Wifi During Your Disney Cruise Line Alaska Trip
I can’t say this more overtly. The WiFi onboard the ship worked well for messaging and looking things but do not rely on it for downloads. Save any digital material that you want to have available. If you need a book downloaded for your Kindle or podcast downloaded for the gym, do everything you can to download these before leaving for your trip.
While there is WiFi onboard the Disney Wonder, it is expensive and runs out quickly. Even when you are on the WiFi there were certain apps that did not work at all.
In our experience iMessages came through over the WiFi even when we didn’t have our WiFi package turned on. For messaging between people in your party onboard, there is a messaging option within the Disney Cruise Line app. This worked fine.
In each port I was able to get on my normal Verizon phone plan with no difficulties. I even used it as a hotspot from my computer to send email. Be sure to check on your phone plan for use in Canada for your days coming into Vancouver.
Best Burger: Carnival Breeze
Well be the first to admit: Carnivals cruise food hasnt always been the main draw of the line. But we also have to admit that Guys Burger Joint on Carnival Breeze is an amazing exception. The menu is built from five official burgers with a smattering of different toppings ranging from the traditional to the intense . However, you can also make your own custom burger at the toppings bar, and feel free to slather the included side of fries with whatever you like as well.
This super-casual eatery can usually be found by the pool, and we have it on good authority that the fries are best enjoyed al fresco. An added bonus for this spot is that Guys Burger Joint is totally free for all passengers.
Late Morning Seaday Brunch
I truly didnt expect anything on this cruise to feel trendy, but we absolutely loved Carnivals SeaDay Brunch.
Although this brunch was available in the dining room, food was served until noon. On Royal Caribbean, breakfast is only served until 11:30 on sea days. Since we were staying up later than normal and sleeping in, we appreciated how late the brunch was served.
The SeaDay Brunch had some really fun menu items, like fluffy skillet pancakes and 12-hour caramelized peach french toast.
Since our cruise had 2 sea days, we were lucky enough to have SeaDay Brunch both days and try multiple things on the menu. These were some of the best brunch entrees weve had at sea! The french toast was probably the best french toast Ive truly ever had the opportunity to eat.
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Allure Of The Seas By Royal Caribbean
The largest of its Oasis-class ships, Royal Caribbeans Allure of the Seas is a great foodie pick both for its superb specialty restaurant 150 Central Park, and for its more casual dining spots. 150 Central Park offers prime seafood specialties, including lobster salads and crab cakes. Youll need to reserve a table and pay a little extra, but the exceptional menu is crafted by celeb chef Michael Schwartz, and definitely warrants a taste test.
If youre craving some simpler sustenance, head to the Boardwalk Dog House, Allures open-air hot dog stand. If youre feeling particularly peckish, you can sample a sausage from seven different styles, from German bratwurst to Sicilian sausage to Coney Island dog.
Best Mainstream Foodie Cruises
Mainstream cruise lines tend to have larger ships , cheaper cruise prices, and action-packed activity and entertainment programs. Most also boast a cornucopia of dining options, from poolside grills to 24-hour buffets to room service to upscale specialty restaurants. These cruise lines cater to families, budget cruisers, large groups, and younger cruisers, and are bright, colorful, boisterous, and vibrant cities at sea.
These cruise lines offer some of the best value cruises on the market, but foodies should be aware that many specialty restaurants and the accompanying beers, wines, cocktails, and spirits cost extra, and could add a significant amount to the final tab. If youre sailing with one of these cruise lines, check out their available drinks packages or specialty dining packages in advance to save yourself some serious sticker shock later on.
Now, lets get into the rankings. In the spirit of fun, were saving the best for last.
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Choosing Your Alaska Stateroom Do You Need A Verandah Room For Your Alaskan Cruise
While we do outline each of the various stateroom options for all of the Disney Cruise Line ships in our general guide to the Disney Cruise Line, there is special reason to consider your room option carefully for the Disney Cruise to Alaska.
For many cruises you could take the same approach that we take for hotels near Disneyland why pay for the room if you are going to be out of the room the entire trip exploring and having fun? You may want to reconsider this for an Alaskan cruise as the itineraries are longer and the outdoor spaces are colder due to the Alaskan weather. With our group’s age range for this trip , there was almost always someone in the room who wasn’t keen to be out exploring. We were very happy to have a Verandah room during our Alaskan Disney Cruise and enjoyed waking up to views and having the option to check out the view without having to get warmer clothes on and go up on deck.
There is plenty to do throughout the ship and plenty of spaces for lounging outside of your room but the Verandah was truly a highlight for our days at sea. Even for the days when we were coming into port, it was delightful to watch our approach from the comfort of our own balcony.
The room shown in the photos here is a Deluxe Verandah room. There is a queen bed and the couch the converts into twin sleeper.
