Cruising Alaska from Seattle a letdown?

[sherilynn]

I am planning a cruise with my DH, children and parents next summer. None of us have ever seen any of Alaska. There seems to be several negative comments about cruising via Seattle vs. Vancouver. We really want to stick with DCL because of the kids, but I don't want my parent's probable only trip to be not-so-great. Can anyone tell me how much scenery is missed by going this route? How "rough" should we expect the seas to be? Much worse than the Caribbean? This is not our first cruise, but is our first and maybe last Alaskan cruise. Any thoughts or advice?

 

[Stinasmom]

Unless someone can correct me, it didn't look like any "scenery" will be missed by traveling out of Seattle to Alaska as the ports-of-call are the same.

[Edited to add: I have been corrected in following posts...]

I guess you will miss the actual harbor in Downtown Vancouver, but Elliott Bay in Seattle is also quite spectacular.

Seattle will be so much easier since you won't have to travel to a "foreign" country on the outset.... unless you are Canadian.

We live about 110miles from Seattle so we are super excited to sail on the Wonder from there in June 2012.

From Seattle, the ship will sail the "inside passage" which are the waters of Puget Sound and between Vancouver Island and the Canadian Mainland.
We have sailed these waters for 18 years on my parent's pleasure boats ranging in size from 24 - 35 feet.
For a boat that size there were some rough waters passing through the Straits of Juan De Fuca, but for a cruise ship... I doubt you'll feel anything!

I can't speak for the water north of Vancouver Island, however.

I am curious what other "negatives" your parents see from sailing out of Seattle?

Hope that helps some..

Anyone else?

 

[sayhello]

Unless someone can correct me, it didn't look like any "scenery" will be missed by traveling out of Seattle to Alaska as the ports-of-call are the same.

Actually, you miss quite a bit of scenery, as from Seattle, DCL will sail out in the ocean, west around Vancouver Island to get to the Inside Passage. You miss a lot of gorgeous scenery that you would see if you were sailing from Vancouver and going between Vancouver island (and the other islands) and the coast of Canada. Plus, the seas in the open ocean from Seattle are generally much rougher than the seas between the islands.

From Seattle, the ship will sail the "inside passage" which are the waters of Puget Sound and between Vancouver Island and the Canadian Mainland.

No they won't. If you look at the itinerary map, they sail West of Vancouver Island, and don't enter the Inside Passage until what looks like somewhere near Port Alexander, way north of Ketchikan. They'll sail the inside passage going from Tracy Arm to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, but then are back out in the ocean sailing to Victoria (which they will approach from the west and around the Southern end of Vancouver Island). So they will miss a LOT of scenery on the first & last days. And when they *do* sail the Puget sound back to Seattle, it will be in the middle of the night.

We have sailed these waters for 18 years on my parent's pleasure boats ranging in size from 24 - 35 feet.
For a boat that size there were some rough waters passing through the Straits of Juan De Fuca, but for a cruise ship... I doubt you'll feel anything!

If DCL were taking the route you described (which they are when leaving from Vancouver this year) then it *would* be lovely. But they are not.

I can't speak for the water north of Vancouver Island, however.

I am curious what other "negatives" your parents see from sailing out of Seattle?

Hope that helps some..

Anyone else?

See above. Also, they are spending less time in Ketchikan (7:15 am to 12:30pm) so that they can get to Victoria at the end of the last sea day & spend only three evening hours (7:30pm to 10:30pm) there (to satisfy the foreign port requirement, since they are not coming or going from Vancouver).

It does make getting to and from the cruise much simpler, and Seattle *is* a lovely city, but, in my opinion, it is a far inferior itinerary compared to this year's.

Sayhello

 

[Cerberus9]

Actually, you miss quite a bit of scenery, as from Seattle, DCL will sail out in the ocean, west around Vancouver Island to get to the Inside Passage. You miss a lot of gorgeous scenery that you would see if you were sailing from Vancouver and going between Vancouver island (and the other islands) and the coast of Canada. Plus, the seas in the open ocean from Seattle are generally much rougher than the seas between the islands

That's really unfortunate. The scenery between mainland BC and Vancouver Island is some of the most spectacular in the world.

 

[sayhello]

That's really unfortunate. The scenery between mainland BC and Vancouver Island is some of the most spectacular in the world.

I totally agree!

Sayhello

 

[Stinasmom]

Ahh... darn. I am bummed to be wrong about this.
At least I have been all around the US and Canadian San Juan Islands, Victoria, Vancouver, and the Gulf Islands many times.

Why can't they go just straight north instead of west out into the open ocean?

Is there a link to this route map?

Oh well, I am still not deterred....

Sorry for the misinfomation... wishful thinking, I guess.

