Alaskan Cruise? Pros/Cons

[NancyIL]

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.

I don't think the ship is irrelevant, but I do think it is secondary to the itinerary. Besides - you can't do a "land trip" to visit Southeast Alaska. Skagway is the only port town visited on most cruises that is accessible by road from other parts of Alaska or Canada. To get to the other ports requires a boat or a plane.

 

[justmestace]

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I have been on 6 Disney cruises. Five of them were short (3, 4, and 5 day) and one of them was the 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise.

We are looking at possibly going on the Alaskan cruise. I am very hesitant about going on this cruise, mainly because I have no idea what it will be like.

Is there a thread about the Alaskan cruises on here listing pros and cons?

Has anyone ever been on an Alaskan cruise on one of the other cruise lines?

How cold is it?

Are excursions a must or can you just tour on your own?

Would it be worth it to do this cruise or to wait and do like the Western Caribbean?

Thank you for all of your help!

Stephanie

Going back to what you'd specifically asked, one place that you can get a LOT more info, strictly about ALASKA and cruising Alaska, is on Cruise Critic. There, you'll get more information about Alaska & the ports, without the discussion of which cruise line is better. Well, yes, you'll see some of that, too....but lots more info, because so far, Disney hasn't cruised there..... You'll end up getting a lot more information from Disney cruisers themselves, AFTER Disney has taken their first few cruises there.

Does that make sense?

 

[justmestace]

I don't think the ship is irrelevant, but I do think it is secondary to the itinerary. Besides - you can't do a "land trip" to visit Southeast Alaska. Skagway is the only port town visited on most cruises that is accessible by road from other parts of Alaska or Canada. To get to the other ports requires a boat or a plane.

Now that we've been to Alaska, and we both know we want to go again, my husband is leaning toward a land/sea. I'm more the true "cruiser" in the family, so I'm a little hesitant. I do know that in order to see all that we'd want to, there would be some small plane travel involved. I'm not sure that idea thrills me. (Yes, we need a "chicken" smilie!)

Whichever way people choose to go, on whichever cruise line, or land/sea...is a totally individual choice. I can see now that even trying to discuss other cruise lines on a Disney board is fruitless...actually, I've known that for a long time. And I'm no different than most. In some ways, I will always defend DCL to the end, in other ways, not so much.
There are just too many things that factor into it.

And thank goodness we don't all like the same thing!!

 

[over50visits]

Pro: it is Disney. For many people, and I agree, that is a HUGE advantage over the others.

Con: No Glacier Bay. This is the absolute highlight of the trip, period. Alaska is stunning, and cruising without seeing the glaciers will be an unforgettable experience. But missing the glaciers is a guaranteed deal breaker for me. No question. They are breathtaking, literally. An experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

We did Carnival, the staff was great, the kids loved it, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Anywhere else---DCL.

 

[sabrecmc]

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.

I think it is just so subjective though. What is the "best possible Alaskan cruise" for you may not really matter much to me. With that much time on the ship, I'm really exited about being back on the Wonder. We're doing a whole Disneyland-repo-first Alaskan thing. I have literally no interest in seeing Alaska any other way. I'm sure its me, not Alaska. Disney is just really an important part of it for us. Maybe when my daughter is older, we'll try a land-sea thing, but we're really not cold weather people and I generally like nature from a distance with an adult beverage, so it probably isn't my thing. Luckily, to each his or her own, right? There isn't any perfect cruise except the one that's perfect for you!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I agree with the above poster's last statement. We are DCL fans and have cruised with them many times. We just recently got back from a Holland America trip to Alaska. We took the cruise/land tour and loved it. I was so skeptical about being on another ship due to this board. I always read DCL had bigger staterooms, more attentive and the list goes on. I was so wrong in believing that. There is a world outside of Disney and it is good. I am not trying to persuade anyone as it is an individual preference but offering that there are other options out there that are just as good and can be better. Limiting yourself to one, I found for us, was not necessarily a good thing. We chose HAL over DCL due to the land portion and Glacier Bay. For a lot of people, it is a one time chance to get to Alaska. We wanted to do it right the first time and see what we could. DCL does nothing wrong, absolutely, but other cruiselines have been up there much longer and have it down pat. I have two other DCL cruises booked but not to Alaska.

 

[sayhello]

I agree with the above poster. We are DCL fans and have cruised with them many times. We just recently got back from a Holland America trip to Alaska. We took the cruise/land tour and loved it. I was so skeptical about being on another ship due to this board. I always read DCL had bigger staterooms, more attentive and the list goes on. I was so wrong in believing that. There is a world outside of Disney and it is good. I am not trying to persuade anyone as it is an individual preference but offering that there are other options out there that are just as good and can be better. Limiting yourself to one, I found for us, was not necessarily a good thing. We chose HAL over DCL due to the land portion and Glacier Bay. For a lot of people, it is a one time chance to get to Alaska. We wanted to do it right the first time and see what we could. DCL does nothing wrong, absolutely, but other cruiselines have been up there much longer and have it down pat. I have two other DCL cruises booked but not to Alaska.

