DCL Alaska Cruise?

[goofyfamily41]

OK, I just got off the Eastern and I'm thinking what could possibly top this cruise. Well we'd love to go to Alaska and wouldn't it be great if DCL would take us there. For those in the know -- How serious is Disney about putting an Alaska cruise on their schedule? Would it be a new ship or what? Anyone with news.

 

[ohioMickey]

From what I have read, an Alaskan cruise would either require a new vessel or MAJOR renovation of the Wonder or Magic. An Alaskan cruise ship requires warm (indoor) activity and viewing space that decks 9 and 10 of the present ships could not accomplish.

 

[Mary Ellen]

DVC members can use their points for Alaskan cruises on Holland America Lines (HAL). That is the only other cruise (besides DCL) we can use points for. Some see this as a close a recommendation as Disney can do. I've sailed on HAL 7 times (4 to Alaska) and have been very happy.

 

[rae519]

HI Mary Ellen!
Can you recommend which one of the Alaska routes would be best for people who are older with a child and just like to watch scenery rather than be a part of it?

Thanks!

Rae

 

[Mary Ellen]

We prefer the r/t Vancouver because of the scenery and calmer waters. We've also sailed r/t Seattle and were happy with that too, but it does go more out into the Pacific - so less (or further away) scenery and more chance of rough seas. We haven't sailed the one-way Alaska-Vancouver, as a few days are in the Gulf of Alaska. (I get seasick pretty easily.)

We've been very happy with both the Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay, but would lean slightly towards Glacier Bay for a first-timer.

For ports we prefer Skagway and Juneau over Sitka and Ketchikan.

If you want any further info, please feel free to PM me.

 

[rae519]

Thank you so much for your reply, I am sure others were glad to read your recommendations also.

I'll pm you!

Rae

 

[goofyfamily41]

Thanks for the responses. I still would like DCL to be my host on my Alaska cruise. It wouldn't be the same for the family without that Disney Dazzle and Mickey and Co.

 

[tezb]

There was a recent thread here about a possible DCL ship for the West Coast and that it would go to Mexico, Panama and possibly Alaska in the summer....not completely sure just what I remember reading.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

The speculation is that if they build a third ship, they would position it on the west coast. The logical thing to do would be to package it with the Disneyland Resort as they do with Walt Disney World. The port of Los Angeles is only about 30 miles from Anaheim. The port of Long Beach is probably a little closer. They could keep the ship in LA during the winter and move it to Alaska during the summer. Makes perfect sense, now they just need to build a ship.

BUT (there's always a but...) they have not yet ordered a ship and no major shipyard has announced a contract to build a ship for DCL. So, if they started building the thing today, it probably would not be in service until 2005.

In the meantime, HAL is a good choice for an Alaska cruise. Their ships are every bit as elegant as the DCL ships, although there's a little less energy on board, as they don't cater to the same type of crowd as Disney. Princess, Celebrity, RCCL and Carnival all have some of their newer ships in Alaska during the summer. RCCL's Radiance is a really nice ship, I've saild on it in the Caribbean, but I believe they re-position it to Alaska in the summer.

 

[PiperG]

We are currently planning an Alaskan cruise on the radiance next August. Everything we see and read reflects a very nice experience.

Another Disser sent me some information on the kids programming. Its not the same as DCL of course but there seems to be a nice array of activities. Does anyone have any expereicne with the RCCL kids programming? If so, I would like to hear your comments.

 

[joyfull]

Alaskan cruise wow that would be great! Is Disney really looking into starting an alaskan cruise or is this just a rumor?

 

[goofyfamily41]

It looks like if I would like to use any of my Disney points to defray the costs then it's Holland America. Maybe do a land add-on with it.

 

[musicgirl]

Hi, just back from the Wonder. In regards to how serious the plans are for a particular cruise, I don't have details, but just maybe a little insight. In our room one night was a survey about how many trips we might take and so on. Some of the questions were pertaining to our interest in different itineraries. They named a few different places, Alaska was included but not the only one.

So I don't know what the plans are but it doesn't sound like they have anything definite planned if they are still doing surveys.

I'm sure the people out west would love a DCL cruise closer to them.

 

[dwvalure]

I was on the April 12, 2003 Western and heard from a CM in the ESPN skybox that Disney is in the process of building another ship for the Alaskan cruise, but is now on hold because of the economy. But she figured it would be out in late 2004, early 2005. The reason I know this is true is because she is applying for a position on the ship. She also said the ship is much taller and longer than the MAGIC and WONDER. Other than that, that is all I know. If anyone is sailing on the Magic soon, could you tell Albert and Lourdes, both bartenders that Duane and Wendi say hello and hope to see them soon!! Thank you very much.

 

[goofyfamily41]

dwvalure,

That's interesting news. If there is a new Disney ship traveling to Alaska the summer of 2005, we are on it! I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[budwmn]

I just received my Castaway Club card after taking my first trip on the Wonder in April. Along with my card was a survey about future destinations. Alaska was one of the choices.

My family has been looking into an Alaskan cruise. RCCL's Radiance of the Seas looked promising, but in the end, it's just not Disney. We decided to hold off booking for a year in hopes that Disney will announce plans to build the new ship.

Alaska is beautiful and I can't think of a better way to see it than on a magical new Disney ship!

 

[PiperG]

Originally posted by budwmn

My family has been looking into an Alaskan cruise. RCCL's Radiance of the Seas looked promising, but in the end, it's just not Disney. We decided to hold off booking for a year in hopes that Disney will announce plans to build the new ship.

Alaska is beautiful and I can't think of a better way to see it than on a magical new Disney ship!

We just booked the Radiance for an Alaskan cruise in 8/04. I would have loved to hold out for DCL, but we had good friends who really wanted to do this so we decided not to wait. Another disser is going on the Radiance this August and she is going to post when she gets back. I can't wait to hear her comments.

 

[goofyfamily41]

Bumping this thread. Any current news on a DCL Alaska cruise?

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by goofyfamily41
Any current news on a DCL Alaska cruise?

First, let's start with the assumption that if Disney gets into the Alaska cruise business, it won't be with the Magic or Wonder. Disney would first want to have a new ship.

There are plenty of ships operating in Alaska waters that are similar to the Magic and Wonder — at least in terms outside decks and outdoor pools. But it's likely that Disney would want a ship that is better suited for Alaska, with lots of glass and a climate-controlled, indoor/outdoor pool — like RCCL's Radiance of the Seas.

There have been reports for the past two years that Disney was studying, planning, and designing a new ship. But that's not the same as actually contracting with shipyard to build a new ship. So far, there is no new ship under construction. When Disney really signs a contact with a shipyard, we'll all know about it.

Take a look at the thread, Why won't Disney build another cruise ship?, from a few months ago.

If a contract is announced tomorrow, the soonest you'd see a new Disney ship in Alaska would be summer of 2005. It takes around 18 months to build a cruise ship. (And I wouldn't count on an announcement in the near future.)

So, if you want to take an Alaska cruise in 2004, start looking at other cruise lines.

 

[goofyfamily41]

Thanks Werner for the reply.

It looks like another DCL cruise before a possible Alaska one.

Oh well, but I'm thankful we can enjoy this cruise option for the family.

Ken