Cruise to Alaska - is DCL worth the premium?

[BabyYoda]

Hello everyone!

I just got back from my first DCL cruise, which was a 7-night Caribbean on The Fantasy, and we LOVED IT! It was my family's first cruise in about 2 decades, and we are already itching to plan the next one, which we decided will be Alaska.

Now here is where I need some advice, as Disney is the only cruise line we've done in recent history. Looking at Verandah rooms on the Wonder to Alaska, it looks cost-wise like May $7k, June 8k, July 9k, August 6-8k, September $5500. I know this is Disboards, but would people that have done Alaska on DCL and other cruise lines say the price differential is worth it? I know DCL is always more expensive in general and there's many factors involved, but I need to present an argument to my wife's family who aren't the biggest Disney fans but have themselves heard that DCL is the best.

There won't be any kids this time, but my wife and I would choose DCL ourselves even without having kids based on our Fantasy cruise.

Thanks so much! 🛥

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello everyone!

I just got back from my first DCL cruise, which was a 7-night Caribbean on The Fantasy, and we LOVED IT! It was my family's first cruise in about 2 decades, and we are already itching to plan the next one, which we decided will be Alaska.

Now here is where I need some advice, as Disney is the only cruise line we've done in recent history. Looking at Verandah rooms on the Wonder to Alaska, it looks cost-wise like May $7k, June 8k, July 9k, August 6-8k, September $5500. I know this is Disboards, but would people that have done Alaska on DCL and other cruise lines say the price differential is worth it? I know DCL is always more expensive in general and there's many factors involved, but I need to present an argument to my wife's family who aren't the biggest Disney fans but have themselves heard that DCL is the best.

There won't be any kids this time, but my wife and I would choose DCL ourselves even without having kids based on our Fantasy cruise.

Thanks so much! 🛥

A lot depends on whether you want a cruise to see Alaska, or a cruise on DCL with Alaska on the side.

disclaimer: I haven't done DCL to Alaska, but have done 3 Alaska cruises (all on Holland America).

 

[NashvilleMama]

I've done really extensive research on this (including on these boards) as our family is planning an Alaskan cruise that was originally derailed by covid....and as much as I know Disney cruises are worth a premium, I can't find anyone that really says it's justified for this one. The price differential is *enormous* - basically doubled - and Princess is the most recommended alternative from basically any source that's done both, so that's what we'll be doing.

 

[Geomom]

Verandahs on the Wonder/Magic can cost thousands more than an Oceanview, partly due to fewer verandahs than the Fantasy/Dream. DCL Alaska was our first cruise (2016) and we loved it. We did an Oceanview on deck 2 (category 9C). We weren't in the room much as we were out and about enjoying ship activities including Alaska nature talks. We enjoyed being outside on the deck 4 promenade to enjoy the scenery. How much did you use your verandah on your last cruise? Is it worth the premium to have it for Alaska? It may be too cold or wet to be out for a long time some days.

But...if you want to go to Glacier Bay, you'll need to pick another cruise line as DCL doesn't go there.

 

[blabbermouth]

There are a fair number of posts on this topic if you can manage to find them using the search!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Personally I would rather do any other cruise line to Alaska than DCL.

 

[auntlynne]

I did DCL for my first AK cruise. And since have done 3 on Princess (for the cost savings) and one on NCL Encore in Sep 2021 (For the low guest capacity in the restart).

I could recommend any / all of them to various people.

If you enjoy the 3 production shows on the Wonder and find that to be a major part of the shop experience, it’s Disney.

I don’t bother with Vegas-style shows, which I found on the others. They might be very well done, but they are not my choice. Comedians seem to be more coarse or angry on other lines.

I also like having current-run Disney Company movies in the theater and Disney movies on the TV.

All cruise lines offer Trivia, my main daily activity on Sea Days.

I am now neutral on Casinos if they have managed to make them smoke-free (or have a separate, contained smoking area.

Main dining room food is essentially comparable across the board for my purposes. I like the idea that if you can eat in a chain restaurant in America and be satisfied, you can enjoy cruise line food. NCL wins on specialty dining, hands down. Princess has no-cost afternoon tea, which I enjoy (but it’s not fantastic, just a nice break from the everyday). Princess buffet was not a wide variety, but it was a decent alternative to MDRs. Princess also has the International Cafe in the atrium, offering snacks and pastries 24 hours.

Shore excursions are fairly standard across the industry. Even non-shop offerings are similar to ones purchased through the ship.

Some other cruise ships have covered swimming pools (Retractable roofs), which may be larger than those on Disney.

Other cruise lines have beds that split! Great for sisters, friends, people who don’t want to sleep in one bed.

You can often get more bang for your buck on anyone but Disney - cabin category-wise.

I have sailed May, June, and September. Early and late season might also mean lower airfare or hotels in addition to the cruise fare. Some excursions have not begun or have ended for those cruises. Ice in the water can prevent the ship from getting close to glaciers or mean re-routing.

Cruising from Seattle can be a significant cost savings. A nice town, too. As is Vancouver.

I have cruised through Glacier Bay. But I don‘t think it is as significant a factor as a lot of people do. If you do the standard Inside passage cruise, stopping in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, you will experience what cruising to AK has been for many people for many years. Then start tweaking the itinerary on your future AK cruises.

We will be returning to AK for a cruise. I’m shooting for my birthday in 2016, but it keeps being mentioned every year. Maybe we can hold out that long.

