Alaska cruise room type question for first timer

[Tink3815]

Planning our first cruise to Alaska for next May 2025. I have not picked a cruise line yet, but they all seem to have one day of cruising through glaciers. Is a balcony the best way to see this or do the ships have enough space for everyone to view? (On our past cruises in the south we usually do interior and enjoy the ship for any views). If we do get a balcony, how do we know which side of the ship is best to choose our cabin.

 

[Kwami]

The best way to see the glaciers is on the upper decks. I don't know what other lines do. If you sail with Disney, then they'll be handing out free hot chocolate, mulled wine, and other warm drinks on deck that day. The characters will make appearances in their special Alaska outfits, too. There are some shelters to stand under if it rains.

When we went in 2023, there weren't many people on deck because it was cold and a bit rainy, so there was plenty of space. The ship sailed into the area, turned sideways, waited for a long time, and then sailed back out. So, both sides of the ship had great views. How close you can actually get to the glacier is determined by the weather and how much ice is in the water. Disney offers an excursion in small boats for those who want to get even closer.

We had a balcony room and we enjoyed sitting on the balcony when we had some free time, but we didn't have much free time and so we didn't get to use the balcony often. The Navigator's Verandah rooms are nice. They have a big oval cutout instead of a full view, but they're also protected somewhat from wind and rain.

 

[Geomom]

We did an ocean view room on deck 2 for our first cruise, 8/2016 Alaska on the Wonder. We spent a lot of time on deck 4 promenade on glacier Day, and could also see the glacier from our port window when we wanted to warm up. They will turn the ship so both sides will face it for a period of time. We're doing Alaska again next August, again in a deck 2 Oceanview. A verandah on the Magic/Wonder can cost thousands of $ more than an ocean view, so we're happy with our decision. We've only done verandahs on the Dream/Fantasy when the cost is a few hundred over Oceanview.

 

[shosh1530]

I can't speak to other cruise lines, but as others have stated the best views on the Wonder will be from the upper decks. We were able to easily get spots at the front of the ship where we numerous seals on ice floats (including one that had just given birth). I liked being on deck and able to easily shift to different spots as needed.

Similar to a previous poster we did the oceanview to save money (about 4K in our case, which we would rather put to excursions). I liked that I could still see out and get an idea of what was going on (weather, scenery) and then easily get to deck 4 or the upper decks when we wanted to see things.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

We go as cheap as possible and never felt we missed out on a Veranda room on our Alaska or other cold weather cruises.

 

[Dug720]

Speaking from experience on HAL and RCCL, I agree with everyone who says your best views will be on the upper decks. I have done AK cruises twice with running groups for "marathon cruises".

The first was on HAL and I splurged on a balcony because I thought it was "once in a lifetime". I spent a lot more time in my cabin to "take advantage" of the balcony, so I missed out on a lot of group hang out time and exploring the ship. I also found that 9 times out of 10 whenever they announced a wildlife sighting, it was on the OTHER side of the ship and by the time I got to an open deck the wildlife was gone. That is a big issue with balconies - you're limited to that side if you're hanging out on the balcony.

The second was on RCCL and I went with an inside cabin. I spent a lot more time around the ship and hanging with the group and it was a much better experience overall.

 

[Tink3815]

Thank you for all the responses. We will do an inside like we normally do.

 

[Annabell]

Yes, much better to spend time on upper decks. View is much better than in a balcony room. There is enough space.

 

[anricat]

We didn't miss the balcony. I will say that we did love the Deck 2 oceanview. I was able to sit on the couch with a hot drink and watch the world go by in my warm room. So if you can spring for the oceanview, I would recommend that, but I think the balcony is overpriced for Alaska. Some swear by it, but for us, it's not with the extra expense.

 

[Tink3815]

We didn't miss the balcony. I will say that we did love the Deck 2 oceanview. I was able to sit on the couch with a hot drink and watch the world go by in my warm room. So if you can spring for the oceanview, I would recommend that, but I think the balcony is overpriced for Alaska. Some swear by it, but for us, it's not with the extra expense.

Thanks, what cruise line was this on

 

[serrem2]

The last Alaska trip we did (9/23) the weather was miserable (cold and rainy), and I don't think if we'd had a veranda, we'd have used it. Glacier day we had wonderful views from the Deck 4 promenade, which kept us out of the rain. Very few other people. View just as good as from Deck 9, which was very crowded. We had an oceanview stateroom, and got great views out of the porthole the entire trip.

