That is our next dream vacation. Any guidance? I say we won't need a handicap suite but it might be needed by the time it's all over so why not. I would like a balcony. Our last cruise was an interior room

No, but it sounds like fun! I say you need a personal assistant and I'm VERY available!!!

Hi Doydie,

We are avid cruisers but have yet to get to Alaska or New England. We lean toward the warmer cruises. If I may be so bold, I can refer you to THE most outstanding professional travel counselor and personal assistant I have every dealt with in the industry. Having a travel business background myself this woman is worth her weight in gold and doesn't miss a single detail.

Should you be interested to even talk and interview her, I would be happy to provide you the information I have from my research on her services and background. You may already have an outstanding travel contact and that's fine. Sometimes it never hurts to have a couple people to receive insights, information, and quotes. This woman literally made out Hawaiian cruise vacation an unbelievable experience.

Joyce has mentioned a few time about leaving out of Norfolk, VA and taking the New England cruise. Alaska just doesn't get us that excited.

We have met several people on our other cruises who have done the Alaska trip a couple of times and had nothing but great comments about the entire trip. I don't think you can lose either way. I'll be excited to hear what you decide.

The Alaskan cruise in a smaller boat (can go places big boats can't) interests me. A warmer cruise is wonderful but have done that twice. From NJ, have drivenand seen New England several times. Want to fly to CA and stay there awhile, then up to Washington or Canada and then go cruising. |Saving up to do after twins college - 3 years to go.

I live in New England, so we thought it corny to take cruise around our own neighborhood, but we want badly to go to alaska. Prices vary widely, as do accomodations. I have checked AARP.com and AAA.com and kayak.com and its amazing to me. There are several sights like Budgettravel.com or budgetcruises.com that offer good prices. Many places will sell you a room cheaply if you are willing to book late so that they fill the rooms up. Search for last minute cruise deals, and if you are willing to leave with very little notice you can get stuff half price or lower.

Have fun, and wave if you pick New England!

I am a firm believer anyone who is going to take a vacation this extensive, speaking of Alaska primarily, should use a professionally qualified travel agent for all aspects of the travel. It will cost very little if anything at all for their services. They know the product, market, industry, and normally have access to pricing not revealed online. Let them worry about all the details, create an outstanding package experience and all you have to do is say if it is what you want and/or what to tweak.

I'm afraid I'm gun shy from trying to work up a Caribbean vacation on my own thinking I knew the ins and outs of the business and was going to save money booking each item separately. Boy, was I mistaken as it ended up costing me twice as much money not to mention the emotional aspects of the coordination. This is strictly my personal experience. After that fiasco my wife said, "Never again!" We've used a professional ever since.

Just my 1 1/2 cents of sense.

My mom went a few years back. She did a princess cruise. She went in August when it wasn't cold. She thoroughly enjoyed it. She went through a travel agent. She cruises every year. I'm not sure if NCL goes there. But she prefers them to Princess, The Love Boat. I think most have the option of boarding the ship in Washington or Canada.

Good luck and have fun.

Well our best friends want to take a driving vacation to New England this year. Maybe we can have some kind of boating expidition as part of the vacation.

Yesterday I received my Captain's Circle Princess Cruise Lines brochure for their New York City sailings. They are coming up and several were a combination New England and Canada itineraries. Pretty reasonable prices considering the glut of staterooms on the market in the industry. Their balcony prices are very reasonable too.

Keep us informed so I can enjoy this whole experience vicariously with you. We love cruising.