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Let me add, when I asked op about the ages, she had not mentioned them at all.

No biggie, but it was in the original post that two were teens.

This is good to know. I would’ve shied away from tap water on a cruise (normally that’s what we drink when going out).

There is soy milk available if he will drink that. Be sure to inform the special needs desk before sailing so you won't have issues with sauces etc. might might contain milk.

Thanks! He usually does ok with cheese, yogurt, and butter. Just the straight milk is an issue.

Thanks guys. I’m assuming no lactose free milk? One of my kids has to drink that (my youngest) so he tends to get juice instead.

What’s included in the specialty dining package? One app, entree, dessert?

If you PURCHASE the UBP then you have to get the soda package for kids, however if you get the UBP as a PROMO, then it is not required.

Ah, thanks!

My kids will be 9, 14, and 15 so not too concerned about the atmosphere of the restaurants. I did debate about the specialty meals, but the other option was a $50 excursion credit per port and I’m not sure we’d book through the ship.

I thought I’d read that if adults have the UBP, kids were required to have the pop plan so you couldn’t share the UBC. Is that not correct?

we are booked on Bliss for 2019 with our 3 kids under the free at sea promo. We got the UBP and the specialty dining. We aren’t really interested in eating without the kids (at most only 1 of our 3 specialty meals would be alone and even that is iffy). I know I could buy a 3 meal specialty dining package for the kids but not sure that makes sense. Looks like it’s $69 for a 3 meal package online. I’m not sure that makes sense for the kids. Two are teens and would eat an adult meal, but wouldn’t order a steak. The menus I’ve looked at on other breakaway plus ships look like paying OOP would be less expensive for the kids, with the exception of the steak house, which we likely wouldn’t do anyway.

What’s included in specialty dining anyway? Appetizer, entree dessert? I’m assuming you can only order one of each unlike the MDR, correct? We’ve never been on a cruise before so not sure how this works.

I think they’ll also have us purchase a pop package for the kids since we’ll have UBP. I would’ve done that anyway but it’s a bummer that it is pop only and no bottled water or juice. I don’t let my kids get pop very often. And no milk at all?

The problem is that the OP came here asking for advice on which ship to take and had not researched Alaska at all. When people pointed out that they they have poor itineraries, they became defensive. Didn't they come here for advice. I happen to agree with those who wouldn't choose the Bliss or the Ovation. If they want a good ship -- go the Caribbean. If they want to see Alaska -- pick a good itinerary. I have yet to see a bored kid on an Alaskan cruise. They venture out beyond their comfort zones and put down the electronic equipment. Does this person worry about being bored camping with out all the bells and whistles? I would go back to the drawing board myself and be thankful someone pointed out to me that my first choices were not great.

HAHAHAHAHA. You think I didn't research AK at all? I never said that. I have done a lot of research and narrowed down choices to ones that I liked for various reasons. Again, just because I have different priorities than you may doesn't mean I didn't do any research. Anyone who knew me would laugh at that assumption.

One thing that has not been mentioned is in Alaska, weather can turn on a dime. It is very possible that the weather will not permit a lot of the (outdoor) onboard activities on either of the newer mega ships. Just something to consider. Might be worth setting kids expectations before they board, so they aren't disappointed if they can't try all of the stated activities

That's why the RCI ship is so attractive. There is a covered pool and the Sea Plex is all indoors. The info on indoor stuff on the Bliss I've found hard to come by or conflicting among various sites.

I do appreciate the input, and I should know better than to expect people on the internet not to be snarky. We are doing a "cheap Caribbean cruise" this year. It'll be our first, over Christmas. My kids (two boys and a girl) are fairly seasoned travelers as we travel to Korea every few years (they were born there). They like to do a lot of non-kid type things (like museums) but with AK, you do spend a larger amount of time on the ship. While I may be content to sit and watch the scenery go by, I'm not sure the kids will be so interested in that after the first few hours of doing it. The RCI ship has such awesome things in it: rock climbing, sky diving, surfing, bumper cars, roller skates. These are all things both the kids and the adults would enjoy. I'm not looking for activities to send my kids to, I'm looking for things to do together. It's a family vacation and I prefer to spend it as a family. And, we have a 7 year old too (he'll be 9 by the time we cruise to AK) and I wouldn't send him off with his older siblings anyway, at least not for very long.

So, here is some more information: one way cruises, while having better itineraries, and the option of land tours, are more expensive due to flight costs. Couple that with the fact that my husband has very limited vacation time (meaning we wouldn't really be able to stay a few extra days in AK before or after the cruise) and they don't make much sense. You can get most of the same experiences on a round trip, strictly speaking of ports. The other issue is that many of those boats are quite old and outdated. This is why I've chosen a round trip cruise.

Of the round trip cruises, I have a need for a somewhat affordable option for 5. (cabin costs in the $7K-$8500 range). I'd prefer one cabin, but could do 2 as long as they were next to each other (for our Caribbean cruise, we have a balcony cabin with an interior cabin directly across from it). I want a modern ship with lots of activities for teens and kids (RCI has the market cornered here, for sure). I want 'good' food, but it doesn't have to be great and we likely won't eat more than 1 meal at a specialty restaurant.