 

[ironz]

Just as a clarification for DCL, hot cocoa is free. I believe the mulled wine and other alcoholic beverages are at a cost.

 

[Kwami]

Just as a clarification for DCL, hot cocoa is free. I believe the mulled wine and other alcoholic beverages are at a cost.

The wine was free when I was there in 2023. The souvenir cups were not, though.

 

[anricat]

Thanks, what cruise line was this on

On DCL. We sailed the Wonder. The link in my signature goes to my trip report!

 

[DCLMP]

I've sailed Alaska twice in an inside room. I'm doing it again in August next year with some other family members that haven't been to Alaska. Excursions in Alaska are expensive and I would rather spend that money on good excursions.

If you can afford a balcony plus all of the best excursion then by all means get a balcony, but if you have a certain amount of money to spend then book an inside and spend the money on the excursions. I would do the glacier explorer on glacier day.

There are plenty of places on the ship to look at scenery. You also have to ask yourself how much time you are going to spend sitting on your balcony vs going to shows, movies, dinners, and other activities.

If you decide to go for an inside I like the sideways rooms forward on deck 6. They feel much roomier to me, unfortunately they only sleep 3.

 

[DCLMP]

The last Alaska trip we did (9/23) the weather was miserable (cold and rainy), and I don't think if we'd had a veranda, we'd have used it. Glacier day we had wonderful views from the Deck 4 promenade, which kept us out of the rain. Very few other people. View just as good as from Deck 9, which was very crowded. We had an oceanview stateroom, and got great views out of the porthole the entire trip.

In fairness to OP September is the rainiest month and May the driest. We cruised in May this year and didn't have a drop of rain, but it was cold. We cruised in Sept of 2017 and it rained a lot, dark early and was foggy. . We are going first week of August next year and I'm expecting warm weather, and some rain. I love Alaska.

 

[disney2you]

We didn't miss the balcony. I will say that we did love the Deck 2 oceanview. I was able to sit on the couch with a hot drink and watch the world go by in my warm room. So if you can spring for the oceanview, I would recommend that, but I think the balcony is overpriced for Alaska. Some swear by it, but for us, it's not with the extra expense.

Can I ask about noise and motion on Deck 2? Is it better to book towards the back or the front? I want to try an ocean view room but didn't realize most of them are so low deck numbers on the ship.

 

[Geomom]

Can I ask about noise and motion on Deck 2? Is it better to book towards the back or the front? I want to try an ocean view room but didn't realize most of them are so low deck numbers on the ship.

We love deck 2 with the large porthole. We've stayed in 2116 on the Wonder, near the aft elevators and in 2108 on the Magic. Both rooms very quiet, minor engine vibration in 2116, and some noise upon porting as the tender door was below us. No elevator noise though and no noise from above. No motion issues in those rooms. Low/middle doesn't experience much motion. If you do the extreme ends you'd likely feel motion though.You just need to look at what is above the room. I've heard rooms under the starboard kitchen area can be noisy. Also for the 9B/midship deck 2 rooms, the majority only sleep 3, which is why our party of 4 looks for 9C rooms near the 9B rooms.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We did oceanview on DCL. Never once did I regret the decision. Up on deck is the place to be. As mentioned, excursions are expensive and our $$ were better spent on those.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

We did a Veranda on our May 2022 Alaska cruise on the Wonder. My wife likes getting up in the morning and having a cup of coffee and sitting outside and watching the scenery. She also sits outside before bed to help her relax and fall asleep easier, so for her a Veranda is a requirement.

We had a stop at Dawes Glacier, and I went out on the top deck to see it and snap some pictures. My wife stayed inside. The captain had the ship do a 360 to make sure that each side of the ship could see the glacier, so you don't really need to worry about which side of the ship to be on.

As others have stated, the best place to see it was from the top deck, though my wife got a good view from our cabin. Weather on the cruise was pretty good. We had some light rain the first day at sea, but otherwise the temps were shorts and tee shirt range, except at the glacier. With the wind blowing off the glacier, it was very cold up on the top deck and it was the only time I wished I had my heavy jacket that I left in the cabin.

Psy