7 replies to this topic

[Bendergirl]

So my boy friend (C4 incomplete) and I have talked about maybe (if we were to get married *fingers crossed) having a destination wedding on a cruise. My question is has anyone been on any cruises, if so what was ur experience and if you had any recommendations or advise thank you!

[tmcph]

i took a cruise last year from Seattle to Alaska, it was great. i didn't have any issues getting around the boat & it was a great experience. if you do happen to do a cruise, especially to alaska, get a high level suite with a private balcony, i did this instead of a special accessible room & actually had more room then the accessible ones, you'll want that balcony though in the mornings as you cruise through the fiords

[Bendergirl]

Thank you! We were thinking about those ones where you travel and can get off the boat and stuff, but he heard of someone who had a very difficult time with getting off the boat. Neither one of us have ever been on a cruise so we're just trying to get some advise. Good idea about the room and I really appreciate you taking the time to respond

[jscott92064]

tmcph, on 11 June 2011 - 04:32 PM, said:

i took a cruise last year from Seattle to Alaska, it was great. i didn't have any issues getting around the boat & it was a great experience. if you do happen to do a cruise, especially to alaska, get a high level suite with a private balcony, i did this instead of a special accessible room & actually had more room then the accessible ones, you'll want that balcony though in the mornings as you cruise through the fiords

How was the bathroom and what cruise line did you use? We were thinking about a cruise to Alaska at some point.

[Bill Forrester]

The cruise to Alaska is an excellent choice. All the ports of call are accessible. If you are looking for a ship recommendation consider the Holland America Zuiderdam. The accessible cabins are excellent I will try and dig up some photos I took a couple of years ago. Holland America have the Grandfather rights to Glacier Bay as well. I wouldn't cruise from Seattle though rather from Vancouver. The reason being Seattle cruises all go around the outside of Vancouver Island instead of going right up the inside passage as the Vancouver cruises do. It can be rough around the ocean side of Vancouver Island and it can last a day and a half. Via the inside passage the only open stretch of water is between the top of Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte group which is about 6 hours only.

[jscott92064]

Bill Forrester, on 12 June 2011 - 06:40 AM, said:

The cruise to Alaska is an excellent choice. All the ports of call are accessible. If you are looking for a ship recommendation consider the Holland America Zuiderdam. The accessible cabins are excellent I will try and dig up some photos I took a couple of years ago. Holland America have the Grandfather rights to Glacier Bay as well. I wouldn't cruise from Seattle though rather from Vancouver. The reason being Seattle cruises all go around the outside of Vancouver Island instead of going right up the inside passage as the Vancouver cruises do. It can be rough around the ocean side of Vancouver Island and it can last a day and a half. Via the inside passage the only open stretch of water is between the top of Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte group which is about 6 hours only.

Thanks! I would love to see the pictures.

I'm curious why the other poster got the suite with private balcony versus the accessible room. I wonder if the bathroom was ok.

[tmcph]

Bendergirl, on 11 June 2011 - 08:02 PM, said:

...but he heard of someone who had a very difficult time with getting off the boat...

i had no issues at all getting on or off the boat, i went on Rhapsody of the Seas, Layout, room 8506.

Bill Forrester, on 12 June 2011 - 06:40 AM, said:

...I wouldn't cruise from Seattle though rather from Vancouver. The reason being Seattle cruises all go around the outside of Vancouver Island instead of going right up the inside passage as the Vancouver cruises do. It can be rough around the ocean side of Vancouver Island and it can last a day and a half...

we did have 1 day of rough seas, i found it exciting but i'm sure others didn't agree with me, i also don't get sea sick so i'm sure that helps

jscott92064, on 13 June 2011 - 04:28 AM, said:

I'm curious why the other poster got the suite with private balcony versus the accessible room. I wonder if the bathroom was ok.

the bathroom was pretty tight but made it work, i use a power chair. having the extra space (instead of a larger accessible bathroom) and deck was worth it, i saw many chairs & scooters parked in the hallway because they took up space in the accessible & other rooms and i was able to leave mine in the room. the ship provided ramps i needed in the room. so it just comes down to what you want, i had NO problems with the larger 'non-accessible' rooms.



i went through my pictures & don't have any good pictures of the room.

there were also many great land excursions that were fully accessible

[Bill Forrester]

Photos of the Balcony Cabins on the Zuiderdam













Link to the full Zuiderdam photo gallery

Other Alaskan Galleries
Ketchikan
Skagway

Rhapsody of the Seas