Verendah go for it or pass?

[AquaDame]

I think you miss the point, would you be in the outlook cafe from 6 am to 11 pm? If not, then you do miss out.

We found that the open decks and outlook cafe were " reserved" by cruisers from early in the day. If you got a place then you had to try to keep it all day restricting you.

I am not missing your point - when I wanted to look out at the scenery I went up to a deck where i could look out. If I was doing something else I was doing something else regardless of my stateroom category. It really is not that much different than going out onto your balcony when you want to enjoy the view. Are you also suggesting that people MUST rise at 6am and be out there until 11pm in order to effectively cruise Alaska? That is what your argument sounds like to me. The only difference I can think of is if you can't leave napping kids in the room to go above decks or want to hang out in your pajamas all day (to be fair, we saw a lot of people above decks in warm pajamas in the morning and at night on deck anyway).

We absolutely did not find that we had to stake out a spot early in the day. We easily moved from area to area without a care in the world. Yes, sometimes the tables in Outlook were full, so we would take our coffee to go and stroll around outside and go back later on when it wasn't full to *gasp* read with a cup of coffee and chat with the CMs. Not necessarily to be glued to the window even then. The tables at the back of the ship were full when it was lunch time for the BBQ? Gee darn, we ate inside at a window instead and then moved outside again. It really was not an issue at all our entire cruise.

I LOVED going from side to side to view the full pod of whales when they appeared. Impossible on a verandah. Yes they turn the ship around in TA, but who cares about that when you're moving to the next port living in the moment running up the length of the deck on an empty 4 with whales swimming beside the ship? There is an immense surge of pure joy when a child starts squealing at that first sight and her sibling runs over to tell her just how cool the animals on the other side are. Then everyone runs over together and points, and talks and laughs. I met so many lovely people by being out there with them... so many moments I would have missed huddled up on a verandah the entire time.

 

[Ofinn]

I think you miss the point, would you be in the outlook cafe from 6 am to 11 pm? If not, then you do miss out.

We found that the open decks and outlook cafe were " reserved" by cruisers from early in the day. If you got a place then you had to try to keep it all day restricting you.

I think you miss the point.
I think you have to realize not everyone can afford a verandah or afford to sail concierge like you do. Maybe they would prefer to do something else with the 3k. A family can have a perfectly enjoyable Alaska cruise in an inside cabin or ocean view room. I wish you would stop telling people they can't. It comes across as being very elitist, and not everyone has the same budget you do.

 

[jetskigrl]

This discussion goes round and round but the bottom line is that the only thing required to cruise to Alaska on DCL is an inside room and way to get to the port. Anything above that is an add-on and completely at the discretion of the people booking the cruise. We all pick and choose what we want our experience to be. For me, yeah, we planned to use a verandah a lot so that was one of our add-ons. For others, maybe a helicopter ride/walk on a glacier and whale watching are their must-dos, so those are their add-ons, etc.

Everyone has different ideas of what they want to experience on their vacation so to say that one experience over another is more important or required is just not true. Each traveling party makes that decision based on what is right for them.

 

[tnshsms]

I think it depends on your family really. For us, we brought a small child to Alaska. I can't sit in outlook with her since its adults only. And she wouldn't be happy sitting on deck 4 for hours to watch the scenery like adults would. It worked great for us because she could watch a disney movie in the room while we were on the veranda and when something exciting was happening we would call her out to the veranda. We were ok with the $724 cost difference between ocean view and veranda on opening day and went with it. (We did the navigator's so that saved us about $200 over a full veranda). If you have all adults in your family, or your kiddo loves the kids club enough to be in there most of the day then an ocean view or inside cabin would be perfect. But for those with smaller kids like mine who aren't huge kids club fans and would be with us most of the day, this was great.

I also believe that an Alaskan cruise is a totally different cruise than the Caribbean. You just don't spend the same kind of time looking at wildlife and scenery in the Caribbean as you do Alaska.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

I tend to agree with you. I would rather cruise more often.

We chose an inside room for Alaska as well and I have no regrets. The veranda was $2K more and I just couldn't justify it. There are so many areas from which to enjoy the view. We saw a humpback whale while at Palo Brunch, and I saw porpoises and an Orca while riding the exercise bike at the gym. Of course, Decks 4, 9 and 10 are great for viewing and for the adults, the gym, Quiet Cove Cafe, the piano bar, the sports, and Palo all offer great views. And with how late it gets dark, even Palo dinner still offers fantastic views. We were only in our stateroom to either shower, change clothes or sleep. If I went on the Alaskan cruise again, I'd pick an inside again. But on both of our cruises on the Fantasy we chose a veranda because the price difference was much less.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Everyone has different ideas of what they want to experience on their vacation so to say that one experience over another is more important or required is just not true.

