Convince me I don't need Disney (of help me convince my parents that they do)

[BrianF]

I feel like a selfish turd for even posting this but here it is anyway.
My parents are planning to take my family of 4 (DW, DD6, DD4,& Me) on an Alaska cruise for their 50th anniversary. They were planning on Princess cruises then switched to Disney which was exciting but then they switched back. I really want the girls to have a great trip and I'm worried that the Princess Cruise won't deliver. One detail that worries me is that the kids clubs break the ages at 7 which will split the girls up when we take the trip in 2 years and they're pretty close with the younger one in particular dealing with some attachment stuff. I also can't seem to sell myself on the kids' clubs on the Princess ships, they look like (and I'm sure are) afterthoughts. We can't just default to swimming instead of kids clubs either because Alaska in the early summer isn't exactly going to be hot.
Pricing out the options for similar rooms on the two lines shows that Disney is nearly double the price. Maybe if it were my money I'd doubt the value in it but I honestly think the Disney option actually looks 2x as good to me.
Any tips and tricks for convincing my parents that they should spring for the cruise that's 2x the cost because their greedy man-child thinks it's better. Or perhaps better yet (though sacrilege on this forum), any tips to help me get the f over the change and be happy we're getting treated to a cruise at all?

 

[tutumomickey]

We have been to Alaska on two cruise lines-DCL and HAL. Trust me, you don't need Disney for Alaska. I would go so far as to say DCL is a waste of money when travelling to Alaska.Alaska cruises are about Alaska, not the ship. The ports, the scenery, there is very little time to enjoy the ship. Even on Disney, I doubt your kids would be in the clubs very much. This is also about your parents anniversary and celebrating them so any spare time should be spent with the family. We have friends with an eleven year old that practically grew up in the DCL kid clubs and he loves the princess kid clubs. Take the cruise with and open mind and a grateful heart. You may end up like us and find you actually prefer a different cruise line.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am a senior citizen who is just off the Island Princess northbound Alaska Cruise. We went to Glacier Bay, and National Park naturalists came aboard. At 1 PM there was a Glacier Bay Ranger Program for Jr. Cruisers. I have the Patter here, and it says

Youth of all ages are invited to join a National Park Ranger for a fun filled program. Learn how you can become a Junior Ranger.

I think that’s an example of something worthwhile that you cannot get on Disney. There were general talks and a Ranger presentation in the theater as well. I have a NP Passport and the park stamp was available as well!

I am Platinum on DCL, 30 cruises so far with them, and we are on WBTA in September. However, we did not consider DCL for an Alaskan cruise.

 

[lilsonicfan]

My kids also loved the Princess kids clubs - I do not think they are an afterthought at all. In some ways they are better - the counsellors actually interact with the children as opposed to kids on ipads all the time as on DCL. Bear in mind that your children will be very different people in two years, and not necessarily as attached. I have 3 boys, we were on another line and they were split up for kids clubs, and though they were at first disappointed, they ended up having a blast anyway. Princess partners with Discovery Channel to bring some pretty cool kids club content.

I think in this situation the only way I would ever bring up changing to Disney is if I were the one paying. Otherwise, I honestly think where you will revel in the 'value' of it costing twice as much, your parents may silently seethe over paying twice as much.

Princess isn't perfect. Their inside rooms are small, so if that's the way you're going, bear that in mind. In fact I would guess most of their rooms are smaller. But to me that's a pretty small issue.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I've heard that Princess is the way to go for an Alaska trip because of Glacier National Park, which DCL doesn't do, but Princess does. No matter which line you take, you'll have a great cruise, if you decide to make the best of it. Have you looked at the itinerary and excursion list versus the DCL itinerary and excursion list? This will be the sway point either way.

If you are dead set on DCL (but do keep an open mind), I'd appoach it with my parents from the grandparent point of view... will the little ones have a good time or will they be miserable? Point out the splitting them up. I would also offer to pay for your share so they don't feel the financial burden is too much.

But be prepared for them to say that it's not about the money, but about the family being together and enjoying Alaska. And that if the kids are hidden away in kids' clubs, they won't get to enjoy them.

Good luck.

 

[bumbershoot]

Everything I know about Alaska cruises says that Princess is far superior in the mainstream cruise line realm.

I have friends who took a multigenerational Alaska cruise with Princess, and every one of them loved it.

Or perhaps better yet (though sacrilege on this forum), any tips to help me get the f over the change and be happy we're getting treated to a cruise at all?

Do that.

“It’s free to me” is a good mantra.

In some ways they are better - the counsellors actually interact with the children as opposed to kids on ipads all the time as on DCL.

Same on Royal.

Bear in mind that your children will be very different people in two years, and not necessarily as attached.

Totally.

And as an oldest, sometimes the older kids need a break from the youngers.

 

[jrabbit]

All of the above and Princess (Carnival Corp) saves money and passes on the savings by dumping their waste in the ocean, including Glacier Bay ...

And Disney does Not (at least not intentionally!!)

 

[bobbiwoz]

All of the above and Princess (Carnival Corp) saves money and passes on the savings by dumping their waste in the ocean, including Glacier Bay ...

And Disney does Not (at least not intentionally!!)

https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2013/...chlorinated-water-into-glacier-bay-in-alaska/
It was awhile ago, and I have no problem booking Princess.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

because Alaska in the early summer isn't exactly going to be hot.

We were in Alaska last summer (land trip, not a cruise). Granted, not "early" summer, but it was in the high 70s/low 80s the whole time we were there. And sunny, every day, except the one day we were in Juneau.

