Tell me more about Alaskan cruises

[Candycane83]

My family and I are currently booked on a Med cruise for 7/13. This cruise was already moved from last year last minute because of a medical emergency. But unfortunately with current situation, my family would rather not cruise this summer. I’m looking to move it again to next year to an Alaskan cruise... was looking for some advice on which verandah room to pick? Does it matter if it is port or starboard? Forward or aft or mid ship? We’re looking at 7 night in July and there seems to be just one itinerary. Any tips on port adventures? It will be myself, DH and DS5 (will be 6 next year).
Thanks everyone!

 

[RAD]

We did the cruise August 2017 and loved it. We were in a cat 4A midship 8562 on the port side. It's classified as a midship room but fairly close to the rear lobby area. I also like it because it's under the Quacks up on deck 9 so non of the noise from tables/chairs being dragged around. I know Pete has said he prefers the port side and we liked it while others say it really doesn't matter.

 

[ajo]

The train in Skagway is a lot of fun, especially if your DS likes trains. We did the lumberjack show in Ketchikan with a group of 7 kids and it was a big hit. In Juneau we went to the Mendenhall Glacier and the kids all liked seeing the waterfall.

 

[Giraffe Lounge]

Alaska is my favorite itinerary! I’m sure you’ll love it.

I second the Skagway Train. It’s a blast. Also any of the helicopter/ dog sled excursions. Though expensive, totally worth the cost. In Ketchikan no excursions struck our fancy so we walked to the totem pole museum (slightly long but enjoyable walk) then walked through town. We ended up loving the slower pace of that.

We cruised port side and no complaints. Anything you miss on the sail north you see on the sail south

 

[Candycane83]

We did the cruise August 2017 and loved it. We were in a cat 4A midship 8562 on the port side. It's classified as a midship room but fairly close to the rear lobby area. I also like it because it's under the Quacks up on deck 9 so non of the noise from tables/chairs being dragged around. I know Pete has said he prefers the port side and we liked it while others say it really doesn't matter.

The train in Skagway is a lot of fun, especially if your DS likes trains. We did the lumberjack show in Ketchikan with a group of 7 kids and it was a big hit. In Juneau we went to the Mendenhall Glacier and the kids all liked seeing the waterfall.

Alaska is my favorite itinerary! I’m sure you’ll love it.

I second the Skagway Train. It’s a blast. Also any of the helicopter/ dog sled excursions. Though expensive, totally worth the cost. In Ketchikan no excursions struck our fancy so we walked to the totem pole museum (slightly long but enjoyable walk) then walked through town. We ended up loving the slower pace of that.

We cruised port side and no complaints. Anything you miss on the sail

Thanks all! I’m gonna take note to these!! Does anyone know if people use the pool in July? Lol! Curious...

 

[RAD]

They were using it in August.

 

[lklgoodman]

My dd was 6 yrs when we cruised Alaska. We also did the lumberjack show in Ketchican along with a trip to a totem pole place. We went in 2014, I don't remember the name, but it was an excursion we booked with Disney. Some of the cms from the Oceaneer's club came with us. They did an activity with the kids at the totem pole place. My dd enjoyed both, so did dh and I. We also went to Mendenhall glacier in Junea and we all enjoyed it.

 

[lklgoodman]

The pools will be heated, so it may be cool getting in and out. We went in June and a lot of kids in the pool. Last year it was in the 80s during some of the cruises. Sorry your other cruises were cancelled.

 

[ajo]

Thanks all! I’m gonna take note to these!! Does anyone know if people use the pool in July? Lol! Curious...

Lots of kids in the pools, even at the end of May!

 

[Candycane83]

The pools will be heated, so it may be cool getting in and out. We went in June and a lot of kids in the pool. Last year it was in the 80s during some of the cruises. Sorry your other cruises were cancelled.

Thanks so much for the info!! Our cruise is not cancelled yet but it was removed from the website... DCL has offered free moving up to 15 months. Unfortunately we’re not really comfortable cruising this year hence we will move again to next summer.

 

[anjuan]

We've done both the Med cruise and Alaska. While I enjoyed the Med, Alaska was definitely my favorite! It is just so beautiful. I don't think it matters which side of the ship you're on because it's a round trip.

 

[tvguy]

Scenery in Alaska is amazing from either side of the ship, but I suspect you will spending a lot of time on deck so side really doesn't matter.
The Whale Watching excursions are amazing for adults and kids. We have done 2 Alaskan cruises, but they were on HAL not DCL.

