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10 things to know about sailing on a Disney Alaska cruise

I don't like to pick favorites, but we just got back from what may have been our most enjoyable vacation to date: a three-generation family cruise to Alaska on Disney Cruise Line . The trip had it all: nature, excitement, relaxation, scenery, entertainment, food, fun, swimming, hiking and so much more.

If you're considering sailing on a Disney cruise to Alaska, realize it's a big adventure. It's a once-in-a-lifetime type of trip in terms of length, distance and financial commitment. But our group of travelers ranging from 7 to 74 years old all loved it.

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With our cruising crew now off the ship and back home in the lower 48, here are 10 things to know before you set sail on a Disney Alaska cruise.

The cheapest time to book is the day cruises go on sale

Let's talk about the price upfront. An Alaska cruise is one of the more expensive Disney Cruise sailings, and it's pricier than similar itineraries on other cruise lines. Once the cruises go on sale, the prices often only go up.

Because of this, one of the best ways to save on a Disney cruise is to book your Alaska sailing the first day it goes on sale. You can get additional discounts from booking through an agent offering an onboard cruise credit. Plan far enough in advance, and you can save 10% by putting $250 down on your next cruise when you're already sailing on a Disney ship. We used all of these money-saving tricks — and the Alaska vacation was still very expensive.

For example, the cheapest Alaska sailing in 2024 is about $5,000 for a family of four in a windowless inside cabin and over $8,000 in a room with a private balcony. Those prices are for shoulder-season May and September sailings; the peak June through August sailings, such as the early June one we were on, cost more.

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'Glacier day' is a marathon, not a sprint

The "glacier day" on the ship can be confusing if you haven't done it before and don't know what to expect.

Essentially, the ship will sail as close as it safely can (both for the ship and wildlife) to one of a few glaciers. For example, it's common on sailings to head to the Stikine Icefields, though weather and conditions do play into exactly where you may go on a given voyage.

No matter where you head, you will not be getting off the ship to set foot on a glacier on the glacier viewing day; it's a view-from-a-ship experience. However, you can book an excursion that leaves from the cruise ship to get a closer view of the glacier on a smaller boat for an additional fee ($199 for kids and $299 for adults).

On our sailing, the captain explained that it was a marathon day and to pace yourself watching the "show" of the scenery on deck ... and he was right.

As the day went on and we got closer, the scenery got better and better. If we had gotten our fill of looking around the deck that morning, we'd have missed some of the best views that came that afternoon.

Just before dinner, we sailed close to a waterfall. The whole day was an incredibly special experience because the view changed from hour to hour. You need to keep checking back outside, so you don't miss anything.

Related: These are the best Alaska cruises

Book some excursions — but price them carefully

Don't sail all the way to Alaska and just walk around the shops near the pier in cities like Juneau and Skagway, especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

On the other hand, you don't need to book the $800 helicopter excursions to the glaciers to have a good time (though those flights look amazing). You can find plenty of full- and half-day tours in the $100 to $300 range that are excellent. But no matter how you choose to spend your days, get out and experience something you can only do in Alaska in at least one or two ports.

We loved the excursion in Juneau that included an hour at the Mendenhall Glacier (though 30 more minutes would have been ideal), whale watching and a surprisingly good outdoor salmon bake. It was expensive at $279 for adults and $199 for kids, but it was a highlight of the trip, and I wholeheartedly recommend it if those activities sound fun to you.

In Skagway, we booked an excursion that included learning about dog sledding, interacting with sled dog puppies, gold panning and a ride on the White Pass railroad . Unfortunately, the train portion of our excursion was canceled due to mechanical issues, but normally the tour is the same price as the Juneau excursion. Without the train, it came to $169 for adults and $119 for kids — and you can book it that way from the start.

While I can't speak to the train portion (I hear it's worth doing), the dog sled demo and gold panning were quite enjoyable. And this was a perfect example of how in Alaska, nothing is set in stone. It is common for operators to make adjustments to excursions based on weather, safety concerns and other factors. Helicopter and small plane tours are especially likely to be canceled or adjusted. My advice is to be flexible and not stake the trip's success on any one excursion.

For the long, multi-faceted excursions that get you a good distance away from the ship, booking through Disney makes sense, even if it is a little more expensive, as the ship won't leave without you if your tour gets delayed. In one port, we did see a group on a ship come back right at the designated sailaway time, which I'm sure would have been extremely stressful if they'd been traveling independently.

With other, shorter excursions, it can make a lot of sense (and save a lot of dollars) to book on your own directly with a tour operator.

For example, by booking directly, we paid much less for the silly but fun Disney-branded lumberjack show right next to the ship in Ketchikan. Booking direct also lets you take advantage of discounts, such as lower rates for veterans or active military. The show takes place a few steps from the dock, so there's no risk of not returning to the ship on time.

Oh, and whatever you do, make a point to get the sweet fry bread in Skagway from the Klondike Doughboy. It's a 10-minute walk from the ship and worth every step and penny.

Related: 15 Alaska cruise mistakes you don't want to make

You can warm up with free hot chocolate

Disney tries to think of everything, so complimentary hot chocolate is always waiting for you on deck during glacier day and at the pier as you return from port. It's a small touch, but one that was a fun treat when we got a bit chilly.

If you're looking for an adult version that will warm you to the bones, keep an eye out for bar carts out on deck during glacier viewing. You get a cool Alaska-themed reusable cup with the price of your drink.

Choose the late dinner

Days are long in Alaska, both in terms of the time in port and the sun itself.

For example, in Skagway, we were in port from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. With Disney, you need to choose the early or late dinner seating, and while eating late may sound like a bad idea with kids, it's the best choice on an Alaska cruise. If you choose the early dinner, you're being seated at 5:45 p.m. every night. Not only is the sun going to be up for at least four more hours, but you'll have to cut your port time short to make it to dinner on time.

Your show time is opposite your dinner time, so if you have late dinner, you see the show early. On a typical seven-night Alaska cruise, the ship puts on only three Broadway-caliber shows, which are usually scheduled on sea days or on days you leave ports earlier. It's not as big a trade-off to miss a few minor shows as missing out on port time to get to dinner at 5:45 every night.

On a night when you're wiped out and don't want to do a late dinner, you can always order free room service or visit the quick-service option up on deck for a burger, pizza, chicken fingers and other casual quick bites. Hands down, late seating is the better option in Alaska.

Pro tip: Don't miss lobster night on the ship, where you can order as many lobster tails as your heart desires.

Related: Is Disney Cruise Concierge Level worth it ?

Characters aren't in their Alaska outfits every day

If you're going to spend the bucks to sail on a Disney cruise, you need at least one photo with Mickey, Minnie or their friends in their Alaska-exclusive outfits.

Typically, the first (and arguably best) time you'll see them in these outfits is on glacier day. You'll see the times and locations in your Disney Navigator app once on board, and you can bet there will be lines — some of the longest you may encounter on the cruise.

I recommend getting at least one photo with the characters out on the top pool deck on glacier day as it's the most sure-fire time to do so, and it's the best only-in-Alaska backdrop.

If you're planning your day around the photo sessions, don't choose the morning option if you care about background because you'll likely not be right up to the glacier, snow and ice yet.

Wait until later in the day for photos, so you'll be closer to the glacier. During our sailing, Mickey was on the glacier side of the ship multiple times that day, but it wasn't visible in the background until just after lunchtime.

Glacier day isn't the only time Mickey and his friends wear these adorable outfits. On our cruise, they also wore them the day we were in Skagway. In fact, as we sailed away from port, we ran into Mickey out on Deck 4 — with no line — waving goodbye to land with the rest of us.

Pro tip: Have one person get to the spot where the characters will be on deck about 30 minutes before the stated time to secure your spot in line. Sometimes the line can get too long to take more guests even before the official photo start time.

Related: Is the Disney Visa worth it?

It's easy to overpack

I get it — packing for an Alaska cruise is tough.

You're packing for glaciers, chilly outdoor adventures and potential rain but also for a cruise, swimming and a dress-up night or two. In the summer, even in Alaska, it can be warm. But of course, on a glacier, it can be cold.

During our early June sailing, we swam in the heated pools, dunked in the hot tubs and careened down the waterslides multiple times on both sea days and port days.

While the time of year and the forecast for your sailing should influence what goes in your bag, try and resist the urge to overpack. Bring too much stuff, and your cabin will feel crowded with your belongings, you'll be less nimble and flexible in the airport and you won't have as many options for ground transportation. Plus, you'll spend more time packing and unpacking.

For a cruise to Alaska, you'll need layers, including accessories like a vest, hat and gloves you can take on or off. What you often don't need much of, at least during the summer months, is a variety of winter gear. It's possible you may not need a super heavy winter coat at all, but you will need rain gear and possibly a fleece vest or jacket, so you can probably opt for layers over individual bulky pieces, especially in June, July and August.

Our coldest day was the morning of the glacier day when it was windy and overcast out on deck. The weather went from the high 40s that day to the high 70s and sunny at other times, but we didn't need much bulky winter gear.

Here's a guide to packing for an Alaska cruise to get you started. The thing we used the most: magnetic hooks to hold and organize all those layers inside the stateroom, so get some of those, for sure.

Related: When is the best time to sail to Alaska

The 'Frozen' deck show isn't a must-do But the stage show is a must-see

Most of the elements of our Disney Cruise to Alaska were exceptional, but the much-anticipated "Frozen night" with deck show wasn't one of those things. It was fine; the littlest kids enjoyed it, and if it's convenient for you to pop up and see, then do it. But don't plan your evening around it or stress if you are tired and need to miss it, especially if you don't have young kids.

Elsa and her friends led a 15-minute sing-a-long and show with a minute or so of "snow," but it rated two out of five snowflakes in my book.

An earlier Frozen-themed indoor party, where there was an interactive activity to decorate the maypole, was almost more interesting, in my opinion. Look forward to Frozen night and attend some of the events and activities, but don't expect anything to knock your socks off.

That said, the "Frozen" Broadway-caliber stage show in the Walt Disney Theater is exceptional and not to be missed — but also somewhat confusingly not offered on Frozen night.

So to recap: You can skip Frozen Night and the deck show, but make a point to attend the Frozen show in the Walt Disney Theater.

Plan an extra day in Vancouver

Disney cruises to Alaska leave from Vancouver, as opposed to Seattle, where some other lines embark passengers for their Alaska sailings.

I highly recommend arriving in Vancouver at least the day before the cruise departs to ensure you don't miss it (that happened to some folks on our sailing) but also to enjoy the city. Plan an extra full day to enjoy Vancouver if you can. It's as fun and interesting as some of the Alaskan ports.

An easy excursion to do, even if you have just a few hours in Vancouver, is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Free shuttles leave from multiple downtown spots to the park, including from near the port itself, and it's a fabulous way to spend a few hours on land, or rather, in the trees.

The highlights are the suspension bridge itself and some other walkouts that take you all around the large park with great views of the trees, river, ponds and more. Sometimes there's live music, cozy fires to warm up by and free talks from staffers to learn about the totem polls, wildlife and other aspects of the park.

You don't need a verandah room

We started with the price, and we'll close with it.

Rooms with verandahs (aka balconies) always cost more on cruises than inside cabins and rooms with ocean views through a window. But on an Alaska Disney cruise, verandah rooms don't just cost a few hundred dollars more — they cost a whole lot more, usually to the tune of thousands of additional dollars for the stateroom over the cost of an ocean-view cabin.

Looking at prices for four on the early June 2024 seven-day sailing similar to the one we took this year, it costs an additional $4,000 to go from an ocean-view to a verandah.

If you have the money to spend, go for it and enjoy it. But if you don't, or if booking that room type means having to skip excursions or not being able to afford other trips, then relax and book the ocean view. It's also fabulous.

My parents had a verandah room, and they loved having that balcony. This was my dad's first cruise at 74 years old, so the trip really might be a once-in-a-lifetime thing. My dad said having a verandah made the trip at least 25% more enjoyable overall, which is a large amount of happiness, and they spent time out there each day. (It also made their room about 35-40% more expensive.)

Right next door to them, my girls and I had an ocean-view room. We had just as excellent of a cruise as they did.

It was fun to look out the window and see where we were, but honestly, I'd happily sail in an interior room if it meant we got to do the cruise all over again.

All my favorite moments of the trip happened outside the room, and I don't think that would have changed if we had a balcony. I enjoy having a balcony on warm Caribbean and Mexico sailings more than in Alaska, where it can be windy and chilly outside as the ship is moving.

Additionally, on truly exceptional viewing days, you probably don't want to be confined to the specific angle you can get from your cabin. Better to embrace the 360-degree view from out on the top deck.

That said, if you have mobility limitations or other logistical issues that will keep you in the room more often (aka a frequently napping little one), then the equation may shift because you do want to see and enjoy where you are. If you need to do that from your room, book the verandah if possible.

Related: Which type of cruise cabin is right for you?

Bottom line

It's highly unlikely you'll regret taking a Disney Alaska cruise.

Alaska is special, cruising is special, and a Disney cruise to Alaska is incredibly special. You can feel the shared appreciation for the journey with the other passengers. It's a camaraderie of sorts as you spot and point out wildlife on deck, talk about what you did in port at the bar in the evenings, and even agonize over what to pack in the unofficial Facebook groups leading up to the sailing.

Sailing with Disney specifically costs more than many other options, but getting to experience Alaska while interacting with favorite characters, seeing amazing Disney shows in the evening and relaxing while Disney Cruise Line took care of everything made what was already a great trip one of our favorites of all time.

If I were to add an 11th thing you should know about sailing on an Alaska Disney cruise, it's that you're going to be really sad when it's over.

I saw plenty of real tears the final night and on the morning of debarkation. At the risk of sounding like a cheesy commercial, the only real solution for this will likely be to start planning either a return trip to Alaska or another Disney Cruise ... or both. If you feel that happening to you a few days into the trip, be ready to put that $250 deposit down on a future sailing to get the 10% discount before you get off the ship and it's too late.

That's exactly what we did, so at the end of seven magical days, it wasn't "goodbye" — it was "see ya real soon."

Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Trip Report

In this post, we (finally) recap our time aboard the Disney Wonder. An Alaskan cruise aboard the Disney Wonder is a bucket list item for many people, Disney fans or not. We lucked into a good rate that allowed us to check off this box a little earlier than we’d expected. It was a fantastic trip, and I’m excited to share with you how it went. So, without further ado (this post is only about 5 months late already), let’s talk about our Alaskan cruise aboard the Disney Wonder!

About This Post + Related Posts

This post recaps our 7-night Alaska cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. It starts way back at the beginning, with why we booked this cruise, before covering everything from booking the cruise, to picking activities and excursions, to our time onboard, to debarkation. As such, it’s a pretty long post.

Even at that, this specific post doesn’t cover everything . Throughout, we link to related posts about this trip. Originally, I’d hoped to have it all as a single post, but it proved to be too unwieldy. As a result, most of the linked posts are “quick guides,” meant to give you an idea of the basics of some topic—dining, kids’ clubs, character greetings, for example—in about 500 words . So if you see a “quick guide” linked, feel free to click over to it for a quick read and then come back to this post. If you don’t want to wait until they pop up in this post, here’s a full list of the quick guides:

Quick Guide to Quick Service Food on the Disney Wonder

Quick Guide to Rotational Dining on the Disney Wonder

Quick Guide to Meeting Characters on the Disney Wonder

Quick Guide to Kids’ Clubs on the Disney Wonder

We also have a look at the ship in a deck-by-deck fashion that covers how to navigate on the Disney Wonder and where everything is located.

But this is where most of our talk about our experience ended up. If you’re looking to hear how our trip went, you’re in the right place. If you’re looking to see who we’d recommend this cruise for, you’re in the right place. So let’s get on with it.

Why We Booked This Cruise

If you’re new to Disney Cruise Line, we’ve got a separate post on How to Pick Your Disney Cruise . That post talks through the different ships and itinerary options, for example.

Emily and I have been on a few Disney cruises before, but all on the same itinerary—the 3-night Bahamas cruise on the Disney Dream. And all without Zoe. A couple years back we were excited to finally get back to cruising when the Disney Wish was announced. We were booked on one of the first Wish cruises when the ship got delayed . Our Wish cruise was cancelled, and everyone booked on the cancelled cruises was offered a 50% discount on a future cruise departing by December 31, 2023.

I think it’s fair to say this was the biggest mea culpa I’ve from Disney that I’ve ever seen. The discount was applicable across all stateroom categories and cruise itineraries. We could have simply used the discount for a rescheduled Wish cruise, but we wanted to get a little more value out of the discount if we could, and the Disney Wonder Alaska cruise had been on our bucket list for a while.

Alaska cruises on the Disney Wonder are not cheap. The 7-night itineraries for 2024, for a family of 3, start at $4,196. But everyone says a verandah room is a must-do for an Alaska cruise (our thoughts on this shortly), so already you’re looking at closer to $10,000. Getting 50% off this cruise would be serious value.

Moreover, that savings is really nice for an Alaska cruise because you’re probably going to have huge expenses on excursions . Excursions were NOT covered by the 50% discount, but it’s nice to have some serious savings in the bank already before you start booking excursions.

The personal kicker for us was that we were able to find an itinerary shortly after Zoe turned 3 years old. Three is the minimum age for using the kids’ clubs—the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab at that age. Altogether it wound up being a nice balance of factors that came together to make this a good pick.

Our Alaska Disney Cruise Itinerary

As of this post, all the Disney Cruises that go to Alaska depart from and end at Vancouver, Canada. There are a few different itineraries, from 5 to 9 nights in length, visiting some combination of: Ketchikan, Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Skagway, and Victoria (Canada).

We settled on the following itinerary:

Day 1 — Embark from Vancouver

Day 2 — Day at Sea

Day 3 — Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap)

Day 4 — Icy Strait Point

Day 5 — Juneau

Day 6 — Ketchikan

Day 7 — Day at Sea

Day 8 — Debark in Vancouver

As a bit of an aside, our itinerary actually changed after booking. Day 3 was originally a viewing of the Dawes Glacier before being changed to the broader “Stikine Icecap.” The ship wound up going to the South Sawyer Glacier. Best I can tell, this change was to give Disney more flexibility in exactly which glaciers they view, and it didn’t at all impact our experience.

As for picking your itinerary…I don’t want to get too into the weeds here because things like your personal schedule and pricing are going to be bigger factors than the specific itinerary. Basically, you want a balance of days at sea, ports that you’ll enjoy just walking around in, if you choose, and ports that offer excursions you want to do. If you have to see the Mendenhall Glacier, probably don’t pick an itinerary that skips Juneau, for example.

For us, we felt like two days at sea was a good number, and we expected to just enjoy walking around Ketchikan. This left us the three middle days for excursions.

Booking Our Disney Alaska Cruise

We book our cruises through our travel advisor, Lauren Quirk at Travel With Character LLC . I’ve written elsewhere about why I book Disney trips with a travel advisor , but it’s worth adding specifically for cruises that it’s nice to have help booking excursions and onboard activities.

With Lauren’s help we were able to settle on a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah with a rack rate of $12,152.66. With our 50% discount, the total came to $6,076.33.

Was our verandah room on the Disney Alaska Cruise worth it?

We’ll discuss our room in more detail when recapping the cruise itself, but I’ll offer some thoughts on the “worth it” question first.

The downside to the discount we received is it makes the “is it worth it…” question a lot more complicated. Disney Cruise Line prices are higher than industry average, and I’m not enough of a cruise expert to opine here. I’ve taken four Disney Cruises. I’ll take more. It’s clear I think at least that Disney’s lowest prices are worth it.

With that context in mind, I’d say our Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on this itinerary was definitely worth the $6,076.33 we paid. But I’d also say it was definitely not worth the $12,152.66 rack rate.

We made use of our verandah. It provided for a few photo opportunities and “wow” moments. Plus Zoe was still napping at the time, so it was nice to be able to sit out there during nap time. Otherwise, we prefer to be in the rest of the ship. Zoe loved the kids’ clubs, we like the bars and walking the ship. I’d even just find cozy spots around the ship, sometimes with a view, to read. There’s just so much going on outside the room and off the ship that I couldn’t justify the $5000+ premium verandah rooms cost.

I have to say as a personal caveat that I’m simply not a “sit and be awe of good views” kind of person. I think you’ll easily find people who say “sitting on our balcony watching the Alaskan scenery go by was worth every penny.” But I much prefer to be out among the other people on the ship taking in the view.

View of the South Sawyer Glacier from our balcony

Booking Our Disney Alaska Cruise Excursions

With the cruise booked, the next step is booking your onboard activities and excursions. This is different from and usually earlier than check-in, which we’ll discuss later.

Disney Cruise Activity Booking Windows

Disney Cruise Line activities, including “specialty adult dining, Port Adventures, [and] spa services” open for booking 75 to 123 days before your cruise, depending on what level “Castaway Club” you are. Castaway Club is the Disney Cruise loyalty program. If this is your first Disney Cruise, you aren’t a Castaway Club member yet, and activities will open 75 days before your cruise.

Once you’ve sailed a single cruise, you become a Silver Member, and as you hit the required marks you can progress to Gold, Platinum, and Pearl.

Now, I want to point out that if you think you’re going to take multiple Disney Cruises in a lifetime , you should at least be open to some strategic thinking for your first one. Specifically, you might want to take a short cruise (usually Bahamas) before a longer one, like the Alaska cruise. (Even more specifically, you want to take it more than 90 days before the longer cruise.)

This serves two purposes. First, you’ll get to find out if cruising / Disney cruising is for you. Take a 3-night Caribbean trip over a weekend to see if this is something you’re into.

Second, once you take one cruise you’ll be Castaway Club Silver and at least a step ahead of the general public when it comes to booking activities . This may or may not be huge, but if you’re planning a one-in-a-lifetime Alaskan Cruise, every bit helps.

And again, I prefaced above—I’m not saying that just because you’re considering an Alaskan Cruise you should rush out and do some other Disney Cruise first. But if multiple cruises are clearly in the cards for you, it’ll make sense to pay attention to which order you take them in. (And, of course, it might make sense to do Alaska before some other cruise if that other one has higher demand, must-do activities for you.)

Disney Alaska Cruise Onboard Activities

Onboard activities can be some of the toughest things to mentally sort through when it comes to Disney cruises. There isn’t a well-organized, comprehensive listing of these. The DCL website has a listing here , and that’s where you should start.

Unfortunately, you’ll see that if you click into, for example, “Beverage Tastings” you’ll be taken to a list of different tastings, but no schedules / pricing etc.

To the best of my knowledge—and it’s something I hope changes or that you experience differently—you can’t even see the full schedule for bookable onboard activities until your booking window opens and you are paid in full.

Since some of the activities are quite popular, your booking day can be a pretty chaotic race to find and book things you’re interested in. For example, Royal Court Tea—a character / tea experience—sells out really quickly. Consulting with Google or the various forums might help you narrow down what day of the cruise it will be so that you can book it quickly when your time opens. (Again, is this all too much? I agree. Book with a travel advisor. )

You’ll also want to pay attention the the cancellation deadlines for any activities you were hoping for but didn’t get. You might see cancellations at any time, but particularly as that deadline nears, you’re more likely to see people change plans.

Spa treatments, adult dining (Palo on the Disney Wonder), and nursery services are also things you’ll be planning to book at this time.

Finally, there are onboard activities that are not bookable ahead of time. These are things like trivia or arts and crafts that don’t really fill up and that you’ll just see in the schedule on the app when you get onboard.

A Quick Aside About the Disney Cruise Line App (And Internet)

The Disney Cruise Line app basically has two modes—pre-cruise and during cruise. Before your cruise, the app basically functions the same as the Disney Cruise Line website, including options for managing your bookings.

Once onboard and connected to the onboard wifi, the app becomes the hub for any information you’ll need. You’ll find complete listings of all the days’ activities as soon as you’re onboard, along with hours for all the stores / theaters / restaurants, and so on. There’s also a messaging service available within the app while you’re onboard.

The app’s messaging service is complimentary. If you’d like to have internet access, though, you’ll need to pay for an internet package. Unfortunately, our trip was expected to be among the last ones before the Wonder upgraded to the newer internet hardware / software, so my internet experience isn’t worth writing about. (Suffice to say you shouldn’t expect to have internet outside of the ports unless you pay for it.)

Picking Our Alaska Excursions

Excursion options are available for browsing on the Disney Cruise Line website. Disney calls excursions “Port Adventures.” Some flexibility is going to be required, though, because specific availability will vary by cruise. If you’re concerned, this is yet another reason to consider working with an expert travel advisor on your cruise.

The biggest restriction for us picking our Port Adventures was Zoe’s age. At only 3, the options we could do together as a family were limited. We could have done separate excursions, but that’s just not really how we travel.

Browsing the Port Adventures can be tedious. I’m sure it’s something a travel advisor could help with, but honestly I think the variety is great enough that you should at least dedicate an evening to browsing everything to see what’s available. I recommend you start by filtering by “Ports of Call.” Make a list of ones you’re interested in each day and then start honing it into a schedule.

After reviewing the options, at the top of our list was whale watching. We attempted to see whales in Iceland , but the odds were not in our favor that trip. Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan all had whale watching options.

Second on our list was glacier viewing. Personally, I don’t think any of the three of us is too excited to see glaciers, but it’s also just sort of an “Alaska Cruise Must Do” item. Specifically, many of the Alaska itineraries (including ours) have a day dedicated specifically to glacier viewing. On this day, the cruise ship gets moderately close to a glacier, while there is a paid “Port” Adventure option to get on smaller boats and get closer.

Third was some sort of puppy / sled dog interaction. Zoe loves dogs, and sled dog interactions are often considered another “Must Do” item on an Alaska itinerary. Without going down a rabbit hole, I encourage you to do as much research as you feel necessary before booking any animal interactions anywhere in the world (that’s 100% not to say anything about this specific activity, it’s just a general travel suggestion).

We wound up settling on the following Port Adventures (prices per adult / Zoe):

Day 3 — Glacier Viewing — $299 / $199

Day 4 — Icy Strait Point — Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise (IS01) — $209 / $139

Day 5 — Juneau — Sled Dog Discovery and Musher's Camp (JU05) — $219 / $199

We opted not to do any excursions in Ketchikan. We felt the town offered enough to keep us busy, and since it was the end of the cruise we thought we’d appreciate not having the pressure of another activity. Overall this was the right decision, and Ketchikan day was probably my favorite day.

Alternatively to the Sled Dog Discovery and Musher's Camp, I considered one of the excursions that included a helicopter ride to Mendenhall Glacier and dog sledding on the glacier. Ultimately I decided this wasn’t the right time for Zoe’s first helicopter ride.

