Alaskan Cruise? Pros/Cons

[PE_TCR]

If you are going another cruiseline (Princess) I would reccomend one way (Northbound) and the land tour after. I did that trip and it was AMAZING.

I am taking this trip with DCL because we LOVE the Disney ships. I have been to Alaska before and just goign there is great. Also, our parents (who have been there but not together - they each took their mothers seperatly) have been there before but we want to show them what DCL does. It is the perfect fit for us.

If we go yet again, it will probably be with Princess. But I wouldn't want to miss going to Alaska with the special Disney touches.

 

[NancyIL]

Sorry if this derails the thread, but a couple questions. Dh and I are looking at an Alaskan cruise next May for our 20th anniversary. We're considering Princess: either southbound from Anchorage on the Diamond or now (thanks to cruisinears) the round trip from Seattle. We'll be leaving 4 homeschooled kids, 1 dog and 1 cat with my poor sister, so additional days besides the in-transit time are out of the question.

Which would you all recommend- the round trip Seattle (cheaper in terms of air and easier, I guess in the long run) or the one way without the land portion? We will be going back someday, unless we really hate it, but I don't think we will.

Also- if anyone has opinions on the ships- please let me know: Diamond or Golden? Which do you prefer? We've been on the Magic and a few short RCCL trips, one Carnival.

We won't be doing DCL this time- mainly due to missing Glacier Bay and if we went, well, the kids would mutiny.

Thanks,
Julie

Without the time to spend on land in Alaska, I would choose the Golden Princess from Seattle. I was on that ship in May 2009 right after a massive dry dock, and she is just gorgeous.

 

[sayhello]

This might be a really silly question. Disney sometimes offers FL resident rates when the ships don't sell out. Would they offer a Fl resident rate for the Alaskan cruises or do you think they may do something like a Washington or Canadian resident rate?

I cannot see them doing a FL resident rate. The whole point of them offering those is that it's pretty easy for FL residents to make last-minute arrangements to go on a cruise out of Port Canaveral, as they don't have that far to travel. You can't get much further from Alaska in the US than Florida. Does not buy DCL anything. That said, they just might start offering Washington or British Columbian residents discounts, because they *would* have a better chance to make it to Vancouver for a last-minute cruise.

Does anyone know how the cruises are selling? It seems that when I look they still have category 12 rooms available for most sailings.

I would think they're selling pretty well, because they've unofficially announced they will be offering the ABD/DCL combos in Alaska. Seems silly to develop that for a cruise they're struggling to sell.

Sayhello

 

[NancyIL]

If you are going another cruiseline (Princess) I would reccomend one way (Northbound) and the land tour after. I did that trip and it was AMAZING.

I loved my northbound cruises with independent land trips afterward. However, now that Princess goes to both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay on their southbound cruises, that's the direction I would recommend. The Princess northbound cruises goes to Glacier Bay and College Fjord. While College Fjord is lovely, you can do small boat cruises in Prince William Sound from Whittier without going on a cruise ship. You pretty much need to be on a cruise to see Hubbard Glacier.

 

[MarkRG]

Does anyone know how the cruises are selling? It seems that when I look they still have category 12 rooms available for most sailings.

I would think they're selling pretty well, because they've unofficially announced they will be offering the ABD/DCL combos in Alaska. Seems silly to develop that for a cruise they're (not) struggling to sell.
Sayhello

I'd also have to say for this type of cruise which will be a very visual thing, a cat12 is going to be the least desired cabin by far. We're in our personal favorite the Navigator's.

 

[skoi]

If you are going another cruiseline (Princess) I would reccomend one way (Northbound) and the land tour after. I did that trip and it was AMAZING.

Unfortunately we don't have the time to do the land. Tried to talk dh into it, but not a go.

Without the time to spend on land in Alaska, I would choose the Golden Princess from Seattle. I was on that ship in May 2009 right after a massive dry dock, and she is just gorgeous.

Thanks. This is what I'm thinking. No point in going all the way to Anchorage if we're not going inland. We just can't get the time away.

Thanks again,
Julie

 

[justmestace]

So? Omg, we're not going to Glacier Bay©®tm...
We will be sailing to someplace that has glaciers, good enough for me.

And being on DCL trumps most of the reasons to sail other lines for me, as it does in the Caribbean. That is my one and only point.

