Alaska Question

[Chernabog#1fan]

Can anyone here provide feedback on cruising Alaska in an inside stateroom? Did it negatively impact your cruise or did you just spend a lot of time on the pool deck?

 

[apathetic]

When we did Alaska it was an inside room. We were out of the room so much it didn't matter. I remember it was very dark in there, but otherwise it was great. Many times it was better to view from the pool deck anyway because you can see more than just your verandah view.

 

[Dug720]

When we did Alaska it was an inside room. We were out of the room so much it didn't matter. I remember it was very dark in there, but otherwise it was great. Many times it was better to view from the pool deck anyway because you can see more than just your verandah view.

This! My first AK cruise (on HAL) I splurged on a balcony because everyone says you "HAVE TO HAVE ONE OR YOUR TRIP WILL BE MISERABLE". I missed out on a lot of socializing with people in the group I was with because I constantly felt like I had to get my money's worth from that stupid balcony. And invariably when I'd decide to go out there during the day, something exciting would be on the OTHER side of the ship - so I ended up on the top decks anyway.

My second AK cruise (on RCCL but with the same group) I did the inside cabin and had a much better time. More time with my friends in the group, more time on deck without worrying about not getting my money's worth, etc.

If I go back again, I'd have NO issues with an inside cabin.

 

[Shanti]

Can anyone here provide feedback on cruising Alaska in an inside stateroom? Did it negatively impact your cruise or did you just spend a lot of time on the pool deck?

I'll find out next month. Did an incredible amount of back & forth between stateroom types, and finally decided to save $1,400 for 2 people & go with a deck 6 inside instead of a deck 2 oceanview. Imo, a window is just not worth that much, especially since we tend to be active while onboard the ship. We've sailed inside on the Magic, so know what the stateroom will be like. The money saved will cover most of the cost of a 3-day weekend deluxe resort trip to WDW in August, so we're happy. We're booked for the special excursion on glacier day, so I'm not worried about getting a good glacier view. We also have great excursions/activities planned for each day in port, so I'm not worried about missing out on any Alaskan scenery.

 

[fredandkell]

I am a huge advocate of either the interior stateroom or getting a balcony. The pros of the interior stateroom include you don’t have the God-awful early morning light sneaking into your stateroom waking you up at three in the morning, especially if you are on East Coast time. Plus it’s a lot cheaper obviously. The pros of the balcony are obviously having a balcony. I have cruised Alaska with an ocean view state room and it really was the worst of both worlds. So yes, I would personally book an inside stateroom for Alaska with no reservations.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I tend to think that when you have a balcony, you will either spend more time in it because you simply want to (because hey, it's a great perk) or because you feel the need to get the value out of it. But when you have an inside room, you won't feel the need to spend much time in there at all and will naturally gravitate toward the open decks. Saving the $ is probably well worth it.

 

[dcassetta]

I've cruised to Alaska in a balcony, Oceanview, and inside staterooms. Having an inside state room will not detract from your experience, in my opinion. And the money that you save could be used for some fabulous port excursions.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Sailed twice to Alaska on DCL in an inside room and thoroughly enjoyed it. Never felt I was missing anything by not having a room with a view.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

We waffled over inside stateroom vs verandah when we did our cruise to Alaska. We ended up figuring that in the cold we'd hardly be out there, and the money we saved we booked several epic port adventures including flying over a glacier in a helicopter and taking a flight plane to a remote lodge next to a glacier for lunch. We loved not having light in the room. The sun would still be bright at 9:00pm and back up again and shining bright by 6:00am. (It could have been up earlier, we just weren't!) Having the inside stateroom kept it nice and dark and easy to sleep. We liked out inside stateroom so much we would book it again in a heartbeat. We slept there, dropped out stuff off there, and well that was it. There was SOO much to see and do that we were never in our room. If this is your 15th cruise and you don't plan to go to towel folding, food demonstrations, or any movies, game shows or parties, maybe having the verandah to relax on is for you. If this is your first cruise, or you know your an out and about type of person, go ahead and book that inside stateroom. Use the savings to do some really cool adventures. What will you remember in a year, your slightly larger room with a view, or dog sledding in Alaska?

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

All depends if you are a person spending time in your room (eg napping kids, downtime etc) or not.
I travel solo or with another adult and literally just sleep and shower in the room. The only times I go to the room throughout the date is to get changed if needed or they put my batteries in the charger ;-)
So I really don't mind staying inside at all. I'd rather be in the public areas and join in the fun. And budgetwise I think spending the extra money on excursions will bring you more than that vieuw from your room...

 

[TestingH2O]

We had an inside least summer and loved it. The darkness really helped our sleep. Even though DD was still napping, it was plenty comfortable but she was napping later so we didn't miss any of the glacier day etc.

 

[Dug720]

Also, FWIW, my sister and I are giving our parents an Alaska cruise (the one over Labor Day) for their 50th Anniversary and they will be in an inside cabin. Partly because we are not made of money but also because we have each cruised to Alaska in inside cabins and still had amazing trips.