Our total excursions costs came to $1991. That was $727 for each adult and $537 for Zoe. I think it’s probably a mistake to nitpick these costs (but yea, that’s a big ‘nit’). The fact is that if we were backpacking through Alaska, we’d probably have better experiences at a lower price. But so what? We aren’t backpacking. We’re on a Disney Cruise. You sort of have to look at the trip as a whole and the costs as a whole.

You might decide that none of the excursions are worth the price, and I think you could still have a fantastic cruise experience. But given that there’s already a huge cost to getting to Alaska, and seeing as I don’t plan on roughing it there anytime soon, I’m open to paying a little more to experience these things. That is—as the saying goes—how they get ya.

Booking Third Party Excursions

Okay, fine. After that $$$ rant, it’s worth mentioning that on almost all cruises there is an alternative option—booking third party excursions. Excursions booked through your cruise line are almost always run by third parties anyways, the cruise line is just marketing them.

The risk in doing this is mostly that the third party has no relationship with your cruise line. That means any scheduling / customer service / pick-up, drop-off issues you have are going to be between you and the excursion company only.

Is this practically a huge problem? Probably not. After all, many of these companies are professionals who work with cruise passengers on a daily basis.

That said, this is definitely a case where we recommend—you guessed it!—working with a professional travel advisor. They know reputable tour providers from non-reputable ones, and if something goes wrong you’ll at least have someone you know and trust to help you sort it out.

Disney Cruise Online Check-In

As with booking activities, your online check-in day will vary based on Castaway Club status. The General Public Online Check-In date is 30 days before your cruise embarks. We’re Castaway Club Silver, so we were able to check in 33 days in advance.

Online Check-In is a whole process—submitting travel documents and photos, registering for the kids’ clubs, setting up your onboard account—but the most important part in our mind is your Port Arrival Time. This is the time that you are expected to be at port to get on the boat. In general, earlier is better because it means more time on the ship.

Getting to Vancouver

The easiest way to get to Vancouver for most people is to fly there. The airport, Vancouver International Airport (YVR), is well-serviced and well-connected to the city. We even got through customs and immigration incredibly quickly.

We flew American Airlines there, opting for Main Cabin Extra . Emily has reviewed Air Canada’s A321 business class and Air Canada’s 787 business class before, too.

Flying from Chicago, I sat in an “A” window seat, which I mention because we had awesome views of some mountains flying in (I think the far one is Rainier?):

Pre-Cruise Time In Vancouver

It’s generally not recommended that you fly into a port the same day your cruise leaves. This goes double for an international port, where unexpected flight issues are going to be a lot more difficult to quickly resolve. (Air Canada probably doesn’t just have another plane sitting at your airport in case yours gets delayed or breaks.)

Plus, Vancouver is a great city to spend a few days. We spent four nights in Vancouver before our cruise and found that to be a great amount of time to take in the city . On a return trip, we’d probably only stay two nights, though we think three or four is better for a first visit.

Day 1 - Embarkation

( Note: There’s a lot of new stuff to learn on Day 1. I’m not going to go in-depth on every topic as part of recapping this day. I spread the links to the quick guides throughout this post. So if you read something in Day 1 and think “wow he went right past that major thing quickly”, I hopefully cover it in more depth later or link to a quick guide sometime later.)

We were coming from the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, just a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal. It was pretty great how conveniently placed the Vancouver cruise terminal was. At the end of our trip, our debarkation day also went quite smoothly, but let’s not jump to the end yet.

We’d booked a Port Arrival time of 11AM and arrived at the terminal at 10:30AM. There were few people around for boarding at this hour. We followed the signage plus the directions of the terminal staff and were through security / passport control / etc. in about 20 minutes with one hiccup—we still had our luggage.

Standard protocol is to tag your luggage (they mail you the tags ahead of time) and drop it off with cruise staff somewhere in this process before boarding. It then gets put on the ship and left outside your room, allowing you to navigate the ship luggage-free for the first few hours while staterooms are inaccessible and still being prepared (the cruise has only a few hours turnaround, remember).

Ironically, I think the reason we wound up with all our luggage stuck with us is that we’re pretty efficient travelers. We didn’t have a ton of bags (and nothing bigger than a carry on), so it isn’t as if someone at the port would think to say something. We also got through all the steps pretty quickly, obviously too quickly to pay attention to what was going on. I imagine if we’d had some bigger bags and struggled to get through security, someone would have at least nodded in the right direction.

Boarding was delayed, which I would have minded less except that we looked relatively clownish trying to navigate our bags while we sat around waiting. Boarding started at about 11:40AM, and our group was called around 12:15PM.

Staterooms aren’t ready at that time, but we knew exactly where we were heading—Cabanas for lunch.

Our Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

As previously noted, we had a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. As part of booking, you can pick a room, and we picked a room on Deck 6, midship. ( Here’s our deck-by-deck breakdown of the Disney Wonder. )

Since we were sailing just after Zoe’s birthday, our travel advisor, Lauren, surprised us with a room decoration package. (Thanks Lauren!)

You can basically break the room into five parts. There are:

two bathroom rooms (sink + toilet, sink + shower)

a space with a queen bed

a curtain-separated space with a couch that converts to a twin bed, a TV, and a desk

and a verandah.

There’s also a bunk bed that can come down from the ceiling above the twin bed, but we didn’t use that.

I don’t have a ton of commentary about the room. Overall it was fine, and I can’t recall feeling significantly better or worse about the rooms we’d previously stayed in on the Disney Dream. The biggest issue for us was simply that Zoe had the twin bed, which meant we could only access the verandah during naps by walking past the sleeping toddler. (Also, there was a bed rail provided, per a request we made at some point.)

I didn’t spend too much time browsing the TV lineup, but it wasn’t too deep. There were all-day cartoons available. Otherwise, with up to two theaters plus Funnel Vision playing movies at any time, you’re unlikely to need the TV for entertainment.

There was a short period in the middle of the trip where our toilet didn’t flush. Then after a few minutes it flushed for all the times we’d pressed the button in a panic. I don’t know much about cruise ships, but I vaguely recall this issue on the Disney Dream once, too.

As mentioned above, I’d heard a lot that a verandah is a “must have” for the Alaska cruise, and I just didn’t feel that way. The idea is basically that, specifically for the first day at sea and the Glacier Viewing day, the views around the ship are absolutely stunning. I don’t much care for a view, but I made sure to take a moment to soak these in. Having a verandah means more private, unobstructed views.

Maybe we had a less crowded ship, or maybe we’re just more inclined to walk around the ship at our leisure. But I felt that I had plenty good views from the decks of the ship, and I generally preferred being outside of the room to being in it.

Emily is a little more measured and says she’s at least glad we did it once, but she probably wouldn’t pay for the verandah a second time. For most people, an Alaska cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and to that end the verandah could go a long way to making a “perfect” time. But the flip side is that if the verandah prices keep you from cruising, or push you toward a different cruise line, I think you’re probably putting way too much stock in that amenity. It was a “nice to have,” not a “must have.”

After some time in the room, we headed to check out the kids’ clubs. The first day starts with Open House hours in the clubs. This means you won’t be leaving your little ones alone in the clubs at this time. Instead, it’s a chance for you to all get acquainted with the clubs. If you don’t have kids, you’re also welcome in the kids clubs during Open House. Zoe was instantly smitten with the clubs.

At 4PM is the mandatory assembly drill. This is a tedious, but important safety drill. It’s required for everyone on board. But it’s followed at 4:30PM by something much more fun…

The big thing on embarkation day is Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Deck Party ! This is a 10-15 minute show on Deck 9 featuring your favorite characters and aiming to get you hyped for the cruise. It’s a “can’t miss” insofar as you’ll have plenty of time to take in the ship later, so might as well see this one-time performance while you can.

With our 5:45PM dinner seating coming up, I had just enough time to squeeze in a run. I ran on the treadmills of the ship 6 of the 7 days and generally found the fitness center to be pleasant. When the ship is moving it can be a bit trippy because the treadmills aren’t oriented perfectly forward.

Deck 4 also has a “running track.” It’s something like 0.3 miles and always prone to people who don’t know how to handle a shared run/walk space like that. Your GPS will also be worse than useless when the ship is moving. (FWIW, I’ve run the deck of the Disney Dream before and it ruined all my ‘Personal Bests’ in my running apps.) It’s also an outside space subject to the elements. A 0.3 mile loop means lots of turns, which means lots of opportunities to slip. Personally, I’d maybe run on Deck 4 in the morning when crowds are nonexistent, but I actually just stuck to the treadmills all trip.

We were able to squeeze in two character greetings—Mickey and Goofy—before dinner. Coming into the cruise we didn’t realize how much Zoe would love meeting the characters. They’d had some interested at Disney World and Disneyland before, but on the cruise meeting characters really became the thing we needed to do. I’ll cover these a bit more later.

Dinner on night one was a lot. We were scheduled for Triton’s, one of the three included table service restaurants. Zoe hadn’t napped all day. Plus we’d had all the excitement of experiencing the ship. And now it was time to meet our dining staff and find a way to stay seated for a relatively long dinner. Let’s just say we got through it. A Mickey Bar (complimentary) helped.

Besides your scheduled dinner rotation (more on this later), there’s the option for adults only to dine at Palo. Palo requires an advance reservation and costs extra. Palo also has a brunch option, if you don’t want to mess with your dinner schedule. Personally I’d maybe do both in the future since on a 7-night cruise you’re dining in each rotational restaurant at least twice.

Our customary practice for travel nights, particularly on Disney trips, is to alternate who goes out and who stays with Zoe and does bedtime. As the cruise went on, we started letting Zoe stay up later and later, but one this first day—a long day with no nap—we had no interest in trying a late night.

I spent the evening at Crown & Fin, the pub-themed bar onboard. I mostly stuck to Alaskan Brewing Company beers. While I just sat around the read, there was plenty going on around the ship until about midnight, including: character greetings, multiple trivia activities, movies in Buena Vista Theatre and on Funnel Vision, “Disney on Broadway” music, dueling pianos, jazz, and activities in the kids clubs.

Day 2 - Day at Sea

Day 2 is a full day at sea and one of the more scenic days of the cruise. But our first stop of the day was the Laundry Room. There are three laundry rooms on the Disney Wonder, on Decks 2, 6, and 7 midship. Each has around 5 washing machine and 5 dryers. It cost $3 to wash, $3 to dry, and $1 for detergent. There was a kiosk in the laundry room that allowed you to charge these items back to your stateroom.

We did laundry twice (mostly because of my running clothes and Emily and Zoe’s swimsuits). Notifications are supposed to come through the app when your washer/dryer finishes. We had some luck with this but it wasn’t perfect. The kiosks in the laundry rooms also tell you how many available machines there are in the other laundry rooms. Finally, there is laundry service available onboard ($$$), but we were fine using the machines.

We switched up our breakfast plans and tried Triton’s today. Triton’s serves table service breakfast and lunch daily. It’s a smaller menu than the substantial Cabanas buffet, but with a few items you won’t find at Cabanas (in case you can’t tell, I didn’t take a picture of the menu, sorry). As expected, this just wasn’t for us. We much preferred the quick and plentiful options at Cabanas to get our day started.

After breakfast I swung by Cove Cafe to pick us up some cold brew. Cove Cafe is the specialty coffee shop onboard. Drip coffee is free (but available in spots other than cove, like Cabanas and the beverage station outside Cabanas), but anything else—specialty lattes ($5.75), cold brew ($4)—costs extra. There are also complimentary pastries.

Cove is technically right inside the adults only section of the ship. While I think you’d probably be asked not to let kids lounge there, I frequently saw people stopping in to make a quick purchase with kids in tow.

While I was getting the coffee, Emily and Zoe were in line for Minnie. She was greeting in her standard cruise outfit (Captain Minnie) today.

Next, we headed to French Quarter Lounge for “Family Crafts.” This was a mask-making activity that Zoe had a lot of fun with. French Quarter Lounge also operates a combo bar/cafe. I found it had much better cafe vibes so would usually get coffee and beignets when I visited.

Zoe picked to go to the pool quickly before lunch. family-friendly Frozen was playing on Funnel Vision.

For lunch, I cobbled together options from some of the smaller quick service restaurants onboard. Besides Cabanas, there are three smaller quick service options, all on Deck 9.

Read Our Quick Guide to Quick Service on the Disney Wonder

After lunch we stopped at one of Zoe’s favorite spots on the ship—Eye Scream, the soft serve station. This is another complimentary offering. Chocolate and vanilla were available daily, plus there was a daily changing flavor.

By midday, the scenery was starting to look gorgeous. We split the time in the room while Zoe napped, and then Zoe went to the Oceaneer Club while we walked around the ship and took in the sights (and some beers). Here are a few photos:

Dinner tonight was at Animator’s Palate. And—surprise, surprise—it’s with the same staff we had the previous night! That’s how rotational dining works!

Read Our Quick Guide to Rotational Dining on the Disney Wonder

Night 2 also included the debut of the feature entertainment on the ship. Night 2’s show was the Golden Mickeys. The other two feature shows were “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” and “Disney Dreams—An Enchanted Classic.”

We wound up skipping all of these. They’re heralded as fantastic shows, so you might consider them “must-do.” They didn’t fit well into Zoe’s schedule, and neither of us felt like doing them without Zoe.

As I mentioned above, we alternated nights out. I won’t detail every night (in part because I don’t have notes about all of them), but they’d usually include a stop at a bar, strolling around the ship, and activities like trivia, listening to musical performances, or watching a movie in one of the theaters (we both watched Haunted Mansion, for example).

Day 3 - Glacier Explorer Day

Day 3 is an interesting day. It’s technically not a “day at sea”, but the ship doesn’t actually dock at a port, and there’s only one excursion—Glacier Explorer. If you’re not doing Glacier Explorer, you’ll be aboard the ship all day. It’s an incredibly scenic day and, conditions permitting, the ship gets close enough to a glacier for some good views.

Besides the excursion, this day had one other huge highlight—the debut of Mickey and Minnie in their Alaska outfits! Mickey’s greeting was set for 9AM on Deck 10 (outside), and Minnie at 9:30AM. We were in line for Mickey 20-30 minutes early, and the line for Minnie, on the opposite side of Deck 10, was closed by 9:10AM.

Mickey and Minnie greeted four times this day. The first three times were outside and these were the only times the entire trip they greeted outside. They did wear the Alaska outfits inside for some greetings later on. We met Alaska Minnie on her last day, Day 6, Ketchikan Day.

Glacier Explorer Excursion

For our itinerary, there were two times for the Glacier Explorer excursion, an early time and a late time. If you have the earlier time, you’ll transfer from the Wonder to a smaller boat that goes ahead of the Wonder to visit the glacier. Then once the Wonder catches up you get back on the Wonder. At that point, the people with the later time get on the smaller boats. The Wonder heads back while they do their glacier viewing, and the excursion boats catch up with the Wonder at the end of their time.

At 2:30PM, we gathered at the Walt Disney Theater to start our excursion. After some brief introduction, we were on the boat at 2:52PM.

Seeing the glacier from closer up was cool, but my favorite part by far was the perspective we got on the Disney Wonder. The scenery was great, and it was just really cool to see the ship like that.

We were in the area of the South Sawyer Glacier for about 30 minutes. Then we left and went to the North Sawyer Glacier. The Wonder didn’t itself visit the North Sawyer Glacier, though to be fair the South Sawyer Glacier is more fun to look at.

The excursion boat was comfortable. A guide provided some information about the glaciers for much of the tours. There were free donut holes and hot chocolate. I paid $7 for a beer, and Zoe got a free can of water. You could also use a cup of glacier ice for your beverage. They accepted card and cash, but you cannot charge back to your room (the tour is run by a third party, remember).

Back aboard the Wonder at about 5:20PM, we opted for a quick service dinner. Zoe had done really well on the excursion and really deserved some time in the Oceaneer Club rather than having to go straight from the excursion to a 90 minute meal.

Day 4 - Icy Strait Point

Finally, a real port! Day 4 was at Icy Strait Point. For starters, Icy Strait Point is a privately managed port. It is not a town. There is a town, Hoonah, that is accessible by bus or walking path from Icy Strait Point, but we didn’t make it there. (Note: Hoonah is different from the Hoonah Cannery, which is a part of Icy Strait Point.)

As much research as I did about Icy Strait Point ahead of time, I was still a little confused about it. I’ll do my best to explain how things are set up here, but suffice to say once you get there, it’s a very manageable area.

Icy Strait Point has essentially four parts. We were docked at Ocean Landing. A short walk across a bridge from the ship took us to one of the two hubs of the port. There was a big building with a cafe and some excursion meeting points. Since we’d booked an excursion, we were able to get our “all access” wristbands here, too. These ostensibly included a few things, but the only value we got from them was access to the paid “Skyglider” gondola.

A few minutes walk from Ocean Landing is the Hoonah Cannery . This is a cannery museum, a few restaurants, and lots of stores.

From Ocean Landing, you can take a free “Transporter” (GREEN) gondola to Wilderness Landing . To be clear there are two gondolas at Icy Strait Point. The free “Transporter” gondola takes you between Ocean Landing and Wilderness Landing. Ships can dock at either of these two spots, so it makes sense that there’s free transport between them. The other gondola is a paid “Skyglider” gondola between Wilderness Landing and Sky Peak

There’s also a 10 minute walking path between Ocean Landing and Wilderness Landing. Wilderness Landing is the hub for some excursions. There’s also a store and a few small food / beverage options, though none were open when we were around.

As I mentioned above, Wilderness Landing is also where you can catch the paid “Skyglider” gondola to Sky Peak . If you book basically any excursion for this day, it will include access to this gondola.

This is also the only way to get to Sky Peak—there’s no walking path between Wilderness Landing and Sky Peak. Without an excursion booked, it costs $50 for an adult and is definitely not worth that. We opted to head straight to Sky Peak and then work our way down to Hoonah Cannery.

Sky Peak has a few view points and is the departure point for a few excursions. It’s also home to the zipline, a popular excursion at Icy Strait Point. If you’re not booked on something up there, there’s also a mile-ish trail. However, when we were visiting there were issues with bears.

This necessitated only traveling in groups, with a guide. There also seems to have been a specific bear incident while we were waiting, because delays mounted. I grew impatient and left after about 45 minutes of waiting, but Emily and Zoe stuck with it. Emily said she liked the trail and everyone else seemed to enjoy it, too.

I took the Skyglider back to Wilderness Landing and then the walking path to Ocean Landing. After a little bit of time we reunited and explored the Hoonah Cannery area together.

There were a few restaurants, with the Crab House being the most popular. The donut stand, Lil’ Gen’s Donuts, also had a huge line. There’s also a ton of shopping, along with some museum displays on the history of the cannery.

We spent about four hours total on Icy Strait Point before returning to the ship for lunch (no good vegetarian options in the very crowded restaurants). I really would have liked to have made it to Hoonah, but it was too much of a hike and we had an afternoon excursion.

Zoe’s favorite part of Icy Strait Point was definitely the rock beach.

Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise

Our excursion this afternoon was the Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise. It cost $209 per adult and $139 for Zoe. Unlike some of the excursions that meet inside the Icy Strait Point buildings, ours departed right from the cruise dock, opposite the cruise ship (“Tour Dock C”). We arrived just before 1:45PM, and the 2PM tour departed on time.

At just over 3 years old, Zoe has for a while been able to get through a day without a nap. But this is something that ebbs and flows, or at least some napless days are better than others. This was not a good one.

The main goal of the viewing is usually to see whales, but you might catch some other animals on the way, like sea lions:

The actual animal viewing was 30-45 minutes away, and Zoe did not want to sit still or behave during that time. Eventually we resigned to trying to get a nap in during the excursion. This worked, but left me with a napping Zoe during the actual viewing part of the excursion:

That’s literally me saying “stop coming back here to check on us and just go watch the whales.” Of course I’d prefer that Zoe and I be outside watching the whales too. I think Zoe would have enjoyed it more than me, honestly. I at least had a view through the window, but Zoe slept the whole time.

Meanwhile, Emily had some great views. We spent over an hour in the area with the whales before heading back to the ship.

Back on the ship, we had time to squeeze in greetings with Donald and Pluto before dinner at Tiana’s.

Day 5 - Juneau

Finally, a real town! Day 5 was Juneau day. You can tell from the photo from our balcony that we were docked relatively far from the main part of the city. We were at “AJ Dock,” about a 15 minute walk from the main part of the town. We didn’t walk there, because we were starting the day with an excursion.

The highlight of Juneau for many people will be the Mendenhall Glacier. If you’re taking an Alaska Cruise that stops in Juneau, you’re going to want to consider the options for visiting Mendenhall Glacier. We opted to skip it, not for any particular reason. Instead, we went on the Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp.

Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp

Not at all regarding this specific excursion (bold, italics—I cannot emphasize that enough) , but I think in general people should do some background research and consider the ethics of any animal interaction they’re considering.

Obviously you might assume excursions that partner with major cruise lines have been vetted to some degree, but that says nothing about what you’re personally comfortable with. This isn’t a platform for any more of that discussion, so I’m just going to get on with describing our experience.

Our excursion met in Azure (one of the bars, often used as meeting points) at 8:15AM, and by 8:30AM we were boarding the shuttle to the camp, which took about 30 minutes.

The first part of the excursion involved the dogs pulling us around in this cart, along with the opportunity to meet some of the individual dogs. Some weren’t comfortable meeting strangers, so we were told not to engage with them.

Zoe absolutely adores dogs and, spending a lot of time walking around the city, has a basic understanding of how to properly meet new dogs.

After that was a Q&A with a musher. It was interesting to learn about the challenges of the races, conditions, financing, and training a team of dogs.

After that was the chance to meet some puppies. They were very small and very adorable. For many (us included), this was the “it” factor that prompted us to book the excursion. It sort of winds up being $199 for Zoe and $219 for each adult so Zoe can cuddle with a puppy for a few minutes, but learning about sled dog racing is also a pretty quintessential Alaska cruise experience.

There were also some older puppies nearby who were not quite trained. You could visit their fence but there weren’t one-on-one interactions with them. And yes, they nipped at little fingers that went through the fence.

There was complimentary cocoa, along with tea and coffee.

Exploring Juneau

In total we spent about 90 minutes at the camp. On the way back to the ship, the shuttle made a stop in the heart of Juneau, dropping us off at about 10:50AM. Walking around town a bit we popped into Concept Cafe, a fun spot with coffee, video games, and snacks from a variety of Asian countries.

There’s plenty of shopping to be done, both “touristy/cruise” shopping and things like a fun toy store and a used bookstore.

There are also plenty of small cafes and restaurants. We opted for a quick crepe from a stand at Gunakadeit Park. There were several small eateries here.

After lunch we popped into Red Dog Saloon. The “world famous” Red Dog Saloon is probably the most famous saloon in Juneau, and it’s a really fun spot. I’d call it a must-do so long as you don’t have an excursion that takes up your whole day.

Kids are welcome, and they have root beer on tap (which Zoe loved).

After yesterday, we had no intention of skipping the nap today, so we headed back to the ship. With Zoe walking, we made the “15-minute walk” in about 20 minutes.

After the nap we had time to meet Daisy and Minnie before dinner.

After dinner, since Zoe had napped late, we were able to stay up a bit as a family. There was a silent dance party in Azure, which Zoe absolutely loved. We were the last ones to leave.

I spent the night relaxing in the French Quarter Lounge with coffee and a beignet.

Day 6 - Ketchikan

Ketchikan is the last port on this itinerary. As noted above, we opted to keep this day clear just to enjoy the town at our leisure. I think the biggest “must do” here is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show . On a return trip to Ketchikan, we’d definitely try and see this, but we felt okay missing it this time around.

Ketchikan ashore time wan’t until 11:15AM, which meant we had most of the morning to fill. We started with laundry and breakfast at Cabanas, before an 8:30AM family coloring time in D Lounge. It’s a small thing, but I’m appreciative of the fact that there were family activities as early as 8:30AM.

Afterward there were open house hours at the Oceaneer Club. Donald Duck made an appearance as part of a “pajama party.”

Zoe loved seeing Donald, and then on our way out we ran into Cinderella!

We walked around the ship a bit before being let ashore a little early around 11AM.

There are a few buses in Ketchikan, including a free shuttle that will take you to some of the major points of interest. This is where we caught the shuttle. Our first stop was the Totem Heritage Center (not to be confused with the more popular but farther Totem Bight State Historical Park).

We enjoyed the Totem Heritage Center. It wasn’t huge, but it was a good spot to spend about 30 minutes. We waited 8 minutes for the bus and it was only a 6-minute bus ride away. It’s the endpoint for the bus service, so on our way out we asked a waiting bus driver when he’d depart and found out we had time for a quick visit to the nearby playground (because, with a toddler, of course you fly from New York to Chicago to Vancouver and board a ship to Alaska to go to a playground).

We headed to lunch at 108 Taphouse and Burger Bar. They had Impossible Burgers and this was, by far, our favorite meal of the entire trip. It’s a really popular restaurant and not big, so I had to wait at the bar for a table while Emily and Zoe visited the nearby shops.

After lunch we went to Historic Creek Street. It’s a beautiful boardwalk with an interesting history . Nowadays its mostly just small shops, but it’s really cute and definitely a must-do.

From Creek Street it was a short walk to the Tongass Historical Museum. This was a pretty standard historical museum, but it was high quality, with lots of cool items and a fossil display.

As you’d expect, there’s plenty of shopping near the docks, too. We went back to the ship around 3PM so Zoe could nap and I could run.

This was overall a low-stress, uneventful day, but it was also a great way to start to wrap up our trip. I learned later that we lucked into this weather. Ketchikan is generally quite rainy. While rain would have put a damper on some of our walking, overall I think I’d still plan to do something similar on future visits (but with the lumberjack show, probably). It’s a pleasant city to walk around.

There was a nice photo op onboard:

Dinner was at Animator’s Palate (our second visit, having skipped the second of three scheduled meals there). The activity for the night was drawing a cartoon character. At the end of the night all the characters made appearances on the screens / walls around the restaurant. It was a fun bit.

In the quick guide about rotational dining, I mention that the long mealtimes can be a bit of a burden. Today, for example, I had to hop out a few minutes early to go get in line to meet Minnie. This was her last appearance in her Alaska outfit and we didn’t want to miss out.

days 7 and 8 - Day at Sea and Debarkation

I’m combining these last two days because (1) there isn’t a ton to say about our last day at sea and (2) the most important things that happen on day 7 related to debarkation on day 8.

