Alaska cruise

[Magic3forme]

we have done both and Alaska hands down! the scenery was breath taking!! and there was so much to see and do. Whale watching was the highlight of our cruise.

the kids are ready to go back to Alaska. ( and we just went in May)

 

[Dug720]

Aargh, I'm so torn now!!

Initially I'd planned to do Alaska with my running coach and her husband on a staged Alaskan Marathon cruise (you run a marathon over the course of the cruise). They do it on HAL, and I was going to just suck it up and not do Alaska via DCL. Then she said the date was going to be in June 2014, which isn't doable for me because I teach and we don't get out until like the last Wednesday in June. So I started really looking at DCL and making plans to book on board in February.

NOW she says that they have moved the date to July - not set in stone yet, but most probable.

I don't know what to do!!!!! I want to do the cruise with them...but I'm so spoiled to Disney!! And I don't know if I'd like Alaska enough to book for 2015 on board and go two years in a row.

Life was easier before they changed their dates!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Aargh, I'm so torn now!!

Initially I'd planned to do Alaska with my running coach and her husband on a staged Alaskan Marathon cruise (you run a marathon over the course of the cruise). They do it on HAL, and I was going to just suck it up and not do Alaska via DCL. Then she said the date was going to be in June 2014, which isn't doable for me because I teach and we don't get out until like the last Wednesday in June. So I started really looking at DCL and making plans to book on board in February.

NOW she says that they have moved the date to July - not set in stone yet, but most probable.

I don't know what to do!!!!! I want to do the cruise with them...but I'm so spoiled to Disney!! And I don't know if I'd like Alaska enough to book for 2015 on board and go two years in a row.

Life was easier before they changed their dates!!

Your friend must have a very clean mind because she changes it regularly. Does the HAL cruise itinerary include Glacier Bay? That's really gorgeous, and very few permits are given for cruise ships to sail through there, so DCL can't go there. (Princess and HAL hold most of the permits.) But it's o.k. to sail Alaska more than once. (We've been five times.) HAL won't be doing Tracy's Arm, which is the highlight of DCL cruises, and the scenery there is gorgeous too.

I would book onboard to return to Alaska in 2015, but if you decide it's too much of a good thing and want to go elsewhere, or wait awhile to save the shekels, you can move your reservation anytime before your paid-in-full date without penalty, and still use the discount (unless you're going in concierge.)

 

[tajz90]

Aargh, I'm so torn now!!

Initially I'd planned to do Alaska with my running coach and her husband on a staged Alaskan Marathon cruise (you run a marathon over the course of the cruise). They do it on HAL, and I was going to just suck it up and not do Alaska via DCL. Then she said the date was going to be in June 2014, which isn't doable for me because I teach and we don't get out until like the last Wednesday in June. So I started really looking at DCL and making plans to book on board in February.

NOW she says that they have moved the date to July - not set in stone yet, but most probable.

I don't know what to do!!!!! I want to do the cruise with them...but I'm so spoiled to Disney!! And I don't know if I'd like Alaska enough to book for 2015 on board and go two years in a row.

Life was easier before they changed their dates!!

We've cruised Alaska twice. 1st time was on RCCL and the demographic was older and we didn't like the cruise at all. Scenery was fine, (went to Glacier Bay) , but cruise was not. Never wanted to go back. Disney started sailing Alaska and the kids begged so we took the plunge again and LOVED IT. HAD THE BEST TIME, but we like Disney cruises and the demographic fits

I'd be worried sailing HAL before Disney if you prefer Disney. That's just me.... No haters please.

 

[Dug720]

Your friend must have a very clean mind because she changes it regularly. Does the HAL cruise itinerary include Glacier Bay? That's really gorgeous, and very few permits are given for cruise ships to sail through there, so DCL can't go there. (Princess and HAL hold most of the permits.) But it's o.k. to sail Alaska more than once. (We've been five times.) HAL won't be doing Tracy's Arm, which is the highlight of DCL cruises, and the scenery there is gorgeous too.

I would book onboard to return to Alaska in 2015, but if you decide it's too much of a good thing and want to go elsewhere, or wait awhile to save the shekels, you can move your reservation anytime before your paid-in-full date without penalty, and still use the discount (unless you're going in concierge.)

I have to wonder if the people they know are interested were all having issues with the original date and that's why they're trying to change it.

I will have to look at the itinerary and stuff and go from there.

One big advantage is I can pay for Disney with Disney gift card that I reload with half or more of each store paycheck. For some reason my check card treats ANYTHING paid to a cruise line as the same as a nebulous reservation or restaurant charge, even a deposit or amount where I say THIS amount...and sometimes it tries that in ADDITION to the amount I input, resulting in a reject. So I feel like I'd have to have the entire amount saved up for this one and pay it in one lump sum by something like a cashier's check, which would be a pain.

