Alaskan cruise vs. other lines

[utahkennedys]

We live in Seattle and are planning to do a cruise to Alaska in 2012. We love Disney and own DVC, we are doing a 4 day cruise this fall. The prices for Alaska are more than double on Disney than other lines...so...is it worth it? I guess I'll have more of a sense after our 4 day cruise, but it is hard to justify the extra cost since DCL basically charges the same price for kids as they do adults even in the same stateroom. Do you think there will be good deals as time goes on?

 

[CADisneyMom]

The only way you're paying the same for kids as for adults is if they're in their own rooms. I was going to take a cruise with one of my friends and her little girl and her rate was half the cost of ours. It also depends on how many you have in a room. For example, I was looking at doing the 2 days to nowhere cruise and the only rooms left were the 1-bedroom concierge(sp?) and it was $1000 each for the first 2 people and then $200 each for the 3rd and 4th person. So it just depends on the cruise.

I want to take an Alaskian cruise but if I do I think I will go on one from SF R/T since it's so much easier which means that I would have to go on a different cruise line, which I don't mind as long as it's not Carnival LOL

 

[tvguy]

Look at HAL. They've been doing Alaska longer than anyone. On par service wise or better than Disney, not the cheapest going, but cheaper than Disney.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

As much as I love DCL, I don't think the Alaskan cruises are going to be as good as a cruise line that has been servicing Alaska for years. On DCL, you won't be sailing the inner passage and you won't get to Glacier Bay, which I understand is a highlight of any Alaskan Cruise.

 

[NancyIL]

As much as I love DCL, I don't think the Alaskan cruises are going to be as good as a cruise line that has been servicing Alaska for years. On DCL, you won't be sailing the inner passage and you won't get to Glacier Bay, which I understand is a highlight of any Alaskan Cruise.

All Alaska cruises sail the Inside Passage, as that's where the ports are. If you mean DCL doesn't sail between Vancouver Island and the mainland - neither do most cruises that sail from Seattle.

To answer the OP's question, I personally don't think it's worth paying DCL's higher prices for an itinerary that doesn't include Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. However, if you are cruising with young children, it might be worth paying for DCL. The fact that there will be so many kids on the Wonder in Alaska is a good reason for me to NOT choose that ship!

 

[utahkennedys]

When I pull rates for Alaska adults are about $1100 each and kids are $900 each so to me that is pretty much "full fare". It isn't like the other itineraries where 3rd and 4th passengers are much cheaper. I am not sure the cost difference is justified for DCL only because I think other ships also have kid programs which while they may not be as good, probably are sufficient. It will be interesting to hear from people who do DCL Alaska and have done a different line to really see the comparisons.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

All Alaska cruises sail the Inside Passage, as that's where the ports are. If you mean DCL doesn't sail between Vancouver Island and the mainland - neither do most cruises that sail from Seattle.

To answer the OP's question, I personally don't think it's worth paying DCL's higher prices for an itinerary that doesn't include Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. However, if you are cruising with young children, it might be worth paying for DCL. The fact that there will be so many kids on the Wonder in Alaska is a good reason for me to NOT choose that ship!

I'm sorry, I misspoke.

While DCL is leaving from Vancouver, it will sail the inside passage to get it's ports, but it appears that most of the cruise (sea days) will be outside the passage. This is my understanding from a previous thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37077238&postcount=13

 

[woody73]

Look at HAL. They've been doing Alaska longer than anyone. On par service wise or better than Disney, not the cheapest going, but cheaper than Disney.

We've been on two Alaska cruises on HAL, and loved them.

There are no fireworks on HAL -- but there won't be any on Disney in Alaska either.

Woody

 

[sayhello]

Look at HAL. They've been doing Alaska longer than anyone. On par service wise or better than Disney, not the cheapest going, but cheaper than Disney.

I'd recomend Princess for the same reasons. They've been doing Alaska for a LONG time, and the service was just as wonderful as the service I experienced on the Magic. And they still have some great rates out there.

Sayhello

 

[llkoolj40]

The only way you're paying the same for kids as for adults is if they're in their own rooms. I was going to take a cruise with one of my friends and her little girl and her rate was half the cost of ours. It also depends on how many you have in a room. For example, I was looking at doing the 2 days to nowhere cruise and the only rooms left were the 1-bedroom concierge(sp?) and it was $1000 each for the first 2 people and then $200 each for the 3rd and 4th person. So it just depends on the cruise.

