Discovery Princess or NCL Encore?

[MsPAtSea]

We are looking at two almost identical Alaskan cruises - the same itinerary and the same price, but one on the Princess Discovery and one on the Norwegian Encore. Both going to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, and Victoria, BC. Which would you suggest and why?

 

We are going to be spending more on this cruise than any we've ever taken before (almost 3 times as much) and don't want to make any mistakes! We will get a balcony cabin. We love using the thermal suites, but will also be doing excursions to go hiking and sight seeing. Good food is important to us. We don't necessarily need a drinks package for this one (though I think both prices included it). We are two 32 year olds going with no kids and we're old souls - we will be in bed early and up early because we want to be able to make the most of being in this beautiful state. We're not concerned about access to things like go carts and paid activities or the casino. And we don't always make it to the night time shows so if they're not amazing, that's ok with us. We'd like to have some things to do like karaoke, trivia, etc but we're not making our decision on that. I think ultimately the ship layout, staff quality, food quality, and the specific experience on the ship as it pertains to being in Alaska are what are most important.

So any thoughts or comments you have good or bad are welcome! 
 

[Coral]

You may want to post the times in port. That may make or break a trip.

 

Also - make sure you budget for excursions. They are expensive in Alaska.

Edited December 24, 2023 by Coral

[MsPAtSea]

17 minutes ago, Coral said:

You may want to post the times in port. That may make or break a trip.

 

Also - make sure you budget for excursions. They are expensive in Alaska.

The times in port are basically identical:

At Sea    
Juneau - 2:30p - 11p    
Skagway - 7a - 8:30p    
Cruising Glacier Bay     
Ketchikan 7a - 1p    
Victoria - 8p - 12a

As for the excursion costs, we are going to pay what we have to in order to have a good time. We'll likely only go to Alaska once. 🙂

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by MsPAtSea

[Coral]

23 minutes ago, MsPAtSea said:

The times in port are basically identical:

At Sea    
Juneau - 2:30p - 11p    
Skagway - 7a - 8:30p    
Cruising Glacier Bay     
Ketchikan 7a - 1p    
Victoria - 8p - 12a

As for the excursion costs, we are going to pay what we have to in order to have a good time. We'll likely only go to Alaska once. 🙂

 

You have crappy times in port.

 

I would look at maybe a RT Vancouver itinerary or a one way. You will get better times in port. You will probably pay more in air fare for a one way but the cruise maybe cheaper so it will balance out.

 

NCL docks in a poor location in Ketchikan so that is a negative, the Juneau times are poor IMO for getting tours in. Skagway has great times.

 

If you are only going once, I would pick a different route with better times in port. If you do a one way - you may get 2 glacier days.

 

What month are you going?

Edited December 24, 2023 by Coral

[MsPAtSea]

58 minutes ago, Coral said:

You have crappy times in port.

 

I would look at maybe a RT Vancouver itinerary or a one way. You will get better times in port. You will probably pay more in air fare for a one way but the cruise maybe cheaper so it will balance out.

 

NCL docks in a poor location in Ketchikan so that is a negative, the Juneau times are poor IMO for getting tours in. Skagway has great times.

 

If you are only going once, I would pick a different route with better times in port. If you do a one way - you may get 2 glacier days.

 

What month are you going?

 

I was trying to avoid flying into and out of Canada because of customs/immigration reasons and flight prices being more expensive. All the itineraries that go to Glacier Bay across all cruise lines have these similar port times. In order to get better times in port we'd have to forgo doing Glacier Bay.

 

I have heard NCL docks in bad locations at all the ports, so I'm wondering if that alone should justify Princess? Though the Thermal Suite on Encore has beautiful exterior views whereas the one on Discovery is inside the ship and smaller. I've also heard that NCL has a great observation inside deck that can be nice for the Alaskan cruises.

 

We are going in July.

[Northern Aurora]

Check that NCL itinerary closely.  NCL has been using Ward Cove (versus downtown) in Ketchikan.  Ward Cove is several miles outside of Ketchikan and a shuttle is used to transport folks to the downtown area.  If you want to do something in the Ketchikan downtown area that shuttle will eat a significant amount of time.

[Coral]

48 minutes ago, MsPAtSea said:

 

I was trying to avoid flying into and out of Canada because of customs/immigration reasons and flight prices being more expensive. All the itineraries that go to Glacier Bay across all cruise lines have these similar port times. In order to get better times in port we'd have to forgo doing Glacier Bay.

Flights are more expensive but the cruises are often cheaper.

 

I have to say Customs/Immigration in Vancouver is very sleek. You walk off and hit a kiosk, answer some questions, it prints a piece of paper and you turn the paper in. You can also fly into Seattle and take a cruise line shuttle to Vancouver.

Edited December 24, 2023 by Coral

[Northern Aurora]

1 hour ago, MsPAtSea said:

 

I was trying to avoid flying into and out of Canada because of customs/immigration reasons and flight prices being more expensive. .......

 

The RTs out of Seattle are generally very poor itineraries.  Just spend too many hours reaching Alaska.   The RTs out of Vancouver are superior to those out of Seattle, and the one ways between Vancouver and either Seward or Whittier are the best in my opinion.

 

Don't want to be nosy, but unless you or a member of your party have a legal issue, such as a DUI which would make it difficult to enter Canada, Canadian Immigration is very easy.  

 

In addition to flying into Vancouver there are companies who offer motor coach transfers to the cruise terminal in Vancouver.  And there is also Amtrak.

