Need Disser Help -- Alaskan Cruises!

[TootyJane]

We cruise Alaska several years ago on one of the older Princess cruise ships, the Regal Princess. The ship, while older, was beautiful. The food outstanding as was the service. I wouldn't hesitate to book with Princess again. As a matter of fact, we're booked on the Diamond Princess to go on the Mexican Riviera in March 2005. HTH

 

[Mary Anne]

I admit it was over 20 years ago tht we sailed HAL. So keep in mind we were in our 30's then and had no problem with the age group, I figure now that we're in our 50's we're still probably the youngest. LOL We also didn't have kids then and I really don't remember seeing very many onboard. You did dress more then disney and in the evening you stayed in your dress clothing throughout the evening.

Is is still no tipping on HAL or have they changed that? I have to admit that was nice. Yes we still tipped and tipped well but you didn't have too and we felt we got better service. They knew they'd only get something if they truly were outstanding (which they were).

My biggest beef with Disney Cruise line is the "excellent" speech all week long and that they point blank keep telling you how the staff is paid so little and depend on the tips. It wears thin after awhile.

 

[Minybear]

Mary Anne
HAL deducts from your onboard account $10 per day per person for tips and they frown if you try to take off this automatic type system and you want to tip on your own. We personally like how DCL did their tips.

Would you believe while we were on board with HAL we were wishing we were on DCL due to the great service DCL has. I went out to look at their auction pictures that they have and I bought a cell of Fantasic Mickey. Wow I am not even doing a disney vacation and I am still buying disney stuff.

SandraLee
I agree with you on DU and wish they booked Alaska cruises and other cruises. I just booked our Hawaii cruise (just a few minutes ago for our 30th anniversary) and I had to search for a TA to do this and to get a great price. I had wished I could just email DU and they book everything for me. I trust them.

 

[Mary Anne]

I didn't realize they now deducted the money before hand. My DH would not go for that at all.

Does anyone know how the other cruise ship handle it?

 

[invaderzim]

Bump -- just in case there's anyone else who might have suggestions.

Thanks so much for all who responded. You have really helped me to narrow it down!

 

[travellady]

For those interested in booking cruises other than Disney throu, and since DU doesn't offer bookings for other cruise lines, one option is Cruisequick.com - I've requested quotes from them for several cruises I'm considering and they have offered the best rates. And, I used them this summer for my Voyager of the Seas trip and had no problems whatsoever. They do not have a phone number, use email only, but offer substantial savings (except for RCCL due to their new pricing policy). I've asked for a Sapphire Princess quote to Alaska this summer and their quote was 600.00 less than any other TA I queried.

I learned of them through Cruisecritic.com - back in the days when you were allowed to make TA recommendations on that board. They had fantastic reviews from most anyone that used them.

 

[tvguy]

We did Alaska on HAL's Amsterdam in 2002. It was our kids first cruise. Not stuffy at all. We had two formal nights on HAL just like the 2 we had on DCL. I found the attire in the dining rooms and on the decks during the day about the same on both lines.

HAL has kids clubs too, divided by ages. But they don't have as much space dedicated to kids. No kids only pool. Can't speak much beyond that on the kids clubs because our kids elected not to use them on either HAL or DCL. (they were 15 and 11 on the HAL cruise, and 16 and 12 on the DCL cruise). We spend sooo much time apart with school, baseball, soccer, and work, the cruises have been our time to spend together as a family. An except for 1 hour on DCL for wine tasting, were were with our kids 24/7 for both cruises, something we can't do at home.

If they are adding the tip to your bill, that's new. HAL's trademark was you should receive excellent service without service staff expecting a tip. The second part of that was HAL was reportedly the best paying line, paying wages their staff could live on. However, DCL is one of the few lines left that don't automatically add the tip to your ship account. I know NCL does as part of their Freestyle cruising, but you can tell them not to do it and they won't.

I would highly recommend HAL to and DCL veteran looking for an Alaska cruise.

 

[debloco]

We did Celebrity's Summit in Alaska two summers ago and I would recommend them. Not stuffy like HAL and more upscale and not as mass market as Princess. Great food and service, beautiful ship. Tips are not deducted from your account, they are done on the envelope system by you. Celebrity leaves on Inside Passage cruises from Vancouver (Northbound) and Seward (Southbound) on seven day cruises. I would also highly recommend Radisson Seven Seas Cruise line. A good friend of mine went just a few weeks ago, and said it was fabulous. They are an upscale cruise line, more adult, so I am not sure that would be the best choice now with your DD 19. But they are wonderful. The Mariner is an all-balcony ship and gratuities are included in your cruise fare.

CLC Tiger Pom Mom