NCL Encore vs. DCL Alaska Cruise Pros and Cons

[BWV Dreamin]

Too funny you too booked this same itinerary. We are sailing that first week of May. I know there are some things we may miss sailing that early in the shoulder season. But I have nothing to compare it too so it’s all good!! I will come back and post our experience. Hope you have a great NCL cruise to Alaska!

 

[vacay77]

Too funny you too booked this same itinerary. We are sailing that first week of May. I know there are some things we may miss sailing that early in the shoulder season. But I have nothing to compare it too so it’s all good!! I will come back and post our experience. Hope you have a great NCL cruise to Alaska!

Thnk you! I hope you have a great time, too! Please do keep us posted about your experience

 

[grantclaire]

This thread is perfect timing! After looking at the cost difference, I booked a NCL Encore cruise to Alaska for the end of May. I was previously looking at DCL - but the price was much more expensive. And while I'd like to explore Vancouver, I've heard that Canada has strict rules in place (I'm not sure if that's changed recently). My family can use Southwest points to fly in/out of Seattle, too (so flights wouldn't be as expensive).

Ultimately, the NCL itinerary was the clincher for me since it sails to Glacier Bay. I'm not looking forward to a bigger ship, though - I love that DCL cruises are smaller in general. However, my family has sailed NCL several times previously and it's always because of the itinerary. The biggest drawback for NCL is the food that's included - we took an Iceland/Norway cruise pre-pandemic and the general food was awful. Not sure if it was just that cruise ship, though. For our NCL Alaska cruise, we are going to have to budget in the speciality dining restaurants (we also booked the offer which includes 2 specialty dining meals). And of course, most of the activities that my son will enjoy - like the arcade, laser tag, etc - will also be additional expenses. So while NCL at first glance seems a lot cheaper, there are are a lot of additional expenses that my family has to consider.

My husband and I took an NCL Alaska cruise before we got married and we loved it, though. And it didn't have as many things as the Encore does. I figured we would give it a try this time around. I always book for itinerary and NCL seems to usually have better itineraries overall.

Canada is open for travel! No testing,vaccine, no masks! The U.S. still has a vaccine requirement in place.

 

[vacay77]

Canada is open for travel! No testing,vaccine, no masks! The U.S. still has a vaccine requirement in place.

Thank you! I wasn’t sure if things had changed. Good to know.

 

[lklgoodman]

We did Alaskan cruise on DCL back in 2014 and enjoyed it. We wanted to go there again, but didn't care about the "Disney magic". I booked a family club balcony on the Encore for next June for less than an interior on DCL(I booked over 7 months ago) We've done 8 DCL cruises, this will be our first non Disney cruise. My dd will be 15 yrs old, so no longer cares about the characters and we've seen the shows many times. We're all excited to try the activities like the laser tag and race cars. If we like the cruise I want to book a cruise on their newest ship Prima.

 

[jimmymc]

The itineraries are pretty similar, the major difference is that NCL leaves from Seattle while Disney goes from Vancouver. NCL also docks at Ward Cove during your Ketchikan day, meaning you have to take a bus into town. Excursions will leave directly from the ship.

IMO Glacier Bay and the food on Norwegian is well worth not having the Disney theming. Glacier Bay blows the other glaciers away, and the food quality on the Encore is much better than what they serve on the Wonder.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We did Alaskan cruise on DCL back in 2014 and enjoyed it. We wanted to go there again, but didn't care about the "Disney magic". I booked a family club balcony on the Encore for next June for less than an interior on DCL(I booked over 7 months ago) We've done 8 DCL cruises, this will be our first non Disney cruise. My dd will be 15 yrs old, so no longer cares about the characters and we've seen the shows many times. We're all excited to try the activities like the laser tag and race cars. If we like the cruise I want to book a cruise on their newest ship Prima.

I am budgeting money for those race cars!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

The itineraries are pretty similar, the major difference is that NCL leaves from Seattle while Disney goes from Vancouver. NCL also docks at Ward Cove during your Ketchikan day, meaning you have to take a bus into town. Excursions will leave directly from the ship.

IMO Glacier Bay and the food on Norwegian is well worth not having the Disney theming. Glacier Bay blows the other glaciers away, and the food quality on the Encore is much better than what they serve on the Wonder.

I have been reading about the “other” dock at Ward Cove. Good to know if your on an excursion they will pick you up at the ship.

 

[jimmymc]

I have been reading about the “other” dock at Ward Cove. Good to know if your on an excursion they will pick you up at the ship.

Depending on your itinerary, it can be a big negative. Our day was scheduled from 7 am to 1:30 pm, and they ran a free shuttle bus from Ward Cove to downtown, but the last return bus left at 11, so you effectively only had 3.5 hours in port. If you just want standard souvenirs then there is a gift shop right by the ship, but if you'd like to walk to the totem park, do some hikes, or eat in town, then you have a very limited time. Also because of this our excursion didn't offer the option to drop us in town like they did in Juneau or Icy Strait Point.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Depending on your itinerary, it can be a big negative. Our day was scheduled from 7 am to 1:30 pm, and they ran a free shuttle bus from Ward Cove to downtown, but the last return bus left at 11, so you effectively only had 3.5 hours in port. If you just want standard souvenirs then there is a gift shop right by the ship, but if you'd like to walk to the totem park, do some hikes, or eat in town, then you have a very limited time. Also because of this our excursion didn't offer the option to drop us in town like they did in Juneau or Icy Strait Point.

