Alaska Cruises Gone From DVC - Anyone Else unhappy?

[hockey_chauffeur]

Along with many hotel options the Holland America Alaskan Cruises have been eliminated effective May 31 2008. There do not appear to be any similar alternatives. My sister just moved to Anchorage and we were going to grab a cruise to see her. Seems like all the 2008 DVC "refinements" are substantially limiting the choices that convinced us to join DVC in the first place.

Anyone heard of any replacement Alaskan options - thru Interval or others?

[llmurphy17]

That's too bad- I was also looking forward to that trip one day in the future. :sad1: :confused: :sad2:

[robind]

Where did you hear this from - I called about taking a cruise in Aug 2008 and was given the points values a few weeks ago. I would not be very happy about that, even though it's not a great 'value' for the number of points.

[hockey_chauffeur]

I thought the fine print (see **) on the 2008 point charts said you had to book it by end of January 2008 and take the cruise by May 31 2008 - I read it online as my hardcopy guide hasn't arrived yet. Am I wrong? I hope so. Anybody got more info?

[CarolAnnC]

I thought the fine print (see **) on the 2008 point charts said you had to book it by end of January 2008 and take the cruise by May 31 2008 - I read it online as my hardcopy guide hasn't arrived yet. Am I wrong? I hope so. Anybody got more info?

That sounds strange since cruises in Alaska only take place in the summer months typically because of prohibitive weather.

[robind]

I see, I called and haven't seen the 'written' copy so I may have been given bad info. I tried to get on line to check but the system was down. I'm very bummed, I was thinking about an July or Aug cruise.:confused3

[Inkmahm]

That sounds strange since cruises in Alaska only take place in the summer months typically because of prohibitive weather.
Cruises start in early May. High season is later June/July. Early August is still pretty busy, too.

[Inkmahm]

I see, I called and haven't seen the 'written' copy so I may have been given bad info. I tried to get on line to check but the system was down. I'm very bummed, I was thinking about an July or Aug cruise.:confused3

For 2008? Most of the good staterooms for Alaska's 2008 season were already booked by about last September. If you're trying to find something now you'll have poor cabin choices to pick from as you're way too late to be booking Alaska for 2008.
(We're going on Princess again in August.)

[judie]

This change might have more to do with the two new cruise ships Disney is having built. I read somewhere that at least one is being built for colder weather - more enclosed.

My family is hoping to cruise Alaska on one of those new ships!:cool1:

[Dumbo]

That sounds strange since cruises in Alaska only take place in the summer months typically because of prohibitive weather.

Actually the weather has nothing to do with it. It is the lack of daylight hours that is the primary factor.

[jjpenguin]

If it is true it's a pity as this was definitely on my neverending list of places to go and things to do ;)

[tfc3rid]

I echo the comment by someone above... Why allow for Alaskan cruises on someone else's ships where soon you will have four of your own!

[tigger3311967]

The Alaska cruises are still there. If you go to the DVC website and look at View Vacation Point Charts, under 2008 you will find the Alaska Cruises listed under "The Disney Collection" as Alaskan Cruise - 7 night (it is toward the bottom of the list). I thought they had also done away with that but was very relieved when I found it since we are planning to book this week. According to the Holland America website, they still have lots of cabins available (hopefully some the day we want).

[Inkmahm]

The Alaska cruises are still there. If you go to the DVC website and look at View Vacation Point Charts, under 2008 you will find the Alaska Cruises listed under "The Disney Collection" as Alaskan Cruise - 7 night (it is toward the bottom of the list). I thought they had also done away with that but was very relieved when I found it since we are planning to book this week. According to the Holland America website, they still have lots of cabins available (hopefully some the day we want).

Hint of the day: If you're on north bound cruise, you want to be on starboard side. If you're on southbound cruise you want to be on the port side. Assuming you have a balcony so it will make any differnce, of course.

[tigger3311967]

Sorry - I know what you're talking about. The fine print means that if you are planning on taking the Alaskan cruise in May it must be booked by the end of January. This does not mean that the Alaskan cruises are ending in May. Hope that help clarifies things!

