Following
We were supposed to cruise Princess Alaska tour (3 days land) 6/2020. We know what happened on 3/2020.
We never rebooked. We went to Italy instead for three weeks as soon as we had the opportunity to plan a big trip.
Alaska cruise is on my mind again - missing cruising - it has been a few years. Might consider Alaska again HAL, Disney or Princess? Those thoughts agin.
Can I say Yes to “HAL, Disney, or Princess”? Not picking one. I would do any based on budget or itinerary. They all offer a great experience - it is Alaska.
For us, the Disney trip could have been any
Disney cruise + Alaska and its excursions (you pretty much can do the same excursions with any cruiseline.) The shows will be great, the food - meh - I have eaten it too many cruises. The bed is lovely for me, too soft for sister- and doesn’t split. You are limited to Vancouver for main port. But it also means no requirement to do a late evening, short stop in Victoria (I want a day there).
Princess ships are all very similar. They would be categorized as a “Premium” level cruise, just like Disney. But they offer discounts if you time it right. Making them a really good deal. The shows don’t interest me, but I am okay with that (no ship other than Disney has shows I routinely enjoy). I have enjoyed watching Movies Under the Stars in Alaska, munching on free popcorn, tucked under provided blankets. (Mid-summer is not really that cold. Daytime can mean t-shirts.)
HAL - is on my list of “try this.” I don’t think it is that far from the two above, other than it has a very music-based entertainment experience. The older crowd changes to include families with children for this destination.
My sister is doing a 10-night Cunard in June that includes Sitka and Victoria (all day), sailing from Vancouver. By booking closer to sailing, her price pp (with taxes) was about $1K. About $100 pp/night. Of course, plus gratuities.
WAVE season is Jan - March, when most cruiselines have reduced rate offers.
I think 4 of my 5 cruises to AK have been booked closer to sail dates (Disney was booked early). Got great deals (often taking whatever cabin was assigned).
Glacier Bay - you won’t get this experience with Disney. My favorite glacier viewing is College Fjord, in the last day of a Northbound Princess itinerary. Lots of glaciers in a few hours.