DCL to Alaska - 25th anniversary. Concierge or ABD add on?

[NewEngland47]

We are going on our very first Alaska Cruise next summer. Big trip - 25th anniversary. Having loved DCL Caribbean cruises and tried other lines - including even star class on RCCL (and been underwhelmed) - I’m pretty sure we only like cruising DCL. So we are stuck with DCL pricing
So - for a big event trip would you recommend booking a Cat V in concierge or booking a regular stateroom and doing the ABD add on? I’ve heard both that views are most important and that excursions are.. TIA for advice!

 

[ajo]

FWIW - We sailed in an OV in Alaska and spent money on excursions instead of a verandah. We did what I would consider splurge excursions- helicopter to glacier in Juneau and the Tracy Arm boat to the glacier. Both were amazing! But it really is up to you as to what would make it most special for you.

 

[Magical_Suitcase]

I would go for the regular verandah room and an ABD add on as it would create more memories and probably be more enjoyable than a Cat V. You get a bit of extra pampering in Concierge but not as much as you will be getting with the ABD.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are going on our very first Alaska Cruise next summer. Big trip - 25th anniversary. Having loved DCL Caribbean cruises and tried other lines - including even star class on RCCL (and been underwhelmed) - I’m pretty sure we only like cruising DCL. So we are stuck with DCL pricing
So - for a big event trip would you recommend booking a Cat V in concierge or booking a regular stateroom and doing the ABD add on? I’ve heard both that views are most important and that excursions are.. TIA for advice!

Generally speaking, traveling to Alaska is about seeing Alaska. The DCL cruises don't go to all the ports that other cruise lines go to, and often have shorter port calls. I'd do ABD.

That said, if you're actually more interested in doing a Disney cruise that visits some of Alaska, bulking up the DCL part of the trip would seem the better option.

 

[NewEngland47]

Generally speaking, traveling to Alaska is about seeing Alaska. The DCL cruises don't go to all the ports that other cruise lines go to, and often have shorter port calls. I'd do ABD.

That said, if you're actually more interested in doing a Disney cruise that visits some of Alaska, bulking up the DCL part of the trip would seem the better option.

This is a really astute point. I think you’re absolutely right - is it an Alaska trip or a DCL cruise that goes to Alaska. I’d say this time bc of our 10 year old being with us and its my husbands very first cruise (!!) I think it’s really a DCL trip. That being said, we’ve also never been to Alaska and my husband loves nature and photography so we want to go all out! Or as much as we can on 20k

 

[Calantha]

What is ABD? I don’t see it on the acronym post.

 

[Karin1984]

What is ABD? I don’t see it on the acronym post.

Adventures By Disney, disney's organized trip travel agency.

I would go for ABD, that will create more memories and more experiences than upgrading to Conciërge. Most things on the cruise, like having a nice meal or show or a class, a character meet, will happen regardless of which cabin you are in.

 

[cmarsh31]

For Alaska - definitely the ABD add-on! Two Alaskan cruises so far and I can't wait for my 3rd in 2021. So much to see!

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm going to go out on a limb and vote concierge for two reasons: that concierge sundeck on the Wonder looks lovely, and I was kind of shocked at the way ABD treated their customers when Covid came out (go look at the ABD forum here) and I honestly don't think I can give them my business based on that. We pay disney prices for disney customer service, and it sounds like people here had a very un-disneyish experience.

 

[pktflack]

We went on an Alaskan Cruise from Seattle on Norwegian (verandah room high-ish deck, close to the two-story lounge.) We've been on a Disney cruise on the Wonder in a V class stateroom (the family verandah stateroom swanked-up and with concierge service). It depends on what you want for a trip to Alaska for sure. I don't know what the ABD includes but if it's as long as the cruise, you'll have to factor in the price of your lost wages or lost vacation week, not just that it is the same cost as upgrading to concierge. With concierge you would get just that. That feeling of luxury that can be missing from a busy cruise. The concierge lounge on the Wonder is the largest in DCL and is has the largest enclosed area (helpful, if the weather is inclement), free cocktails every evening (a bonus if you would drink a bit each day) and concierge staff that will make your trip over-the-top special if you let them know it's your anniversary. You feel pampered from the moment you board. The cost is the key. I found that because we were a sister group and it was a birthday during the concierge cruise on the Wonder, we would want that attention. The cost of concierge for the cruise we took was not the premium that it is on some of the longer cruises, however. But it felt truly special. Now on the Norwegian, it was a family cruise, so the concierge level would have been wasted, as we wouldn't have gone for cocktails each evening, nor did we need to book the spa or excursions early. On our Alaskan cruise (Norwegian) and our European Cruise (Disney) we've had excursions canceled, so I wouldn't depend on anything being without some disappointment , ABD included. You'll need to decide if you prefer pampering or adventure, I think. Enjoy, either way!

