Alaska: HA 7 day or 5 day DCL?

[MamaBear58]

I would probably do Princess over HA...Princess is also known for their Alaskan itineraries.

But if those two were the choices, HA or Disney, I would pick Disney if price is comparable.

I would as well. The HAL smoking policy is a deal killer for me on an itinerary during which we would want to be outside a lot. And I have done 3 HAL cruises on which I was very happy. But I was in OVs so the smoking on balconies wasn't an issue. I am considering Princess or Disney.

 

[xlxo]

It looks like the 5 night only has one stop in Ketchikan. If you enjoy cruising for the sake of cruising, I think you'll have a great time. If you are trying to see Alaska, I think it could be a let down, unless you are sure that you can go again for longer later on.

I'm going to vote for HAL....

• Ketchikan is the closest port to Canada... but it's also my least fav port.
• HAL offers Glacier bay on some sailings. They also offer a mid-cruise excursion to Tracy Arm and Sawyer if this is important to you with Glacier Bay.
• With a Ketchikan turnback.... you will have NO glacier scenic cruise days
• how much is that HAL 7 day.... how much is that DCL 5 day? How much?

 

[NancyIL]

I'm going to vote for HAL....

• Ketchikan is the closest port to Canada... but it's also my least fav port.
• HAL offers Glacier bay on some sailings. They also offer a mid-cruise excursion to Tracy Arm and Sawyer if this is important to you with Glacier Bay.
• With a Ketchikan turnback.... you will have NO glacier scenic cruise days
• how much is that HAL 7 day.... how much is that DCL 5 day? How much?

DCL's 5-night cruise goes to Ketchikan and Tracy Arm. An inside cabin starts at $1240 + $159.84 taxes pp.

Of all the ports and glaciers DCL could choose for their 5-day, those two are my least favorite! But as you said, they are the two closest.

 

[xlxo]

Thanks for the clarification... missed Tracy Arm.

 

[MousseauMob]

thanks, MousseMob. Now I'm back to debating HA.... how was the smoking on HA? What types of evening shows did they have on HA Alaska?

HAL does allow smoking on verandas, but we have never had a problem with it, and I use the veranda a lot. The ship is moving, which would help disperse the smoke. DCL has designated areas for smoking, which I've walked through by mistake, but it also wasn't an issue as I just left the area. I've also only once (far away) seen a whale from the ship, while others have seen lots. So everyone's experience is different.

Our favorite comedians and musical comedy acts have been on HAL. Magicians have been hit and miss on both. The show productions are better on DCL, but they don't change often enough. We didn't go to any on our B2B on DCL because we'd seen them all before. Individual musicians are a tie. All subjective, of course. Which is why I think itinerary and price is so important.

For the price of DCL we can sail in a suite on HAL - love the Neptune lounge and free laundry, and see more of Alaska, so that would be my choice. But we loved our DCL Alaska cruise also, so you can't go wrong either way IMO.