Veranda room, not necessary in Alaska sailings in my opinion

[CampbellzSoup]

Hello everyone! I want to talk about the value of having a veranda room during Alaskan cruises, particularly my recent Disney Wonder journey to Alaska. While I stayed on deck nine, I had a blast enjoying the stunning 360-degree views, making memories with fellow passengers, sipping on specialty drinks, taking countless photos, and meeting our favorite Disney characters.

I understand that choosing a veranda room can be a matter of personal preference. However, I'd like to challenge the idea that it's a necessity for truly experiencing Alaska. When I'm on vacation, my main focus is on relishing the cruise amenities and immersing myself in the Disney magic. Personally, I believe a veranda room wouldn't have enhanced my experience, and I would have missed out on a unique perspective, especially on glacier day.

Now, I'm curious to hear your thoughts. For those who have stayed in veranda rooms, do you see it as a vital part of an Alaskan cruise, as some suggest, or are you content with an interior room and the full experience of glacier day on deck nine? Please share your perspective, as I know this is a topic that has sparked many conversations. The money I saved by not choosing a veranda room allowed me to participate in various excursions, but I understand that preferences vary. What's your take? Is a veranda room a must for an Alaskan cruise, or, like me, do you prefer to explore and engage with everything glacier day has to offer?

 

[holula]

I’m in 100% agreement with you. I’ve done Alaska twice. Once in an inside, once in an oceanview. I’d definitely rather have the full view on all sides from deck 10 than just from my verandah.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I’m 100% in the veranda camp for Alaska. When I went (not DCL) the ship turned around so both sides had great glacier viewing. On the day of the glacier viewing they left extra blankets and hot cocoa in our room. To be able to view it from the privacy of our balcony was amazing. When they turned the ship we went to a public viewing area and it was packed and people were several people deep trying to get views. I’m not a crowds person and found it awful and we left the viewing area.

 

[yowcruiser]

Necessary...no... we had one this Summer and enjoyed it as it allowed for a quieter retreat at times, different view/perspective than Deck 9 and overall, felt it was worth it as at time of booking (opening day) the extra for a verandah for the cruise we were on (late August) was somewhat reasonable. We did a few long scenic cruises in an Oceanview (Panama, Iceland) were we dod save quite a few $$$ and then spent our outdoor time on Deck 4 and 9 when desired

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I’m 100% in the veranda camp for Alaska. When I went (not DCL) the ship turned around so both sides had great glacier viewing. On the day of the glacier viewing they left extra blankets and hot cocoa in our room. To be able to view it from the privacy of our balcony was amazing. When they turned the ship we went to a public viewing area and it was packed and people were several people deep trying to get views. I’m not a crowds person and found it awful and we left the viewing area.

I guess maybe it was different in Disney as they’re were plenty of space available for viewing and everyone respectful! After the character meets it really was a ghost town

 

[Anna131517]

For my own piece of mind I need a veranda. I just don’t like other people that much to want to be around them all the time, and a huge draw of Alaska is the beautiful views.

 

[dcassetta]

If your budget only allows for a verandah or excursions, I would choose the inside or oceanview and go on the excursions.

 

[Carohs]

I'm in the save $ camp. There are plenty of viewing areas on any ship and glacier day is only one day of the whole vacation. Alaska is cold too so I'm not likely to spend much time out there anyway. But, on glacier day I'd feel subconscious dragging all the blankets to the top deck so I can sit there comfortably for an extended period of time. Instead of blankets I had scarfs and a winter jacket and still it only made the cold tolerable for me (I'm from the SW).

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

My wife likes to stand out on the veranda in the mornings while drinking coffee and also before bed, so for us having one is a must.

Psy

 

[MomOTwins]

I think having small kids changes the calculus a bit. Our kids like to sleep in n vacation (combination of late night kids club, long active excursions and time difference) so having a balcony let us see the Alaska scenery and wildlife in the morning with a cup of room service coffee or hot cocoa while we waited for them to wake.

 

[Dug720]

Hello everyone! I want to talk about the value of having a veranda room during Alaskan cruises, particularly my recent Disney Wonder journey to Alaska. While I stayed on deck nine, I had a blast enjoying the stunning 360-degree views, making memories with fellow passengers, sipping on specialty drinks, taking countless photos, and meeting our favorite Disney characters.

I understand that choosing a veranda room can be a matter of personal preference. However, I'd like to challenge the idea that it's a necessity for truly experiencing Alaska. When I'm on vacation, my main focus is on relishing the cruise amenities and immersing myself in the Disney magic. Personally, I believe a veranda room wouldn't have enhanced my experience, and I would have missed out on a unique perspective, especially on glacier day.

