What's Great About An Alaskan Cruise? Need Convincing...

[shaycamp21]

Our main draw to an Alaskan Cruise is the price, since DCL has a Canadian Resident offer for next summer. I am a teacher so I cannot unfortunately take advantage of the other dates offered to Canadians. We've avoided cruising DCL for many years because of our low dollar and having to add 30% to Disney's already high prices. It would be myself, DH and our DD who's 8. Our daughter doesn't remember her last DCL cruise as she was only 9 months old so I would love for her to experience the joy of the kid's club before shes too old.

I am more of a tropical gal loving the white sand beaches and aqua blue warm waters of the Caribbean. Also the thought of having to bundle up for a week in the middle of the precious few months of summer does not sound appealing. However, we have cruised the Caribbean a number of times (3x Disney, 2x Carnival), as well as 2 Norwegian cruises (1 Hawaii and 1 Mediterranean) so are looking to do something new. We are adventurous and like to travel off the beaten path (aside from Disney vacations). I can certainly appreciate the beauty of Alaska but not sure I can handle the cold. Is it cold out on deck-- can you even use the pools? So tell me what is so great about Alaska? What is there to do for families? Any insight would be appreciated?

 

[tvguy]

Can't speak to Disney, as both our Alaska cruises were on HAL. Both were in June. We swam in the pools everyday, they are heated on most ships. I spent a lot of time in a Tee Shirt and shorts on the deck. The weather was fine. The scenery well worth the trip.

 

[Jay Kat]

We were prepared, but never THAT cold. I must say, we didn't use our verandah, but didn't need It. This was BY FAR one of the best things we have done. You have a head start at the beauty, being Canadian, but the experiences were awesome. We went on a whale spotting boat, and had a wonderful time. Our top was taking the train up the mountain in Skagway, ending at a dog sled training facility. We got to pet the puppies and experience the sledding, albeit without the snow. The majesty of the glaciers was fabulous, too. Again, if you are used to incredible scenery, then choose something else. But one other thing...actually SEEING the glaciers diminishing made us realize climate change is a real and serious thing - so we do whatever we can to help. WE LOVED IT! But I say go where you are most excited and comfortable.

 

[Keyser]

When we did our Disney Alaska cruise, the only day I would really classify as "cold" was when we sailed up to the glacier (Tracy Arm); there was (surprisingly to me) a noticeable cold coming from the glacier, and we definitely wanted our winter coats. The other days were on the cooler side (especially coming from Texas), and we would sometimes (not always) wear coats outside, but it was not a "bundle up" time. I know we ate outside several times, for instance.

As for the pools, my memory is that they were open down near Vancouver (the day we left and maybe sea days or something, but closed some of the other days (e.g. I'm 99% sure it was closed on the Tracy Arm day). I also remember them talking about keeping things quiet on deck (i.e. no funnel-vision) for parts of the trip, so that people could enjoy the environment. I don't think my kids ever used the pools on that trip, though - there was plenty more to do on the trip!

 

[Mich123]

10. Characters in Alaska clothes!
9. Day at sea that is actually a "port" day to see the glaciers up close.
8. The amazing wildlife (eagles, bears). Lots of seals and dolphins near the boat...even whales. Also the naturalist on board gave great lectures almost every day about what we could expect to see.
7. Sunlight for 20 hours a day! Incredible late night views.
6. The Frozen show (I went twice, so good!).
5. Freezing the night away, also fun (note: no fireworks in Alaska).
4. Sitting in the hot tub when the air is crisp.
3. Amazing port adventures--dog sleds, helicopter rides to the glacier, mountain train, whale and wildlife watching.
2. Hanging out by the pool in Vancouver--it's not so cold there.
1. The scenery. Just amazing. The view from any deck was amazing. I felt like I was on a river cruise. We love the Wonder, my husband calls it his "home" ship, like some people talk about their DVC home resort. The glaciers can't be beat. When we went in 2018, we were told that the Sawyer Glacier had receded 1 MILE from the prior year. I was so glad I got to see it. On day 2 of the cruise, I was already thinking that I wanted to go back.