Day 7 is the last full day aboard the ship, a day at sea. By this point, you’ve probably done just about everything on the ship that you wanted to do. It might be a good day to save something like a meal at Palo for so you have that to look forward to.

After breakfast at Cabanas, we took advantage of open house hours at Edge and Vibe, the kids’ clubs for older kids. Zoe had fun playing some of the arcade games, and I played some Mario Kart.

Besides just enjoying the ship, there are a few key errands you might want to run on this day.

First, I booked my placeholder reservation. This is the opportunity to save some money on a future Disney Cruise.

The Placeholder Reservation is only bookable onboard. It requires a $250 refundable deposit, and you’ll get 10% off the cruise you opt to apply the deposit to (subject to blockout dates , boo). I had some issues doing this in the app (I think unique to me, a problem with my card or something), but was able to get it taken care of with a simple visit to guest services. (As an aside, if you have any Guest Services issues, handle them early on Day 7 to avoid lines later in the day.)

Second, I swung by Shutters, the onboard photography shop. I hadn’t preordered photos because I don’t usually meet tons of characters. Turns out meeting characters was Zoe’s absolute favorite thing this trip, so I wound up spending $350 for the digital package of all our photos. Shutters is typically set to be open on debarkation morning, too, but there’s rarely any reason to wait until then to decide on your photo package (and there will be lines).

Third, I went to the main stores onboard, Mickey’s Mainsail and White Caps. I’d visited a few times during the course of the cruise, but now it was time to make any final purchases. These two stores some overlap, but basically I’d say White Caps is like the Grand Floridian gift shop and Mickey’s Mainsail is like the Pop Century gift shop. Either way, just go to both. Here’s a gallery of some merchandise:

There was a character dance party we were able to catch just before Zoe’s nap:

Now, some debarkation information. Most of the need-to-know about debarkation can be found in the app. However, there’s also a video looping on one of the TV channels that you’ll be reminded to watch several times.

On the last night of your cruise, you’ll get two things dropped off at your room—luggage tags and gratuity envelopes.

Let’s start with the gratuity envelopes. On Disney Cruise Line, you’re expected to tip your server, head server, assistant server, and stateroom host. And by “expected”, I mean that as a default , the tips will be billed to your stateroom. It’s a fixed per-person amount. For this cruise, for three of us, it came to $99.75 for our server, $78.75 for our assistant server, $26.25 for our head server, and $99.75 for our stateroom host. That’s a total of $304.50. This amounts to $14.50 per person, per night , as per Disney Cruise Line guidelines .

You can pre-pay these via the Disney Cruise Line website before your trip. Or they will be added to your stateroom bill. If you’d like to change the amount you can do so at the Guest Services desk.

Surely you’re wondering why you’re provided envelopes for gratuities that are charged to your room. Well, alongside the gratuity envelopes is a tearable sheet with strips of paper outlining the tip amounts. If you want to give these in the envelopes to the designated people, you can. If you want to provide extra cash in the envelopes, you can.

You’ll see your server team at breakfast on debarkation day, but you’ll probably either try and track down your host during the evening or just leave the envelope in the room.

Now, the luggage tags. The luggage tags are character-themed and correspond to when you’ll get off the ship. You put the luggage tags on your larger bags and leave them outside your room the last night of your cruise (I think the deadline was 10PM). The Cast Members will take the bags from the hallway and store them. You won’t see them again until you’re off the ship. After that, you’ve just got whatever items you’ve kept with you for the last evening and debarkation morning.

Debarkation morning itself is pretty simple—you’ll leave your room, eat breakfast, and get off the ship. Breakfast is table service in the same restaurant where you had your last dinner. You’ll be served by your usual team. Alternatively, I understand Cabanas is usually open, too. I also believe Cove Cafe is open.

Other than that, the only other activity available onboard is Shutters, the photography shop. Hopefully you already purchased your photo package, but if you didn’t, you can usually do so on debarkation morning (I say “usually” because why take the chance of something going wrong?). Nothing else is available debarkation morning—no pools, no shopping, no theaters, etc.

After breakfast, you’ll wait for your group to be called. I think they make ship-wide announcements, but we watched the screens in D Lounge (the spot we found best for waiting at that point). So, here’s what the screen showed when guests with Ariel or Chip & Dale could debark:

When your group is called, your store bags are taken off the ship. You’ll exit the ship and encounter a huge room filled with bags. Find the section corresponding to your luggage tags, then find your bags and exit.

Alternatively, you can just skip the luggage storage altogether. Don’t use the luggage tags and don’t leave any bags in the hallway, and you can just debark immediately after the ship has cleared customs. This was sometime before 8AM on our debarkation day.

We were called around 8:30AM and off the ship at 8:37AM. It took us a few minutes to find our bags (AirTags helped), and we were on our way out at 8:43AM.

As I’ve noted before, the Vancouver cruise terminal has a great location. There’s a Fairmont hotel right across the street. We were staying at the Fairmont at the airport, but that was only an 11-minute walk to the train station plus a 30-minute train ride.

And so our journey came to an end!

Alaskan Cruise on the Disney Wonder — Closing Thoughts

Overall, our Alaskan cruise on the Disney Wonder was exactly what I’d been led to expect—a stunning, fantastically fun, bucket-list-worthy, once-in-a-lifetime (maybe) type of cruise. Would I recommend it? Definitely!

Coming into the cruise, my biggest “concern” was properly balancing our time on and off the ship. Excursions come at a price, but they’re also sort of what the whole trip is about. At the same time, you’re paying a premium for a Disney cruise, and I didn’t want Zoe to miss out on the kids clubs or character greetings.

In the end I think we did a good job balancing things. By Day 7 we felt like we’d done everything we wanted on the ship, but we weren’t bored. The Wonder is one of Disney’s smallest ships, but it isn’t too small for this trip.

Zoe was certainly never bored—the pool, the activities, and the kids clubs were more than enough for a week. In fact, Zoe had such a good time the entire week that I’m actually quite nervous for our upcoming 3-night trip on the Disney Wish. Only three nights?! It almost feels cruel.

The lowlight of the experience was definitely the food and dining. Again, this is partly a product of our dietary choices (vegetarian), but also a product of the limited hours for the restaurants. I think its inexcusable that (1) Cabanas lunch didn’t start until 11:45AM most days and (2) Cabanas isn’t open for dinner. Yea, you’re supposed to do rotational dining, but—as detailed in our quick guide to rotational dining—that isn’t a perfect option, dietary choices aside. It’s just telling that our best meal the entire trip was a burger restaurant in Ketchikan.

But we’ll look back and remember the highlights. Our hearts melting when Zoe met those dogs and puppies. Successful whale watching. Stunning scenery. And So. Many. Characters.

Thanks for reading about our time aboard the Disney Wonder! We can’t wait to get on our next cruise and share that with you too!

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Cruising Alaska with Disney Cruise Line: A First-Timer’s Guide

Avital Andrews

Avital Andrews, SmarterTravel's editor-at-large, is a travel and lifestyle journalist who is also a contributing editor for AAA's Via magazine. Her stories have been among the 10 most emailed or viewed on the Los Angeles Times, Outside, Sierra, and SmarterTravel websites, and have also appeared in USA Today, HuffPost, Apple News, Business Insider, and many other nationwide outlets. Her travel book , sold at bookstores and on Amazon, is in its fourth edition, and her journalism gets national media attention, including from The New York Times , The Atlantic , Time , NPR, and MTV. She's currently working on her first children's book. Follow her on Twitter @avitalb .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: My laptop—the lightweight and stylish HP Spectre x360—since I'm almost always on deadline.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: A round-the-world cruise that makes stops to experience Aurora Borealis, the Olympics opening ceremony, Borneo, Madagascar, the Jerusalem Festival of Light, the Bolivian salt flats, Kenya's Giraffe Manor, the Galapagos, the Maldives, Bora Bora, the Seychelles, and every Disney park. (That itinerary definitely exists, right?)

Travel Motto: I'll steal Saint Augustine's: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Window, always. For the views and also the naps.

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If you’re like many travelers, you’ve long dreamed of taking a cruise to Alaska—and for good reason. An Alaskan ocean voyage provides an enviable almost-Arctic itinerary, opportunities for adventure at every port, and a constant supply of magnificently icy views, the likes of which probably won’t exist in 50, or even 20, years. You get all this via the comfort of an ocean liner that’s stocked with restaurants, theaters, hotel-like guest rooms, and much more.

I, too, had yearned to cruise to Alaska, so when the opportunity to hop aboard the Disney Wonder presented itself, I enlisted my husband and daughter as my travel mates. We flew to Vancouver to embark on a trip that would end up supplying us with exhilarating experiences, unforgettable nature encounters, heaping helpings of Disney fun, and, ultimately, lifetime memories.

If you’re not sure whether a Disney Alaska cruise is right for you, here’s a good idea of what you can expect based on my experiences and observations as a fellow first-timer.

Why Choose a Disney Cruise?

There are a few factors to keep in mind if Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is among the companies you’re considering for your journey to the Last Frontier.

Foremost among them: If any of the travelers in your group is a Disney fan, a Disney cruise will very much play into that enthusiasm. This may be too obvious to mention, but almost everything on a Disney cruise is Disney-themed, right down to the ketchup that’s squirted onto kids’ plates—in the shape of Mickey’s head. The characters and their stories pervade the ship, as well as some of the shore excursions.

The level of service, too, is thoroughly Disney. Everyone who works on the ship is there to make their guests’ experience magical, and it’s obvious that the hiring process is geared toward picking cheerful people who love to make other people—children, especially—happy.

“We have a fabulous, diverse team on board,” says Martin Kemp, Disney Wonder ’s hotel director. “Basically, we get to go around the globe and hire the best talent out there. And when our team members first come onboard, we go through a very, very extensive training program to introduce them to our Disney brand, our culture, and our heritage.”

In addition to providing the exemplary hospitality that the company has become known for, other Disney-specific elements that you can expect during a Disney cruise to Alaska include exclusive shore excursions that are enhanced with Disney touches, like Goofy showing up at the lumberjack show in Ketchikan, or Donald Duck panning for gold alongside your kids in Skagway. Disney hand-picked the top Alaskan tour operators, then worked directly with them to create experiences that are reserved solely for Disney Cruise Line guests.

Onboard, Disney characters wear Alaskan gear—resulting in photos that are Instagram gold—while naturalists lecture about glacier science, and nightly menus spotlight regional cuisine: buttered king crab legs one night, roasted salmon steak the next, alongside Alaska-inspired cocktails that carry the theme even further. Also exclusive to Disney’s Alaskan itineraries: a “Frozen” deck celebration featuring Anna and Elsa, plus a joyous Pixar party in the atrium.

“We truly do believe that Disney Cruise Line is a great way for families to see Alaska,” says Melanie Curtsinger, a company spokesperson. “From our themed dining spaces to the live entertainment, extensive children’s spaces, and exceptional detailed service, there truly is something for everyone in the family on these sailings.”

Disney Alaska Cruise Itinerary

Disney’s Alaska cruises depart from Vancouver for five-, seven- and nine-night summer cruises, with stops, depending on your specific itinerary, for Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Victoria, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, and Endicott Arm.

Mine was a seven-night cruise, and we spent a full pre-cruise day in Vancouver , where we rented bicycles from Club16 and took the spectacular waterfront ride around Stanley Park. (Other excellent in-Vancouver-for-the-day options include the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain.) We stayed overnight at the Fairmont Vancouver Waterfront Hotel , where Canadian hospitality is on full display, and where they personalize your shampoo bottles with your last name. The hotel is conveniently across the street from the Port of Vancouver, where we boarded the Disney Wonder. (Tip: Before boarding the ship in Vancouver, try an exotic flavor, like osmanthus flower, in a black cone at Bella Gelateria .)

After a day at sea, our first port of call was Skagway, where we took a stunning helicopter ride to a glacier (more on that below), hiked to land’s end, explored the Western-style State Street full of shops and saloons, and watched the visitor center’s film about the short-lived and ill-fated Klondike gold rush.

Next up was Juneau for some satisfying whale watching and browsing the shopping strip. There’s also the Mount Roberts Tramway , an aerial gondola that transports visitors to the top of the 3,800-foot peak for a wide-spanning, eagle-studded view over Gastineau Channel. Everyone kept saying how lucky we were to be here during such gorgeous weather.

In Ketchikan, we took a morning trolley tour to see the town’s iconic totem poles at Saxman Village. The afternoon was reserved for the raucous Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show (more on that below). In the early evening, as a light rain started to fall, we meandered the above-water walkways past Ketchikan’s former brothels—as colorful as the local characters—that now house curated art galleries, one-of-a-kind souvenir shops, and down-to-earth places to eat and drink.

At each port, there’s souvenir shop after souvenir shop, giving you no excuse to come home empty-handed. To save money, we returned to the Wonder for lunch, but there was plenty of opportunity to sample the local restaurants, many of which seem to be mom-and-pop outfits.

We also spent three full days at sea, including one in the Endicott Arm fjord during which the captain pulled the ship in as close as possible to see the 600-foot-tall Dawes Glacier, then did very slow 360-degree turns so that every passenger could take in its full splendor. Meanwhile, smaller icebergs floated past, crackling their presence. It was poignant to be in the presence of such threatened beauty—people all around us were telling their children to remember this scene, since they might not ever be able to see it look this way again. During the glacier viewing, Disney characters, donning galoshes and parkas, were on deck for hugs and photos.

After our last night onboard, we were shuttled back to Vancouver for an early-morning disembarkation. (Tip: Pack your bags the night before to have staffers lug them off the ship for you.) During our bus transfer back to the airport, Disney trivia played on the screens overhead, though our fellow passengers mostly slept through the ride, happily exhausted from such an activity-packed journey.

The Shore Excursions

Called “Port Adventures” in DCL lingo, there’s a menu of more than 200 family-friendly things to do whenever the Wonder docks in Alaska. Make sure to reserve ahead of time for these memorable shore excursions—you can easily find independent vendors to haggle with once you’re at the destination, but you’re taking a chance with the quality of your experience. You’re much better off booking in advance through Disney, whose contracted operators are total pros.

Disney’s most popular shore excursions in Ketchikan include the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour (a Disney exclusive that gives an inside look at the life of Alaskan crab harvesters) and the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show , a down-home demonstration of manly men showing off their impressive timber-sport skills, like chainsawing and log rolling. There’s plenty of enthusiastic audience participation, and Goofy makes an appearance. Wear red-and-black plaid if you’ve got it.

In Skagway, there’s the Klondike Gold Dredge and White Pass Railway excursion, during which you take a gorgeous train ride and pan for gold; and Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp , which includes a narrated motor coach tour of Skagway, panning for gold (you’ll find some, guaranteed), a scavenger hunt, a puppet show that’s both hilarious and educational, a Donald Duck cameo, and a salmon bake.

In Juneau, the Dog Sled Summer Camp lets you feel what it’s like to be pulled through the Alaskan wilderness at the speed of sprinting huskies, while the Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest on Stephen’s Passage guarantees humpback and bald eagle sightings aboard a comfortable catamaran stocked with a full bar; an expert naturalist explains everything you see.

By far the most memorable event of our Disney Alaska cruise—and that’s saying a lot—was the Glacier Discovery by Helicopter excursion, operated by Temsco Helicopters in Skagway. After a quick safety briefing, we boarded an Airbus helicopter manned by a very capable and personable pilot who was also an expert at calming any nerves, mine included. We flew over crystal-blue lakes, above vast expanses of gleamingly white ice fields, and incredibly close to steep, lush mountainsides. When we landed, it was on the 650-foot-deep Meade Glacier, but it may as well have been another planet. Confident, reassuring guides were there to explain what we were seeing—and to stop us from walking into danger—as we took in the surreal scenery before flying back to the Disney Wonder . The word “awesome” is egregiously overused, but this was awesome.

If you’re worried that your children won’t be able to make it all the way through that excursion you’re eyeing, or you’d just prefer some grownup time ashore, don’t feel bad about dropping your little ones off at the ship’s kids’ spaces before you disembark for some adventure. Most youngsters are ecstatic to have more time in these colorful rooms, where the storytelling is epic, the games and crafts are age-appropriate, and the movies are all Disney. Attentive camp-counselor types from around the world do an excellent job of supervising. (Read on for more about the kids’ spaces.)

Life Onboard Disney Wonder

The Disney vessel that shuttles passengers to and from Alaska is the impressive Wonder, which first set sail in 1999 and is one of DCL’s fleet of four (a fifth will be added in 2021; a sixth in 2023). The 83,000-ton ship has 10 floors, 875 guest rooms, 950 employees, and room for up to 2,713 passengers, a third of which are typically children.

Every day, there’s a program so packed with entertaining activity options that it’s easy to fall prey to some initial FOMO, but once you get into the swing of life onboard a Disney cruise (which doesn’t take long), the fun really begins.

Putting together the ship’s complex entertainment and dining schedule, says Natalie Bailey, Disney Wonder ’s cruise director, “is a Tetris puzzle, truly a group effort of everyone coming together to try to create variety for our guests throughout the day, and the entire cruise. Our biggest thing when it comes to planning is truly ensuring that we do have something for everyone.”

To that end, there are live shows, deck parties, character greetings, first-run movies in the theaters, trivia games, karaoke, crafts, bingo, chef demos, and plenty more. The handy Disney Cruise Line Navigator app , which you should download before your trip, tells you what’s going on at any given time. In addition to providing the day’s full lineup, it lets you “heart” the activities you don’t want to miss, text your fellow travelers for free, book shore excursions, make spa and specialty dining reservations, link your reservation number, and check in online.

Disney is, first and foremost, an entertainment company, so yes, you will be thoroughly entertained the whole way to Alaska and back. Twice nightly in the extravagant 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre, a cast of Broadway-caliber performers display their prodigious talents, with a new live production to enjoy each night, including the Alaska-appropriate “Frozen, a Musical Spectacular,” “Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic” (a production that helped launch Jennifer Hudson’s career), and the life-affirming “Golden Mickeys.” You don’t need to reserve a ticket or pay anything extra to see these shows—just show up; seats are first come, first served. (Tip: Even if the theater appears packed when you enter from the back, there are often seats available way up front.)

If you time your sailing to coincide with the release date of a new Disney movie, you’ll get to see it premiered onboard, to much fanfare—we were at sea the day Toy Story 4 came out and got to see it for free, with Green Army Men photo opps in front of the theater and a bag of popcorn as an in-room amenity.

As mentioned above, children have a whole realm of entertainment catered to them: the fifth-floor Oceaneer Youth Club. Whenever I came there to pick up my daughter, she asked to stay longer, a testament to the amount of fun she was having and the level of comfort she felt with the kind staffers.

These elaborate kids’ spaces were created to immerse youngsters in Disney stories—kids can hang out in the Wandering Oaken trading post from Frozen, Andy’s playroom from Toy Story , or the Marvel-themed Super Hero Academy, where kids train alongside their favorite superheroes. There are many enriching activities for kids to choose from, like crafting, scavenger hunts, dance parties, performing in a talent show, story times, character greetings, and so on; you can use the Navigator app to find out what’s going on in the kids’ spaces. (Tip: Once you’ve made your cruise reservation, you can have a Disney character call your child to get them excited for the trip.)

As for the guest rooms, they’re comfortable and cleverly designed, with enough space for a full family to live, sleep, bathe, and store luggage in. While we dined, our room attendant transformed the couch into a kid’s bunk, adding a guard rail for safety. He also left memorable Disney amenities on our bed, along with Ghirardelli chocolates and towels folded into amusing figures.

The themed restaurants aboard the Wonder are extraordinarily thought-through and exist for much more than just feeding you. Take Tiana’s Place, based on The Princess and the Frog, a movie in which the title character dreams of opening a restaurant in New Orleans. Yes, the menu at Tiana’s Place includes gumbo and beignets, but the stage also features a talented quartet jazzing up favorite Disney tunes, while Tiana herself visits each table to take photos with young fans; the grand finale is a joyful parade that stars all the servers.

Over at Animator’s Palate, a screen-enhanced shrine to Disney’s drawn history, your server instructs you to draw a character on your placemat. Soon thereafter, your drawing, alongside those of your fellow diners, gets animated into a magical on-screen mashup. The food is good, too.

There’s also Triton’s, a traditional cruise restaurant, and Cabanas, a huge buffet on the ninth floor with great ocean views. Several walk-up-and-go snack counters hand out pizza, gyros, ice cream, and more. All food and beverage is included in the cost of your cruise (except alcohol; you can bring a small amount onboard), so you can order whatever you want without fretting about the tab.

The only restaurant with an upcharge is Palo, the adults-only Italian eatery atop the ship. The cuisine there is a step up, and the service is top-notch, too. If you’re interested in dining at Palo, make a reservation as far ahead of time as possible.

As you cycle through Tiana’s Place, Animator’s Palate, and Triton’s each night at your set dining time (5:45 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., your choice), your dedicated team of servers follow you from restaurant to restaurant. They’re genuinely kind and accommodating, and clearly hired in part for their ability to make kids smile, laugh—and eat. They joke around, bring you whatever you want, do magic tricks and origami, and give generous hugs and high fives.

If you’d rather skip the dining room, though, or if you get hungry in the middle of the night, room service is included in the cost of your Disney Alaska cruise, and you can order as much as you want without being charged extra.

Other features worth mentioning on the Wonder include the spacious spa and top-floor fitness center, where you can run on a treadmill while watching glaciers and icebergs glide by. No matter the weather, people are always using the swimming pool and outdoor hot tubs, while Disney movies play on the huge outdoor screen above. And the “nightlife district” is a collection of three handsome bars, including a classic British pub.

Wi-Fi on the Wonder is prohibitively pricey ($89 gets you 1,000 megabytes), so it’s wise to use your cruise as an excuse to unplug from email and social media.

Whatever you’re planning to do onboard, book as much of it that’s bookable well in advance, before departing for your vacation, to make sure that you get the spots you want. This includes nursery times, spa appointments, character meet-and-greets, shore excursions, and specialty dining reservations. Then once you get onboard, you can simply relax and enjoy.

What to Pack for a Disney Alaska Cruise

Once you’re ready to get your stuff together for your Disney cruise to Alaska, check out DCL’s full list of what to pack —and what not to.

There are some pretty specific things that you’ll want to bring along for this type of cruise, including binoculars (which are available for purchase at the Port of Vancouver), rain gear, boots, layers, and waterproof jackets. Bring fancy attire for the ship’s formal and semi-formal nights, and if you plan to dine at Palo, keep in mind that the dress code there encourages dress pants or slacks and a collared shirt for men, and a dress, skirt, or pants and a blouse for women.

It’s fun to wear red-and-black plaid in Ketchikan, especially if you’re planning to see the lumberjack show there, and it’s also fun to bring Disney-themed door decorations—check Pinterest and Etsy for ideas. Don’t forget Disney autograph books for your little ones to get signed, princess dresses for the young princesses in your life, Disneybounding gear for you (if you’re into that), and at least two bathing suits so that you can wear the dry one while the wet one dries.

It’s also smart to fold an extra duffel bag into your suitcase—what with the merchandise available onboard and the many souvenir shops on shore, you’ll be coming home from Alaska with way more than you packed.

More from SmarterTravel:

Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
What to Expect on Your First Disney Cruise
10 Best Disney Hotels Around the World

Follow Avital Andrews on Twitter @avitalb or on Facebook .

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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7 Tips for a Great DCL Alaska Cruise

Disney Cruise Line’s Alaska sailings are among their most popular, but the experience you have on this itinerary can vary widely. In this post, we’ll offer our tips for having the best DCL Alaska cruise possible, with what we think are some key recommendations. I know the Disney Cruise Line Alaska itinerary is a niche interest topic, but yesterday’s “ 7 Mistakes We Made on Our DCL Alaska Cruise ” was popular, and prompted a lot of questions.

Some of those questions I planned on answering in future posts and some I answered in the comments there (but subsequent readers have asked again since this blog’s comment display sucks). With that said, I’m going to save myself some work and jump ahead and preemptively answer some questions and provide additional tips now. I’ll try to space future Alaska posts out a bit more so as to not flood those of you who don’t care with Alaska content.

It’d be pretty easy for me to phone this in and just make this post the inverse of our ‘Alaska Mistakes’ post. I’m hardly above that sort of laziness, but I actually have some worthwhile (well, I think so) tips, so I won’t waste your time with that sort of foolishness. Just remember things from that post like booking a verandah, having a healthy budget, packing binoculars, spending a few days in Vancouver, etc. We feel all of that is adequately covered in the ‘Alaska Mistakes’ post, so we won’t rehash any of it here.

One thing we will expand upon is our comment in that post that we wish we would’ve done a couple more Port Adventures. Several of you asked about that, so we’ll start with that, detailing what we did and what we wish we did…

Do Port Adventures

For our Alaska cruise, we did the White Pass Scenic Railway at our first stop in Skagway. We were on the fence about this excursion prior to the cruise and decided to make a game-day decision based upon the weather. It was gorgeous when we arrived in Skagway, so we opted to buy tickets. You can purchase these directly from the White Pass & Yukon Route ticket agent at the train, which is maybe 100 yards from where the ship docks.

Had we not done the White Pass Scenic Railway, our plan was to hike Upper Dewey Lake Trail for the view along the route to Devil’s Punch Bowl. That would’ve taken most of the day, and we didn’t have the time when we were done with the train, so instead we did the easy 3-mile loop hike on Lower Dewey Lake Trail followed by more in-town activities.

If our budget were unlimited, I would’ve added the Dog Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing to our itinerary, which could be done in the same day as the White Pass & Yukon Route with plenty of time to spare. I’d do this in Skagway over the Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sledding because I found there to be more to do in Juneau than Skagway, and also no shortage of interesting ways to experience Mendenhall Glacier.

Speaking of which, in Juneau we did the Mendenhall Lake Kayak Adventure . This was incredible and well-worth the money, but it’s impossible for me to say it was better than other Mendenhall Glacier experiences. My recommendation for Juneau is to do a Port Adventure that features Mendenhall Glacier in some way; whatever way that might be, you’re likely bound for a great experience.

In Juneau, we also hiked Mount Roberts Trail up , and took the Tramway down (a savvy option for frugal travelers as the tram is “free” that way). Of the three ports, Juneau was our favorite. There were another half-dozen things on my list that I wish we had time to do there.

Our final port was Ketchikan, which is the rainiest city in America, receiving over 150″ of annual rainfall (compared to Seattle’s ~38″), including a record amount last June, July, and August . Suffice to say, it poured the entire day we were in Ketchikan, which is to be expected. Not letting this spoil the experience, we did a rainforest hike through the fittingly named Rainbird Trail . This was more difficult than anticipated due to several impromptu waterfalls and washed out sections of trail. On the plus side, we only saw 2 other people during the entire hike.