 

[NewEngland47]

We went on an Alaskan Cruise from Seattle on Norwegian (verandah room high-ish deck, close to the two-story lounge.) We've been on a Disney cruise on the Wonder in a V class stateroom (the family verandah stateroom swanked-up and with concierge service). It depends on what you want for a trip to Alaska for sure. I don't know what the ABD includes but if it's as long as the cruise, you'll have to factor in the price of your lost wages or lost vacation week, not just that it is the same cost as upgrading to concierge. With concierge you would get just that. That feeling of luxury that can be missing from a busy cruise. The concierge lounge on the Wonder is the largest in DCL and is has the largest enclosed area (helpful, if the weather is inclement), free cocktails every evening (a bonus if you would drink a bit each day) and concierge staff that will make your trip over-the-top special if you let them know it's your anniversary. You feel pampered from the moment you board. The cost is the key. I found that because we were a sister group and it was a birthday during the concierge cruise on the Wonder, we would want that attention. The cost of concierge for the cruise we took was not the premium that it is on some of the longer cruises, however. But it felt truly special. Now on the Norwegian, it was a family cruise, so the concierge level would have been wasted, as we wouldn't have gone for cocktails each evening, nor did we need to book the spa or excursions early. On our Alaskan cruise (Norwegian) and our European Cruise (Disney) we've had excursions canceled, so I wouldn't depend on anything being without some disappointment , ABD included. You'll need to decide if you prefer pampering or adventure, I think. Enjoy, either way!

Such great advice!

To clarify -
Option 1 - Concierge Cat V
Option 2 - Oceanview stateroom with ABD add on

The funny thing is these two options are within $200 of each other in total cost.

I’m the one who loves DCL concierge (I’ve only been on Dream concierge) but my husband thinks ABD add-on bc he thinks the excursions are more important - but that being said he’s never yet been on a cruise ship so he can’t fathom why I’d want to “stay on the boat” at all

 

[MomOTwins]

We went on an Alaskan Cruise from Seattle on Norwegian (verandah room high-ish deck, close to the two-story lounge.) We've been on a Disney cruise on the Wonder in a V class stateroom (the family verandah stateroom swanked-up and with concierge service). It depends on what you want for a trip to Alaska for sure. I don't know what the ABD includes but if it's as long as the cruise, you'll have to factor in the price of your lost wages or lost vacation week, not just that it is the same cost as upgrading to concierge. With concierge you would get just that. That feeling of luxury that can be missing from a busy cruise. The concierge lounge on the Wonder is the largest in DCL and is has the largest enclosed area (helpful, if the weather is inclement), free cocktails every evening (a bonus if you would drink a bit each day) and concierge staff that will make your trip over-the-top special if you let them know it's your anniversary. You feel pampered from the moment you board. The cost is the key. I found that because we were a sister group and it was a birthday during the concierge cruise on the Wonder, we would want that attention. The cost of concierge for the cruise we took was not the premium that it is on some of the longer cruises, however. But it felt truly special. Now on the Norwegian, it was a family cruise, so the concierge level would have been wasted, as we wouldn't have gone for cocktails each evening, nor did we need to book the spa or excursions early. On our Alaskan cruise (Norwegian) and our European Cruise (Disney) we've had excursions canceled, so I wouldn't depend on anything being without some disappointment , ABD included. You'll need to decide if you prefer pampering or adventure, I think. Enjoy, either way!

The ABD for the Alaska cruise works a little differently. It includes an on-ship reception and a bunch of pre-planned guided excursions at the ports--it doesn't add any days before or after the cruise. Honestly I'd rather plan my own excursions but I like to control what we do and not be dragged around to stuff we aren't interested in (like zip lining--ugh, hate heights).

 

[lklgoodman]

We did an Alaskan cruise several years ago. I haven't done any ABD before so can't comment on it. For Alaska I would spend money on excursions. There are some amazing excursions. We've also done 5 Caribbean cruises on DCL. I'd go with OV for Alaska and then book concierge for a future Caribbean cruise. Most Caribbean Islands have the same type of excursions that aren't that spectacular.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We booked concierge for our Alaska cruise because we wanted the extra space of a Cat T. The lounge was nice and the ability to have priority booking for Palo was too. But I don’t think I would pay the price difference for concierge if I wasn’t getting more space.

 

[pktflack]

Such great advice!

To clarify -
Option 1 - Concierge Cat V
Option 2 - Oceanview stateroom with ABD add on

The funny thing is these two options are within $200 of each other in total cost.

I’m the one who loves DCL concierge (I’ve only been on Dream concierge) but my husband thinks ABD add-on bc he thinks the excursions are more important - but that being said he’s never yet been on a cruise ship so he can’t fathom why I’d want to “stay on the boat” at all

Well, for what it's worth, my family all wished we'd seen more of Alaska and felt like you couldn't see everything it was just so awe-inspiring, so maybe ABD is the better choice. One thing I can recommend is the Rainforest Room in the Spa! So relaxing. It can get crowded, tho. Have a wonderful trip! ☺

 

[TestingH2O]

1. My first instinct is to say ABD. Book a verandah room on Deck 8, and you will have the same views that people in Concierge get while on the ship. Or get an oversized aft verandah, and you will get better views!
2. While you indicate that the price is within $200, it really isn't. If you choose the Concierge option, you will then be adding excursions on top of that, and excursions in Alaska are definitely pricey.
3. There is an Option C, and that is to book a room on your own and really choose the best excursions for yourself. Are the ABD excursions the ones you would want to do? The whale watch especially can be better booked on your own rather than being in a big group. Could you book on your own and save money so you could do the boat to the glacier on Glacier Day?

Personally, I thought doing Alaska on our own was a great decision. Now, if the ABD was an add on trip that would let you explore more of the area not accessible by cruise ship, then there would be no question in my mind what would be the better choice.

 

[MomOTwins]

1. My first instinct is to say ABD. Book a verandah room on Deck 8, and you will have the same views that people in Concierge get while on the ship. Or get an oversized aft verandah, and you will get better views!
2. While you indicate that the price is within $200, it really isn't. If you choose the Concierge option, you will then be adding excursions on top of that, and excursions in Alaska are definitely pricey.
3. There is an Option C, and that is to book a room on your own and really choose the best excursions for yourself. Are the ABD excursions the ones you would want to do? The whale watch especially can be better booked on your own rather than being in a big group. Could you book on your own and save money so you could do the boat to the glacier on Glacier Day?

Personally, I thought doing Alaska on our own was a great decision. Now, if the ABD was an add on trip that would let you explore more of the area not accessible by cruise ship, then there would be no question in my mind what would be the better choice.

This is a good point: OP said the options are oceanview room + ABD or concierge room only, but a middle ground might be a verandah room plus self-planned excursions. Many (I wan't to say all based on my research of Alaska port adventures, but can't be sure) of the ABD excursions are things you can book through DCL whether you use ABD or not, and doing it on your own gives you more flexibility at what will almost certainly be a lower price than ABD. You'll probably get less done because ABD packs multiple excursions into each port stop and you may not be able to schedule more than one or two at a port stop depending on the times. But that might not be a bad thing--looking at the ABD itinerary for Skagway for example, do you really want to do a street car tour, and the white pass train ride with suspension bridge stop, and border photo stop, and the jewel gardens tour, and glassblowing, and gold panning, and downtown skagway? That sounds like twice the number of things I'd want to do in one day and still somehow find energy to head back to the ship for dinner, show, and nighttime entertainment on the cruise ship.