Also, this cruise if much more casual than other cruises. Jeans every day, think comfy clothes. I believe it was @GPaLarry who said that flannel shirts were "dressed up" for dinner (I apologize @GPaLarry if I didn't get that exactly right.) It was a very relaxing cruise. The glacier day was really the best, wandering around, observing the glacier calving, hot chocolate, soup and mulled wine. A perfect day!

We went the third week in June and it was warm--there was a heat wave in Vancouver that week. It was 80 degrees and there were public service announcements, reminding people to look out for their neighbors. That being said, it did snow in Ketchikan the week before. I was worried my kids were going to refuse to go (we're from upstate NY and get lot of snow, we like to get to the warm weather, too). The pools are heated, so swimming is comfortable and the hot tubs were a great place to hang out.

We were also prepared for bad weather and only had rain on our last evening. Having the right clothes does make a difference, it can get chilly at night.

My kids absolutely loved the Musher's Camp and I highly recommend it. A great bus ride to get there, then the Unimog, then the dogs, then puppy cuddle time!

 

[BruinEd03]

The weather can vary drastically and from sailing to sailing. So, while people have had warm weather, that is not guaranteed. It could be pouring rain, it could be freezing, and it can be super hot, all in the same day.

Do you love wildlife and seeing nature? If no, then this cruise is not for you.

If you do, it is just spectacular. Words can't describe the beauty of the landscape. As for families, there are tons of activities. Most of the port adventures are family appropriate. In addition, there are some that are geared specifically for families with children. They will also have a naturalist onboard to talk about Alaska. There are also most of the normal cruise activities (e.g., trivia, character drawing, etc.) The only drawback is that there are no fireworks.

If you haven't seen a glacier, and want to see one, I would do so within the next 10-15 years. They are receding in Alaska.

If you need a point of reference, I live in the Midwest where we don't get enough summer, and we've been on 2 Alaska cruises already. I do hear ya though, when we've gone, I do miss the cruises that go to Castaway Cay.

 

[disneylove69]

Both my trips were on HAL. Each port was different and unique. The wildlife alone was awesome. I found the locals to be extremely nice and informative. It's a must do. Nothing like looking at your bedroom window at midnight and seeing whales tails or a whale riding next to the ship.

 

[shaycamp21]

You have a head start at the beauty, being Canadian, but the experiences were awesome.

Unfortunately, I'm not from Vancouver, I hail from Ontario just outside Toronto so no majestic mountains.

Thank you everyone. Would you say you could get away with a zippered sweatshirt instead of a coat? Just trying to gauge the cold.

 

[shaycamp21]

Oops by the time I had posted my last question, I realized many more had answered. Awesome info. I remember honeymooning on the West Coast (before the internet) and freezing up in the mountains because I had only packed shorts and tees and one pair of jeans. After a very brief and chilly visit to Glacier National Park I ended up buying a $100 sweatshirt in Banff (a lot for 1996) and wore that with my jeans for the rest of the trip. LOL. So this time I'd like to be prepared. Thank goodness for the internet.

Also, this cruise if much more casual than other cruises. Jeans every day, think comfy clothes. I believe it was @GPaLarry who said that flannel shirts were "dressed up" for dinner (I apologize @GPaLarry if I didn't get that exactly right.)

So no formal night? And what about Pirate Night or is there another theme now?

 

[BruinEd03]

Unfortunately, I'm not from Vancouver, hail from Ontario just outside Toronto so no majestic mountains,

Thank you everyone. Would you say you could get away with zippered sweatshirt instead of a coat? Just trying to gauge the cold.

It's hard to gauge the weather, so I would bring layers. Yes, I would even bring a pair of shorts. It may seem like a lot of clothes, but remember that you don't need to bring one outfit for every day you're on board as you can do laundry on board.

 

[shaycamp21]

double post

 

[jdb in AZ]

We cruised to Hawaii with DCL and I ended up buying a sweat-shirt jacket. Yes, it was pricey, but it was a great souvenir. You can run into cold weather on a warm-climate cruise, or hot weather on a cold-climate cruise. This past summer Alaska was so warm they sold a lot of swim suits. As other have said, pack layers.