You probably know better than most people, how much I love Disney...especially DCL. And it wasn't necessarily an easy choice for me to go to Alaska on Norwegian. But we really, really wanted to do it this past summer, and I'd gotten to the point where I was afraid DCL was never going to take us.
But here are the honest truths:
You're right, it will still be BEAUTIFUL ALASKA no matter what ship you're on, regardless of one glacier or another....but there's another port missing on DCL, too. So, dollar for dollar only....the other lines are a better bargain.

NO...they don't have that Disney "magic", and yes, I always find myself comparing these other ships to DCL, no matter what. I LOVE DCL.
But again, sometimes, the other ships do come out on the PLUS side. Money saved is a huge plus. The extra things for our older teens (bowling, rock climbing, onboard activities) were a huge plus.

I've heard some people say that their kids would be happier or have more fun on DCL. Kind of hard to make that statement if you haven't tried another line. My kids cruised other lines when they were young, along with Disney, and they had fun on ALL of them.

Bottom line....I was never sure I even wanted to go to Alaska, but it was something my husband wanted to do. I found out once I was there, that I could go back again and again and again. I am definitely more of a beach person, but the beauty and serenity and the clean air (and I could go on and on) of Alaska really got under my skin.

Which cruise line would I choose? Well, honestly....it depends on the money and what I felt my needs were. If I wanted a suite at the same price as a DCL Cat 4 or 5....then it would have to be another line. If I wanted to see Victoria and Glacier Bay....then it would have to be another line. If I didn't want to fly in and out of Vancouver (been there, done that) then it would have to be another line.

BUT....if I am DYING for my Disney fix....then it would obviously have to be DCL. And I'm honestly hoping that one day in the future, I CAN go to Alaska with DCL....if for no other reason than to be able to honestly compare. Well, and the fact that I'd go back to Alaska in a heartbeat, anyway.

 

[MarkRG]

You probably know better than most people, how much I love Disney...especially DCL. And it wasn't necessarily an easy choice for me to go to Alaska on Norwegian. But we really, really wanted to do it this past summer, and I'd gotten to the point where I was afraid DCL was never going to take us.

Let me make something very clear upfront. I am not in any way condemning anyone's choice of another line. You don't need to defend it. I just find it amusing that this is going on on a DCL forum. People keep going on how the other lines are better but then come back here. I don't think that any line, including DCL IS better, it's what works for you. Each and every one of them have their own style, are any of them truly 'better'? Not from my point of view. Each and every one of them have pluses right alongside caveats, you're giving up something to gain something.

But here are the honest truths:
You're right, it will still be BEAUTIFUL ALASKA no matter what ship you're on, regardless of one glacier or another....but there's another port missing on DCL, too. So, dollar for dollar only....the other lines are a better bargain.

Maybe on the less ports, but *shrug* there are, as you already well know, a lot of values I put a high price on over other lines. It's more than the number of ports. Read on.

NO...they don't have that Disney "magic", and yes, I always find myself comparing these other ships to DCL, no matter what. I LOVE DCL.
But again, sometimes, the other ships do come out on the PLUS side. Money saved is a huge plus. The extra things for our older teens (bowling, rock climbing, onboard activities) were a huge plus.

You bring up that 'magic', that magic includes things like we don't have to plan >zero< once we set foot on that ship. The all inclusiveness that they put together is of great value to us. Things like a dinner waitstaff that knows exactly how to serve us by the second night is a big value. I adore the rotational dining, and even after umpteen cruises still love the theme of each restaurant, it doesn't get old for us. Those commercials that try to make out the preplanned structure as some horrible thing are pretty darn funny to me. I know I'm paying extra for all that upfront and enjoy the service.

Bottom line....I was never sure I even wanted to go to Alaska, but it was something my husband wanted to do. I found out once I was there, that I could go back again and again and again. I am definitely more of a beach person, but the beauty and serenity and the clean air (and I could go on and on) of Alaska really got under my skin.

And I'm looking forward to this trip for those reasons. And the people being so negative about what DCL's doing now simply don't understand that this is what they had to work with. Alaska has very aggressive limits that DCL had to work within, they only allow so many berthings at the 'big name' places, period. They are the new kid on the block, and don't get the first choices. And I'm content with that, knowing that if this does prove to go well for them, they in the future, will pursue other itineraries and gain those other locations. And I'll still get to see glorious Alaska.