We also purchased a combo ticket for the Tongass Historical Museum and Totem Heritage Center, both of which were excellent. In our ideal Ketchikan itinerary, the Flightseeing and Crab Feast Port Adventure –or really just any excursion involving a floatplane and the Tongass National Forest–would’ve been fun.

I’ve tried to keep this section as concise as possible; I’ll be fleshing it out with more of what we did and thought of each experience in the full cruise report. I’ve gotta hold something back to give you an excuse to read that, too! 😉

Explore Beyond the Port Areas

It’s not uncommon for there to be touristy shopping districts right around cruise ports no matter where you go. I don’t know why I expected Alaska to be any different, but I was still surprised to see Diamonds International, my arch nemesis (not really), with large storefronts in the Last Frontier. (I’m so thankful Sarah has no interest in diamonds.)

The trouble with these ports, particularly Skagway, is that much of the local economy is predicated upon tourism. Again, this is par for the course with cruising, but if you’re visiting Alaska for its undeveloped scenery, it’s still mildly surprising. With that said, if you venture beyond the port area, you’ll be rewarded. Aside from a quick stop in a store for surprisingly cheap souvenirs, we largely ignored the shopping areas at each port. We found a scattering of worthwhile museums and other ways to get a sense for authentic culture of Alaska, but this wasn’t as easy as it was in Norway.

Dress in Layers

As noted above, Ketchikan is the rainiest city in America. Weather in the other ports can likewise be dodgy, with heavy rain and sunshine in the span of an hour. One of our days at sea really underscored this, as we went from t-shirts to insulated layers and GORE-TEX within 20 minutes.

You’ll absolutely want to dress in athletic and outdoor attire (I think there was some confusion about this in our ‘Alaska Mistakes’ post–nicer clothing is for evenings on the ship, and definitely not for ports) and pack in layers. Ideally, pack a waterproof & windproof outer layer, an insulating layer, and a moisture-wicking base layer. We’d recommend packing multiple moisture-wicking shirts, as well as extra socks and waterproof hiking boots–even if you don’t plan on hiking.

We both use GORE-TEX jackets for our outer layer, and those kept us totally dry and warm. Unfortunately, GORE-TEX is expensive and might be overkill if you live somewhere dry and warm like Southern California, but it’s a good investment if you’re exposed to rain or snow regularly. We saw a lot of people wearing Disney Parks ponchos at port, which had to have been miserable. If GORE-TEX is out of the question, consider that dorky Frogg Toggs Rain Suit I recommend on our Disney Packing List Tips post. It’s definitely not as dry of a solution, but it’s cheap and far superior to ponchos.

I’d also recommend softshell hiking pants that are water-resistant (GORE-TEX is overkill) or quick-drying. These should have spandex in them; unlike the rest of my wardrobe, that’s actually not cause for concern here. Even if you don’t plan on hiking, softshell pants are a better option for the ports than jeans because you’ll end up wet all day if you just wear jeans. Good pairs of these aren’t cheap, but REI stores should have some that are under $100. If it makes the cost more palatable, these are the most comfortable pants I own, and I frequently wear them around the house on lazy Sundays.

Eat at Tracy’s King Crab Shack

Many people recommended this restaurant to us, but we were still apprehensive. It’s right along the main drag of Juneau’s downtown shopping district, and we worried it’d be like the Alaska version of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. or Joe’s Crab Shack.

Thankfully, we gave it a chance and our fears were totally unfounded. It was the best crab we’ve ever had, and was an excellent experience. In hindsight, I wish we would’ve bought the Large Alaskan King Crab Bucket. Not because we needed that much food, but because I’m a total sucker for gimmicky experiences that involve overeating.

Arrive Early or Late for Characters

From a distinctly Disney perspective, one of the coolest aspects of the Alaska cruise is that the characters meet in Alaska-exclusive costumes. You know the outfits–the iconic photo of Mickey and Minnie in Tracy Arm is featured heavily in pretty much all Disney Cruise Line’s marketing materials for Alaska itinerary.

Unquestionably, the best day to meet these characters is on the Tracy Arm fjord cruise day, when they appear for a couple of sets on Deck 10, weather permitting. Minnie is by far the most popular of these characters (probably because her outfit is best), and the ideal approach for her is lining up about 10-20 minutes before her first set. Info about this in the Navigator is vague, but character attendants will start popping up where characters will be. Don’t be shy about asking them which characters will meet in each location and when. Once the characters actually come out, lines balloon and waits are significant.

If you’re unable to meet every character on the fjord cruise day (perhaps someone has a better strategy than us, but we found it to be impossible), they’ll appear inside on subsequent nights. These are far easier to do, but the backdrop is far duller, too. If you do these, the 10 p.m. meet & greets have the shortest waits…but that might not be a feasible time if you have kids (which is why the waits are so short).

In the ‘Alaska Mistakes’ post, I suggested that we overdid it with hiking. This is something of a double-edged sword: we had a blast on each of the hikes and they were unique, but doing so many was physically exhausting. Perhaps my In-N-Out Diet, patent pending, is not as healthy as everyone assumes? (Meh, it’s still better than the Tapeworm Diet .)

While 4 hikes might be too many, we’d highly recommend at least a couple. For the shorter, less strenuous ones, you don’t even have to plan in advance (aside from attire, but we’d recommend dressing for a hike no matter your plans). Each of the ports has Visitor Centers where you can get recommendations for hikes under 2 miles, and free maps. These hikes are a great way to see Alaska’s beautiful and surprisingly diverse natural scenery.

Every Season Has Pros & Cons

I spent hours upon hours researching the best time to go in order to determine whether we should go early, late, or during peak season. From prices to weather to wildlife, there are compelling reasons to go or avoid every single month of Alaska cruise season. (I got so ‘into’ it that I even spent an inordinate amount of time researching peak mosquito season.)

While we obviously only did this cruise during one particular week of the year, I’m at peace with my belief that there’s no perfect time to go, and upsides and downsides to all options. The big upside for us was price and crowds, and our ship was definitely not filled to capacity. (Although this had its own downside: there was a great last-minute deal on our sailing, meaning we overpaid…which pains me.)

In any case, do the research about what each month offers/lacks, determine your own priorities, and book accordingly. As we’ve already demonstrated, it’s easy to Monday-Morning QB your decisions, but compromise is one aspect of cruising!

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YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of these tips? If you’ve cruised to or visited Alaska, what tips would you add? Thoughts on any of these–or other–Port Adventures? Any questions for those taking or considering an Alaska cruise? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

I love visiting sites that offer something extra. I love Disney cruise line and your tips are making Alaska cruise quite interesting. Bookmarking your blog to visit again.

I have been examinating out many of your posts and i can state clever stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.

Just returned from the Alaskan cruise on the DCL on Tuesday. Our weather was perfect … No Mosquitos or bugs. Definitely recommend the helicopter dog sledding/ glacier excursion. We did Juneau. We booked ourselves through Alasakan Shore Tours. Also did the White Mountain Railroad tour in Skagway but we were suppose to do train up to Canada and bus back…there was a rock slide the night before …train was cancelled. DCL excursion was cancelled , we got there and were able to do bus both ways and were refunded difference in price. We had no problems with our experience. This was one of the best trips we have ever done. We saw bears, whales, seals , Eagles and lots of others animals. It was Amazing!

Great post Tom,

Regarding the section about Exploring Beyond the Port Areas, when my wife and I went to Alaska a few years ago on a cruise, we did just that in Skagway. We rented a car and drove to the Yukon Territory where we went to a husky dog camp, rode horses around Emerald Lake and visited the town of Carcross and got our passports stamped at the local post office. This was all a ton of fun and reasonably priced. None of this was booked through the cruiseline. Highly recommend it for all ages. We loved our trip to Alaska so I hope Tom’s post has encouraged you all to go!

That sounds really awesome–in hindsight, I sort of wish we would’ve done something like this. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I think my earlier comment got eaten. You lucked out by being too early in the season for major mosquitoes. Later they will be AWFUL. Plus biting black flies and noseeums. Also, Costco has some great quick-dry travel pants right now (or they did for women a few weeks ago) that would be my pick to wear on excursions. I would also recommend bringing a warm hat and gloves no matter when you visit, especially I you plan to be on a boat or a glacier.

Any chance you would be able to share your packing list for the Alaska cruise? We plan to do a little hiking, a little sight seeing (i.e. town walking & museums), and *maybe* a Yukon/dog musher camp excursion. No glaciers; budget doesn’t allow it. Some of the other packing lists I’ve seen have been very hiking-focused, and while we’ll do some, it won’t be our primary activity in port. So it would be nice to know how much hiking gear would truly be useful, and what would be useful for non-hiking activities.

Great info for our trip next year! Can you tell me what kind of shoes she is wearing in your picture with Minnie? They’re really cute and I’m having a hard time finding some I like. Thanks!!

I did this cruise last summer the first week of June with my husband and 15&13 year old. The best advice I read during planning was to assume it would be raining during port excursions, this proved true 2/3 days. Favorite excursion was kayaking Mendenhall glacier. We booked through Above and Beyond AK, cheaper than DCL and 10% discount by booking in Jan. (I have no affiliation, they are a local comp that gave excellent service)The price for the Whitehall Train seemed high for what it was, we rented a car, drove into Canada along the same route as the train, stopped whenever we wanted to for pictures, had a nice lunch and visited an Iditrod training camp that had puppies on site. Shipboard, download the app before sailing that allows free texting and access to the digital daily events program. Also, we prepaid for a picture package and had a blast having our pictures with the many characters on board, better quality than cell phone pix (which they gladly take for you). Lastly, I want to thank you Tom, I love your writing, and your information. After seeing your Japan info, I cancelled a European Disney cruise for June 2019, and am going to Japan instead – with a stop in Shang Hai first on an open jaw flight. It really is doable for much less than I imagined. Happy travels everyone!

This wouldn’t have been helpful for you, Tom, since you didn’t leave out of Seattle, but this is in case anyone reading here IS leaving out of Seattle. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park is located in two sites: Skagway AND Seattle. We went to the one in Seattle prior to our cruise, and we were super impressed with the information and the quality we got. We then went to the Historic Park in Skagway, and it was disappointing: poorly organized, less information, etc. We were the only ones from our group of 14 to go to the one in Seattle, so we ending up being the “experts” for our group. The Seattle site is well worth seeking out (and both sites have free junior ranger programs).

What animals did you see up in Alaska?

Enjoying your Alaska posts! You have such a great style of writing about your trips. I would love to do an Alaska cruise but am paranoid about being seasick on the boat, so it’s fun to read about your experience. Looking forward to your trip report!

Purchasing GORE-TEX jacket now… This is my dream trip! Can’t wait to hear more about your Alaskan cruise!

We are going on an Alaskan cruise in August but not with DCL. We really wanted to, but my inlaws are coming and in their 70’s, and wanted a cruise with less kids. So, we booked through princess. So far, we have whale watching/mendenhall glacier excursion, as well as the railroad in Skagway. Still deciding on what to do in Ketchikan, but thinking of a rainforest/nature guided hike. So excited!

Were your excursions booked through DCL? So you’re saying everyone checked in, but the excursion failed to leave, so everyone missed it? How did you miss the Juneau whale watch? How could you almost miss it if everyone was there? How would you recommend others avoid this?

This was meant to be a reply to Charlene solonynka. Not sure why it posted separately.

Here’s another suggestion…if you’re going to try an excursion that could be canceled due to weather, do it sooner in the trip. We really wanted to try the helicopter/glacier/dog sled excursion. Yes, it’s expensive but we guessed it would be the highlight of the trip and we were not wrong. We originally booked this excursion for our 1st port day at Skagway and whale watching in Juneau on our 2nd port day. We were on a late August sailing so we knew the weather might cancel some excursions and hoped that if our Skagway excursion was canceled, we could rebook for Juneau. If we originally booked in Juneau and it was canceled, there would be no option to rebook. As luck would have it, 2 weeks before we sailed, we received an email from our Skagway dogsled adventure that it was canceled. We found a different excursion for Skagway, canceled our Juneau whale watching excursion and booked the dogsled adventure out of Juneau. Two days before we sailed we received a phone call from the excursion Company in Juneau (not through DCL) that they were cancelling due to too much snow. We were already in transit to Vancouver so we logged onto the DCL website and found a dogsled adventure available and booked the last 2 slots. This 3rd try stuck and we enjoyed this excursion immensely! The point of this lengthy diatribe is be ready with Plan B when going to Alaska and maybe even Plan C. The weather is unpredictable but with backup plans, we had a fantastic trip!

This is a brilliant suggestion.

I talked to one family on the cruise that had all three of their Port Adventures cancelled due to weather, and while they made lemonade out of lemons (and were really positive about the trip), I can imagine that would put a huge damper on the experience if you didn’t have a backup plan.

Ketchikan was our favorite port. The old red-light district had a lot of really unique souvenirs. My biggest recommendation would be to make sure your excursion leaves the Disney ship on time. We missed one (whale watching in Juneau) and almost a second (Skagway train) because even though everyone was there, they didn’t leave the ship on time. It was the major disappointment of our trip.

Were your excursions booked through DCL? So you’re saying everyone checked in, but the excursion failed to leave, so everyone missed it? How would you recommend others avoid this?

Do a whale watching excursion. Totally worth it

A DCL trip to Alaska is on our bucket list, so I really appreciate these posts.

Question though: I am mortified of mosquitoes (they apparently love my daughter and me more than life itself!). How were they on your trip? Do you know if there’s a season when they are less bad?

We didn’t see any bugs whatsoever. If my research is any indication, mosquitos are a bigger probably during summer, and primarily inland. They seem to be a minor nuisance at the port cities at worst (maybe akin to WDW?). That’s just research–not firsthand experience–though.

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Parking and Port Information

Port canaveral.

DCL Terminal Parking info Source: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/bahamas/ports/port-canaveral-florida/departure-port-information/

Parking The parking facility is staffed from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for Guests parking their vehicles prior to embarking the ship. The parking lot and garage are paved, gated and under 24-hour surveillance.

Parking fees are charged when you enter the parking facility instead of upon leaving. Parking attendants will provide a receipt to the Guests upon entry of the parking facility.

Guests are charged for every day their vehicle is in the lot/garage, which includes the day of arrival and the day of departure from the cruise.

Parking costs are based on cruise itinerary. See below:

$68.00 per parking space for the 3-night cruise
$85.00 per parking space for the 4-night cruise
$102.00 per parking space for the 5-night cruise
$119.00 per parking space for the 6-night cruise
$136.00 per parking space for the 7-night cruise
$153.00 per parking space for the 8-night cruise
$170.00 per parking space for the 9-night cruise

If the Guest’s vehicle takes up more than one parking space (i.e. RV, trailer), the guest is charged $15.00 per additional parking space per day.

Preferred parking is also available for $25.00 per day. The preferred parking area is located inside the secured area, next to the vehicle dropoff area.

Guests enter via the car gate, drop off their luggage and then make a left turn in to the preferred parking area. There are total of 113 spaces, including 6 accessible spaces. Parking in the preferred area is on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the size of the lot, there is no over-sized vehicle parking available in the preferred parking area.

The Port Canaveral Port Authority operates the parking facility. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are the only acceptable forms of payment. Personal checks are not accepted.

Rates are subject to change without notice.

All Guests must be on board the ship by 3:45 p.m.

Port Canaveral Parking Website

OTHER Parking Near PC

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PORT OF MIAMI

Cruise Terminal

Port of Miami Port Blvd. Miami, FL 33132

Port Of Miami Website

Parking reservation is not required at the Port of Miami.

There’s a free shuttle service from the parking garage that will bring you to the appropriate cruise terminal of your choice.

Effective December 1, 2017

Overnight Parking, per night : $22
Short-term Parking : $8
Vehicles longer than 20 feet : An additional $22 per day

Payment All of our garages and Lot E accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or any major U.S. Traveler’s Check. No debit cards are accepted.

Other Parking Areas for Port of Miami

Premier Parking USA – https://www.airportparking.top/premierparkingusa.html

Port of Miami Parking – http://www.portofmiamicruiseparking.com

Safe Cruise Parking – http://www.safecruiseparking.com

GALVESTON PORT AND PARK

http://www.portparking.com/

NEW YORK MANHATTAN TERMINAL

Cruise Terminal Manhattan Cruise Terminal 711 12th Ave, New York, NY 10019 (212) 641-4441

https://www.nycruise.com/manhattan-terminal/

Parking reservations are not available at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Parking fee: $40 per night with taxes included and no up charge for SUVs (subject to change)

The vehicle height restriction is 8 ft. 3 in.

The parking terminal opens at 8 am. Upon debarkation, you must check your car out by 1 pm.

Payment can be made by cash, Visa, or MasterCard only at the port upon arrival.

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Disney Cruise Alaska Guide

Everything you need to know, the alaska disney cruise is a once in a lifetime experience our disney cruise alaska guide has all the essential tips you need for the best cruise experience. swipe up or keep reading for all the best tips and everything you need to know to plan your alaska disney cruise.

The May and September sailings will be less expensive and may even not be fully booked because kids will still be in school. You should also consider that the later in the season you plan your cruise the higher the potential for rain during your trip. Swipe up for more info on pricing and deals!

When is the Best Time to Book Your Cruise?

There is a formal night onboard the ship, so bring a nicer outfit if you want to participate! Also, make sure to bring your binoculars and consider getting a camera extension for your iPhone to increase your zoom strength! Swipe up to see all of our packing list notes!

What to Pack

Bring enough layers so you are always comfortable stepping out to your own verandah or the general decks so you can take in the majesty of the inside passage. You don't want to miss the incredible views! Swipe up to see all of our Disney Alaska Cruise Tips!

Disney Cruise Alaska Tip: Get outside!

There are free charms and a free charm bracelet that are available for guests everyday at a specific time. The charms are meant to get you in to the store looking at jewelry but they are still a cute keepsake. Swipe up to see all of our Disney Alaska Cruise Tips!

Disney Cruise Alaska Tip: Grab a charm bracelet!

Swipe up to read our full disney cruise alaska guide.

Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise – The Essential Guide 2024

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One sailing that is on many people’s bucket lists is a cruise to Alaska.

And if you want to sail on one of the best cruise lines which offer that itinerary you really should consider a Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise.

Here we look at the Alaskan cruises that are available on the Disney Wonder, get an idea of pricing and find out more about what Disney Cruises have to offer.

Disney Wonder Sailings from Vancouver

First, let’s see what itineraries are available.

All the Disney Wonder Alaska Cruises sail from the port of Vancouver, Canada.

There are a number of different cruises available including 5, 7, 8, and 9-night itineraries.

Most of the Disney Wonder Cruises are for 7 nights.

There are some variations on the Disney Wonder Alaska cruise itinerary but most are 7-night cruises sailing from Vancouver.

4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise From San Diego California to Vancouver Canada

San Diego, California
Victoria, Canada
Vancouver, Canada

Sailing on 5/9/24

7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver

Glacier Viewing, Stikine Icecap
Icy Strait Point

Sailing on 5/13/24, 5/27/24,

6/10/24, 6/24/24,

8/5/24, 8/19/24,

Sailing on 5/20/24,

6/3/24, 6/17/24,

7/1/24, 7/29/24,

8/12/24, 8/26/24,

9/9/24, and 9/16/24

9-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver

Sailing on 7/15/24

Do You Need a Balcony Stateroom on a Disney Alaska Cruise?

The very simple answer to this is that a balcony stateroom is always very nice to have, particularly for an Alaskan cruise.

However, balcony staterooms are almost always more expensive than Inside and Outside staterooms – and never more is this true on any Alaskan cruise that you may choose.

Let’s look at this price difference.

These Disney Alaskan cruise costs are shown as correct if you were booking on November 27, 2022. Prices vary a lot so always check the Disney website for up-to-date pricing.

The prices below are for 2 guests including taxes and port fees.

The rates shown are for the lowest rates in that category.

As you can see the rates for a balcony stateroom are considerably higher than for an Inside or Oceanview stateroom.

For some dates, the cost of a balcony stateroom is more than double that of an Inside stateroom.

So should you book a balcony stateroom on a Disney Alaskan cruise?

Only you can decide whether the cost is within your budget.

Of course, it is nice to be able to sit on the balcony and watch the beautiful scenery go by, but you can do that in the public areas of the ship.

Is it as great an experience?

Probably not, but you are saving $3,000 to $4,000. You need to decide how important that is to you.

Disney Fantasy Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom Review

How to Find the Best Staterooms on Disney Wonder

When is the Best Time to Book a Disney Alaska Cruise?

There is no easy answer to this – as pricing patterns have changed since sailings restarted.

The usual advice prior to 2022 was that you should always book a Disney Cruise as close to the opening date as possible as the prices were likely to go up considerably over time.

However, this has become a little more complicated when you look at the prices for 2022 and how they have changed.

You can see Disney Alaska Cruise 2022 Prices here to see how they changed from the release date to right up to before sailing.

Some cruise prices for Alaska even went down from the opening day.

This is really not what you would expect, and was probably unique for 2022.

What you can see is that if you want to sail Concierge on a Disney Wonder Alaskan Cruise then the best idea would be to book as early as possible.

Concierge is likely to sell out quickly on many dates, and 2022 shows that prices can rise considerably.

What Are The Disney Alaskan Cruise Port Stops Like?

A Disney 7-night Alaska cruise has port stops in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

It also has a day exploring Dawes Glacier. Each of these experiences has something different to offer.

Disney Cruise Dawes Glacier

This isn’t a port stop in the conventional sense. However, it is an experience sailing around the Dawes Glacier.

This is an amazing experience and is often the highlight of a Disney Alaskan cruise.

To be able to get up close and see the amazing scenery is an experience not to be missed.

Dawes Glacier is part of the scenic Endicott Arm fjord which is located approximately 45 miles south of Juneau, Alaska.

You get very close to the glaciers. Nothing can prepare you for that amazing sight of the spectacular glaciers.

The Tracy Arm experience will last around 5 hours, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the experience from different viewpoints.

Remember to dress in layers and bring those binoculars with you!

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

The 7-night Disney Alaskan Cruises and the 9-night cruise sails to Icy Strait Point, Alaska.

It is a stunningly beautiful port with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

A relatively new addition to Icy Strait Point is the gondola which gives spectacular views of the area. The Skyglider climbs 1,600 feet to Sky Peak.

It is well worth the journey for the view from the top.

Gondola Mountaintop and Transporter Port Adventure costs $50 for adults and $40 for children aged 3 to 9.

There are lots of tours which will give you the opportunity to see the abundant wildlife. There are a number of Whale Watching Tours available.

There is also a Discovering Birds excursion.

Other Port Adventures include Family Scavenger Hunt, Seafood Fest, Back Country Jeep Adventure, and the Spasski River Valley Wildlife and Bear Search.

Disney Cruise Alaska Skagway Port and Excursions

Skagway is probably my favorite port stop in Alaska.

This is another town where you dock very close to the center, so it is easy to just walk off the ship and explore.

Skagway is a small Gold Rush town. It is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.

This is how you imagine stepping back in time would feel like.

Skagway is a tiny town. It has one main street which isn’t very long. The population is just 1,191 people.

It is well worth the short walk into town though if only to imagine what it must have been like to live in one of the Gold Rush towns.

There are some tourist stores, a couple of bars, and a museum which is worth checking out.

However, you will most likely want to combine your visit to Skagway with some Disney cruise excursions to make the most of your time there.

A highlight for many visitors is the White Pass Scenic Railway.

You really couldn’t dock any closer to the station – it is right next to the ship.

This is a very very popular Port Adventure and it does sell out.

The cost is $149 for adults and $74 for children aged 3 to 9 for the basic journey.

There are other Port Adventures that include the rail journey but add on other elements such as a hike, a bike trail, or a VIP experience.

This vintage train takes you on a spectacular journey on a track that was built in 1898.

This is another one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences which we highly recommend.

One of the most sought-after Disney Cruise Alaska excursions is a dog sledding adventure.

There are plenty of opportunities to book an Alaskan port adventure where you can enjoy this amazing experience.

There are many other options for excursions in Skagway

. One of the least pricey is Skagway’s Original Street Car City Tour which is $52 for adults and $35 for children.

On this excursion, you board an original 1927 sightseeing bus and are taken on a historical journey around the town.

It is a good way to see more of the breathtaking scenery surrounding the town and to get an overview of the history of the area.

Other excursions include Alpine Lake Canoe Adventure, Dog Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing, Evening Wildlife Expedition, Klondike Bicycle Tour, Ocean Raft Nature Adventure, Sunset Horseback Adventure and the Yukon Expedition.

Disney Cruise Alaska Juneau Port and Excursions

Junuea is the only US State Capital that is landlocked.

The only way to get there is by land or sea – there are no roads going in or out of the town.

Disney Wonder docks right in the center of town.

Just step off the ship and you can explore the shops and restaurants.

It is, of course, a town which caters to tourists, so you will find a lot of souvenir shops which start to look the same as each other very quickly.

The Goldbelt Tramway is a very popular attraction in Juneau and it is just a short walk from where the Wonder docks.

The aerial tramway takes guests 1,800 feet into the mountains for a spectacular view of the surrounding scenery.

You can do this on your own, but there is also an excursion available. The lines can be long and if the weather is bad (as it often is) you may not see much of a view.

We would say to wait until you arrive and see what the weather is like before deciding if it is worth standing in line.

There is a huge choice of activities in Juneau – it is difficult to choose just one.

Juneau is well known for the Mendenhall Glacier.

This breathtaking natural feature is the only glacier in Alaska that you can access by road.

There are many Disney Port Adventures that give guests the chance to visit Mendenhall Glacier.

These range from a trip to view the glacier from the ground to plenty of options from a boat or kayak.

The Mendenhall Lake Kayak Adventure gives you an opportunity to explore the glacier up close. It is $229 for adults and $119 for children

Alaska is of course known for its abundant wildlife.

You will likely see whales from your ship, but if you want to increase your odds of seeing one of these beautiful creatures there are plenty of Whale Watching Adventures to choose from.

The Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest is $179 for adults and $109 for children.

Guests will board a catamaran and sail on a whale-watching adventure.

Want to be even more adventurous? The Taku Lacier Adventure by Helicopter is one of those bucket list experiences that you will never forget. It is available for $459 for all ages.

Disney Alaska Cruise Ketchikan Port and Excursions

Another fascinating port on your Disney Cruise is the town of Ketchikan.

Disney Wonder docks right in the town so you can just step off the ship and explore.

As you would expect, the town is full of tourist shops.

