disney alaska cruise excursions

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)

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

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)

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)

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 ⭐

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

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)

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.

Let a Free Travel Agent Pay For Your Excursions!

Skagway — Top Port Adventures

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)

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 ⭐

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

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

There’s a lot to consider when booking a Disney Cruise to Alaska — excursions, staterooms, ground transportation, dining, and onboard activities.

It’s easy to miss something important, so why not get  completely free help  from the Disney Cruise experts at  The Vacationeer ?

They’re an  Earmarked Diamond  level  Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , meaning they book thousands of Disney Vacations each year for families just like yours.

And, because you have  one dedicated agent from start to finish , you won’t get stuck on hold for hours in a giant call center.

The Vacationeer  also provides a  free onboard credit of up to $1,000  to use toward excursions, gratuities, and virtually anything else you pay for onboard the ship.

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!

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Disney Cruise Alaska 2024 & 2025 Guide: ESSENTIAL Tips For Your Cruise

The Alaska Disney Cruise is a once in a lifetime experience. The below cruise review and tips are based on our recent seven day Disney Cruise Line Alaska itinerary that sails from Vancouver to Alaska. This guide will continue to be updated to provide advice for the 2024 and 2025 Disney Cruise Alaska seasons.

Onboard our cruise we had family ranging in age from 20 to 80+. On the last night of our trip I got everyone together and we talked through all the Disney Cruise tips we should pass on. This guide is based on those insights.

With the below tips I hope to prepare you for your future Disney Alaska cruise and give you everything you need to know to plan. We'll cover what month to book your cruise, an overview of the Disney Wonder ship, onboard activities, premium dining, what to pack for your cruise, Alaska Disney Cruise Line excursions, and more.

Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!

In this planning guide:

When to Take a Disney Cruise to Alaska

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. The sailing stretch throughout the summer months in Alaska.

These are the key factors to consider for picking your Alaskan Disney Cruise dates:

• When are kids in school? The May and September sailings will be less expensive and may even not be fully booked because kids will still be in school. Some of the same school discounting effects can be felt for the very beginning of June and very end of September as well. If you are not confined to summer school schedules, you may want to consider a sailing at the beginning or end of the Alaskan cruising season.
• Weather? The later in the season you plan your cruise the higher the potential for rain during your trip. You can see on this Juneau, Alaska monthly climate averages that the average rainfall by month is double in September what it is in May. Even with that said, during our August trip we only had one real day of rain during our trip when we were in Ketchikan, Alaska. This port is actually one of the rainiest cities in the U.S. and receives nearly 235 days of percipitation per year . A weather note – most think of Alaska as cold. Throughout the summer months the temperatures do not get too low and during our sailing were about 60 degrees. Pretty comfortable when in pants. Some days we saw lots of sun and others we had light rain and wind. More in our packing list section.

You can view the currently available dates for Summer 2024 on the Disney Cruise Line website (Summer 2024 dates just released). After viewing the dates be sure to come back and request a FREE quote from our travel partner for your cruise . For a limited time Mickey Visit readers get up to a $400 onboard credit.

As you'll see in the listings of available sailings, there are a range of length options for your trip…

Best Disney Cruise to Alaska – Which Length to Pick

Disney Cruise Line offers multiple Alaska itineraries that range from five to nine nights. Our recent Disney Cruise to Alaska was a seven night itinerary. The seven night Disney Alaska cruise is offered the most of any of the lengths of sailings.

The seven night cruise includes stops at Dawes Glacier; Juneau, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; and Ketchikan, Alaska.

Here's some more context on each of the destinations listed for the various lengths of cruise:

• Juneau, Alaska is the state's capital and the largest town that the ship stops in during the Alaskan cruise. The town has some noteworthy food options (see below for excursions) and was the closest that we got to any glacier.
• Skagway, Alaska was the access point for the last gold rush. This old gold rush town is the jumping off point for excursions into the Yukon. Excursion options include a historic railway line with stunning vista views, helicopter tours, and tours of the old town.
• Ketchikan, Alaska is the rainiest place in the world and features an old town built on stilts above a creek, salmon runs, Native American totem polls, and a lumberjack show. This port is the closest to Vancouver in Alaska and all Disney Alaskan Cruises stop here.
• Dawes Glacier, Alaska is not a port but is a location that the boat pulls into for one day of all Alaska sailings. The boat enters the cove near the glacier and then rotates slow so that all sides of the boat get an angle of the glacier. There is an option for an excursion here to go out on a smaller boat that goes closer to the glacier. Though Dawes was scheduled as part of our itinerary, we actually didn't stop here. Scroll down and read what happened in our Disney Cruise to Alaska tips section.
• Sitka, Alaska was not a port that we visited during our seven night Disney Cruise sailing to Alaska but we heard the highlights revolve around the Russian history of the city (this was the capital of the territory when Alaska belonged to Russia) and the outdoor excursions which are similar to the excursions offered in the other ports.

Choosing Your Alaska Stateroom – Do you need a Verandah room for your Alaskan cruise?

While we do outline each of the various stateroom options for all of the Disney Cruise Line ships in our general guide to the Disney Wonder , there is special reason to consider your room option carefully for the Disney Cruise to Alaska.

For many cruises you could take the same approach that we take for hotels near Disneyland – why pay for the room if you are going to be out of the room the entire trip exploring and having fun? You may want to reconsider this for an Alaskan cruise as the itineraries are longer and the outdoor spaces are colder due to the Alaskan weather. With our group's age range for this trip (from 20 years old to 80+ years old), there was almost always someone in the room who wasn't keen to be out exploring. We were very happy to have a Verandah room during our Alaskan Disney Cruise and enjoyed waking up to views and having the option to check out the view without having to get warmer clothes on and go up on deck.

There is plenty to do throughout the ship and plenty of spaces for lounging outside of your room but the Verandah was truly a highlight for our days at sea. Even for the days when we were coming into port, it was delightful to watch our approach from the comfort of our own balcony.

The room shown in the photos here is a Deluxe Verandah room. There is a queen bed and the couch the converts into twin sleeper.

How much does a 2024 Alaskan Disney Cruise Cost?

The prices for the cruise vary dramatically by room type and date of sailing. We asked our travel partner to pull some sample pricing for cruises so that we could include them here for your reference.

For the seven night sailing that leaves May 22, 2023 for two people an interior room costs  $3,574.94 and an exterior deluxe verandah 5C category room with an unobstructed view and regular balcony size costs $8,012.94 .

Compare this to the seven night sailing that leaves on July 17, 2023 in the heart of the summer. For two people an interior room costs  $4,708.94 while an exterior Deluxe Verandah 5C category room with an unobstructed view and regular balcony size $11,148.94 .

The seven-night sailing that leaves on May 13, 2024 for two people in an interior room starts at $3,490 and an exterior verandah room starts at $6,347 . The exact prices are not available yet as booking details are not yet open.

Compare this to the seven night sailing that leaves on July 8, 2024, in the heart of the summer. For two people an interior room costs $4,635 while an exterior Deluxe Verandah 5c category room with an unobstructed view and regular balcony size is $11,495.2. As you can see, the more popular summer months when kids are out of school are more expensive.

Again, as you are considering your Disney Cruise to Alaska, be sure to request a FREE Disney Cruise line vacation quote from our travel partner . When you book with our partner you'll receive up to a $400 onboard credit .

Onboard Disney Cruise Line Programming

There are a variety of onboard Disney Cruise Line offerings to fill your days at sea and evenings. From lavish entertainment (see Disney Cruise Line entertainment section below) to educational programs to fitness offerings, there really are tons of ways to stay busy during the days at sea. Your Disney Cruise Line Personal Navigator app has information on all times for all activities onboard the ship. Make sure everyone in your party has downloaded the app before your departure.

Though we were onboard a unique Alaskan Disney Cruise (our trip was part of the Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise ) we did still experience quite a bit of the normal programming that is offered by the Disney Cruise Line on a standard Alaskan cruise.

One of the highlights on the onboard programming was the educational nature presentations . All of the adults in our group attended all three of the talks given by the naturalist that was onboard. His three presentations were on the fjords and waterways, whales and water ways, and Alaskan bears and salmon. Each of the presentations was educational and added to our excursion experience by providing context on our trip on land. The programming was well put together and could be interesting to all ages. If you have a nature curious preteen and up, I would recommend bringing them along to the presentation. Other topics sometimes presented by the naturalist include information on the Klondike Gold Rush and Vancouver Life.

Some of the other offerings on the Alaska Disney Cruise on the Disney Wonder include:

• The Art of the Theme Tour is a tour of the ship that focuses on the details and history built into the ship. You'll find fun features in the carpet and hear stories on design details. I also always like to take the opportunity to connect with another Cast Member.
• There is trivia with varying themes offered throughout the trip. Some themes include movie quotes trivia, Disney theme park trivia, sports trivia, and PIXAR trivia.
• In the Buena Vista Theater (the smaller of the two theaters onboard the ship) there are a variety of the latest movies from Disney playing . During our 2022 sailing we saw Togo (story about an Alaskan sled dog), Thor: Love and Thunder, and Encanto. The list is always updated with the latest Disney movies that were released but there is usually a film that ties into the Alaskan cruise theme like Togo or Brother Bear that is always offered.
• There is evening live music and entertainment available in the lounges. These offerings vary by cruise but we saw a lounge singer during our sailing. The songs are ones that you'll know and performances have specific themes.
• For an additional charge, you can join an alcohol tasting class or mixology class . These experiences do fill up so you should book them when they open for booking. See dates the varying dates that excursions and activities open to guests below.
• Throughout your stay you'll get to experience super fun folded towels and napkins. Each night when you return to your stateroom you'll find a folded towel animal on the bed waiting for you. There is a class where you can learn how to fold your own napkin and towel animal .
• For the musically excited, a night time karaoke and silent disco are offered.
• Throughout the trip you'll have lots of opportunity to join in playing BINGO . Be sure to check when there is presale of BINGO cards so that you don't end up waiting in the queue when you arrive to play.
• There is a very popular Match Your Mate game show where you and your significant other are challenged to see how well you know each other with trivia questions. This is a fan favorite!
• There are activities for every interest onboard the Disney Cruise to Alaska – you'll also find a cooking class demonstration and animation class .

The dates that guests can book onboard experiences (tastings, spa, nursery, Royal Court Tea), Alaskan excursions, and adult dining at Palo (details below) vary by sailing history with Disney Cruise Line . Once you have paid for your cruise in full, first time Disney Cruise Line guests can book 75 days before sail date, Silver Castaway Club members can book 90 days before sail date, Gold Castaway Club Members can book 105 days before, and Concierge Guests and Platinum Castaway Club Members can book 120 days before your sail date.

Alaska Disney Cruise Character Meet and Greets

Throughout our Disney Cruise there were characters everywhere. The Disney meet and greet limitations for the Disney Cruise Line had been recently lifted and we experienced a completely normal character meet and greet experience onboard our cruise. Many times throughout our trip I would be walking from one activity to the next and bump into a character just wandering. Multiple times I saw Thor wandering the hallways looking for someone to engage with.

All character meeting times are listed in the app. Our favorite character meet and greets were with the Disney fab five in their Alaskan outfits. For anyone excited about rare Disney meet and greets, these photos are super exciting. The best opportunity to take these photos comes on the Dawes Glacier day. On this day the characters will be up on the top deck outdoors so you can get an iconic Alaskan view in the background. I recommend arriving about fifteen minutes before the scheduled photo time to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse up here. We started with Mickey Mouse and then jumped over to the line for Minnie Mouse. There were other times we saw opportunities to wait in line for characters (on the formal night the fab five is out in tuxedos) but were happy just to have these outdoor photos.

Don't be afraid of a short line for a memorable photo with your favorite character.

Fitness Offerings Onboard the Disney Wonder

The fitness center and spa offers a number of scheduled workout classes. During our sailing there were complimentary offerings that included a mile walk around the ship and a morning yoga class . I opted to try one of the premium experiences and purchased the personal training experience . You could opt for a two pack or four pack of classes. There was a discount if you went with the four pack. I decided just do purchase the two pack as I wanted to workout some on my own during the trip as well. The cruise really flies by. I was glad that I only purchased the two day experience.

The gym is at the very front of the Disney Wonder and has a wide array of fitness machines. I typically like to start my workout with a run. I did this everyday except for one when the boat was moving a little too much for the treadmill and I opted for the stationary bicycle instead. The fitness center also has a nice locker room. I actually ended up showering in the locker everyday of our trip after our workout instead of using the shower in our stateroom.

In Skagway I went for a run off the ship. When facing the town from the port I ran to the left and found a foot bridge. Over the bridge there was a dirt trail with work out stations (pull up bars, sit up bench, etc) all along it. This was a great way to get off the ship and get a workout in outside before our excursion for the day. I ran about 3.5 miles here.

Disney Cruise Line Sense Spa and Salon Offerings

The Disney Wonder has a full spa offering onboard with a suite of services. The spa rooms have massive windows with sweeping views from the top of the ship.

Some of the offerings at the spa include a Rainforest aromatherapy room, steam room, and sauna. There are also comfortable locker rooms for changing before and after the treatment. As I mentioned above, I used the locker rooms throughout our cruise after the weight room even when not getting a treatment.