I want to take an Alaskan cruise but if I do I think I will go on one from SF R/T since it's so much easier which means that I would have to go on a different cruise line, which I don't mind as long as it's not Carnival LOL

We cruised Alaska on Carnival Spirit in Sept '08 and it was great! It was not the "party' ship people sometimes associate with Carnival. The average age on that ship was about 45-50. The port times were really good as well. We would take this cruise again!

 

[AnimalPrincess]

We thought about doing the DCL Alaskan cruise but after talking to our friends who have done one (non DCL) they said we MUST have a verhanda and we could just not justify the cost compared to other lines. We decided to do the Mexican Rivera instead. Good luck with your decision!

 

[NancyIL]

We cruised Alaska on Carnival Spirit in Sept '08 and it was great! It was not the "party' ship people sometimes associate with Carnival. The average age on that ship was about 45-50. The port times were really good as well. We would take this cruise again!

Unfortunately, Carnival is no longer doing one-way Alaska cruises, and is instead doing roundtrips out of Seattle.

 

[NancyIL]

We thought about doing the DCL Alaskan cruise but after talking to our friends who have done one (non DCL) they said we MUST have a verhanda and we could just not justify the cost compared to other lines. We decided to do the Mexican Rivera instead. Good luck with your decision!

I don't agree that a verandah is a must for Alaska. While it would be nice to have, I'd rather spend the money saved on shore excursions or the land trip on a one-way cruise.

 

[Stinasmom]

How's that for a sensational headline!

No really, I think it is EXTREMELY interesting that some of DCL's most loyal fans (including myself) are hesitant to reluctant to completely non-committal about DCL going to Alaska.

It is expensive to go to Alaska and maybe add in an excursion or two.
As someone who lives close enough to drive to the Port of Vancouver, I still can fly to and take a Caribbean cruise, even on DCL, for less.

I do plan to take an Alaskan Cruise sometime in the future, but, unfortunately I doubt it will be on DCL.

Other cruise lines have better itineraries, better prices, my kids are getting older and don't need the kids clubs, and there is no equivalent to Castaway Cay... I love DCL but for Alaska... Sorry, they can't compare.

Marcy

 

[mickeyfan1]

When I pull rates for Alaska adults are about $1100 each and kids are $900 each so to me that is pretty much "full fare". It isn't like the other itineraries where 3rd and 4th passengers are much cheaper. I am not sure the cost difference is justified for DCL only because I think other ships also have kid programs which while they may not be as good, probably are sufficient. It will be interesting to hear from people who do DCL Alaska and have done a different line to really see the comparisons.

What dates are you looking at and what category of cabin?

Having sailed to Alaska on HAL, and done the one way from Vancouver to Seward, the DCL itinerary does not appeal to me. You will get a good idea of ports, and I am sure DCL will have some nice excursions. I lied the fact that we got off the ship and then spent 3 more nights doing a land tour. You can't do that on DCL.

 

[jel0511]

As a PP posted as a headline, "DCL Dissers Dis DCL Alaska cruises!" We're doing the same thing. We have the Aug 16th DCL sailing booked and are most likely canceling for NCL. I can get a 2br penthouse suite on NCL, for what I'm paying for a balcony/inside on DCL. NCL also has the better itinerary IMO, they also leave on Sun, much more conducive for vacation time off from work whereas DCL leaves on Tues. Also, it will be cheaper to fly into SEA, than Vancouver.

 

[kaseyC]

As a PP posted as a headline, "DCL Dissers Dis DCL Alaska cruises!" We're doing the same thing. We have the Aug 16th DCL sailing booked and are most likely canceling for NCL. I can get a 2br penthouse suite on NCL, for what I'm paying for a balcony/inside on DCL. NCL also has the better itinerary IMO, they also leave on Sun, much more conducive for vacation time off from work whereas DCL leaves on Tues. Also, it will be cheaper to fly into SEA, than Vancouver.

You will absolutely love the suite experience on NCL. The concierge and butler service is outstanding. If you are booking a Courtyard Villa, the perks are even better.