My fiance and I are getting married in May 2006. As a honeymoon, we are looking into an Alaskan cruise on Celebrity's Mercury. We are particulalrly interesed in the 11 night cruise, which has the follwing itinerary: Ensenada, Mexico; San Francisco, California; day at sea; Inside Passage (Cruising); Ketchikan, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Hubbard Glacier (Cruising); Prince Rupert, B.C.; day at sea; Inside Passage (Cruising); Seattle, Washington. The cruise runs from May 8, 2006 to May 19, 2006.

My questions are: Is it too early a time to visit Alaska (May 8 to May 19)? Also, is this a good itinerary? Should the two days at sea concern me? Are there better itineraries out there? The price I am getting is less than some 7 days to Alaska in June.

I look forward to your feedback. Thanks!

May is the absolute best month to visit Alaska. That said, Alaska is always a "what if" destination. I wouldn't worry about it though. The Mercury is a great ship and you are on an excellent itinerary (with the exception of Ensenada as a port of embarkation).

Tom