Sawyer Glacier use to be the "go to" and then it was closed so often due to ice that DCL switched to Dawes in 2019. As you said, being less definitive gives them more options depending on what is available for viewing. Our first DCL AK cruise in 2012 had Sawyer on the Itinerary, but we ended up going to Dawes.I've read speculation in another thread (or maybe it was a Facebook group) that DCL is likely trying to manage guest expectations. Many cruises with Dawes Glacier on the itinerary end up going elsewhere (equally beautiful glacier areas) due to conditions. So the more broad labeling gives more wiggle room.
You will be fine. We did Alaska in 2016. At 10am they are still cruising to their destination. I think they didn't reach the fjord entrance until around Noon and it takes a couple hours at low speed to get to the glacier after that. I remember they had 2 glacier exploration excursions and 1 met at 12ish and the other at 3ish? One going into the fjord and one out.Thank you. @serrem2
Do you or anyone else recall what time of day you get closer to the glacier - is it later in the afternoon or earlier than that?
We have a Palo Brunch booked for 10 am that day so trying to figure out if that needs to be adjusted or not. Any info is helpful.
Thanks.
did you guys get as close to the glacier as the excursion boat that day?On our Alaska trip last September (the last of the season) we were within view of the glacier for probably five hours, and really close (maybe 200 yards) for about an hour.View attachment 848873
Yes. There were complaints from some of the people who hat paid $400 for the excursion boats that they weren't getting anything of extra value for the price.did you guys get as close to the glacier as the excursion boat that day?
It’s really going to depend on when you’re there - we went in June and it definitely would have been worth it to do the excursion if getting close to the glacier is important to you. The ship had to stop pretty far out because of icebergs and seal pups. We could still see it, but the excursion boats got much MUCH closer than the ship did.did you guys get as close to the glacier as the excursion boat that day?
We are going mid-September. I think it's the last cruise Disney does this year for Alaska.It’s really going to depend on when you’re there - we went in June and it definitely would have been worth it to do the excursion if getting close to the glacier is important to you. The ship had to stop pretty far out because of icebergs and seal pups. We could still see it, but the excursion boats got much MUCH closer than the ship did.