The spa is available for guests 18 and older and reservations can be made online or after 1 pm in person at the spa on the first day of your cruise. An 18% gratuity will be applied to all spa and fitness services.

If you are interested in a manicure or a pedicure, consider booking your time slot for the first day of your trip for stunning views of Vancouver as you sail away. There is also a rainforest room which features a steam room and relaxation area. You can pay for a day pass or pass for your entire trip.

Disney Wonder Cruise Kids Activities

There are kids clubs and activities for kids of all ages. There are five different areas on the ship designed to service kids from toddlers to teens.

There are five different lounge options: the “it’s a Small World” nursery, Disney’s Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab, Edge, and Vibe. You can view all the various kid activities in the Disney Cruise Line app.

All of the kids clubs except the “it's a Small World” nursery are included with the price of the cruise. The nursery is an additional fee and requires reservations.

On embarkation you and your child can tour the kids clubs together to calm any nerves. This is also when you'll register your child for the club. You can also pre-register your child before the cruise here .

Keep in mind that kids are not fed by the kids clubs so even though your child will likely want to stay in the club all day you will have to grab them for meals. This is also something to keep in mind when booking any Palo reservation that may conflict with your child's eating timing.

Disney Wonder Entertainment Available On Alaskan Cruise

During the cruise to Alaska there are a number of Broadway-caliber shows that are performed in the Walt Disney Theatre. The shows vary by sailing length. On nights when one of the Disney shows are not taking place in the theater, there will be some sort of variety show act performed.

The shows on the Disney Wonder are:

• “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” is a full retelling of the Frozen story with huge musical acts that runs just over an hour. The production value is incredible, the musicians are very impressive, and Olaf was hilarious.
• “The Golden Mickeys” is a musical medley show that features songs from Disney films of past and present. A story is also woven in between the musical acts that a stage manager is suddenly pushed into the spotlight when she has to host the show at the last minute. By the end of the show, the host realizes that anything is possible.
• “Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic” is a musical medley show that pulls in classic Disney musical numbers when a young girl who is losing her belief in magic is visited in her dreams by characters from Disney classics and is helped along the way by Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.

Shows are typically performed twice nightly so that they are opposite your dinner seating. If you have a late dinner you'll watch the earlier show and if you have an early dinner seating you'll watch the later show.

There are also two deck shows that occur during the cruise:

• The “Mickey's Sail-A-Wave” party is a send off deck party with all of your favorite Disney characters that occurs right as the ship is pulling out of Vancouver. This show takes place in the mid-afternoon.
• The “Freeze the Night Away” deck party is a Frozen themed deck party with your favorite songs and characters from Frozen. Snow comes down at the end of this show. The night of our deck party is truly was freezing and we were bundled up enjoying the entertainment on deck. This show takes place after both dinner seatings have been completed.

Choosing Your Disney Cruise Line Alaskan Excursions

There are a wide array of excursions for Disney Cruises to Alaska. Guests can opt for the most extravagant helicopter ride to dog sledding or just enjoy a leisurely walk around town. CAUTION – You will likely have sticker shock. Some excursions are hundreds of dollars per person. Remember that you are in Alaska for a once in a lifetime Disney Cruise. Be sure to budget for these excursions as you plan for your trip.

Disney Cruise Line sells excursions directly. For research sake I compared prices between the offering from Disney Cruise Line and booking some experiences on our own. The pricing was often the same or only slightly more when purchasing from Disney when I could find it. For many of the more upscale experiences, there was no clear way to find the offering directly online to comparison shop as the experience was curated specifically for the cruise line. There are always vendors just off the ship selling other excursion offerings but be warned that if you take a third party excursion and do not get back to the ship before the official departure time the ship will leave you behind. This warning and a very real story of passengers being left behind in Juneau, Alaska after their seaplane couldn't fly back from the glacier due to lack of visibility scared us enough not to consider outside excursions.

When you purchase an excursion from Disney you'll check in for the excursion in D-Lounge and then be escorted to the correct transportation by a Cast Member.

Here were our trip reports for each Alaskan port we experienced:

Skagway – The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway was about a three hour train loop up the trail to the Yukon gold rush. The experience was well put together though after about 2 hrs we wished that we were back at the base. You'll follow the same route up and then back down. The train picks up directly at the ship.

We heard others who opted for a long hike, to rent a car and drive up into the Yukon (Skagway is the only port that we visited that is actually connected to the rest of the country by road), and taking an old town shuttle tour around the town itself. I would have loved to go on a long hike but due to others in our group with less mobility we opted to spend time together on the railway experience. This was a great way to see the sights and spend time together.

After our railway tour we still had a chance to walk around the town. We stopped at a Christmas shop and enjoyed chatting with the owners who turned out to spend winter in San Diego, California. We also enjoyed fried dough from the Klondike Doughboy . This is a must stop for your day in Skagway that you'll find on one of the side streets. Finally, we watched a National Parks historical film on the “last gold rush” that lead to the original establishment of Skagway as the gateway for gold seekers to sail to before a treacherous journey over the mountain to the site where gold was discovered. I enjoyed the context that the film provided. The film can be found in the National Parks building at the end of the street closest to the cruise ship slips.

This is a screenshot of the video I captured of the whales coming right up near our boat. The photo doesn't do the experience justice.

Juneau – At Juneau we participated in a whale watching and trip to the Mendenhall glacier . We were picked up by bus from the ship and then taken to a boat for the whale watching tour. We had whales get very close up to the ship and flip their tale. Just like the Pacific Life commercials ! This was an excellent experience getting into nature.

After our long morning on the boat we got back on the bus and headed to the Mendenhall Glacier. All along the ride we had very fun narration from our bus driver who shared a look into what it is like living in Alaska. She was witty and provided a look into the actual life rather than just giving facts and figures. A real highlight! At the Mendenhall Glacier we walked out to the waterfall. They claim this walk is an hour roundtrip but it only took us 45 minutes and that includes at least 10 minutes talking photos at the waterfall. Our bus then dropped us off in the heart of Juneau and we walked through some of the shops and found lunch.

We opted to enjoy the fish tacos at Deckhand Dave's . We debated going to Tracy's Crab Shack but decided we didn't want another large sit down meal for lunch. We were very happy with our pick to enjoy the tacos. After lunch we also found GREAT fudge from the Alaskan Fudge Company . Both great options!

Ketchikan – As I shared above, Ketchikan is one of the rainiest cities in the United States so it was raining during our day here. It rained on and off throughout the day and the sky was gray all day. The ship docks right in town. In the morning we walked through the various shops in town and I took a longer walk up the river beyond Creek Street. The amount of salmon floating peacefully in the river was astounding. There were hundreds just hanging out in the shallows. In the afternoon we enjoyed the Lumberjack Show . This is an activity you could easily purchase tickets directly from the venue if you wanted to.

There isn't much of a savings for the headache of booking through an outside payment system but the option is there. The show was lots of fun. In the format of a US vs Canada competition, professional lumberjacks completed impressive stunts with their saws. The show also pulls in audience participation. We saw kids of the friends also on the trip get pulled in and have a great time participating. This experience is tons of fun for the entire family.

Fun Disneyland Fact – Did you know that in the summers of 1987 and 1988 there was a “State Fair” event that included a Log Rolling and Lumberjack Show? The show was found along the Rivers of America area.

When you get back on the ship there's always a Cast Member with hot chocolate and cookies ready to greet you.

For 2 of the 3 days in port we opted to return to the ship for lunch rather than sitting down at any of the restaurant in town. We enjoyed eating at Triton's restaurant on the ship and appreciated the sit down service. After lunch we easily returned back into town for more exploring and some of our group opted to stay on the ship.

WiFi During Your Disney Cruise Line Alaska Trip

I can't say this more overtly. The WiFi onboard the ship worked well for messaging and looking things but do not rely on it for downloads. Save any digital material that you want to have available. If you need a book downloaded for your Kindle or podcast downloaded for the gym, do everything you can to download these before leaving for your trip.

While there is WiFi onboard the Disney Wonder, it is expensive and runs out quickly. Even when you are on the WiFi there were certain apps that did not work at all.

In our experience iMessages came through over the WiFi even when we didn't have our WiFi package turned on. For messaging between people in your party onboard, there is a messaging option within the Disney Cruise Line app. This worked fine.

In each port I was able to get on my normal Verizon phone plan with no difficulties. I even used it as a hotspot from my computer to send email. Be sure to check on your phone plan for use in Canada for your days coming into Vancouver.

Disney Cruise Line App Review

At first the Disney Cruise Line app was difficult to use. The interface is not intuitive to begin with but once you figure out how to locate activities it works well.

When you first get onboard, go through the activities listed and select the various onboard activities that sound interesting to you. To get the activities, click on the “Explore” section and click the day you want to view. There is also an option to filter by activity type – filtering by movie for instance. This schedule that you create will then cause the app to send you push notifications. The “Add Plans” button in the app doesn't work as expected and just suggests paid activities to you. Make sure to click the “Explore” section for details on everything happening onboard.

Disney Wonder Pools

The pools and water slide are open throughout the cruise to Alaska. We opted to quickly ride the waterslide the first day that we were onboard to check that box as we knew that our departure day from Vancouver would be the warmest day to enjoy the pools on the cruise. I recommend getting on the slide that first day to enjoy it while it is still sunnier outside. There were plenty of people enjoying the waterslide throughout the voyage but we were glad to have ridden it the first day.

Entering the pool area could be jarring at times. I would walk out on to the deck and be greeted with icy winds in the morning but also the upbeat tunes of “La Bamba”.

I actually used the pool almost everyday of the trip. In the early evening before our show I would try and get up to the adult pool area and hot tub. This area was a little more peaceful than the others and it was nice to meet other guests in the hot tub to swap stories on their experience.

How Food Works Onboard Disney Cruise to Alaska

For Dinner:

Onboard the Disney Wonder there are three different restaurants that you will rotate through for dinners during your voyage. Each night you'll go to your assigned restaurant and your same waiter and assistant waiter will be there ready for you. Throughout your trip you'll get to know the wait staff and they'll get to know your preferences. In our group one member took her water without ice and by the second night she was already receiving her water with no ice without asking.

The menus shift each night of the cruise and are somewhat reflective of the theme of the restaurant.

Our waiters encouraged us to order anything on the menu that looked interesting. Each night I started with one of the soups of the day and some other appetizer before my main course. We sometimes also ordered an additional main course if we all wanted to try it.

Some of the food highlights that stuck with us – the Beef Wellington, the Banoffee pie (a chocolate, banana, whipped cream dessert), and the carmel ice cream that we enjoyed one evening (we ordered that ice cream every night afterwards too!). Another lesson. Always ask for the food that you want even if it isn't on the menu. My grandmother wanted a blue cheese wedge salad because the other salads on the menu were not something she was interested in. Amazingly our server had a wedge salad based on her specifications at the table 5 minutes later. My aunt was craving asparagus and they also delivered. Overall we were very impressed with the kitchen's ability to accommodate requests.

These were some of our drawings during the fun Animator's Palate show.

The three main restaurants are: Triton's, Tiana's Place, and Animator's Palate. Be sure not to miss the second night at Animator's Palate as there is a very cute show where everyone in the group draws a character and then that character comes to life on screens around the restaurant.

There are two dinner seatings – an early seating at 5:45 pm and a later seating at 8:15 pm. We had the later dinner seating which meant that we would be eating much later than we were used to at home. This also led us to snack much more going into the evening because we weren't going to eat until so much later. You have the opportunity to switch seating times in the app if you have a preference.

Palo For Upscale Dinner and Brunch:

There is an upscale adults only restaurant onboard called Palo that is an additional charge. We opted to enjoy both brunch and dinner here. The restaurant does book up so be sure to book your Palo experience when it becomes available for your Disney Cruise. Though I have a full review coming soon, I will share that we far preferred the variety that came with brunch at the restaurant.

For Breakfast and Lunch:

Throughout the day there are a variety of food options constantly available. The Cabanas restaurant is open with a buffet for breakfast and lunch. For a sit down breakfast or lunch, the central sit down restaurant, Triton's, is also available. We started the cruise having our breakfast at Cabanas and then shifted over to eating breakfast at Triton's after we realized that our evening waiter was often there and we could have the same great table service as we did at dinner. The quality of breakfast food was also better at Triton's. I had very similar omelette orders at both locations and the Triton's omelette was far superior.

There are also quick service restaurants on the upper deck that serve sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken tenders (super good!), pizza, Asian style bowls, and of course soft serve. There is never a bad time to order soft serve on the cruise! Make sure you get in the habit of grabbing one otherwise the cruise will slip by. It is never too cold for Disney Cruise Line soft serve ice cream!

Additional Charge Food

There are a couple of food locations that are an additional charge. There are concession stands outside the theaters selling popcorn, soda, and candy. There are also a number of lounges with additional cost alcoholic beverages. On the top deck there is also a bar / coffee place that is for adults only. This Cove Bar feels a lot like a comfortable Starbucks.

The regular dinner restaurants also have extra charge alcohol as an option.

On Your First Day Onboard:

When you first board the Disney Wonder in Vancouver each restaurant will be open for you to enjoy lunch. On our first day we had lunch at Tiana's Place and enjoyed the sit down service. We could also have opted for the quick service options or buffet at Cabanas.