Now, I'm curious to hear your thoughts. For those who have stayed in veranda rooms, do you see it as a vital part of an Alaskan cruise, as some suggest, or are you content with an interior room and the full experience of glacier day on deck nine? Please share your perspective, as I know this is a topic that has sparked many conversations. The money I saved by not choosing a veranda room allowed me to participate in various excursions, but I understand that preferences vary. What's your take? Is a veranda room a must for an Alaskan cruise, or, like me, do you prefer to explore and engage with everything glacier day has to offer?

My first AK cruise was on HAL (only because I was with a running group and that's what they used then), and I splurged on a veranda because I thought it would be a one and done trip. I so wish I had gone with either an OV or an Interior (I did that the next year when the group was on RCCL) for a couple of big reasons.

First - I found myself NOT spending time with the group so that I could take advantage of the balcony I'd paid so much for, so I missed out on a lot of socializing. Granted, if you're just traveling with your immediate family, that's probably a non issue. But the next might ne a bit more important.

Second - Because I was taking advantage of the balcony I'd paid so much for, I often missed seeing wildlife because it was on the other side of the ship. I was starboard, and it seemed like every time a bear, a moose, or a whale was announced, it was on the port side. Even if I'd tried to run upstairs to an open deck or downstairs to the promenade deck, we would have been past the animal (or it would have disappeared into the water or woods). You have much better chances of seeing things when you are on the open deck and can move between sides easily.

The next year when I went back, I opted for an inside cabin and I had a much better experience all around - I was out socializing with the group, AND I was able to move from side to side depending on where the wildlife was.

So for me, it's definitely not necessary - and I'd even say can detract from the experience. It sucks to hear them announce an animal you really want to see only to hear them announce it on the other side.

 

[BStieers]

I am in the minority here, but I would rather have a veranda in Alaska than the Caribbean. Some quiet time in the morning with my coffee and the natural awe of the Alaskan coast is my idea of perfection.

 

[NephieRN]

100% agree. We did Alaska many years ago in an inside room and have zero regrets. We spent our days on deck or enjoying amazing shore excursions. Would we have sat on the balcony a few times? Sure. But it certainly isnt worth the thousands extra it costs. Plus I liked having the total darkness of an inside room since its light outside for close to 20 hours a day in the summer.

 

[Pens Fan]

We've loved our verandahs on all of our cruises and really can't imagine sailing without one - anywhere. We spend a lot of time out there, relaxing, reading and taking in the scenery. Our favorite balconies have been in the aft - as in the very back of the ship. We had one on our last Alaska cruise on NCL, and it was amazing. The views of Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier and just the inner passage in general were unbelievable. We spent hours out there every day. And being in the back you were somewhat blocked from the wind which was nice. We've had aft balconies in the Med and Canada/New England and those views were pretty spectacular as well.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I think having small kids changes the calculus a bit. Our kids like to sleep in n vacation (combination of late night kids club, long active excursions and time difference) so having a balcony let us see the Alaska scenery and wildlife in the morning with a cup of room service coffee or hot cocoa while we waited for them to wake.

This. We had a 3 year old who still took a regular afternoon nap. Being in a verandah room meant I didn't feel like I was missing anything. We still went to the top deck and enjoyed the pea soup and got our picture with Minnie in her Alaska outfit. But when I was done with the crowds, I was happy to still be able to enjoy the view from the comfort of our room while the little one slept. Even with older kids, I would still want a verandah. The inside passage is stunning all the way from Vancouver to Alaska, not just on glacier day, and there are 3 sea days so it's nice to have a private place to enjoy the views.

 

[holula]

I'm in the save $ camp. There are plenty of viewing areas on any ship and glacier day is only one day of the whole vacation.

What I really missed on glacier day this time was Outlook Cafe which was so nice to shelter from the cold previously!

Whenever Disney does retire the Wonder they should think about things like that for their Alaska ship

 

[John VN]

DW and I only cruise having a verandah because it's like having our own BACK YARD. The ship's common spaces are available to all, our verandah is ours alone. Our ALASKA cruise was end of May/early June so the weather was ideal for verandah relaxation.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I'm in the camp where not only is a verandah not necessary for Alaska, but even DCL isn't necessary! We saved so so much by not sailing DCL! LOL

 

[Calantha]

We did DCL in Alaska, no verandah and it was fine. It was too cold on our sailing anyway, we would never have gone out there. We're about 50/50 on verandahs depending on circumstances. Otherwise oceanview.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

This. We had a 3 year old who still took a regular afternoon nap. Being in a verandah room meant I didn't feel like I was missing anything. We still went to the top deck and enjoyed the pea soup and got our picture with Minnie in her Alaska outfit. But when I was done with the crowds, I was happy to still be able to enjoy the view from the comfort of our room while the little one slept. Even with older kids, I would still want a verandah. The inside passage is stunning all the way from Vancouver to Alaska, not just on glacier day, and there are 3 sea days so it's nice to have a private place to enjoy the views.

Interesting perspective. I too sailed with a 2 year old thankfully I bundled him up in his stroller and got the amazing views on deck 9. However I can understand the luxury of relaxing.