Alaska: July vs May worth 5K?

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Hi All!
New to the boards, never cruised DCL before. We're waiting for itineraries to open up for Alaska 2019 and I'm researching current year costs to get an idea of the prices we might be looking at. One wrinkle for us is that our youngest son's 3rd birthday is in June 2019. If we sail on one of the May itineraries in a verandah room, it looks like we would save about $5,000 between the difference of him being 2 vs 3 and it being shoulder season vs high season. We would probably only use the nursery for 1 Palo brunch and/or dinner so that cost is negligible. I'm hoping he'll be potty trained by May so that he could go in the regular pool with us since he loves to swim, although May is typically colder, but sunnier. In tallying up the pros and cons, this is what I've come up with:

May Pros:
COST!
Lower crowds onboard and at port
Sunnier/less rain typically
Less Buggy until June

Late July Pros:
Bears! (We really want to do a bear-watching excursion in Ketchikan, although there is a non-DCL one that will take you to where the bears go clamming/grazing instead of salmon fishing in May)
Higher chance of going into Tracy Arm/less ice
Little guy could hang out in kids club which would be more fun for him
Smaller chance of excursions being canceled due to weather? This kind of seems like a crapshoot anytime of year though.
No need to take older DS out of school
Flights might be cheaper since it won't be around Memorial Day

Of course we'll see what the prices actually are when they finally release them, hopefully soon. But what would you do? This is probably a once in a lifetime cruise for us so I really want it to be awesome. TIA!

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Oh - and my older son will be 7, so they would be in the same group in the kids club in July.

 

[cruiser21]

What about Sept. No bugs, sons older, cost is less then July and Salmon are still running.

 

[Shanti]

I've read a great trip report about a May DCL cruise, so I wouldn't worry about weather. There is actually an excursion that involves snow that can only happen in May. I think excursions in general (particularly those involving planes or helicopters) are less likely to be cancelled in May, because the rain chance is lower.

In your shoes, I would choose May, for the reduced chance of being rained on, and for the lesser price. Your other son will only be in 1st or 2nd grade, so missing school won't really be problematic for him, especially so close to the end of the school year.

I imagine that flights & accommodations in Vancouver will be more expensive in July (peak cruise & travel season up there), than in May. Private excursions will be harder to book during peak season, too.

 

[Pens Fan]

Well, it seems as if you've done a lot of the research and summed up the pros and cons really well. Is the difference worth $5K? That's tough and it really depends on what that $5K means to your family. I'll say this. Cruises to Alaska sail in May every week, year after year, so people must be enjoying them. We have never gone that early, but were actually talking about that when we were there last summer. It would be a nice change, and something we might do in the future.

If you really would prefer July, did you consider not getting the verandah and going with an OV, or maybe even a navigator's verandah? We've never had the latter, but I would think they would be pretty nice for Alaska as it would offer some protection from the wind, while still getting to enjoy having a verandah. They are typically a pretty decent savings over a category 5 verandah stateroom.

Also - as for the bear excursions, watch for age restrictions. I imagine you can find some out there without any, but I know a lot of them won't take anyone as young as 3.

 

[ironz]

We went on the first cruise in May 2017 (trip report is in the DCL trip report section) and had a great time!
Part of our decision was based on lower cost, as well as my ability to have time off work. $5000 is a significant amount of money (could be a whole other cruise!)
7A category saves $ over a regular verandah as well. A good friend of mine did this cruise in an Oceanview room and her family was perfectly happy with either looking out the window or going on deck to see the scenery.

We don't have kids, so I can't speak to that part of it.
We had not planned on seeing bears/salmon, so that wasn't an issue for us (I used to do contract work in Ketchikan, so not a huge deal). If that is a huge factor, you can go see bears at Grouse Mountain, I believe, in Vancouver?

Our weather was a mixed bag: perfect and lovely in Vancouver, appropriately chilly for Endicott Arm (I thought the glacier there was amazing and did not miss going to Tracy Arm one bit), pretty cold and windy in Skagway, and warmed up gradually the last 3 days. I played on the water slide the last sea day. Air was a little chilly, but the water was warm.

