Alaska Cruise

[kylaura]

Debating Disney, Holland America and Norwegian for an Alaska 2018 cruise. What would you all recommend for a family with a 13 year old? Pros and cons of any would be appreciated.

 

[Dug720]

I did HAL once. Bored to tears as an adult. I cannot imagine doing time on HAL as a teen.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Debating Disney, Holland America and Norwegian for an Alaska 2018 cruise. What would you all recommend for a family with a 13 year old? Pros and cons of any would be appreciated.

A lot depends on what you're looking for in an Alaskan cruise. Do you want to experience a Disney cruise with Alaska on the side, or just experience Alaska?

Of the 3 lines you asked about, Disney is the only one that doesn't go to Glacier Bay. Is that important to you?

You need to look at the specific itineraries that the ships are doing to check how long they are in port, as that's important for the most time ashore.

Have you checked Princess? They have very similar itineraries to HAL, but the ships are more geared for families.

 

[cruiser21]

Is your child more into socializing and staying up to midnight or is he/she more into excursions and sightseeing. On Disney your child will get both, but it comes at a cost. My teens will always choose Disney, but it's not always in the budget. I'm not sure how the teen clubs are on princess, but I would avoid Hal with a teen. It's my inlaws favorite line and they're pushing 80 if that tells you anything.

 

[xlxo]

I love HAL... but agree Princess is better for families.

Pick a cruise Disney Alaska cruise date.... then do a HAL/Princess price comparison for the same exact week with Glacier Bay.... you will see savings without the pixie dust premium.

 

[saxmangeoff]

I did HAL once. Bored to tears as an adult. I cannot imagine doing time on HAL as a teen.

Interesting. I've considered trying HAL some time in the future. What about it was boring to you?

 

[Dug720]

Interesting. I've considered trying HAL some time in the future. What about it was boring to you?

Everything. It is just not my style of cruising.

 

[kylaura]

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[seacruise]

HAL is fantastic for Alaska, they (along with Princess) have the most variety of itineraries and cruise / land tour combinations. Club HAL is great with younger kids (crafts, games, etc.), but I can see where teenagers could get bored. The other nice thing about HAL for Alaska is their ships all have covered pool areas so you can still swim regardless of the weather.

We've done Princess to Alaska a few times as well and it is really very similar to what HAL offers. Maybe a bit younger crowd, but Alaska in the summer draws a lot of families on any line.

I personally save DCL for the Caribbean. When I am paying the premium that Disney charges I want my trip to be about the ship and the Disney experience. Alaska to me is way more about the ports and experiences on shore.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

HAL is fantastic for Alaska, they (along with Princess) have the most variety of itineraries and cruise / land tour combinations. Club HAL is great with younger kids (crafts, games, etc.), but I can see where teenagers could get bored. The other nice thing about HAL for Alaska is their ships all have covered pool areas so you can still swim regardless of the weather.

We've done Princess to Alaska a few times as well and it is really very similar to what HAL offers. Maybe a bit younger crowd, but Alaska in the summer draws a lot of families on any line.

I personally save DCL for the Caribbean. When I am paying the premium that Disney charges I want my trip to be about the ship and the Disney experience. Alaska to me is way more about the ports and experiences on shore.

We enjoyed both our Alaska trips on HAL. Loved the covered pool.

 

[MUN]

HAL is good for old people. I think DCL or Norwegian would be a good fit for you. Someone said to check out Princess. I hear they are good with families.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

HAL is good for old people.

I've seen plenty of people onboard HAL ships that wouldn't be called "old". I don't really get why it's always said that HAL is for old people. While the activities may be more sedate than other lines, there are plenty of "younger" people who like sedate pursuits.

The decor is certainly more muted than, say, Carnival, or Princess, buy does that make it for old people?

Many of HAL cruises are longer ones, and those do attract more older people, as they are the group that have more "free" time for longer cruises.

 

[MUN]

I've seen plenty of people onboard HAL ships that wouldn't be called "old". I don't really get why it's always said that HAL is for old people. While the activities may be more sedate than other lines, there are plenty of "younger" people who like sedate pursuits.

The decor is certainly more muted than, say, Carnival, or Princess, buy does that make it for old people?

Many of HAL cruises are longer ones, and those do attract more older people, as they are the group that have more "free" time for longer cruises.

You're right. HAL is not just for the old, but the "old at heart" as well.

MUN

 

[lorenni]

Just priced out DCL versus Princess for our 3 person family in August 2018 and Princess was more. Not by a lot, but when you factor in that their cruise is one way so plane tickets will be more the gap will widen.

 

[havaneselover]

I've compared DCL to Princess and Celebrity for Alaska in 2018. My mom is going with us and she loves Celebrity and is underwhelmed by DCL. I priced out similar accommodations on all three on round trip cruises and after my onboard booking and paying with gift cards DCL is about 10% higher. If it were just me and my mom we'd do Celebrity. But with a 13 and 14 year old who love DCL (this will be their 1st gold cruise) I'm willing to pay a little bit more to keep the kids happy. Plus I really want Photos with Alaska Mickey, Minnie, and Donald

 

[MUN]

I've compared DCL to Princess and Celebrity for Alaska in 2018. My mom is going with us and she loves Celebrity and is underwhelmed by DCL. I priced out similar accommodations on all three on round trip cruises and after my onboard booking and paying with gift cards DCL is about 10% higher. If it were just me and my mom we'd do Celebrity. But with a 13 and 14 year old who love DCL (this will be their 1st gold cruise) I'm willing to pay a little bit more to keep the kids happy. Plus I really want Photos with Alaska Mickey, Minnie, and Donald

I hear Celebrity is a nice cruise line. I'm in a similar boat with you concerning teenagers. I love DCL and so do the kids; however, when we become empty nesters, I look forward to trying some other cruise lines. Even HAL!

 

[xlxo]

Does Celebrity include Glacier Bay? If not.... keep looking.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Does Celebrity include Glacier Bay? If not.... keep looking.

Currently, these are the cruise lines allowed entry into Glacier Bay:

• Princess Cruiselines
• Holland America, Inc.
• Norwegian Cruiselines
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Crystal Cruises

This is until new permits are drawn. Chances are the list isn't going to change much, but it could. The current permits run until 2019.