Our Ketchikan time is 7:00a-1:15p… So we will have to be early risers to see the town.

 

[jimmymc]

Our Ketchikan time is 7:00a-1:15p… So we will have to be early risers to see the town.

Yeah, unfortunately for night owls like me. My bigger issue was the fact that you kind of have to choose between doing an excursion and seeing the town, there isn't time for both.

 

[auntlynne]

I get excited just reading about your cruise. Alaska is my favorite cruise destination - no matter the itinerary or origin / end cities. I have sailed there 5 times, each a different ship and a different itinerary. (One DCL, 3 Princess, 1 NCL). The beauty of Alaska and the crisp air are so wonderful.

My last sailing was on the Encore (my first/only experience with NCL) in September 2021. Early return to post-Covid cruising, so my experience may be skewed by a low-capacity crowd and only a handful of teenagers (no children).

On a typical Disney cruise, I enjoy the evening shows, movies in Buena Vista Theater, rotational dinner, free Palo dinner, adult trivia, the nearly-dead pool deck at 11 pm while the Funnel Vision is playing to a scant audience, and just being on the ship. While in AK, just add in lots of time enjoying the passing scenery and doing port excursions (this is one cruise where I want to get off and do stuff).

On NCL, the comedians were too adult for me - with too much anger. That can change from week to week. I had no interest in the main theater - wait, it was cancelled due to Covid. The movies were shown in the atrium. Its where we played trivia or other activities, but was not really designed to hold a crowd - even the 30% capacity onboard.

But the star of the ship is the Observation Lounge. It takes up the front third of Deck 15, designed specifically for AK cruising. Floor to tall, tall, ceiling windows. The feel of multiple living rooms, never loud or crazy, where you watch as you sail along. There’s a nice bar there and light food put out throughout the day.

 

[auntlynne]

While in Glacier Bay, go to the Deck 8 Helipad for great views. I think they were bringing out hot soup as I was leaving.



I always go to Mendenhall Glacier when in Juneau. It’s not the most spectacular, but it usually combined with a whale watch excursion. The walk to Nugget Falls is fairly easy (and paved). The glacier is receding every year. (This photo is more about the Falls than the glacier! You get a much better view from the Welcome Center.)



It took me ten years to finally get to Tracy’s Crab Shack in Juneau. The King Crab legs are expensive, but worth it. (Snow crab legs, first round, shown in photo). Share a table with other cruisers.



NCL Encore in Ward Cove - and the area surrounding.

 

[auntlynne]

I chose Onda (Italian) and Le Bistro (French) for my free dining. Excellent food. The filet at Onda was the best I have ever had.

With anytime dining (by whatever name), I could pick my restaurant and time. Some of my dinners were far superior to DCL. I enjoyed having lunch in sit-down restaurants over my usual buffet. Nice change.

NCL is changing to Coke products, if that matters; but no free soda. (I wonder if drinks package would include soda?). I’m not a drinker, but I paid the gratuities in the free package and used it as a way to sample all types of cocktails. One sip, don’t like the drink, just moved to something else. Great experiment. Didn’t convince me to drink.

The $50 shore excursion credit (applies to first Name on reservation, only) can be very helpful. And bring some excursions down to very little money. No limit on number of excursions you can do in a port - so sometimes better to book 2 excursions than do one combined excursion.

Ward Cove (Ketchikan) - this is a point of contention for many. Yes, it’s a 20-minute bus ride. It may or may not cost $8 (We had complimentary). The problem seems to come in when you book a Private excursion or you are used to walking off / on the ship in downtown Ketchikan. I just sat back and listened to the bus driver.

That was after doing an excursion that actually started and ended at Ward Cove. With your hours, you’ll probably have time for one activity.

I hope your cruise experience will leave you enjoying and reminiscing your Alaska cruise for years to come. I’m looking forward to going again for a big birthday in a few years (trying to hold out - for the cruise - that long).

 

[auntlynne]

We just booked a club class mini-suite on Princess. We were supposed to go on the Wonder to Alaska in 2020, you know how that went.

While I KNOW we will miss some of the Disney touches, the trip is literally HALF the price as Disney AND it goes to Glacier Bay.

The cost savings took us to Princess after we sailed DCL to AK. Alaska, itself, made up for not sailing DCL. That, Glacier Bay, and afternoon tea.

The bathtub in the mini suite is a nice touch.

 

[auntlynne]

Book your Seattle Hotel room early. I missed good prices by indecision. Cancellable rates are wonderful. I ended up at a Hyatt at Olive 8 near the Convention Center (I enjoyed this hotel). Then I walked all over downtown Seattle. Used the light rail to get from the airport. Lyft to port (Pier 66, very nice facility and location). I arrived midday and was able to have a nice afternoon and evening in town.

