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Alaskan cruise
- Thread starter Camelot
- Start date
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
I have! We absolutely loved it. The scenery was breathtaking. We also did some wonderful excursions. It was definitely one of our family's favorite cruises.
Just ask if you have any questions!
Just ask if you have any questions!
MarkTwain
Well-Known Member
We did a July sailing last year and absolutely loved it. After 8 Disney cruises (including some in Europe and several around the Caribbean), the Alaskan probably remains my favorite. The difference was largely in part due to the more relaxed atmosphere, the constant scenery and presence of something to look at alongside the boat, and some of the most interesting ports I've ever been to. The excursions also were great, and took a much more central focus to the trip compared to other cruises I've been on. I can give you some good excursion recommendations, if you like. 
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
We did a July sailing last year and absolutely loved it. After 8 Disney cruises (including some in Europe and several around the Caribbean), the Alaskan probably remains my favorite. The difference was largely in part due to the more relaxed atmosphere, the constant scenery and presence of something to look at alongside the boat, and some of the most interesting ports I've ever been to. The excursions also were great, and took a much more central focus to the trip compared to other cruises I've been on. I can give you some good excursion recommendations, if you like.
I totally agree (although the Med cruise remains my favorite), but I agree with your points. It was so awesome looking out our window or off the deck and having constant scenery to enjoy.
StageFrenzy
Well-Known Member
But did you miss Castaway Cay, would any cruise line be good on an Alaskan cruise?
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
On any cruise where we don't stop at Castaway Cay, I miss it. But I still love the cruise. As much as I love Castaway Cay, my two favorite crusies didn't stop there.
I wouldn't say "any" cruise line would be good in Alaska, but there are some other lines that do a great job, especially in Alaska. We chose Disney because we know what we're getting and we love Disney.
I wouldn't say "any" cruise line would be good in Alaska, but there are some other lines that do a great job, especially in Alaska. We chose Disney because we know what we're getting and we love Disney.
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
If you want to see some pictures or details, here is my trip report from my Alaskan cruise last summer:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/its-a-wonder-ful-alaska-may-30th-june-7th.759822/
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/its-a-wonder-ful-alaska-may-30th-june-7th.759822/
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
Tammy and I are kind of on the same wavelength on this subject.
1) Mediterranean is my favorite itinerary.
2) I miss Castaway Cay whenever I'm not there.
3) I really did love the Alaska cruise, and would recommend it highly.
I also agree that since you're not going to Castaway Cay, DCL loses a little (and I stress the "little") of its normal advantage over other cruise lines. My wife and I cruised Holland America for our Alaska cruise in '94. We loved the cruise, even though the ship itself was underwhelming. Royal Caribbean does "cruisetours" which combine the cruise with a land package and some of them look really cool, I have to admit. But I think that Disney now offers (or will offer next year) Adventures By Disney trips in combination with the Alaska cruises. Tammy will have those details.
I love Skagway. It's by far my favorite Alaskan port.
Finally, here is my "pictorial" trip report: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/some-pictures-from-our-alaska-trip.774612/
1) Mediterranean is my favorite itinerary.
2) I miss Castaway Cay whenever I'm not there.
3) I really did love the Alaska cruise, and would recommend it highly.
I also agree that since you're not going to Castaway Cay, DCL loses a little (and I stress the "little") of its normal advantage over other cruise lines. My wife and I cruised Holland America for our Alaska cruise in '94. We loved the cruise, even though the ship itself was underwhelming. Royal Caribbean does "cruisetours" which combine the cruise with a land package and some of them look really cool, I have to admit. But I think that Disney now offers (or will offer next year) Adventures By Disney trips in combination with the Alaska cruises. Tammy will have those details.
I love Skagway. It's by far my favorite Alaskan port.
Finally, here is my "pictorial" trip report: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/some-pictures-from-our-alaska-trip.774612/
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
Ok, here is a TOTALLY off-topic post. I will not be offended if anybody skips it. But it comes to mind because I mentioned my Alaska trip from '94. (That trip was to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary. I'm SO old 
)
Anyway, in sharing my cruising addiction with unsuspecting strangers, I recently met someone who used to work on Holland America ships. When I told her that I'd sailed to Alaska on HAL, she asked which ship I was on and I told her it was the Westerdam. She had worked on the Westerdam (although not at the same time I was on it) and she told me some stories about working there. She told me that the ship had actually been purchased from another cruise line and in refurbishing it, they cut it down the middle and inserted a whole new section to make it longer and increase its capacity. Kind of cool. (Except for the crew. Many of the "crew only" passages were never connected through the new "inserted" portion. So she'd be going up a stairwell that just stopped at a bulkhead.)
I asked her which line it had been purchased from and she said it had originally been the "Homeric" of Home Lines. And, believe it or not, my wife and I sailed on the Homeric to Bermuda for our honeymoon!! We sailed the same ship 10 years apart, without even knowing it. Is that unbelievable or what?
)Anyway, in sharing my cruising addiction with unsuspecting strangers, I recently met someone who used to work on Holland America ships. When I told her that I'd sailed to Alaska on HAL, she asked which ship I was on and I told her it was the Westerdam. She had worked on the Westerdam (although not at the same time I was on it) and she told me some stories about working there. She told me that the ship had actually been purchased from another cruise line and in refurbishing it, they cut it down the middle and inserted a whole new section to make it longer and increase its capacity. Kind of cool. (Except for the crew. Many of the "crew only" passages were never connected through the new "inserted" portion. So she'd be going up a stairwell that just stopped at a bulkhead.)
I asked her which line it had been purchased from and she said it had originally been the "Homeric" of Home Lines. And, believe it or not, my wife and I sailed on the Homeric to Bermuda for our honeymoon!! We sailed the same ship 10 years apart, without even knowing it. Is that unbelievable or what?
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
That's a crazy coincidence, Chuck! And insane that they can do that!
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
Tammy, you didn't address the point about Adventures by Disney that I mentioned, so I'll just "bump" this. Do you know if DCL is offering ABD "add-ons" for 2012 or do we have to wait for '13?
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
Oh I forgot to answer that! Thanks, Chuck! They are offering some ABD add ons for Alaska. They do get excellent reveiws.
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
I have never heard a bad review for any Adventures By Disney itinerary.
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
Never once. Some people were complaining about the price for this summer's add on since it was the same price as last year with reduced time in port, and ABD listened. They reduced the price.