Alaska. Disney vs Celebrity

[cruisehopeful]

So now it's back to Celebrity vs Disney but then I found an awesome hollAnd agenda but not great reviews.

I have been on the DCL Alaska cruise twice and would go again if the prices were cut in half. We don't care about characters. They are fun to run into, but we would never line up to meet one. I do get bored on sea days and the cruises basically start out with 3 sea days. There is nice scenery the whole time and the service has been great. We are very comfortable on the Wonder.

I haven't been on Celebrity, but I have considered it many times. The reviews tend to be very good. Since the itinerary is the same, maybe look at the choices for shore excursions and time docked at each port. One or the other may offer more that interests you. Also, check out what the activities are on the ship. The Alaska excursions are very expensive and you may decide to go with Celebrity so you'll have more money for the ports.

You'll get your best info about DCL Alaska on this site, but for Celebrity, you'll want to check out Cruise Critic. You may also want to find a travel agent that has experience with both lines and they can probably help you decide.

 

[disneyholic family]

i also recommend a one way cruise and adding on a week in the alaskan interior.

we did one week on our own before the cruise (our favorite was in and around seward alaska)..

then a week southbound on the radiance of the seas..

absolutely loved it!!

 

[simpleohio]

I think I'm going to look at the very last week of August going into early September

Hears what it comes down to

It literally is basically the same itinerary except Tracy versus Hubbard glacier

With Disney I have a Oceanview deluxe room and for about the same price I can get a veranda with celebrity difference in price between the two rooms is about $100 and are some onboard credit with celebrity.

I think my hesitation is comfortable with Disney but should I venture to celebrity for that balcony.

I wonder if the excursions are that much higher on Disney versus celebrity

 

[xlxo]

I'm going to look at the very last week of August going into early September

Look at this precipitation chart closely.... there's a reason why prices go down for storm chasers.... there are gamblers.... then there are those who take "calculated risks".
http://usclimatedata.com/climate.php?location=USAK0225

 

[xlxo]

I think I've read that they might have finally revoked the smoking on the balconies

Yep.... here's the details on smoking....
http://f.e.hollandamerica.com/i/41/1010169812/Smoking_Policy.pdf

 

[bcwife76]

Look at this precipitation chart closely.... there's a reason why prices go down for storm chasers.... there are gamblers.... then there are those who take "calculated risks".
http://usclimatedata.com/climate.php?location=USAK0225

We're on the August 28th 2017 cruise to Alaska - rain doesn't scare me, we live in Vancouver lol I'm going for the scenery, whether it be sunny or raining. People need to remember this is not the same as a sunny Caribbean cruise.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I think I'm going to look at the very last week of August going into early September

Hears what it comes down to

It literally is basically the same itinerary except Tracy versus Hubbard glacier

With Disney I have a Oceanview deluxe room and for about the same price I can get a veranda with celebrity difference in price between the two rooms is about $100 and are some onboard credit with celebrity.

I think my hesitation is comfortable with Disney but should I venture to celebrity for that balcony.

I wonder if the excursions are that much higher on Disney versus celebrity

I didn't need a veranda. If you sit on the veranda for too long, you'll be very cold. I kept moving around the ship. I enjoyed my views from deck 4 and deck 9 and I liked moving around a lot. My window did have a great view.

Hubbard glacier is supposed to be the most amazing glacier. I loved Tracy Arm and was most looking forward to seeing it again on my second cruise, but we couldn't go there because there was too much ice. Endicott Arm was fine, but it was a let down for me as I was most looking forward to the Tracy Arm day. Ports are all the same no matter what ship you are on.

From reading your posts, I think you are more comfortable going with Disney. Celebrity is probably great, but if there is a chance that you'll be wishing you were on DCL during your cruise, for the price, you may as well stick with what you know and like.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Unfortunately I don't think Disney is in the budget

If You're traveling with a family of five please look to see if celebrity has any of their family rooms available. They are really really fantastic. But they're only four On each ship and they book up very fast.you can't book them online you have to call to get them. And you have to have exactly 5 people in your party to be allowed to book them.

Also, of the four family rooms, two have oversize balconies and twi have regular size balconies.

 

[MUN]

Am on fence. I love my Disney but for Alaska should I consider switching to celebrity. The cost is lower and the agendas look similar. We are 2 adults!

Thoughts?

If price is a concern, I would book Celebrity if it is just for 2 adults.

MUN

 

[RedSox68]

OK... I recommend...

• look to May - June for cheaper cruise prices in dry weather.
• skip Yukon Denali.. you need more days than you have time for
• check out HAL/Princess for Glacier Bay opportunity to skip the pixie dust premium.

Yes, May was cheaper and spectacular. We were the first sailing out (from Vancouver) the year we went and loved it. The weather was great and there was still a lot of snow in many areas. Just beautiful. Princess and HAL offer an add on to Denali (2-3 days). If that fits into your schedule, both the spectacular train ride and Denali itself are worth the extra days.

So is Holland a good cruise line? They have a great agenda with glacier bay and Tracy arm plus it's a round trip. I want to do the round trip out of one city for ease of my flights.

I still have Disney on hold but it's an ocean view not balcony. The price is good but worried I should do Celebrity or someone else for the same costs. Not sure why I can't figure this out. I think it's because I am taking my mom and want her to feel special but it has to still be affordable for me.

I liked the princess agenda but I want a couch in room and that means a mini suite which takes that out of the price point.

So now it's back to Celebrity vs Disney but then I found an awesome hollAnd agenda but not great reviews.

I am flex on my dates. Either May or June or very late August.

We have done two HAL cruises and they have been some of our favorites. Besides their itineraries being wonderful (we have also done the New England/Canada cruise), we love the rooms (some great balconies), the crew and the food is wonderful. I wouldn't hesitate to sail them again. And like I said earlier, their ships are classier and their prices are half of Disney's!

 

[simpleohio]

Well I canceled Disney. Celebrity booked.

200 less but got $300 worth of onboard credit and upgraded to the concierge balcony instead of my ocean view room with Disney

I'll just do another Disney some other time

 

[tigger2002]

When thinking about Alaska cruises I would consider the itinerary more important than the cruise line. We went on RC because they offer one-way cruises. We flew into anchorage, took the train to Seward, and cruised with RC to Vancouver. It was a fantastic cruise. We have always cruised with Disney in the past.
Alaska is VERY expensive on any cruise ship. The excursions are expensive, but you have to do them.

 

[Karlzmom]

Well I canceled Disney. Celebrity booked.

200 less but got $300 worth of onboard credit and upgraded to the concierge balcony instead of my ocean view room with Disney

I'll just do another Disney some other time

Good deal! Now you can start your planning! Here's a couple thoughts/tips: after your priority boarding, you will be able to attend a seated and served lunch in the MDR instead of fighting the buffet crowds....oh I forgot the glass of sparkling wine or mimosas offered at boarding....

As concierge you will have priority debark at ports. They will direct you to a specific area. Also keep your eyes open as the open the helipad for viewing at times for concierge guests...

Have a great time!

 

[tinktwice]

We did Celebrity Alaska a couple of years ago with extended family. As two adults, I wouldn't hesitate doing Celebrity or Princess. Even with kids, the other lines are still a great choice especially for Alaska.