Alaska or Med

[LuvtoPlan]

We are a large family of 18 that have sailed on 4 Disney Cruises (2 Eastern, Western,Mexican Riviera). Looking to take Family on different itinerary. Ages range from 1-77. Considering next cruise to Alaska or Med but looking for feedback.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are a large family of 18 that have sailed on 4 Disney Cruises (2 Eastern, Western,Mexican Riviera). Looking to take Family on different itinerary. Ages range from 1-77. Considering next cruise to Alaska or Med but looking for feedback.

For me - either. BUT, I'd be looking at another cruise line for Alaska.

If you insist on Disney, just be aware that DCL is at the bottom of the pecking order in selecting Alaska itineraries. Their port times (length of port stop) and what ports they visit are more limited than other lines.

We loved our Med cruise on DCL. Would do it again.

 

[ForMyBoys]

We just did Alaska with 10 and it was a fabulous trip. I can’t compare to the med since I’ve never done the med but will say we were able to find good private excursions for our large group. We ranged in age from 7 to 77 and everyone had a great time.

 

[aggiedog]

I've not done Alaska, but you should know the Med is HOT in the summer. We're from Texas and it was exhausting to be out in the heat for any length of time.

The Baltic is not an option? We did that with DCL and loved it.

 

[tink1970]

I've taken my parents to both and have to agree with @aggiedog (gig 'em) that the Med really wears you out.

Alaska is a very nice itinerary in the summer since it's usually cooler and less humid (than the South, anyway), has beautiful scenery and variety of excursion opportunities. I don't think I'll take my parents (late 60s/mid 70s) back to the Med but would definitely return to Alaska.

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[Cousin Orville]

We’ve done a few Med and Northern European cruises with DCL and have always had a fabulous time. As mentioned above, the Med is rather hot in the summer. It didn’t bother us, but if heat is a concern look toward a N. European cruise.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Does your family live closer to the east coast or the west? Just wondering how long the flights would be for your youngest and oldest travelers. I really don't enjoy being crammed into a flying sardine can for hours (and hours) on end, so the flights would be a consideration in choosing Alaska vs the Mediterranean.

We love Alaska -- have cruised there six times. Princess has the best itineraries, especially the ones that include a land tour of Denali National Park. DH wants to do the Med and was looking at a cruise next August. Um, no. I told him it's way too hot, so we're going in October instead. Yes, we're used to heat, but much of Europe does not have A/C and when I go on vacation to escape the heat, I don't want to endure more of it.

 

[Quellman]

I am cost conscious, so I wouldn't be booking Disney for either itinerary.
As for the location, with a 1 year old and a 77 year old, I would want to stay closer to home with Alaska just based on any medical emergencies that could arise. Simpler while at home. The Med is a very port intensive trip, so if you want to get off and explore, you are going to be go go go go go go which isn't relaxing with a toddler.

Having completed an Alaskan cruise and visiting many places around the Med. Both are very different vacations. But for me, most of Europe is a stay and experience the culture and the sights vs. just getting a photo op at the famous places, so a cruise isn't really my idea of enjoying the areas. Alaska has beauty, lots of port adventures for all ages, and is generally a very relaxing trip without being shuttled from the Coliseum to Fountain Trevi to the Vatacan in a single day.

 

[cheermom2four]

We just did DCL Med cruise this past September and loved it but it was definitely port intensive. Not sure about how the 1 year old and 77 year old would handle that itinerary as we were a group of 6 ages 6 yrs to 52 and it was tiring thats for sure but sooooooooooo worth it. I've looked into doing an Alaska cruise on other cruise lines due to prices are so different than other cruise lines compared to DCL.

