance of a possible upgrade than a guarantee cabin is a great way to book your Alaska cruise.

Where is the best location for my cabin if I am worried about the ship's motion?

Motion sickness is generally not a problem sailing in Alaska. However if you are prone to motion difficulties than we suggest booking a cabin that is close to midship. Also book a cabin on one of the lower passenger decks and not one of the higher decks. The higher you are the more likely you will feel a rolling motion. Once again all the modern ships are equipped with stabilizers in order to make your Alaska cruise as comfortable as possible.

Is an oceanview or balcony cabin a good idea for an Alaska cruise?

There is no better way to see the beauty of Alaska than from the comfort of your cabin. Most days it feels that you could reach out and touch the towns that you are sailing by. In Alaska there is always something to see. Imagine hearing the captain announce that there is a pod of killer whales portside - you would only have to look out your window or step out onto your private balcony to see that spectacular sight instead of trying to find your way to an exit door only to find you missed the whales. Alaska is truly the one destination where a window cabin or balcony cabin is well worth the additional cost.

How many people can be in one cabin?

Most cabins are designed to accommodate a maximum of four people. There are a few family staterooms on board that will accept 6 people. These always sell out very early so if you want a family stateroom you want to be thinking of booking your Alaska cruise a year in advance. Adjoining cabins are also offered by most cruise lines.

What is the difference between cabins on the higher decks and cabins on the lower decks?

On most cruises to Alaska four general types of cabins are offered: inside cabins, outside cabins, cabins with private balconies and suites. The cabins on the higher decks are normally the suites and cabins with private balconies. Depending on the ship some inside and outside cabins are offered on these decks as well. The standard inside and outside cabins are usually found on the lower passenger decks and are most often the same size with the outside cabins offering a picture window making the cabin appear larger. Most of the inside and outside cabins are the same sizes with the price difference being the location on the ship. The higher the deck the more expensive the cabins.

What should i pack for my cruise?

Packing the right stuff, and not packing too much is a concern on any vacation and proper packing & preparation will serve to make your cruise experience more enjoyable. Here is a list of things that we recommend you pack for your upcoming Alaska cruise:

• Camera and lots of film
• Video Camera
• Binoculars: Ideally each of you should try to have a set because they are great for making sure you don't miss anything on your exciting day in the glaciers and for seeing wildlife throughout the cruise.
• Waterproof coat/shell: Great for standing outside on the ship when at the glaciers or any other time it may be cold, windy and wet.
• Wool hat
• Baseball cap or your favorite hat for keeping the sun off you.
• Light gloves: For cold weather and also good for bike riding or canoe/kayak paddling if you choose these types of shore excursions.
• Sunglasses (with a strap so they don't fall off).
• Watch: To help make sure you get back to the ship on time during port calls. Make sure you can easily adjust it because there will be one or two time zone changes on the voyage, in addition to the time zone change from home.
• Extra carry-on bags that can be stuffed into your luggage: To carry extra purchases. May need it on the last day for hand carrying overnight items.
• Bathing suit: In case you want to use the ship's pool or hot tub or the hotel swimming pool if you are taking a pre- or post-cruise package.
• Comfortable sneakers and shoes for doing lots of walking. Also extra pairs in case one gets wet in the rain.
• Dress clothes for the 2 or 3 formal nights. For the men, a dark business suit is good enough. Just bring along extra shirts and ties so your outfit looks different and is clean in case you spill soup on it. For women, whatever looks good.
• Layered clothing for touring in unpredictable quickly changing weather. Also, some warmer weather clothing in case you are lucky and the weather is sunny and warm during your whole trip.

Is cruising to Alaska affordable and a good vacation value?

A1. Absolutely! There are cabins to suit every budget, from the most economical to the penthouse suites. As well an Alaska cruise offers great value - all your meals, entertainment and activities throughout the day are included in the cost of your cruise. Your only expenses onboard will be alcoholic beverages, optional shore excursions, spa services and casino charges.

How long are Alaska cruises?

Most Alaska cruises are seven nights in duration, however there are some that offer 10 night sailings from San Francisco.

What is the difference between the Inside Passage Cruise and a north or southbound Alaska cruise?

The Inside Passage cruises depart from Vancouver and return 7 nights later back to Vancouver. The northbound cruises originate in Vancouver and sail to Seward, Alaska. The southbound cruises originate in Seward and sail south to Vancouver. Both are 7 nights in duration. These are popular if you are thinking of extending your vacation in Alaska, perhaps a trip to Denali National Park, Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Do you recommend spending time in Vancouver either before or after our cruise?

Definitely! Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and our knowledgeable staff can help plan a few days either before or after your cruise. We can suggest the best hotels, restaurants and sites. We are situated minutes from the cruise ship terminal in Vancouver.

What is the best month to visit Alaska?

The Alaska cruise season is from May to September with July and August being the most popular months. June and July have the longest days , July and August bring the whales, and late August and September you have the opportunity to witness the spawning salmon, which in turn lure out the brown bears and bald eagles to the shores of Alaska. No matter the month an Alaska cruise is one to remember!

Is motion discomfort a problem in Alaska?

Very rarely is motion a problem sailing in Alaska. The majority of the Inside Passage you are sailing in protected waters and the modern cruise ships offer state of the art stabilizers to minimize any discomfort.

What is there to do in port in Alaska?

You can do as much or as little as you like. The cruise lines offer shore excursions ranging from city tours, fishing, helicoptor tours, flightseeing, dogsledding, and gold panning. You get the idea! The range of options is staggering.

Do you have to take the cruise lines shore excursions in Alaska?

Definitely not. In fact our experienced cruise consultants can offer great ideas to see Alaska on your own. You will find plenty of suggestions in our Alaska ports section. We have all been to Alaska and can supply lots of first hand information.

What about taking children on a cruise to Alaska?

Not only will your children have a wonderful time onboard with the kid's clubs, swimming pools, video arcades, computer labs and sporting activities, they will have an experience of a lifetime learning about this great state. Imagine the look on your childs' face when they see their first whale, bear or bald eagle!

Would you suggest an Alaska cruise for a honeymoon?

Absolutely. What could be more romantic than sailing from one of the most beautiful cities in the world to the beauty and magnificence of Alaska. Imagine intimate dinners for two, a sunset walk along the promenade, dancing under the stars or sipping champagne on your own private balcony. Most cruise lines offer special honeymoon packages which include breakfast in bed, photographs, flowers, bathrobes and sparkling wine.