For those just off the Alaska cruise...

[jujubiee4]

Alaska looks so beautiful. Everytime I think about spending the money for this cruise the
cost of excursions stops me.

Did all you guys spend a lot on excursions?

 

[PrincessMcG]

Alaska looks so beautiful. Everytime I think about spending the money for this cruise the
cost of excursions stops me.

Did all you guys spend a lot on excursions?

My fiancé and I were very hesitant as well, but overall, wasn't too bad. In Skagway we did the White Pass Scenic Railway which was $134pp. Juneau we did the Historic Gold Mining & Panning excursion which was $70pp and the Mendenhall Glacier Explorer & Mount Roberts Tramway combo at $97pp.

Didn't do anything in Skagway and were glad for it after getting up for the 7:15am gold panning excursion the day before. Felt completely fulfilled in all of the ports!

 

[Kontos]

I'm curious if the Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm buffet is no longer a thing. That was the only Palo brunch slot available and I avoided it but now I may just go ahead and book Palo.

Also, you're at the Glacier for several hours right? So If I go have brunch I'll still have time to take in the views, get some pictures etc?

 

[KayKayJS]

I'm curious if the Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm buffet is no longer a thing. That was the only Palo brunch slot available and I avoided it but now I may just go ahead and book Palo.

Also, you're at the Glacier for several hours right? So If I go have brunch I'll still have time to take in the views, get some pictures etc?

Our Brunch was 1030-1130ish (we went to the naturalist talk from 930-1020 or so beforehand) and after we still were up on deck at least an hour before we got to the glacier. I'm not sure how long we stayed at the glacier but it was more than enough time for everyone to get their photos. I wouldn't hesitate to book the brunch.

 

[KayKayJS]

Alaska looks so beautiful. Everytime I think about spending the money for this cruise the
cost of excursions stops me.

Did all you guys spend a lot on excursions?

I think this just depends on how much you want to spend. We spent about $1800 for the both of us, but we did the white pass railway (about $250 for both), whale watching (about $250 for both), and Dog sledding on the mendenhall glacier by helicopter ($1278 for both).

It's really a personal call like oceanview vs verandah. We don't expect to ever go back to Alaska, so we just decided to bite the bullet and spend the money on the Dog Sledding/Helicopter tour and I'm glad we did. Tons of people didn't do it and probably had just as good a time.

 

[sammydent]

I'm kinda bummed about the lack of the BBQ. I know that's silly considering we're going to be on an Alaskan cruise with magnificent scenery and great excursions. But...I thought it sounded like a "special" thing on Tracy arm day.

 

[Rake 08]

Great shot. Where did you take the picture from (deck)? Just trying to get some perspective.

Verandah, room 7522

 

[woody64]

Verandah, room 7522

Thank you! We will be on deck 6 with a verandah.

 

[joan4mickey]

My son and his new bride (married May20) just sent us some photos from the May 22 cruise and the photos were beautiful. They had a porthole room. They said it was the best trip ever....but then it was their honeymoon and my husband paid for it...can't get much better than that! They did the Mendenhall Glacier and Mine Ruin Exploration excursion by Disney. I haven't actually talked to them, but when I do I can find out more for future cruisers.

 

[tnshsms]

No barbecue. Didn't look like there was any space in the back of Cabanas for grills. Just the normal buffet on Endicott Arm day.
This was our 2nd DCL Alaskan cruise and we had an awesome time.

The BBQ buffet is usually outside Cabana's on the back deck. So you'd have to walk thru Cabana's out to the back to get to it.

 

[DLM1980]

Can't wait. Just two more days of work and then off to Vancouver for our first Alaskan Adventure

 

[Kontos]

Can't wait. Just two more days of work and then off to Vancouver for our first Alaskan Adventure

Could you check to see if there's a special buffet on Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm day

I'm about 2 months away but enjoy yours!

 

[DLM1980]

Could you check to see if there's a special buffet on Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm day

I'm about 2 months away but enjoy yours!

I shall try to remember to check the buffet, however vacation brain mostly makes everyday brain non-functional

 

[saxmangeoff]

Do you think this is a cruise where you have to have an outside cabin? Or one with a balcony?

Everyone has his/her own opinion, of course, but here's mine.

I had an inside stateroom in 2014, and am going for a return trip this year, and again staying in an inside stateroom.

My reasons:

1. All the rooms go to the same place.
2. During the day, I'm on Deck 4, 9 or 10 much of the time.
3. People with verandahs are helping to subsidize my cruise.
4. I'd rather spend the money on excursions.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

The BBQ buffet is usually outside Cabana's on the back deck. So you'd have to walk thru Cabana's out to the back to get to it.

I did look for it but no one was barbecuing outside the back of Cabanas.

 

[Geomom]

On our cruise last August, they ended up having the BBQ on day 7, (day at sea) as it was rainy/misty on Endicott Arm day and nice and sunny on day 7. We were going to have sit down lunch at Tritons when the staff told us there was a BBQ on deck 9--so it wasn't advertised in advance.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

I ate lunch every day at Cabanas, never saw a barbecue. I think and my opinion only, the new Cabanas outside seating is smaller than when it was Beach Blanket. Perhaps the lack of space to cook was the reason it didn't happen.

 

[BruinEd03]

Can't wait. Just two more days of work and then off to Vancouver for our first Alaskan Adventure

Can you please take pics of the Alaska merchandise available?

 

[DLM1980]

Can you please take pics of the Alaska merchandise available?

Like I said above. If my vacation brain remembers . I make no promises

 

[nycdisneygal]

WOW thanks to everyone for posting!! Getting so excited but am wondering if I need to change some of my ressies as I planned them according to what I expected the schedule to be. Oh well I guess I will go with the flow!
WOW great glacier picture.