However, there are some who feel that the only way to do Alaska (or, indeed any other cruise) is in a verandah room, and don't hesitate to lecture us who feel otherwise.

Personally, I prefer an oceanview room. I've been in verandahs and inside rooms, and I need the natural light in the morning (so no more inside rooms). Oceanview costs less than a verandah room, and I prefer being up on the higher decks getting the 360 degree view, not just what I can see directly out from my room (be it in an oceanview or verandah).

I don't think someone who prefers verandahs is right or wrong, just that's what works for them. Just as those who prefer inside rooms are neither right or wrong. But others have different opinions.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

However, there are some who feel that the only way to do Alaska (or, indeed any other cruise) is in a verandah room, and don't hesitate to lecture us who feel otherwise.

So when it's your opinion it's ok to post it, but if it's someone else's opinion, that differs to yours, it becomes a " lecture"? I have noticed this in your posts, if you do not agree with someone, then you start calling them " lectures".

I thought on the forum, it is free speech, and also in the USA it's free speech?


95% of answers on this thread are pro verandah for Alaska.

 

[Ofinn]

Some people give opinions, some people lecture. There is a difference.

 

[AquaDame]

So when it's your opinion it's ok to post it, but if it's someone else's opinion, that differs to yours, it becomes a " lecture"? I have noticed this in your posts, if you do not agree with someone, then you start calling them " lectures".

I thought on the forum, it is free speech, and also in the USA it's free speech?


95% of answers on this thread are pro verandah for Alaska.

The difference is responding to the nays directly with why they are wrong vs. simply giving your opinion.

By my count it is 15 "yea"s and 10 "nays" if I simply count people who booked a verandah vs. those that did not. Of the verandah cruisers many said why it was right FOR THEM and why it may not be right for others, but I counted them as verandahs regardless since that is what they booked. 10/25 = 40%, not 5%. A 60% lean to verandahs does illustrate well why DCL can charge what they do for them!

 

[anricat]

I thought on the forum, it is free speech, and also in the USA it's free speech?

Nope. Actually, there is no free speech here on this forum. There are rules we follow and we can't just post anything we want to. This forum here? It's not protected by the US Constitution. In fact, the DIS is a dictatorship, not a democracy (which is good, actually).

That said, yes, we can express our opinions, but perhaps some folks are indicating that there are more considerate and thoughtful ways of doing so. While you can often provide great insight and information, sometimes you can come across a little bit "my way or the highway." Sometimes it can come across as you you feel like we're plebs if we choose to sleep down on deck 2 or in an inside room. Higher decks are the only way to go! You can't sail without a verandah!

I think it's not what you're saying that rubs some folks the wrong way, it's how you say it. Maybe try something like, "for my family, we prefer a verandah for these reasons..." instead of making it sound like our vacation will be ruined if we can't afford it. People appreciate hearing an opinion being expressed without feeling like it's being crammed down their throats or that they are lower than dirt if they don't hold to the same opinion.

We all have different ideas and ways we want to enjoy our vacation, but we can all agree that we love what Disney has to offer - and it has a lot to offer for a wide variety of interests and budgets. There's no one way to vacation with Disney, which is why the DIS is a great place to learn about those ways and which ones are right for each of us.

 

[Ofinn]

But honestly, if we're cruising Disney, are we wanting to be looking at scenery from 6 AM to 11 PM EVERY DAY? Nope. We want to do other things. Part of the Disney experience is a lot of the other activities they have to offer. I don't need a verandah to enjoy a movie, attend activities in the adult areas, eat amazing food in the MDR, dance with my daughter and the characters in the atrium, get autographs and photos with characters.

I would sail another line, where I could more easily afford a verandah. Am I going to miss some things? Sure. But I can't do it all and for us, while the scenery is amazing, there's more to the experience than watching the world go by on the verandah. Everyone has different things that they want out of a vacation, which is fantastic. And why, insisting that EVERYONE MUST HAVE A VERANDAH OR YOUR VACATION WILL BE SUB PAR is absurd.

I think a lot like you do. I don't know when we'll sail to Alaska or which cruise line we'll sail on. I can't see myself ever paying 10k for a 7 day cruise. I don't care where it sails too. I think that is about what it what cost to sail on DCL mid-Summer family of four Verandah. I think if I was going to spend that much I'd book concierge on another cruise line. If I really wanted the DCL experience I'd be fine in an inside room. We cruise at least 3 times a year so I can't afford to go overboard on one cruise. Other people cruise less often and really splurge when they do cruise. Some people scrimp and save to book an inside room, and some people cruise several times a year and splurge on every cruise...lucky them.

 

[mamaburrito]

I want to thank everyone for giving their insights. I know there is know concrete answer that works for everyone.

I'm looking at this as our splurge trip and leaning towards the verendah. Not something we could afford each and every time. And who knows I may change my mind but if this was my only chance of to do a cruise to Alaska I want to make sure I do it right based on my budget and my family.