 

[mousefan73]

You seem more focused on actually seeing doing things in Alaska; anotherwards a more port experience driven cruise. I then will ne the devil’s advocate and say take a look at other cruise lines where that 5G savings is in all seasons, or not ???

 

[tink1970]

I've been in both May (due to a great military rate) and the year previously in July (the 3rd week). I was completely excited about seeing bears and took a very expensive excursion...and no bears. So they aren't necessarily guaranteed even in July! That said, I'd go for the May savings. Either way, it's a great cruise

 

[Geomom]

I'm all about getting the most for your money, so I'd probably say May. With a 7yr old, you can take them out of school without much issue (by middle school and high school it's tough missing more than 1-2 days.) I would also suggest doing an oceanview--that saves you at least $3,000 for the Alaskan cruises as verandahs come at a premium on the Wonder and Magic. We loved our room on deck 2, right at the aft elevators (2116, category 9C). 1 very large porthole, very convenient location--easy to go up to deck 4 to be outside, easy elevator ride up to deck 9 for the buffet/beverage station. You'll spend a little $ for the nursery for your youngest, but with the amount you're saving for the cruise it would be worth it. Also, at just over 3 in July, he might be overwhelmed by the kids' clubs without one of his parents, even with an older sibling with him. For May, he can still visit the kids clubs with you during open house times.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Thanks for all the comments so far!

@cruiser21 - Would prefer to miss school in May vs Sept. Also Sept is the rainiest month, no? But true point about bears and fall scenery would be amazing
@Shanti - I hadn't thought about Vancouver accommodation prices being higher as well, good point. I don't know how long we would spend there given that we are already looking at missing a week of school for a 7 day cruise, but even 2 nights with a big cost difference could add up for sure!
@Pens Fan - since I'm looking at cruises for 2018 for comparison, most of the economical options are sold out. I'll try the cruise compare tool at TP and see if I can get an idea of the savings you mean. Disney's Neets Bay bear watching is available for ages 0 and up, sure it is popular and may sell out quickly though.
@ironz - Thanks for the Grouse mountain tip!
@mousefan - when they are older I would love to look at smaller boats like the National Geographic ones (although those are as expensive or more than Disney!) But my little one has recently fallen in love with all things Mickey and my older one will be thrilled to get to spend a week with his favorite characters and learn how to be a superhero in the kids' club. Since we aren't planning to go to WDW until SWGE opens it will be a way to get our Disney fix.
@tink1970 - sorry you missed the bears! How did the weather on your two trips compare?
@Geomom - I hear you on the cost, I want the verandah for myself since I'm assuming my younger DS will still be in for an hour nap every day, and I would like to relax outside instead of feeling stuck in the room. DH also hates crowds so anything I can do to give him private space to enjoy the scenery would be good too.

I guess we'll see once the prices come out! Definitely leaning towards May now though. Thanks all!

 

[tink1970]

sorry you missed the bears! How did the weather on your two trips compare?

So frustrating when Nature doesn't cooperate with your plans (silly bears!). I still got to take the flightplane to the island to look for the bears and tromp around in a lovely forest so that was a cool experience. Funny I'd go all the way to Alaska and spend a lot of money on an excursion when we have bears here. Silly human!

It was a little rainier and cooler in May (probably 50s/60s), as you would expect. One day it was in the high 70s/low 80s on the July cruise, otherwise mostly in the 70s if I recall correctly. We live in Florida so I definitely prefer going somewhere cooler during the summer so they were both very comfortable (to me). Both times I enjoyed myself so much I started dreaming of a summer place in Alaska

 

[Shanti]

You seem more focused on actually seeing doing things in Alaska; anotherwards a more port experience driven cruise. I then will ne the devil’s advocate and say take a look at other cruise lines where that 5G savings is in all seasons, or not ???

I don't know about that- they did mention the kids' club experience as being important. For a family with a 7 year-old and a 2 or 3 year-old taking a "once in a lifetime cruise" as the OP described, I think DCL is the way to go.

