Tonight may be the night

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

I have posted two previous posts about potentially abandoning DCL for an Alaska cruise. And I am pretty certain that I have never had more responses to any of my posts than these two. I believe all saying 'go for a new cruise line, we understand why you would!'

Two other couples want to do the Alaska cruise with us and they all had mini heart attacks when they saw the price for two guests for a DCL verandah stateroom vs. other cruise lines. So we are meeting with another travel agent tonight to look into a cheaper (won' be too hard) Alaska cruise that won't break the bank.

We (DW and me) have a stateroom reserved already for an Alaska cruise in August 2016. Because we are Gold CC members we booked it before DCL opened it to the general public. Neither couple have cruised with Disney so far so didn't have that luxury.

So my guess is by the end of the meeting with the TA we will have a new reservation with a different cruise line. We're not too bummed out; we have done six Disney cruises. And it will be interesting checking out the competition to Disney Cruise Line. Plus we think we will swap our current DCL reservation out for a combo WDW/DCL vacation instead. It's been a while since we have been to WDW so we would love to see the changes made at Magic Kingdom.

Update at post #20

 

[shelbell77]

We love Disney. But my TA (who also loves Disney and cruises with us often - we met her on the Magic) says DCL is not the right option for Alaska. I think you are good to look at other options! You can come back to Disney for your next cruise after Alaska!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have posted two previous posts about potentially abandoning DCL for an Alaska cruise. And I am pretty certain that I have never had more responses to any of my posts than these two. I believe all saying 'go for a new cruise line, we understand why you would!'

Two other couples want to do the Alaska cruise with us and they all had mini heart attacks when they saw the price for two guests for a DCL verandah stateroom vs. other cruise lines. So we are meeting with another travel agent tonight to look into a cheaper (won' be too hard) Alaska cruise that won't break the bank.

We (DW and me) have a stateroom reserved already for an Alaska cruise in August 2016. Because we are Gold CC members we booked it before DCL opened it to the general public. Neither couple have cruised with Disney so far so didn't have that luxury.

So my guess is by the end of the meeting with the TA we will have a new reservation with a different cruise line. We're not too bummed out; we have done six Disney cruises. And it will be interesting checking out the competition to Disney Cruise Line. Plus we think we will swap our current DCL reservation out for a combo WDW/DCL vacation instead. It's been a while since we have been to WDW so we would love to see the changes made at Magic Kingdom.

We've cruised Alaska twice. Not on DCL. IMO itineraries and costs were much nicer not on DCL.

It mostly has to do with - do you want a Disney cruise with Alaska on the side? Or an Alaskan cruise with better opportunities to see Alaska?

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

We've cruised Alaska twice. Not on DCL. IMO itineraries and costs were much nicer not on DCL.

It mostly has to do with - do you want a Disney cruise with Alaska on the side? Or an Alaskan cruise with better opportunities to see Alaska?

Man, I'm a little (just a little) conflicted now.

When I looked at the prices for a cruise on NCL vs DCL (love NCL), I was seriously considering taking DS on an Alaskan cruise next year on NCL. Then, I read someone's trip report and saw all the cool pics her family took with the characters on the top deck (an experience we did NOT get on our 1st cruise on the Dream two weeks ago), and decided it was "worth it" to spend the extra money so DS could enjoy the characters without having to stand in long lines (like we did on the Dream).

Now, after reading your comment, I'm not so sure I should cruise Alaska on DCL.

Are the characters accessible on the smaller DCL ships throughout the ship (besides the scheduled character meets) on other itineraries?

What cruise lines did you go on for your two Alaska cruises?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Man, I'm a little (just a little) conflicted now.

When I looked at the prices for a cruise on NCL vs DCL (love NCL), I was seriously considering taking DS on an Alaskan cruise next year on NCL. Then, I read someone's trip report and saw all the cool pics her family took with the characters on the top deck (an experience we did NOT get on our 1st cruise on the Dream two weeks ago), and decided it was "worth it" to spend the extra money so DS could enjoy the characters without having to stand in long lines (like we did on the Dream).