Which cruise line would I choose? Well, honestly....it depends on the money and what I felt my needs were. If I wanted a suite at the same price as a DCL Cat 4 or 5....then it would have to be another line. If I wanted to see Victoria and Glacier Bay....then it would have to be another line. If I didn't want to fly in and out of Vancouver (been there, done that) then it would have to be another line.

There, you and I are in totally different places. We sail in the Navigator's Verandah by choice, not because of its price point, have no desire whatsoever for a suite.

And my viewpoint of going on vacation is to go on vacation. I'm going to have some downtime, that is going to be quality time with my wife, and have a good sampling of destinations while aboard that ship. That's it. When I get back home I'll appreciate that experience and return to the rest of my life happily, usually eagerly, and hopefully well rested. Going to that 'name' destination or not has pretty much no meaning, Glacier Bay, Tracey Arm, wherever, it has glaciers.

And in that vacation, both the destinations and the ship itself have to be considered equally, I can't compartmentalize one over the other, if I'm not comfortable with one part of the trip, the rest is going to suffer for it.

Also, am VERY looking forward to visiting Vancouver, we are treating it as a destination of the trip, not just a pass through point to the ship. Have a day trip planned to the Victoria(Butchart) Gardens and everything.

BUT....if I am DYING for my Disney fix....then it would obviously have to be DCL. And I'm honestly hoping that one day in the future, I CAN go to Alaska with DCL....if for no other reason than to be able to honestly compare. Well, and the fact that I'd go back to Alaska in a heartbeat, anyway.

It's not a Disney fix so much as a DCL fix. And yes, can always go back some other time.

 

[sayhello]

Let me make something very clear upfront. I am not in any way condemning anyone's choice of another line. You don't need to defend it. I just find it amusing that this is going on on a DCL forum. People keep going on how the other lines are better but then come back here. I don't think that any line, including DCL IS better, it's what works for you. Each and every one of them have their own style, are any of them truly 'better'? Not from my point of view. Each and every one of them have pluses right alongside caveats, you're giving up something to gain something.

Maybe on the less ports, but *shrug* there are, as you already well know, a lot of values I put a high price on over other lines. It's more than the number of ports. Read on.
You bring up that 'magic', that magic includes things like we don't have to plan >zero< once we set foot on that ship. The all inclusiveness that they put together is of great value to us. Things like a dinner waitstaff that knows exactly how to serve us by the second night is a big value. I adore the rotational dining, and even after umpteen cruises still love the theme of each restaurant, it doesn't get old for us. Those commercials that try to make out the preplanned structure as some horrible thing are pretty darn funny to me. I know I'm paying extra for all that upfront and enjoy the service.

If you sail Princess to Alaska, you have ALL that same inclusiveness (except for rotational dining, since they don't have multiple dining rooms) and soda being included. You can choose assigned dining, with the same waitstaff for the entire cruise, who get to know exactly what you like, and anticipate your needs with remarkable service. Not all cruiselines besides DCL only have "anytime dining". PLENTY of them still have traditional assigned dining.

And I'm looking forward to this trip for those reasons. And the people being so negative about what DCL's doing now simply don't understand that this is what they had to work with. Alaska has very aggressive limits that DCL had to work within, they only allow so many berthings at the 'big name' places, period. They are the new kid on the block, and don't get the first choices. And I'm content with that, knowing that if this does prove to go well for them, they in the future, will pursue other itineraries and gain those other locations. And I'll still get to see glorious Alaska.

I think we TOTALLY UNDERSTAND that this is what DCL has to work with. But what they have to work with is in some ways inferior to what other cruiselines have to work with. Maybe not DCL's fault, but still a fact. The OP asked for the Pros & Cons of DCL's Alaska cruise, and the fact that DCL is "the new kid on the block" is definitely a con.

There, you and I are in totally different places. We sail in the Navigator's Verandah by choice, not because of its price point, have no desire whatsoever for a suite.

Yes, but you could sail a minisuite on Princess for less than what your Navigator's Veranda costs on DCL. Fine if you don't care, but some people do. The cost for something comparable to the Navigator's Veranda is MUCH lower on other lines.

