Planning

My hubby and I went to Alaska on the Star Princess in May 2002. I planned every thing on my own. I have listed down the prices in both 2002 and 2008 for comparison.

1. Airfare on Cathay Pacific to Vancouver cost SGD999 per person excluding taxes, including a one night hotel stay in Hong Kong. We booked through Misa Travel. Airfare to Vancouver in 2008 cost SGD 1594 including taxes.

2. The cruise was one way from Vancouver to Seward, so air ticket from Anchorage to Vancouver is needed, CAD 350 booked directly from Air Canada. That time we flew to Seattle and Calgary and traveled to the Canadian Rockies.

3. One night pre-cruise hotel stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, in 2002 I got it at a rate of CAD 199 before taxes. In 2008 the room costs CAD 250 before taxes.

4. Cruise on Star Princess was booked in the internet. Cost USD 999 per person for 7 night cruise, in a balcony cabin. This is inclusive of all meals on the ship, excluding taxes and port charges. You can get an inside cabin in 2008 from as low as USD 499 per person, including port charges, excluding taxes. Taxes is around USD200 for 2 person. Checkout these websites :

http://www.vacationstogo.com/
http://www.cruisesonly.com/

5. These are the shore excursions we took. I cannot remember the prices back in 2002. The following are prices per person in 2008.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour - USD 279
Skagway : To The Summit - USD 37
Skagway: Glacier Point Wilderness Safari - USD 245
Seward: Alaska Railroad - USD 69
Total USD 630 per person. Note that these tours are optional.

Using an exchange rate of 1.45, if I go on the Alaska cruise in 2008, total cost including airfares, 7 nights cruise, 1 night pre-cruise hotel, all meals and all the above optional tours is about SGD 4000 per person for an inside cabin. If you go for a cheaper hotel in Vancouver, and go for fewer shore excursions, then it will definitely be less than SGD 4000.

Here's our itinerary. Click on Day 1 to start viewing the photos !

Day 1 - Vancouver
Day 2 - Boarding the Star Princess
Day 3 - At Sea
Day 4 - Ketchikan
Day 5 - Juneau
Day 6 - Skagway
Day 7 - Glacier Bay
Day 8 - College Fjord
Day 9 - Seward to Anchorage


Here are some advise if you plan on going to the Alaska cruise.

1. Cruise prices are lowest in May and September, during which the chances of rain are higher.

2. Balcony cabin cost a lot more than inside cabin. But all passenger dine in the same restaurants and receive the same level of service. I feel that inside cabin is more value for money. There are lots of open spaces and large windows in the ship where we can view the scenery.

3. There are different types of itinerary. Some depart from Vancouver and return to Vancover, these will not include glacier bay and college fjord, which I feel is the most important highlights of the Alaska cruise. I think that the one way cruise from Vancouver to Alaska (or vice versa) which includes glacier bay and college fjord is the best. These cruises are also cheaper, because passengers must buy an extra one way ticket. However, you can also choose an airline which can fly from Singapore-Vancover and Anchorage-Singapore.

4. There are many different cruise lines. Personally I feel that princess is the best. There are also many different cruise ships. Choose those built after 2002 which are bigger and better.

5. Choose your shore excursions carefully. If your itinerary includes glacier bay and college fjord, you would see many spectacular glaciers without leaving the cruise ship. Personally I don't think it is necessary to spend too much on shore excursions. If I go again, I will probably spend less than USD 100 per person.