 

[EllieBride]

RE: excursions... we went last summer with our 6-year old twins. Their favorite excursions were in Skagway, where we did ziplining in the morning and glassblowing at Jewell Gardens in the afternoon. To be honest, I booked the glassblowing as the one activity during the whole trip that was something I really wanted to do, but it ended up being everyone's favorite thing. It was just our family and the man who conducted the activity really made it special for the kids. Highly recommend!

In Juneau, we did the canoe trip to Mendenhall Glacier (very cool, although just slightly more vigorous than I anticipated, LOL). In Ketchikan, we took a floatplane trip to the Misty Fjords. Very memorable, although I was a ball of stress leading up to it in light of the recent fatal accidents that had just happened in the weeks leading up to our trip. Although I have no qualms about recommending our pilot (Michelle from Island Wings), I think it is very important to do your research before booking floatplane and helicopter trips. You really are putting your family's lives in their hands.

I booked all of our excursions independently of DCL and I was really happy with my choice. The providers were all top-notch and provided great experiences for us. Happy to answer any questions. Good luck with your planning.

 

[lorimay]

The prettiest views while sailing!
This cruise is mostly inside passage, so there's so much to see and its beautiful!
WE loved our Alaskan Cruise, want to do another one.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We have taken 2 Alaska cruises (opening week in May and the last ship out in September). Both were port side midship 8038. We enjoyed the ocean/island views going north and the landside views going south. Most of our excursions were cooking (lots of salmon) and local attractions. For a 6 yo, panning for gold is really fun, and we got some ( a weeee some). Loved both cruises and will do it again.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

My DS was 7 when we sailed to Alaska. I recommend the Glacier Explorer excursion through DCL on Endicott Arm Day, renting a Green Jeep in Skagway and driving to the Yukon with a stop at Tagish Lake Kennel for a dogcart ride and gold panning, whale watching in Juneau on the Scania with Capt Alan, and a floatplane ride to Misty Fjords in Ketchikan. Since you are going in July, you have a better chance of spotting bears then too. Onboard, my DS absolutely loved the kids clubs and was in there for most of the sea days. His favorite activities were the Marvel Training Academy, Pluto Pajama Party and the Friendship Rocks show. The Frozen musical is a must-see if you haven't been on the Wonder before, really well done and short enough for kids. We chose starboard because we were slightly forward and I really didn't want to be underneath the smoking section on the forward port side. But if you are midship to aft I don't think it matters. For what it's worth, the ship faced the glacier port side first, then turned to face it with the starboard side. But I don't know if they always choose that order.

 

[Candycane83]

RE: excursions... we went last summer with our 6-year old twins. Their favorite excursions were in Skagway, where we did ziplining in the morning and glassblowing at Jewell Gardens in the afternoon. To be honest, I booked the glassblowing as the one activity during the whole trip that was something I really wanted to do, but it ended up being everyone's favorite thing. It was just our family and the man who conducted the activity really made it special for the kids. Highly recommend!

In Juneau, we did the canoe trip to Mendenhall Glacier (very cool, although just slightly more vigorous than I anticipated, LOL). In Ketchikan, we took a floatplane trip to the Misty Fjords. Very memorable, although I was a ball of stress leading up to it in light of the recent fatal accidents that had just happened in the weeks leading up to our trip. Although I have no qualms about recommending our pilot (Michelle from Island Wings), I think it is very important to do your research before booking floatplane and helicopter trips. You really are putting your family's lives in their hands.

I booked all of our excursions independently of DCL and I was really happy with my choice. The providers were all top-notch and provided great experiences for us. Happy to answer any questions. Good luck with your planning.

My DS was 7 when we sailed to Alaska. I recommend the Glacier Explorer excursion through DCL on Endicott Arm Day, renting a Green Jeep in Skagway and driving to the Yukon with a stop at Tagish Lake Kennel for a dogcart ride and gold panning, whale watching in Juneau on the Scania with Capt Alan, and a floatplane ride to Misty Fjords in Ketchikan. Since you are going in July, you have a better chance of spotting bears then too. Onboard, my DS absolutely loved the kids clubs and was in there for most of the sea days. His favorite activities were the Marvel Training Academy, Pluto Pajama Party and the Friendship Rocks show. The Frozen musical is a must-see if you haven't been on the Wonder before, really well done and short enough for kids. We chose starboard because we were slightly forward and I really didn't want to be underneath the smoking section on the forward port side. But if you are midship to aft I don't think it matters. For what it's worth, the ship faced the glacier port side first, then turned to face it with the starboard side. But I don't know if they always choose that order.

Thanks so much for the detailed recommendations especially with a young child! I haven’t made the call to move my cruise yet but this really makes me excited for next year!