We've cruised Alaska six times and really want to go back. We've also cruised the Caribbean several times but aren't "into" tropical beaches, so we aren't in any hurry to return.

Choose whatever works for you.

As for a zippered sweatshirt in Alaska, you'd do better with a lined wind-breaker. If you get caught in a rainstorm the sweatshirt won't keep you warm.

 

[dclpluto]

Nope its not actually that cold. I didn’t know any better I brung a lot of things I didn’t need. I was on DCL first ever Alaska cruise beginning of May 2011. DCL doesn’t leave that early in they year anymore. I tell people remember you are going to southern Alaska in the summer time or close to summer. It’s going to be cool on deck thou. The temp is a lot worse on the ship with it moving. Bring layers is your best bet.

 

[Dug720]

This season was exceptionally warm - like shorts and t-shirts and swim in the pools without hesitation warm. They sold more swimsuits on board this season than all the past seasons combined. The only days for most of the season that really requires jackets on board were glacier days - that is when you learn how early a/c worked - air/wind flowing over ice.

Your best bet to be prepared is to get a weather app on your phone and watch the trends in the time leading up to your cruise so you can pack things that will be useful and not have to buy extra clothing (either warmer stuff or cooler stuff) on board or in ports.

 

[Mich123]

@shaycamp21 No pirate night, but yes to formal night. The Frozen night replaces pirate night. For formal night, I don't think as many people dressed up. I'd recommend checking out navigators from the 2019 sailing. There are some great trip reports here, too-- @Geomom 's Alaska trip report was super helpful to me.

I brought a lot of layers and changed throughout the day as the weather warmed up, then cooled down. For outdoor activities, I wore a sweatshirt or fleece with my rain jacket which worked well. I also have a Uniqlo crushable down jacket that I brought with me and wore because it was comfortable and lightweight--I bought that jacket at Disney Springs a couple of years ago when I ended up at WDW during a cold snap--it's super handy for travel. I could have managed with the rain jacket combo easily, though. I really like my rain jacket, it's from LLBean and it's an easy layer and not bulky.

 

[hrhdhd]

I can't imagine that summer in Alaska would be colder than winter in Toronto. DH and I were cold on our Alaskan cruise in May, but we live in Florida, so 65°F is cold to us. We had coats, hats, and gloves, which we used on scenic cruising day because we were on deck for several hours, and otherwise we wore several layers.

 

[DM Minnie]

I’m from windsor ontario and being used to our weather we get here in southwestern ontario you will never find it that cold. We loved it!! We wore hoodies most days and a very light rain coat. It was 100% worth seeing and I’m a warm weather fan through and through. We relaxed and just enjoyed. I found the cruise so much different than sailing in the Caribbean. The pace was slower, no one was rushing, people were sitting out just enjoying the views.

Also I way over packed thinking we were going to be in freezings weather like we get. Nope just a hoodie and a touque.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

We sailed Alaska in early June 2018. It was too chilly for us to enjoy the pools. We did try them once, but it was just too cold for our enjoyment & it stayed that way the whole cruise. We're Texans, though, and I'm sure some Northerners wouldn't have minded swimming in 50 degree Fahrenheit weather. It's just not for us.

But just because it was too cold for us to want to swim, doesn't mean it was too cold for us out of the water. It wasn't. Weather was cool but never bitter cold.

I recommend you cruise in early July. Probably warmest then.

 

[shaycamp21]

Thank you again everyone for the information, you've certainly given me a lot to think about. I will admit I am warming up to the idea of an Alaskan cruise now I only have to convince DH lol.

 

[FSU Girl]

I went on a different cruise line when I was 18 to Alaska. It was chilly some days, I did wear a sweater for most of the trip. But I also was in the hot tub every night, was pretty cool to do that when mountains covered in snow were around us. Also did some hiking and got hot from that and the cooler weather was nice welcome. I was there late May/early June. You'd probably have warmer weather in July.