Everyone's answers has given me a lot to think about.

 

[AAAG]

We were ok with the $724 cost difference between ocean view and veranda on opening day and went with it.

We are going this August, so I haven't actually experienced it yet.
We booked on Opening Day, and the price difference between the cheapest verandah and the cheapest Oceanview on Opening Day for us was $2500 US (which is $3300 Cdn), for our family of 4. Had the difference been $724 or similar, for sure we would have gone with the verandah. But to save $3300 Cdn, we changed to Oceanview. I'm hoping we won't regret it, but when I think of what we can do with the $3300 on this trip (expensive excursions and extra time in BC), I don't think I will.
If only I had US dollars, maybe I would have taken the verandah.....

 

[TJA]

I want to thank everyone for giving their insights. I know there is know concrete answer that works for everyone.

I'm looking at this as our splurge trip and leaning towards the verendah. Not something we could afford each and every time. And who knows I may change my mind but if this was my only chance of to do a cruise to Alaska I want to make sure I do it right based on my budget and my family.

Everyone's answers has given me a lot to think about.

We were/are in your same shoes! First family cruise coming up next August 2017 and we chose Alaska too. I went back and forth on if we should book a verandah. In the end, I did book one and I don't see myself changing it. I do think we'll spend a fair amount of time on it, whether it's late at night or early in the morning. On Tracy Arm day, I want to check out the views from the other decks, but we'll probably spend a lot of that time on our own space (verandah).

Oh - we're going with the 5-day cruise, so that helps with the verandah cost.

 

[dhardawa]

For Alaska, I'd just have a window. We found that it was pretty cool and wet outside most of the time.

 

[tnshsms]

We are going this August, so I haven't actually experienced it yet.
We booked on Opening Day, and the price difference between the cheapest verandah and the cheapest Oceanview on Opening Day for us was $2500 US (which is $3300 Cdn), for our family of 4. Had the difference been $724 or similar, for sure we would have gone with the verandah. But to save $3300 Cdn, we changed to Oceanview. I'm hoping we won't regret it, but when I think of what we can do with the $3300 on this trip (expensive excursions and extra time in BC), I don't think I will.
If only I had US dollars, maybe I would have taken the verandah.....

I totally agree! If it had been that large of a price difference I would have had a second thought as well!

 

[Rabb it]

If you've got the extra funds to do it, then more power to you! I doubt you would regret it on an Alaskan cruise!

 

[tink1970]

Mamaburrito, I hope you have an excellent cruise!

I have been fortunate to do the AK itinerary two years in a row and loved it both times. The first was a "once in a lifetime trip" while the second was a spontaneous, "what a good deal, it would be a crime to pass this up." I have mad DCL math skills

I have said many, many times on these boards that I am too claustrophobic to not have a verandah (found out the hard way on a 7 night Fantasy W Caribbean cruise). When we were in AK I spent hours outside (both cruises) gazing at the water, the wildlife and soaking in scenery. It was so very worth it (repeat...I strongly felt it there was value in it...to me). Once was a navigator's balcony (7A), the other time was a regular balcony (5B). I honestly don't remember an huge difference between the two, I was probably too busy watching and being amazed.

On the first cruise it was myself, DD, DM, DF (again I thought it would be a once in a lifetime thing). My parents (for whom I'd paid as well) had an inside room and they enjoyed sleeping in in their room but getting up and having coffee on my verandah. DM would spend hours on my verandah watching everything, while DF was more out and about. Honestly, Mom and I should have been in the room together and my night owl daughter and father in the inside room. Oh well, live and learn!

The second was DH's first cruise (other than on big gray ships wearing a uniform). It was such an awesome trip he's now a DCL gold and has been transformed from "I sailed on ships for a living" to "Another cruise? Well, okay, when and where?". I'm believe that this good experience the first time (and I do believe the verandah had something to do with that) swayed him.

One note- the sun is up early and sets late so bring clothespins or something to secure the curtains. I'm an early to bed early to rise person who doesn't change time zones well so was up by 4 AM for the first several nights of the trip. Blocking out the light will help.

Please enjoy planning and the cruise--the AK cruises are wonderful.

 

[mamaburrito]

I did it! Booked our cruise and went with the verendah. 370 days to go.

 

[Hundredacre]

Just reading through this and wanted to comment that some of the disagreement may be cultural. People from "the British Isles" tend to be more blunt than Americans. They would call the way Americans "sugar coat" things fake. Americans call it being sensitive to other people. Tomaato, tomato. I would say having a balcony (verandah, whatever they call it to make the up charge worth it) is probably far superior to not having a balcony. I personally refuse to pay the upcharge to get one... and I want my children to "suffer" a bit. They are already over privileged just cruising-- the last thing they need is concierge or a balcony.