 

And don't discount spending some time in Vancouver.  Great city.

[MsPAtSea]

1 minute ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

The RTs out of Seattle are generally very poor itineraries.  Just spend too many hours reaching Alaska.   The RTs out of Vancouver are superior to those out of Seattle, and the one ways between Vancouver and either Seward or Whittier are the best in my opinion.

 

Don't want to be nosy, but unless you or a member of your party have a legal issue, such as a DUI which would make it difficult to enter Canada, Canadian Immigration is very easy.  

 

In addition to flying into Vancouver there are companies who offer motor coach transfers to the cruise terminal in Vancouver.  And there is also Amtrak.

 

And don't discount spending some time in Vancouver.  Great city.

 

Oh nothing like that re: immigration, I just prefer to avoid it if I can. I just looked at both Princess and NCL and neither line has better times in Port than the one leaving Seattle (at least during the week we're going). So getting more time in port doesn't seem to be an option. But I feel like it will be adequate. I'm currently leaning towards Princess but would be interested in any other feedback and also little tips (like the fact NCL docks elsewhere, for example).

[Coral]

49 minutes ago, MsPAtSea said:

 

Oh nothing like that re: immigration, I just prefer to avoid it if I can. I just looked at both Princess and NCL and neither line has better times in Port than the one leaving Seattle (at least during the week we're going). So getting more time in port doesn't seem to be an option. But I feel like it will be adequate. I'm currently leaning towards Princess but would be interested in any other feedback and also little tips (like the fact NCL docks elsewhere, for example).

It is interesting how many people book these Seattle RT cruises and then come back and have difficulties trying to get the tours they want in the time they have in port. That is why we often ask people for the times in port. Juneau 2-10 (or similar) people struggle with tours. Your times in Ketchikan are not great also. Especially since this will be your only time to Alaska. We just want to make sure you know you are booking a cruise with poor cruise times.

[wolfie11]

8 hours ago, Coral said:

It is interesting how many people book these Seattle RT cruises and then come back and have difficulties trying to get the tours they want in the time they have in port. That is why we often ask people for the times in port. Juneau 2-10 (or similar) people struggle with tours. Your times in Ketchikan are not great also. Especially since this will be your only time to Alaska. We just want to make sure you know you are booking a cruise with poor cruise times.

And lots of time miles out at sea since the ships go outside of Vancouver Island both ways.

[NothingBeatsBaseball]

Customs is very easy in Vancouver. I've done it at the airport and train station. No problems. 

 

The Amtrak ride from Seattle to Vancouver is very scenic and worth the trip alone for the views. If you can swing it, sailing out of Vancouver is the most recommended option on these boards. 

[Aquahound]

So, getting to your actual question...

 

In this particular case, I would go with Encore.  I'm not a huge fan of either ship class, but Encore at least has lounges with panoramic views.  Some will argue that it doesn't matter because the best views are outside and while that is certainly true, I think it might be a little unreasonable to think that someone spends zero time inside the ship.  But as for outdoor viewing, Encore has the really nice Boardwalk outdoor promenade deck.  Discovery has no lounges with panoramic views, and the outdoor promenade deck is narrow and mostly obstructed by lifeboats.  

 

While I don't think either ship is great for scenic cruising, I think Encore's design is better than Discovery's.  

[Coral]

39 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

So, getting to your actual question...

 

In this particular case, I would go with Encore.  I'm not a huge fan of either ship class, but Encore at least has lounges with panoramic views.  Some will argue that it doesn't matter because the best views are outside and while that is certainly true, I think it might be a little unreasonable to think that someone spends zero time inside the ship.  But as for outdoor viewing, Encore has the really nice Boardwalk outdoor promenade deck.  Discovery has no lounges with panoramic views, and the outdoor promenade deck is narrow and mostly obstructed by lifeboats.  

 

While I don't think either ship is great for scenic cruising, I think Encore's design is better than Discovery's.  

I would rule the Encore out just because of the docking location in Ketchikan and the times there.

 

Though I probably wouldn't do Discovery either. Neither look appealing.

Edited December 25, 2023 by Coral

[AZDuck]

Check out Princess's one-way southbound itineraries from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver. You'll cruise Hubbard Glacier, then spend all day in Glacier Bay N.P. with park rangers onboard, then 8 to 10 hours in port at Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. I did a lot of research and found this to be the ideal 7 day scenic AK cruise. We'll be on the Sapphire Princess in June. Whichever you choose, you’ll have a great trip!

[disneyochem]

Let me give you my opinion about the differences between the two cruise lines in Alaska—go with Princess.  Princess has a fantastic destination enrichment program onboard.  There will be Alaskan food, drinks (using Alaskan sourced products), lectures, music, totem carving (on some ships), wildlife lectures to name a few.  They don’t do any of this on NCL.  There might be a wildlife expert on board but not guaranteed.

 

Both cruise lines will have US park rangers on board during your Glacier Bay visit.

 

You said this Alaska cruise will probably be ‘your one and done.’  It also sounds like you are willing to pay for unique (and $$$) experiences in Alaska.  So the advice being given from folks who love Alaska and want you to fall in love with her is worth considering!  Try to cruise out of Vancouver for better port times to enjoy those excursions.  Cruising on a smaller ship will also give you an opportunity to cruise the Inside Passage which is worth the effort to cruise out of Vancouver.

 

Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise and planning!