Alaska....how to make it less stressful

[lovedisney123]

We have sailed the Disney Cruise 12 times over the years. It is simple because we know how it works. We fly Southwest into MCO take the magical express over to Boardwalk and they the Disney Cruise Line bus picks us up the next day and takes us to the ship and then back again and then back to the airport when we are done. Simple, easy, no stress, just a relaxing vacation.

NOW...I really want to do on an Alaskan cruise in 2018. The dates are not out yet, but I want to be prepared when they do.

Is it easier to have Disney book our airfare? And will they transport you to an assigned hotel? Will they take care of everything for us? Or do I need to figure out how to get to the airport and the port and so on?

I just wondered if they have made this cruise simple like the one out of Florida. So if you can tell me what to expect, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[jdb in AZ]

You can usually get cheaper air fare if you book it yourself. Then YOU choose the flight that's most convenient for you. Often the flight chosen by the Mouse isn't all that convenient.

Vancouver airport is much closer to the cruise terminal than MCO is to Port Canaveral. Just call a cab. It's really that simple. Then you can leave your hotel and head for the port at your convenience instead of waiting for the bus.

If you stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel (yes, that would be a MAJOR splurge) the cruise terminal is just an elevator ride away.

 

[lovedisney123]

Any suggestions on Hotels near by? It is just for one night before, so we would mostly be looking for convenient but yet pleasant for the one night stay.

 

[mcodsnyfreak]

We cruised last may and stayed at the Days Inn Vancouver Downtown, it was walking distance to Canada Place, about 4 blocks. We were two adults with 3 suitcases and found it was an easy walk to port. It was about US$ 120 a night with no breakfast, but there's a Tim Horton's less than a block away where we stopped for breakfast. We stayed in Vancouver for 5 nights before the cruise and then another night after the cruise, all at the Days Inn and found it was a pretty good value and very well located. Taxi from the airport to the hotel was about CAN$ 40. If you can, I would recommend visiting Vancouver for a few nights before of after the Cruise, it's a beautiful city!

 

[lovedisney123]

We cruised last may and stayed at the Days Inn Vancouver Downtown, it was walking distance to Canada Place, about 4 blocks. We were two adults with 3 suitcases and found it was an easy walk to port. It was about US$ 120 a night with no breakfast, but there's a Tim Horton's less than a block away where we stopped for breakfast. We stayed in Vancouver for 5 nights before the cruise and then another night after the cruise, all at the Days Inn and found it was a pretty good value and very well located. Taxi from the airport to the hotel was about CAN$ 40. If you can, I would recommend visiting Vancouver for a few nights before of after the Cruise, it's a beautiful city!

Thanks so much! Sounds good!

 

[bumbershoot]

Any suggestions on Hotels near by? It is just for one night before, so we would mostly be looking for convenient but yet pleasant for the one night stay.

Do a google map satellite image view using Canada Place as the search phrase. Get in close enough so you can see all of the hotels in literal walking distance. There are two Fairmounts *right there*. There's a Hyatt Regency (with an excellent club level) about 10 minutes' walk away from Canada Place (which is the port, and Pan Pacific and the convention center are there, too). There are many very nice hotels in a quick (and clean and reasonable, especially with the way US currency is compared to Canadian right now) cab ride's distance away.


I believe you CAN book hotel and transfers from Disney, but Vancouver has so many simple options there's almost no point IMO. Cab from the airport into downtown for a hotel close to the port, cab from the hotel to the port.

 

[bcwife76]

I think the most confusing/stressful part is the port, Canada Place has several cruise ship companies that use our port so you will not be the only cruise line in that day and it gets a bit busy. But the signage is good and there are lots of DCL staff to help you find the way.

 

[coloradocutie]

We took the light rail from the airport to the stop closest to Canada Place. We walked one block to the Fairmont Waterfront. So easy. We did it with a 1 and 4 year old .
The Fairmont was lovely. The rate (through amex- in advance) was much better than the Pan Pacific and we were able to get a club level room so breakfast/snacks/drinks were included. We could sit on the club patio deck, eat breakfast and look at the Wonder. It was really nice. They transported our bags to the port for us.

Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

[xavier2001]

We let Disney do our airfare, they quoted a price than was cheaper than we could find on our own. You could let Disney do it all with ground transfers to the Fairmont Hotel where you stay overnight then they transport your luggage to the ship from the hotel. Its pricey though, we ended up staying at a Hampton Inn about 10 minutes away that had a free shuttle. We took a cab from the airport to the hotel, it was no additional stress at all. The cruise is SO worth it, best one we've been on to date!

 

[st0nehedge]

We are doing the first 2017 Alaska cruise! Booked airfare online separate from Disney. Found it cheaper to book two one-way flights instead of a round trip flight. Will be staying at the Sunset Inn and Suites, and planning on taking a taxi to the port, and a taxi from the airport to the hotel! Breakfast and wifi included, and that's all we need really!

This all said, of course Disney would be more than happy to book a hotel and flights for you.

Have a happy cruise!

 

[xlxo]

NOW...I really want to do on an Alaskan cruise in 2018. The dates are not out yet, but I want to be prepared when they do.

Thoughts on things to consider....