 

[cadien]

If you’re not doing Denali, you don’t need to worry about bugs. They’re not bad in Southeast. Maybe Scagway.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I'm in a similar situation but my son will be 10 by summer 2019. Our school year ends around Memorial Day and starts up mid August, so we will likely be looking at beginning of June. September is a no go and we decided that after this years (3rd grade) we wouldn't take him out of school for vacation any more. We did in kindergarten and first grade though (and 2 days to WDW end of this month )

 

[cruiser21]

What about an ocean view. I don't think a verandahs worth the money. There are plenty of places to see scenerery and there's only so much time you can spend looking at it. With a 3 and 7 year old you'll be busy with shows and things.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Thanks for this post OP - we are also looking to book Alaska summer 2019.
Can’t decide on which month - what about end of August? Anyone know how it compares to May or July - weather-wise, wildlife-wise? Bears, salmon, whales etc

I do agree with other posters - save the $ and book an oceanview.
We always book a verandah, but our recent cruise on the Wonder we booked a deck 2 oceanview and loved it!
We were very sceptical of deck 2 and it was the best location.
Love verandah most but thinking with the price difference for Alaska - will most likely book deck 2 again.

 

[xlxo]

Can’t decide on which month - what about end of August? Anyone know how it compares to May or July - weather-wise, wildlife-wise? Bears, salmon, whales etc

While August is known for the jumping salmon..... my next trip will be late July. August starts to get wet.

Click on this link and look at the chart on the right side. https://usclimatedata.com/climate.php?location=USAK0225

August gets almost double the rain of July. I like dry port weather.

Otherwise, the great people of Ketchikan welcomes August cruisers to watch them fill their rain gauge.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

While August is known for the jumping salmon..... my next trip will be late July. August starts to get wet.

Click on this link and look at the chart on the right side. https://usclimatedata.com/climate.php?location=USAK0225

August gets almost double the rain of July. I like dry port weather.

Otherwise, the great people of Ketchikan welcomes August cruises to watch them fill their rain gauge.

Hmm that explains why aug 27 sailing is so much less $ for 2018.
Assuming it’s same thing every year on every line. It will depend on the price difference for us.
Like OP we may also do shoulder season, but will see first if we can pull off June or July.

 

[Colbyrsmom]

Hi All!
New to the boards, never cruised DCL before. We're waiting for itineraries to open up for Alaska 2019 and I'm researching current year costs to get an idea of the prices we might be looking at. One wrinkle for us is that our youngest son's 3rd birthday is in June 2019. If we sail on one of the May itineraries in a verandah room, it looks like we would save about $5,000 between the difference of him being 2 vs 3 and it being shoulder season vs high season. We would probably only use the nursery for 1 Palo brunch and/or dinner so that cost is negligible. I'm hoping he'll be potty trained by May so that he could go in the regular pool with us since he loves to swim, although May is typically colder, but sunnier. In tallying up the pros and cons, this is what I've come up with:

May Pros:
COST!
Lower crowds onboard and at port
Sunnier/less rain typically
Less Buggy until June

Late July Pros:
Bears! (We really want to do a bear-watching excursion in Ketchikan, although there is a non-DCL one that will take you to where the bears go clamming/grazing instead of salmon fishing in May)
Higher chance of going into Tracy Arm/less ice
Little guy could hang out in kids club which would be more fun for him
Smaller chance of excursions being canceled due to weather? This kind of seems like a crapshoot anytime of year though.
No need to take older DS out of school
Flights might be cheaper since it won't be around Memorial Day

Of course we'll see what the prices actually are when they finally release them, hopefully soon. But what would you do? This is probably a once in a lifetime cruise for us so I really want it to be awesome. TIA!

 

[cruiser21]

I also would not base your decision on what you think the weather will be. Alaska is unpredictable. The cruise before us the last week of August had no rain. It was 80 degrees when we left Vancouver on Labor day. Our first sea day was like being in the Bahamas. We had a little light rain in ports, some clouds a little sunshine, but nothing bad. Temps were in the 50's and 60's. Our excursions guides said our weather was pretty typical most of the year....off and on light rain, clouds, with occasional sunshine. The only negative I see to late in the season is that it gets dark earlier around 8pm.