Alaska ~ Princess or NCL?

[jenseib]

I am going to post this on both boards to get a better range of opinions.

 

We plan to do an Alaskan Cruise out of Seattle this Aug. We are a family of 3 with a 10 year old girl.

 

We are huge Disney fans and prefer DCL, but the timing is not working for us to go with Disney as well as a few other factors. And Seattle is the port of choice right now. (husband had a DUI about 25 years ago and he doesn't want to mess with getting permission to get into Canada.)

 

So I am looking at these 2 lines. Price wise for what I want has Princess coming in less by a bit. But I really want to know how good the kids club and/or activities for the kids are on each line. My daughter is not excited about this trip because it is unknown to her. I need to be sure there are enough fun things and potentials to meet new friends as well.

 

My husband also worries about getting bored...not sure how you can with the gorgeous scenery, but he worries. We have sailed NCL before about 12 or so years ago and had a nice time but it was a short cruise. I also sailed ncl one other time before that. I have sailed Princess last fall and enjoyed it but our particular sailing did not seem to offer a lot of daily activities and not many kids on the ship, but it was Sept.

 

I would just like to hear opinions on your preferences and how you like the ships. The ships we are looking at with Princess is the Crown and Ruby...and with NCL the Jewel and Pearl.

 

Thanks

Edited May 6, 2015 by jenseib

[chrysalis]

The Princess cruises still go into Canada (Victoria)....

[JimmyVWine]

The new builds for NCL offer some impressive kids' areas but Pearl and Jewel will be far more similar to Princess than different. There are activities for kids and decent spaces that are "kids-only" but nothing that can fairly be compared to DCL. But an Alaskan cruise is pretty port intensive with lots of family time. The "drop your kids off for the day" concept is less important or necessary there, so I would be hesitant to pick an Alaskan cruise based on the strength of the kids' programs. The big new builds have upped the game there, but those ships aren't in Alaska.

[jenseib]

The Princess cruises still go into Canada (Victoria)....

 

Correct, so does NCL. From my research the problem would be going into Canada to board the ship...not visiting a port.

[jenseib]

The new builds for NCL offer some impressive kids' areas but Pearl and Jewel will be far more similar to Princess than different. There are activities for kids and decent spaces that are "kids-only" but nothing that can fairly be compared to DCL. But an Alaskan cruise is pretty port intensive with lots of family time. The "drop your kids off for the day" concept is less important or necessary there, so I would be hesitant to pick an Alaskan cruise based on the strength of the kids' programs. The big new builds have upped the game there, but those ships aren't in Alaska.

 

Actually on DCL my daughter doesn't go to the clubs much...but she did last cruise a bit more. I just want to know what activities are offered for kids or families. With DCL there are a lot of family activities that have nothing to do with the clubs. On Princess I saw a few activities like that even though it was just my Mom and I. I have been told that our particular cruise really was lacking in extra things to do. I know my daughter will enjoy the ports and the scenery...I just want to know what else is offered.

[JimmyVWine]

The activities offered for kids are ushered through the kids' programs. Karaoke, dance parties, movies, video games and video game tournaments, Dodge Ball, basketball. Stuff like that. Plus, there will be family oriented excursions while in port. But once the kids are outside of the kids' areas, there aren't really kids' activities or activities designed specifically for families, unless your kids like trivia or want to sing with you in the Pop Choir.

Edited May 6, 2015 by JimmyVWine

[paul929207]

From what I have read, you husband will probably be kept on the ship in Victoria. Verify with your cruise line that he will be allowed to board in Seattle.

[chloe45]

From what I have read, you husband will probably be kept on the ship in Victoria. Verify with your cruise line that he will be allowed to board in Seattle.

 

How could a DUI 25 years ago effect cruising to anywhere?

[chrysalis]

How could a DUI 25 years ago effect cruising to anywhere?

 

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/402/~/entering-the-u.s.-and-canada-with-dui-offenses

[skynight]

I am going to post this on both boards to get a better range of opinions.