In addition to the above there is included 24/7 room service onboard. Let's just say, you really aren't going to go hungry. It is much more important to think about what you aren't going to eat than to worry about what you are.

There is also a water and soda station on the Deck 9 pool deck. We brought reusable water bottles and popped up here to refill them throughout the trip. There are a couple of water bottle fill stations on the upper deck by the pool and in the gym.

Disney Cruise Line Vancouver, Canada Boarding Process

To board the Disney Wonder in Canada we went through a number of different checks including US customs.

For your arrival, you'll want to pack a carry on bag with anything you need throughout your first afternoon. You'll keep this bag with you and your other baggage will be sent to your room.

If anyone in your group has trouble walking long distances you may want to get a wheelchair for the walk through the check in process. There is lots of winding back and forth through the Disney Cruise Line security, customs, passport control, and then boarding the ship.

After you check in, you'll be directed to the ship where your room key will be waiting for you outside your door.

Disney Cruise Line Vancouver to Alaska COVID Testing

For our COVID test we used OnPoint testing . This was a virtual service where a proctor would watch you take your own approved at home COVID test and then sign off on the result.

For only $14.99 per person we were able to easily test from our own home. Three of us tested during the same 10 minute Zoom call. This was much simpler, less expensive, and easier than attempting to test when we got to Vancouver or using the official Disney Cruise Line vendor.

What to See in Vancouver Before Your Disney Cruise

I definitely recommend arriving to Vancouver at least one day before your Disney Cruise. Our flight arrived around 3 pm into Vancouver which gave us some time to enjoy the city before leaving to check in with Disney for our cruise the next morning. You'll also want to arrive the night before so that you aren't anxious about any flight delay that might cause you to miss the departure. The city feels far larger than it's official population (650,000 people) with innovative architecture and stunning views that blend the ocean, mountains, and city to one. In Vancouver, the spirit of adventure only grows as you lean into your anticipation for your Disney Cruise to Alaska – “the final frontier”.

Here were our highlights of Vancouver, Canada before the cruise:

First, we enjoyed Granville Island. This market place of food and artisans is absolutely a tourist trap but is one for good reason. On our clear skies day the market was crowded with locals and tourists enjoying the sun, food and entertainment. The market has the same feeling of active marketplace as Pike's Place Market in Seattle and Redding Terminal Market in Philadelphia but seems to have more food stalls. During the summer months when you'll be here before your Disney Alaska Cruise, expect a very warm afternoon.

At the market we had great fish and chips from Celine's Fish and Chips, pad thai, and a german sausage plate. The fish and chips were the absolute highlight and we returned for another order.

To get to Granville Island you'll want to use Uber or Lyft from Downtown Vancouver (read my guide to Uber and Lyft at Walt Disney World for discount codes if you've never used the rideshare services before). If you are all mobile, be careful not to call your rideshare directly to Granville Island as your car will end up in a massive lineup while trying to drop you off and the price for the ride will be more expensive. Instead, put in “Blue Hat Bistro” for your drop off location. Return here after your time at the market to avoid headache as well.

After Granville Island we walked around in Gastown which is right near the cruise terminal that our ship was leaving from the following day. We enjoyed seeing the cobblestone streets here and then walked out along the seawall near the cruise terminal. We ogled the massive cruise ships thinking about the Disney Wonder that we would board the following day. It was a lot of fun to walk along the sea wall from here. We watched as sea plane after sea plane followed the same landing pattern swooping in from the clear blue sky that was just turning to dusk.

The next morning I went out for a run along the seawall and through Downtown Vancouver. The views along the seawall were stunning. I made a quick stop for a last minute electronics need at an Apple Store and then it was time to get onboard the Disney Wonder for our cruise.

Packing for Disney Alaskan Cruise

You can also see our Disney Cruise Line Packing List for a full perspective on what you need to bring with you.

A couple packing list notes:

• There is a formal night onboard the ship but you do not have to participate if you don't want to. During our sailing about 40% of the passengers we saw were dressed up, but plenty did not.
• There are slippers and a robe in your stateroom for your use throughout the trip.
• For those using a cane, walking sticks were a nice option that my grandmother utilized instead of a cane during this trip.
• We did not plan on doing any laundry during our Alaska cruise but we ended up using the laundry machine after our rainy day in Ketchikan to dry out our clothes. The machines can be operated by tapping your room key and charging the laundry to your room.
• Make sure to bring your binoculars and consider getting a camera extension for your iPhone to increase your zoom strength.
• Each guest 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened champagne or wine or 6 beers on to the ship at the beginning of the voyage and at each port. The beverages must be carried onboard in your carry-on luggage.

General Disney Cruise to Alaska Tips

• The stars in the carpet design in the main hallways all point towards the front of the ship.
• Watch the morning show with the cruise director. We really enjoyed the witty humor from our cruise director, Stephen. We bought in and had a lot of fun watching the show.
• Be ready for anything! During our sailing there was a tugboat strike in Vancouver that was completely outside of Disney's control. The strike led us to leave Vancouver eight hours late which meant that we had to skip Dawes Glacier to make up for lost travel time. This was obviously disappointing (Disney added a state room credit for all guests even though the situation was beyond their control), but we still had a great day weather wise and all the characters were still out with the same celebration.
• There are free charms and a free charm bracelet that are available for guests everyday at a specific time. My aunt and grandmother enjoyed picking up a charm each day. By the end of the trip they had a complete bracelet. The charms are meant to get you in to the store looking at jewelry but they are still a cute keepsake.
• You can tip the Cast Members that work on the cruise at the beginning or end of your sailing. There's a good tip calculator here to think about amounts.
• As with anything Disney, mention if you are celebrating a special occasion while onboard. There are always magic makers looking to help!
• Get outside! The views throughout your cruise are just incredible. 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.

Take a look at a nice promo video from Disney here that captures many of these views:

We were hosted on this cruise to Alaska by Disney Vacation Club so that we could provide coverage of the Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise and witness some of the highlights from Disney Plus day. All opinions expressed here are our own.

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Here are some of our other guides helpful planning guides

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• Guide to Disney Cruises – What You Need to Know
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2 comments add your comment

All the tips in the above article are super helpful. Thank you

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the feedback. Have a great cruise!

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10 Most Popular Alaska Excursions on a Disney Cruise

Alaska cruise season is coming up, people!  I myself somehow have two Alaska cruises booked this summer.  I’ve been a few times before, and I can tell you that excursions are a much bigger deal on an Alaskan cruise.  On a Caribbean cruise, typical excursions are beach trips and water activities of some kind.  On an Alaskan cruise, however, there are so many different things to do.  So many fun things to do!  And, I’m not going to lie, they’re often expensive!

Here are 10 of the great excursions that are offered.

1. Whale Watching – To be sure, the first excursion that comes to mind in Alaska is whale watching. Whale watching in Alaska is spectacular. There are official cruise line excursions, and outside companies in just about every Alaskan port.  None of them make promises, but it’s very rare not to have at least one whale encounter on these excursions.  I have two pieces of advice for whale watching.  First, in general, the smaller the ship, the better.  Second, do it.  Whale watching is a must do in Alaska.  Yes, you often see whales from the ship, but being up close and personal is even better.

3. Air Excursions – Speaking of helicopters, helicopter and float plane excursions are spectacular. (Also, expensive.) But wow, if you thought Alaska was beautiful from the ground, try it from the air.  Helicopters and float planes can take you places that you can’t get to by car or foot,  or at least in the time you are in port.  If you want to land on a glacier, or see several glaciers in one trip, helicopter and float plane excursions are the way to go–You won’t be disappointed.  Beware that helicopter and float plane excursions are the first to get cancelled on windy days for safety reasons, so have a backup plan if yours is cancelled.

4. Panning for Gold – Panning for gold is another quintessential Alaska experience. Children in your group, especially, will probably really enjoy it. The ultimate goal of cruise excursions is happy guests, so if you take a gold panning excursion, you will find some amount of gold.  The rivers and troughs where these excursions take place are stocked, and while you won’t get filthy rich, you will find gold.  And after you finish, the gift shops nearby will happily make your gold into some kind of jewelry or other souvenir for you to take home.

7. Kayaking – We had a great time kayaking in Ketchikan . We boarded a boat that took us to the kayaks. We started off against a current, and I was worried we were going to all wear ourselves out! But we made it, and going with the current on the way back was heavenly.  Our guides were very patient, and pointed out all kinds of wildlife on the way.  We ended the trip with smoked salmon and snacks on the boat!  We booked with Southeast Sea Kayak , and I would definitely recommend them, although there are several options through the cruise line as well.

8. Train – If you are stopping in Skagway, and most cruises do, you may want to take a trip on the Whitepass Railway! The Whitepass Railway is a beautiful trip up the Yukon Trail. Continuing the day of amazing views, many excursions take you over to the Yukon Suspension Bridge.  You can take the train back, but I’d recommend taking a different route back!  Why see the same views, when you can see new ones?  You can take a motorcoach back with stops for pictures along the way, or you could even ride bikes back!  Whichever you choose, it’s a day well spent, but you will have to bring your passport because you will end up in Canada for part of the trip (but that’s part of the reason it’s cool)!

10. Great Alaska Lumberjack Show – In Ketchikan, one popular activity is the Lumberjack show. You’ll see lots of chopping, log rolling, climbing, sawing, etc. Basically, everything you think a lumberjack would do!  It’s only about a 10-minute walk from the ship, and it is possible to book on your own, although the Disney-exclusive shows include some extra segments or character cameos that you won’t see if you go on your own.

*Bonus Bonus – Eagles!  We also love Bald Eagle watching in Alaska.  And they are everywhere!  Once you start watching for those bright white heads, you may be amazed by how many there are!  It truly is inspiring to see our national symbol all over the place!  ‘Merica!

How about you?  Do you have favorite excursions in Alaska?  Share them with us!

Tammy Whiting  is the owner of  Storybook Destinations . Did you know Storybook Destinations offers a  complimentary subscription to TouringPlans  with qualified Disney and Universal bookings? Click  here  for a no-obligation quote on your next vacation!

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Tammy Whiting

Tammy has been a lover of all things Disney for most of her life. There’s nowhere on this Earth she’d rather be than on a Disney cruise with her family. She’s a Space Force wife and proud mom of two wonderful children and one beautiful daughter-in-law . She fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2008 and became a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations. She now owns her own travel agency - Storybook Destinations. You can reach Tammy at [email protected].

2 thoughts on “ 10 Most Popular Alaska Excursions on a Disney Cruise ”

My all time favorite Alaskan excursion – Enchanted Taku Lodge in Juneau. You’re taken by floatplane over several glaciers to a remote lodge across an inlet from a glacier where you watch the salmon and chicken grilling over an open fire. Lunch includes wonderful warm biscuits (better than Red Lobster’s!) and almost always a bear sighting as the bear comes to “clean the grill” while we’re safely inside the lodge dining. There’s time for a super easy light hike after lunch before you’re flown back to port. An absolutely amazing experience!!

Well that sounds amazing, Michelle! I’m sold!

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Disney Alaska Cruise Planning and Tips

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.

• 12 months or more before Alaska cruise
• 10 months or more before cruise
• 4 to 6 months before cruise
• 2 to 4 months before cruise
• 1 month before cruise
• Embarkation Day
• Our Favorite Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Excursions

Disney Alaska Cruise Vacation Tips

12 to 15 months before your alaska cruise, book your disney alaska cruise.

Disney Alaskan cruises are extremely popular bucket-list vacations. Many people reserve their Alaska sailings as soon as the booking window opens for the best prices and room locations.

Pricing first increases not long after the Disney Alaska cruise itineraries are released and usually continue to climb. Guests booking their first Disney cruise should reserve a cabin when the dates open.

The best way to save on a pricey Disney Alaska cruise for experienced Disney cruisers is booking early and using a placeholder reservation. 

Placeholder reservations are only available to those who have previously cruised with Disney. Pay a $250 deposit while still on a Disney cruise and you’ll get a “placeholder”. Once this placeholder is reserved you have 24 months to use it. 

Placeholder deposits are applied to your next reservation and also provide a 10% discount on the Disney cruise. This discount saves a lot of money on expensive cruises like Alaska and Europe.

We used our placeholder discount for a Disney Wonder verandah room. These rooms have private outdoor balconies perfect for gorgeous inside passage views, but these are more expensive cabins.

Guests saving money with inside staterooms can head to Disney Wonder’s top deck for stunning wildlife views.

Alaskan Disney Cruise itineraries vary slightly by sail date. We were locked into specific dates so our ports of call were Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.

In the end I was grateful our Disney Wonder Alaska cruise stopped in Skagway instead of Icy Point Straight. The White Pass Railway in Skagway was incredible versus what I think are less interesting Icy Strait Point excursion options.

10 Months Before Disney Alaska Cruise

Book your hotel.

Hotels near Canada Place are in-demand with all Alaska cruise lines guests.  Easy access to Canada Place on embarkation day and a limited number of hotels within walking distance make prices soar and availability plummet much earlier than you’d expect. 