 

[fredandkell]

I had a wonderful time on my NCL trip to Alaska. Every day was a new port and adventure; we spent little time doing "ship things." I think Alaska and the Med are the two cruises that you won't regret going on another non-DCL line (esp. in your case where you aren't paying). Alaska is very port-intensive and there's not as much kids-club time. Plus, every time I've done a DCL cruise with the grandparents, the kids rarely went to the club anyway because the grandparents were like, "We want to watch them, not send them to the kids' club!"

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We just got off our DCL Alaska trip a few weeks ago. I don’t regret spending the extra to go with Disney, because they had a nursery for our youngest who was not yet 3, so we could enjoy the adults-only dining, and we were able to see a few Marvel films, the Disney stage shows, and the characters. But I couldn’t in good faith argue that it’s really worth double the price of other cruise lines, especially if you’re paying for 6 people. Alaska is very port intensive and excursions can be expensive. If it’s a choice between DCL and getting to do more activities in port, (especially flight seeing ones, which are amazing) I would choose another line. Also the screens in kids club on DCL were addictive for my eldest and two nights he chose not to join us for dinner because he felt he had missed club time being on excursions in the ports. We were fine with it because it was a 1-week indulgence and we live with him, but your in-laws might not be too happy to pay for a family vacation just to have the kids disappear into the clubs. I do think having a verandah or ocean view room is worth the extra cost as the scenery in Alaska is amazing.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

1. Princess is fine. I grew up sailing Princess and playing in their kids clubs. It'll be a great trip.
2. If you aren't paying, I can't help you. The easiest way to convince your parents to take a Disney cruise is the same way I would/did. I'm crusing Disney with your grandchild - come if you want. I don't care.

 

[MomOTwins]

I did like that when we did Alaska on Princess (1) they had an indoor pool which was definitely critical as it was super cold; (2) the food was considerably better than DCL; and (3) the Glacier Bay portion is just stunning!

My parents and in laws refuse to go on any Disney vacays with us, so I know how you feel. I just resign myself to the fact that when we vacation with them, it is a different kind of vacation. But I still miss the Disney experience for sure. Still, a free vacation is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Princess is the gold-standard of Alaska cruises. I think you need to get over it and enjoy your free cruise!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Accept the gift of a cruise from your parents and celebrate their golden anniversary. Next summer repay your generous parents with a Caribbean cruise on Disney.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

Our first Disney cruise was to Alaska and it was probably in my top 2 vacations of all time. It was a milestone anniversary celebration so I didn’t mind paying more than I would have on another line. We had as many sea days as port days so we did have a lot of time to enjoy the ship.

That said, I would still be excited about a Princess cruise to Alaska, especially if someone else was paying for it! None of the grandparents in our family would ever dream of taking us on a trip of any kind so I think you should be grateful for the opportunity. My daughter doesn’t even enjoy the DCL clubs so I would actually look forward to her being able to try the clubs on another line. Even though I’ve never sailed Princess I’ve heard good things about their Alaska cruises and I think you’ll have a great time.

 

[clten]

Since you say that DCL was considered, I'd guess their final decision was that Princess was a better value for them. In this case, I'd say it's bad form to try to convince them to pay twice as much for something they considered and rejected already. The most I would push it in that avenue of conversation is to ask what they liked about Princess more to make them select it.

Having said that, I have cruised Alaska with both Princess and DCL. Both trips were great and I don't think you'd be missing something from one or the other. I know you aren't paying monetarily but you only have limited vacation time and I know you want what you think is the best value for your family. DCL may be the best choice for your family of 4 because your priority is that your girls have a great trip. But perhaps, a different cruise line (Princess in this case) is the best choice for the family of 6 because overall there is a different priority. If you go in with an open mind, I'm sure you'll have a great time. (And by the way, when we were on Princess, I was quite envious of their Junior Ranger program so there are different options available for your girls.)

 

[FSU Girl]

It's a free cruise, I wouldn't complain. My entire childhood all we sailed was Princess and I had a great time. I sailed on Princess to Alaska when I was 18 and it was great. It's been a while since I've sailed with them, but I've heard good things about their kids clubs and they are the top line for sailing Alaska.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

Like others have said, it's a free cruise. It won't be awful. Would you enjoy a Disney cruise more? Maybe. Would your kids? Maybe. But, it's free, so unless you're willing to pay the difference, accept the generous gift and enjoy yourself. Alaska is beautiful. We were just there in May and had an amazing time. I'm confident DCL was the right choice for us, but it doesn't mean we wouldn't have enjoyed the trip had we sailed on another line. Princess has some great itineraries (better than DCL for sure), so maybe try to influence the itinerary rather than the line.

 

[EllieBride]

As others above have said, if the grandparents are paying, I would be inclined to let them pick which cruise line, unless you are going to offer to make up the difference in price in order to sail DCL.

For what it's worth, though, we just sailed to Alaska on the the Disney Wonder on May 27 sailing. Others have mentioned that there is no time for the kids to spend in the clubs, but that was not the case for us. Yes, we did AMAZING excursions in every port, but as soon as we returned to the ship, our two kids, both aged 6.5, raced back to the club. We couldn't get them out! They didn't attend one single show with us, not even the Frozen show. The only time I pulled them out was to see the new Aladdin. Now, I can't say whether DCL's club is better/worse than Princess, and I'm willing to bet that Princess is plenty of fun, too! I will definitely agree with the comment above about the use of screens in DCL, as I know my son was spending quite a bit of time on the iPad. But at least my daughter didn't fall victim to it.

I would approach Princess with an open mind and get to work on researching port excursions. That's where you will have the most fun.