Carnival Cruise Lines Dining Experience
Carnival Cruise Line is famous for its fun atmosphere, including comedians and celebrities performing on stage for you each night. The food is also some of the best among cruises, with dishes like freshly made pasta, hand-carved prime rib, or lobster just waiting to be savored by your taste buds.
Carnival Cruise Line offers the following specialty restaurants in addition to their main dining experiences:
- Big Chicken Shaq has got all your chicken wants and needs covered at this coming soon dining option
- Blue Iguana Cantina At this Mexican restaurant, you can get fresh food and a festive atmosphere
- Carnival Kitchen Learn a new skill during dinner and enjoy the fruits of your labor
- Seaday Brunch This experience is just for breakfast and lunch, but it will leave you coming back every sea day
- Seafood Shack Everything under the sea is offered at this restaurant
- Steakhouse As you probably guessed, this restaurant offers premium meats cooked to perfection
It is well known that the Blue Iguana Cantina is a star among cruise lines and Carnivals dining experience. Stop in for a breakfast burrito, and do not forget to check out the salsa bar.
The Seafood Shack is not available on all ships, and it does come with an added cost, but it may be a great option for you if you enjoy seafood. However, the reviews overall were mediocre for the seafood offerings.
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Best For Cookery Classes: Regentseven Seas Cruises
Regent’s Culinary Arts Kitchen is better than ever on boardtheir brand new ship Seven Seas Splendor, its workstations fullyequipped with top-of-the-range equipment, and an enhanced series ofhands-on classes with experienced chefs from around the world givesan extra level of insight into the areas you are visiting: a lenson the region, if you will. In total there are 18 new classes,designed around the diverse cuisines of your itinerary.
Viking Ocean & River Cruises
Through its destination-focused dining, Viking Cruises offers its passengers yet another chance to immerse themselves in the local culture of their destinationsone of its signature features.
However, you can also enjoy culinary classic at its many different restaurants, which are famous for offering the most al fresco dining at sea. So, whether youre looking to try some local specialties or simply want to enjoy comfort food you know, Vikings restaurant will take care of you.
Mention-worthy eateries onboard Viking Ocean ships are Mamsens, which serves Norwegian specialties for breakfast, lunch, snacks or dinner the Aquavit Terrace, a magnificent al fresco dining area and The Chefs Table, which offers a multi-course tasting and wine-pairing experience. Additionally, another feature that makes Viking Ocean Cruises one of the best cruise lines for foodies is The Kitchen Table. This onboard cooking school takes food lovers on an interactive culinary journey through local culture and cuisine.
The companys other branch, Viking River Cruises, also offers destination-focused dining. Although the river ships are much smaller than the ocean-going vessels, they do have a few excellent dining options: Aquavit Terrace and The Restaurant. Again, this is where youll find the most al fresco dining on the waterways of Europe.
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Do I Need To Dress Up For Dinner
Cruise line dress codes have come a long way since the Titanic. You will never have to don a gown or tuxedo to eat dinner on a modern-day cruise ship.
That said, most cruise lines have some kind of evening dress code. Most nights are a dressier version of casual, with shorts and ratty T-shirts banned but jeans allowed.
One or two nights will be designated for fancier dress think wedding guest attire such as cocktail dresses and jacket for men. On big-ship lines, these are usually optional, and you can always escape the dress code by going to the buffet.
Some specialty restaurants will have a dress code distinct from the main ship one, so check if you plan on heading to the more expensive, upscale eateries on board.
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Best Luxury Foodie Cruises
We promised wed save the very best for last, and these luxury lines certainly live up to the hype. With smaller ship sizes, higher crew-to-guest ratios, and ultra-inclusive fares , these are the best cruises for food money can buy. Luxury foodie cruises offer exclusive access to remote locations all over the world, stylish and sophisticated suites, six-star service, and dining styled by Michelin-starred chefs.
While these cruise lines are some of the priciest in the industry, they more than make up for it in the exceptional quality of everything onboard. Thats why cruisers who upgrade to luxury lines rarely go back to lower-tier sailings – once you experience the quality of life on these cruises, youll be hooked.
Here are our picks for the best of the best luxury foodie cruises.
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Disney Cruise Alaska 2023 Guide: Essential Tips For Your Cruise
The Alaska Disney Cruise is a once in a lifetime experience. The below cruise review and tips are based on our recent seven day Disney Cruise Line Alaska itinerary that sails from Vancouver to Alaska. This guide will continue to be updated to provide advice for the 2023 Disney Cruise Alaska season.
Onboard our cruise we had family ranging in age from 20 to 80+. On the last night of our trip I got everyone together and we talked through all the Disney Cruise tips we should pass on. This guide is based on those insights.
With the below tips I hope to prepare you for your future Disney Alaska cruise and give you everything you need to know to plan. We’ll cover what month to book your cruise, an overview of the Disney Wonder ship, onboard activities, premium dining, what to pack for your cruise, Alaska Disney Cruise Line excursions, and more.