We opted for Pan Pacific Fairmont which is directly above Canada Place. Although the price was shockingly high for a mediocre room, embarkation was a breeze. 

Pan Pacific bell services has a convenient, tip-only service that brings your marked bags down to your ship straight from your room. This means no lugging heavy suitcases through the terminal.

If you opt for a hotel further away, budget for extra travel time. Heavy traffic and large crowds make arriving, dropping bags, and embarking take longer than you’d expect. 

6 Months Before Disney Alaska Cruise

Check Your Passports

Everyone flying into Canada must have a valid passport to enter. Passports are routinely checked throughout the cruise since guests often cross the US and Canada border on excursions, too.

Last year US passport applications had a significant processing time with expected waits of 10 to 13 weeks plus mailing time. Thankfully 2024 US Passport application and renewal times have significantly decreased. Expect new passports to take 6 to 8 weeks or 2 to 3 weeks for renewals plus mailing time.

To avoid last minute drama, I still recommend applying for all new passports and renewals at least 6 months in advance. This ensures passports are in your possession well before Disney Alaska cruise check-in.

5 Months Before Disney Alaska Cruise

Research Excursions and On Board Activities

Excursion and on board activity reservations open as early as 120 days before the cruise so it’s wise to research options ahead of time. 

Each port has a range of potential excursions from simple sightseeing to ziplining, helicopter rides, and other active options. Excursion descriptions on Disney’s website have an overview of what to expect, mobility or age restrictions, and prices.

There are many excursion options at each port, but some fill up more quickly than others. For example, a tender boat excursion where guests take a ramp off the Disney Cruise Line ship onto a waiting boat for close up glacier viewing is one that routinely sells out. 

Glacier dog sledding via a helicopter is another excursion that sells out quickly despite the high price and risk of same-day cancellation due to weather. 

Disney Alaska cruises also have several sea days where guests can book special on board activities. The most popular on board options are alcohol tastings, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeovers , and Palo brunch or dinner reservations.

75 to 120 Days Before Disney Alaska Cruise

Book Excursions and On Board Activities

On board and excursion booking windows vary by Castaway Cay Club status with higher status and concierge guests booking further ahead of time. 

Disney Cruise Line Booking Windows:

• Concierge – 130 days prior to departure
• Pearl ( After completing 25 DCL sailings ) – 123 days prior to departure
• Platinum ( After completing 10 DCL sailings ) – 120 days prior to departure
• Gold ( After completing 5 DCL sailings ) – 105 days prior to departure
• Silver ( After completing 1 DCL sailing ) – 90 days prior to departure
• First Time Disney Cruisers – 75 days prior to departure

Narrow down preferred Disney Alaska cruise excursions and then have one or two back up options in case your first choice is unavailable. This is especially important for guests who have later booking windows.

If you don’t get your preferred reservations, keep checking back. Sometimes availability is added closer to the sail date or as other guests cancel. 

We loved all of our Disney Alaska Cruise excursions and felt like they were the right choice for our family and friends. There’s tons of options, but here’s a quick overview of what we did.

Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska

Glacier Explorer is the only Disney Wonder excursion on glacier viewing day. Your excursion begins by checking in and waiting for instructions in a holding area. 

From here the group walks down to a lower deck where a ramp leads from Disney Wonder directly onto a smaller glacier viewing boat. This tender boat gets incredibly close to glaciers where we were able to see both glacier calving and baby seals along the shore with our binoculars. 

This port adventure is expensive, but we enjoyed the experience and gorgeous pictures of Disney Wonder in icy surroundings. However, on our sailing Disney Wonder was able to get pretty close, making the excursion less crucial.

The picture above shows our view from the tender ship and the picture below shows the glacier view from our stateroom.

Skagway, Alaska

Steeped in Gold Rush history, Skagway is a small town with shops and cool National Park Service museums . We explored these on our own before taking our port adventure. 

We booked the Yukon Suspension Bridge, City and White Pass Railway excursion. This port adventure began with a bus ride back into Canada where we explored a small Yukon suspension bridge. From here we took the bus back to Fraser and climbed aboard the White Pass Railway.

The White Pass Railway runs along the same tracks used during the Gold Rush with incredible views of the Alaskan wilderness. Guests can sit inside the train car and watch through the large windows or stand on outside train platforms for an even more exciting experience.

I absolutely recommend riding the White Pass Railway. This train ride was unlike anything we’d done before and an iconic part of the Skagway area.

Some of our group did the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp & Salmon Bake Featuring Exclusive Disney Character Experience instead. Although the characters were cute and food decent, they didn’t love the overall experience and regretted forgetting bug repellant.

Juneau, Alaska

We booked the Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sled port adventure despite my nervousness about the helicopter ride to the top of Mendenhall Glacier. The flight provided stunning views of the glacier and riding a dog sled across the snowpack felt surreal.

Our group was lucky to experience a Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sled excursion. Groups before, and after, us had their port adventures canceled due to weather conditions right before leaving.

Want a dog sled experience without the risk of cancellation or the high price tag? We also considered the Dog Sledding Summer Camp port adventure which lets you play with puppies and ride on a cart through a forest.

Ketchikan, Alaska

We mostly explored Ketchikan on our own, visiting Creek Street, museums, and Salmon Ladder. However, we did opt for one super touristy excursion in Ketchikan, The Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.

The lumberjack show was a hit with all ages in our group which encompassed a future Kindergartener, tween, teens, and adults. The riotous show demonstrated incredible lumberjack skills with most of the lumberjacks having serious competition credentials. 

We opted for the Disney Wonder Exclusive Lumberjack Show since some of the storytelling was modified to be more family friendly.

30 to 40 Days Before Disney Alaska Cruise

Complete Online Check-in

Castaway Club status determines when online check-in is available for guests. Online check-in is an important step for anyone sailing on Disney Cruise Line since this is when guests choose a port arrival time.

Have family member pictures on a plain background, think passport style photos, taken on your phone before check-in.

Also have everyone’s passport information and pictures of the documents ready which are required to complete online check-in. Once all the essential documents and photos are uploaded you can book your port arrival time. 

Early port arrival times are ideal since you have early access to the ship to explore, swim, and eat even though staterooms are not available until later in the afternoon. 

Disney Cruise Line Online Check-in Windows:

• Concierge/Pearl – 40 days prior to departure
• Platinum – 38 days prior to departure
• Gold – 35 days prior to departure
• Silver – 33 days prior to departure
• First Time Disney Cruisers – 30 days prior to departure

Book Royal Gathering

Royal Gathering is a popular Disney Alaska cruise princess meet and greet.

Book a reservation time and then stand in one short line to meet several Disney princesses. On our Disney Alaska Cruise we met Tiana, Belle, Ariel, and Cinderella in just a few minutes.

Reservations for Royal Gathering open 30 days before the sail date for all guests, regardless of Castaway Club status. Book this popular onboard activity right at 30 days for the best chance of reservations.

Find out more about Disney Cruise line character experiences in this article.

14 to 30 Days Before Disney Alaska Cruise

Start packing.

Alaska cruise packing is not for the faint of heart. Active outdoor excursions, formal nights, daytime clothes, and an unbelievably wide range of weather means you really need to pack for every option. 

I purchased so many things I wasn’t sure I’d use, like waterproof boots and pants, but ended up needing almost everything at least once. 

Packing early meant that as I thought of missing items I still had time to order them. Avoid the stress I felt by using my free, printable Disney Alaska Cruise packing list to keep track of everything you’ll need.

Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Day Of Embarkation

Complete online questionnaire.

Every guest embarking Disney Wonder on an Alaska cruise must complete a health questionnaire before boarding. This form is easily done online and only takes a minute. 

Disney Wonder Embarkat ion

When completing online check-in you signed up for a port arrival time. This port arrival time window is when you complete the in-person check-in and then wait to board the ship. Earlier groups access the ship sooner. 

Wear a comfortable outfit you’d like for pictures. There are a couple photo ops before boarding Disney Wonder and it’s best to be camera ready.

Pack important items like medications, all documents like passports and IDs, and any other essential items in your day pack. Luggage arrives at the staterooms late. 

For example, on our Alaska cruise our luggage was the last to arrive of anyone we knew. It came so late we didn’t even have time to change for dinner the first night.

Start Your Epic Adventure

Have some lunch, explore the ship, and even take a dip or ride the water slide once you’ve embarked. Since the weather looked cool on embarkation day we didn’t wear our suits on, but I did pack them in our day pack.

The water was plenty warm and crowds were low so Elizabeth and her friends changed into suits and had a good time using the pool and slide before the Sail-A-Wave party.

The Sail-A-Wave party occurs on embarkation day and is usually timed to coincide with departing from the dock. The party features Disney friends in an energetic pool deck stage show and gets everyone excited for the trip to begin.

Book Wildlife Viewing Tours For (Almost) Guaranteed Experiences

We read a lot of reviews that wildlife viewing was easy on Disney Wonder Alaska cruises. While we did see some wildlife, it was few and far between. I regret we didn’t do a whale watching tour excursion or take one in Vancouver.

Most wildlife excursions don’t guarantee sightings, but reputable companies work hard to ensure the best chances to see wildlife.

Spend Time In Vancouver Before Your Cruise

We always recommend arriving in a port city at least one day before embarkation just in case there are flight delays or cancellations.

Vancouver is such a lovely destination we easily filled two whole touring days exploring this beautiful city. Our three night pre-cruise stay seemed perfect.

Pack Waterproof Gear

I read everywhere that I needed to pack waterproof gear, but I was skeptical we would actually use it. However, everywhere we went locals told us that we were in a temperate rainforest.

We used our waterproof gear on the ship, in Ketchikan, and in Juneau. I was so glad I bought and packed our waterproof boots, pants, and rain jackets. 

Have A Plan For Alaska Port Days

Alaska port towns are generally small and touristy with lots of shops. Although it is nice to walk around the towns it doesn’t provide the Alaska experience most of us picture when planning. 

Booking excursions lets you explore outside the port and experience more of what Alaska has to offer. I recommend booking excursions ahead of time, especially through Disney Cruise Line, for a generally seamless experience.

Walking off the ship you’ll find lots of booths hawking excursions, but often these tours are expensive and underwhelming. 

If you opt out of excursions, make a plan of what you’d like to do. For example, tour the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center in Skagway to learn about the area’s Gold Rush history.

Bring Binoculars

What wildlife we saw from Disney Wonder on our Alaska cruise generally needed binoculars. Views of Bald Eagles, a couple whales, and seals were all better with our binoculars.

Arrive Early For Broadway-Style Shows Like Frozen

There are three big productions on Disney Wonder: The Golden Mickeys, Disney Dreams, and Frozen. Both Disney Dreams and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, are incredible shows.

Arrive when the doors open for the best seats since the theater fills up quickly for performances.

Book Palo Brunch On Sea Days

Palo is an adult-only restaurant on Disney Wonder. The food, service, and atmosphere provide an elevated dining experience perfect for a day at sea. We enjoyed a long, multi-course brunch on our sea days without missing out on port adventures.

Buy The Disney Cruise Line Unlimited Photo Package

Although the unlimited downloads photo package is expensive, we loved having good quality photo ops where we are all in the picture.

Take advantage of photo opportunities at character meet and greets, dinner, and cool backgrounds in the lobby available before dinner on most nights. 

On our Disney Wonder Alaska cruise I pre-booked the Unlimited Digital Package which was $295.95 when reserved ahead of time. Once on the cruise the same package would have cost $349.95.

Check The Prohibited Items List

I knew our formal clothes would likely be wrinkled upon arrival. Irons are only available on-board in the laundry rooms for safety reasons. I packed a travel steamer so we could avoid the laundry room which gets very busy.

Fortunately the night before embarking I double checked the prohibited item list and discovered that steamers are not allowed.

I sadly had to leave a great steamer in our hotel room, but if I had left it in our bag it would have been confiscated and also delayed our luggage.

For Extra Fun Participate In Fish Extender Activities

We had never participated in a Fish Extender before our Alaska cruise. One family in our group surprised us with an extender (a hanging pouch placed outside your stateroom) and the other families delighted us each day with fun trinkets. 

We couldn’t wait to see what was waiting in the pouches when we went back to the room. If you aren’t traveling with a large group you can find Disney Alaska cruise fish extender Facebook groups for your sail date.

Understand Disney Cruise Line Rotational Dining

There are three Disney Wonder dining rooms: Tiana’s Place, Animator’s Palate, and Triton’s. Guests experience the restaurants more than once over the course of a Disney Wonder Alaska cruise.

The dining rotation and tables are assigned to guests.  Upon embarkation you can see which restaurant you’ll dine at each night. 

We enjoyed our experiences at each of the restaurants. Tiana’s Place atmosphere is super fun with live music during dinner, but conversation is difficult on these nights. 

Another incredible dinner experience was on our third night at Animator’s Palate.

Everyone is encouraged to sketch a character on a special paper when they arrive for dinner. Through Disney magic these characters are animated and come to life on the screens surrounding the restaurant during dinner.

Final Thoughts On Disney Alaska Cruise Planning Timeline and Tips 

Our Disney Wonder Alaska cruise was a bucket list item and I did tons of planning for this once in a lifetime trip. I loved each of our excursions, the incredible scenery, and wonderful Disney vacation experiences.