Now, after reading your comment, I'm not so sure I should cruise Alaska on DCL.

Are the characters accessible on the smaller DCL ships throughout the ship (besides the scheduled character meets) on other itineraries?

What cruise lines did you go on for your two Alaska cruises?

The characters basically have set times for photo ops, but you can run into them around the ship as they travel from their "home" to "work" spot.

We used Holland America for our Alaska cruises. Both HAL and Princess have been cruising Alaska the longest and have the best itineraries.

I'm not trying to say that DCL doesn't have a spot in Alaska, but, IMO, cruising Alaska on DCL is more about wanting the Disney experience with Alaska thrown in. Not so much focused on purely the Alaska experience. Certainly with younger children, DCL, and Princess (from what I've read) have more child-friendly options (than HAL).

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

The characters basically have set times for photo ops, but you can run into them around the ship as they travel from their "home" to "work" spot.

We used Holland America for our Alaska cruises. Both HAL and Princess have been cruising Alaska the longest and have the best itineraries.

I'm not trying to say that DCL doesn't have a spot in Alaska, but, IMO, cruising Alaska on DCL is more about wanting the Disney experience with Alaska thrown in. Not so much focused on purely the Alaska experience. Certainly with younger children, DCL, and Princess (from what I've read) have more child-friendly options (than HAL).

Thank you! I sincerely appreciate your response. I will look into Princess and see what accommodations they have for DS.

 

[Disneyteachers]

We are doing DCL in 2016 in Alaska primarily because we haven't cruises before and have a comfort level with Disney. DS also has a medical condition that could require attention and definitely requires a focus on prevention in terms of spread of illness. After reviewing OSHA reports on cruise lines we felt comfortable enough to try Pur first cruise and Alaska (US ports were a plus for the reasons noted above.). My point is that everyone has their own individual reasons why they choose something and you have to make the right choice for you!

 

[MunFam]

Man, I'm a little (just a little) conflicted now.

When I looked at the prices for a cruise on NCL vs DCL (love NCL), I was seriously considering taking DS on an Alaskan cruise next year on NCL. Then, I read someone's trip report and saw all the cool pics her family took with the characters on the top deck (an experience we did NOT get on our 1st cruise on the Dream two weeks ago), and decided it was "worth it" to spend the extra money so DS could enjoy the characters without having to stand in long lines (like we did on the Dream).

Now, after reading your comment, I'm not so sure I should cruise Alaska on DCL.

Are the characters accessible on the smaller DCL ships throughout the ship (besides the scheduled character meets) on other itineraries?

What cruise lines did you go on for your two Alaska cruises?

If you have the time, look in to a Panama Canal Cruise. They are very affordable by Disney standards, especially if you get an IGT/OGT rate at the last minute...they always have them! If you want your kiddo to have the time of his life with characters, there is no better cruise!!! We just got off the WBPC cruise and the characters all knew her by name. Rapunzel took her by the hand one evening and the two of them went in search of Pascal (for about 20 minutes!!) just the two of them. Another evening, Captain Hook went with her looking for Tink. She had dance parties with Cinderella and Tiana, she did a race on deck with Pluto one morning...all of these were private, spontaneous character interactions. There were approximately 300 children (under 18) on board. Usually there are 1000. The kids club staff got to know each kid.

Also, since the characters got to know each kid so well, they learned all the little things that made them happy. Like DD loved kissing the characters on the nose, so at the end of an interaction, they would bend over for their kiss. The princesses knew she would want a kiss on the cheek and to do a twirl each time.

Hands down, it was the BEST money we have ever spent on a vacation as far character interactions are concerned.