And my viewpoint of going on vacation is to go on vacation. I'm going to have some downtime, that is going to be quality time with my wife, and have a good sampling of destinations while aboard that ship. That's it. When I get back home I'll appreciate that experience and return to the rest of my life happily, usually eagerly, and hopefully well rested. Going to that 'name' destination or not has pretty much no meaning, Glacier Bay, Tracey Arm, wherever, it has glaciers.

And I agree, that for you, then DCL is probably sufficient. But for someone whose idea of a vacation is seeing the best a location has to offer, DCL doesn't cut it in Alaska.

And in that vacation, both the destinations and the ship itself have to be considered equally, I can't compartmentalize one over the other, if I'm not comfortable with one part of the trip, the rest is going to suffer for it.

People differ in this. For me, it's DEFINITELY the destination, not the ship, that counts. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate DCL, but I'm not going to pay a premium price for what I perceive to be an inferior cruise, just because it's DCL. Some people will, and that's great for them. But for someone who's asking the Pros & Cons, they obviously must want to know both aspects at *least* equally, or else they'd just book the cruise, without asking, because it's DCL.

Also, am VERY looking forward to visiting Vancouver, we are treating it as a destination of the trip, not just a pass through point to the ship. Have a day trip planned to the Victoria(Butchart) Gardens and everything.

I totally agree. Vancouver is a fabulous destination, and should be treated as such. But a lot of cruiselines with better itineraries also sail out of Vancouver.

It's not a Disney fix so much as a DCL fix. And yes, can always go back some other time.

Which is great if what you are looking for is your DCL fix in a new place. If what you are looking for is the best possible Alaskan cruise, irregardless of cruiseline, then DCL is not it.

And not everyone can "always go back some other time".

Sayhello

 

[MarkRG]

Which is great if what you are looking for is your DCL fix in a new place. If what you are looking for is the best possible Alaskan cruise, irregardless of cruiseline, then DCL is not it.

And not everyone can "always go back some other time".

You have, repeatedly.

And no, don't do the commando trips. Don't have to see all that is possible in the first trip to a new location. A good sampler to see if it's what we like, learn a bit about how it is, and if we want to look at doing it sometime in the future, then we plan something further reaching. Probably why I've never done an ABD, way too commando for me.

Can I just drop everything and go back there next year? No way. But lay plans for say 5 years from now and start putting away for it now? Certainly.

 

[sayhello]

You have, repeatedly.

But I'm not the one asking for opinions.

And no, don't do the commando trips. Don't have to see all that is possible in the first trip to a new location. A good sampler to see if it's what we like, learn a bit about how it is, and if we want to look at doing it sometime in the future, then we plan something further reaching. Probably why I've never done an ABD, way too commando for me.

Can I just drop everything and go back there next year? No way. But lay plans for say 5 years from now and start putting away for it now? Certainly.

But you don't HAVE to do a "commando" trip to see one of the best things in Southeastern Alaska (Glacier Bay). You just have to sail with a cruiseline other than DCL.

Sayhello

 

[Page4]

...lol.
This thread is quite the testament to the Disney brand. They have some loyal customers. Does anyone know if DCL has any plans to make the Alaskan itinerary better? I guess they are just waiting their turn from what I can tell.

 

[MarkRG]

But I'm not the one asking for opinions.

But you are the one giving them from the viewpoint of someone who has been up there repeatedly. It's not new to you anymore. For a first time visit to a new location, trying to cram it all in is going commando, way too easy to get overwhelmed.

But you don't HAVE to do a "commando" trip to see one of the best things in Southwestern Alaska (Glacier Bay). You just have to sail with a cruiseline other than DCL.

Oh, but Tracy Arm is so 'inferior'.
Gee look, glaciers.
or,
glaciers.

Not seeing anything less amazing from one to the other there.

 

[Almagetty]

Mark: I know you've never been and I get that you are happy to have DCL be your first foray into Alaska. I totally respect that. But ...although I see that there are some nice pictures taken in Tracy Arm on Google Images, please know that Tracy Arm simply does not compare to Glacier Bay in any way, shape or form. There are glaciers in both, true, but comparing them would be much like comparing a small, non-descript beach to Magen's Bay. Tracy Arm really and truly IS inferior to Glacier Bay. Really

Yes, I know, if you've never seen a beach, you'll still be impressed.

Keep in mind though that with Tracy Arm, there's a very good chance that the ship will be "iced out" and won't be able to get anywhere close to the glaciers.