Ah well... We'll see.

 

[Justacruiser]

I have to wonder if the people they know are interested were all having issues with the original date and that's why they're trying to change it.

I will have to look at the itinerary and stuff and go from there.

One big advantage is I can pay for Disney with Disney gift card that I reload with half or more of each store paycheck. For some reason my check card treats ANYTHING paid to a cruise line as the same as a nebulous reservation or restaurant charge, even a deposit or amount where I say THIS amount...and sometimes it tries that in ADDITION to the amount I input, resulting in a reject. So I feel like I'd have to have the entire amount saved up for this one and pay it in one lump sum by something like a cashier's check, which would be a pain.

Ah well... We'll see.

And you still bank with there? why?

We send in a check every time. No problems, you just can't get a GTY rate because it has to be paid at the time of booking.

 

[Dug720]

And you still bank with there? why?

We send in a check every time. No problems, you just can't get a GTY rate because it has to be paid at the time of booking.

It's an easy way to get just my store paycheck on its place.

Though now that they're offering a debit/check card through Citi, I may change to that. More ATM access anyway...

 

[NancyIL]

Alaska in August, no question about it. The Caribbean is too hot and sticky, and the itinerary may have to be adjusted for a hurricane or two.

Agreed! I loved my first cruise to Alaska so much that I returned 3 more times. My cruises were on Princess and HAL, and I would probably choose a one-way cruise on either again - plus a land trip with a rental car.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Another fan jumping on the Alaska bandwagon We cruised DCL in June and it was by far our favorite cruise and vacation. We'd go again in 2014 if the budget permitted so we're aiming for 2015 to do it again. I would chose Alaska (as would both my DH and DS) over the Caribbean any day!

We are also loyal to DCL and the DCL experience and touch just added that much more to the awesome cruise and memories!

Also - we thoroughly enjoyed Vancouver and highly recommend sailing out of Vancouver if you can. I've been to Seattle several times and it's another favorite city of mine, however cruising out of Vancouver was extra special and we spent 2 days there prior to the cruise and will gladly do it again next time. The cost/benefit ratio wasn't that much higher to go straight to Vancouver as compared to Seattle then getting to Vancouver. Again, as long as the price difference isn't outrageous next time, we will definitely fly straight to Vancouver.

Heather

 

[bzss7x]

Like the OP, we are in Louisiana. There is nothing like an Alaskan cruise to beat the heat. I'd also like to add that there are some awesome excursions on the Alaskan cruise (we did Helicopter/dog sledding, whale watching, and Deadliest Catch). You may need to save extra for some of these, but there were plenty of 'Wow' moments that we will never forget. I really want to go back and fly on a float plane. Awesome trip.

 

[EeyoreIsMyName]

Looking to take the 7 night Alaska cruise next August. Can anybody tell me about their experience? Trying to decide between Alaska and Bahamas.

Here is the link to my trip report from late July 2013 to Alaska. Hopefully, it will answer many questions for you and help you decide.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3150787

 

[Jimbob22]

Looking to take the 7 night Alaska cruise next August. Can anybody tell me about their experience? Trying to decide between Alaska and Bahamas.

Another vote for Alaska. We did a Bahamas cruise 10 years ago, and we're doing a 3 nighter on the Dream next month, but like others have said: Alaska is just different from pretty much all the other US-port based cruises. The views are incredible.

It was often drizzly outside, but that just encouraged us to enjoy all the amenities (seeing a movie in the theater, wife went to cooking demo, etc.). Some people did use the hot tubs, so you could still bring the swim suits.

We spent two nights in downtown Vancouver first, which was nice. If you do this, go to the farmer's market on Granville Island (bring an appetite), also check out Stanley Park.

 

[Spwhoney]

Aargh, I'm so torn now!!

Initially I'd planned to do Alaska with my running coach and her husband on a staged Alaskan Marathon cruise (you run a marathon over the course of the cruise). They do it on HAL, and I was going to just suck it up and not do Alaska via DCL. Then she said the date was going to be in June 2014, which isn't doable for me because I teach and we don't get out until like the last Wednesday in June. So I started really looking at DCL and making plans to book on board in February.

NOW she says that they have moved the date to July - not set in stone yet, but most probable.

I don't know what to do!!!!! I want to do the cruise with them...but I'm so spoiled to Disney!! And I don't know if I'd like Alaska enough to book for 2015 on board and go two years in a row.

Life was easier before they changed their dates!! [/QUOT
Yes you will! I would go every year if I could afford it. If you like relaxing, calming vacations, you will.