NEWS 5/17: Late 2019 itineraries released - link in post #1 (2020 watch thread will start soon)

[gilsan]

For some of these prices I would rather do a adventure by Disney in that country and get more bang for my buck.

I agree. I was also looking at the 7 night cruises on August 18 and 25. I wouldn't be surprised if I could book both of those for a similar cost to the 11 nights in July.

 

[LeslieG]

I have been waiting on Alaska dates so looking at either 19th or 26th August sailing - we’ve done it before so the twist to the 26th appealed to me and works better for my dates as planning on 10 days or so before in Canada but not sure what impact that will have on cost? Do you think it would bump up the price? I’ve seen some poor reviews on icy straight point too - what to do??!!! Does anyone know If the reservation number to call is different when calling from the UK?

What poor reviews have you heard about Icy Straight Point?

 

[abja09]

I agree. I was also looking at the 7 night cruises on August 18 and 25. I wouldn't be surprised if I could book both of those for a similar cost to the 11 nights in July.

I am looking at same cruises. I would love to do them B2B but may have to just pick one. Leaning towards to 8/25 as we want to go back to Norway. I really wanted to do the cruise on 9/1 but school will start that week so it’s not doable.

 

[JulieODC]

I was on this cruise last summer. I always have a verandah room but did and ocean view for this cruise with a large porthole window. It was the best choice. It was cold and windy and rainy at times so I don’t think for this cruise the verandah would have been worth it.

It will be several thousand dollars more. I guess it depends on how much you enjoy sitting out in the cold. The only time I spent outside on that cruise was too run around deck 4.

Thanks to you both for these comments! Helpful to consider as we make decisions.

 

[Dug720]

What poor reviews have you heard about Icy Straight Point?

I was there 2 years ago (on a RCCL) cruise and felt like it was the most wasted day ever. So obviously created just for cruise ships. Boring and pretty much nothing to do if you're not on a cruise ship excursion. And I'm not one who needs to be entertained 24/7 - but it was the worst day of the whole cruise. If I go back to Alaska, I will purposely avoid any itinerary that includes it - even if it's significantly less.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Doesn't anyone know if prices can go up within hours for some sailings?
I sent my TA a couple of cruises to price out (mid to late August Alaska) and she came back asking which one I want most saying price could change from the time she is on the phone with DCL until I decide (which would be same day)..
Kind of hard to decide not knowing the pricing... but is this really the case?
If she calls in and gives me the price let's say 10 am and I say 11 am ok book it, the price could have gone up already?
I am not trying to question TA's knowledge but just wondering if you've experienced this?

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I was there 2 years ago (on a RCCL) cruise and felt like it was the most wasted day ever. So obviously created just for cruise ships. Boring and pretty much nothing to do if you're not on a cruise ship excursion. And I'm not one who needs to be entertained 24/7 - but it was the worst day of the whole cruise. If I go back to Alaska, I will purposely avoid any itinerary that includes it - even if it's significantly less.

Ahh... wish they didn't make August 26th include Icy Strait.
Do you think Aug 19 without it will cost a lot more or similar?

 

[AquaDame]

Doesn't anyone know if prices can go up within hours for some sailings?
I sent my TA a couple of cruises to price out (mid to late August Alaska) and she came back asking which one I want most saying price could change from the time she is on the phone with DCL until I decide (which would be same day)..
Kind of hard to decide not knowing the pricing... but is this really the case?
If she calls in and gives me the price let's say 10 am and I say 11 am ok book it, the price could have gone up already?
I am not trying to question TA's knowledge but just wondering if you've experienced this?

Yes, this really is the case. Typically it will be the one-off cruises and new itineraries that are most popular, as well as ones that sail over holidays when kids are out of school. Sometimes it is just a popular category that fills up, sometimes a lot of categories fill. Alaska also tends to be very popular as the season is limited in length with July/August being the most popular followed by June and then the 'shoulder seasons' in May & September.

 

[AquaDame]

Ahh... wish they didn't make August 26th include Icy Strait.
Do you think Aug 19 without it will cost a lot more or similar?

Honestly I am not sure how popular that port was... I do think earlier August will be more popular since some schools go back in late August. Here in Oregon we start right after labor day, so August 26th would probably be too tight for a lot of folks.

