5 night Alaska Cruise

[NewEngland47]

Is the 5 night DCL Alaska cruise a good one? I believe I’ve heard that it doesn’t go into the really incredible area but let me know your thoughts. We are considering an Alaska cruise but as it’s so expensive the 5 night looks pretty interesting. We have never been to Alaska. Thanks for any advice!

 

[AgentMama]

It's really only one port, the other "stop" is for glacier viewing. Depends on what you want to see, but I'm not sure I would do Alaska on a cruise that is primarily sea days. I would consider a different cruise line if you need to start at a lower price point, Alaska isn't a trip I would want to limit my itinerary on for cost.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is the 5 night DCL Alaska cruise a good one? I believe I’ve heard that it doesn’t go into the really incredible area but let me know your thoughts. We are considering an Alaska cruise but as it’s so expensive the 5 night looks pretty interesting. We have never been to Alaska. Thanks for any advice!

"The really incredible area" I'm thinking you're referring to Glacier Bay?

Yes, DCL does not go into Glacier Bay, but I've found lots of Alaska is incredible.

That said, I prefer doing Alaska on other cruiselines than DCL, mostly due to the better port times/itineraries. DCL is at the bottom of the pecking order in selecting Alaska itineraries, and likely to be there for a while.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Agree with Schmoo above. The other lines seem to have better itineraries and typically a lower cost. While we like DCL, it just doesn’t make sense to stretch to do this one on Disney. Maybe someone can help but I believe for Glacier Bay the cruise line needs a contract to even go there and a few including Disney do not. Also i have been there for work so no need to do the land portion but if you can the land and sea combo’s of the other lines really show the state well.

If you want Alaska, sure go ahead but consider other options for more bang for your buck. If you really want the Disney experience maybe also consider a different itinerary.

 

[Geomom]

We did a 7 nt DCL Alaska trip in August 2016--spent $6300 for 4 of us in a 9c (oceanview on deck 2). We loved the cruise. In my opinion you just don't see enough with the 5 nt. There is only 1 port day--Ketchikan...the 7 nt cruise has 3 port days--Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway--and the other 2 ports you'd miss on the 5 nt have so much to offer--the dog sled/dog cart excursions are only offered in Juneau/Skagway. Tracy Arm is the glacier cruising day--which we loved...but it's not a port...it's essentially another day at sea...just with really cool views!

How to do a 7 nt DCL cheaper:
--If you're able to cruise in the 'shoulder' seasons of May/September--the prices are cheaper. Even if you can go mid-late August, it's much cheaper than July. (I completely understand if you're stuck with the school schedule...school goes back the Tuesday before Labor Day for us in Massachusetts, so we can do a cruise that ends by 8/20 at the latest...but many schools go back early August, so the rates start going down then.)
--Go for an inside room or 'low deck' oceanview room. Verandahs cost thousands more on the Alaska cruise.

 

[NewEngland47]

Thanks all for the great advice. Although we love cruising on Disney it might be time for us to make the leap to another line - even if just for Alaska. I can’t imagine not having a balcony for that trip but I also can’t imagine spending the prices DCL has for 7 nights with a verandah. Our son is almost 9 so maybe time for RCCL or even celebrity. He’s a pretty quiet dude so is one of the very few who never liked DCL’s kids club - too loud/crazy. Go pros on celebrity is more his speed...
GeoMom - great advice re shoulder season. As coincidence would have it we are in Mass too and tied to this new early start in Aug thing - sigh.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We chose Princess for our next Alaska Cruise because of the land excursions before or after. We are finally going to Denali! We are going in May!

 

[FSU Girl]

Princess does a great job with Alaska. I would look into that. Or Norwegian, they have a brand new ship sailing there and there are a lot of activities for kids on board.