We currently look at Holland America (HAL) and Celebrity. HAL has a bunch of medium size ships (similar to Wonder) without all the unnecessary rides. Celebrity also offers some medium ships. They both get reports of food that is better than DCL. Price and itinerary do play a role. We would like to visit Sitka. And leaving out of Seattle (to use free companion tickets for airfare - or just cheaper tickets) are factors.

Just some of my thoughts.

I still have a tendency to pick Disney cruises. #20 coming up next month. (10 on 5 other lines).

I have found some YouTube hosts that I enjoy watching (their cruising style may not be mine - which actually helps) and see what ships offer and look like.

I hope you will get to enjoy going North to the Last Frontier.

 

[holula]

If you can live without a verandah, May/September DCL prices are comparable to other lines on their newer ships.

I always said I’d do Glacier Bay the second time I did Alaska. Ended up booking DCL again as I couldn’t find a 7 night that had good port times AND Glacier Bay.

However I do have my eye on a 9 night on NCL for 2025 which looks amazing; because of the extra nights they have good port times, a bonus stop at ISP, and everything included for less than a 7 night on DCL. I’ve sailed NCL before and I enjoy their mega ships, so I know I’m not going in blind.

 

[bigAWL]

We will be trying Celebrity this August. The grown kids (16, 19, 21) are skeptical, since they grew up with DCL, but the Disney itinerary didn't fit our tight window of vacation. We've been to Dawes glacier before, so a plus for Celebrity is the chance to see Hubbard glacier. Also like that the beds split for the kids, and there's a covered pool.

For a family that "aren't the biggest Disney fans..." That phrase could cover a wide range of folks. If they grew up watching Disney films and maybe Disney Channel in their youth, but don't really seek it out in adulthood, then a Disney cruise might be a great nostalgia trip for them. If they were never fans, and don't/won't/haven't watched the latest Disney/Pixar films for the past 10-20 years and , then I'd say Disney may not be the best choice.

 

[Foreveraprincess17]

For us absolutely yes. We cruised on the Wonder to Alaska. Going under the Lions Gate Bridge on DCL was a moment I will never forget. On the Tracy Arm Alaska day we were the first into the fijord to see the glacier. Other cruise lines came behind us-fog set in.

Each person has their own budget and their own preferences. That being said if you can swing it, DCL is wonderful for Alaska!!

I almost forgot the merchandise was amazing!! I love to scrapbook as well-lots of great pictures for scrapbooking.

 

[Marthasor]

We are gold on DCL, but did NCL in Alaska and it was fine - I just didn't need to be in the Disney bubble to see Alaska. If I were to do Alaska again , I would probably go with a smaller line (Windstar, Lindblad, etc.) that might possibly include a land component. We have also really enjoyed Celebrity for a quieter, more adult experience.

 

[sadiecatie]

I sure hope so - it’s our first cruise ever this summer

To be real, though, I wouldn’t pay full price for the DCL markup in Alaska. Luckily we get the military rate (and at least the last couple years they have offered military and guaranteed rates - I know that some people are not comfortable with wait-and-see to get a lower rate or need a specific class of stateroom, but we were able to book with 5 months to go which was enough for us, and we just want to get on the ship)

 

[soniam]

Probably not. It depends what you want and with whom you are traveling.

 

[jimmymc]

I've done Alaska on other cruiselines and am planning to do it on Disney soon. Different lines do certain things better, and here are the ones I've heard about or experienced myself:

Disney does better:

• Entertainment
• Kid's programming and clubs
• Character meets
• Overall ship theming and quality
• Maybe service

Others do better:

• Food, both included and upcharge
• Drink packages
• More time in port
• Glacier bay and other unique stops
• One-way cruises and combined cruisetours
• Casinos (the fact that they have them)

Things the lines do about equally:

• Disney, Princess, and Holland America do a great job with nature talks. RC, NCL not so much
• Service level. I've heard a lot of complaints from other people that service was poor on their non-Disney Alaska cruises, but on mine it's been great. Maybe I'm just lucky.
• Excursion choices

When it comes to price, ships like Royal or NCL will definitely be cheaper, but there are also luxury lines which cost way more than Disney, so they're really around the middle of the pack.

 

[tvguy]

A lot depends on whether you want a cruise to see Alaska, or a cruise on DCL with Alaska on the side.

disclaimer: I haven't done DCL to Alaska, but have done 3 Alaska cruises (all on Holland America).

Exactly.
Both of our Alaska cruises have been HAL. HAL has been cruising Alaska longer than any other cruise line so they have the best permits for glacier viewing and docking. And allegedly they have the best naturalists on board. They were amazing.
Although I can't imagine any Alaska cruise being bad.

 

[heathernm6]

I've done both NCL (2015) and Disney (2022) in Alaska. We don't have kids, just 2 adults.

Both were wonderful trips however Glacier Bay is truly spectacular and the "glacier day" on the Disney itinerary didn't come close unfortunately. If your goal is to see Alaska, I'd go with a line that does Glacier Bay. If you want Disney entertainment with a "cold" twist compared to Caribbean cruises, I'd go with Disney. (can't go wrong with either option IMO )

 

[wendlle]

I'm doing Alaska with DCL in September, I wouldn't go with any other line because they all have Casino's and I hate them.

You don't have to get a verandah, you'll have just as good a time without it. We are saving thousands by getting an Oceanview and also by going at the end of the season, when you go has a big impact on pricing.