Chris and Wendy Hignell booked their MSC Poesia Alaska cruise with Jack the moment it was advertised, and they had good reason to move quickly. The price was excellent, the itinerary was exactly what they were after, and it was the inaugural Alaska sailing for their favourite cruise line. Some trips are worth booking on instinct, and this was one of them.
What followed was a holiday they describe as magnificent, with almost nothing to fault across three weeks of planning, flying, sailing and glacier walking.
Three nights in Seattle before the ship
The deal came with two nights in a five star hotel, and there were several to choose from. Chris and Wendy added a third night of their own, partly to soften the jet lag and partly to give themselves a proper look at Seattle rather than a rushed one.
The Kimpton Monaco turned out to be an inspired pick by Jack. They arrived to a complimentary room upgrade, along with chocolates and fizz waiting for them.
That extra night earned its keep. They spent a morning wandering Pike Place Market and took a whale watching tour from the harbour, which Chris describes as absolutely fantastic. Not a bad way to start a holiday before you have even boarded.
Jack also flagged a British Airways offer on premium economy after they had booked. Given how long those flights are, they took it, and it made a real difference.
Why they chose Aurea over the Yacht Club
Chris and Wendy usually sail Yacht Club with MSC, but it was not available on Poesia when they booked, so they went with an Aurea spa balcony instead.
The Yacht Club was later added during a refit, and they were offered the chance to move across. The extra cost did not appeal, so they stayed with their original choice.
It turned out to be the right call. Aurea gave them spa access, anytime dining in a separate area of the dining room, and a lovely cabin on a good deck. As Blue Diamond members they were also able to check in at the Yacht Club area, which meant priority access on to the ship.
If you have ever wondered whether Aurea is worth having on an MSC ship, this is a fair answer. It is not the Yacht Club, but it covers the things that actually shape your day.
Life on board Poesia
Chris is unusually direct about this one. They enjoyed literally everything.
The range and quality of the food, the variety of entertainment, and something that often gets overlooked, the fact that there was seating available everywhere on the ship. Anyone who has spent a sea day hunting for a free sun lounger will know how much that matters.
And once again, the staff. Superb in every department, which is a phrase that comes up in almost every MSC write up we receive.
An indoor pool would have been welcome, and Poesia does not have one. As it happened the weather was kind, so they spent their days on deck in the sunshine with a beer and a soft serve ice cream.
Bears, whales and Icy Strait Point
They booked two excursions through MSC, which they did only after checking. In their experience it is rare for a cruise line to beat independent suppliers on price, but here MSC could not be beaten.
The first was the bear spotting and wildlife boat trip at Icy Strait Point. It was very early in the season, so bears were not guaranteed, and the boat trip itself delivered orca, grey whales, humpback whales, otters, sea lions and bald eagles.
Then, right at the end, a mother brown bear and her cubs appeared on the shoreline looking for food. Chris rates it an excellent excursion, and it is easy to see why.
Walking on the Mendenhall Glacier
This is the one Chris cannot recommend highly enough, and the one to save for if you are watching the budget.
The helicopter trip to walk on the Mendenhall Glacier is not cheap. It is also, in his words, extremely slick in operation, enormous fun in the helicopters, with staggering views and a genuinely educational walk once you are on the ice.
He describes it as an emotional experience and a real bucket list moment. His advice is worth repeating in full: the glaciers are reducing in size every year, so if funds allow, do it now.
Ketchikan, and a Victoria send off they will not forget
In Ketchikan they went to the Lumberjack Show, which was enormous fun and very entertaining, followed by a bit of shopping.
Victoria was different. Most passengers went ashore, but Chris and Wendy stayed on board and rather enjoyed having the ship largely to themselves.
That decision paid off in a way nobody could have planned. They were invited to watch the exchange of plaques and gifts between MSC senior management, the Captain and the local native people, who also demonstrated their traditional clothing, singing and dancing.
Being included in something like that is not on any itinerary. Chris calls it a fabulous ending to a cruise they will never forget.
Anything they would change?
Almost nothing. The only note is that their Blue Diamond meal at Butcher’s Cut was not quite up to the standard of their previous three visits on other ships. It is an optional venue, and they are hopeful it will be tightened up.
When that is the sum total of the criticism across an Alaska cruise, a Seattle stay and two major excursions, it tells you a fair bit.
The verdict
In Chris’s own words: “Big thanks to Jack at NTC for an outstanding holiday, the service was top notch as is our usual experience.”
That is exactly what we are here for. Spotting the right deal early, picking the hotel that will actually suit you, and keeping an eye out for the flight upgrade that comes along after you have booked.
If Alaska is on your list, or you are weighing up MSC and want to know whether Aurea or the Yacht Club is the better fit for you, give the team a call on 01724 808800 or drop us a message. We will talk it through properly and find the one that suits you.