Most people recommend the Marriott Waterfront. It is located at Sea Level, across from the pier, but it’s downhill from / UPHILL to Pike Place Market and other sites.

But if you can get a good rate ($ or points), morning of cruise, it’s very convenient.

 

[jimmymc]

I get excited just reading about your cruise. Alaska is my favorite cruise destination - no matter the itinerary or origin / end cities. I have sailed there 5 times, each a different ship and a different itinerary. (One DCL, 3 Princess, 1 NCL). The beauty of Alaska and the crisp air are so wonderful.

My last sailing was on the Encore (my first/only experience with NCL) in September 2021. Early return to post-Covid cruising, so my experience may be skewed by a low-capacity crowd and only a handful of teenagers (no children).

On a typical Disney cruise, I enjoy the evening shows, movies in Buena Vista Theater, rotational dinner, free Palo dinner, adult trivia, the nearly-dead pool deck at 11 pm while the Funnel Vision is playing to a scant audience, and just being on the ship. While in AK, just add in lots of time enjoying the passing scenery and doing port excursions (this is one cruise where I want to get off and do stuff).

On NCL, the comedians were too adult for me - with too much anger. That can change from week to week. I had no interest in the main theater - wait, it was cancelled due to Covid. The movies were shown in the atrium. Its where we played trivia or other activities, but was not really designed to hold a crowd - even the 30% capacity onboard.

But the star of the ship is the Observation Lounge. It takes up the front third of Deck 15, designed specifically for AK cruising. Floor to tall, tall, ceiling windows. The feel of multiple living rooms, never loud or crazy, where you watch as you sail along. There’s a nice bar there and light food put out throughout the day.

I went in August of 2022 and the shows were back. Kinky Boots was great, it was almost the entire broadway show and the actors were top notch. Choir of Man was fun too, like your normal cruiseline jukebox show but very talented performers. The Beatles Experience were probably my favorite act, and I'm not a huge Beatles fan.

 

[auntlynne]

I went in August of 2022 and the shows were back. Kinky Boots was great, it was almost the entire broadway show and the actors were top notch. Choir of Man was fun too, like your normal cruiseline jukebox show but very talented performers. The Beatles Experience were probably my favorite act, and I'm not a huge Beatles fan.

Choir of Man was the one I was looking forward to. I think they had just gotten on board, but there were technical issues (which may have been Covid). Still, it was an Alaska cruise, so it was a wonderful time. The shows would just have been a bonus.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Book your Seattle Hotel room early. I missed good prices by indecision. Cancellable rates are wonderful. I ended up at a Hyatt at Olive 8 near the Convention Center (I enjoyed this hotel). Then I walked all over downtown Seattle. Used the light rail to get from the airport. Lyft to port (Pier 66, very nice facility and location). I arrived midday and was able to have a nice afternoon and evening in town.

Most people recommend the Marriott Waterfront. It is located at Sea Level, across from the pier, but it’s downhill from / UPHILL to Pike Place Market and other sites.

But if you can get a good rate ($ or points), morning of cruise, it’s very convenient.

Don’t know if it was the best rate, but we are flying in a day early and I had NCL book us a room. We are at the Westin which looks to be very close to the port. We are getting transfers from NCL from the airport to ship and ship to airport. The transfers look pretty reasonable. Just have to book that airfare next week when Southwest opens up. Thanks for your comments!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I chose Onda (Italian) and Le Bistro (French) for my free dining. Excellent food. The filet at Onda was the best I have ever had.

With anytime dining (by whatever name), I could pick my restaurant and time. Some of my dinners were far superior to DCL. I enjoyed having lunch in sit-down restaurants over my usual buffet. Nice change.

NCL is changing to Coke products, if that matters; but no free soda. (I wonder if drinks package would include soda?). I’m not a drinker, but I paid the gratuities in the free package and used it as a way to sample all types of cocktails. One sip, don’t like the drink, just moved to something else. Great experiment. Didn’t convince me to drink.

The $50 shore excursion credit (applies to first Name on reservation, only) can be very helpful. And bring some excursions down to very little money. No limit on number of excursions you can do in a port - so sometimes better to book 2 excursions than do one combined excursion.

Ward Cove (Ketchikan) - this is a point of contention for many. Yes, it’s a 20-minute bus ride. It may or may not cost $8 (We had complimentary). The problem seems to come in when you book a Private excursion or you are used to walking off / on the ship in downtown Ketchikan. I just sat back and listened to the bus driver.

That was after doing an excursion that actually started and ended at Ward Cove. With your hours, you’ll probably have time for one activity.

I hope your cruise experience will leave you enjoying and reminiscing your Alaska cruise for years to come. I’m looking forward to going again for a big birthday in a few years (trying to hold out - for the cruise - that long).

Thank you for all of your photos and advice! Do you have to pay in full first before booking your dining? Onda is definitely one we are choosing Ocean Blue ( I think that’s the name) for our specialty dining. Good to hear about Coke!! Now if they would only carry decaf Coke! Soda is included in the promo drink package.