• Vancouver offers so much more than all the Alaskan ports combined. Best to plan for 2 to 4 days pre/post-cruise to embrace it all.
• There is significant savings to hotels a few blocks away from the cruise terminal. Blue Horizon, Delta, Hampton Inn and YWCA are popular choices for budget travelers... especially for multi-night stays.
• Think about which month. May to July is statistically dryer for your port days. August starts to get wet and September is best for storm chasers. Some say August offer more wildlife sightings (ie bears and salmon).
• if you want to see Tracy Arm.... you might want to go later in the season to avoid ice congestion
• May and September is the cheapest..... July/August has the highest prices
• also compare Princess and HAL sailings.... you might see significant savings that includes Glacier Bay for glacier seekers
• 2018? The glaciers aren't getting any bigger.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

When we did DCL in Europe we had them book our airfare for a few reasons: if we found a better rate on our own, we could cancel it; We desired to fly out of the closest airport to us (a small international airport, fewer options); we could not book airfare on our own yet (too far in advance); we did not have points to use for seats. In the end, DCL rate was the same or slightly better than what I could get on my own (although I came up with some more complicated options, and/or much more distant airports that were cheaper but much less convenient).

If you live near one or more large international airports, you can probably get a better airfare deal on your own. Also having points to use will certainly be better.

Good luck

 

[cruisehopeful]

Vancouver is a very friendly tourist city. It is much easier to get around than you can imagine. I, too was very concerned about handing the travel arrangements in a foreign country. We ended up staying at Hampton Inn because I had Hilton points and we took the light rail from the airport. We only had to walk a few blocks to our hotel, but Vancouver is a very nice city and it is walking friendly. The Hampton had a shuttle to the cruise port and I only had USD with me and the driver was fine with accepting a tip in USD.

DCL was offering nightly stays for the Fairmont Waterfront (which was sold out when we booked our cruise) and the Fairmont Airport. The Fairmont Airport is very convenient because you get off the plane and walk into your hotel lobby, but you don't get to see the city much. If you can add on an extra night or 2, Vancouver is a very nice place to visit. We are planning on going back for a Vancouver only trip because we loved it so much.

 

[lovedisney123]

Thanks everyone!!!!! Lots to research! We have to go the 3rd or 4th weekend of July. That is it. My husband works at a university and we need to go between summer session and fall semester. So not a lot of flexibility on dates. Just those two weeks. I will look at some of the places you guys have suggested. We are so excited!!!! Alaska is on my Bucket List!

 

[xlxo]

The 3rd and 4th week in the Vancouver can be very exciting with fireworks competitions and Pride. It's also a Canadian Long weekend. With all the excitement, hotels will be priced higher with availability issues.
http://hondacelebrationoflight.com/

Based on previous dates.... In 2018... you may want to be in town (or avoid) these dates.

• July 28th is the 1st Fireworks
• August 1st is the 2nd Fireworks
• August 4th is the 3rd Fireworks
• August 5th is the Pride Parade
• August 6th is the big long weekend.

I'll also add in recent years, the Disney Wonder does a 9 day, followed by a 5 day trip to change things up for the 7 day regular trip in late July.
https://cruise.expedia.ca/Cruise/en-CA/Itinerary?item=875076

 

[Cincypam]

Yikes! Good to know about the Long Canadian Weekend. Thanks!

 

[ludari]

It's not stressful at all, in fact I find it fun planning all the details of my trips. I'm a solo cruiser and I have taken several cruises out of Vancouver and I have always booked my own airfare to get the best bargain, arrange my own transportation and book my hotel near the waterfront within walking distance to the port. I have even done all my own arrangements (air, transportation and hotel) for two westbound transatlantic cruises from Spain. It's a lot easier than you think. Good luck.

 

[xlxo]

Yikes! Good to know about the Long Canadian Weekend. Thanks!

If the Wonder repeats it's 2017 routine.... the ship does a 9 day cruise to avoid the long weekend for pre/post-cruise. Followed by an abbreviated 5 day cruise.

It's more of an impact for those seeking an extended multi-day stay in Vancouver where tourist attractions will be busy with non-cruisers.

 

[tigerchic89]

We loved our DCL Alaska cruise. We stayed the 1st night near the airport at a Hampton that had a free airport shuttle. All of us arrived late and we needed a cheap place to sleep. I arranged a car service to drive 6 of us + luggage to the pan pacific. I think it was $80-$100 for the car service. The rate that I got at Pan Pacific was not too much higher than other downtown vancouver hotels but I did have to pay in fill in advance. I think we paid $250 per room. We spent the full day sightseeing in Vancouver, went to the Calipino Suspension Bridge (booked the bus trip through the Pan Pacific), it was awesome. To justify the hotel, we ate our dinner and breakfast on embarkion day at the food court across the street via underground tunnel. There was a drug/grocery store a few blocks away where I walked to pick up bottled water and snacks. DCL picked up our luggage from our Pan room and it was so nice to just walk downstairs and get on the ship.

 

[KayKayJS]

We haven't gone yet, but were planning on staying at the Hyatt and getting there by cab. We're spending 3 full days in Vancouver there then we'll either walk or take a quick cab to the port.