It is worth taking a short time to browse around, but you will probably want to book a Port Adventure to explore much more than the town itself.

Ketchikan is most famous for its colorful totem poles which you can see around the town.

The Misty Fjords National Monument by Seaplane is a very popular excursion.

This 75-minute flight will have you flying over spectacular scenery and enjoying a view of the surrounding fjords, waterfalls, and lakes. The cost is $499 for adults and $409 for children aged 2 to 9. Under 2 are free.

Ketchikan is also famous for its lumberjack show, which is a short walk from the cruise ship. You can book the Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show at $50 for adults and $28 for children. For an extra charge, you can even try your hand at axe throwing!

There are lots of Disney Alaska Cruise Port Adventures to get you out in the amazing Alaskan scenery. These include an Alaskan Bear Adventure, Zipline Adventures, Hunting for Halibut, Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure, Rainforest Family Adventure, and a Wilderness Exploration and Crab Fest.

Which Side of the Cruise Ship is Best on an Alaska Cruise?

Visiting Sitka on a Disney Alaska Cruise

The Wonder only has a port stop in Sitka on the 9-night itinerary which only sails once in 2023.

You can easily explore on your own but you will get the most out of your experience if you book a guided tour or Port Adventure.

There are several Disney Port Adventures available to the National Park which is also known as Totem Park. The basic tour is $64 for adults and $44 for children aged 3 to 9.

If you prefer something a little more adventurous then the Alaska Zodiac Adventure and Fin Island Lodge Port Adventures are available for $199 for adults and $139 for children.

Hubbard Glacier

You will only visit Hubbard Glacier on a Disney Alaska Cruise if you are sailing on the 9-night itinerary.

This is subject to actually being able to access the glacier as for part of the cruise season it is too icy to actually pass close to Hubbard Glacier.

It is a spectacularly beautiful place and most guests enjoy the views from the ship.

However, there is one Port Adventure available which is the Hubbard Glacier Explorer costing $299 for adults and $199 for children. This 2-hour tour on a water-jet-powered catamaran takes you close up to the glacier so that you are likely to see

Want to Know More About the Disney Wonder?

We have spent many months on the Disney Wonder and have written lots of guides about this fabulous ship:

Disney Wonder Staterooms – What Do You Need to Know?

Disney Wonder Restaurant Guide

Disney Wonder Bars

Disney Cruise First-Timer Money Mistakes

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Wednesday 30th of November 2022

The photo posted of the Disney Magic in Vancouver - just an fyi that’s not Vancouver! Great article though :)

Disney Alaska Cruise Packing List With Free Printable

Making our Disney Alaska cruise packing list caused me tons of anxiety when planning this long anticipated family vacation. I spent hours contemplating versatile clothes, debating the need for waterproof items, and obsessing over every detail. I’m here to share our complete printable Disney Alaska Cruise packing list to save you from stress and make your packing experience easier.

Disney Alaska Packing Tips
Vancouver Packing List
Packing An Embarkation Day Bag
Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Packing List
Semi-Formal, Formal, and Frozen Night
Cold Weather and Waterproof Gear
Medical Supplies
Miscellaneous Packing List
Printable Disney Alaska Cruise Packing List

Disney Alaska Cruise Packing Tips

Suitcases line the hallways outside Disney Wonder on Disney Alaska cruise embarkation day

Pack Coordinating Colors

Disney Alaska cruises tend to be long vacations with most Disney Wonder sailings seven or more nights long. Add on a couple days pre- or post-cruise in Vancouver and that’s a lot of clothes and sometimes wildly different climates.

To simplify packing we chose clothes in similar color schemes to make mixing and matching easier. There’s nothing worse than getting to the end of a long trip and finding the pieces that are still clean don’t look right together.

Accessories Help Transform An Outfit

A pair of jeans and a plain shirt can get an elevated look with a few accessories. Switch tennis shoes to boots, add a belt and jewelry, and top it with a jacket or cardigan for a surprisingly different outfit.

You Really Need Waterproof Gear When Disney Alaskan Cruise Packing

Rain drops cover the hood and rain jacket of a teen girl while her pants show water marks from the rain in Ketchikan

Deciding what waterproof gear to pack for our Disney Alaska cruise was my biggest internal debate. Would we really need waterproof hiking boots and raincoats?

Ultimately I bought waterproof boots, pants, and rain jackets for each of us and it was totally worth it.

We used our waterproof gear at least half of the days we were on our Disney Alaska cruise. It poured on us in Ketchikan, it rained on our glacier viewing day, and thin waterproof pants made our Juneau Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sledding excursion more comfortable.

It’ll Seem Like Overpacking, But It Isn’t

We routinely travel for up to six nights in a carry-on only. While making our packing list and gathering items I thought for sure I would regret bringing as much as we did.

As we prepared to go home, I was shocked how little was left unused. There were only a handful of unworn items, like a couple shirts, one nice dinner outfit, some socks, and undergarments.

Despite over packing a little, having the right variety of clothes regardless of the weather was fabulous. I felt like our Disney Alaskan cruise packing list worked perfectly for us.

If you really want to trim this packing list I would suggest reducing the number of cruise casual dinner outfits or formal wear. Everything else is essential in our experience.

Packing Cubes Keep Everything Organized

Jeans sit inside a packing cube waiting to be zippered closed

I am a huge fan of packing cubes even when packing light for Disney World . Using them to compress clothes saves space and keeps me organized.

For example, I packed all of our Frozen night clothes and accessories in one cube, pajamas in another and so on. Packing cubes make finding what you need faster and are easily stackable in the Disney stateroom closets.

In Case Of Emergency Use Onboard Laundry

There are laundry rooms onboard Disney Wonder in case you need to launder some clothes while on your Alaska cruise. However, the machines were almost always full when we would go to iron our clothes.

Disney Alaska Cruise Packing List

Disney Wonder with mountains in the background and ice filled water in front during a Disney Alaska Cruise

Although it’s tempting to jump straight to our free printable Disney Alaska cruise packing list at the end of this article I encourage you to read these sections first. It’s best to understand how the clothes are used and our specific recommendations for brands or styles which makes the list even more useful.

I’m including a quick summary of Disney Alaska cruise items to pack under each subsection. If I mention something under a section, for example comfortable shoes, I won’t repeat that item again in another section. The complete list is included in the free Disney Alaska packing list printable.

We packed everything on this list for three people in a large checked bag, a medium checked bag, three carry-on bags, and two personal items with the help of compression packing cubes (affiliate link: Buy on Amazon ).

Vancouver Clothes

Totem poles representing Vancouver's indigenous people educate visitors in Stanley Park

Disney Wonder embarks and disembarks from Canada Place in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. We are unsure if, or when, we will make it back to BC which is why we decided to spend three days pre-cruise exploring the best of Vancouver.

The Disney Alaska cruise season runs from May through September each year. Weather varies widely depending on the month, and sometimes even by the day.

Expect Vancouver highs in the low 60’s in May, mid-60’s in June, low 70’s in July and August, and September dipping back into the mid-60’s. Vancouver nighttime lows for Alaska cruise season are relatively consistent from high 40’s to high 50’s.

Researching the 10 day forecast is helpful, but anytime a vacation lasts a week or longer it isn’t unusual for the forecasted weather to change once you’ve left home. That’s why packing a variety of clothes is so important on this kind of trip.

Imagine our surprise when upon arrival in Vancouver the forecast had dramatically shifted. Instead of expected temps in the low 70’s our mid-July trip had days of 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

A girl wears shorts and a t-shirt crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver before taking a Disney Alaska Cruise

This unexpected heat wave made me grateful I packed a pair of shorts last minute. They only took up a little space, but made hiking and exploring in Vancouver more comfortable.

After two unseasonably warm days the temperatures shifted to more average Vancouver weather. In fact, our Vancouver embarkation day was quite cool with clouds and a high of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

We also packed jeans, short and long sleeve shirts, extra layers for chilly nights like a fleece jacket, and one casual chic outfit for dinner. While these items work for Vancouver many are also crucial for the cruise.

3 nights in Vancouver:

1 pair of shorts
1 pair of pants
2 short sleeve shirts
2 long sleeve shirts
1 layer (sweatshirt, sweater, shacket, fleece)
Dinner outfit with dress shoes (optional)
Comfortable walking shoes
Pajamas and slippers
Socks and undergarments (1 for every night plus 2 extra in case of flight delays)

Embarkation Day Bag

Cloudy skies frame Disney Wonder's empty pool on embarkation day

Guests must drop off all luggage in a central location before embarking on Disney Wonder. However, you are allowed to carry on a personal item for embarkation day.

Packing your embarkation day bag is important since this will be the only luggage you’ll have access to for several hours. All important documents, passports, IDs, and prescription medications must be in the day bag.

We also packed swimsuits, cover ups, and swim shoes in case we wanted to take advantage of a relatively empty pool and waterslide. Embarkation day was also the warmest day we had on this ship so it was the only time our kids used their suits.

Pro Tip: Planning to swim on embarkation day? Pack essential cosmetics for touch-ups in case your luggage arrives late.

The adults in our group used swimsuits to take advantage of the adult only hot tub a couple times during our Alaska cruise.

Embarkation Day Bag:

Passports and IDs
Travel documents
Prescription and OTC medications
Swimsuits, cover-ups, pool shoes
Dry bag for wet swim gear
Basic makeup for touch ups in case luggage arrives late

Disney Alaska Cruise Clothes

Daytime outfits.

A woman poses with Tiana in jeans, tennis shoes, a black mockneck shirt and oversized plaid on a Disney Alaska Cruise

We cruised in mid-July and used almost exclusively long sleeve shirts, extra layers, and long pants. Those cruising at the beginning or end of the season should bring less short sleeve shirts and more long sleeves to combat the cooler temperatures.

Most days on our Disney cruise we wore jeans, long sleeve shirts, and layers like a sweater, flannel, fleece, or sweatshirt. Inside the ship is kept a comfortable temperature, but when heading out to the decks we often needed a jacket, too.

In general these same clothes are perfect for port days, but often require adding waterproof shoes and rain jackets.

Some guests also bring special clothes, for example red and black buffalo checked flannel shirts, to match Disney character outfits exclusive to Alaska cruises.

Daisy Duck meets guests in a red and black buffalo check plaid dress, sherpa lined boots, and a jacket

Cruise Casual Dinner Attire

Except for Frozen, formal, and semi-formal nights my daughter and I switched from our casual clothes into simple dresses at dinnertime. My husband usually changed into a dress shirt or a sweater.

Cruise casual dinner attire on Disney Cruise Line simply means “no swimwear or tank tops” at dinner. In our experience most guests wore casual, but not sloppy, clothes to dinners.

Palo, the adult only restaurant on Disney Wonder, has a dress code. Pack polished casual clothing, like dresses, dress pants and a blouse/collared shirt, or jeans in good condition with nice shoes.

T-shirts, swimwear, sports attire, and other similar casual clothing is not allowed when dining at Palo.

We reused our Palo brunch outfits for dinner another night. This kept us from having to pack an additional polished casual look.

Some guests opt to stay in casual clothes for dinners other than formal and semi-formal. If you do this you won’t look out of place. This worked in our favor because our luggage arrived too late to change for dinner on our embarkation day.

Purses and Backpacks

I used a backpack as my embarkation day bag and then used this same packable backpack for some port adventures.

For walking around the ship, or casual excursions like the Ketchikan Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show , I used a small purse or lululemon belt bag. These smaller bags worked well to hold basics like our Key To The World card, IDs, credit cards, and other essential items.

7 nights on Disney Alaska Cruise:

3 or 4 pair of pants
7 long sleeve shirts
3 layers (sweatshirt, flannel, sweater, shacket)
3 or 4 Dinner/Palo outfits (optional)
If you opt out of Frozen, formal, and semi-formal night I would pack and additional pair of pants and a couple sweaters in case you want fresh clothes at dinner
Backpack and/or purse

Disney Cruise Line Semi-Formal, Formal, and Frozen Night Attire

Disney Cruise Line has three special nights during an Alaskan cruise: semi-formal, formal, and Frozen night. All three are optional and you’ll see people very dressed up while others are wearing cruise casual during these special dinners. Do what makes you feel most comfortable!

Frozen Night

Frozen night takes place on the same day as your glacier viewing. Find a special Frozen inspired menu, a short deck show between the dinner seatings, and some cute snowy photo backgrounds.

A woman poses in front of blue Alaska glacier waters in her Elsa Disneybound with blue dress, snowflake accessories, and side braid

My daughter and I opted to Disneybound for Frozen night. I wore a simple blue dress (affiliate link: Buy on Amazon ), did a side braid, and wore some snowflake jewelry to represent Elsa.

Elizabeth Disneybounded as Anna with a magenta cardigan, black mock turtleneck, a royal blue skirt and black boots. It was comfortable, cute, and everyone immediately knew she was Anna.

A teenage girl Disneybounds as Anna in a magenta cardigan, blue skirts, and black boots while meeting Belle on Disney Wonder

My husband opted for a dark blue shirt and ice blue tie with nice slacks to coordinate with our outfits. Some of our group wore a full set of Lederhosen while others opted for cute après ski style sweaters. However, lots of guests wore normal dinner attire during Frozen night.

Formal and Semi-Formal Nights

A woman poses with Chip and Dale wearing a dressy black jumpsuit for Disney Alaska Cruise semi-formal night

We pre-purchased unlimited photos for our Disney Alaska cruise which gave us dozens of fun memories from staged portraits to character meet and greets.

Disney Cruise Line recommends “dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men, and dress or pantsuit for women” as suggested formal wear.

My husband wore dress pants, a dress shirt, and tie on these nights. I chose a simple off-the-shoulder black dress and a dressy jumpsuit while my daughter did some cute dresses.

Some people got glam with sequins and tuxes while others wore jeans. I felt great in our slightly dressed up outfits, got a couple family pictures, and happily changed to jeans after dinner. Again, do what makes you happy.

Frozen night, Semi-Formal, Formal Nights:

Frozen inspired clothes like our Disneybound Anna and Elsa
2 formal or semi-formal outfits

Waterproof and Cold Weather Gear For Disney Alaska Cruises

Everyone recommends waterproof boots and rain jackets for a reason, you really do need them on an Alaskan cruise. If for some reason you have dry weather and blue skies rejoice in your good fortune instead of cursing that you packed waterproof gear.

A woman wearing a winter hat, TriClimate coat, gloves, and waterproof boots poses with Minnie Mouse in front of a cloud covered Alaskan shore

Warm And Waterproof Jackets

I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on our waterproof shoes, pants, and rain jackets since I wasn’t sure how much we’d use them. Waiting until late January and early February let me snag some discounted items, but not too late that sizes ran out.

My first investment was NorthFace Tri-Climate jackets for each of us. The flexibility of using the thin down coat and rain jacket separately, or zippered together for added warmth, made this the perfect Disney Alaska cruise coat for us.

Now that I invested in the TriClimate I find myself reaching for it often in spring, fall, and not-so-cold winter days. Here’s a link to my NorthFace TriClimate (Affiliate link: Buy on Amazon ) in the same style, but different color.

Waterproof Shoes

When picking waterproof boots I wanted something stylish, but functional. I found these white Sorel waterproof hiking boots that kept my feet warm and dry, but also looked edgy with my Alaska uniform of jeans, t-shirts, and shackets. Now that I invested in these boots I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worn them which makes me super happy about the purchase (affiliate link: Buy on Amazon ).

My husband ordered a different style of Sorel boots to protect him from the elements, but they don’t look like most traditional waterproof hiking boots. He can pair them with super casual clothes and even nice jeans with a sweater (affiliate link: Buy on Amazon ).

Elizabeth ended up with adorable Hunter boots which worked well especially with wool socks.

Hat and Gloves

A hat and gloves are easy to pack, work well to keep you warm, and we used them a lot on our Alaskan cruise. We chose a flannel lined cable knit beanie and inexpensive knit gloves which worked perfect for our mid-summer cruise.

Guests at the beginning or end of Alaska cruise season should swap our thinner knit gloves for something warmer to combat the extra chill.

Waterproof Pants

A teenage girl stand on Mendenhall Glacier snow pack in waterproof boots, pants, NorthFace jacket, and warm beanie with a helicopter in the background

I didn’t order waterproof pants until a couple of weeks before our trip. I struggled to justify the extra cost not knowing how much we’d actually use them. On our Alaska cruise the waterproof pants got used two times on port excursions, but we should have also worn them walking around Ketchikan in the rain.

The pants I finally bought were thin and easily slipped over what we were wearing which made them easy to pack.

The first time we used them we took a tender for close up glacier viewing where most of the viewing platforms are outside. It was steadily raining as we started our journey and I was glad to have all our waterproof gear.

We also used them to keep our pants dry when dogsledding on Mendehall Glacier . While I’m glad we had the waterproof pants, I am grateful they weren’t too expensive since we only used them twice.

Waterproof Gear:

Packable down coat (or combination warm, waterproof jacket)
Rain jacket
Waterproof hiking boot or shoe
Hat and gloves
Waterproof pants

Disney Wonder stateroom bathroom with small vanity and sink

This is a very personal list, but I’ll suggest all the basics including items we skip for completeness. Disney Cruise Line provides large multi-use bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bolted into the shower.

Disney Wonder has a split bathroom with two sinks. One sink has liquid hand soap and the other has bar soap provided.

Although we don’t love the provided toiletries they work fine and save us from having to pack extra items. However, I always pack lotion because it isn’t always provided.

Bring basics like toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, hair products, face serums, lip balm, razors, shave gel, make-up, make-up remover. We also bring hair tools like a straightener and curling iron, but there is a hair dryer provided in the room.

Although Alaska is quite rainy, there are days in Vancouver and Alaska full of sunshine. Be ready for slightly overcast and sunny days by packing sunscreen.

Pack electric shavers, but if they need to be plugged in there is only one special outlet in Disney Cruise Line staterooms.

Other nice to have toiletries are perfume or cologne, nail polish, nail polish remover pads, nail clippers, nail files, and tweezers.

For certain guests, packing menstrual products from home makes the trip more comfortable than grabbing one of the limited options onboard.

Disney Alaska Cruise Toiletries:

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (optional)
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Face wash and serums
Hair products
Razors and shave gel
Make-up and make-up remover
Straightener and/or curling iron
Electric shaver
Perfume or cologne
Nail polish and nail polish remover pads
Nail clippers and files
Menstrual products

Disney Alaska Cruise Medical Supplies

Disney Wonder in ice filled water in Alaska

When packing, always bring all prescription medications in labeled containers with enough to last an extra few days in case of emergency. And don’t assume you can buy your usual over the counter medications in Vancouver or at the Alaska ports.

Alaska ports of call usually have small, poorly stocked pharmacies which don’t have a large selection of medications. And because Vancouver is in Canada the over the counter medications available can vary wildly from what you can buy at home.

For example, one of us forgot Astelin, an intranasal antihistamine for allergies. Since Astelin and similar medications are not available over the counter in Canada, it was a couple of rough days of allergy symptoms that could have been avoided.

There are sharps containers provided in Disney Cruise Line bathrooms which means you won’t need to bring a large container unless you spend a lot of time in Vancouver pre- or post-cruise.

Sea sickness is always a concern on cruises. Thankfully Disney Alaska cruises follow the inside passage which is relatively protected from large waves.

We always pack Sea Bands, a non-medication option that uses pressure points to reduce sea sickness symptoms. I also pack over the counter Dramamine All Day Less Drowsy Motion Sickness Relief for adults and used to pack a kid’s version when Elizabeth was younger.

Elizabeth and I often get seasick on Bahamian cruises, but didn’t need to use any of our usual treatments for Alaska. However, I still recommend packing sea sickness treatments to be safe.

It’s a good idea to pack some adult and children’s pain relievers like Tylenol and Advil, some cough and cold meds, and a thermometer. We also bring our own band-aids and hydrocortisone cream to manage small issues without needing onboard care.

Disney Alaska Cruise Medical Items:

Prescription medications
Over the counter medications
Sea sickness treatments (affiliate link: Buy on Amazon )
Adult and children’s pain relievers
Thermometer
Cough and cold medications
Hydrocortisone cream

Miscellaneous Disney Alaska Cruise Items

This final section is full of random seeming items that are really important on a Disney Alaska cruise.

While you use phones less on a Disney cruise than at the theme parks, phones are still needed for the Navigator, a list of the day’s activities, and onboard texting.

Pack phone chargers for nightly recharges. Since outlets are limited we used this charging block (affiliate link: Buy on Amazon ) which plugs into one outlet, but simultaneously charges up to six devices.

Pack a camera to document this once-in-a-lifetime experience. More adventurous guests should bring a GoPro for hands-free action shots perfect for active shore excursions.

A teen girl uses binoculars to look out over the shores during a Disney Alaska Cruise

Binoculars are helpful for scouting the shoreline for animals or finding whales in the water. Some animal sighting excursions also recommend packing binoculars. We found this pair (affiliate link: Buy on Amazon ) that are relatively compact, but worked well for this trip and also one to Maine.

Since the weather swings from rainy to overcast to sunny by the moment we were glad to have our sunglasses with us. Sunglasses are crucial if dogsledding on Mendenhall Glacier, too.

A woman smiles wearing sunglasses and a warm beanie at the Mendenhall Glacier dog sled camp

Disney characters are everywhere on Disney Alaska cruises and packing supplies makes for the perfect opportunity to collect autographs. While we used to use autograph books they just sat around after our trips.

Over the last few years we have started making Disney autograph pillowcases and Disney autograph ornaments instead. These autograph items get a lot more use and remind us of the fun we’ve had at Disney.

Bug spray is another easily overlooked, but essential item to pack for a Disney Alaska cruise. In July there were a shocking amount of bugs despite relatively cool weather. We were grateful to have bug repellent which kept us comfortable during several port adventures.

Lastly, the days are very long during an Alaskan cruise. During our July cruise the sunrise was around 4 am and sunset around 11 pm, with some variations by day and location.

We were grateful for the blackout curtains, but packed sleep masks for additional help blocking light that still filtered in around the edges. I always pack ear plugs, too, but thankfully didn’t need them on this particular trip.

Disney Alaska Cruise Miscellaneous Items

Phone charges
Camera and GoPro
Disney character autograph supplies
Sleep mask and ear plugs

Final Thoughts On Our Free Printable Disney Alaska Cruise Packing List

Deciding what to pack for a Disney Alaska Cruise is overwhelming, but our free printable Disney Alaska Cruise packing list makes it easy!

Thanks for hanging in there! I know that was a lot to cover, but packing well for an Alaska cruise is extremely important. Between starting in a foreign country to only stopping in very small ports of call, having essentials on hand keeps everyone comfortable.

Ready to pack or start buying essentials? Here’s a link to our free printable Disney Alaska Cruise packing list to keep you organized and get ready for your trip.

For more tips on taking your first Disney Alaska cruise use our full planning guide which has more details about this amazing vacation.

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Packing for a Disney Cruise to Alaska FREE Printable Packing List

You’re going on a Disney Cruise to Alaska! But what should you pack? Everywhere you look, you’ll see things like “pack layers”. Ok, but what does that mean? We learned a lot during the process of researching for our trip. Read on for what to pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska! We’ve included a printable packing list at the end as well.

1 Disney Cruise to Alaska Packing List
2 What to Pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska: Clothing
3 What to Pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska: Non-Clothing
4 What to Pack For Your Disney Cruise to Alaska : Helpful Extras

Disney Cruise to Alaska Packing List

A Disney Cruise to Alaska has a lot of moving parts. It can be kind of stressful to plan a Disney Cruise to Alaska, but it doesn’t have to be! Packing is one of the biggest challenges for Alaska, because, well you’ve probably never been there so you don’t know what to expect. Unlike a cruise to the Caribbean where you generally just need some hot weather clothing and a few extras, Alaska is a bit more complicated. With always changing weather, and a completely different climate than some are used to, packing can become quite the task.

If you don’t already have cold-weather items, like coats and layering pieces, consider shopping for these things during after-winter sales. We got a ton of good deals from Columbia due to their factory sales in early spring.

What to Pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska: Clothing

What kind of clothing should you pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska? Lots of different types! Here’s everything we packed after lots of research! And after taking our cruise, we can truthfully say we used all of these things during our trip.

Hiking or Waterproof Shoes

Waterproof hiking boots or waterproof tennis shoes will be your best friend. Bring one or bring both! Your feet will thank you. I used these hiking boots and these waterproof New Balance shoes and my feet never once got wet. You can decide if you need to bring both. But I did use both during my trip for different situations. The tennis shoes were perfect for rainy walks on the upper decks and strolling through town, while the hiking boots were perfect for, well, our actual hikes that we went on during port days.

Breathable Layers

Layers, layers, layers! Ok, but what exactly does that mean? While there is a whole science to layering clothes, if you’re not going on a multi-day journey in the wilderness, it’s actually pretty simple. You’ll want a moisture-wicking base layer (we share more about this later), a mid-layer that’s breathable, and an outer layer for wind and rain protection. Your breathable layer on a Disney Cruise (again, it’s a cruise, not a journey to the middle of nowhere) can be something as simple as a cotton t-shirt or sweatshirt. You just want it to be a fabric that’s breathable so that you don’t overheat.

One of the main clothing items we used on this trip were t-shirts layered over something warmer, or under something warmer. It may be too cold to wear a plain t-shirt on your cruise, but for us, there were a few times that a t-shirt was great during the day. And then we needed another layer later in the day to stay warm. Having layers that were easy to take off and put on quickly was perfect for days on the ship. We were big fans of these fleece jackets from Columbia and these plain hoodies from Gildan even did the trick.

Pack a Vest for a Disney Cruise to Alaska

Getting back to what layering pieces you should be bringing on your Disney Cruise, you’ll likely want a vest of some sort. I will say of all of the pieces of clothing I saw people wearing on the ship, a vest was probably the most common. Even if you generally tend to run a little warmer and don’t need a jacket 100% of the time, a vest can help give you just a little more warmth to stay comfortable.

We recommend a fleece vest and a waterproof or puffy vest . But even if you can only bring just one, that should do the trick. These Columbia Fleece vests were perfect for layering over button ups and long-sleeved tees for dinner or activities throughout the day. And this puffer vest from Amazon actually ended up being a great layering piece for all the windy mornings.

Fleece Jackets or hoodies

A fleece jacket was one of the most used items on our cruise! We were actually quite surprised just how much we used them. As mentioned before, this was one of our outer layers while onboard. Even though the ship itself is heated, it was generally not warm enough for most people to walk around the ship in just a t-shirt. And it can get quite cold in areas when people are going in and out of doors on deck 4. And especially cold on deck 9 in the mornings, when it was windier than the rest of the day. A fleece jacket was the perfect layering piece for when it was chilly, but not cold enough for a coat or jacket. And they’re perfect for wearing on excursions because it can be pretty cold when you disembark the ship in the morning, but can warm up a bit later in the day. Having something that’s easy to take on and off quickly is super helpful.