 

[NancyIL]

Buy you are the one giving them from the viewpoint of someone who has been up there repeatedly. It's not new to you anymore. For a first time visit to a new location, trying to cram it all in is going commando, way too easy to get overwhelmed.

Oh, but Tracy Arm is so 'inferior'.
Gee look, glaciers.
or,
glaciers.

Not seeing anything less amazing from one to the other there.

Tracy Arm is a fjord...a long one. It frequently has a lot of ice in the water, and ships often don't get all the way to the end of the fjord to see the twin Sawyer glaciers. My Princess ship in 2009 went to Tracy Arm (it was my 3rd Alaska cruise), and we had to turn back due to the ice. Fortunately, I had been to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier on previous cruises, and I spent time at Mendenhall Glacier while in Juneau. Hopefully most of the Wonder's Alaska sailings will get all the way to the end. But given the fact that DCL's captains aren't used to sailing through big chunks of ice, I wouldn't count on the Wonder making it within sight of a glacier more than 50% of the time.

 

[Page4]

I just find it amusing that this is going on on a DCL forum. People keep going on how the other lines are better but then come back here.

Mark, I sure appreciate your experience on DCL. I'm sure that I could learn a thing or two from you but I hate it when someone says "this is a DCL forum". If it was just for PRO-DCL stuff we could just read the DCL website to hear how awesome it is. I like to think of this as a forum for DCL enthusiasts. There is a difference.
The forum is even sponsored by a travel agency that books Disney and NON-Disney things that are geared to the Disney enthusiast.

 

[NancyIL]

Mark, I sure appreciate your experience on DCL. I'm sure that I could learn a thing or two from you but I hate it when someone says "this is a DCL forum". If it was just for PRO-DCL stuff we could just read the DCL website to hear how awesome it is. I like to think of this as a forum for DCL enthusiasts. There is a difference.
The forum is even sponsored by a travel agency that books Disney and NON-Disney things that are geared to the Disney enthusiast.

Some of the people who have chosen other cruise lines for Alaska may still prefer DCL for most other cruises. Their reasons for choosing a non-Disney Alaska cruise are as valid as the reasons given by those who did choose DCL.

 

[Page4]

Some of the people who have chosen other cruise lines for Alaska may still prefer DCL for most other cruises. Their reasons for choosing a non-Disney Alaska cruise are as valid as the reasons given by those who did choose DCL.

Exactly

 

[MarkRG]

Some of the people who have chosen other cruise lines for Alaska may still prefer DCL for most other cruises. Their reasons for choosing a non-Disney Alaska cruise are as valid as the reasons given by those who did choose DCL.

And I don't disagree with that statement.

However, sofar almost every last one about sailing another line has been with the statement, 'It's not about ship, it's about the destination.' That kind of drops the opinion of the ship part. Might as well just do a land trip if you think what ship you're on is so irrelevant.

And as far as the OP, go back and read it, the first sentence very plainly says there is a preference for DCL.

For my statement, I'm not looking for a total pro-DCL forum, but a so totally anti statement as this thread has been is just as unbalanced. You keep on being so negative because you're not going on DCL, and I'll keep on being positive because I am going on DCL.

As for the captains, do you really think they'd send one of their three (at that time) ships up into Alaska with a green Captain? At least two Captains I know of do have ice experience. One of those fun things I always attend when they have them is the Captains Q&A discussion which always start with a bio introduction from each crew member attending. Don't know who we'll have for her first season up there, but you can be very sure it'll be the most experienced one for the conditions.

And I never count on anything. On my very first cruise on the Magic in 99 we didn't go to CC as a hurricane had just finished trashing it. As you can tell by now my cruise wasn't even the teeniest bit ruined.

 

[sayhello]

Mark, I sure appreciate your experience on DCL. I'm sure that I could learn a thing or two from you but I hate it when someone says "this is a DCL forum". If it was just for PRO-DCL stuff we could just read the DCL website to hear how awesome it is. I like to think of this as a forum for DCL enthusiasts. There is a difference.
The forum is even sponsored by a travel agency that books Disney and NON-Disney things that are geared to the Disney enthusiast.

Some of the people who have chosen other cruise lines for Alaska may still prefer DCL for most other cruises. Their reasons for choosing a non-Disney Alaska cruise are as valid as the reasons given by those who did choose DCL.

Exactly

Well said!

Sayhello