Follow our Disney Alaska Cruise planning timeline and tips to make the most of this unique and expensive Disney vacation.

About The Author

Booking Port Adventures on an Alaska Disney Cruise: Ports of Call, Activity Level, Rain and More Details to Consider

by Trisha Daab | Apr 23, 2024 | Cruise Itineraries , Disney Cruise Line , Ports of Call

One of the most exciting parts of planning an Alaska Disney cruise is choosing your Port Adventures! With unique opportunities like cuddling husky puppies, hiking a glacier, and evening pan for gold with Disney characters, here’s how to research, book, and plan for excursions in Alaska. 

This fall will be a series of firsts for me: I’m taking my first cruise (and my first Disney cruise!) and visiting Alaska for the first time . And I’ve already learned that planning is key in cruise preparation. Every experienced cruise-goer already knows this, but booking a Disney Cruise Line vacation is very different from booking a vacation to Disney theme parks, from picking a stateroom to choosing a set dinner time to the one detail I’ve spent countless hours researching: Port Adventures! 

I may not be an expert on Disney cruises, but I am an expert on being totally new to this experience – and I’m sharing the tips and tricks I’m learning along the way. When it comes to Port Adventures, or excursions, in Alaska, there are numerous popular options, including once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

So, whether you’re interested in cuddling sled dog puppies (a must do, in my opinion!) or ziplining through a rainforest (which I am too terrified to do!), I’m sharing what I’ve learned about Port Adventures on an Alaska Disney Cruise and what to consider as you plan and book them.

When to Think About Port Adventures for an Alaska Disney Cruise

Ketchikan on an Alaska Disney cruise. Photo by Bill Wood

Alaska has been on my mom’s wish list for many years, and the likelihood of returning is pretty low. So, for us, getting off the ship and seeing as much as we can of Alaska is a priority. 

This is why we researched excursions before booking our cruise and choosing our stateroom . We knew we wanted a veranda room and chose a Navigator Style Verandah in the aft of the ship (which was slightly cheaper, so we could use those savings towards excursions). 

Port Adventures do vary from sailing to sailing, as the ports for an Alaska Disney cruise are not always the same. For example, o ur 7-day sailing cruise is visiting Stikine Ice Cap, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Ketchikan, and our port is Vancouver.  Other sailings may visit Victoria BC, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Sitka, and Tracy Arm. 

The ports really can vary quite a bit in the excursion offerings . For example, in Victoria, you can have a Victorian Afternoon Tea and visit a castle. But there are no castles in the ports we’re visiting ! Instead, we’ll see a lot of whales, wilderness and lumberjacks. 

If there are experiences you really want to make sure you have – such as panning for gold with Disney characters, which only happens in Skagway – you’ll need to think about the Port Adventures before booking. 

Research Port Adventures Online, Not in the App

In addition to thinking about Port Adventures before you even book a Disney Cruise Line vacation to Alaska, you’ll also want to start researching them early.

Not sure when it’s early but not too early? The Disney Cruise Line Navigator App has a super cute (and helpful) countdown. However, as your cruise countdown begins, you’ll actually want to rely on computer-based research versus the Navigator App. While the Navigator App will be your source for all the activities once on board, Port Adventures is a website-only activity. 

As you start looking at the available Alaska Port Adventures for your specific cruise on the Disney Cruise Line website, you can filter excursions by Ports of Call, Experience Type, Activity Level, Accessibility, and Price Range.

I recommend to start by looking at all your ports simultaneously to get a sense of all the different types of options. For us, 123 options popped up – while that initially looks like a lot , we quickly noticed there were some themes. 

After getting an overview, we then decided what we definitely wanted to do: play with husky puppies, nothing involving crazy heights, see whales, and devour fresh seafood. 

From there, we looked at the activities available at each individual port . Some experiences are only offered in one location. For us, anything related to dog sledding and puppies were specific to Juneau. For whales and seafood, we had a few options. 

Tip: Researching your Port Adventures in spring has its benefits! Specifically, you’ll be able to purchase cold weather gear at a discount. We took a look at the recommended packing lists for our preferred excursions and took advantage of spring sales on waterproof boots, packable puffer jackets, and Disney beanies. 

Plan for One Excursion Per Day

Thinking about booking a couple of Port Adventures because so many options catch your eye? Alaska does have some long ports of call; Icy Strait Point is over 12 hours, Juneau is 10 hours, and Ketchikan is the shortest at 7 hours.  

Even with these long times ashore, however, our travel agent recommended only booking one excursion per day.

There Are Different Types of Port Adventures

The Tracy Arm Glacier on a Disney Cruise Line Alaska sailing. Photo by Bill Wood

Adventure seekers, Alaska is your Disney cruise destination! There’s no shortage of thrilling Port Adventures that are, well, true adventures. From helicopters rides to hiking a glacier to dog sledding in snowy mountains, you’ll find excursions on an Alaska cruise are  quite different from any other Disney cruise.

A good way to filter all those 123 potential excursions is by type. There are 8 types of Port Adventures, including:

• Sightseeing
• Culinary Adventures
• Beach and Water

Over 50 of the Port Adventures are in the capital of Alaska, Juneau. There’s whale watching, hiking or helicoptering around a glacier, fishing, kayaking and more. This is the only location that has the puppies!   

Tip: Make sure to have a back-up Port Adventure option, just in case yours is fully booked . Some are more in-demand than others, and some are offered in a more limited capacity (like the huskies; there are only two puppy adventures on our entire cruise). It’s a good idea to create your list and then prioritize the activities 1 through 4, just in case. 

How Much Do Alaska Cruise Port Adventures Cost?

Price Range is one of the filters when you’re searching for Port Adventures on the Disney Cruise Line website. But when you’re planning for an Alaska cruise, be prepared: These adventures do cost hundreds.

In the entire list of Alaska Port Adventures, only one comes in at the “less than $50” rate. Over 80 of the experiences in our five ports were in the $100 – $399 price range.

One reason for this is many of the Port Adventures involve transportation to the adventure location. And, unsurprisingly, many involve boats. 

So, what does the pricing look like for some of the most popular picks? Our list of must-dos included:

• Sled Dog Discovery & Musher’s Camp in Juneau – $229
• Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast in Ketchikan – $239
• Whale & Marine Mammal Ride in Icy Strait Point – $229

We decided if we couldn’t get one of our options, we might consider the Sled Dog experience on the glacier in Juneau. However, because it involves a helicopter ride, the price is $859 or $939. To stay within our budget, this may end up being our only excursion! 

The highest cost usually involves private boats or planes. And when it comes to the most expensive Alaska Port Adventure on a Disney Cruise, that’s the Exclusive Misty Fjords National Monument by Private Seaplane in Ketchikan, which will cost you  $5,399. 

How to Book Port Adventures

Port Adventures can be booked online, or a dedicated Disney travel agent can help you. No matter how you walk through the excursion booking process, here’s what it looks like. 

Pay in Full: Port Adventures can only be booked once the cruise is paid in full and your booking window is open. 

Find Your Booking Window: When you can book is based on your Castaway Club membership level (AKA how many times you’ve been on a Disney cruise). First-timers like me can book 75 days prior to sail date . Concierge Guests could book 130 days before the sail date. 

Wake Up Early and Book: On the day of your booking window, you’ll want to visit the site ASAP or work with your travel agent to book your Port Adventures. This is when that list of prioritized options is important, because you may need to move quickly. 

Oh, and m ake sure to read the “Know Before You Go” details on your chosen excursions. This section great information on any restrictions, details on what you may or may not do, and suggestions on what to wear. 

Can’t decide ahead of time? Last-minute Port Adventures are possible! Excursions can be booked on the boat at the Port Adventures desk on Deck 5. If you change your mind once you’re onboard, or decide to add an excursion last-minute, this is a great option.

Details to Consider for Your Port Adventure

Wardrobe:  If you’re going up in a helicopter to snow capped mountains for dog sledding, you’ll need more than a poncho! Big puffy winter coats can take up a lot of room in a suitcase. Plan accordingly.

Weather:  Many Port Adventures happen rain or shine on an Alaska Disney cruise, so be prepared for any weather . There’s more than one cruise diary of folks arriving back at the ship soaked and cold after their treetop tour or whale watching boat ride in the rain. Remember, t he “Know Before You Go” section is helpful! It’ll have information on whether the boat offers a covered area. 

Facilities: Alaska Port Adventures vary greatly in length , with some going 5 to 6 hours. I’m not sure about you, but being on a boat and then walking for over 4 hours means access to food and facilities for a break will be a must. 

Additionally, you’ll want to know if you can carry snacks or items with you. For example, when dog sledding on a glacier you can’t bring a backpack or anything except items on your person. Leave the Kind bar and beef jerky at the heliport because, well, dogs. 

Information about snacks being served and access to restrooms is usually available in the “Know Before You Go” section.  

Timing:  I’ve been looking forward to Animator’s Palate for 10 years. A big consideration for me on excursions is having the energy to enjoy this dining experience. For example, I probably don’t want to be recovering from a glacier adventure hike, rainforest bicycle tour or filling salmon bake the days we are dining at Animator’s Palate. 

For more information about planning an Alaska Disney cruise, keep reading:

What to Pack for an Alaska Disney Cruise

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Disney Alaska Cruise Ultimate Guide for a 7-Night Trip

Ready to take a once-in-a-lifetime Disney Cruise to Alaska? Beautiful scenery, rich Gold Rush history, and amazing wildlife are all part of what you’ll get on a cruise to Alaska with Disney. But how can you make the most of it? As the most offered Disney Alaska Cruise sailing, the 7-Night Itinerary on the Disney Wonder brings you to Alaska’s Inner Passage, and along the Alaskan Coastline. If you’re looking for Alaska cruise tips, here is everything we did on our Disney Alaska Cruise that may help you in planning yours.

• 1 Taking A Disney Cruise to Alaska
• 2 How to Get to Vancouver for a Disney Cruise to Alaska
• 3 Alaska Cruise from Vancouver British Columbia Canada | Day 1
• 4 Disney Alaska Cruise Day At Sea | Day 2
• 5 Alaskan Glacier Viewing Day Disney Cruise At Sea | Day 3
• 6 Skagway Alaska Cruise Port | Day 4
• 7 Juneau Alaska Cruise Port | Day 5
• 8 Ketchikan Alaska Cruise Port | Day 6
• 9 Disney Alaska Cruise Day at Sea | Day 7
• 10 Vancouver British Columbia Canada | Day 8
• 11 Disney Alaska Cruise Shore Excursions
• 12 Disney Alaska Cruise Tips
• 13 Disney Alaska Cruise Deals

Taking A Disney Cruise to Alaska

Whether this is your first Disney Cruise or just one you’ve wanted to do for a long time, know that a Disney Cruise to Alaska is a BIG DEAL! Exploring the last frontier via Disney Cruise Ship is unparalleled, and there are a lot of things to consider if this is your next family vacation. From Planning a Disney Cruise to Alaska to knowing What to Pack for a Disney Alaska Cruise , you may find yourself getting a bit overwhelmed. But, never fear! We’re sharing all our experiences in the posts on this blog to help you get the most out of your Disney Alaska Cruise.

Where does a Disney Cruise to Alaska Depart From?

Disney Cruise Line offers 5-night, 7-night, 8-night, and 9-night Alaskan cruises from Vancouver. As such all Disney Alaska cruises start and end in the city of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.

Where does a Disney Alaska Cruise Go?

A Disney Alaska Cruise on the Disney Wonder sets sail from Vancouver,  Canada, and brings you all the way to Skagway along Alaska’s southeastern coast. Making a few stops at ports along the Alaska coastline along the way, we wanted to chart our journey here so you could see all the moving parts included in an Alaska Cruise. This post deep dives into our 7-Night Alaska Cruise from Vancouver, Canada . Covering an Alaskan Cruise Itinerary for a Disney Alaska Cruise that stops at Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan .

Do any Disney Alaska Cruises leave from Seattle?

Disney Cruise Line does not depart from Seattle, as they depart from Vancouver, Canada. However, there are other Cruises to Alaska that depart from Seattle. Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean all offer roundtrip Alaska cruises that sail from Seattle, Washington.

Taking the Disney Wonder to Alaska

Disney Cruise Line’s current Alaska-designated ship is the Disney Wonder; one of our favorite ships. If you’ve never sailed on this boat, be sure to check out our posts for everything you need to know about the Disney Wonder to help you feel at home onboard.

• Disney Wonder Cruise Restaurants
• Disney Wonder Cruise Ship Guide

How to Get to Vancouver for a Disney Cruise to Alaska

Much like trips to Disney Aulani in Hawaii, if you don’t live on the West Coast, half the battle is getting there. As such we went back and forth on the pros and cons of Flying into Vancouver for a Disney Cruise, or Taking the Train to Vancouver for a Disney Cruise. Of course, after seeing prices from our local airport to Vancouver International Airport ( YVR) and hearing some horror stories about how long it takes to get through Customs when you fly in, we decided the train would be best. So, we booked airline tickets from our home airport to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ( SEA), which kept us in-country and out of long customs lines. We then headed to the Embassy Suites Hotel , which is located right next door to the King Street Station. This is where we grabbed the Amtrak Cascades Train  and headed for Vancouver.