Wonderfully put!

Sayhello

 

[NancyIL]

I agree with the above poster. We are DCL fans and have cruised with them many times. We just recently got back from a Holland America trip to Alaska. We took the cruise/land tour and loved it. I was so skeptical about being on another ship due to this board. I always read DCL had bigger staterooms, more attentive and the list goes on. I was so wrong in believing that. There is a world outside of Disney and it is good. I am not trying to persuade anyone as it is an individual preference but offering that there are other options out there that are just as good and can be better. Limiting yourself to one, I found for us, was not necessarily a good thing. We chose HAL over DCL due to the land portion and Glacier Bay. For a lot of people, it is a one time chance to get to Alaska. We wanted to do it right the first time and see what we could. DCL does nothing wrong, absolutely, but other cruiselines have been up there much longer and have it down pat. I have two other DCL cruises booked but not to Alaska.

Thank you...I couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

So many posts are Go Disney or Don't Go Disney. However, in answer to your questions about what to see, I have a couple of suggestions:

1. If possible (and someone already said this), to a land/sea package. Taking the train through Denali and spending time at the park is wonderful. There are lots of things to see on land.
2. Skagway has the White Pass Railway and Yukon tour. That train ride up the mountain is fantastic! Make sure that you bring your camera (and your passport if you take a tour that will continue in to Canada at the top of the pass).
3. Even though the food on board any of the ships is great, you need to try a Salmon bake at one of the ports. They make the salmon on wood pits and it is the freshest and best you could ever imagine.
4. A wildlife excursion will take you on a smaller boat to glimpse whales, bears, seals, and the like. It is really nice.
5. At any of the ports, just make sure that you get out and walk around. They can be very interesting.
6. Go on a cultural tour as well -- a native dance, a totem park, et cetera.
7. Be prepared for cold and wet or warm and dry. The weather changes quite often depending upon where you are at.
8. If you can afford it, make sure that you get a balcony room so that you do not have to vie for position to see the glaciers when cruising past them. It can also be a bit warmer as you would not be on top with the breeze blowing over the top of the ship.
9. While cruising through Glacier Bay or Tracey Arm, make sure that you listen to the park ranger who will be describing things to you. Go to the park service's presentation on board as well if they have one. There is a ton of information to know that will help you appreciate what you are seeing that much more.

Have fun! Alaska is a "not to be missed" item in my book. I have gone a few times with my father years ago and I am returning next June.

Nice post!

 

[sayhello]

I think it is just so subjective though. What is the "best possible Alaskan cruise" for you may not really matter much to me. With that much time on the ship, I'm really exited about being back on the Wonder. We're doing a whole Disneyland-repo-first Alaskan thing. I have literally no interest in seeing Alaska any other way. I'm sure its me, not Alaska. Disney is just really an important part of it for us. Maybe when my daughter is older, we'll try a land-sea thing, but we're really not cold weather people and I generally like nature from a distance with an adult beverage, so it probably isn't my thing. Luckily, to each his or her own, right? There isn't any perfect cruise except the one that's perfect for you!

Sorry, when I said that, I meant the "best possible cruise OF Alaska". The one that shows off Alaska to its best, and gives you the top experiences as far as Alaska is concerned in a cruise environment.

If Alaska isn't as important to you as being on a DCL ship, then showing the best Alaska has to offer doesn't really matter to you, and, by all means, DCL is the best cruiseline for you. But you will *not* be seeing the best that Alaska has to offer. You just won't.

Sayhello

 

[TheThomsLuvDisney]

It has been so interesting to read this thread, this debate is so subjective, it really depends on personal preferences! We cruised Alaska with Holland America last summer and had an opposite experience of a pp, we were very disappointed . It is the special little touches DCL offers, especially when cruising with children, that made the difference for us (example, during dinner, DCL wait staff actually cut the meat for your children , with HAL, I had to either get up and walk around to my child's plate or clear dishes, have her pass her plate over the table and then cut it). These little touches may sound silly to some, but this is part of the total experience on DCL.

 

[DaveH]

Here is what I have gotten from this thread so far.

Variety of sites to see in Alaska

1. Northbound or Southbound cruises
2. Then round trips

Cost of travel
Higher cost of travel

One way flights to/from both ends of Northbound/Southbound cruises
Flights to Vancouver
Flights to Seattle

Cost of cruises
Cruises of similar stops DCL is higher.

Then compare ships to needs of travel group.

When cruises start and finish as in day of the week.

Other preferences of the members of the group.

Other things to consider are land packages for before or after the cruise.
Look into excursions not through cruise lines.

There are more I am sure, just not thinking of any right now.

 

[MarkRG]

PRO.

(click for a MUCH bigger one.)


The Sawyer Glacier at the end of Tracy Arm, taken yesterday, July 7, 2011.

Having a fantastic Alaska trip, from two days of exploring Vancouver & Victoria, through this cruise on the Wonder.