Hiking or Waterproof Pants

Even if you’re not planning on hiking, having at least one pair of waterproof hiking pants is a good idea. It rains a lot in Alaska, and even if you’re just planning to hang out on the deck, you might appreciate having them. We found a great deal on some hiking pants from Old Navy . And several others on Amazon as well. Hiking pants can get quite pricey, so we highly recommend shopping around.

Moisture Wicking Layers

Whether you’re planning to be hiking, or just spending time outdoors in Alaska, moisture wicking layers will be your best friend. No one wants to be drenched all day, so planning on bringing a few moisture wicking pieces will help with that tremendously. We used ours on several occasions and were glad to have them. If you’re not super familiar with layering clothing, this is basically going to be the first layer you put on. It’ll help pull moisture away from your body and help keep you warm. Merino Wool tends to be the gold standard when it comes to base layers, but they can also be expensive. Especially if you come from a warm weather climate where you may not need to use them again.

There are also synthetic fiber moisture wicking layers, which can also be pretty expensive, but we found some on Amazon that were really affordable and worked quite well.

Pack an Eye Mask for a Disney Cruise to Alaska

Do you know how much light there is in Alaska in the summer? A lot. The months surrounding the summer solstice, May-July, it’s not uncommon for there to be around 22 hours of daylight. And even when it’s “dark”, as one of our Alaskan tour guides who grew up in Ketchikan and has never left Alaska explained, the sun doesn’t actually drop low enough to “set”. So, it’s not generally as dark as you’re likely to be used to. In her words, “all Alaskans have black out curtains”.

Since you can’t really bring black out curtains on your Disney Cruise, we highly recommend an eye mask . Even with just our Oceanview port hole, the light was often visible very early and very late.

What to pack for Disney Cruise to Alaska

Waterproof Jacket

Of all of the items you’ll need, this is probably one of the most important things to pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska. In case you’re not aware, it rains in Alaska. A lot. Some of the ports we stopped in, we were told it rains more than 300 days a year. A waterproof jacket is a must. Depending on when you’re going, you can probably get away with varying levels of thickness. For our early June trip, this Helly Hansen sailing jacket was perfect. I recommend sizing up one if you want to be able to layer underneath. Which you likely will. If you’re on a bit of a budget and don’t already have a waterproof jacket, this waterproof jacket from REI is also a great choice.

If you’re planning to sail during a warmer month like July or early August, these waterproof jackets in our shop are pretty great for being a lightweight layer .

Waterproof Backpack or Bag

A day bag is generally essential when exploring ports of call during your Disney Cruise. You’ll need to carry things like your camera, medications, money and occasionally, your passport. Again, it rains a lot in Alaska. You’ll want to be prepared with a bag that can keep your things safe and dry during your journey. A waterproof, or at least water resistant, bag is necessary if you plan on leaving the ship. And if you can’t seem to find something that fits your needs, at least bring some plastic bags to store smaller items in your day bag to keep important things dry.

Hats, Gloves and Scarves

Although it may seem a little much to bring full on winter gear, if you plan to be outside even just on the decks, you’ll likely want to bring hats, gloves and scarves. Glacier Day especially can get really cold and windy, and we all wore our hats and gloves for most of the day. They also sell these items in the gift shops onboard, so if you forget them, that’s also an option. But they’re not cheap, so try to plan ahead and bring these things along with you.

Dress clothes for dinner or brunch

If you’re sailing on a 7-night Disney Cruise, there will be a formal and semi-formal night. These are optional. But in our experience, cruisers tend to go all out! We are talking about poofy dresses, elaborate sequined gowns, tuxedos and more. That wasn’t quite the case on our Disney Cruise to Alaska. And likely for good reason. You’ll have so many other large items like jackets, hiking boots and sweaters, that you might just not have enough room in your suitcase to bring a ballgown.

In addition to that, due to longer port days and other things happening around the ship, it might be difficult to find the time. Don’t get me wrong, we did see a handful of people dressed up for formal night, and you are definitely welcome to, but much less so than what we’ve seen in the Caribbean, where most of your packed items are tank tops and shorts.

Whether or not you choose to participate in formal or semiformal night, if you’ve booked a reservation to Palo for brunch or dinner, you’ll need to be mindful of their dress code. You can find their dress code here. And we were easily able to pack sundresses and cardigans for our palo brunch.

What to pack for a Disney Cruise to Alask

A few casual outfits

This kind of goes without saying, but on your Disney Cruise to Alaska, be sure to bring a few casual outfits for your sea days, or again for dinners. These kinds of outfits should always be on your cruise packing list, but we like to mention it just so you don’t forget! Especially if you’re planning a lot of hiking or outdoor activities during this cruise, you’ll likely want to change once you’ve returned to the ship. It’s also a good idea to have these types of outfits to change into in case you happen to get caught in a rainstorm while on deck, which is always a possibility when cruising to Alaska.

What to Pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska: Non-Clothing

No matter what you have planned for your Alaskan cruise, there will be so many things to do both on board and on shore that will require accessories to make the most of your trip. Check out our Disney Alaska Cruise Itinerary for everything you may be doing each day on your trip. This should help you get a feel for what you need to pack. Here are a few things to consider packing for your Disney Cruise to Alaska that will make your trip more enjoyable!

If you’re hoping to see some wildlife on your Disney Cruise to Alaska, we recommend packing binoculars. You can purchase them in the gift shop onboard, but they’re pretty pricey, with the cheapest pair being around $140. We loved having ours for Glacier Day especially. But honestly, we used them quite a bit even on many other days! We were able to clearly see Orcas, Humpback Whales and Sea Lions. I used these binoculars , which have an awesome range, and well, are just cute.

And we grabbed these binoculars for my daughter to try out since they are more budget friendly and were super impressed with them!

Bug Spray or Bug Wipes

We were lucky enough to avoid mosquito season, but if you’re traveling during mid-late June-mid-late August, you’ll want to consider packing bug spray or bug spray wipes to keep the mosquitos from devouring you. These bug spray wipes are super handy for traveling, and won’t take up too much space in your luggage.

Wildlife or Zoom Lens for your Camera

Are you bringing an expensive camera with you to Alaska. You should! Alaska is a photographer’s paradise! There’s almost too much to see. So if you’re planning on lugging your camera around with you onboard or at ports, why not bring the right lens? Trust me, I get it. Lenses are expensive! The best lenses usually cost more than the camera itself. If you’re not planning on investing in a wildlife or zoom lens, consider renting one instead. I always rent lenses from Borrow Lenses. The price is right and the process is super easy. For our trip I borrowed this Canon lens for my Canon RP and it was a great addition the lenses I already have for capturing things like whales and other wildlife.

Think you’re going to a cold place so you won’t need sunscreen? Think again. While Alaska might not be the sunshine capital of the world, it’s still sunny and you’re still surrounded by water. Which will only magnify that sunshine. Day 2 of our Disney Alaska itinerary was a sea day and by the end of that day, we saw quite a few children, and adults, running around with sunburns. Bring your sunscreen .

Something for motion sickness

No matter how many times I talk to friends or clients about seasickness, I always get the same answer. “We’ll be fine, I don’t get seasick”. Ok, well there’s a first time for everything. Regardless of your past history with seasickness or motion sickness, you should always be prepared. And I will say, on this Disney Cruise to Alaska, I got seasick for the first time in 7 cruises. Everything I had read stated that seasickness is very uncommon for cruises to Alaska because you’re sailing through the inside passage. On our Disney Cruise to Alaska however, we only sailed through the passage on the way back. On the way up to the glacier, Day 2 which was our sea day, we sailed outside of it and wow, it was rough. We’ve sailed out of New York in the Northern Atlantic, which can be known for rough seas. And we were on the Disney Wish when it was stuck at sea during a hurricane. And this was by the far, the roughest waters I’ve personally experienced.

Not only did I have terrible seasickness (which I never get), but so did many others on the ship. The servers and the cast members in the gift shop all said day 2 is particularly difficult for a lot of people. So heed our warning and bring something for seasickness. Just in case.

We use Sea Bands , which have always been a huge help. They didn’t work this time, because well, I wasn’t wearing mine. Go figure. Motion sickness patches are also popular. And if you want to go the medication route, Dramamine generally works well to fight motion sickness. Now, Dramamine and Sea Bands are both sold onboard. But they’re a bit pricey than if you would bring them yourself. And if you’re able to plan ahead, be sure to eat your green apples early in the day. They naturally help with seasickness, as can things like ginger candies . Whatever you do, don’t make my mistake and take care of it before it becomes a problem.

Yep, you read that right. Cold, hard cash. You generally don’t need cash on a Disney Cruise, but if you’re taking any kind of tour when you reach port, you’ll likely want some cash to tips your guides. We did see a few ATMs at port stops, but it will likely be most convenient to just have it with you so you don’t have to hunt those down when you could be enjoying the port.

Kind of an honorable mention here, since you probably know that you’re going to need your passport for your trip. But don’t forget it! Because you will need it to get on and off the ship and may even need it for some excursions.

What to Pack For Your Disney Cruise to Alaska : Helpful Extras

Here are a few things that can help make your packing for a Disney Cruise to Alaska a breeze!

Packing Cubes

The Packing Cube hype is very real! Prior to this trip, I have been a big fan of packing cubes for keeping my items organized. A cube for things you’ll need immediately off the plane, one for day outfits, one for pajamas and loungewear, one for undergarments. It really helps keeps things in order when you’re traveling.

But when you’re traveling with so many fluffy things, like jackets, vests, fleece jackets and more, the compression packing cubes become the real stars. We used these ones from Amazon and they were incredible! It was actually hard to stay under Alaska Airlines 50 lb. limit because our suitcases were just able to hold so much more than usual. Highly recommend packing cubes for any kind of cruise, but especially the compression cubes for cruises to Alaska.

Laundry Bag

Doing laundry on vacation tends to be somewhat controversial though I’m not entirely sure why. But I love it! Bringing home clean clothes, rather than shoving all my dirty stuff in my suitcase before going home, just makes me happy and that’s that. And it usually means you can pack a little less too! So if you want to do laundry onboard the Disney Wonder during your cruise to Alaska, you’re in luck. There are several small laundry rooms onboard. Just be sure to bring a small laundry bag of some sort to haul your stuff back and forth and Disney Cruise Line staterooms don’t always have laundry bags in the rooms. And when they do, they’re often too small.

Magnets for your Door

As always, bring some magnets for your door! These will not only add a little fun to your door for your cruise but can help you find your room in the never-ending sea of doors that are the hallways of the Disney Wonder .

Portable Charger

You will likely be taking a lot of pictures and videos on this trip! There is just so much to see and do on an Alaskan Cruise. You likely won’t be staying in your room all day, so you’ll need to make sure you have a way to keep those devices charged. Bring extra batteries for your camera. And don’t forget a portable charger to keep your devices charged during the day.

Dog Sledding Excursion on a glacier in Skagway

Extra memory cards

You don’t want to be in the middle of an incredible whale watching tour and find out that you’re out of memory. These memories will be once in a lifetime and to make sure you capture them all, be sure to bring some extra memory cards !

How do I pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska?

Packing for a Disney Cruise to Alaska doesn’t have to be difficult. Print out our packing list and add things you may need as you start to gather your items! I am not usually someone who packs way ahead of a trip, but with this trip, I did start organizing things I would need for this trip about 2 months ahead of time so that I had time to order things if needed.

Can you wear jeans on a Disney Cruise to Alaska?

Yes, you sure can! Just be sure to bring some pants that aren’t jeans on your Disney Cruise in case there are excessively rainy days. Jeans won’t be the most comfortable bottoms to be wearing in a downpour, or even a steady rainy day.

Is it cold on a Disney Cruise to Alaska?

The upper decks can definitely get cold on your Disney Cruise to Alaska, which is why we recommend packing layers! It gets particularly cold and windy in the morning and at night. On the lower decks, however, they do keep the ship fairly comfortable. There will be cold gusts of wind as people go in and out of deck 4, but for the most part, the ship stays fairly comfortable.

Can you bring your own water bottle on a Disney Cruise?

Yes, you absolutely can. And we recommend that you do. It will make your life a lot easier onboard. We actually sell a stainless steel tumbler in our shop that we made specifically for this purpose!

Want to grab everything on our list? Check out the Disney Alaska Cruise Packing List in our Amazon shop for everything you may need. We hope this post has helped you with packing for your Disney Cruise to Alaska! Grab our Printable Disney Cruise Alaska Packing List

Disney Cruise Packing List and Printable

Melanie Renee

Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .

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Disney Wonder docked in Juneau, Alaska (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

How I Became a Disney Adult: Just Back from Disney Wonder in Alaska

I’m not sure when it happened, but at some point on my late-season family cruise to Alaska aboard Disney Cruise Line’ s Disney Wonder , it was clear: I’d become Disney Adult.

Maybe it was when our head waiter, Joseph, offered to cut my wife’s steak at dinner so she could eat and balance our daughter at the same time. Maybe it was Marvin, our cabin attendant, assembled our Pack-N-Play in our room without being asked to, or when my daughter started singing “Let It Go” in the corridors as we walked towards the Walt Disney Theatre to take in Frozen: The Musical.

There were a thousand little moments like that each of the eight days my wife and our two-and-a-half-year-old daughter were onboard Disney Wonder. They happened intuitively, organically. They were the product of a crew that were highly trained, where every need is anticipated and realized, often before passengers ever realize it.

Surprise and delight. That’s the Disney Cruise Line ethos. And just when I thought Disney had exhausted every trick in the book, the line pulled through to make each day onboard just a little more magical for my daughter – and, by extension, her parents.

The Road from Solo Cruiser to Disney Adult (Cruiser)

Celebrations are held frequently in the atrium aboard Disney Wonder and are great fun for all ages (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

What’s a Disney Adult, you ask? Typically, it’s someone who worships the Disney brand, according to an article on NPR . And as I walked around in my Disney Wish shirt, with my daughter dressed in her Frozen jacket and Minnie Mouse bow in her hair, I realized it had happened. I’d become a Disney Adult, thanks largely to Disney Cruise Line.

But as I discovered over the course of our eight-day cruise to Alaska, we were barely scratching the surface of the love that our fellow passengers have not just for Disney, but for Disney Cruise Line. And when it comes to exploring Alaska, nearly every passenger I spoke with told me that, for them, there simply was no other cruise line in consideration when it came to booking passage: it had to be Alaska aboard Disney Wonder.

Top-deck sailaway party from Vancouver's Canada Place aboard Disney Wonder (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

I’d always liked Disney just fine. I was raised on the likes of The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, and finally visited my first Disney Park, Disneyland, at the tender age of 25. But I was never a fanatic about the brand. I never owned a pair of ears or bought anything other than a t-shirt purchased years ago that said, “I’m Grumpy!” and came accompanied by a drawing of Grumpy of Snow White-fame.

Of anything Disney-related, I was most predisposed to like Disney Cruise Line simply because I love ships. And, after three past Disney cruises aboard Disney Dream , Disney Wonder from New Orleans and the all-new Disney Wish last summer, I recently had the chance to take my wife and daughter aboard our first-ever Disney cruise as a family.

But it’s not our first family cruise: this would actually be my daughter’s fourth cruise, following on the heels on a family trip aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 earlier this year and a stint on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas in February with friends. What can I say? When you write about cruises, you tend to take a lot of cruises as a vacation, too.

Why Cruise with Disney? The Friendliness of Disney Wonder’s Passengers and Crew Will Blow You Away

Another guest kindly loaned us door decorations so our cabin door would be more festive (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Travelling with a toddler is rewarding, but far from easy. Part of what sets Disney Cruise Line apart from other cruise lines catering to families are the crew themselves, who genuinely delight in making little one’s dreams come true (more on that later).

Perhaps the biggest surprise, even after having sailed Disney solo and as a couple, is just how darn nice everyone is when you have a kid in tow. Other parents stopped by to offer us stickers (Disney, of course!) for our daughter. One noticed her having a bit of a tantrum at embarkation and offered up banana bread that saved the day. One gave her a stuffy of one of the mice in Snow White. Another gave her a yellow rubber duck they were going to hide about the ship.

Touring the door decorations on Disney Wonder became an event in itself for our daughter (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

I’ve seen stateroom door décor before, but never on the scale that it was aboard Disney Wonder. Nearly every door on our Deck 7 corridor was decorated with elaborate magnets and decorations, many of which had been custom-printed just for this sailing. I joked with my wife off-handedly that we could find our stateroom because it was the only door on the corridor without magnetic decorations.

A couple in their seventies walking in front of us overheard me and immediately requested I come with them to their stateroom. They had extra décor, they insisted, we could have. I tried to demur politely, but they wouldn’t hear of it. They produced a winter-themed Mickey and Minnie that fit around the porthole-shaped number on our stateroom door, and a third magnet we could add.

From Disney Cruise Line Merchandise to Onboard Lectures, Disney Gets Alaska Right

Disney Wonder alongside in Sitka, Alaska (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

I’ve taken over 200 cruises, and this voyage on Disney Wonder was my 21st cruise to Alaska – a destination I can’t get enough of. I’ve sailed everything from small-ship expeditions in the Last Frontier to cruises on Carnival , Holland America, Princess and the luxury lines.

I even worked, for a brief stint, as a Ventures by Seabourn specialist aboard Seabourn Sojourn in Alaska and British Columbia. I’m pretty l familiar with the roster of standard excursions most cruise lines offer in the State.

Cruising Tracy Arm, Alaska, aboard Disney Wonder (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Disney Cruise Line might be best associated with the Caribbean, where their private island, Castaway Cay in the Bahamas, is consistently recognized as being one of the best in the region. It came as a welcomed surprise to see how much thought Disney put into its Alaska cruises aboard Disney Wonder.

Onboard Disney Wonder, a naturalist and historian both gave family-friendly, informative talks on relevant subjects to our Alaska itinerary, while commentary was delivered from the ship’s Navigation Bridge during our foray into Tracy Arm Fjord, where Disney Wonder got closer to the South Sawyer Glacier than I’ve personally ever experienced on other sailings.

Passing Alert Bay aboard Disney Wonder. (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Our Captain also provided scenic commentary as we entered the heart of the Inside Passage, pointing out local communities like Port Hardy and Alert Bay, British Columbia, as we sailed southbound towards Vancouver.

Alaskan Brewing beers were carried (and advertised) in abundance onboard, and several cocktails were developed to celebrate both Alaska and Disney Cruise Line’s 25th Anniversary. That’s not to mention the special Alaska Disney Cruise Line merchandise the line rolled out, in addition to limited-edition swag to celebrate its anniversary.

Shops aboard Disney Wonder are located on Deck 4 forward (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

From day one to eight, the entire Alaska experience aboard Disney Wonder felt special and unique. The line has high standards for its Caribbean and Bahamian sailings; it’s nice to see that level of magic carries over to its Alaska cruise itineraries .

It’s Not Just the Ship: Disney Crafts its Alaska Shore Excursions with Care

Disney offers an exclusive twist on Ketchikan's Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show for its guests (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

The one that really blew me away was that Disney had family-friendly shore excursions curated just for its passengers: a salmon bake and gold panning adventure in Skagway that featured appearances from everyone’s favorite characters like Captain Mickey and Donald Duck.

A special Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour in Alaska where Disney passengers were invited to feast on the crabber’s open deck.

A modified version of the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan to encourage family participation from the little ones, along with several new challenges and events, created just for Disney Cruise Line.

Perhaps most poignantly, Disney offers true cultural excursions designed to highlight local Tlingit and Haida culture to families, including ones where kids and adults alike can learn traditional Tlingit dances and songs, or learn about the creation of local art and totems. These went far beyond the standard tours you might have seen to Ketchikan’s Totem Bight park or Saxman Native Village to offer a more inclusive, and interactive, cultural exchange that was accessible and kid-friendly.

White Pass & Yukon Route in Skagway (Photo/Aaron Saunders)

Disney even thought of adults who want a break from the little kids: a special departure of Skagway’s iconic White Pass and Yukon Route railroad was reserved exclusively for those over the age of 18, and tours like the Pedal Pub Experience in Sitka naturally lent themselves an adult atmosphere.

It all points to the level of thought and detail Disney puts into its Alaska cruise departures. The line may not have been sailing here as long as Princess or Holland America Line have, but when Disney Wonder enters these waters, it does so with a thoughtfulness and purpose that is missing from some other lines.

A Disney Cruise is Expensive – But It’s Still More Affordable (and Relaxing) Than the Parks

Parties in Disney Wonder's atrium were a nightly occurence (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Without throwing too much shade on Disney’s parks (which we’re big fans of), we have to come clean: taking a Disney Cruise is so much more relaxing than a visit to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. And, when you add it up, it’s a better value, too.

A three-day Park Hopper ticket, at Disneyland, for a family of four will run you roughly $1,640 in mid-November – and that’s before hotel accommodations (which, at a Disney-branded hotel like the Grand California Resort and Spa, can easily run over $900 per night before taxes and fees). Staying off-property saves money but removes that magical Disney experience that the company so deftly crafts.

Triton's, one of three main dining rooms aboard Disney Wonder, reflects the ship's subtle nods to The Little Mermaid (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

A Disney Cruise is not an inexpensive prospect, either. But as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. Meals are of a consistently high quality, staterooms are larger than average and feature Disney’s unique double-bathroom concept that offers a bath room with tub and shower combo and a separate toilet room in each cabin, service is impeccable, and fountain soft drinks are inclusive.

Other niceties include free room service, free on-demand and first-run movies, and a ton of included activities for cruisers of all ages.

There’s a lot of value right there. But the real value, for us as a family, was the more relaxed environment Disney Wonder offered its passengers in Alaska.

Palo, Disney Wonder's Italian-inspired specialty dining venue. (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Disney’s onboard kids’ clubs are legendary, offering up both clever activities and a team of dedicated child care professionals that make children want to return again and again – and, with the exception of the it’s a small world nursery (branded in all lowercase), all are free of charge. That means there was time for us as parents to relax over brunch (and later, dinner) in Palo, Disney’s specialty Italian restaurant located on Deck 10 aft.

We could sit on the promenade deck and read a book, visit the pub for a pint, or have some time at the spa with a package Disney cleverly brands as “Alone Time” – a 50 minute massage coupled with 30 minutes in one of the ship’s private, sheltered, hot-tub-clad cabanas.

Disney Wonder's Cadillac Lounge is the place to be for vintage scotch and bourbon (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Compare that with a visit we made this past February to Disneyland, where we stood in line, baked in the sun, desperately tried to get even the simplest meals that didn’t have an hour-long wait time, and generally left feeling wrecked each evening. We stayed off-property at a non-Disney hotel that, while nice, could have been located in any city – and had typically so-so service.

If you can afford three or four days at Disneyland, you can afford a cruise on Disney.

Should You Go? Disney Wonder in Alaska Is Toddler and Parent-Approved

Our daughter aboard Disney Wonder in Alaska (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Is my journey to becoming a Disney Adult complete? Sort of. I still don’t have any Mickey Mouse ears, and it’s unlikely you’ll see me sporting a Disney backpack or shirt – unless it’s Disney Cruise Line-branded, of course.

But our Disney Wonder cruise to Alaska highlighted everything that, I think, Disney Adults want: an escape to a world that’s just a little bit nicer. A little more understanding. A bit more like the world we want for our children – like the one I want for my daughter.

The appearance of Disney characters draws the entire ship's passengers out (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Now, when I play the Moana soundtrack for my daughter on our drive to daycare (her request), she squeals when she hears the songs. “Like on the ship!” she exclaims. She wonders aloud where Captain Mickey and Minnie are, and when Olaf will show up for dinner, along with our waiters, Joseph and I Gede.

She’s developed an unhealthy penchant for chocolate ice cream after eight days of decadent delights onboard – but who am I to point the finger? A cruise is, after all, about indulgence and a break from routine.

Sorcerer Mickey runs through the Animator's Palate dining room aboard Disney Wonder (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

It's true that a Disney cruise comes at a cost that’s significantly higher than many other mainstream cruise lines, and parents should be aware that, once onboard, they’re going to find it hard to say no to the little ones that want to go for Prince and Princess makeovers at the Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boutique for a couple hundred dollars a pop.

Returning to Disney Wonder in Juneau (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

It's better to think of a Disney cruise not just as a cruise vacation, but as an overall experience – one that is worth the price of admission.

My daughter managed to sum up my own feelings nicely just two days after we’d returned home. “Daddy,” she said, “I want go back. Disney Wonder.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Sailing the Inside Passage at night aboard Disney Wonder (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Disney Wonder returns to Alaska for the 2024 season with sailings out of Vancouver, Canada. The ship will winter in Australia for the first-time in Disney Cruise Line’s history this year before returning Stateside.

Best Disney Cruise Alaska Excursions

The 49th state is home to stunning natural beauty. A Disney Cruise Port Adventure is one of the best ways to experience it firsthand. Cruising with Disney to Alaska offers great views from the ship, but there’s nothing like getting out and having your own adventure. It’s, therefore, both a blessing and a curse that there are so many excursion options — nearly 200 at last count. To help you decide, here are our picks for the best Disney Cruise Excursions in Alaska.

Jump directly to the best Alaska excursions in:

Icy Strait Point
Other Ports

Or read on to learn more about Alaska Excursions and how to get them for free .

What are Disney Cruise Excursions?

An excursion — also known as a “Port Adventure” on Disney cruise ships — is an organized off-ship activity. You’re always free to leave a cruise ship to explore a port on your own. A Port Adventure is an optional paid experience that gives you greater access and additional benefits.

On a Disney Cruise to Alaska, your excursion options are especially exotic. Imagine taking a helicopter to a glacier, a rainforest family adventure, whale watching tour, or attending “summer camp” for sled dogs. They’re all possible when you visit Alaska with Disney Cruise Line.

Get Free Help Planning Your Disney Cruise and Excursions. Vacationeers are standing by!

How Much are Disney Shore Excursions in Alaska?

Prices for Alaska port excursions vary widely. On the low end, it costs about $47 to attend a lumberjack demonstration in Ketchikan . On the high end, you can spend nearly $5,200 to take a private sea plane to Misty Fjords National Monument.

We checked the prices of all excursions Disney Cruise Line offered in Alaska at the time we wrote this article, and here’s what we found:

$1 – $49: 1 option
$50 – $99: 35 options
$100 – $199: 57 options
$200 – $399: 67 options
$400 and up: 26 options

Are Disney Cruise Line Alaska Excursions Worth It?

