What’s the best ship cruising to Alaska in 2022?

[mnotarangelo320]

Hello!

I was given a $1,500 RCCL gift card and would like to use it for an Alaskan Cruise.  I noticed there are two larger Oasis ships and then the two Radiance ships.  We would like to see as many glaciers as we can, but I’m a little leery about taking the older ships.  Fellow Alaska cruisers, what do you think is the best ship and itinerary for an Alaska cruise next year?  I was hoping to book during Black Friday although not key… thanks!  Mike

[Bob_KY]

We did the Radiance and rate this cruise as our #1, primarily because it was Alaska. Recommend a hard look at the itineraries versus the ship.  What kicked it up a notch was the land tour.

[CruisingOz]

We have sailed the inside passage south bound on the Radiance and we believe this is the perfect ship. Alaska is a very port intensive cruise, with lots of time spent off the ship exploring, so really in the evening all you want is a nice dinner, few drinks, a show or socialise and a good nights rest so you are ready to do it again. With a ship like to the Ovation, you will not really have the time, and/or the energy to take advantage of what it offers. Also the Radiance has great connection to the ocean with lots of glass, even the mid-ship elevator is a huge glass window. We noticed that you can sit throughout the ship and enjoy the views and spot whales, dolphins, and we saw a moose on the shore. The Radiance was almost purpose built to make the most of the surrounding nature views with many windows, portholes and deck access. We have sailed on the the Ovation and it is far more enclosed ship and you need to go out on deck up top to get outside. It is a great ship but if we were to go to Alaska again, it would be on the Radiance. 

The Radiance does north and south runs whereas the Ovation does a round trip. So, with the Radiance, you would need to factor in airfare, do a B2B or a pre/post cruise Royal excursion, so this may determine your decision. Regardless of the ship, Alaska is mind-blowing, enjoy.

[twangster]

"Best" is always a difficult item to quantify because what is best for one group may not be best for another.

The ultimate glacier to experience is Hubbard Glacier.  Currently that's only possible on Radiance class.

Quantum class is newer and has much more to do on board.  The counter argument is that Alaska cruising is not like Caribbean cruising.  You go to Alaska for Alaska, not the ship.  I've gone to Alaska five times and generally don't see the shows and don't do very much on board because I'm there for Alaska.  With very long days in port and majestic scenery outside it's not like Caribbean cruising where you need the ship to fill in during long spells in the ocean with nothing to see.   In Alaska you won't see any whales when you are sitting in the main theater.

Quantum class generally stops at Endicott Arm to visit Dawes Glacier but it's a quick stop, a 180° turn and then gone.  Radiance class is smaller so when they do a glacier call they can stay for an hour or two, do a couple of turns and then leave.  

I've sailed both Radiance class and Quantum class to Alaska and I have both booked to Alaska in 2022.  They are both great Alaska experiences but in different ways.  

I've learned over the years that many people will answer a question like this based on what they purchased as if it helps to justify their conclusion and how they arrived at their decision.  It doesn't matter why I picked the way I did because I'm not you.

Honestly this is where a good travel agent adds a lot of value, learning your likes and dislikes, what your group is looking for and then helping to guide you to the BEST Alaska cruise for YOU.

[Jill]

We have Radiance booked for May with a 3 day land tour beforehand. 
 

This may be our only trip to Alaska so we were looking to pack as much as we could afford to do. 
 

Yes the ship is older and smaller than we’re used to but we are going for the ports. I’ve done enough research to learn that at the end of a long day exploring ashore, we just want to eat dinner, relax a little and go to bed. 
 

@twangster did a blog of his Southbound on Radiance and that convinced me it was the cruise for us. I’ll see if I can find the link to it. The train from Anchorage to Seward was a game changer and something you can’t do on the round trip cruises. 

[twangster]

Here are some live blogs as I've sailed Alaska:

 

Celebrity Millenium Southbound:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5211-alaska-recap-celebrity-millennium-june-2017/

Radiance Southbound

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9160-radiance-of-the-seas-alaska-southbound-83118/

Explorer Seattle Roundtrip - Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/6634-explorer-alaska-62218-7-nights-rclblog-group-cruise/

Ovation Vancouver to Seattle Inaugural Alaska Cruise

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/12630-ovation-goes-north-way-north-to-alaska-11-nights-may-13-2019/

 

[smokeybandit]

There is no "best ship" but "best ship for you"

There's absolutely nothing to be leery about older ships. They aren't clunkers headed for the trash heap. They just don't have all the bells and whistles as the new ships. And those bells and whistles are of no value to many.

[whitsmom]

We did the Northbound on the Radiance and then a 3-day post land tour.  We loved it!  Radiance was a great smaller ship.  I would totally do it again!