Alaska Airlines

By far the Best Airline for Alaska Travel, Alaska Airlines is a good flight experience all around. Still offering free non-alcoholic beverages and in-flight snacks, Alaska Airlines is worth the look. Plus, baggage costs were cheaper than most airlines and the whole process was easy. While Alaska Airlines doesn’t offer an Alaska Cruise with Airfare package, there are many ways to make your travel easier with a travel agent. 

Amtrak Cascade Train from Seattle to Vancouver

A bonus of taking the Amtrak Cascades Train from Seattle to Vancouver is that the Customs officer simply checks each passport while guests are on the train. No lines. About a 4-hour ride from Seattle to Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station, the train offers nice seating, ample overhead baggage storage, a baggage car, and a small cafe offering packaged snacks and coffee. The views from the train are worth the trip and great if you’re looking for a leisurely start to your vacation.

Vancouver Hotels for a Disney Cruise to Alaska

By far the BEST hotel in Vancouver for your Disney Cruise to Alaska, the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver is located on top of the Cruise Terminal. While there are plenty of other hotels nearby, staying at the Pan Pacific means that you can literally ask the bellman to take your luggage the morning of your departure, and they will make sure it gets on the ship for you! Just be sure to have your Disney Wonder luggage tags attached.

We also like the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver for your Disney Alaska Cruise, because being this close to the cruise port means you can actually watch the boat come in the morning of your embarkation day.

The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel is also near Canada Place and another easy walk to the Crusie terminal. While we didn’t stay here, it would be a great alternative if you were looking for somewhere close that you could walk to, and tote your own luggage back and forth, without the need for an Uber to port.

Alaska Cruise from Vancouver British Columbia Canada | Day 1

Arriving in Vancouver for your Disney Cruise to Alaska means that you’ll be headed to Canada Place ; home to the Vancouver Sails and the Cruise Port Terminal. This building includes a massive convention center but is also home to the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, a Starbucks, the Canadian Historical Trail, the Flying over Canada Attraction, and several eateries to fill the time. Extremely walkable, you can get a taste of Vancouver just by being in this area. All guests should be Onboard by 4 pm for Embarkation Day . So be sure to check out your details from the Disney Cruise Line Check-in Process for your Port Arrival Time.

Disney Cruise Line App

As soon as you board the ship you can access the Disney Cruise Line App. Simply TURN ON Airplane Mode and Connect to the Disney Cruise Line Wi-Fi. Then open your Disney Cruise Line App. Once onboard and in the app you can see onboard activities, the time for the sail away party, the drinks of the day, and make any last-minute purchases for excursions or classes onboard. Activities are posted for each day and show the day, time, and location of each. Plus, you can heart the activities you like so you can keep track of your favorite things and when they’re happening.

Lunch on the Ship

If your port arrival time happens around lunchtime, then be sure to check out Cabanas or whichever Rotational Dining Restaurant on the Disney Wonder is serving up lunch on your embarkation day. In the past, we’ve eaten lunch at both Triton’s and Tianas onboard the Disney Wonder. Both offer a sit-down dining experience and can give you a chance to relax and make your plans for the evening. If choosing to head to Cabanas, know that this quick-service restaurant gets pretty crowded. Lined with food stations this restaurant offers a variety of seafood, salads, sandwiches, and more. Additional seating can be found on deck as well, so if the weather is nice, it’s most likely your best bet to manage the crowds.

Disney Cruise Sail Away Party

No Disney Cruise would be complete without a Sail Away Party, and sailing away to Alaska is something to celebrate! As your debarkation time nears head to the upper decks to get a good view of the stage, and FunnelVision. This is where the magic happens. Grab a drink or ice cream and settle into your spot for the Sail Away Party show. Filled with catchy songs and Disney friends, this is a great way to get the cruise party started. And since the entertainment team is part of this show, it’s the first time you get to “meet” them too! Take note of faces and names, as this team leads all the activities onboard the ship and will become your fast friends over the next 7 days.

Kid’s Club Open Houses

Day one on a Disney Cruise often means the opportunity to explore the ship and get to know the Kid’s Club spaces. We talk about the Kid’s Clubs on the Disney Wonder in our Disney Wonder Cruise Ship Guide , but if you’re looking to get the kids settled be sure to check out the open houses and get them ready. Times and details can be found in the Disney Cruise Line App, often referred to as the Disney Navigator, once you’re onboard.

50MB FREE Internet 

Let us just say, Disney Cruise Wi-Fi is generally horrible; yes, even when you pay $90 extra for it. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention it in this Disney Alaska Cruise Guide. That said, be sure to give yourself a head start by signing up for the Free 50MB you have available to you on the FIRST DAY ONLY. This is able to be used throughout your cruise, but many can’t make it last that long. Here are some tried and true tips.

• Disable ALL notifications on your phone. Otherwise, as soon as you claim the credit, it will get used, in less than a minute, due to notifications.
• Turn OFF Background Refresh. Typically accessible from Settings- General. Otherwise, every app you have will use your wi-fi for updates, without you knowing it.
• Sign in to the Disney Cruise App, and click on Connect to the Internet.
• Once logged in “Claim” your Free 50 MB.
• LOG OUT! By far the most important thing to know. If you don’t log out once you’re done using the internet it will stay “ON” the entire time and you’ll burn through it in minutes.
• Note, if you’re hoping to make the most of the free MB offered to you, we recommend being mindful of the websites you’re visiting. Videos, Ads and more can bleed you dry in MB fairly quickly.

Disney Alaska Cruise Day At Sea | Day 2

Disney Cruises offer opportunities to see wildlife at sea, the Northern Lights, and shore excursions you won’t experience elsewhere. And every Disney Cruise offers ample opportunities for all ages to have fun at sea. From pool time, movies in the theaters, and classes for adults to family-friendly crafts and activities, there is plenty to do onboard for your Disney Cruise Day at Sea. On a Disney Alaska Cruise, however, you’re offered even more opportunities to learn about Alaska, in addition to all the other fun stuff of course.

Alaska Wildlife Cruise Viewing

Depending on the time of year you visit, there is a variety of Alaskan wildlife you can see on a Disney Cruise to Alaska. Seals, Whales, Eagles, and even bears can be seen from the boat throughout your cruise. While an Alaska small ship cruise can get you closer to some of the wildlife at sea, those extra excursions do cost extra, so be sure to check your options ahead of time if you’re hoping to add those excursions to your cruise.

Alaskan Naturalist Talks Onboard

We had several opportunities throughout the cruise to learn about the landscape, ocean, and wildlife of Alaska due to specially offered Alaskan Naturalist talks. Featuring local naturalists, these mini-presentations gave us an inside look at the types of birds, whales, and sealife we may see throughout the trip. While you may not want to spend your afternoon in the Walt Disney Theater watching a PowerPoint and hearing stories, it gave us exactly what we needed to help identify the wildlife we were seeing during the cruise.

Disney Trivia

Ahhh, we can never get enough Disney Trivia. Luckily, every Disney Cruise has ample opportunities to put your knowledge to the test or pick up some fun facts along the way. “What Disney Movie has the tagline; A Great Love Story ?- Bambi!” And if Disney Trivia isn’t your thing there are other topics too! 90s Music Trivia, Television Trivia, and even Traditional British Pub Quiz questions pop up as activities you can do onboard.

Disney Character Meet and Greets

Another popular At Sea Day activity is getting to meet the Disney Characters. Mickey and Friends and the Disney Princesses are usually available sometime throughout the Days at Sea for photos. And it’s a great way to grab pictures on your less busy days.

Bingo on a Disney Cruise

Nothing is more fun than Bingo on a Disney Cruise. With a high-energy feel, this activity can win you money and is family-friendly too. The cast members do a great job of keeping up the high vibes, and you may even win some Disney Cruise Line Freebies just for participating.

Alaskan Glacier Viewing Day Disney Cruise At Sea | Day 3

By far one of the most important parts of your whole Disney Alaska Cruise is seeing the Glacier tucked away in Alaska’s Inner Passage. While the glacier you see may vary ( Dawes Glacier, Stewart Glacier, Sitkine Ice Cap, etc.) be ready to stand on deck with all the other guests and marvel at nature as you weave slowly through the fjords. Glacier Viewing Day often includes slow sailing that happens until about 12 noon. But of course, your Cruise Director and Captain will keep you posted on when the glacier may be in view. As this is the most beautiful day for Alaskan scenery many guests just head to the top decks and claim their spots. Often hours ahead of time. That said, here are a few things to know about the Alaskan Glacier Viewing on Disney Cruise. Check out out Glacier Day Video for a sneak peek.

Disney Alaska Cruise Glacier Day Tips

• Dress Warmly. If you’re standing on Deck you will have fjord winds to deal with, which can be bracing. Be sure to have sunglasses, gloves, a hat, a scarf, and a coat; preferably with windbreaker capabilities.
• Have your Camera and Binoculars.  Smaller glaciers, seals, whales, and beautiful mountains are all part of what you may see on your Inner Passage journey, so be ready for it.
• Naturalist Narration of the Scenery. As you get closer to the glacier you can expect an onboard narrated talk by a local Naturalist, shared over the loudspeakers. To hear the commentary, you may need to get closer to the speaker locations, as the winds dull much of the sound.
• Hot Cocoa is Served. On the Disney Wonder, you can grab mugs of Hot Cocoa in the basketball court area on the top deck. This area has a section that is covered and offers relief from the wind. And even with decent weather in the 60s, it will still be “cold” enough in the fjords to warrant the cocoa creaminess as a treat while you watch out for the glacier.

Mixology Class | $40

One of the many things for Adults on a Disney Cruise is a plethora of classes and tastings. From chocolate liqueur tastings to food and wine pairings to Anyone Can Cook classes, there are plenty of things to be had. On this last trip, we tried out the Mixology Class. Note: Specialty Classes need to be Reserved Ahead of Time as spots fill up fast. So when you’re Planning your Disney Cruise , be sure to add whatever strikes your fancy to your reservations list.

The Mixology Class on our Disney Cruise was quite amazing. Not only did we get a little history of The Cadillac Lounge, where we were hosted, but also a slew of alcoholic drinks to try. Our host shared details about each drink and then showed us how adding something different could make it a whole new drink, with a different name. Very laid back, we probably had about 5 mini drinks by the time the class was over. Completely worth the $40 price tag.

Skagway Alaska Cruise Port | Day 4

Port Times : Guests Ashore at 7:15 am Guests Onboard at 8:00 pm

Our first port on this Disney Alaska Cruise was Skagway. Know that sometimes the cruise itinerary is in reverse, so depending on your itinerary this may be your last stop. By far our favorite Alaskan port, Skagway is home to the astounding history of the Gold Rush. While this little town may look a bit sleepy, there is so much history here that it’s completely worth the deep dive. And you really get the rich storytelling when you book the excursion we did. Of course, there are also several things to do in Skagway on your own if you’re skipping the Port Excursions . From walking trails, to museums, and history placards littered among the streets, there is plenty to do here if you’re up for browsing. Check out our tour of Skagway video. Here are some of our favorites.

White Pass Railroad and Skagway Street Car City Highlights | Disney Excursion $179

The Alaska Excursion we were most excited about was the White Pass Railroad and Skagway Street Car City Highlights Excursion . Running  4 hours and 30 min, at a rate of $179 per person, we felt this cost to be absolutely worth it. Mind you, if you’re bringing small children, consider the toll that 4.5 hours of talking  grown-ups and natural landscapes may do. For adults, this can be heaven, but for kids- well we saw quite a few asleep by the time we got on the train.  Included in this Disney Excursion are the Skagway Alaska Street Car Tour, the Klondike Highway Drive and Talk, and the White Pass Railroad Train Ride . Again, depending on your cruise, these activities may be done in reverse.

Skagway Alaska Street Car Tour

As part of this excursion, guests are ushered from the boat and settled into a renovated street car bus that “tours” the 23 blocks of Skagway’s historic town. On a somewhat quick trip, our guide gave us an overview of the history of certain storefronts, the “garden town” history, and even current information regarding the schools, jobs, and lifestyles you find in Skagway, Alaska. Once finished we disembarked for a bathroom break and headed to the second motorcoach, for a drive up the Klondike Highway.

Klondike Highway Drive and Talk

This stretch of our tour featured an amazing storyteller and previous National Park Ranger, Doug from the Skagway City and Summit Tour team. Sharing stories of Skagway’s claim to fame as the Gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush , there were many stories to tell. From panning for gold to the trails through the White Mountains that would lead fortune seekers to the Canadian border beyond, we learned A LOT on this tour. From the history of Skookum Jim to the trails carved out by George Carmack, the history in this part of the country is hopeful and devastating. Without this excursion, we would not have learned about the lands or the people’s struggles in so much detail, and are truly grateful to have had the experience.

White Pass Railroad Train Ride

Of course, the main reason people take this excursion is the chance to ride the train, that weaves high atop the mountain cliffs of the Yukon. A mainstay in the Skagway area this train offers views of Alaska like no other. Some of the most beautiful countries can be seen from the train. With waterfalls, forests, creeks, lakes, and mountainsides galore, guests are even allowed to withdraw to the open-air platforms at each end of the train to see the views better.

