Alaska 2017 Disney vs RCI

[JSMT]

I am trying to decide what to book for Alaska 2017 for an extended family trip. We have done three disney cruises: Alaska, Panama Canal, and Western Caribbean. We loved our Alaska trip in summer 2013. In 2017, we would have 6 adults, 2 8yr boys, 2 3yr girls, and 1 18m boy. I have a hold on oceanview Disney rooms. Also have a quote on RCI 7 night southbound trip, which is similar price but for balcony rooms. There is the option to add a few days on land with RCI. I am worried about RCI for younger kids (especially <3years). I am worried about missing all the things we love about DCL. Anyone with experience with Alaska on Radiance of the Seas? (Cross posted in DCL and RCI subgroups)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am trying to decide what to book for Alaska 2017 for an extended family trip. We have done three disney cruises: Alaska, Panama Canal, and Western Caribbean. We loved our Alaska trip in summer 2013. In 2017, we would have 6 adults, 2 8yr boys, 2 3yr girls, and 1 18m boy. I have a hold on oceanview Disney rooms. Also have a quote on RCI 7 night southbound trip, which is similar price but for balcony rooms. There is the option to add a few days on land with RCI. I am worried about RCI for younger kids (especially <3years). I am worried about missing all the things we love about DCL. Anyone with experience with Alaska on Radiance of the Seas? (Cross posted in DCL and RCI subgroups)

What are the itineraries?

 

[JSMT]

DCL is Vancouver round trip, RCI is southbound Seward to Vancouver. Both do Juneau, Skagway, Ketichican. RCI adds Icy strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. So pretty similar, other than al little more variety on RCI and the chance to add on Alaska land days at the beginning. More looking for thoughts on the Wonder vs. Radiance of the Seas. Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

DCL is Vancouver round trip, RCI is southbound Seward to Vancouver. Both do Juneau, Skagway, Ketichican. RCI adds Icy strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. So pretty similar, other than al little more variety on RCI and the chance to add on Alaska land days at the beginning. More looking for thoughts on the Wonder vs. Radiance of the Seas. Thanks!

Well, we've not done Alaska on Disney. For us, Alaska is about the itinerary, not the ship. With those choices, I'd probably pick Royal Caribbean.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Three years ago we cruised on the Wonder up the California Coast (repositioning cruise) from Los Angeles to Vancouver, spent three days in Vancouver, then cruised on the Radiance northbound to Seward. From Seward we took the train (less than a 100-yard walk from the ship to the train) which took us right to the Anchorage airport. Our luggage was checked onboard the ship and we didn't see it again til we got off the plane in Phoenix.

The biggest difference I noticed was how much quieter the Radiance was -- not nearly as many kids. Since DH and I were traveling as a couple without kids, I can't compare the kids' clubs, but we did enjoy the ship. The shops kept having "sales" and the in-store announcements were obnoxious. DCL's evening programs are far superior. I missed DCL's freebie sodas. DH purchased a drink card but could only get one soda at a time. Since he drinks a lot of Diet Coke (when Diet Dr. Pepper isn't available) it was a pain to have to get up from the breakfast or lunch table to get another refill. The dinner waiters did keep him in refills.

We enjoyed the itinerary, especially Icy Strait Point because we hadn't been there before. We did a whale watching boat trip followed by bear watching in the forest (after a short bus ride.) Since we were in bear country, the guide was "packin heat" -- he was literally loaded for bear. We did see bears in the wild, not a close encounter, fortunately, but in five Alaskan cruises, that's the first time we had actually seen bears.

If you have the option to do a land tour, go for it, especially if you get the chance to see Denali. There's so much more to see in Alaska than the tiny port towns that the cruise ships visit.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

What is the minimum age on the land portion with RCI? The 3yo might be too young, but I guess it would depend on the types of activities.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What is the minimum age on the land portion with RCI? The 3yo might be too young, but I guess it would depend on the types of activities.

I doubt that there's a minimum age.

 

[tidefan]

Have you checked out Princess? That would be my suggestion for a non-DCL Alaska trip...

 

[Lunarias]

I do want to second the opinion that Alaska is the experience not the ship, if some of those Disney touches will make or break the trip for you, that is something to consider but Alaska is outstanding no matter the ship. I can't wait to get back!

 

[xlxo]

Gotta be HAL or Princess with Glacier Bay....

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Interested to get more info

Just worried princess too "stuffy"

Also what about kids club?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Interested to get more info

Just worried princess too "stuffy"

Also what about kids club?

I guess that depends on your definition of stuffy. The biggest snob I've ever met was on a Disney cruise.

 

[RedSox68]

Gotta be HAL or Princess with Glacier Bay....

I agree. We did HAL in 2012 over DCL because they went to Glacier Bay, plus we added on the land portion (which Disney also doesn't offer). The price, of course, was a huge deciding factor also. We did the 20-day land/sea tour for what Disney charges for a 7-night cruise now! And the land portion included all hotels and some meals. HAL and Princess have won many awards and kudos for their niche in the Alaska market. If I were doing a non-Disney, I'd choose between them. And if you have 3 extra days, add the Denali land portion -- shouldn't be missed. The train ride alone in their domed cars is worth it all!