No one disputes that airfare to Vancouver and the cost of the Disney Cruise itself are already significant expenses. So it’s understandable that some folks hesitate to add multiple high-cost shore excursions to their trip. But for Alaska, excursions really are the key to an amazing experience that you and your family will remember for the rest of your lives.

Alaska excursions are generally pricier than excursions in the Bahamas or Caribbean , where you can find several onshore activities for less than $25. In Alaska, you can certainly find great options for less than $100 per person — but most of the unforgettable “bucket list” type experiences are more likely to cost about $250 – $350 per person. A $450 – $550 price tag is not out of the question for excursions that involve aircraft such as helicopters and seaplanes.

We wholeheartedly recommend splurging on at least one high-dollar excursion during your Alaska Cruise. Our experience is that you will not regret the additional expense; you’ll remember the amazing things you saw and did for much longer than you’ll remember how much they cost.

To put it another way: you’ve already spent a lot to get yourself to Alaska — do you really want to squander that investment by staying in your room onboard the ship or just visiting a few gift shops within walking distance of the dock?

How to Get Free Disney Cruise Alaska Excursions

Here’s a little-known way to cut the cost of your shore excursions in Alaska — many travel agencies will give you a free onboard credit that can be used to pay for your Port Adventures.

Here’s how it works:

You connect with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for free help booking your cruise . There’s no fee to use their services .
Your agent books your cruise and helps you with all your onboard planning. Plus, you can contact them anytime for help without having to wait on hold .
You’ll receive a credit on your shipboard account, which can be used toward onboard purchases such as souvenirs, alcohol , gratuities , or shore excursions . The amount you receive varies depending on the cost of your cruise.

Our official travel agency partner, The Vacationeer , offers onboard credits of up to $1,000 . Plus, booking with The Vacationeer means you’ll have a single, dedicated agent from start to finish . So you won’t have to dial into some giant call center, fuss through dozens of phone menus, and explain your situation to different people.

So why not take advantage of the personalized service and free spending money you get by booking your Disney Alaska Cruise through The Vacationeer ? It won’t cost a penny more than booking it yourself!

When Do You Pay for Alaskan Cruise Excursions?

Disney Alaska Cruise Port Adventures charges are applied to your shipboard account, so you won’t have to pay until you settle your account at the end of your cruise.

That means they’re a great way to use your travel agency onboard credit.

Now, on to our list.

We’ve picked some of the best Alaska cruise excursions at each port, but there are plenty more to choose from on the Disney Cruise Line website.

We’ve also noted the ⭐ BEST OF THE BEST ⭐ — the most unique and splurge-worthy experiences.

Prices shown are per person unless indicated otherwise, and note that not every cruise visits every port shown here.

Icy Strait Point — Best Port Adventures

Image © Disney

Icy Strait Point is a premier destination on Disney Alaskan Cruises. Situated alongside Hoonah, Alaska (the state’s largest Native Tlingit village), this purpose-built cruise port hosts a limited number of ships each day. It is believed by many to be the best spot in Alaska to see whales. Whales are so abundant here that most tour operators in the area offer a money-back guarantee if you fail to see one on your expedition! In our opinion, the stunning natural scenery and abundant animal sightings in Icy Strait Point are impressive enough to be the deciding factor when choosing between an Alaskan Cruise itinerary that visits here and one which doesn’t.

Mountain Top Forest Tram (IS36)

An open-air tram travels along a lush green mountainside

Ascend more than 1,500 feet to the top of Hoonah Mountain in a modern gondola offering 360⁰ views. Once you’ve reached the summit, take a six-mile open-air tram journey through an old-growth forest filled with spruce trees and wildflowers. Be on the lookout for wildlife during your journey!

Activity Level: Mild

Requirements: Open to all ages

Duration: 1.5 to 2.0 hours

Cost: $99 for ages 10+ $89 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

In Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen (IS13)

A true foodie adventure! Learn about local fishing, preservation, and food preparation from an experienced chef during a fun, hands-on experience. You’ll learn how to fillet like a pro, then have an opportunity to personally grill the day’s catch. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore Hoonah, along with unlimited Gondola rides, admission to a Tribal Dance Show, and discounts at waterfront restaurants and select shops.

Activity Level: Moderate

Requirements: Ages 8+

Cost: $99 for ages 10+ $89 for ages 8-9

Discovering Birds of Hoonah (IS17)

This combination of driving and walking expeditions affords multiple opportunities to see the winged residents of Alaska in their native habitats. This experience teems with creatures great and small, from bald eagles to hummingbirds. Among the fowl you might encounter are chickadees, creepers, ducks, flycatchers, gulls, jays, kinglets, sapsuckers, sparrows, swallows, swifts, thrushes, warblers, woodpeckers, wrens. Once you’ve “landed” at the end of your adventure, you’ll enjoy an “all-access” pass for Hoonah that includes gondola rides and other experiences before returning to the ship.

Requirements: Ages 8+ Guests must be ambulatory.

Duration: 3.5 to 4.0 hours

Cost: $189 for ages 10+ $179 for ages 8-9

Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise (IS01) ⭐ Best of the Best ⭐

Board a spacious catamaran and sail to Point Adolphus, a premier whale-watching spot and a natural wonder in and of itself. You’re guaranteed to see at least one whale, meaning you’ll get a full refund of the cost if you don’t. Odds are you’ll see many more — and are likely to see both humpbacks and killer whales, possibly even right beside the boat. During this excursion, you’re also apt to spot sea lions, harbor seals, and even bald eagles.

Duration: 2.5 to 3.0 hours

Cost: $209 for ages 10+ $139 for ages 3-9 $139 for ages 0-2

Whale Watching and Bear Search Combo (IS10)

This Port Adventure combines the best of two different wildlife spotting expeditions, seeking out whales and bears. First, start out with a catamaran trip to Adolphus for a whale viewing experience in an area so hospitable to whales that you’ll get a refund for this part of the excursion if you don’t see one. Then, head out for a walking trip of the rainforests of Chichagof Island, home to the most bears per square mile on the planet.

Requirements: Ages 8+ Not recommended for those who have difficulty walking.

Duration: 5.5 to 6.0 hours

Cost: $329 for ages 10+ $239 for ages 8-9

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Juneau — Top Shore Excursions

A bustling downtown scene of Juneau, Alaska with colorful buildings and vehicles

Juneau is Alaska’s state capital — the only state capital which can’t be accessed by roadway (ship and planes only)! For cruisers, it’s home to one of the widest varieties of shore excursions in Alaska. Of course, you’ll find plenty of whale-watching opportunities here (though Icy Strait Point may be a better bet if your Disney Cruise itinerary travels there, too). But Juneau shines when it comes to unique excursions such as glaciers accessible by simply hopping on a bus, dog sledding adventures, and a wide array of air-based touring via helicopter and sea plane.

Mendenhall Glacier Explorer (JU11)

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau, Alaska

Take a 25-minute motorcoach ride through downtown Juneau, passing the State Capitol building and other historical points of interest before making your way to Mendenhall Glacier. The recreation area includes wilderness trails and a waterfront view of the glacier. Plus, view Nugget Creek Falls and possibly spot Sockeye salmon if the time of year is just right.

Duration: 3.0 to 3.5 hours

Cost: $64 for ages 10+ $29 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

Glacier View Sea Kayaking (JU14)

Head to North Douglas Island to board a 2-person kayak (with a friend or a friendly fellow cruiser) for an unforgettable seaborne sightseeing adventure. See wildlife up close and (weather permitting) view Mendenhall Glacier. If you’re lucky, you might also spot bald eagles, herons, shorebirds, porpoises, and even humpback whales. Before returning to your Disney cruise ship, you’ll also visit the Mendenhall Wetlands (a protected wildlife habitat) and enjoy Alaska-inspired snacks.

Activity Level: Active, Athletic

Requirements: Ages 10+. Wheelchairs are not permitted. Guests must weigh between 40 and 260 pounds. Not recommended for expectant mothers in their third trimester.

Cost: $169 for ages 10+

Dog Sledding Summer Camp (JU04)

Note: This is an older video and pricing has since changed. See below for current pricing.

Visit Sheep Creek Summer Dog Camp to meet a group of professional mushers and teams of Alaskan huskies, all in the shadow of massive mountains. You’ll visit a simulated Iditarod race checkpoint to experience what racers go through, plus you’ll learn how to care for sled dogs. A highlight is cuddling with impossibly fluffy Husky puppies, helping with their initial social training. Then, climb aboard a wheeled sled for a snow-free 1.5-mile mush through Sheep Creek Valley.

Duration: 2.0 to 2.5 hours

Cost: $199 for ages 10+ $189 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

5-Glacier Seaplane Exploration (JU49)

A white sea plane flies in front of a large craggy glacier

Fly high above the Tongass National Forest in an authentic bush seaplane for a narrated tour of five different glaciers in the Juneau Icefield. You’ll soar like a bird past scenic waterfalls and lush rainforests. The highlight is zooming past the Norris, Hole-In-The-Wall, East / West Twin Glaciers, and Mighty Taku glaciers. You might also spot moose, bears, and eagles before your smooth water landing.

Requirements: Open to all ages. Collapsible standard-size wheelchairs are welcome, but electric wheelchairs/scooters are not permitted. The tour operator may cancel with a refund in the event of inclement weather. Children under age 2 must lap-sit. Parties may be separated due to load-balancing requirements. Guests must not weigh more than 300 pounds to participate.

Duration: 1.0 to 1.5 hours

Cost: $319 for ages 10+ $279 for ages 2-9 $0 for ages 0-1

Helicopter Glacier Walk About (JU38)

Gear up with cold-weather gear, mountaineering boots, crampons, and trekking poles, then board a turbine helicopter for a 20-minute flight to the Juneau Icefield. En route, enjoy a unique vantage point that shows off the ocean, rainforest, and icefield at the same time.

Your chopper lands on an actual glacier, where you receive a safety briefing and set out on a one-hour guided walk on the surface of the ice. Despite the daunting description, it’s not a strenuous trek, and you don’t need any prior experience to enjoy it.

Then, re-board your helicopter for a quick flight back.

Activity Level: Active, Moderate

Requirements: Ages 8+. Wheelchairs are not permitted. Must be able to enter/exit the helicopter with minimal assistance. Parties may be separated due to load-balancing requirements. Guests weighing 250+ pounds (including all clothing and personal items) must pay a $199 “half seat” surcharge. The tour operator may cancel with a refund in the event of inclement weather.

Cost: $549 for ages 10+ $549 for ages 8-9 Additional surcharges may apply

Dog Sled Adventure by Helicopter (JU30) ⭐ Best of the Best ⭐

A team of sled dogs runs along a snowy mountainscape as a helicopter buzzes overhead

Take a 15-minute flight over the Juneau Icefields, marveling at a landscape seemingly at odds with itself — lush forests and Alpine lakes abut jagged mountains and astonishing glaciers. Finally, your helicopter lands on the Norris Glacier, where you’ll meet your dog sled team. Learn from seasoned veterans of the legendary Alaskan Iditarod Sled Dog Race as they teach you the commands needed to zip across a pristine glacier with a team of huskies. Reluctantly say goodbye to your new furry friends and fly back to the heliport before returning to the ship.

Requirements: Ages 2+. Parties may be separated due to load-balancing requirements. Wheelchairs and strollers are not permitted. Not recommended for Guests with limited mobility. Guests weighing 240+ pounds (including clothing and gear) must pay a $199 “half-seat” surcharge. Tour operators may cancel with a refund in the event of inclement weather or poor ice conditions. No purses or carry-on items.

Cost: $899 for ages 10+ $799 for ages 2-9 Additional surcharges may apply

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Ketchikan — Best Alaska Excursions

Colorful Buildings and a footbridge in Ketchikan, Alaska | Image © Disney

Known as the Salmon Capital of the World, thanks to the five varieties that call the nearby waters home, Ketchikan offers a unique Alaskan experience. Seafood is king here, but there’s much more to explore. Throughout town, find massive totem poles celebrating the area’s indigenous people.

Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show (KE41)

The world’s top timber athletes send sawdust flying in this family-friendly competition show. Log rolling, chopping, speed chainsawing, rapid climbing, and more are all part of the Alaska family fun here — and that’s OK! The hour-long performance prepares astounding physical feats with good clean comedy to make an experience great for all ages.

Cost: $54 for ages 10+ $29 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feast (KE31)

Your adventure starts with a 30-minute sightseeing motorcoach ride past canneries, waterfalls, and an old sawmill. Upon arrival at the George Inlet Lodge, board your boat for a 90-minute journey featuring the Mahoney Glacial Cirque (an abandoned gold mine site, snow-covered mountains, and 2,000-foot waterfalls). You’re also apt to spot bears, eagles, salmon, whales, sea lions, and seals in the area.

Your boat then crosses the fjord to reach the crab estuary, where you’ll have a chance to help pull in the crab pots. Inspect your new crabby friends briefly and learn a bit about them before returning them to the water. Finally, reset the pots and return to the lodge to enjoy a tempting Dungeness crab feast (featuring crabs you haven’t yet met).

Duration: 4.0 to 4.5 hours

Cost: $199 for ages 10+ $134 for ages 3-9 $79 for ages 0-2

Rain Forest Island Adventure (KE09) ⭐ Best of the Best ⭐

Take a 30-minute scenic motorcoach ride to Knudson Cove, where you’ll board a Sea Hawk rigid-inflatable boat for a half-hour wildlife and sightseeing ride. Next, you’ll make your way to Orca Beach and a remote island rainforest. Your knowledgeable guide leads you through forest trails and a few built-in steps as you learn about native plant species and their importance to the early native people of this area.

Following your hike, snack on smoked salmon by the campfire before hopping back onboard the boat for a high-speed cruise along the Clover Passage; along the way, you’re likely to spot bald eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, and bald eagles — and you might even glimpse a porpoise or perhaps a whale or two.

Requirements: Ages 5+. Guests must weigh no less than 40 pounds to participate. Wheelchairs are not permitted. Not recommended for expectant mothers in their third trimester.

Cost: $219 for ages 10+ $119 for ages 5-9

Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer (KE19)

Misty mountaintops with waterfalls abutting a waterway

Take a short walk from your Disney ship to a nearby catamaran and begin heading to your destination. Narration provided by your crew points out items of interest as you travel at speed past the rugged coastline along the Revillagigedo Channel.

Upon entering the Behm Canal, you’ve arrived at Misty Fjords (spotting an immense volcanic spire rising from the sea while en route). Next, explore Rudyerd Bay, and learn the natural history of the fjords while sailing beneath 3,000-foot vertical cliffs. The return cruise to Ketchikan includes wildlife sightings, along with onboard commentary from a Tlingit storyteller and occasional presentations from participating artists and authors.

Be forewarned that some of the presentations could feel like they trend just a bit too close to a sales pitch. Also, note that the Misty Fjords are just that: misty. Areas of heavy fog and rain are likely to obscure portions of the views during this excursion.

Requirements: Open to all ages, but recommended for ages 10+. Collapsible, standard-sized wheelchairs are welcome; no electric wheelchairs or scooters. Strollers are welcome but may need to be folded for portions of the excursion (lightweight strollers are recommended).

Duration: 5.0 to 5.5 hours

Cost: $239 for ages 10+ $149 for ages 3-9 $149 for ages 0-2

Disney Exclusive: Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour and Dinner with Crew (KE29)

Those who are fans of the Discovery Channel show Deadliest Catch might be surprised to know that the Aleutian Ballad is now a charter vessel that hosts cruise passengers. So you’ll hop onboard and settle into unique stadium-style seating for a look into what it takes to bring home this popular catch (fortunately, in a much safer environment).

Watch the skilled Bering Sea crab fishermen bait and drop long-line fishing gear in search of prized seafood. You might spot bald eagles, whales, sea lions, and seals along the way. Later, the main event is set to begin — hauling in 700-pound king crab pots just like those seen on the show. Everything caught is placed in an on-deck aquarium for closer inspection (and even hands-on selfies if you’d like). You’ll also learn about barrel pot fishing which often yields octopus and eels. Finally, see Dungeness crab, prawn, and shrimp fishing before returning to port.

That’s where the Disney-exclusive perks kick in. First, visit the wheelhouse to meet the Captain — learn about the ship’s navigation system and snap a photo while sitting in the Captain’s chair. Next, try on a survival suit and learn about seafaring safety firsthand from those who have faced the harsh and unforgiving Bering Sea. Finally, end the day with a delicious King Crab picnic on deck as the crew continues sharing their story.

Requirements: Ages 5+

Cost: $389 for ages 10+ $249 for ages 5-9

Hunting for Halibut (KE36)

If fishing in Alaska is on your bucket list, this is a great way to do it. Small groups of 5 or 6 passengers set out with an expert guide on board a custom-built 24-foot cruiser. Your destination is the well-protected Ketchikan fishing grounds for an all-day expedition. As any fisher knows, what you catch is just as much up to the fish as it is up to you, but you could find rockfish, cod, flounder, shark, skate, or halibut on the hook. If you’d like to keep what you catch, you can opt to pay a bit extra for custom processing and shipping of your halibut.

Requirements: Ages 8+ (ages 12+ recommended). Any fish caught which are not in season must be released. Not recommended for expectant mothers or guests with neck, back, or heart conditions. Collapsible, standard-sized wheelchairs are welcome; no electric wheelchairs or scooters. Must be able to board and disembark without assistance.

Duration: 4.5 to 5.0 hours

Cost: $504 for ages 10+ $419 for ages 8-9 Additional cash-in-hand surcharge of $25 per person (ages 16+) for fishing license.

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Skagway — Top Port Adventures

A Disney Cruise Ship in port at Skagway, Alaska, with the White Pass Railway train nearby

Step back in time to the Gold Rush days during your visit to this “Gateway to the Klondike.” This unique port is great for exploration, with a Wild West-like historic town center and train tracks that lead almost directly to your Disney Cruise ship. Here you can catch a saloon show or hop on the White Pass scenic railway for a journey deep into Yukon territory.

Skagway’s Original Street Car City Tour (SW19)

Board a yellow 1927 sightseeing bus for a tour led by a costumed tour guide inspired by famed storyteller Martin Itjen. You’ll explore the waterfront and travel through the National Park Historic District, travel to the scenic waterfront, and experience a lively retelling of a historic gunfight at the Gold Rush cemetery.

Requirements: Open to all ages. Guests must be able to board and disembark without assistance. These vintage vehicles cannot accommodate wheelchairs, scooters, or large strollers. Space is limited; only small backpacks and bags can be accommodated.

Cost: $55 for ages 10+ $39 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

Klondike Campfire Breakfast (SW63)

Start your day in Skagway with a hearty breakfast of steak, eggs, and blueberry sourdough pancakes, whipped up outdoors by the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp camp chef. This camp near a waterfall at the foot of the White Pass is named for those who came to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush and sent plenty of tall tales back home.

While you eat, you’ll be entertained by the music and poetry of Robert Service, the “Bard of the Yukon.” Then, it’s time to go prospecting yourself; learn how to pan for gold. Thanks to a bit of Klondike magic, you’re guaranteed to find gold in every pan!

Requirements: Open to all ages. Collapsible, standard-sized wheelchairs are welcome; no electric wheelchairs or scooters. Guests must be able to board and disembark the motorcoach without assistance and walk approximately 100 yards on uneven rocky terrain. Strollers are permitted but may need to be folded for portions of the experience.

Cost: $89 for ages 10+ $49 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp & Salmon Bake Featuring Exclusive Disney Character Experience (SW36)

Disney Character Donald Duck pans for gold with young guests | Image © Disney

Discover Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake on this “only from Disney” excursion. Then, start at the Liarsville Hippodrome for a fun-filled puppet show highlighting tales of the Gold Rush era.

Next, you’ll learn how to pan for gold — but first, you’ll take part in a fun scavenger hunt around the camp to gather your equipment. Favorite Disney Characters join in as you search for gold, with everyone guaranteed to find gold in their pan.

Roast marshmallows around the campfire, snap selfies with Disney Pals and enjoy an all-you-can-eat outdoor feast in the forest (featuring freshly-grilled Alaskan-caught salmon).

Cost: $139 for ages 10+ $79 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

White Pass Scenic Railway — Adult Exclusive (SW66) or Children Welcome (SW09)

There are several different excursions that feature this breathtaking historic railway, but this one is probably the most straightforward. You’ll board a vintage rail car that has pulled up right in front of your Disney Cruise ship and embark on a fully narrated trip aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route.

Carved through some of the North’s most rugged terrain in 1898, this engineering wonder climbs nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles of steep grades and cliff-hanging turns. Passengers on this round-trip loop remain onboard the train from start to finish without disembarkation.

Requirements: Standard version SW09 is open to all ages. Adult-Exclusive departure SW66 is open to ages 18+. Collapsible, standard-sized wheelchairs are welcome; electric wheelchairs or scooters may not be able to be accommodated. Must be able to board and disembark (including a few steps) without assistance.

Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Cost: $152 for ages 10+ $76 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

Yukon Expedition (SW31) ⭐ Best of the Best ⭐

The White Pass railway hugs a steep mountainside

A true gem of Skagway is the Yukon Expedition, which features round-trip exploration via motorcoach and train.

Start out onboard a deluxe motorcoach headed up the South Klondike Highway to the top of the White Pass (elevation 3,292 feet). The 75-minute drive passes scenic waterfalls and glaciers before crossing the international border into Canada (so bring your passport!). There, you’ll head into the Yukon territory, seeing not only the chain of lakes that form the headwaters of the Yukon River but also the world’s smallest desert.

Then, make a stop at Caribou Crossing (Carcross). Here, you’ll feast on a barbeque chicken lunch (with homemade donuts for dessert) and explore the Yukon’s most complete museum exhibit of local wildlife. You can also visit the Dog Musher’s Village and say hello to a few furry friends there.

After heading to Fraser, British Columbia, you’ll board the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for an unforgettable train ride down this historic narrow gauge railroad, descending nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles. Your train ride features amazing views and narration that blends historical facts with tall tales of the Yukon. At the end of your journey, you’ll be dropped off within walking distance of your ship.

Requirements: Open to all ages. Passports are required for all Guests, as the tour crosses between the United States and Canada. A visa may be required for citizens of some countries; see your consulate for details. For children traveling without their parent or legal guardian, special authorization forms for the responsible adult are required. Collapsible standard-sized wheelchairs are welcome; electric wheelchairs and scooters are not permitted. Must be able to embark and disembark without assistance and be able to walk on gravel terrain. Strollers are welcome but may need to be collapsed for part of the experience. Lightweight strollers are recommended.

Duration: 8.0 to 8.5 hours

Cost: $259 for ages 10+ $139 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

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Other Alaska Ports — Best Excursions

A large glacier situated between two mountains

Looking for another excursion to round out your trip? Here are a few more suggestions for other Alaskan Cruise ports.

Glacier Explorer — Stikine Icecap (DG01) or Hubbard Glacier (HUB01) ⭐ Best of the Best ⭐

Possibly one of the most unique experiences on a Disney Alaska Cruise is the Glacier Explorer excursion. While everyone can see the glacier from the Disney Cruise ship (without purchasing an excursion), this tour offers an intimate, up-close view.

Your adventure starts when you board a deluxe expedition vessel directly from your Disney Cruise Ship — no pulling into port first! You’ll then set sail on your once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Travel through dramatic fjords and past foreboding rocky shorelines as you weave through a maze of beautiful icebergs. Keep an eye out for wildlife sightings along the way!

The highlight of the excursion is the significant amount of time spent alongside the glaciers — as close as anyone can safely get while onboard a boat. Your vessel drifts along slowly, providing plenty of chances for photos, video, and good old-fashioned gawking. Dramatic displays of calving can occur at any time, with huge chunks of ice cleaving from the glacier with an earsplitting CRACK ! These chunks land in the water below with a huge splash, becoming yet another iceberg to pass on your way back to the ship.

Requirements: Open to all ages. Guests must be ambulatory. Standard wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and scooters are not permitted. Walkers and strollers may not be used on the ship gangway. Tour operators may shorten or cancel the experience at any time — including during the excursion — due to inclement weather, sea conditions, or ice conditions. Passports are required for Stikine Icecap (DG01).

Duration: DG01 Stikine Icecap… 2.5 to 3.0 hours

HUB01 Hubbard Glacier… 2.0 to 2.5 hours

Cost: DG01 Stikine Icecap… $299 for ages 10+ $199 for ages 3-9 $199 for ages 0-2

HUB01 Hubbard Glacier… $349 for ages 10+ $229 for ages 3-9 $229 for ages 0-2

Sitka: Alaska Bears & Silver Bay Homestead Experience (SI20)

Visit Fortress of the Bear, a home for orphaned bears, where rescued cubs are nursed back to health and provided a long life full of enrichment. The onsite interpretive staff shares interesting information and the inspiring story of the couple who founded this important mission.

Next, board a boat to explore a glacier-carved fjord dotted with historic sites and lessons about the important role that natural resources play in Southeast Alaska’s economy. Head onshore at Silver Bay, where a private Alaskan homestead awaits. Here, wilderness guides pass on to you the knowledge that Southeast Alaskans have used to survive and thrive for thousands of years. Enjoy spectacular views of the bay from the beach or snuggle up at the campfire for s’mores and hot cocoa.

Climb back aboard your watercraft for a wildlife expedition in search of sea lions and brown bears. You’ll wind up at Sawmill Creek for a driving tour that ends downtown at the Sitka visitors center. You’ll have a bit of time to explore before hopping on the regularly-running free shuttles back to the cruise ship terminal.

Activity Level: Athletic

Requirements: Open to all ages. Must be ambulatory, able to walk at a steady pace up to 100 yards at a time, and capable of navigating uneven terrain, gravel, steps, and inclines. Wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and scooters are not permitted.

Cost: $269 for ages 10+ $229 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

Sitka: Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest (SI03)

Board a deluxe, waterjet-powered vessel to explore the wildlife of Sitka Sound. An onboard naturalist explains this remarkable ecosystem as you watch for sea otters, whales, sea lions, porpoises, harbor seals, brown bears, black-tailed deer, and marine birds. Along the way, you’ll learn about the remarkable recovery of the area’s sea otters, which had been brought almost to the brink of extinction in the early 1800s. You can choose the level of adventure — either stay toasty warm in the cabin (enclosed seating and large windows) or head topside to the open-air observation deck. This expedition guarantees you will observe sea otters, a whale, or a bear during the excursion. If none of these animals appear during the experience, you’ll receive a $100 (USD) cash refund as you disembark.

