Help with timing of an Alaska cruise

[doublesided]

Hi there. I booked an Alaska cruise on Disney for August 19th the day it was released. This would be our first cruise. Historically DH has never had an issue getting that week off work. Of course we just received the 2019 schedule and it's not an available week. Everything now is higher than it was when I booked and this was going to be a special christmas present for my kid who has been dying to go to alaska on a cruise for years. I will suck up the price difference but am conflicting on timing.

Appreciate some guidance here. I've never been to Alaska or on a cruise. I can easily cancel Disney for Norwegian for that 7/29 week. Hesitant because of food allergies and things to do. We all do love Disney so would like the Disney shows, theming, etc. My 11 year old then 12 won't likely be a kids club kid, he will want things to do like sports, scavenger hunts, excursions, etc.

My new choices are week of June 10th-he would miss the last few days of school and it's early in alaska season so skeptical about this although it's cheapest

Week of July 22-would be coming off a convention we must attend in orlando so literally heading from orlando to vancouver. I'm not concerned about spending time in Vancouver as we went there once for a weekend a few years ago but this seems like it would be one adventure to the other.

week of july 29-less pricey than 7/22



Thanks!

 

[FSU Girl]

Seems like July 29 would be good for you since it doesn't require any tight schedules and school schedules. I like Disney, but if the price is a lot higher than some other cruise lines I would look into someone else. Norwegian ships look really fun, I've never been, but they would definitely have a lot of activities for your kid to do. Would you be sailing on the Bliss? It's a brand new ship so that's pretty nice. Princess also is a great ship to sail to Alaska. They go places that Disney won't. I went there on Princess as a teenager and enjoyed it.

 

[doublesided]

It would be about $1600 on the 7-29 cruise to keep our current deluxe oceanview. could do an inside for $100 more than paying for the august cruise. Could always go by myself in august without dh but I had an image of them going off on the glacier explorer day to the excursion and me sitting on deck, going to spa, etc.....

could get a mid ship mini suite on norwegian but also concerned about upcharges there. Looked up those go karts and its $10 a run. That can add up on a 7 day cruise.

 

[MomOTwins]

My vote would be to just do something different this summer and wait for 2020 for Alaska; but that's because I don't like to compromise and would rather wait longer to do the Alaska cruise I really wanted. What about a short cruise from Port Canaveral since you will be in Orlando anyway and can save on airfare as a result?

 

[doublesided]

My vote would be to just do something different this summer and wait for 2020 for Alaska; but that's because I don't like to compromise and would rather wait longer to do the Alaska cruise I really wanted. What about a short cruise from Port Canaveral since you will be in Orlando anyway and can save on airfare as a result?

I will have the same problem next year. We don't get his vacation schedule until November. There is a nice double dip castaway cay that I eyeballed that leaves the day the conference ends. So that would work. But I have to fit in alaska somehow this summer, whether it's land or sea. That's his big Christmas present. Thanks!

 

[Geomom]

I was wondering if you just change the date of the cruise (vs. cancelling/rebooking), don't you get the price that it was the day you booked it (and not have to pay any increase in price since then.)? I'm sure July costs more no matter what, but maybe not by that much. From what you list, it really sounds like 7/29 is the best week--that way you're not pulling your son out of school, etc.

 

[dcassetta]

I was wondering if you just change the date of the cruise (vs. cancelling/rebooking), don't you get the price that it was the day you booked it (and not have to pay any increase in price since then.)? I'm sure July costs more no matter what, but maybe not by that much. From what you list, it really sounds like 7/29 is the best week--that way you're not pulling your son out of school, etc.

The day-of-booking fares apply if you change your cabin, not your dates.

Hi there. I booked an Alaska cruise on Disney for August 19th the day it was released. This would be our first cruise. Historically DH has never had an issue getting that week off work. Of course we just received the 2019 schedule and it's not an available week. Everything now is higher than it was when I booked and this was going to be a special christmas present for my kid who has been dying to go to alaska on a cruise for years. I will suck up the price difference but am conflicting on timing.

Appreciate some guidance here. I've never been to Alaska or on a cruise. I can easily cancel Disney for Norwegian for that 7/29 week. Hesitant because of food allergies and things to do. We all do love Disney so would like the Disney shows, theming, etc. My 11 year old then 12 won't likely be a kids club kid, he will want things to do like sports, scavenger hunts, excursions, etc.