[CarolAnnC]

Cruises start in early May. High season is later June/July. Early August is still pretty busy, too.

Yes, but it still was not making sense that DVC would only offer the cruise for the month of May in 2008. I see another poster has clarified further on this.

Actually the weather has nothing to do with it. It is the lack of daylight hours that is the primary factor.

Oh my! Have you ever considered that a cruise with land package in winter in Alaska might be a bit chilly?!? ;)

[eva]

Sorry - I know what you're talking about. The fine print means that if you are planning on taking the Alaskan cruise in May it must be booked by the end of January. This does not mean that the Alaskan cruises are ending in May. Hope that help clarifies things!

I'm pretty sure the Alaska cruises are gone after May. This is what the asterisk says:

*All reservations are subject to availability, and must be confirmed by January 31, 2008, with cruises beginning prior to May 31, 2008.

That is way it is stated for the discountinued hotels in the Concierge Collection. I believe this means that the cruise must begin before the end of May. Don't count on this being offered anymore. I agree that DVC probably has gotten rid of this because of the addition of two more ships through DCL.

[eva]

Yes, but it still was not making sense that DVC would only offer the cruise for the month of May in 2008. I see another poster has clarified further on this.



Oh my! Have you ever considered that a cruise with land package in winter in Alaska might be a bit chilly?!? ;)

You won't see any cruises in the winter. But they usually start the end of April and run through the beginning of October. It normally is quite cold that early in the year. But remember that the majority of cruises do not go that far north and are mainly in the more temperate areas of Canada and Alaska. I'm sure if you do add a land package it will be pretty cold that early. But they still offer them that early. The whale migration takes place early and is a pretty big event for some.

[disfreaks]

I booked an Alaska cruise in May of last year for a sailing over the 4th of July. There was not a lot of selection, but we were able to get a mini-suite for a good price and it had a verandah. The weather was very nice and it was a great cruise. The day we cruised to the glacier was cold and we wore hats and gloves and drank a lot of coffee, but the verandah was great and we spent most of the day out there. Very much worth the price.

The cruises to Alaska begin in early May. I read somewhere that Holland America has a R/T out of Seattle to Hawaii in April. In October they had some short cruises out of Seattle as well, but it is a short season and there are many ships that come here. It is a bummer about the points if they did remove that from the list, but I don't think it is a very good value for the points.

[CarolAnnC]

You won't see any cruises in the winter. But they usually start the end of April and run through the beginning of October. It normally is quite cold that early in the year. But remember that the majority of cruises do not go that far north and are mainly in the more temperate areas of Canada and Alaska. I'm sure if you do add a land package it will be pretty cold that early. But they still offer them that early. The whale migration takes place early and is a pretty big event for some.

My knowledge of Alaskan Cruises is limited to Princess since that is the line my mother took a few years back. She did the inside passage and they ran early May through most of September. She was cautioned though that the summer months would be the most comfortable for her. She cruised in July and she was still cold, LOL. Someday I will do the cruise there myself.

[hockey_chauffeur]

Just spoke to member services. Alaska cruises are DEFINITELY discontinued after May 31. Definitely stinks

[JimMIA]

The change doesn't bother us. An Alaska cruise is a long-time dream, but any cruises we do, we'll pay cash for. You can get much better deals on any cruise paying cash.

My ranger friends tell me the ONLY way to cruise in Alaska is by coastal ferry. They just backpack. Take the ferry to the next town, pitch your tent, crawl in your sleeping bag, and you're good.

Unfortunately, my DW's idea of "roughing it" is a DVC studio instead of a 1 BR, so I'm thinking the ferry/backpack idea won't fly. I may have to try that on my own.

[bzzelady]

Unfortunately, my DW's idea of "roughing it" is a DVC studio instead of a 1 BR, so I'm thinking the ferry/backpack idea won't fly. I may have to try that on my own.


It sounds like your wife and I would get along well. My favorite saying is that my idea of roughing it is a hotel without room service. I like the analogy between a DVC studio and 1 BDR and I just may have to borrow that one!

[Inkmahm]

I'm with your wife, too! But I love Alaska. Princess is great for both the ship AND their lodges on land. You can see Alaska up close by doing the excursions but I agree, you don't see much at all if you just stay on the huge ship.

