What's the deal with the Alaska prices???

[skip323]

Well, I've been pricing Alaskan cruises for about a year now as we start planning for an extended family cruise in 2011. I think, when you have to factor in more than the first 2 people in a cabin, that is where your differences begin to come in. I priced the disney cruise versus some other cruise lines and the difference was tremendous...and definitely not worth my money! I think the prices for the first 2 in the cabin were relatively comparable. the pricing if one wanted a balcony with a quad was a huge difference! But, to each his own. Each person is able to price and can only note differences based on their particular situation. For my family of 4 that wants a balcony, Disney is definitely NOT the way to go!

 

[nittany89]

I, too, was looking forward to an Alaska itinerary. My DH and I had traveled to Alaska 2 years ago on Princess. We had a balcony room, which was rather large, and it cost $1399.00 / person. It went from Vancouver to Whittier (Anchorage). Princess also traveled an entire day through Glacier Bay, which Disney does not. That was the best part of the trip. The Disney costs are outrageous. For the same time frame in a balcony cabin the cost is $2219. Princess hasn't released the 2011 prices yet for Alaska, but I guarantee it will be less. While I'd love to travel Disney again, I can't justify spending that much more for an itinerary that is lacking Glacier Bay.

 

["Got Disney"]

I, too, was looking forward to an Alaska itinerary. My DH and I had traveled to Alaska 2 years ago on Princess. We had a balcony room, which was rather large, and it cost $1399.00 / person. It went from Vancouver to Whittier (Anchorage). Princess also traveled an entire day through Glacier Bay, which Disney does not. That was the best part of the trip. The Disney costs are outrageous. For the same time frame in a balcony cabin the cost is $2219. Princess hasn't released the 2011 prices yet for Alaska, but I guarantee it will be less. While I'd love to travel Disney again, I can't justify spending that much more for an itinerary that is lacking Glacier Bay.

Our price for DCL for 1A 1C in 5B is 5665.26 That is the old cat 6..midship.

For 3 in a CAT 11A (inside) is $ 4447.89

more than the 2 bedroom suite on NCL Pearl. NCL also does GB.

But for us we just wanted to head to Alaska on DCL. Only because I was worried that if we went on NCL we would spend the $$$ and regret not doing it with Disney. My boys are going to be 14 and 17...their friend that is coming is going to be 18. He has never been on a cruise so what better to introduce him to DCL.

We will also be staying in Vancouver for 6 days prior the cruise and traveling around.

 

[SanDeeKath]

I was curious about the Alaska cruise price difference so I checked into it alittle. This is what I found from comparing available cruises for the same itinerary (they are exactly one year apart though.)

Disney Cruise Ship Wonder, Passenger capacity: 1754
7-Night Alaska RT cruise sailing out of Vancouver, departing Tues. June 21, 2011
Cabin located midship, Category 5B, Deck 6 [284 sq. feet w/balcony]
Double occupancy cost (for cabin + vacation insurance): just under $5300

Holland America ms Zuiderdam, Passenger capacity: 1916
7-Night Alaska RT cruise sailing out of Vancouver, departing Saturday, June 19, 2010
Cabin located ship, Category SY, Deck 6 [389 sq. feet w/balcony]
Double occupancy cost (for cabin + std. cancellation plan): just over $5000

Holland America ms Volendam, Passenger capacity: 1432
7-Night Alaska RT cruise sailing out of Vancouver, departing Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Cabin located midship, Category AA, Deck 6 [292 sq. feet w/balcony]
Double occupancy cost (for cabin + std. cancellation plan): just over $5300

(These prices are as of yesterday evening - I don't know if they've changed since then.)

Double occupancy = 2 Adults

You are not comparing apples to apples here. HAL's rooms are bigger than DCL's and it's a more "upscale/adult" venue. Price Princess and NCL. You will see the HUGE difference in prices. Plus 3rd and 4th people (ie my kids) are only $199 add on with many specials for free or $49 add ons as the season nears.... Plus going to Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage are THE reasons to take an Alaska cruise. Not something that Disney managed to offer for this overpriced cruise....

I agree with others. Wait a year or two and they too will be dropping the prices and running similar specials. In the meantime, we put down a reservation for a gorgeous 500+SF suite on NCL's Pearl for Aug 2010. It saved us enough so that DH and I can cruise to Mexico on our own in the Winter for the price difference!

Katherine

 

[mkmommy]

I just transfered a dummy reservation to the 8/23 Alaska cruise for 1 adult and 2 kids and it is less expensive than the last 2 cruises I have done on the Magic at springbreak.

I so did not want to book but at those prices I decided to at least make a reservation and make up my mind later.

I have been to Alaska in July before and it was cold and rainy, but August in Vancouver is usually beautiful, was there this August and it was nice.