Dog Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing | $629

Available through Disney Cruise Line or for a cheaper price through Temsco which is the same company that does Disney’s Dog Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing Port Excursion. If you book directly you can get this a little cheaper. Guests board a helicopter and are taken to the mountaintops to meet musher dogs, learn about the sleds and take their turn at mushing on their own. A favorite among just about everyone, meeting the dogs, and learning how to mush are experiences you may only get the chance to do in Alaska. This excursion lasts 2 hours 30 min and is the unforgettable experience you’re sure to be writing home about.

Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Visitor Center

A must-see in Skagway is the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Visitor Center. This visitor center includes a 3-d map of the Gold Rush trail and details about its most important people. You can also grab your National Park Passport Stamp here too!

• Things to Do in Skagway
• Skagway Walking Trail Map

Gold Rush Cemetery

About 2 miles out of town, the Gold Rush Cemetery is near Lower Reid Falls, and this is an easy walk for anyone wanting to see the history and nature of the area. As one of the Free Things to Do in Skagway , this cemetery features the likes of Soapy Smith and Martin Itjen. You can also grab the SMART shuttle to a spot about a 1/2 mile from the cemetery if you’re not walking or renting bikes.

The Red Onion Saloon

A classic saloon, the Red Onion Saloon in Skagway is a major stop for many tourists. Serving up pizza, burgers, salads, beer, and more, this restaurant is first come first serve…and you can expect a line. Our recommendation is don’t go as soon as you arrive. If you wait until later in the day, the crowds will be less heavy. And if you’ve ever wondered what an old-school brothel looks like, there is also a museum at this restaurant upstairs you can access for an extra charge.

Klondike Doughboy

Wondering if you really need a large piece of dough covered in sugar? Why question it? Of course, you do! A local specialty, Klondike Doughboy of Skagway is a MUST-DO stop in this small town. This little shop includes not only amazing fried dough patties, fried fresh and covered in sugar but also cute souvenirs in their store. A great one-stop shop for your maple syrup. Alaska magnets and ulu knife needs. On a side note, this dough treat is about as big as a dinner plate and costs $7. It is definitely a two-person dessert if you’re not averse to sharing.

Juneau Alaska Cruise Port | Day 5

Port Times: Guests Ashore 6:45 am Guests Onboard at 4:45 pm

As the capital city of Alaska, Juneau is very much a working city with suburbs, forests, activities, and more. And as a Cruise Port city, you can plan on having the amenities pretty close at hand, no matter what excursions you pick. Our Disney Cruise came in at the AJ dock in Juneau, which is typical for the Disney Wonder and is the farthest berth from town, about a 1-mile walk. If you’re taking any morning excursions, they will, however, drop you back in town so that everything is accessible for the rest of your day at Port. Be sure to stop off at the Juneau Visitors Center for a port map, and to ask questions. And there is also a free shuttle to the port when needed. Check out our tour of Juneau Video.

• Juneau Alaska Cruise Port Map
• Juneau Visitors Guide

Alaska Whales and Rainforest Trails | Disney Excursion $249

If you’re hoping to see whales on your Disney Alaska Cruise, then you’d best book a tour. 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.

Offered by Gastineua Guiding in Juneau, Alaska we couldn’t be happier with Disney’s selection of tour companies here. For the rainforest portion, they brought us through the forest, and along an Alaskan beach, with beautiful views. And the Whale sightseeing also included seals and scenery of the Mendenhall Glacier. The guides for both parts of our excursion were knowledgeable, friendly, and truly passionate about their work. Sharing details about the plants, trees, and history on the trails, as well as fun facts about the whales. Just like most of the excursions on our Alaska trip, we just wouldn’t have gotten this level of detail or knowledge had we attempted these things on our own. It was such a great experience.

Nugget Falls and the Mendenhall Glacier

Only 12 miles from the cruise port, if Mendenhall Glacier isn’t included in a tour you’ve booked, it’s easiest and cheapest to just take a taxi there. You can get up close and personal with Nugget Falls, the Mendenhall Glacier, and the trails and beaches they occupy. We did get a glimpse of the Mendenhall Glacier from our Whales excursion, but not as close as if we would’ve just gone separately. Check out the Nugget Falls and Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and the 1.5-mile loop you can walk while you’re there.

Merchant’s Wharf

Known as the “Blue Building” you’ll find local shops, Frost +Fur, Pel Meni’s, Hearthside Books, seafood restaurants, and Glacier Coffee Co. here. If you’re looking for a place to go that has local specialties, and souvenirs, then this is where you can start.

Frost + Fur Novelty Shop

Found at Merchants Wharf, Frost + Fur is a specialty gift shop, featuring handmade screen-printed items, gifts, artwork, and local goods. Truly, one of the BEST shops in Juneau, this place was right up our alley. Offering a beautiful collection of specially curated souvenirs featuring things you’d want from Alaska. Shirts, Alaska tea, Camping Books, Artwork, Stickers, Travel journals, and more, we could have bought the entire store. Thankfully, since we do have luggage limits to consider, you can also find and support them online. Be sure to stop and see them in their shop at Merchants Wharf or shop Frost and Fur online.

Glacier Coffee Co. 

Happily located next to Frost + Fur was Glacier Coffee Co. serving up some of the Best Coffee in Juneau we had! And since we get kinda picky with our coffee, that’s saying something. Run by the locals, this coffee shop can whip up whatever you’d like, as they had loads of syrups, sauces, espressos, matcha, teas, and chai. Check out Glacier Coffee Co . and be sure to add them to your list for your Juneau Cruise Port stop.

Pel’Meni

Serving Russian Pierogi, Pel Menis is a local favorite and located in Merchant’s Wharf as well, just along the Marine Way edge of the building. Open for lunch and dinner, the offerings on the menu are 2 items only. Potato pelmeni, or beef pelmeni. These doughy, potato-y balls are a bit like dumplings, gnocchi, or pierogi and come topped with curry spices, hot sauce, and chives. Sometimes sour cream is offered, but we didn’t get that option when we visited. This dish is also served with a half piece of soft marbled rye bread. This meal was good for a chilly day in Alaska and was priced right at about $6 or $7 each. Plus, if you’re dealing with picky eaters, you can just get this lunch without the toppings for a cozy buttery pelmeni dish that even kids would love.

Freezing the Night Away Disney Cruise Deck Party

Much like Pirate Night on a Disney Cruise, on an Alaska Cruise, you get to Freeze the Night Away with friends from Frozen. This evening deck party happens between the first and second dinner seatings and includes the entertainment team, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf. Plan on sing-along songs, dances, and a reason to grab more hot cocoa from the drink station on Deck 9.

Ketchikan Alaska Cruise Port | Day 6

Port Times: Guests Ashore 11:15 am Guests Onboard 7:45 pm

Unlike Juneau, where some of the port is a little walking distance, the Disney Cruise Port at Ketchikan is right in the middle of town. With everything literally visible from the boat, and extremely walkable. Alaska Cruise Shore Excursions are easy to get to and experience here. Ketchikan features quite a few points of interest including the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Creek Street, and the Totem Park. For our day in Ketchikan, we booked another rainforest walk, which duplicated much of the info we learned in Juneau. But as the tour also included the Raptor Center and the Totem Park, we were okay with that. As we were in Ketchikan on a Saturday, we were surprised to see that so many shops closed by 4 pm. This is definitely something to consider if you have later excursions and were hoping to visit attractions in town afterward. So be sure to check the hours of anywhere you plan to visit. Check out out Tour of Ketchikan Video.

Rainforest Sanctuary and Totem Park | Disney Excursion $149

As part of the Rainforest Sanctuary and Totem Park excursion through Disney guests can experience the Tongass National Rainforest on a light hike, the Raptor Center, and the Totem Park.  This tour is offered by Kawanti Adventures in Ketchikan, Alaska . Spanning about 3 hours this was a fairly decent deal for $149 if you wanted to get an inside look at the forests and learn about the birds and totems. However, there were definitely elements of this tour we would have changed if we had the option or had gone on our own. Included in this tour excursion are the Tongass National Rainforest Walk, The Raptor Sanctuary, and the Totem Park. 

Tongass National Rainforest Walk

For this rainforest walk, we took a bus to the Tongass National Rainforest and easily walked on trails throughout while our guide pointed out interesting plants, like Devil’s Club, a local remedy, the Skunk plant, and more. Very knowledgeable, our guide Emily was great! This portion of the trip lasted maybe an hour and took up the most time of all three activities overall.

Raptor Sanctuary Alaska 

Once we cleared the Rainforest, we walked over a bridge toward the Alaskan Raptor Sanctuary. This was one of our main reasons for booking this excursion and we wish we would have more time here. Once inside the small open-air porch space, we got to meet three birds that had been rescued. The caretaker shared their individual stories and we got to learn about the Raptor Center’s efforts.

Totem Park Alaska

After the Raptor Center Visit, we walked next door to the Totem Park located at the Herring Bay Lumber Company Sawmill. Claiming fame as the first Tsimshian totem pole park, this was somewhere we would have liked more time to explore. With placards telling the Native American history of each pole, the museum pieces inside the Sawmill, and the gift shop, there was much to do here. Overall we only had about 20 minutes for this last leg of our tour. Definitely, not enough time to check out the mill, all the totems, story plaques, or the general store. We saw several guests grab beverages, and snacks so a little food counter was also available and it would have been nice to spend more time here.

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show Ketchikan

By far one of the most popular activities to do in Ketchikan, the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is an excursion you can book with Disney or one you can just grab tickets to on your own. The building where this show takes place is literally about 1 block from the cruise port. This show includes log cutting, climbing, wheelbarrow races, axe throwing, and more to fill the time. A favorite among cruisers, we heard many families back onboard sharing how fun this was. Offering two types of tickets, the Disney Lumberjack Show is a little more expensive, showing on weekends at 4 pm. And it features Disney fun and character appearances. But the regular show is daily at 10 am and 1:30 pm if that works better for your port day. Check out ticket prices and dates on the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show website.

Totem Bright Historical State Park

While we didn’t get to see Totem Bright Historical State Park as part of our excursion, this park was on our list and would be the perfect day trip for your Ketchikan Port day. With budget-friendly tickets at $5 each through the season and free off-season, you can explore at your leisure. Filled with totems and stories, this park also features a Clan House and a history you won’t find elsewhere. Just a 12-minute drive from the port, this place is easy to get to, and the bus to and from town makes the trip hourly.

Creek Street Ketchikan Alaska Shopping

Creek Street in Ketchikan was a nice surprise for a stroll and browsing. Featuring several restaurants and shops, this area is very historical and offered a lot of neat details and history about the area. A great place to grab a souvenir, this was a nice one-stop shop for us to get a feeling of Ketchikan. You can even watch the Salmon run here.

Fabulous Fiber Arts Yarn Shop

One of our favorite finds on our Ketchikan day was a charming yarn shop. Featuring amazing yard finds for crafters, the Fabulous Fiber Arts Shop offers hand-dyed yarns, skeins, cashmere, and more for any yarn crafting needs. A staple among locals, this local business offers a knitting group, patterns, and kits to help get you started. Simply some of the best, and most beautiful yarns we’ve seen. Definitely worth a stop if you’re a hobby crafter.

Alaska Crepe Co. 

A local favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner you can get a variety of crepes here. Serving up crepes both savory and sweet, plan between $10-17 dollars each, depending on what you order. While we didn’t get the chance to go here, it was definitely on our list and one we’d frequent without question as TripAdvisor Reviews are typically fantastic. Check out the Menu ahead of time at Alaska Crepe Co.

Just Dandy Apothecary and Cafe

In our search for coffee, when everywhere else was closed, we happily stumbled upon the  Just Dandy Apothecary and Cafe. Serving up not only specialty coffees, like mochas, London fog teas, and pistachio matcha lattes but also wraps, bowls, and salads, this would have been a great place for lunch. Offering a public restroom, indoor seating, and an open library, this restaurant also had some cute souvenirs. We would definitely visit here again.

Old Ache Novelty Shop

A beautifully curated shop, the local gift shop features home decor items, candles, and more if you’re looking for something more upscale than the typical Alaskan souvenir. This shop is part of the Niblick’s General Store family, which is a mainstay in Ketchikan. Located at 326 Main Street this shop is next door to the Just Dandy Apothecary and Cafe and right up the street from 55 North Bakery and Coffee .

Sockeye Sams Shop

This souvenir shop has almost everything you could ever want in the way of Alaskan souvenirs. Tees, Sweatshirts, Magnets, Ornaments, Local Coffee, Maple Syrup, Devils Club Products, Glassware, you name it. Filled to the brim with Alaskan gift items, there are ample things to see. And of course, as with every port town, there are an ample amount of jewelry counters present too.

Meng and Ging’s Kitchen

There are a variety of Places to Eat in Ketchikan , depending on what you’re in the mood for but in lieu of seafood we decided to find something more to our taste. As such we stumbled upon Meng and Ging’s Kitchen, located within walking distance of the port right on Water Street. Decent food, they serve some of the best Mongolian Beef dishes you’ll try. While vegetarian options were limited, they were able to make egg fried rice which was a nice treat and offer a variety of egg rolls too. If Filipino and Asian food are favorites of yours be sure to stop by Meng and Ging’s Kitchen.