[Hixski]

I better be calling Member Services. We have a cruise booked for SEPTEMBER 2008. I have the paperwork from MS and paperwork from Holland America. I would hope we are not just canceled and don't know anything about it.:confused3 :scared1:

[dianeschlicht]

I better be calling Member Services. We have a cruise booked for SEPTEMBER 2008. I have the paperwork from MS and paperwork from Holland America. I would hope we are not just canceled and don't know anything about it.:confused3 :scared1:

YIKES! I'd be calling MS today if I were you!

[hockey_chauffeur]

Just curious what they said about your cruise? Were you grandfathered in cause you booked it a while ago?

[Hixski]

Just curious what they said about your cruise? Were you grandfathered in cause you booked it a while ago?

I didn't get a chance to call today as I work nights and was sleeping all day. I am going to call tomorrow. I looked on my DVC upcoming vacations when I came into work and it shows the cruise as if everything is just fine. We booked it at the beginning of October. Since Holland America is not doing away with the cruise I would not think they would cancel us, just maybe say we could not use our points.:confused3

I will let everyone know after I check tomorrow.

[llmurphy17]

I didn't get a chance to call today as I work nights and was sleeping all day. I am going to call tomorrow. I looked on my DVC upcoming vacations when I came into work and it shows the cruise as if everything is just fine. We booked it at the beginning of October. Since Holland America is not doing away with the cruise I would not think they would cancel us, just maybe say we could not use our points.:confused3

I will let everyone know after I check tomorrow.

Good Luck :wizard:

[Hixski]

Okay, I am back with my answer from MS. DVC is doing away with the Alaska cruises for 2008 but.......if you have an already confirmed cruise it will be honored. We were confirmed in October so our cruise is still good to go. Whewwww, I had a feeling we were ok but I feel much better now.:thumbsup2

[schwenksvillemouse]

I think they will offering thier own Disney Alaska cruise when the new ships hit the water in a couple years.

[Inkmahm]

I think they will offering thier own Disney Alaska cruise when the new ships hit the water in a couple years.
Disney is maybe the only cruise line that MIGHT tempt me away from Princess in Alaska. Princess just does it all so well though that I'm not sure even Disney could get me away from them. I'd have to see the Disney itinerary to compare and the time in port. I do my own excursions with independents (cheaper and better than those offered by Princess in port) but I'd be curious what Disney's "twist" would be for Alaska. There aren't that many kids that get to Alaska so it may be interesting to see the effect Disney has on that.

[Jynohn]

We just got off the Wonder last week where we had the good fortune to dine with the Assistant Cruise Director and his family on the last night. He told us that Alaska is being very seriously considered for the new ships once they're built. He said that guests have been asking for it for a long time. We had planned an Alaska cruise on Princess for next year, but I think we'll hold off to see what Disney does.

[Tinkerdreams]

As a new member, I was disappointed that the Alaskan cruise is not available. I have never taken a cruise but am planning a 4 day Disney cruise in 2009/2010.

My wish list is Hawaii (from California to the new Disney Hawaii DVC) and an Alaskan. :lovestruc

[WolfpackFan]

Just spoke to member services. Alaska cruises are DEFINITELY discontinued after May 31. Definitely stinks

I am very disappointed in this. I was hoping we could do one in a couple of years.

[WolfpackFan]

I think they will offering thier own Disney Alaska cruise when the new ships hit the water in a couple years.

The problem is the points for DCL cruises are very high. Much more than they are worth IMO. In fact, DCL cruises themselves are very expensive compared to other cruise lines. That's why we sail Princes and NCL rather than DCL.

[llmurphy17]

As a new member, I was disappointed that the Alaskan cruise is not available. I have never taken a cruise but am planning a 4 day Disney cruise in 2009/2010.

My wish list is Hawaii (from California to the new Disney Hawaii DVC) and an Alaskan. :lovestruc

I am wishing for this too :cloud9: a disney cruise to Hawaii and a disney cruise to Alaska- Life is Good. :goodvibes

I heard this rumor too when their two new ships are completed. :hippie: