disney cruise?

[disneyfanbcv]

I am looking to take my family on a cruise to Alaska 2018. Does anyone have any recommendations? We have not cruised before so I am really new at this.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I am looking to take my family on a cruise to Alaska 2018. Does anyone have any recommendations? We have not cruised before so I am really new at this.

See this video. Part of it is on Alaska itineraries.

Also this one.

 

[SgtTibbs]

Having posted on a Disney themed board of course Disney Cruise lines is the first thing comes to mind, and it's a fine option, however if you want other options and reviews pop over to Cruise Critic for information overload.

One thing that worked out very well for us, if you are planning to do Denali park and some hiking/camping type activities, we booked the cruise one way starting in Alaska for after all that so we could clean up and rest a bit on the cruise itself.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

There is a Disney Cruise thread on the Forums here filled with lots of information, opinions, and lessons learned. It's a great place to get info.

 

[NS8VN]

If you do decide on a Disney cruise and plan to use points, look in to the possibility of renting them out to finance a cash cruise rather than using them directly. You will get a lot more value out of them and more flexibility on picking a room. This advice is true for any cruise line of course, but if you were thinking another line you probably weren't thinking of using DVC points

 

[Wakey]

If you do decide on a Disney cruise and plan to use points, look in to the possibility of renting them out to finance a cash cruise rather than using them directly. You will get a lot more value out of them and more flexibility on picking a room. This advice is true for any cruise line of course, but if you were thinking another line you probably weren't thinking of using DVC points

So true, I saw some comparisons the other day and on a 4 night cruise there was a couple of thousand saving by not using the points but renting them and paying cash. I was shocked at just how bad the value of using points for a cruise was.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Disney cruise prices are quite a bit higher than other lines. For Alaska they also do not go into Glacier Bay but rather the Tracy Arm I believe. We cruised Norwegian for our Alaskan Cruise and had an incredible day in Glacier Bay. The other stops were at the same ports that Disney is at. Personally, for Alaska, I'd get on a line that goes into Glacier Bay.

 

[Dean]

We did a RCCL cruise/tour package and it was great. I don't have other companies to compare to.

 

[Silver Queen]

We did a RCCL cruise/tour package and it was great. I don't have other companies to compare to.

As much as we love Disney Cruise Line we intentionally took a Princess Alaska Cruise and it was fabulous. Princess has been rated #1 for Alaska cruises. Not only do they go into Glacier Bay, but their excursions, onboard naturalist, and guest speakers are excellent. You didn't mention your children's ages, but on our Alaska cruise we didn't miss the Disney entertainment. The scenery and wildlife is the entertainment on an Alaska cruise. We took the cruise tour which also included 4 nights on land and Denali National Park. Good luck with your decision making!

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts about an AK cruise...

• if you want DCL.... your only choice will be the Wonder.
• think about which month.... May to July are dryer.... August starts to get wet and September is discounted for storm chasers. May is cheap and cool.... June offers daylight and July has heat.
• The Wonder normally makes a 9 day cruise with bonus ports and Hubbard in late July. The following 5 day cruise only goes to Ketchikan. The 5 day is cheaper, but I feel you miss so much.
• The pixie dust premium excludes Glacier Bay. Important for glacier seekers as Sawyer is a better example of glacier extinction.
• plan for extra days pre/post-cruise in Vancouver. Lots to do fill a few days to a week. Storybrooke is not far away. Vancouver may be best explored post-cruise when attractions are quieter.
• look for hotels a few blocks away from the Vancouver cruise terminal for savings.
• I like HAL, but Princess may be better suited for families. Both are leaders in Alaska and have itineraries that include Glacier Bay. When you have finalized a DCL sailing, check out what HAL and Princess charges for that same week.... you will find savings.
• Tracy Arm/Sawyer is often substituted early in the season due to ice congestion. There was no visit by the Wonder in 2016.

 

[xlxo]

See this video. Part of it is on Alaska itineraries.

fyi..... the Alaska component starts at 24m10s and is 12 minutes long.

 

[Altojudy]

Our first cruise was to Alaska too. We took NCL and had a wonderful time. My husband didn't want to go on any cruise, anywhere (he just likes to go to the same place over and over and over) so I booked it myself then told him. He reluctantly went and had a great time in spite of himself. So much so, in fact, we booked our next cruise on the way home!

 

[disneyfanbcv]

Thank you all soooo much!!!!

 

[disneyfanbcv]

Well after much deliberating and pricing I am going with a Disney Cruise. I priced out a NCL cruise on their new ship Bliss it is only a few dollars cheaper. There are two adults and two kids 13 & 15 . On a NCL cruise the kids would have squished into 1 bed which the 2 boys are too big for. So I was looking at having to book two rooms side by side. Disney has the one room with the bunks . so the price is comparable and we don't split up that alone is a seller for us. I couldn't imagine putting one of the boys on the floor for 7days.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think you will have an amazing time! Glad you made your decision!