As a travel agent, we will not cruise DCL to Alaska because the ports/times are meh! and they do not go to Glacier Bay National Park.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We are DCL Platinum and not sorry what so ever that we chose HAL for Alaska. I wouldn't hesitate booking Princess either. Both lines have Alaska down pat and have so many options including the land tours. We truly feel that you don't see the real Alaska by sea alone.

We did the DCL Panama Canal cruise in 2005 and we would never do it again on DCL or any other line. We were both bored after the second lock. Different strokes for different folks for sure.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are DCL Platinum and not sorry what so ever that we chose HAL for Alaska. I wouldn't hesitate booking Princess either. Both lines have Alaska down pat and have so many options including the land tours. We truly feel that you don't see the real Alaska by sea alone.

We did the DCL Panama Canal cruise in 2005 and we would never do it again on DCL or any other line. We were both bored after the second lock. Different strokes for different folks for sure.

Our first DCL cruise was the 2008 WB Panama Canal (15 nights). Well, our first cruise, period. Totally hooked us on cruising. We did the Panama Canal on HAL in 2013 (19 nights). Spent all day out on deck walking around, taking pictures.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

If you have the time, look in to a Panama Canal Cruise. They are very affordable by Disney standards, especially if you get an IGT/OGT rate at the last minute...they always have them! If you want your kiddo to have the time of his life with characters, there is no better cruise!!! We just got off the WBPC cruise and the characters all knew her by name. Rapunzel took her by the hand one evening and the two of them went in search of Pascal (for about 20 minutes!!) just the two of them. Another evening, Captain Hook went with her looking for Tink. She had dance parties with Cinderella and Tiana, she did a race on deck with Pluto one morning...all of these were private, spontaneous character interactions. There were approximately 300 children (under 18) on board. Usually there are 1000. The kids club staff got to know each kid.

Also, since the characters got to know each kid so well, they learned all the little things that made them happy. Like DD loved kissing the characters on the nose, so at the end of an interaction, they would bend over for their kiss. The princesses knew she would want a kiss on the cheek and to do a twirl each time.

Hands down, it was the BEST money we have ever spent on a vacation as far character interactions are concerned.

As a travel agent, we will not cruise DCL to Alaska because the ports/times are meh! and they do not go to Glacier Bay National Park.

Thank you for the feedback.

What's WBPC?

I just read NCL has a revised kids program that includes 2 year olds (Guppies - ages 2-5). Have you heard any reviews about that from your clients?

NCL has a Glacier Bay Alaska itinerary. Is that similar to "Tracy Arm"?

I looked into PC. A 14 night cruise is too long for DS.

OP, so sorry for highjacking your thread! No disrespect intended.

 

[bumbershoot]

Then, I read someone's trip report and saw all the cool pics her family took with the characters on the top deck (an experience we did NOT get on our 1st cruise on the Dream two weeks ago), and decided it was "worth it" to spend the extra money so DS could enjoy the characters without having to stand in long lines (like we did on the Dream).

Seems to be different for you, but for me, even when DS was young, the chances of me paying DCL rates for Alaska just so we didn't have to wait in line to meet Mickey would be nil and none. I paid for character meals so that DH and DS could meet characters easier, but not a Disney cruise.

Also, since the characters got to know each kid so well, they learned all the little things that made them happy. Like DD loved kissing the characters on the nose, so at the end of an interaction, they would bend over for their kiss.

Just reading disneyteachers' post about their child with some sort of medical condition that had her reading OSHA reports and going with Disney, then reading your post about kids kissing a plastic (wait, what? obviously I mean a mouse's) nose...just a bad combo of posts. Because if your kid is kissing there, other kids are kissing there, so each kid is getting the germs of all the kids before then...and yeah, I'm never meeting another character again. Ick.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

WBPC is a west-bound Panama Canal cruise. Starts on the east coast (with DCL that is usually Florida) and travels west, through the PC and ends (usually in LA). We did the opposite EBPC, LA to Galveston, TX. We have also done two other 14-night cruise, the transatlantics (Europe to US) and I agree, the are my favorite cruises. Since it is DCL there are still enough kids so my kids make friends, but not so many it is overwhelming.

But anyway, back to original topic re:Alaska. I had a DCL Alaska cruise booked for next week (June 8). We actually had an aft facing balcony and an inside to accommodate our family of 5, but it was PRICEY, and that was with a 10%OBB. I considered HAL, but it would have been MORE expensive. I find it hard to get rooms on HAL for families without spending a fortune. Princess for some reason didn't appeal to me ( I just don't 'get' Princess - they don't seem to have a niche) and was too expensive, IMHO. Couldn't bring myself to go NCL. I finally decided to go with Celebrity because they have large family rooms that sleep 5 at a good price. Plus, they had a cruise I wanted in September, which is generally cheaper than June, AND it is an11-night and I prefer longer cruises, especially if I'm flying all the way across country. So we are cruising on the Solstice in 99 days.

Do I wish it was DCL? Yes, especially when I see so much anti-kids rhetoric on Celebrity's site on another forum, and because I really think you will be able to count the kids on the cruise with one hand. But Alaska excursions are expensive, this is a port intensive cruise, and with the money we are saving, we intend to see and do a lot in Alaska AND enjoy our 500 sq foot, 2 BR room with free drinks, free gratuities, free internet and OBC. Especially the free drinks The kids will just have to keep occupied the best they can on sea days.

Definitely plan on posting a Celebrity vs DCL comparison when we return.

 

[MunFam]

Just reading disneyteachers' post about their child with some sort of medical condition that had her reading OSHA reports and going with Disney, then reading your post about kids kissing a plastic (wait, what? obviously I mean a mouse's) nose...just a bad combo of posts. Because if your kid is kissing there, other kids are kissing there, so each kid is getting the germs of all the kids before then...and yeah, I'm never meeting another character again. Ick.

Yeah, well, I also caught my 4 year old licking, yes licking the rope for the character line...and rubbing her face all over the hand rails on Panama Canal Day. Kids share drinks and lollipops and toys all the time. They touch every grimy surface imaginable and then promptly put their fingers in their mouths and eyes. You just have to hope for the best or you end up with OCD and a child that is afraid to leave the house. FWIW, she did not get sick on the cruise.

How many kids pee in the pools, or adults for that matter? Or lick their fingers and then reach for something on the buffet without tongs? Or use the restroom and forget to stop at the sink to wash their hands on the way out? Really, humans in general are just unsanitary. I would not let a little kid kissing a character deter you.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Seems to be different for you, but for me, even when DS was young, the chances of me paying DCL rates for Alaska just so we didn't have to wait in line to meet Mickey would be nil and none. I paid for character meals so that DH and DS could meet characters easier, but not a Disney cruise.

Ohh, thank you so much for sharing!!!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I have sailed on the Wonder in Alaska and I find it strange people who haven't sailed DCL to Alaska can knock it down so hard if they haven't got a reference point on being on two cruise lines there.
We had a fantastic time there, a brillient cruise something only Disney can do. It's the attention to detail the themed dinners the characters in local clothing the deck party the fun.
People post other lines have better ports of call well you have to do a longer than seven night cruise or a one way, to beat DCL. IMHO having flown over the " great" glacier bay from Skagway, I found Tracy Arm far far better.

People say Glacier Bay is great well on our list of sights it was far lower in our opinion than the other
things we did.

I know a number of people who did DCL Alaska and then rebooked it again for the next year.

Yes Princess is good in Akaska I have been on Princess but on other aspects Entertainment and food and kids clubs they are way behind DCL.

In the end each person must make their own decision.

 

[Ware Bears]

I know a number of people who did DCL Alaska and then rebooked it again for the next year.

I'm one!