I picked these cruises because of the ships and the fact that they were round trips. Oddly, it seems the NCL one has a different itinerary now, or I mistakenly wrote it out. It does cruise Glacier Bay. Is that the main objection everyone has to the itineraries? Was that the only one? I still prefer the RCI boat, but if NCL is going to Glacier Bay, and it's still a nice boat, that may be better.

What do you mean more crowded. They only allow 2 cruise ships per day in Glacier Bay. I have never had problems viewing the glaciers.

 

I have gotten very close and got great views on Glacier Bay. I disagree about getting closer with Endicott (Dawes Glacier) and Tracy Arm (Sawyer Glacier). My experience (12 cruises in Alaska) is the opposite. There were times when most of the summer the past few years, ships did not get close to Hubbard or Tracy Arm at all (most of the time skipped it).

 

You would be surprised the kids program on other ships. Kids seem to like them also. You are ruling them out with out even trying them in order to have an inferior Alaska itinerary.

Glad to know people who make different choices than you are wrong. I don’t care about the kids programs, I care about the amenities on the boat.

I found this site to be helpful, if others have similar questions: https://www.google.com/amp/s/zest4travel.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/pros-and-cons-of-hubbard-glacier-glacier-bay-and-tracy-arm-fjord/amp/

What negatives are there to Glacier Bay that you found? And what positives for Tracy Arm?

 

I can see an argument between Glacier Bay and Hubbard for a first timer, but Tracy Arm is just a distant third place. My personal opinion is that it's fairly well established that Glacier Bay is first choice for a first timer, with Hubbard second, and Tracy Arm a distant third. Hubbard has things going for it that there can be valid reasons for choosing it over Glacier Bay for a first timer, but generally the advise is to pick Glacier Bay first.

I’ve read that Glacier Bay is more crowded and you don’t get as close to the glacier. The fjords themselves for Tracy Arm or Endicott are very scenic and beautiful and you get closer to the glacier.

The biggest issue with going to Glacier Bay is that the better boat goes somewhere else. And by better, I mean the one with better activities for my teens. I know people say the boat doesn’t matter for Alaska, but it does for kids.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity can not go to Glacier Bay.

 

I would choose an itinerary with Glacier Bay for your first cruise to Alaska.

Curious as to why. I've done a bit of reading and they all seem to have positives and negatives. Have you been to both of these and preferred Glacier Bay?

Endicott Arm is a fjord with a glacier at the end. The ships have been using it for years as an alternate to Tracy Arm. It is not a port. The ship may offer a small boat excursion that will take you close to the glacier and then back to the ship or on to Juneau, depending on your itinerary.

Yes, I understand it's not a port which is why I was surprised to see times listed as if you're disembarking. Maybe that's the time they hang out in the fjord.

Anyone know much about this itinerary for 2019? Specifically, for the Endicott Arm day, it lists time as if you're in port. Does that imply they'll offer perhaps an excursion to get closer to the glacier? I am booked on this cruise but it doesn't show any available excursions so I was confused why it lists port time.

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/itinerary/7-night-alaska-glacier-from-seattle-on-ovation/OV07A163?sail-date=2019-06-14&currency=USD&wuc=USA

You are in error with eliminating Celebrity for the reason you state

Because of the kids? I have three kids, two that are teenagers. There is just infinitely more stuff for them to do onboard Bliss or Ovation. The Celebrity ship really doesn't have many activities for them.

The Pullman’s are usually in the ceiling or wall above the sofa.

Yes, and it doesn't look like they exist in the videos, even though those rooms are supposed to have them. The floor plan of the room shows them on the wall above the couch.

BTW, typically when deck plans are changed it doesn't change the configuration, only the general category sub-class for mix and pricing changes. But it is frustrating to not be able to get a clear answer at times.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

OK, I called Costco and was able to book cabin 9622 for my family of 5. Woot! However, LOL.....when I see some videos of nearby cabins that are supposedly the same class and are supposed to have the pullman for the 5th person....well, I don't see it anywhere. Now, I don't really care, because if they let me have all 5 of us in that cabin, we can make due without the pullman. It's just so weird!

There are two videos posted on this site (that also shows that these are supposed to have the pullman, according to the deck plan, and it's supposed to be above the sofa bed): https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/decks-V2.php?ship=Ovation-of-the-Seas

Expect a lot of kids on the ship. You might find this helpful:

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3510/~/christmas-holiday-season

Thanks! Kids are no problem. I’ll have several in tow lol

We are going on the Breeze over Christmas. What is it like on the boat? Any special events or activities?

I appealed the denial up the chain. They gave me a partial credit. They added $20 onto the other excursion because of Carnival’s super awesome lunch (can you hear my sarcasm?) so I ended up getting $14.29 per adult ticket (I had already received 10% off the normal price) and nothing on the child ticket. Not what I feel is right, but good enough I won’t argue anymore.

We have an OBC from our TA. Will I not see that until the cruise? I had thought I could see it in my cruise details but it’s not there.

Thanks guys. I booked on NCL in a family ocean view. I’ll likely try with RCI again, maybe through a TA to see if those rooms become available. Because they’re changing their deck plans, I wonder if it’s just a computer issue. The NCL cruise had a great deal this weekend and is cheaper than the RCI one will be even if I can book the JR suite for 5. It also included free drinks package and shore excursion credit at each port.