Alaska 2017 Disney vs RCI

[RRB]

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.

One PP stated that "Alaska is about the itinerary, not the ship". That makes sense to me. Here's what I would be looking for in an Alaska cruise -

• First and foremost the best possible itinerary. Never did an Alaska cruise so I don't know anything about the stops and locations. Even when I read about them I can't really tell that much about them or differences between itineraries. I keep reading that DCL's itinerary is not as good as others
• Nice off ship excursions
• Really Good food
• Nice cabins. I priced a suite on a non DCL line and it was much cheaper than a balcony room on DCL
• Not cruising with kids so no need for anything along those lines or the Pixie Dust found on the DCL. having said that, the ship should be really nice and not old.
• Not a gambler but I guess every cruise ship on earth has a casino except DCL
• Shows and movies are not a big deal for us.

 

[xlxo]

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

DCL leans heavily on pixie dust content in their shows. Disney offers first run movies. HAL shows cater more for adults and the movies are much more dated. It's been 3 years since my HAL trip... so things could have changed. Unlike the past... I just load my laptop with Kodi/Exodus content prior to departing.

My DCL trip was with pre-teens who really enjoyed the DCL experience. Your older kids may just be growing out of the Disney fantasies.

For us price/value is important... The pixie dust premium is harder to justify as the age increases.

I'll let others join in the discussion on their HAL family experience.

Did the kids say why they won't use the teen clubs? Perhaps the cheaper HAL/Princess cruise lines may be more suitable for them.

 

[ldo]

My shy teens will go to DCL teen club. We have not outgrown DCL. Teen RCI is too sports/competition oriented for them, plus it's only staffed during the PM--no hang out place during seas days. Have not sailed HA. So, wondering about activities on HA outside of kids/teen club--movies, family activities, good pm shows like comedians, fake rock bands (Beatles, etc.), guest performers. We want RT Vancouver, so Princess and RCI are out. It's HA, Celebrity or DCL.

 

[NancyIL]

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

NCL also goes to Glacier Bay on some of its ships.

 

[ShelleyTaylor]

I was in your same shoes last week OP.

I actually put a deposit on RC Alaska cruise. The more I read, I just wasn't comfortable with the entertainment value for my 10&11 yr olds at 2017 sailing times. I read every review I could get my hands on. The RC shows were likely not kid appropriate or interesting to my kids. The kids clubs have less hours. There were several comments, but the one that the mom said she was glad she brought board games really sealed the deal. I love my kids, and it is a family vacation, but having to play board games on a cruise ship due to nothing better to do kind of indicated the kids clubs just were not comparable to DCL. If they were 14&15 it might be another story.

So we cancelled RC and booked DCL for Alaska June 2017!!!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

My shy teens will go to DCL teen club. We have not outgrown DCL. Teen RCI is too sports/competition oriented for them, plus it's only staffed during the PM--no hang out place during seas days. Have not sailed HA. So, wondering about activities on HA outside of kids/teen club--movies, family activities, good pm shows like comedians, fake rock bands (Beatles, etc.), guest performers. We want RT Vancouver, so Princess and RCI are out. It's HA, Celebrity or DCL.

We cruised HAL when DD was a teen. She got bored. We didn't even realize they had activities for the teens. That was years ago and our TA said that HAL has gone down hill so we haven't bothered to cruise with them again.

 

[JSMT]

Thanks all. We have cruised Alaska on Disney before so have some idea what we're buying, and certainly get the importance of itinerary in Alaska, so considering other options. But my older kids (8) love love love "Mickey's clubs" and I am worried about nursery options for my 1yr old. So we have booked DCL July 2017. But still researching others.... Can always cancel.