 

[sayhello]

Ahh... darn. I am bummed to be wrong about this.
At least I have been all around the US and Canadian San Juan Islands, Victoria, Vancouver, and the Gulf Islands many times.

Why can't they go just straight north instead of west out into the open ocean?

Is there a link to this route map?

Oh well, I am still not deterred....

Sorry for the misinfomation... wishful thinking, I guess.

Try this link, then click on the "Itinerary" tab. There's a flash movie of the itinerary map.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/reservations/customize?execution=e1s3

I suppose there's always a chance DCL may change their minds & do the better route, but I wouldn't bet the bank on it!

Sayhello

 

[sherilynn]

Thank you very much for the responses!

My parents don't have any objection to this itinerary as they don't know any better and are relying on me to make these arrangements. My dad's health is declining and he may not have many years left to travel. For that reason, I want this trip to be perfect for them.

I am the one that chose DCL based on the fact that I am familiar with them and know the kids programs are very good. I don't want to be selfish and make things easier on me if it means that my parents will have to sacrifice on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Right now we are booked on the 6/18/12 sailing on DCL but I'm having second thoughts.

 

[neoavatara]

I prefer Vancouver. If the sail between Vancouver Island is essential, switch. But otherwise, I still think you will have a fantastic trip no matter what.

 

[tamsocal]

Actually, you miss quite a bit of scenery, as from Seattle, DCL will sail out in the ocean, west around Vancouver Island to get to the Inside Passage. You miss a lot of gorgeous scenery that you would see if you were sailing from Vancouver and going between Vancouver island (and the other islands) and the coast of Canada. Plus, the seas in the open ocean from Seattle are generally much rougher than the seas between the islands.

No they won't. If you look at the itinerary map, they sail West of Vancouver Island, and don't enter the Inside Passage until what looks like somewhere near Port Alexander, way north of Ketchikan. They'll sail the inside passage going from Tracy Arm to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, but then are back out in the ocean sailing to Victoria (which they will approach from the west and around the Southern end of Vancouver Island). So they will miss a LOT of scenery on the first & last days. And when they *do* sail the Puget sound back to Seattle, it will be in the middle of the night.
If DCL were taking the route you described (which they are when leaving from Vancouver this year) then it *would* be lovely. But they are not.

See above. Also, they are spending less time in Ketchikan (7:15 am to 12:30pm) so that they can get to Victoria at the end of the last sea day & spend only three evening hours (7:30pm to 10:30pm) there (to satisfy the foreign port requirement, since they are not coming or going from Vancouver).

It does make getting to and from the cruise much simpler, and Seattle *is* a lovely city, but, in my opinion, it is a far inferior itinerary compared to this year's.

Sayhello

Try this link, then click on the "Itinerary" tab. There's a flash movie of the itinerary map.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/reservations/customize?execution=e1s3

I suppose there's always a chance DCL may change their minds & do the better route, but I wouldn't bet the bank on it!

Sayhello

I agree with all of this. We have cruised Alaska 5 times. Northbound, southbound, round trip Vancouver, round trip Seattle. Will say we have had wonderful trips on every cruise but if it were a once in a lifetime experience- I would not want to miss the Inside Passage cruising, and one of the times where I so loved having a balcony. BUT we have also had wonderful Alaska cruises in an Oceanview (had booked an inside once but were upgraded to OV).
I don;t know of any of the bigger ship cruiselines that sail out of Seattle but still go up the inside passage east of vancouver Island- although haven't extensively looked. For me the top priorities for Alaska for someone who might not go again: Glacier Bay, Port times (some are very long-- we spent an amazing day in Juneau with a 14hr port call-- while other ships in port that day had 6 hrs OUCH. We have cruised with HAL & Princess for Alaska. Our kids loved kids club-- but I didn;t want them in there the majority of the time-- there was so much to see during cruising that we were dragging them out so they would not miss out. Also don;t know how disney is running their Alaska cruises but Princess had special kids activities related to the glaciers ,wildlife, etc & it was a great experience for them and the Naturalists on board with Princess were amazing and so worth it.

If you say might be your 1st & last Alaska cruise-- I would explore other cruiseline options (but this is coming form someone who has their 1st DCL cruise in 2 weeks , maybe I will change my tune. Even out of Vancouver the itinerary I saw was for Tracey Arm & no Glacier Bay. Glacier Bay, College Fjords & Hubbard Glacier were amazing

 

[tvguy]

To answer the OP's question.

I'm not disputing the beauty of the route from Vancouver, but having done the route from Seattle, it was absolutely stunning. So to directly answer your question Absolutely, positively not a letdown.