My new choices are week of June 10th-he would miss the last few days of school and it's early in alaska season so skeptical about this although it's cheapest

Week of July 22-would be coming off a convention we must attend in orlando so literally heading from orlando to vancouver. I'm not concerned about spending time in Vancouver as we went there once for a weekend a few years ago but this seems like it would be one adventure to the other.

week of july 29-less pricey than 7/22


Thanks!

June 10th would still be a good experience, but you might go to Endicott instead of Tracy based on ice. The nice part of cruising in June is all the daylight! But, would your son being missing any end of year exams that would be to be made up?

Late July is nice as the salmon may be running and you have more chance to see bears.

 

[doublesided]

I was wondering if you just change the date of the cruise (vs. cancelling/rebooking), don't you get the price that it was the day you booked it (and not have to pay any increase in price since then.)? I'm sure July costs more no matter what, but maybe not by that much. From what you list, it really sounds like 7/29 is the best week--that way you're not pulling your son out of school, etc.

I wish. I asked but they said it's only on the same cruise.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

but you might go to Endicott instead of Tracy based on ice.

We embarked 8/20 and did Endicott Arm; there's no telling what the weather will drive

 

[doublesided]

We embarked 8/20 and did Endicott Arm; there's no telling what the weather will drive

Very good point. So focused on not doing June because of weather but it could be gorgeous and July could be raining.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Very good point. So focused on not doing June because of weather but it could be gorgeous and July could be raining.

It's southeast Alaska; it's going to rain

 

[ILovePixieDust]

It would be about $1600 on the 7-29 cruise to keep our current deluxe oceanview. could do an inside for $100 more than paying for the august cruise. Could always go by myself in august without dh but I had an image of them going off on the glacier explorer day to the excursion and me sitting on deck, going to spa, etc.....

could get a mid ship mini suite on norwegian but also concerned about upcharges there. Looked up those go karts and its $10 a run. That can add up on a 7 day cruise.

If it were me, I would totally do the 7-29 cruise and do an inside. For me, I don't find a huge difference between inside and oceanview since I am not in the room much anyhow. Now if there was a balcony that would be a massive difference. But to pay $1500 for oceanview, for me, would not be worth it. I would book the inside and then see if there are any upgrades at the port available!

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

I was re-reading the thread and wanted to just throw out there that the Alaska cruise exceeded any superlative I could use to describe it. Amazing, wondrous, stupendous all fall short. Yeah, it rained and we had to break out the duster length raincoats that DW got us. Yeah, it was chilly at times. Yeah, the kids were...teenagers. But in the end, it was an absolutely amazing experience that I will tresure the rest of my life.

Just saying.

 

[doublesided]

I was re-reading the thread and wanted to just throw out there that the Alaska cruise exceeded any superlative I could use to describe it. Amazing, wondrous, stupendous all fall short. Yeah, it rained and we had to break out the duster length raincoats that DW got us. Yeah, it was chilly at times. Yeah, the kids were...teenagers. But in the end, it was an absolutely amazing experience that I will tresure the rest of my life.

Just saying.

Thanks for that! I will see what works best and call back Costco tomorrow. Looking at flights tonight once the kid goes to bed.

 

[apathetic]

Tourism season in Alaska is Memorial Day to Labor Day. Some things operate outside those dates, but the vast majority are open between those days. It's a short season and the tour operators have to make a year's worth of income in that tight timeline. So, if you go in early June there will be a lot of stuff to do. We went first week of June and every tour was available unless it sold out. The tour operators will absolutely be ready and you will have a lot of choices.

Weather is hit or miss. I'd expect it to be cooler in June, but it can be just as cold in early August. There is no way you can plan an Alaska trip with weather cooperating. We went in early June and it was cold rain at one port, very comfortable in another and hot and sunny in Ketchikan. Those were 3 consecutive days.

 

[mmmears]

We went early June, after school ended. It was amazing. And we made it into Tracy Arm. No regrets about the date - it's what worked into our schedules. And DCL was great.

 

[doublesided]

Thanks all. On phone with costco now to change to June!

 

[cruiser21]

Very good point. So focused on not doing June because of weather but it could be gorgeous and July could be raining.

I would go when it’s the cheapest. Weather is unpredicatable.

 

[doublesided]

I would go when it’s the cheapest. Weather is unpredicatable.

That's what I decided to do in the end.