Alaska vs. Norway

[closetmickey]

i have cruised Alaska twice (last time was 8 years ago- not on DCL) and am considering a DCL Norway cruise. Anyone out there who has cruised both and can compare/contrast the two for me? Scenery? Excursions? Enjoyment? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We cruised Alaska in 1994 on RCCL, and also on RCCL we did Norway in early 2000. I much preferred the scenery in Norway. It was more pristine, and the mountains were not clear cut, there were no logs in the ports waiting to be shipped overseas. Maybe Alaska no longer has hills with stumps on them, and the trees waiting to be shipped from Skagway in particular, but those clearly cut into my enjoyment of Alaska's scenery. Not all ports of course, but we were on a smaller ship, and went into Wrangel where a salmon cannery had just closed. It was depressing.

We had been influenced by the film in Epcot at Norway's pavilion. Norway did live up to our expectations.

 

[mlayton14]

Haven't done either , but would pick Norway without a second thought, a new and more exotic culture

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We have done both Alaska and Norway with DCL. We loved both itineraries. We missed the wildlife in Norway. We loved the ruggedness of the Alaskan scenery but also loved the serene beauty of the Norwegian fjords. We enjoyed the history of all or our Norwegian ports of call.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've done both (Alaska on NCL in 2013 and B2B Norway/Iceland on DCL this past summer) and while Alaska was beautiful and we enjoyed it, Norway was EXTRAORDINARY. It was truly breathtaking, the people were warm and welcoming, and the culture and history were fascinating. If you've already done Alaska, I would definitely choose Norway!

 

[closetmickey]

Thank you! Can anyone else compare the sights for me?

 

[lucky1]

We have done both with DCL.. Alaska out of Seattle in 2011 and 9 Night Norway which offered 2 ports that are no longer on next year itinerary. (Olden and Molden) What I miss with Norway was the up close to a glacier and the scenery of the couple of hours we spent there on the comfort of the ship was fantastic (Tracy's Arm). Nothing like that on the Norway cruise.

When we sailed into a Fjord it was generally very early in the morning before 5am and so while DH got up to view and take pictures, but most of us missed it. When we sailed out of Geiranger, you were sailing through some very small Fjords with waterfalls on either side. Very lovely, but just not same as sailing through Tracy's arm.

I loved the ports in Norway over Alaska, seems like the cruise line shopping has not hit those ports, so you didn't have the diamonds international or the del sol shops at every port. Yes you had the kitch and the Troll dolls, but you have that in every city in Norway.

I thought the Port adventure choices were much better and more variety in Alaska than in Norway, but that might change given the more time they sail to Norway.

I would do either again...

But if you don't sail to Geiranger that would be sad.. That outside of Olden was one of our favorite ports. Just from the Scenery alone and going up on the mountain and looking down at the water with the Ship surrounded on all 3 sides by mountains. So Beautiful.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We've been to Alaska five times and would love to do Norway but I really don't enjoy long flights, so we'll probably stay with closer destinations. (Tho we're planning a European river cruise in 2017.)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've been to Alaska five times and would love to do Norway but I really don't enjoy long flights, so we'll probably stay with closer destinations. (Tho we're planning a European river cruise in 2017.)

Sorry, what river cruise are you taking? Cruise line?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Sorry, what river cruise are you taking? Cruise line?

AMA Waterways from Amsterdam to Budapest.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

AMA Waterways from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Sounds great. We did Bucharest to Cologne this year (Vantage).

Sorry, OP, for the derailment

OK, everyone, back to our regular programming.

 

[closetmickey]

But if you don't sail to Geiranger that would be sad.. That outside of Olden was one of our favorite ports. Just from the Scenery alone and going up on the mountain and looking down at the water with the Ship surrounded on all 3 sides by mountains. So Beautiful.

Thank you for this. I had already decided in my mind that I would most likely only sail an itinerary that included Geiranger. Thanks for reinforcing that.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I agree Geiranger was the most beautiful port and the people were so nice. Not to be missed.

 

[NancyIL]

I have cruised to Alaska 4 times and to Norway once. Both are beautiful, but Alaska has far more glaciers and taller mountains.

There is so much more to Alaska than the panhandle that most cruisers see. If you decide to return to Alaska, do a one-way cruise plus a land trip before or after. You don't have to book a cruise tour operated by your cruise line in order to see the "mainland." Alaska isn't a foreign country, and it isn't any more difficult to reserve a rental car and hotels there than anywhere else in the US.

 

[Heard02]

Done them both and my opinion is Alaska was much prettier. Don't get me wrong, we loved Norway and it was a great experience!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Wow this is a tough one! I've done both as well (Alaska in 2013 and Norway/Iceland/Scotland in June/July 2015). I'm partial to Europe because I grew up there (military brat) but loved Alaska too. If price wasn't an option (airfare to Europe is NUTTY) then I'd chose Norway. I think they are at times similar and other times very different which sounds very contradictory. In Alaska I felt like we were closer to land most of the time and it's very slow paced and very beautiful. On our Norway sailing we didn't visit as many places in Norway as the other sailings did over 11 nights, however we still loved it. Norway is beautiful and I guess I just prefer being able to be in a city (say like Oslo and Stavanger) and not feel bombarded as a cruise ship passenger with Diamonds International on every corner (like in Alaska ports). Europe is just Europe to me and it was nice to be immersed in the culture. I can say we FELL IN LOVE with Iceland however and that is a place everyone should go to so that might be pulling me more but you asked about Norway

With that said, we are returning to Alaska in 8/2016 as once is definitely not enough. I don't think you can go wrong with either, depending on what you are wanting and expecting. I should add, Vancouver was a highlight to our DCL Alaska cruise in 2013 and we are once again arriving a few days ahead of our cruise to see more of Vancouver so I highly recommend it.

Have a great time,
Heather

 

[closetmickey]

Done them both and my opinion is Alaska was much prettier. Don't get me wrong, we loved Norway and it was a great experience!

This surprises me- great food for thought. Thanks!

 

[DisneyHelen]

I did Alaska in 2014 and Norway in 2015. I loved Norway especially pulpit rock,Stavanger and Gerainger fjord. We really enjoyed Copenhagen also. They are both great cruises. The airfare to Copenhagen was more expensive for us in Canada.