 

We plan to do an Alaskan Cruise out of Seattle this Aug. We are a family of 3 with a 10 year old girl.

 

We are huge Disney fans and prefer DCL, but the timing is not working for us to go with Disney as well as a few other factors. And Seattle is the port of choice right now. (husband had a DUI about 25 years ago and he doesn't want to mess with getting permission to get into Canada.)

 

So I am looking at these 2 lines. Price wise for what I want has Princess coming in less by a bit. But I really want to know how good the kids club and/or activities for the kids are on each line. My daughter is not excited about this trip because it is unknown to her. I need to be sure there are enough fun things and potentials to meet new friends as well.

 

My husband also worries about getting bored...not sure how you can with the gorgeous scenery, but he worries. We have sailed NCL before about 12 or so years ago and had a nice time but it was a short cruise. I also sailed ncl one other time before that. I have sailed Princess last fall and enjoyed it but our particular sailing did not seem to offer a lot of daily activities and not many kids on the ship, but it was Sept.

 

I would just like to hear opinions on your preferences and how you like the ships. The ships we are looking at with Princess is the Crown and Ruby...and with NCL the Jewel and Pearl.

 

Thanks

A few comments:

Here is the Princess youth registration form that you can review.

http://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/Onboard_Experience/Youth_Guidelines_Registration.pdf

The number of youth staff on board will vary depending on the number and ages of youth booked. Princess hires youth staff by cruise as required. A Sept cruise will normally have less school aged youth than a summer cruise.

I expect it will not be as child intense as Disney. After all, Disney's primary market is families with young children.

 

There will be effectively really 3 sea days, so the cruise is not as port intensive as it may first appear. Look at the port times on the itinerary. Also on the scenic cruising day I would expect your children may not stay interested for the entire time.

 

Regarding Canada and your husband, note that ALL cruise ships from ALL cruise lines that go to Alaska are required by U.S. law to either make a port stop in, embark in or disembark in Canada. There is no way around this requirement. You will have to check directly with the cruise line to see what Canadian legal requirements may effect your husband's status. For example, are cruise lines required by Canada Law to provide a manifest of all passengers when docking at a Canadian port? I don't know, but you will have to research this no matter what line you decide on.

 

In choosing a cruise I would select the itinerary that goes into Glacier Bay NP. The cruises that go to Tracy Arm Fiord are only there for a few hours very early in the morning (5am), it will probably be difficult to get your children up and out by that very early time.

 

Husband getting bored? Well it all depends on what he likes to do. There will be lots of live music and bands in the various lounges, there is ballroom dancing, line dancing, parties, production shows, comics & other entertainers, casino, happy hours, game shows, trivia games, movies, karaoke, maybe sing with a live band, fun family activities like the egg drop or paper airplane throw. Actual activities are listed in the Princess Patter and can vary depending on the Cruise Director.

There is free dining in the MDR's, Horizon Ct/Cafe Caribe Buffet, International Cafe, pizza and soft ice cream, Pub Lunch, room service. Food is always available 24 hours a day in the International Cafe. The buffet is open (never closes) from 5am until 11pm or maybe midnight. There are bars all over the ship a few opening as early as 6am. The All Inclusive beverage package is $56.35/day/pp. There are lots of quiet areas, a 360 degree promenade deck, viewing areas like Skywalker's Nightclub, good places for reading like the Adagio Lounge.

Hope this information is helpful

[Pierlesscruisers]

(husband had a DUI about 25 years ago and he doesn't want to mess with getting permission to get into Canada.) Thanks

 

On the subject of entering Canada, the question is not whether you can disembark the ship or not but entry into Canada. When you cruise into Victoria you are in Canadian waters and that means you have "entered" Canada. A lot of people who have shown up at the pier in Seattle to go on an Alaskan cruise and have been denied boarding due to the lack of a Canadian visa (residents of some countries (e.g. Mexico and China) have said "but I won't go ashore in Canada" to try and get on the ship but they are always denied boarding. Now the DUI situation is not exactly the same as the absence of a visa but I suspect that the two matters are similar enough to have the same result.