FOR THE KIDS:
Princess http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/activities/youth_teen/
Holland America http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruis...ivities.action?WT.ac=pnav_Onboard_Activities#

Have fun planning.

 

[ldo]

I would find out what is offered for the under 3 (don't think there is any nursery/maybe babysitting?), plus the 3 yr olds must be potty trained to go into kids club, I think. RCI does a really good job in the kids club for the 5-11 age group (never used for under 5). My kids loved RCI, even more than DCL. They are a more structured IMHO. The 8 yr olds might be old enough for the rock climbing. RCI has a program that kids can get their food ASAP in main dining, then the youth counselors come to the dining room to take them to the kids club--pretty nice. Buffet is open for dinner, so you can also feed kids early and then check them into kids club @ 7 and dine later, if you want. RCI kids club is open 9-12, 2-5, 7-10pm on sea days (of something like that), all day on port days. You can pay extra aftger 10.
We also really like Princess, as do our teens. Never used their kids club. There should be a decent number of kids on an Alaska cruise, but there will likely be an older crowd. P will have kids clubs/activities. Look on cruisecitic.com for Princess info--many say Princess is #1 in Alaska. I think MDR food is a bit better in Princess, rooms just a bit nicer.
What you will miss not on a DCL: different style kids club, more high tech in kids club, dedicated movie theater (RCI plays very few movies, Princess has 1 per night (pg/pg13), plus plays repeat of those in big performance theater on sea days), fun rotational dining, broadway quality pm entertainment, larger rooms with split baths with better layout for families.
Also, in Alaska, you don't have to do a tour. My parents stayed in ANC for a few days and had a great time going to the excellent zoo, cultural center, etc. With kids, I might skip the land portion and just DIY for a few days to be able to go at their pace.

 

[RRB]

Gotta be HAL or Princess with Glacier Bay....

Have you done both? If so, please share your experience

Thanks

 

[cruisehopeful]

DCL is Vancouver round trip, RCI is southbound Seward to Vancouver. Both do Juneau, Skagway, Ketichican. RCI adds Icy strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. So pretty similar, other than al little more variety on RCI and the chance to add on Alaska land days at the beginning. More looking for thoughts on the Wonder vs. Radiance of the Seas. Thanks!

Based on that, I'd prefer RCI because what I've read about Icy Strait Point sounds amazing. Plus, I like the idea of a non round trip because it's easy to add a few land days.

The young children would probably absolutely love doing the cruise on Disney on the sea days. It really depends on how you want to spend your money and what's more important for your own family. I've only done DCL and if I had young children, I'd probably stick with that. For the adults, lots of other ships/itineraries sound better.

 

[ldo]

having cruised with an 18 mth old without any kids facilities, here's what we did on extended family trip to make the trip better, which is aleviated on DCL b/c of nursery. Each adult had an assigned night to feed toddler. So, they could choose to go to MDR with everyone and then leave early, go to buffet and skip MDR that night, or get room service. That way, everyone only missed 1 night of dinner together, but we did not force an 18 mth old to sit for 1.5 hrs @ dinner and ruin everyone elses dinner--that worked very well. Adults could also sign up for designated times to watch tot each day, so Mom/Dad could have some downtime. I think they now allow tots into RCI clubs/other space for playtime with parents. As a Mom, cruising with 18 mth old without other family help and no nursery would not have been much of a vacation. If everyone understands and agrees to pitch in a bit, it can be just fine. Same for port excursions. Someone needs to go on a milder one with the younger kids, but you can rotate adults. For ex, @ Icy, I read there are walking trails and a little museum, sounds fine for the 3 yrs olds and tot, while other go on whale watching tour.

 

[xlxo]

Have you done both? If so, please share your experience. Thanks

I've done Alaska on DCL and HAL. I've been on Princess for Pacific repo's. What "experiences" are you looking for?

Comparison Thoughts....

• DCL offers exclusive pixie dust.... that pixie dust is a significant premium compared to HAL/Princess for similar sailing dates
• off the ships.... the tours are very similar. It's strange how the pixie dust high ends once off the boat.
• DCL and HAL offer photo packages.... Princess does not.
• HAL/Princess offer casinos and shopping.... DCL uses that space for kids clubs
• HAL/Princess offers Glacier Bay itineraries for glacier seekers. Tracy Arm's Sawyer is much smaller experience. HAL/Princess does offer a side excursion to Tracy Arm for some Glacier Bay sailings.

 

[ldo]

xlxo--how was HA for entertainment/shows, any movies, family activities? Making decision for family with 3 teens who won't use teen club.

 

[AquaDame]

I can let you know in August...? We went with DCL in 2014 and at the end of July this year we'll be on the Radiance of the Seas doing their Northbound cruise and having a couple days in Denali before we fly home! No kids, but I can check certain things out if you like?