Requirements: Open to all ages. Collapsible, standard-sized wheelchairs are welcome; electric wheelchairs and scooters are not permitted. Guests must be able to embark and disembark without assistance.

Cost: $169 for ages 10+ $129 for ages 3-9 $129 for ages 0-2

Vancouver, Canada: Northwest Exploration & Capilano Suspension Bridge (VC01)

The excursions don’t have to end just because your cruise has. Instead, extend your Disney cruise line vacation ever so slightly by spending a few hours on a guided tour through parts of Vancouver after you disembark your Disney Cruise ship for the final time.

You’ll board air-conditioned transportation and ride approximately 75 minutes through one of North America’s largest Chinatown districts, a gorgeous park system, and downtown Vancouver. Explore the old-world charm of Gastown, including the famed Steam Clock.

Pass through Stanley Park (with a quick 15-minute photo stop) and continue to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park for a treetop adventure. This pedestrian bridge crosses a deep gorge of the Capilano River — and yes, it sways as you walk across! Once you finish the 450-foot trek, cross a series of platforms that wind their way along the primordial forest of British Columbia.

Re-board your transportation for a ride that ends at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) for your flight home.

Requirements: Open to all ages. Must be booked at the Port Adventures desk onboard the ship — cannot be booked online in advance. Departing flights from YVR airport should be booked no earlier than 3:00 PM. Collapsible, standard-sized wheelchairs are welcome; electric wheelchairs or scooters are not permitted. No wheelchairs of any type are permitted on the suspension bridge. Must be able to board and disembark without assistance. Strollers are welcome but may need to be folded for portions of the experience.

Cost: $99 for ages 10+ $59 for ages 3-9 $0 for ages 0-2

Get Answers To All Your Cruise Questions

Do I Have to Book Alaska Excursions through Disney?

It’s not a requirement to book your Disney Alaskan cruise excursions directly through Disney Cruise Lines, as many similar offerings can be booked directly through private tour operators. But there are benefits to booking through Disney that you won’t get when booking privately.

First — and most importantly — Disney will wait, if necessary, to allow official excursions to return to the ship should they run late (or pay for you to catch up to the ship at the next port-of-call). This courtesy is not extended to unofficial tours, which risks leaving you stranded! Your Disney excursions will also be automatically adjusted if the ship’s port schedule changes.

Payment terms are typically much more flexible for Disney excursions, whereas privately-booked excursions may require payment in full up-front and might be nonrefundable.

Finally, Disney works with tour providers to put just a bit more magic into Disney excursions. For example, many private rainforest tours include snacks around a campfire at the end — but only Disney Guests get to make s’mores.

Disney Alaska Cruise Port Adventure FAQs

Can you book alaska disney cruise excursions once you’re onboard.

Yes, excursions can be booked at the Port Adventures desk onboard the ship — but it is subject to availability.

Do Disney Alaska Cruise Tour Offerings Sell Out?

It’s common for the most popular excursions to sell out well in advance of the cruise. Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. There are no wait lists.

When Can You Book Disney Shore Excursions?

If it’s your first time cruising with Disney , you can book your Port Adventures 75 days prior to your sail date. Your cruise must be paid in full — no outstanding balance.

Repeat passengers get an early booking advantage based on the number of times they’ve cruised with Disney.

Are Disney Cruise Excursions in Alaska Wheelchair Accessible?

Given the outdoor nature of many of the activities, accessibility may be limited. However, as of March 2023, Disney listed 24 of its 191 Alaska Excursions as fully wheelchair accessible. An additional 61 excursions can accommodate wheelchairs for at least part of the experience, with a transfer required during the expedition. For more information, see Disney Cruise Line’s list of accessible excursions in Alaska .

Get Free Help from a Disney Cruise Expert

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It’s easy to miss something important, so why not get completely free help from the Disney Cruise experts at The Vacationeer ?

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So what’re you waiting for? Your cruise won’t cost a penny more than if you booked it yourself. It might even cost less!

Best Disney Cruise Excursions in Bahamas, Caribbean, & Bermuda -- Water trikes in front of a Disney cruise ship

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What New Disney Cruise Ships Are Being Built?

6 best Alaska cruises for families

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Adorable sled dog puppies, graceful whales, fascinating totem poles, crazy lumberjacks, majestic glaciers — Alaska has much to offer families of all ages. But if you’re looking for the best Alaska cruise for kids, which ship should you choose?

Families have great choices when sailing up north, including a ship full of Disney characters, one with laser tag and a go-kart race track and many with expansive play spaces for kids, waterslides and family-focused onboard activities. Look for bigger ships with plenty of amusements; smaller and older ships might not have as many kid-friendly attractions.

I’m not mentioning luxury cruise ships here because they are geared for adults, but families looking for a more upscale, smaller-ship cruise to Alaska should know that many high-end lines will put on some kid programming during summer-break cruises to Alaska with a higher-than-usual number of children on board.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

If you’re ready to cross Alaska off your bucket list, here are our recommendations for the best Alaska cruises for families.

7-night Alaska Adventure cruise on Quantum of the Seas

The 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas is not one of Royal Caribbean ’s largest-in-the-world Oasis Class ships that boast zip lines, ice skating rinks and AquaTheaters. But it still offers a great mix of activities, including a skydiving simulator, high-tech theater with robotic “dancing” screens, an escape room, indoor basketball court/bumper car pavilion and dedicated spaces for both kids and adults.

Kids can gobble up hot dogs and pizza at themed eateries, while adults can enjoy date night at Wonderland with its imaginative molecular gastronomy or Jamie’s Italian, created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Seven-night Alaska cruises sail round-trip from the easily accessible port of Seattle and visit Sitka, Skagway and Juneau, Alaska; as well as Victoria, British Columbia. One day is spent cruising through the scenic Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier. Sailings depart between late April and September.

Related: Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for a sailing up north

7-night Alaska cruise on Disney Wonder

Disney Cruise Line ‘s 1,754-passenger Disney Wonder (which can carry 2,713 guests when completely full) is the perfect size ship for a family cruise to Alaska. It’s smaller than many of the megaships catering to families in this part of the world, so guests can view glaciers and enjoy shore excursions without feeling too crowded.

The ship is full of Disney magic — photo ops with Mickey and friends and Disney princesses, restaurants themed to “The Little Mermaid” and “The Princess and the Frog” and a musical stage show of “Frozen.”

Cabins are thoughtfully designed for families, with plentiful bunkbeds and split bathrooms so two people can get ready for bed at once. Waiters assist with cutting up food for little cruisers or bringing pureed baby food, and the imaginative kids clubs keep little ones happily occupied when you’re not exploring in port.

Disney Wonder’s weeklong Alaska cruises sail round-trip from Vancouver, so all Americans, even kids, will need passports to fly in to the departure port. The ship visits Juneau, Ketchikan and either Skagway or Icy Strait Point, with glacier viewing at the Stikine Icecap. Seasonal sailings run May to September.

Related: Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

7-night Alaska cruise on Carnival Spirit

Carnival Cruise Line ’s Alaska cruises aboard the 2,124-guest Carnival Spirit might not be the cheapest sailings the line offers, but you get a lot for your money. Families will appreciate not having to pay extra for kid-friendly eats at the onboard pizzeria, Mexican outlet, Guy Fieri’s burger joint and all-day soft serve ice cream station. Comedy shows (both family-friendly and adults-only), an onboard water park, mini-golf and kid, tween and teen clubs are also included in the fare.

Cabins are no-frills but tend to be roomier than comparable cabins on competitors’ ships. Many rooms sleep four, but connecting cabins will get you more space and an extra bathroom while still keeping the family together.

Carnival Spirit spends summers in Alaska from late April to mid-September. It sails round-trip from Seattle and visits Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Victoria, BC, with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord.

Related: Best time to cruise Alaska

7-night Glacier Bay cruise on Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Cruise Line offers one of the longest cruise seasons in Alaska, and Norwegian Encore is based in the region from April through October each year. This might not help the typical family, but if your kids are young, you homeschool or have atypical breaks, a shoulder-season deal might be waiting for you.

The 3,998-passenger ship is NCL’s biggest, and families will be amazed at how much there is to do on board (though be prepared to pull out your credit card for the best activities). The ship features a laser tag arena, go-kart race track, virtual reality pavilion and water park.

Norwegian is also known for its entertainment, and after a day hiking on glaciers or chowing down at salmon bakes, you can take in the spectacular “Choir of Man,” sing along to the Beatles tribute show at The Cavern Club, or laugh yourself silly at The Social Comedy Club.

Like many of the best Alaska cruises for families, Norwegian Encore sails round-trip from Seattle, stopping in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. The standout day on this itinerary is scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve , which only a limited number of ships can visit each year. Save more by taking advantage of Free at Sea perks , which often include a free beverage package, Wi-Fi, shore excursion credit, specialty dining and — perfect for families — free third and fourth guests in each cabin.

Related: Alaska cruise mistakes you never want to make

7-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise on Royal Princess

Families with a little more vacation time might want to tack a visit to the Alaskan interior before or after their cruise, either independently or with a cruisetour. For this, you’ll need a one-way cruise that begins or ends in an Alaskan port.

A top candidate for this kind of family vacation is a seven-night cruise on Princess Cruises ‘ Royal Princess sailing between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska. The ship stops in Ketchikan, Juneau and either Skagway or Sitka, with scenic cruising in Glacier Bay and either College Fjord or Hubbard Glacier, depending on the itinerary.

It’s then up to you whether you spend you pre- or post-cruise time in the Kenai Fjord area, in Anchorage or traveling north to Denali National Park, Fairbanks or into the Arctic.

Royal Princess is known for its fan-favorite Alfredo’s pizza, Movies Under the Stars (when the Alaskan weather permits) and snacks and entertainment in the central Piazza. With its special North to Alaska activities, families can cuddle some adorable sled dogs on board the ship and meet Iditarod winners and other notable locals. Kids can become junior rangers with the help of the park rangers who come aboard the ship in Glacier Bay.

7-night Kids in Nature cruise on Wilderness Legacy

Suppose your family isn’t into the big-ship lifestyle and wants a small-ship, off-the-beaten-path experience that’s also geared toward families with kids and teens? In that case, the best family cruise to Alaska for you might be the “Kids in Nature” departures of UnCruise Adventures ’ 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy.

The ship sails round-trip from Juneau on “Glaciers & Wildlife” itineraries. These seven-night cruises include hiking and biking on Chichagof Island, daytime and evening kayak and skift tours in places like Patterson Bay and Robert and Crow Islands, exploring Glacier Bay’s less-visited “Outback” and visits to the LeConte and Baird Glaciers.

On three departure dates in June and July 2024, the Wilderness Legacy will staff up with “Kid Wranglers” who will lead the kid-focused activities. The minimum age to sail is 8 years old, but plenty of tweens and teens join the fun as well.

Bottom line

You no longer have to wait until you’re retired to explore Alaska. Take the kids on a weeklong exploration of the 49th State, and you’ll have plenty of cruise ships and itineraries to choose from. The best Alaska cruises for families combine action-packed itineraries with vessels designed for family fun, but we’re sure your family can find a way to have a great time up north no matter which cruise ship you choose.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
Top ways cruisers waste money
The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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 Port Adventures Alaska

Exciting shore excursions specially selected by Disney Cruise Line

 Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska
 Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
 Icy Strait Point, Alaska
 Juneau, Alaska
 Ketchikan, Alaska
 Sitka, Alaska
 Skagway, Alaska
 Tracy Arm, Alaska
 Vancouver, Canada
 Victoria (British Columbia), Canada
Clear Filters
 Sightseeing
 Private Adventures
 Signature Collection
 Beach and Water Adventures
 Culinary Adventures
 Port Adventures by Accessible Travel Solutions
 Wheelchair Transfer Required
 Wheelchair Accessible
 Less than $50
 $50 to $99
 $100 to $199
 $200 to $399
 $400 to $799
 $800 and Above

 Ports of Call

 experience type,  activity level,  accessibility,  price range, alpine zipline adventure (ju42).

Active, Nature
$269.00* (ages 10 and up)
Juneau, Alaska

5-Glacier Seaplane Exploration (JU49)

$369.00* (ages 10 and up), $329.00* (ages 2 to 9)

Adventure Kart Expedition (KE15)

$369.00* (ages 10 and up), $249.00* (ages 8 to 9)
Ketchikan, Alaska

Adventure Park and Ropes Course (IS28)

$74.00* (ages 10 and up), $54.00* (ages 5 to 9)
Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Adventure Park and Zip Lines (SW01)

$189.00* (ages 10 and up), $144.00* (ages 8 to 9)
Skagway, Alaska

Aerial Zip and Rappel Adventure (KE14)

$299.00* (ages 10 and up)

Afternoon Tea at Butchart Gardens (VT15)

Sightseeing
$299.00* (ages 10 and up), $199.00* (ages 8 to 9)
Victoria (British Columbia), Canada

Alaska Bears & Silver Bay Homestead Experience (SI20)

Nature, Sightseeing
$274.00* (ages 10 and up), $234.00* (ages 3 to 9), $0.00* (ages 0 to 2)
Sitka, Alaska

Alaska Bigfoot Adventures (KE70)

$169.00* (ages 10 and up), $139.00* (ages 6 to 9)

Alaska Coastal Expedition (KE30)

Active, Nature, Beach and Water Adventures
$239.00* (ages 10 and up), $219.00* (ages 7 to 9)

Alaska Family Fun and Exclusive Lumberjack Show (KE62)

$189.00* (ages 10 and up), $99.00* (ages 3 to 9), $0.00* (ages 0 to 2)

Alaska Hummer Adventure (KE21)

Nature, Sightseeing, Private Adventures
$799.00* (All Ages)

Alaska Nature and Wildlife Expedition (SW38)

$269.00* (ages 10 and up), $194.00* (ages 5 to 9)

Alaska Raptor Center and Nature Walk (SI01)

Sightseeing, Cultural
$104.00* (ages 10 and up), $84.00* (ages 3 to 9), $0.00* (ages 0 to 2)

Alaska Salmon Bake, Glacier and Hatchery (JU07)

$144.00* (ages 10 and up), $99.00* (ages 3 to 9), $0.00* (ages 0 to 2)

Alaska Whales & Rainforest Trails (JU34)

$259.00* (ages 10 and up), $159.00* (ages 5 to 9)

Alaska Whales & Science Adventure (JU33)

$259.00* (ages 10 and up), $159.00* (ages 3 to 9), $159.00* (ages 0 to 2)

Alaska Zodiac Adventure and Fin Island Lodge (SI16)

Nature, Beach and Water Adventures
$249.00* (ages 10 and up), $179.00* (ages 8 to 9)

Alaska's Whales & Glaciers Photo Safari (JU57)

$269.00* (ages 10 and up), $169.00* (ages 5 to 9)

Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land and Sea (KE17)

$459.00* (ages 10 and up), $349.00* (ages 5 to 9)

Alaskan Fish Camp & Wilderness Dining (KE35)

$499.00* (ages 10 and up), $399.00* (ages 5 to 9)

Alaskan Lodge Adventures and Seafeast (KE64)

Nature, Signature Collection
$199.00* (ages 10 and up), $139.00* (ages 3 to 9), $139.00* (ages 0 to 2)

Alpine Lake Canoe Adventure (SW61)

$199.00* (ages 10 and up)

Alpine Wilderness Trail Adventure By Segway (JU80)

$229.00* (ages 14 to 65)

Alpine Zipline and Mendenhall Glacier (JU24)

$369.00* (ages 10 and up)

Annette Island Cultural Celebration with Exclusive Family Activity (KE51)

Nature, Signature Collection, Cultural
$259.00* (ages 10 and up), $169.00* (ages 3 to 9), $169.00* (ages 0 to 2)

Artist Walk – Hot Italian Glass Experience (SI11)

$89.00* (ages 12 and up)

ATV Expedition (IS03)

Active, Nature, Sightseeing
$269.00* (ages 10 and up), $239.00* (ages 6 to 9)

Authentic Alaska Fishing (KE36)

$559.00* (ages 10 and up), $469.00* (ages 8 to 9)

Back Country Jeep Adventure (IS18)

$209.00* (ages 10 and up), $179.00* (ages 3 to 9), $0.00* (ages 0 to 2)
* All prices subject to change without notice.

IMAGES

Disney Cruise Alaska
Family Travel: Cruising to Alaska Disney Cruise Line-Style
Disney Alaska Cruise
Alaskan cruise aboard Disney Wonder
Disney Alaska Cruise 2021
port canaveral disney cruise parking

VIDEO

Alaska Disney Cruise 2023
Alaska Disney Cruise 2023
Alaska cruise July 2016 Disney
Meeting Belle
300c AWD snow drift?
Disney Cruise Line Alaska Cruise Q&A

COMMENTS

Port Addresses, Parking & Driving Directions
Port of Galveston. 2702 Harborside Drive. Galveston, TX 77550. Upon arriving at the port, please follow the signs directing you to the Disney Cruise Line ship and terminal. Parking. Parking operated by the Port of Galveston is available adjacent to the cruise terminal. Parking can be pre-paid online. Driving Directions.
10 things to know about sailing on a Disney Alaska cruise
For example, the cheapest Alaska sailing in 2024 is about $5,000 for a family of four in a windowless inside cabin and over $8,000 in a room with a private balcony. Those prices are for shoulder-season May and September sailings; the peak June through August sailings, such as the early June one we were on, cost more.
Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Trip Report
Alaska cruises on the Disney Wonder are not cheap. The 7-night itineraries for 2024, for a family of 3, start at $4,196. But everyone says a verandah room is a must-do for an Alaska cruise (our thoughts on this shortly), so already you're looking at closer to $10,000. Getting 50% off this cruise would be serious value.
Cruising Alaska with Disney Cruise Line: A First-Timer's Guide
The Disney vessel that shuttles passengers to and from Alaska is the impressive Wonder, which first set sail in 1999 and is one of DCL's fleet of four (a fifth will be added in 2021; a sixth in ...
Disney Alaska Cruise Planning and Tips
February 23, 2024. Taking a Disney Wonder Alaska cruise is a great way to experience nature with all the comforts and fun of a Disney vacation. Use our Disney Alaska cruise planning timeline and tips to make the most out of this expensive, but incredible vacation. Disney Alaska Cruise Planning Timeline. 12 months or more before Alaska cruise.
7 Tips for a Great DCL Alaska Cruise
I know the Disney Cruise Line Alaska itinerary is a niche interest topic, but yesterday's "7 Mistakes We Made on Our DCL Alaska Cruise" was popular, and prompted a lot of questions. Some of those questions I planned on answering in future posts and some I answered in the comments there (but subsequent readers have asked again since this ...
Alaska Cruises & Alaskan Cruise Destinations
For assistance with your Disney Cruise, please call (800) 951-3532. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern time; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Experience a Disney Cruise Line Alaskan voyage with exotic locales, first-rate ...
Cruises in Alaska
Alaskan Cruise Ports of Call. Set sail from cosmopolitan Vancouver, Canada, and behold the arctic grandeur of Alaska. Travel the unspoiled Inside Passage to historic ports—Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan—and experience the Last Frontier's hardy local character firsthand with memorable Port Adventures.
Parking and Port Information
Guests are charged for every day their vehicle is in the lot/garage, which includes the day of arrival and the day of departure from the cruise. Parking costs are based on cruise itinerary. See below: $68.00 per parking space for the 3-night cruise. $85.00 per parking space for the 4-night cruise. $102.00 per parking space for the 5-night cruise.
port canaveral disney cruise parking
Port Canaveral Disney Cruise Parking. The first thing you need to know is that the Disney cruise terminal is Terminal 8 at Port Canaveral. The Disney Cruise Port Canaveral address is 9155 Charles M Rowland Dr. Port Canaveral, FL 32920. However, there are a number of options for Port Canaveral Cruise Parking if you are sailing on a Disney cruise.
Disney Cruises to Alaska
Disney Cruises to Alaska Explore Alaska's breathtaking landscape aboard a Disney cruise departing from Vancouver. Select from five- to nine-night itineraries for couples and families to discover the awe-inspiring northern region of the US. ... It provides 770 parking spaces and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The facility offers ...
Disney Cruise Alaska 2024 & 2025 Guide: ESSENTIAL Cruise Tips
The Disney Cruise Line Alaskan sailings on the Disney Wonder occur throughout the summer "warm" months. The first 2024 Alaska sailing begins on May 13, 2024 and the last sailing ends on September 23, 2024 (the Disney Cruise Line 2024 dates were announced here ). We don't yet the 2025 Disney Alaska Cruise dates.
Disney Cruise Alaska Guide
The Alaska Disney Cruise is a once in a lifetime experience! Our Disney Cruise Alaska Guide has all the essential tips you need for the best cruise experience. Swipe up or keep reading for all the best tips and everything you need to know to plan your Alaska Disney Cruise! The May and September sailings will be less expensive and may even not ...
Disney Alaska Cruise Ultimate Guide for a 7-Night Trip
Through Disney Cruise, we booked the Alaska Whales and Rainforest Trails tour which spanned 5 hours and 15 minutes. At a cost of $249 per person, this is one of the more involved tours featuring both a rainforest walk in the Tongass National Forest and time on the whale-watching boat, waiting for sightings.
Planning A Disney Cruise to Alaska
A Disney Cruise to Alaska, for many, is a once in a lifetime trip. It's also a little more involved than cruises you might take to say, the Caribbean. And it's also a lot more expensive. We are sharing all we learned about planning our own Disney Cruise, which was canceled repeatedly due to the pandemic.
5 Expert Tips for Your Disney Cruise to Alaska
Pack comfortable clothing that can be layered so you'll be ready for whatever Alaska's weather has in store for you. Some days you may be in a t-shirt and jeans, while other days may require a sweater and heavy coat. If you pack with layering in mind, you'll be in great shape. 4. Know Where You're Going.
Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise
All the Disney Wonder Alaska Cruises sail from the port of Vancouver, Canada. There are a number of different cruises available including 5, 7, 8, and 9-night itineraries. Most of the Disney Wonder Cruises are for 7 nights. There are some variations on the Disney Wonder Alaska cruise itinerary but most are 7-night cruises sailing from Vancouver.
Disney Alaska Cruise Packing List With Free Printable
Final Thoughts On Our Free Printable Disney Alaska Cruise Packing List. Thanks for hanging in there! I know that was a lot to cover, but packing well for an Alaska cruise is extremely important. Between starting in a foreign country to only stopping in very small ports of call, having essentials on hand keeps everyone comfortable. ...
Packing for a Disney Cruise to Alaska FREE Printable Packing List
Waterproof Jacket. Of all of the items you'll need, this is probably one of the most important things to pack for a Disney Cruise to Alaska. In case you're not aware, it rains in Alaska. A lot. Some of the ports we stopped in, we were told it rains more than 300 days a year. A waterproof jacket is a must.
Why A Disney Cruise to Alaska Is Perfect For Families
Oct 2, 2023. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point on my late-season family cruise to Alaska aboard Disney Cruise Line' s Disney Wonder, it was clear: I'd become Disney Adult ...
Best Disney Cruise Alaska Excursions
On the high end, you can spend nearly $5,200 to take a private sea plane to Misty Fjords National Monument. We checked the prices of all excursions Disney Cruise Line offered in Alaska at the time we wrote this article, and here's what we found: $1 - $49: 1 option. $50 - $99: 35 options. $100 - $199: 57 options.
Alaska Cruises
With rugged arctic beauty and outdoor adventure in spades, Alaska is a destination brimming with family appeal. Kids will get a kick out of Port Adventures like gold panning and dog sledding while adults will be awed by its spectacular fjords, waterfalls and glaciers. ... For assistance with your Disney Cruise, please call (800) 951-3532 ...
How to Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget
Certain Excursions, like those on a Disney Cruise to Alaska, are often once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that offer a glimpse into the history of the location, or the marvels of the area. While ...
6 best Alaska cruises for families
7-night Alaska cruise on Disney Wonder Disney Cruise Line 's 1,754-passenger Disney Wonder (which can carry 2,713 guests when completely full) is the perfect size ship for a family cruise to Alaska.
Port Adventures
Alaska Zodiac Adventure and Fin Island Lodge (SI16) Nature, Beach and Water Adventures; $249.00* (ages 10 and up), $179.00* (ages 8 to 9) ... For assistance with your Disney Cruise, please call (800) 951-3532. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern time; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern time.

10 things to know about sailing on a Disney Alaska cruise

The cheapest time to book is the day cruises go on sale

'Glacier day' is a marathon, not a sprint

Book some excursions — but price them carefully

You can warm up with free hot chocolate

Choose the late dinner

Characters aren't in their Alaska outfits every day

It's easy to overpack

The 'Frozen' deck show isn't a must-do But the stage show is a must-see

Plan an extra day in Vancouver

You don't need a verandah room

Bottom line

Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Trip Report

About This Post + Related Posts

Why We Booked This Cruise

Our Alaska Disney Cruise Itinerary

Booking Our Disney Alaska Cruise

Was our verandah room on the Disney Alaska Cruise worth it?

Booking Our Disney Alaska Cruise Excursions

Disney Cruise Activity Booking Windows

Disney Alaska Cruise Onboard Activities

A Quick Aside About the Disney Cruise Line App (And Internet)

Picking Our Alaska Excursions

Booking Third Party Excursions

Disney Cruise Online Check-In

Getting to Vancouver

Pre-Cruise Time In Vancouver

Day 1 - Embarkation

Read More About Cabanas in Our Quick Guide to Disney Wonder Quick Service

Our Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

Day 2 - Day at Sea

Read Our Quick Guide to Quick Service on the Disney Wonder

Read Our Quick Guide to Rotational Dining on the Disney Wonder

Day 3 - Glacier Explorer Day

Read More In Our Quick Guide to Meeting Characters on the Disney Wonder

Glacier Explorer Excursion

Read more about the Oceaneer Club and the Other Disney Wonder Kids’ Clubs

Day 4 - Icy Strait Point

Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise

Day 5 - Juneau

Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp

Exploring Juneau

Day 6 - Ketchikan

days 7 and 8 - Day at Sea and Debarkation

Alaskan Cruise on the Disney Wonder — Closing Thoughts

Thanks for reading about our time aboard the Disney Wonder! We can’t wait to get on our next cruise and share that with you too!

Cruising Alaska with Disney Cruise Line: A First-Timer’s Guide

Avital Andrews

Why Choose a Disney Cruise?

Disney Alaska Cruise Itinerary

The Shore Excursions

Life Onboard Disney Wonder

What to Pack for a Disney Alaska Cruise

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Written by Tom Bricker

Disney Cruising Group

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