Before our previous DCL cruise to Alaska (as a family with teens) we looked at other lines but DCL won. We didn't even hesitate to rebook as a couple - we had such a fantastic time and unless doing a longer cruise or a land sea package, can't see how another line could be better for us. We don't mind that DCL doesn't visit Glacier Bay which is something that so many people bring up - Tracy Arm is truly outstanding and the Wonder is there on her own.

 

[Pens Fan]

I have sailed on the Wonder in Alaska and I find it strange people who haven't sailed DCL to Alaska can knock it down so hard if they haven't got a reference point on being on two cruise lines there.
We had a fantastic time there, a brillient cruise something only Disney can do. It's the attention to detail the themed dinners the characters in local clothing the deck party the fun.
People post other lines have better ports of call well you have to do a longer than seven night cruise or a one way, to beat DCL. IMHO having flown over the " great" glacier bay from Skagway, I found Tracy Arm far far better.

People say Glacier Bay is great well on our list of sights it was far lower in our opinion than the other
things we did.

I know a number of people who did DCL Alaska and then rebooked it again for the next year.

Yes Princess is good in Akaska I have been on Princess but on other aspects Entertainment and food and kids clubs they are way behind DCL.

In the end each person must make their own decision.

I think part of the allure to stray away from DCL in Alaska is the one way itineraries that end in Seward or Whittier, allowing you to continue into the interior. At least that's the case for us. But then I think about our DCL Alaska cruise and it was absolutely, hands down, the best family vacation we have ever taken. From start to finish, it was just perfect. As corny as it sounds, I was near tears when we left the Wonder. My son still talks about that cruise and how wonderful it was. Whenever I mention possibly going with Princess, he looks at me like I'm crazy. And he's 17, not a little kid pining for Mickey. Ok - actually, he still loves Mickey, but you get the point!

We will definitely be back to Alaska in the next few years. We just have decide in what manner. Jump ship and go with Princess? Ditch the ship all together and go strictly land-based? DH and I did that years ago and it was amazing as well. Or go back to what we loved so much and redo the Wonder itinerary, but change up the excursions, etc.

Ahh..... 1st world problems!! You know, if I have the time and resources to be debating these things I must have a pretty good life!

 

[missyp]

I think part of the allure to stray away from DCL in Alaska is the one way itineraries that end in Seward or Whittier, allowing you to continue into the interior. At least that's the case for us. But then I think about our DCL Alaska cruise and it was absolutely, hands down, the best family vacation we have ever taken. From start to finish, it was just perfect. As corny as it sounds, I was near tears when we left the Wonder. My son still talks about that cruise and how wonderful it was. Whenever I mention possibly going with Princess, he looks at me like I'm crazy. And he's 17, not a little kid pining for Mickey. Ok - actually, he still loves Mickey, but you get the point!

We will definitely be back to Alaska in the next few years. We just have decide in what manner. Jump ship and go with Princess? Ditch the ship all together and go strictly land-based? DH and I did that years ago and it was amazing as well. Or go back to what we loved so much and redo the Wonder itinerary, but change up the excursions, etc.

Ahh..... 1st world problems!! You know, if I have the time and resources to be debating these things I must have a pretty good life!

My 16 year old DS is a Disney Cruise lover as well. He is dreading the day he turns 18. I think he loves it even more than his 12 yr old brother. Glad to hear you had an amazing experience on your Alaskan cruise, we are doing it next month.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We met with the travel agent and here is where we are so far. We being one of my sisters and her husband and a couple that is very good friends of my wife and me; so a total of six.

We have not signed up for the cruise yet because the travel agent believes better deals will come out. We are traveling sometime between mid-June to mid-August 2016. Most likely sailing Celebrity, the south bound route; Seward Alaska to Vancouver Canada, concierge or better. Want to see more glaciers vs a round trip out of Seattle or Vancouver and we get into the port of Vancouver on a Friday so we can spend a couple of extra nights there and not use up more vacation time. Two people started new jobs and have only two weeks so far. None of us have been to Vancouver and are excited to spend more time there exploring the city.