Calling all Alaska cruise experts!!!

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I was not questioning your opinion - but pointing out (again) that you didn't have the same kind of viewing experience in Glacier Bay as in Tracy Arm. Or perhaps it was the "officers private forward viewing point" that influenced your opinion of the Tracy Arm experience. That would tend to make it even more special.

Regarding Alaska vs. Iceland: there's a LOT more to Alaska than what you can see on a 7-night round-trip cruise from Vancouver. My impression of Iceland, based on one rainy cruise ship day in Reykjavik, wasn't very good. I need to return to see more of Iceland - hopefully with better weather!

I have seen fjords and glaciers in Alaska, Norway, New Zealand, and most recently in Chile and Argentina. The South America trip was the most recent, and I have actually looked at those photos again! All were beautiful, but I still rank Alaska at the top.

Yes, I know you were pointing it out- again. I think that's three times now, I have chosen to not go around in circles, - like my plane over glacier bay, and I will add I only booked there, due to the very positive posts here over the years re Glacier bay, and it didn't live up to the hype, I think IMHO, sometimes Glaicer bay is very unfairly used to bash DCL here, as DCL pulled out if the exclusive rights to sail there, I for one agree with thier decision. It doesn't live up to the hype.

 

[wombat_5606]

Disney Fantasy, it doesn't live up to the hype, in your opinion. I personally, saw Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay on the same cruise, also. I can say, in my opinion, that Glacier Bay is superior.

Glacier Bay
Pros: Multiple glaciers, wildlife and land sculpted by glaciers
Cons: Not as big as Hubbard, not tight fjords

Tracy Arm
Pros: lots of bergs, big and blue; tight, tight fjord; wildlife
Cons: Not that big of a glacier, only one inlet to explore

If you want to see impressive glaciers, plural, then Glacier Bay it is. If you want to see a lot of icebergs, go to Tracy Arm.

If you want to see Glacier Bay, don't do Disney.

If you want to go on a Disney cruise in Alaska, then Glacier Bay won't matter.

 

[NancyIL]

I just wondered if that may color which was "best". Our first cruise to Alaska we visited both Tracy Army & Glacier Bay (in that order). When we were in Tracy Arm my breath was taken away. I felt it was so spectacular (first glacier ever). Then, in Glacier Bay, it was trumped! As someone who's done both locations (same time of year, from the same ship) I feel that Glacier Bay is massively "better" than Tracy Arm. BUT Tracy Arm is certainly worthwhile, also.

I suppose cruising to Alaska first might've colored my opinion. I cruised to Alaska 4 times, and only the first (Glacier Bay and College Fjord) and last (Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm) cruises had good weather when we were at the glaciers. As individual Alaska glaciers go - I think Hubbard Glacier is more spectacular than any glacier in Glacier Bay. However, the overall effect of sailing in Glacier Bay with multiple glaciers is very impressive. What I could see of the Sawyer glaciers at Tracy Arm wasn't that impressive, although it's a lovely fjord.

Norway and New Zealand have lovely fjords, but their glaciers don't outshine Alaska's. The Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina is massive, and that is probably my favorite single glacier.

 

[NancyIL]

Yes, I know you were pointing it out- again. I think that's three times now, I have chosen to not go around in circles, - like my plane over glacier bay, and I will add I only booked there, due to the very positive posts here over the years re Glacier bay, and it didn't live up to the hype, I think IMHO, sometimes Glaicer bay is very unfairly used to bash DCL here, as DCL pulled out if the exclusive rights to sail there, I for one agree with thier decision. It doesn't live up to the hype.

I point it out every time I see you compare a Glacier Bay FLIGHT to a Tracy Arm CRUISE! We all have our preferences, and you prefer Tracy Arm over Glacier Bay.

When I was planning our first Alaska cruise - a Misty Fjords flight from Ketchikan was the first excursion I booked - based on rave reviews. Unfortunately, I was not one of the many who gushed about how beautiful Misty Fjords was from the air, because the cloud ceiling was too low and we had to turn back. I may go there by boat next May, although I've read (on Cruise Critic) that the flight is "far superior." We shall see!

By the way - DCL never had "exclusive rights to sail" in Glacier Bay. I think they withdrew their application for Glacier Bay permits.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

By the way - DCL never had "exclusive rights to sail" in Glacier Bay. I think they withdrew their application for Glacier Bay permits.

That was my understanding, also. There are XX number of permits allowed into Glacier Bay each year. And ((I think it's every 5 years) when they come up for review who will get them, Disney was pretty far down on the seniority list. Not saying that "some day" DCL won't be able to pull a couple of permits, but it's going to be a while, I believe.

 

[dcassetta]

As part of the national Park system, Glacier Bay is carefully controlled with only two cruise ships permitted in per day. As HAL and Princess have quite a lock on many of the slots, it's more difficult for other cruise lines to gain access.

The relationship to the park service is also one of the reasons why Glacier Bay is my favorite. The interpretive sessions offered by the park rangers are just incredible.

I've sailed Disney, Princess and HAL to Alaska and I've seen Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Hubbard glacier, and Sawyer glacier all from cruise ships. I've never flown over any of them. The approach to Sawyer through Tracy arm is really incredible because it's so narrow, but for glacier viewing itself, nothing beats Glacier Bay. Glacier Bay is also the only one of the glacier areas where I've seen orcas.

The kids clubs offerings on Princess and HAL are not as extensive as those on Disney, obviously. But, one benefit is that there will be fewer children on the cruise, so if your kids do you go to the kids club they'll get more attention.
A one way trip on a non-Disney cruise will also allow for an easier pre or post cruise trip to interior Alaska especially Denali.

 

[darwinsrule]

If cheap AND Glacier Bay is a priority here is another one. This should get a few of the hardcore DCL folks going

Carnival Legend. 7 night RT from Seattle. The August 15th, 2017 cruise goes to . . . . Glacier Bay. Extended balcony stateroom for 4 (2a2k) is approx. $4,500. Everyone says Alaska is all about the destiniation, not the ship. It definitely won't be about the ship on the Legend. But you do get a great price, and the savings would get you that wonderful flyover I have been reading about.

Going to sit back and wait for the burn

 

[nycdisneygal]

Thanks EVERYONE for all of the input. It is very helpful to me as I try to plan what to do.