 

[NancyIL]

What poor reviews have you heard about Icy Straight Point?

I was there 2 years ago (on a RCCL) cruise and felt like it was the most wasted day ever. So obviously created just for cruise ships. Boring and pretty much nothing to do if you're not on a cruise ship excursion. And I'm not one who needs to be entertained 24/7 - but it was the worst day of the whole cruise. If I go back to Alaska, I will purposely avoid any itinerary that includes it - even if it's significantly less.

Icy Strait Point is the cruise port for the very real town of Hoonah, Alaska. It's true that it's a pretty small town, but it is a GREAT place to go whale watching. If you go to both Juneau and ISP - whale watch in ISP and do something else in Juneau.

I've whale watched twice in ISP, and I used a different vendor each time. Both F.I.S.H.E.S and Glacier Wind Charters (https://www.g-wind.com/) did an excellent job. See Trip Advisor for more options in Icy Strait Point: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g31010-Activities-Hoonah_Alaska.html

 

[ILovePixieDust]

For some of these prices I would rather do a adventure by Disney in that country and get more bang for my buck.

Really?? Dont think it would be better bang for your buck. $7500 for an inside room for 3 people for an 11 night Iceland-Norway cruise seems like a good deal compared to ABD prices! An 8 night Norway ABD for 3 people (2adults, 1 child) would be $18,000.

 

[Dug720]

Ahh... wish they didn't make August 26th include Icy Strait.
Do you think Aug 19 without it will cost a lot more or similar?

I don't know. I asked my TA to get a quote for the 19th. I'm silver and will report back. (Assuming one of my other choices doesn't work. I told her this weekend I'd prioritize them and then if say one of my top 3 meets my price range (basically such that my deposit on my current Feb cruise would cover the deposit) to just book that by transferring things over. I don't know that this will be in the top 3...but we'll see.)

 

[Dug720]

Icy Strait Point is the cruise port for the very real town of Hoonah, Alaska. It's true that it's a pretty small town, but it is a GREAT place to go whale watching. If you go to both Juneau and ISP - whale watch in ISP and do something else in Juneau.

I've whale watched twice in ISP, and I used a different vendor each time. Both F.I.S.H.E.S and Glacier Wind Charters (https://www.g-wind.com/) did an excellent job. See Trip Advisor for more options in Icy Strait Point: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g31010-Activities-Hoonah_Alaska.html

I am aware that the town of Hoonah is close by.

But ISP is CLEARLY manufactured and just looks cheap IMHO. Wasted day of a cruise as far as I'm concerned.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I don't know. I asked my TA to get a quote for the 19th. I'm silver and will report back. (Assuming one of my other choices doesn't work. I told her this weekend I'd prioritize them and then if say one of my top 3 meets my price range (basically such that my deposit on my current Feb cruise would cover the deposit) to just book that by transferring things over. I don't know that this will be in the top 3...but we'll see.)

Also asked for 19th and 25th... We are gold now.
But TA is making me choose one saying price can go up right away.... aahhh! How can I choose one not knowing the price first

 

[CyndiLouWho]

8:00am sharp East Coast time!

Does that include website?

 

[abja09]

Does that include website?

On the opening day you cannot book online. Only via phone. Online will not open until March 8th when booking opens for general public.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

On the opening day you cannot book online. Only via phone. Online will not open until March 8th when booking opens for general public.

Yes that’s what I mean. I have no status, never cruised before

 

[Dug720]

Also asked for 19th and 25th... We are gold now.
But TA is making me choose one saying price can go up right away.... aahhh! How can I choose one not knowing the price first

My advantage being “only” silver is I can see which are going to be out of range before Wednesday. I am going to prioritize my options this weekend and watch the pricing feed and Tuesday evening email her my realistic options.

 

[abja09]

Yes that’s what I mean. I have no status, never cruised before

Then yes it’s 8am for online as well

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

My advantage being “only” silver is I can see which are going to be out of range before Wednesday. I am going to prioritize my options this weekend and watch the pricing feed and Tuesday evening email her my realistic options.

For what it’s worth - my TA thinks these two sailings will be closer in price than traditionally before... because of the extra port on the 26th... however less than ideal some people think it is.
We’ll see, we may have a better idea Monday when platinum books.
I’ll post here the prices either way Tuesday. I also asked for Aug 12 and July 1.