 

[GPaLarry]

Wife and I did the Med last fall and it is port-intensive if you want it to be. Most of the key sites, ruins and historical structures are a distance from port, requiring some down time in travel on land. DCL, of course, does have a few excursions that are interesting for kids. Most are for older, perhaps teenage+ kids.
We took the DCL Alaska cruise this past June with two of our "kids" and their families...11 in all from 8-76 years old. Now, we live in Portland, OR, so we drove to Vancouver BC, saving a bunch on airfare (son lives in LA, so he did have to fly here). Found that a number of the excursions could be enjoyed by all ages and everyone had a blast. The number of critters...air, land & sea...makes this a real kid-friendly cruise.
I would suggest looking at the distance you have to travel for each cruise, the excursions offered that appeal to the widest age range for your party for each, expense for entire package for each and perhaps booking a placeholder on the cruise you pick for the one you didn't.

 

[Kate_45]

I second the point that the med is as intensive as you want it to be. Of course if you want to see Rome from Civitavecchia it will take several hours of travelling each way and a very long day, but if you just want to get a taste of Italy you can get a car to take you less than half an hour to Tarquinia where you can see Etruscan tombs and the UNESCO ancient city. You can probably even pop into the museum and paddle on the beach and still get back for early dining.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts....

• another vote for Alaska.... low terrorism threat, they welcome the US dollar, they speak English, ATT coverage
• as mentioned.... if you are willing to give up the Pixie Dust premium.... check out Princess and Holland America. You WILL find significant savings for your group. Do seek out a cruise that includes Glacier Bay for a superior glacier experience. Do look for a Vancouver sailing and plan extra pre/post-cruise days at your bonus port.
• What month are you sailing? If May to July.... think Alaska as it gets wet in August.... stormy in September. Perhaps save August/September for the Med.

 

[remlap]

We’ve done both on Disney. (Med just two months ago). If you’ve already done both I’d recommend Alaska, you dock and the port towns are right there so even if not doing a full blown Excursion you can at least walk around town and see the local sites. The Med cities are all and hour train or bus ride away. Don’t get me wrong we loved it. But unsure how it would play out with a big group. On other hand you do have numbers so you can arrange private tours at a lower per person cost.

 

[ickeymouseDisney 5]

For me - either. BUT, I'd be looking at another cruise line for Alaska.

If you insist on Disney, just be aware that DCL is at the bottom of the pecking order in selecting Alaska itineraries. Their port times (length of port stop) and what ports they visit are more limited than other lines.

We loved our Med cruise on DCL. Would do it again.

What excursions did you do on Med cruise.
Alaska was beyond amazing - a must for sure!

 

[cruiser21]

If there's kids involved Alaska for sure. If you have kids that love long port days, old dirty cities, long bus rides, and have a great appreciation for history then I'd pick the Med.

 

[aggiedog]

If there's kids involved Alaska for sure. If you have kids that love long port days, old dirty cities, long bus rides, and have a great appreciation for history then I'd pick the Med.

Spoken by someone that perhaps did the wrong port excursions. My kids have enjoyed Europe since the youngest was 7.

 

[ldo]

My kids also loved the med. you have to mix a long day with a 1/2 day and even let them stay in kids club for a super long day.

 

[cruiser21]

Spoken by someone that perhaps did the wrong port excursions. My kids have enjoyed Europe since the youngest was 7.

My kids preferred Alaska and so did I over the Med. Nothing to do with me picking the wrong port excursions. Thanks for implying that I don't know how to plan a trip. We all have our opinions you know.

 

[aggiedog]

No offense intended. (See the winkie emoji.) Everyone’s experiences will vary but I would not wholesale discount Europe due to a child’s age. It depends on so many factors. Better to say the pros and cons of each trip and let families decide what’s best for them.

 

[cruiser21]

No offense intended. (See the winkie emoji.) Everyone’s experiences will vary but I would not wholesale discount Europe due to a child’s age. It depends on so many factors. Better to say the pros and cons of each trip and let families decide what’s best for them.

I never discounted Europe. I've been there many times. I would not discount Europe based on age either, but my opinion is Alaska is just more fun for kids. OP asked for people's opinions I gave her mine. I'm obviously not as enamored with Italy as some people. Just not my cup of tea. I'm glad I went, but once was enough.