As someone who lives in South Florida and would love to take an Alaskan cruise, I really appreciate you offering some insight as to which cruises to choose.
Great research and info Clint! Heading out on 5/27. Prices were too good to turn down several weeks ago. My guaranteed interior room was just assigned to me, and I have an Oceanview room now.
Same here -- booked on 9/2 as we have friends in Seattle that invited us out to join them. First Alaskan cruise and hoping to find some videos that review the different excursions as well. A lot to choose from and we're excited, too.
We are scheduled to go August 19. I picked that because we really wanted to go to Ketchikan. We’re going with 10 other family members so it should be fun no matter what.
I often say that WHO you're traveling with may be the biggest factor. I hope you have an amazing time! Make sure to check out 55 North coffee when you're in Ketchikan! We absolutely loved it!
Thanks for the question (it's one I'm grappling with). I'm working with a professor of statistics out of NYU on the scoring and we're getting it dialed in. Then I'm going to put together an updated scoring video to explain the breakdown and clarify how it works. For now, to keep the content coming, I'm showing the current scores because it does offer a comparative tool. I want to answer, "Is itinerary A better or worse than itinerary B?" The challenge comes in when asking the question, "Is this '24 day one-way from Boston that visits Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Norway, and Denmark' better than this 4-day 'weekend Bahamas getaway' cruise?" - the answer is often, "it depends." And that's the challenge. So - that's a long answer to say, technically the scores are a weighted average (out of 100) - but getting a PERFECT 100 is basically impossible given that each port has ten different factors for scoring, and the itinerary has another five factors - then those totals are run through the weighted average algorithm. I hope that helps - even though it's probably not as clear as the Caribbean Sea. :-D
@@icedteamama176 No, it doesn't. Prices fluctuate so much, it's tough to include consistently. However, when it helps the comparison, I try to point it out, and divide the scores by the prices for inside and balcony rooms. This shows a really interesting way to compare itineraries that score close.
We are booked on the May 13 sailing on Quantum. The last few weeks I have started having serious regrets because the ship doesn’t visit Glacier Bay. I wish that we had booked on another cruise line that does visit glacier Bay. This is our first cruise to Alaska and I’m wondering how much of a difference in the overall experience that will make. Hindsight is 20/20.
I have a very good friend who went on his first Alaska cruise on Norwegian. They didn't visit Glacier Bay, but did make it to another one (I don't recall which). He said it was one of the greatest cruises he's ever taken. It's just a great opportunity to go back! (I know that's not always possible, but it's going to be great as it is, plus if you can go back, you have a bucket list national park to visit!) I hope you have an amazing cruise!!!
Hi, I will be on the May 13th sailing on Quantum as well...I have been to Glacier Bay, and it is indeed lovely. That said, all of the areas in Alaska are breath taking, and you will not be disappointed. I do wish we had not lost our call to Skagway, as it is one of my favorite ports. Enjoy your cruise...this is my 4th, and not last to Alaska!
@@marymarin1152 I hope so because the way I feel right now I would gladly take a refund. I’m trying to regain my excitement after that gut punch earlier this week of losing Skagway with no port substitution.
Interestingly, we just got an a mail from Royal Caribbean that the pier will be closing at 5:00 pm and no passengers will be allowed to leave the ship after boarding at their assigned time, due to US Customs and Border Protection policies…
As someone who lives in South Florida and would love to take an Alaskan cruise, I really appreciate you offering some insight as to which cruises to choose.
Thanks so much for the comment - I'm glad it's helpful!
My parents went on 2 Alaskan cruises and loved the May sailing way more than September’s! Thank you!m for the helpful and detailed analysis!
Absolutely! Thanks for commenting and the insight. We're thinking of a shoulder season cruise next year and we're trying to decide between the two.
Great research and info Clint! Heading out on 5/27. Prices were too good to turn down several weeks ago. My guaranteed interior room was just assigned to me, and I have an Oceanview room now.
Great! Have fun!!!!
You on RCL cruise? 🚢
Wow you did a ton of research!!
Thanks. I try!
We booked 9/2, as friends invited us to join them. It will be our first trip, and we are excited either way.
I'm sure it's going to be awesome! If you remember when you get back, let me know how it went - I'd love to hear!
Same here -- booked on 9/2 as we have friends in Seattle that invited us out to join them. First Alaskan cruise and hoping to find some videos that review the different excursions as well. A lot to choose from and we're excited, too.