 

[Dayita]

As someone who is fortunate enough to live on the east coast of Vancouver Island, I have to tell you the natural beauty in this area is undescribable. I have cruised to Alaska before, but will not consider a cruise that doesn't sail past my house!



Charlene

 

[Cerberus9]

As someone who is fortunate enough to live on the east coast of Vancouver Island, I have to tell you the natural beauty in this area is undescribable. I have cruised to Alaska before, but will not consider a cruise that doesn't sail past my house!



Charlene

I know exactly what you mean!

 

[valbob89]

I am planning a cruise with my DH, children and parents next summer. None of us have ever seen any of Alaska. There seems to be several negative comments about cruising via Seattle vs. Vancouver. We really want to stick with DCL because of the kids, but I don't want my parent's probable only trip to be not-so-great. Can anyone tell me how much scenery is missed by going this route? How "rough" should we expect the seas to be? Much worse than the Caribbean? This is not our first cruise, but is our first and maybe last Alaskan cruise. Any thoughts or advice?

First off let me say we love DCL, it is our favorite cruise line and we plan on doing the Alaska cruise next year. We have taken a number of Alaskan cruises, out of Seattle, Vancouver and Steward and enjoyed them all. However, if you are only going to be go to Alaska once, do not go all the way to Alaska and miss seeing that state, you have to go to Denali. I was amazed Disney didn't have the option of a land adventure.
The odds are, if you do only the beautiful inland passage you will only see eagles and maybe whales and otters. The three towns you stop in are interesting and the area beautiful. If you take a typical train ride into the Denali Ntl Park, odds are you will see bear, caribou, fox, sheep, wolf, moose and multiple fowl life. Additionally, Mt McKinley is a site to see like no other. Princess cruise line owns the Alaska vacation cruise and land. They have their own train and hotel resorts. If you want to cruise and see Alaska without doing it on your own, unfortunately, I have to recommend you consider a cruise line with a land add on available.

 

[tamsocal]

To answer the OP's question.

I'm not disputing the beauty of the route from Vancouver, but having done the route from Seattle, it was absolutely stunning. So to directly answer your question Absolutely, positively not a letdown.

As someone who is fortunate enough to live on the east coast of Vancouver Island, I have to tell you the natural beauty in this area is undescribable. I have cruised to Alaska before, but will not consider a cruise that doesn't sail past my house!



Charlene

I know exactly what you mean!

so my short version would be YES a let down

 

[Dayita]

Hi Cerberus9! Nice to finally meet another Nanaimoite on DIS!!!!

And here is why you don't want to miss cruising between Vancouver Island and the mainland; an unretouched picture taken from my living room window in August at 9:15 pm (note Alaska bound cruise ship on the horizon!!!).

Charlene

 

[Cerberus9]

Hi Cerberus9! Nice to finally meet another Nanaimoite on DIS!!!!

And here is why you don't want to miss cruising between Vancouver Island and the mainland; an unretouched picture taken from my living room window in August at 9:15 pm (note Alaska bound cruise ship on the horizon!!!).

Charlene

Hi! Nice to meet you too!

And while that picture is indeed spectacular, it can't hold a candle to seeing the real thing with your own eyes!

 

[sherilynn]

Wow. Just....wow. That is stunning. How do you ever drag yourself inside the house? Thanks for posting that beautiful pic!

So, a bit off topic, but when booking one of these cruises, which is better, starboard or port side?

 

[2disneydads]

Wow. Just....wow. That is stunning. How do you ever drag yourself inside the house? Thanks for posting that beautiful pic!

So, a bit off topic, but when booking one of these cruises, which is better, starboard or port side?

The good thing about an Inside Passage sailing round trip from Vancouver is that whichever side you select, you'll get one side of the Inside Passage going north and the other side going south. If your cruise is going into Glacier Bay, then you might consider Port side. Other folks have suggested that side to us, but a lot will depend on which way the ship turns at particular points, and that will be determined by immediate tidal conditions.

We debated whether to do a Disney Alaska cruise in 2012 - but the new Seattle itinerary is a major bummer. I've done 3 Alaska cruises and know how beautiful the Inside Passage can be. We chose Holland America's Zuiderdam out of Vancouver for an Inside Passage cruise. We'll get Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm, plus better port times in Juneau and Ketchikan. HAL has a great reputation, has a complete shore-based excursion program and is one of the two leading Alaskan cruise specialists (Princess being the other). I would not hesitate in suggesting HAL for an Alaskan cruise for a multigenerational trip - we're bringing our 8 and 6 year old on HAL. Club HAL gets high marks, especially in the summer and over school holidays when more families sail on HAL.

 

[Dayita]

it can't hold a candle to seeing the real thing with your own eyes!

Don't I know it! In summer the street in front of the house is full of cars with people taking pictures at sunset....