River Cruises in the USA, anyone have an experience with that? (55, move)
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Cruise West went out of business, so who else is there?
Explor Cruises (who used to be Cruise West), National Geographic/Linblad, and Uncruise, to mention just three. Google "small ship cruses Alaska" and I'm sure you'll find others.
Just came home yesterday from an Australia-New Zealand cruise. I would say at least half the pax were 70 and up. Saw people using canes, walking poles, wheelchairs, and scooters. I don't think people stay home pending a heart attack. Ocean going ships to exotic places could not stay full without the elderly who have funds to go places. I would bet that healthcare in those two countries are as good or even better than in the USA.
As for river cruises, never went on one. Too expensive and just seem a touch too boring.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aredhel
Explor Cruises (who used to be Cruise West), National Geographic/Linblad, and Uncruise, to mention just three. Google "small ship cruses Alaska" and I'm sure you'll find others.
This is either blatantly incorrect or at the least deceiving. I am open to see what you come up with for a trip on the Alaska Marine Highway System that would only cost a couple hundred per person that would compare to any degree what the other options discussed would provide.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chilkoot
This is either blatantly incorrect or at the least deceiving. I am open to see what you come up with for a trip on the Alaska Marine Highway System that would only cost a couple hundred per person that would compare to any degree what the other options discussed would provide.
Bring your own tent, stay on deck.
or rent a cabin (if you must / desire).
I do all kinds of different trips, so like to avail all options to ALL readers.
OP didn't ask for luxury (or they wouldn't be taking a USA River Cruise.)
Many friends and family quite enjoy the Alaska Marine Highway.
Imagine... 20+ ports where 'real people' live and work, vs. the typical canned 4-5 ports of a major cruise ship (think jewelry and trinkets)
Alaska is really better enjoyed getting close to the remote ports and meeting the people and taking private air trips and backcountry drops via float plane. (Not specific to OP, but of interest to some)
I enjoyed our "Viking River Cruise" to China. I know this company has other cruises to other countries, especially in Europe. it was so expensive, but worth it. The expensive price included all excursions, food, lodging on the ship. No casinos or shows on the ship as it was too small. I think there were only 200 people.
Location: Was Midvalley Oregon; Now Eastside Seattle area
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We live in the PNW, Oregon and Washington.
A nice quick cruise is the repositioning cruise S>N, LA (LongBeach)>Vancouver BC, 5 days-6 nights in the Spring for the Alaska Norwegian Line and again in the Fall, N>S for the Mexican and Panama-Caribbean. Inexpensive. Day stops at SF, (Astoria on Caribbean Cruise ), Victoria, and Vancouver BC. We took the Amtrak back down to Seattle to visit DS and another Amtrak train back to Oregon. Recommend that you spend extra days at either end.
There is a day cruise from Vancouver to Seattle $99. Must be purchased separately from the repositioning cruise.
A good 7 day is the Norwegian Hawaiian on the Spirit of America. Recommend that you spend extra days in Honolulu, preferrably at the beginning to adjust for jet lag and extra sight seeing.
If you do the Alaska cruise spend extra days in Seattle. There is a lot to see just in Seattle. Lots of side trips. Seattle is 3.5 hours by train to Vancouver BC; Portland is 3.5 hours by train. Victoria BC is 3 hours by clipper ferry; And less than 3 hours to get across the Cascades Mts by car.
We live in the Seattle area. My goal is to sample clam chowder in every restaurant. Heck with my gout.
When we lived in Oregon, My goal was to sample wine and beers. My diabetes stopped that.
Airline flights between LA/SF/PDX/SEA/YVR are frequent and very reasonable with advance purchase.
Last edited by leastprime; 12-27-2019 at 12:45 AM..
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