I'm sure it's going to be great! Is there anything in particular you're wondering about (regarding excursions?)
I will be on the August 26th Cruise a week before you.😊
@anita1030tg nice!
We are scheduled to go August 19. I picked that because we really wanted to go to Ketchikan. We’re going with 10 other family members so it should be fun no matter what.
I often say that WHO you're traveling with may be the biggest factor. I hope you have an amazing time! Make sure to check out 55 North coffee when you're in Ketchikan! We absolutely loved it!
I am going to Ketikan, Juneau, Victoria, and Skagway in 2025.
It's going to be great!
Is your cruisability score explained somewhere? 19.6 out of what? 100? 20? 50?
Thanks for the question (it's one I'm grappling with). I'm working with a professor of statistics out of NYU on the scoring and we're getting it dialed in. Then I'm going to put together an updated scoring video to explain the breakdown and clarify how it works. For now, to keep the content coming, I'm showing the current scores because it does offer a comparative tool. I want to answer, "Is itinerary A better or worse than itinerary B?"
The challenge comes in when asking the question, "Is this '24 day one-way from Boston that visits Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Norway, and Denmark' better than this 4-day 'weekend Bahamas getaway' cruise?" - the answer is often, "it depends." And that's the challenge.
So - that's a long answer to say, technically the scores are a weighted average (out of 100) - but getting a PERFECT 100 is basically impossible given that each port has ten different factors for scoring, and the itinerary has another five factors - then those totals are run through the weighted average algorithm.
I hope that helps - even though it's probably not as clear as the Caribbean Sea. :-D
@@ThisistheCruisedoes price of cruise impact the scores at all? 😅
@@icedteamama176 No, it doesn't. Prices fluctuate so much, it's tough to include consistently. However, when it helps the comparison, I try to point it out, and divide the scores by the prices for inside and balcony rooms. This shows a really interesting way to compare itineraries that score close.
We are booked on the May 13 sailing on Quantum. The last few weeks I have started having serious regrets because the ship doesn’t visit Glacier Bay. I wish that we had booked on another cruise line that does visit glacier Bay. This is our first cruise to Alaska and I’m wondering how much of a difference in the overall experience that will make. Hindsight is 20/20.
I have a very good friend who went on his first Alaska cruise on Norwegian. They didn't visit Glacier Bay, but did make it to another one (I don't recall which). He said it was one of the greatest cruises he's ever taken.
It's just a great opportunity to go back! (I know that's not always possible, but it's going to be great as it is, plus if you can go back, you have a bucket list national park to visit!)
I hope you have an amazing cruise!!!
@@ThisistheCruise That is good to know. I will try and keep an open mind.
@robertarader8802 if you remember, I'd love to hear how it goes after you get back!
Hi, I will be on the May 13th sailing on Quantum as well...I have been to Glacier Bay, and it is indeed lovely. That said, all of the areas in Alaska are breath taking, and you will not be disappointed. I do wish we had not lost our call to Skagway, as it is one of my favorite ports. Enjoy your cruise...this is my 4th, and not last to Alaska!
@@marymarin1152 I hope so because the way I feel right now I would gladly take a refund. I’m trying to regain my excitement after that gut punch earlier this week of losing Skagway with no port substitution.
We are cruising on 4/29… had not considered the option of getting back off the ship and wandering Vancouver…
I hope you have an amazing trip!!!
Interestingly, we just got an a mail from Royal Caribbean that the pier will be closing at 5:00 pm and no passengers will be allowed to leave the ship after boarding at their assigned time, due to US Customs and Border Protection policies…
Ahhh... Well, it will still be an awesome cruise!
Clint are you come on quantum of the seas this year yes or no ???
Not this year. We're heading to Iceland for our big cruise and likely a smaller Caribbean cruise this fall.
We’re taking the cruise on 4/29 .
Nice! I hope you let me know how it goes! That's right around the corner!
Mark and Ginger on Quantum May 27!!!!!!!!
Awesome! I hope you have an amazing cruise!!!!
July 8th!
I hope you have an amazing cruise!!!
5/6!
Right around the corner, have a great time!!!
@@ThisistheCruise thank you! Can’t wait first time on Royal Caribbean and first time going to Alaska
If you remember, let me know how it went when you get back! I'd love to hear about it!
Very long intro
I agree. I need to dedicate some time to cutting it down. It's a learning process. 😃
Lol 🤦🏼♀️🤣🙄