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Featured Travel Agent: Pixie Lizzie
Lizzie Reynolds is a travel agent who specializes in Disney vacations through her company Pixie Lizzie. She is also a food-allergy mom with a daughter managing severe dairy, peanut and tree nut allergies. Shes an experienced cruiser and has been known to bring gifts onboard for chefs that take care of her clients. Her blog, AllergyFreeMouse.com is the go-to resource for Disney vacations.
Her process is extensive, and she helps her clients navigate every step of the way. While Disney is her favorite cruise line, shes also a fan of SeaDream, a yachting company whose executive chefs make all meals from scratch and catered to your allergens. Note: This line is only for children ten years or older. Shes an undeniably unique resource for food allergy families.
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Complimentary Norwegian Prima Restaurants
There are several dining options on the list of Norwegian Prima restaurants that are included in your cruise fare. These include the two new main dining rooms, the new Surfside Cafe and Grill , the popular Local Bar and Grill, and many other new casual options in the Indulge Food Hall.
With so many great offerings, you certainly do not have to pay extra for dining . Though, this new ship also offers a plethora of specialty restaurants that are worth a try.
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What Food Is Free On Carnival Cruises
Carnival’s main dining room menus are available in two dining rooms per vessel in addition to a buffet. On top of these options, Carnival ships offer anywhere from four to 10 additional spots to grab a free bite, even if food is only offered at select times.
Many of these extra venues are located in the buffet on a Carnival cruise. These include the Carnival Deli, Mongolian Wok and Lucky Bowl . Pizza Pirate, which is found on most of the line’s ships, is usually near one of the pools rather than inside the buffet.
Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina are the line’s most popular alternative free eateries. Both are available on a majority of the line’s ships. At Guy’s Burger Joint, you’ll find a selection of indulgent burgers, while BlueIguana serves up tacos and burritos with a full toppings and salsa bar. The breakfast burrito is an especially popular choice.
Some ships are treated to another Fieri-helmed eatery: Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que, which serves up smoked meats in all shapes and sizes for lunch. Here you’ll find smoked meats in all shapes and sizes for lunch. On Carnival Horizon and Panorama, this venue is called Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse and Brewhouse, which is bigger than those on the other ships and also includes a brewery. Dinner at these two restaurants is not free, but lunch is. All venues have set dining hours and are not open all day..
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Viking Cruises: Viking Star
You can expect your cruise fare to include a variety of restaurants offering specialty meals. The main dining room serves meals from an international menu. Floor-to-ceiling windows, which are opened on balmy days, enhance your onboard culinary experience.
If youre looking for something different, the Norwegian delicacies ranging from waffles to open-faced sandwiches will delight you. Be sure to try the bacon and pea soup inspired by a recipe designed by the Vikings chairmans mother!
The Kitchen Table experience is one every foodie cant afford to miss. Booking is essential to participate in this event, which is only offered twice on every cruise. Youll accompany the ships chef on land for a market tour. In the evening, together with the chef, youll create your own gourmet meal to enjoy.
Nieuw Amsterdam By Holland America Line
HAL really rolls out the red carpet for gourmets, and its Chefs Table on Nieuw Amsterdam is a little piece of luxury that wont break the bank. Youll be treated to a seven-course meal designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin built from decadent ingredients like lobster and truffles. High-quality bottles of wine accompany this epicurean dream, and its all served on the ships best china. This is a great option for food and wine lovers who arent on a cruise to lose weight, as seven courses of rich food will probably leave you sated but a couple pounds heavier.
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Guys Burger Joint Carnival Cruise Line
When youre really hungry, theres something special about a cheeseburger. At Guys Burger Joint on board Carnival Cruise Line, eating well comes with a casual atmosphere and plenty of donkey sauce! The brainchild of celebrity chef Guy Fieriand frequently named one of the best burgers at sea, this joint offers guests a number of specialty burger options like The Ringer, a burger with brown sugar BBQ sauce and an onion ring. The Pig Patty features a burger made entirely from bacon!
Guys Burger Joint | Photo: Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line
If Theres A Picky Eater In Your Party: Both
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, dont worry both Windjammer and the Main Dining Room will help you find something delicious that works for you. The menu in the Main Dining Room is completely customizable to suit different tastes and needs you can request modifications on any dish that catches your eye, or even ask the chef to surprise you based on your preferences. On the other hand, Windjammer offers an extensive range of options from morning to night. At breakfast, youll find stations serving up everything from custom fluffy omelets to indulgent treats like muffins, pastries and sweet breads not to mention fresh fruit and just-pressed juices. At lunchtime, expect comfort food like burgers, sandwiches and salads, plus rotating international options like Asian stir-fry, Caribbean-inspired entrees, Indian specialties and more. Dinner serves up just as much delicious diversity, with carving stations, vegetarian spreads and a decadent assortment of deserts.
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