 

[TJA]

We really struggled with this decision. I can tell you in a couple months what we think of the verandah room because that's what I ended up booking. I think it comes down to each individual family. For us, my thinking is this: 1) we likely won't ever do this Alaska cruise again as a family so I wanted to make the most of it, 2) we will definitely enjoy time on deck, but I'm thinking early morning and evening hours will be spent on our own personal space verandah. Also, I'm sure we'll enjoy Tracy arm at least part of the day on our verandah with some coffee or cocoa. I can also see us sitting on our verandah after port excursions resting up for dinner. So will we end up feeling like the verandah was worth the extra cost remains to be seen!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

The veranda is the deal maker for us. My DH will only cruise with outside access. He just wants to relax, read his Nook, and watch the passing view through binoculars. I, on the other hand, am bouncing all over the ship doing or seeing this and that with my Navigator in hand (paper or electronic). It does come down to budget (we use DVC points) and personal activity level. Nothing better than sipping a glass of wine on the veranda in the late evening, watching the lights of other ships or the coastline move slowly by and hear the water churning underneath.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

For us the verandah was 100% required.

In Alaska there us so much viewing do much if the time, and a lot really close up.

We used it a lot. Now I do not subscribe to any view that if you pay for it you must use it all the time. It's like saying as I paid my cruise fare, I have to eat every last bit of food that's served! But, we would get up, have a look at 6 am, - wonderful views, so fresh so quiet at that time.
Then have breakfast, walk the ship, go back, order room service, view again.
And then on rotation, verandah, walkabout, back.

Others like on sea days on deck, which was very busy, staked out a place, and had to hold onto it all day, setting up their cameras etc, Disney stopped the use of sunbeds being used as " area claiming " devices. Now thoose on deck, appeared to be hemmed in to one place, and hard to go to the restaurant restroom etc without loosing a slot.

Walking around fellow cruisers were polite and let us in for a photo or two, but not allow us in permanently to their area.

Interesting on deck the viewing seemed to be limited times, going " up" Tracey Arm, but not " down". Or very 8 am to 5 pm. We as well as viewing at 6 am, also viewed 7 pm to 11 or midnight and saw so much.
The benefit is availability of your private area all day, when you want it, and not having to worry about getting up say 8 am to snag a good view for Tracy Arm at 2.30 pm.

We could go to palo brunch at 10 am, and back after great views there to our space at 11.30am.

Will you have a great cruise in Alaska in an inside room? - yes.
Will you miss out on some things- Yes.
You get what you pay for, treat it as an Port adventure it's worth it.

Room service whilst viewing, or viewing on a long day when the young children want a break, rest or in room disney movies, are added perks.

Verandahs are not required on 3/4 night Bahamas cruises or port intensive cruises, but Alaska, Panama , Mediterranean with sea days, fjord cruises in Norway, it enhances the cruise.

 

[Shanti]

You get what you pay for, treat it as an Port adventure it's worth it.

That's more than a bit glib. Unlike a Port Adventure, booking a verandah on a Disney Alaska cruise can easily double the price of the cruise.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

That's more than a bit glib. Unlike a Port Adventure, booking a verandah on a Disney Alaska cruise can easily double the price of the cruise.

Do not agree, yes verandah prices increase, but on comparison:-
How long does a PA last? Cost? Vs time on verandah a day, and a 7 day cruise.

In Alaska I had:-
Two trips in each of the three ports including:-
Two planes.
One Vehicle and railway ride.
One helicopter.
One land-sea vehicle.
And a cable car up a mountain.

Cost for three days was more than a verandah upgrade cost.

Not a bit glib, fact.

 

[dcassetta]

That's more than a bit glib. Unlike a Port Adventure, booking a verandah on a Disney Alaska cruise can easily double the price of the cruise.

I agree. Having a balcony on our last Alaska cruise on Disney would've added more than $3000 to the cruise fare. If we had chosen that option, the only port adventures we would've been able to budget for was walking around town. Unfortunately, two of my favorite viewing areas are no longer available. The aft deck on seven is gone, and the inside portion of the outlook café is been taken over by concierge. I understand that the first was necessary when the ship received her ducktail. But the second element is really disappointing. The enclosed area was added because the Wonder sails to Alaska. So the ship went from having a nice enclosed area that all guests had access to, to a place that only a few can access. And, those guests all have a balcony.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I agree. Having a balcony on our last Alaska cruise on Disney would've added more than $3000 to the cruise fare. If we had chosen that option, the only port adventures we would've been able to budget for was walking around town. Unfortunately, two of my favorite viewing areas are no longer available. The aft deck on seven is gone, and the inside portion of the outlook café is been taken over by concierge. I understand that the first was necessary when the ship received her ducktail. But the second element is really disappointing. The enclosed area was added because the Wonder sails to Alaska. So the ship went from having a nice enclosed area that all guests had access to, to a place that only a few can access. And, those guests all have a balcony.

It's very unfortunate that on the Wonder that deck viewing areas have been cut back. The decks were very very full all our time there.

 

[Shanti]

Do not agree, yes verandah prices increase, but on comparison:-
How long does a PA last? Cost? Vs time on verandah a day, and a 7 day cruise.

In Alaska I had:-
Two trips in each of the three ports including:-
Two planes.
One Vehicle and railway ride.
One helicopter.
One land-sea vehicle.
And a cable car up a mountain.

Cost for three days was more than a verandah upgrade cost.

Not a bit glib, fact.

It is very glib to say "treat it as a port adventure", as if it were that easy to afford. Your comparison of the cost of 1 verandah upgrade to the combined cost of 6 expensive Alaska port excursions just underlines my point.