 

Now, that said, I believe that the time element with the DUI situation is 5 years but I have no proof of that. I would check with Canada on that to make sure. If that is the case then I would invest in a phone call to your closest Canadian embassy to get a definitive answer on what, exactly, the rules are vis-a-vis the previous DUI. Getting a disappointing answer now may save you a lot of expense and greater disappointment of being refused boarding after traveling all the way to Seattle just to get refused!

 

Good luck on your research and I hope that you find good news and get to cruise to Alaska. It's a beautiful trip, at least on the Princess line!

 

Tom

Edited May 6, 2015 by Pierlesscruisers

[jenseib]

On the subject of entering Canada, the question is not whether you can disembark the ship or not but entry into Canada. When you cruise into Victoria you are in Canadian waters and that means you have "entered" Canada. A lot of people who have shown up at the pier in Seattle to go on an Alaskan cruise and have been denied boarding due to the lack of a Canadian visa (residents of some countries (e.g. Mexico and China) have said "but I won't go ashore in Canada" to try and get on the ship but they are always denied boarding. Now the DUI situation is not exactly the same as the absence of a visa but I suspect that the two matters are similar enough to have the same result.

 

Now, that said, I believe that the time element with the DUI situation is 5 years but I have no proof of that. I would check with Canada on that to make sure. If that is the case then I would invest in a phone call to your closest Canadian embassy to get a definitive answer on what, exactly, the rules are vis-a-vis the previous DUI. Getting a disappointing answer now may save you a lot of expense and greater disappointment of being refused boarding after traveling all the way to Seattle just to get refused!

 

Good luck on your research and I hope that you find good news and get to cruise to Alaska. It's a beautiful trip, at least on the Princess line!

 

Tom

 

It's 10 years for one offense. I have talked to a lot of people. I have been told by both Canada and cruise lines that getting on the ship in Seattle is not an issue. They may just not be able to get off the ship. I have really done a ton of research and phone calls.

[Pierlesscruisers]

It's 10 years for one offense. I have talked to a lot of people. I have been told by both Canada and cruise lines that getting on the ship in Seattle is not an issue. They may just not be able to get off the ship. I have really done a ton of research and phone calls.

 

Okay. I bow to your research! :) I hope that we see you on the pier and that you have a great cruise. BTW, if you like good cinnamon rolls, try the Lemon Rose Cafe in Skagway. It's on 6th Street, 2 blocks west of the main street! ;)

 

Tom

[ggprincess2004]

Princess actually has a great kids program on their Alaska cruises. They bring on park rangers in Glacier Bay and do special programs for the kids...and Princess goes to Glacier Bay - choose an itinerary that takes you there, I do not know if NCL has permission to go into Glacier Bay or not.

 

Princess sort of owns Alaska when it comes to great things, shore excursion options, and now special on board features as well.

 

Whichever line you choose, I have one suggestion when it comes to shore excursions - get out of town. Go into the waterways and forests and the like for the wild life and the sense of immensity and the quiet.

[JimmyVWine]

NCL does go to Glacier Bay. At least on some itineraries.

[chipmaster]

I've never sailed NCL, but found that the larger Princess ships sailing during holiday had more than enough to entertain the kids in the club. It's a different question as to are you choosing the best line for your SO and kid or for the destination.

 

Princess and HAL seem to have the most sailings, best scenic cruise time slots etc. etc. for Alaska. IMHO you have to have a real reason or preference to select another line.

 

Now if NCL sails glacier bay then probably a toss up. Disney the last I checked doesn't do Glacier so I don't care how good the Mouse experience is, for Glaciers they are fourth on my list when I think Alaska.

[wimsikl]

I have been exclusively on NCL, including one Alaska cruise last summer, and two booked for this summer. I have twin 8 year old daughters.

 

I have found NCL a dream come true. This is largely due to the kids program. My kids want to go there every minute.

