Back-to-back Alaska: would you do it?

[Royal Consort]

Hi disers
We have been booked on the upcoming 9 night Alaskan cruise leaving in July for a while now. Unfortunately our plans directly after the cruise have fallen through and we have some time to make up before we fly back to Disneyland and home to Australia.

In this time I have been considering doing the 5 night Alaskan cruise and making the trip a back to back cruise as we love longer cruises. The cruise goes to many of the same places though such as Tracy arm and Ketchikan with a couple of sea days. We already have some time in Vancouver booked.

My question is: would you do a back to back on the Wonder or do you think this would be too much repeating and spoil it?

Thanks for your input!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi disers
We have been booked on the upcoming 9 night Alaskan cruise leaving in July for a while now. Unfortunately our plans directly after the cruise have fallen through and we have some time to make up before we fly back to Disneyland and home to Australia.

In this time I have been considering doing the 5 night Alaskan cruise and making the trip a back to back cruise as we love longer cruises. The cruise goes to many of the same places though such as Tracy arm and Ketchikan with a couple of sea days. We already have some time in Vancouver booked.

My question is: would you do a back to back on the Wonder or do you think this would be too much repeating and spoil it?

Thanks for your input!

Certainly there will be repeating of menus/shows and some of the itinerary between the two. However, there's plenty to do, so you have every probability of not having to repeat a lot of things. And you can always chose that "other" entree on the menu that you had difficulty choosing between the first time.

In fact, it can make the first cruise a bit more laid back, knowing you can catch some things on the second one.

 

[seacruise]

It would be too much repeating for me, but on the plus side you have a 2nd chance at Tracy Arm and Ketchikan if you have bad weather the first time around. I would probably take those 5 days and hit some other places on the west coast before heading to Disneyland.

 

[FigmentSpark]

You might consider researching some other lines to see if there's another cruise that goes to different places for your second cruise. That way, you see more, do more and aren't doubling up. That said, there seems to be a lot to do on an Alaskan cruise. This might be an opportunity to do excursions you had to forego the first time. You are coming a long way. Make the most of it by doing what will make your vacation the best for you.

 

[jdb in AZ]

You might consider researching some other lines to see if there's another cruise that goes to different places for your second cruise. That way, you see more, do more and aren't doubling up. That said, there seems to be a lot to do on an Alaskan cruise. This might be an opportunity to do excursions you had to forego the first time. You are coming a long way. Make the most of it by doing what will make your vacation the best for you.

I would definitely check out other cruise lines as well. I would also check out a one-way cruise that includes a land tour. There's so much more to Alaska than just the port towns that cruise ships visit.

 

[xlxo]

@Royal Consort: To clarify.... how many days do you have in Vancouver and what activities have you chosen? We can perhaps provide you ideas for an extended Vancouver itinerary to keep you entertained.

• Whistler?
• Victoria & Vancouver Island?
• Storybrooke?
• Banff? Calgary?
• Seattle?

I agree with @FigmentSpark..... a second cruise line like Holland America or Princess to check out Glacier Bay could also be considered. Repeating Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan would basically double your port times to do more stuff.

• https://cruise.expedia.ca/Cruise/en-CA/Itinerary?item=875129
• https://cruise.expedia.ca/Cruise/en-CA/Itinerary?item=754988 Departs same day as Wonder, but with Glacier Bay

 

[Flossbolna]

Have you considered to add on the transitioning cruise from San Diego to Vancouver before your cruise?

Otherwise, with the cost of those Alaskan cruises, I would hesitate to add on one that goes to the same places again. I would be more inclined to rent a car and do some more touring in Canada for those days (or even fly to Calgary and rent a car there). Jasper NP, Banff NP and the Icefield Parkway connecting them are amazing. They are quite a way away from Vancouver, but you could do a loop trip from there (Calgary is closer).

 

[Shanti]

I would recommend it if you love sea days and are mostly doing it just to be on the ship. The 5-night cruise has only one port. Given the more port-intensive nature of the 9-night cruise you will have just sailed on, you might enjoy that down time before visiting Disneyland. We love sea days & the activities on the ships, and I like getting to rest and relax & not constantly having to be on the go, so that would appeal to me personally.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I wouldn't do it unless you absolutely love sea days. The 5 day cruise is basically a bunch of sea days with my least favorite port. I like the other suggestions about seeing if there is a different cruise line you can try or spending more time in Vancouver/Victoria area.

 

[AngelDisney]

When I did my Alaskan cruise in 2015, we spent 3 nights at both Banff and Vancouver before the cruise. Both cities are beautiful. If I had had more time, I would have visited Victoria too. You may consider visiting other cities in Canada rather than having a back to back.

Have fun planning!

 

[anricat]

I agree that I would probably skip the 5 night and instead have fun in Vancouver and surrounding areas. We spent two full days in Vancouver and had a great time. I would have stayed another day or two if I could have. It's a great city. We've spent a bit of time in Seattle, too (not this trip) but if we hadn't, it would have been a good option. It's a great city as well, especially in the summer.

 

[Vijoge]

I would definitely check out other cruise lines as well. I would also check out a one-way cruise that includes a land tour. There's so much more to Alaska than just the port towns that cruise ships visit.

This

 

[xlxo]

Assuming you can change your departing airport...

• There's also one-ways to Banff, it's glacier, and onwards to Calgary for it's airport to your next area of exploration.
• Going south.... Victoria, then Seattle and it's airport to your next destination.