 

However, I have what may be a BIG piece of info for you. Does your daughter like the waterslide? My girls are CRAZY about it, not just for fun, but because they know they will find all the ships 6-12 year olds there eventually.

 

The PEARL DOES NOT HAVE ONE!!! I just learned this. It was recently removed permanantly as the Pearl will handle charter cruises.

 

Sadly, both my summer ones this summer are on the Pearl prior to my discovering this. Otherwise, I most certainly would have booked on the Jewel.

 

Why am I even on this board? Well because I want to go to the British Isles next summer and it looks like Princess is the best for that.

[JimmyVWine]

However, I have what may be a BIG piece of info for you. Does your daughter like the waterslide? My girls are CRAZY about it, not just for fun, but because they know they will find all the ships 6-12 year olds there eventually.

 

The PEARL DOES NOT HAVE ONE!!! I just learned this. It was recently removed permanantly as the Pearl will handle charter cruises.

 

While this may be bad news generally, the lack of a waterslide on an Alaskan cruise is not something that will often be missed.

[jasbo49]

Dealing solely with the things-to-do issue:

 

We cruised the NCL Jewel to Alaska in 2012, and the kids' program seemed everywhere, SpongeBob popping up all over the place. I know you're not interested in just the organized "program," but it was impressive. And the entertainment for grown-ups was the best we've seen on any cruise. A good variety of acts (comic-magician, hypnotist, great Motown duo) in addition to the main theater shows. What was lacking here was the kind of enrichment programs you might like to see on an Alaska cruise. The only "lectures" were the ones that instruct you where to find Diamonds International and the other kickback stores. Our cruise did not go to Glacier Bay, so maybe that's why we didn't have a ranger talk.

 

We've sailed Princess three times, but not to Alaska yet (we go in about three weeks). But from what I've heard, Princess has a fair number of lectures and enrichment offerings, including a park ranger on board during the Glacier Bay exploration. The kids' programs may be just fine on Princess, but they're not nearly as evident as we saw on the Jewel, where counselors would take groups of kids out parading in pirate costumes, etc.

 

I think both lines have activities that could pass as family events: trivia, art auctions, games, but to my mind NCL would be the better line for kids. And we considered their entertainment the best of all the cruise lines we've sailed. But I'm looking forward to our upcoming trip on the Crown Princess, because of what Glacier Bay and some enrichment stuff will offer the adult in me.

 

Jim

Edited May 7, 2015 by jasbo49

[Coral]

Dealing solely with the things-to-do issue:

 

We cruised the NCL Jewel to Alaska in 2012, and the kids' program seemed everywhere, SpongeBob popping up all over the place. ]

 

As an adult, I am not sure how well I would deal with this :) It would give me nightmares.

[Colo Cruiser]

As far as the Ruby or the Crown they are both identical other then the Ruby having 4 aft facing balconies on Riviera deck. On the Crown they are Ocean View cabins. :)

[jasbo49]

As an adult, I am not sure how well I would deal with this :) It would give me nightmares.

 

Fortunately, he never actually popped up in our stateroom.

 

Jim

[sherryf]

We cruised the NCL Jewel to Alaska in 2012, and the kids' program seemed everywhere, SpongeBob popping up all over the place.

 

I hate Sponge Bob so much, this would keep me from ever sailing NCL. Their new policy about not removing food from the buffet area seals the deal.

 

As for water slides in Alaska, my first cruise to Alaska was on Carnival, and there was a water slide on our ship, but it was never open.

[oskidunker]

Why not just have your husband get a passport? I assume you are US citizens???

[hockeygal54]

I was done with NCL about 6-7 cruises ago after a bad experience with the worst cabin steward ever encountered. Factor in their nickel and diming for other food venues and various other things....now this ridiculous BS. It's all about money here and no other way to see it. This reminds me vaguely of sneaking peanut butter and jelly sandwiches back into our dorm rooms during my year at boarding school. It was fun and challenging as a freshman in high school trying to outsmart the nuns but at age 60.....not so much! [emoji13]