Disney Alaska Cruise Day at Sea | Day 7

Back on the boat after an activity-filled vacation we settled into all things Disney Cruise; watching movies, playing trivia, trying our hand at a pub quiz, and listening to the piano were all on the docket. We also felt like we needed a break, so booking a Brunch at Palo for our last day at sea was something we had been looking forward to the whole trip. That said, we also wanted to take it easy and just relax, so were looking for ways to do that mostly on the last day.

Brunch at Palo | $45 per person

If you want to add something special to your trip, guests over 18 can book brunch or dinner at Palo. As the signature dining experience on Disney Cruise Ships, Palo offers an elegant atmosphere, expansive views of the ocean, and the best food onboard. That said, dining here does cost extra and is Not included in your Disney Cruise . However, this elegant dining experience is completely worth the $45 price tag. With a multi-course offering and the chance to order more of anything ( plus one drink free), the value here is better than even the most basic restaurants we’ve visited at Walt Disney World.

And if you climb to the Castaway Club Ranks of Platinum or Pearl, you get a dining experience at Palo on the house. Brunch here included breakfast foods like eggs and waffles, as well as chicken parmesan, calzones, and pizza. Everything you’d expect to find at an upscale Italian restaurant. Highly Recommended.

Disney Cruise Towel Folding Class

One of our favorite classes to take onboard any Disney Cruise is Towel Folding. Mainly because the housekeeping team presents cute towel friends each evening, and we always wonder “how.” If you’re wondering how twisted towels can turn into cute animals that welcome you back to your cruise stateroom each evening, then be sure to check the Disney Navigator for classes throughout your cruise. It’s a fun skill to learn, and perfect for kids and adults alike.

Anyone Can Cook Class on a Disney Cruise

Another favorite Disney Class for your Day at Sea on a Disney Cruise is the Anyone Can Cook Series. Mostly offered on longer cruises, you may see both an adult-only and a family class offered. For the grown-ups, there’s usually a glass of wine involved. And with dishes to make like Lobster Ravioli and Apple Strudel, you’ll be excited to watch the professional chef onboard explain all the tips and tricks to making the perfect dish. You not only get to taste the creations shared but also get a recipe to take home. Absolutely a must-do class if it’s offered on your cruise.

Vancouver British Columbia Canada | Day 8

8 a.m. Debarkation Day

Disney Cruises return to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada when your cruise is complete. With an early arrival time on debarkation day, is always the saddest day, it pays to have a plan for your last day in Vancouver. Of course, you may be flying out of town right away. But if you’re spending one more day in Vancouver there are plenty of things to do there! We headed towards a few tourist attractions and tried to make the most of our visit to Vancouver. Here are a few things you may want to consider if you’re staying in Vancouver a day before or after your Disney Cruise to Alaska. And in addition to these ideas, you can check out our post on Things to Do in Vancouver Before or After  a Disney Cruise for even more ideas.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Accessible by FREE shuttle from Canada Place every 15 minutes, you can grab a short ride over to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Featuring a Forest Walk that takes you over a series of suspension bridges, a deck walk that sits high above the small creek below, plus Kid’s Activities, and trails throughout, this one is not for the faint of heart. If a fear of heights is something you struggle with, choose something else to do! This area has both an indoor restaurant and a casual counter restaurant. The famous, Otter balls mini donuts, coffee, tea, and ice cream.

Plus, a Gift Shop with everything from maple syrup to the latest North Face merch. A perfect day out if you want an easy activity in Vancouver before heading home. Plan about 3 hours for this experience if you’re up for it. There is a Free Shuttle from Canada Place to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, which makes this an easy family excursion you can do on your own. Grab tickets to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park ahead of time or at the gate.

Tea at the Fairmont Hotel

With themes that change every few months, Tea at the Fairmont Hotel is well worth discovering. Serving up a High Tea, complete with a tower of savory and sweet things to eat. Each guest can choose a pot of tea, and settle in. Since we’ve been lamenting the pause of Tea at the Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, we thought this one of the best ways to get our fix. And we were not disappointed! The food was fantastic, and they do accommodate vegetarian and vegan needs as well. Check out the current menu and theme for Tea at the Fairmont Vancouver.

Granville Island Vancouver Canada

One of the main attractions in Vancouver is Granville Island. Accessible by road or AquaBus, this place is filled with shops and restaurants to browse during your visit. You can head to the Public Market for a winding array of places to eat, grab a coffee, and buy treats.

Serving up handmade pot pies, pies, quiche, tarts, and croissants. The A La Mode Pie Cafe is a Must-Do on Granville Island. Mind you the line for this restaurant will be long, but it’s worth it. If you’re a fan of flaky pastry in all forms, then be sure to stop by.

A hidden gem, we found this place just by chance as we were leaving. Offering lovely paper products, you can grab specialty books, journals, planners, wrapping paper, unique pens, gift books, and gorgeous postcards here. Definitely worth a stop.

Nooroongji A Multilingual Curation Bookstore

Mindfully curated, this bookshop features books and guides for children and adults. Full collections of Harry Potter and Studio Ghibli merch sit happily next to Italo Calvino, Kafka, and Agatha Christie. The most amazing bookstore to browse if you’re looking for a unique book gift or a special edition of a classic.

The Preservatory

If you’re looking for specialty preserves in unique flavors, then be sure to stop by The Preservatory. Also located in the Public Market, this counter offers tastings and special flavors. You can find Spiced Cranberry and Iced Apple Wine, Blueberries and Bourbon, and Fig and Walnut, so there are plenty of options. Perfect as a gift item, or just something to savor as part of your Canada trip. Shop The Preservatory.

Bon Macaron Patisserie

If you love delicate French Macarons then head to Bon Macaron Patisserie. This is a great place to get mini or regular-sized macarons, for your stroll or to take home. Shop Bon Macaron Patisserie .

Pacifico Pizzeria and Ristorante

If you’re looking for great pizza in Vancouver, then the Pacifico Pizzeria and Ristorante is what you’re looking for. Featuring a variety of pizza pies, in loads of combination flavors, this pizza place offers inside seating, pick-up, and delivery. Since we were staying nearby at The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver, it was a quick 3-minute walk to pick up our pizza after a hectic day. This restaurant also offered pasta, salads, chicken parm, and more. An excellent place for lunch or dinner.

Breka Bakery and Cafe Vancouver

As we’re usually on the lookout for croissants and coffee, we just had to stop at Breka Bakery and Cafe during our stay in Vancouver. This place is perfect if you’re looking for Breakfast in Vancouver before your Disney Cruise to Alaska. Home to authentic French pastries, and desserts, you’ll feel like you’re visiting Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in EPCOT. Heck, maybe even France! The pastries here are just that good. You can also grab breakfast and lunch sandwiches here too. With seating both inside and out, there are a couple of locations in Vancouver. So, if you’re nearby, be sure to stop in and grab something special.

Starbucks Reserve Bar Vancouver

If you’re committed to visiting all the Starbucks Reserve Locations around the World, you’ll be happy to know that Vancouver is home to a Starbucks Reserve Bar . Built on a smaller scale, this coffee shop still offers fantastic coffee, specialty blends and sandwiches, and pastries too. Located at Granville St and Pender, you can even mobile order here. Be sure to add this one to your Starbucks Bucket List.

Disney Alaska Cruise Shore Excursions

You may notice that on this cruise we mixed Disney Alaska Shore Excursions and Self-led excursions based on our likes. That said, you may be wondering a few things about How to Book Disney Port Excursions . Things like, What are the best Alaska Shore Excursions to Book and How Much do Alaska Excursions cost are good questions to ask. Know that even if you don’t purchase excursions you can still get off the boat, wander the towns, and visit the restaurants and shops regardless. So, if you’re wondering how to Save Money on a Disney Alaska Cruise, skipping excursions may be your best bet.

Are Disney Port Adventures Included in Your Disney Cruise Cost?

No. One of the few things Not Included in your Disney Cruise are port excursions. And depending on which you choose, they can add up to a pretty penny.

When Can I Book Disney Alaska Shore Excursions for my Disney Alaska Cruise?

Reservation times for excursion booking are based on your Castaway Club Status, per the below. It’s advisable to have a plan as sometimes the most popular excursions have limited space and sell out.

• First-Time Guests: 75 days prior to sail date
• Silver Castaway Club Members: 90 days prior to sail date
• Gold Castaway Club Members: 105 days prior to sail date
• Concierge Guests and Platinum Castaway Club Members: 120 days prior to sail date

How Much Do Disney Alaska Cruise Shore Excursions Cost?

Disney Port Adventures in Alaska run the gamut when it comes to cost. Disney Alaska Port Excursions range from $47 per person for the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show to about $5200 for the Misty Fjords by Private Seaplane Tour. That said, we included the costs of the excursions here so you can see what extra we paid on top of our Disney Cruise costs. Check out the Disney Port Adventures List with offered excursions and prices. While your Castaway Club ranking will determine WHEN you can book these excursions, it pays to know ahead of time what options you may have available when your reservation window opens up. That said, after seeing these towns, and their proximity to the port we could have made this trip much cheaper with a few select excursions and more time in town.

Is Booking An Alaska Cruise Excursion Direct Cheaper than Disney?

Yes, almost always. The Helicopter Tour in Skagway in particular we booked through the same company Disney uses. This meant we walked to the helicopter on the nearby helipad, like everyone else. Then just booked a time, and paid directly with the company. This saved us a significant amount. In fact, we’ve included some of the tour company names in this post so that if you’re trying to save money, you can check prices to book directly instead of through Disney.

Are Disney Excursions Necessary on a Disney Alaska Cruise?

That depends. Again, for us, after seeing the ports and experiencing the towns, we probably could have tackled the exploring on our own. Even if it meant hiring some of the tour companies directly. We can definitely say we would have never learned the Gold Rush History, Whale science, Glacier details, Rainforest or Totem Pole information without the excursions. And for us, that is one of our favorite parts about traveling; the stories, the history, and meeting the people. That said if you were to tackle this trip on your own we’d highly recommend booking at least a small guided tour in each town so you get that history. Without it, you’re just experiencing pretty places without context.

Disney Alaska Cruise Tips

An Alaska cruise and land tour comes with the chance to explore new places and experience new things. As such, if you’re embarking on Alaskan Cruise Excursions, hunting for Alaska Cruise Itineraries, or figuring out how to Save Money on a Disney Alaska Cruise , we’ve rounded up the best Alaska Cruise Tips so you can go prepared.

How Much Do You Need in Tips on a Disney Alaska Cruise for Excursions?

Something to Know Before You Go are the best practices around Tips and Tipping on a Disney Cruise. From the train baggage handlers to the hotels to the tour guides at the post, there are plenty of people to tip along the way. And that’s not including the random cab driver or Uber ride. That said, it’s a good idea to gather up some cash, in small denominations, so that you have what you need throughout your vacation for ALL THE PEOPLE giving you this vacation experience.

Train Tips | Baggage Handlers

Plan to have small amounts of cash on hand for anyone who helps you with your luggage while traveling by train. While Amtrak’s Red Cap Baggage Assistance Service is Free , tipping for a job well done is always appreciated. A few dollars per bag is adequate, if you choose to tip.

Airport Tips | Porters

If you’re utilizing porters at the airport for your baggage plan on $2 for the first bag and $1 for each additional bag. Also, consider that if you’re traveling with oversized luggage convention is typically $2 per bag.

Hotel Tips | Maids, Bellman

At the Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, it is expected that you tip your bellman between $3-$5 per piece of luggage for them to offer your baggage service. And as with any hotel stays you’d also want to tip your maid between $2-$5 per day of stay. Also note, that in Vancouver it is FINE to tip them in American dollars. There is of course an ATM on the first floor of Canada Place if you want to grab Canadian currency, but you will have to go to the concierge desk to make the change needed.

Disney Cruise Excursion Tour Guide Tips

The biggest costs you didn’t see coming are the Tips You Need for Disney Port Excursions. Most notably, because the guides on Disney Port Excursions are so fantastic, that you will want to pay them for a job well done. Keep in mind as well, that you may have to consider multiple people to tip on each excursion.

How Many People Do You Tip on a Disney Cruise Excursion?

For example on our White Pass Railroad and Skagway Street Car City Highlight Tour, we had several people to tip.

• The bus driver of the Street Car
• The shuttle driver for the Klondike Highway
• Our train car attendant on the White Pass Railroad
• Our train conductor on the White Pass Railroad

On our Whales and Rainforest Trails Tour, we also had several people to tip.

• Our guide on the bus
• Our hiking guide
• The captain of the boat

As you can see, you may need more on-hand cash than you realize. While it won’t be necessary to tip everyone, and some people providing insufficient service may not deserve your tip, it’s good to go prepared.

Disney Alaska Cruise Deals

If dreaming about a Disney Cruise to Alaska has been on your Disney Wish list for a while then know that finding Alaska cruise packages within your budget may not be impossible! Alaska Cruise Prices for 4 guests on a Disney Cruise to Alaska range from $5000- $11,000 depending on the length of trip and time of year you visit. While Disney Alaska Cruise Prices don’t include Alaska shore excursions, there are ways you can save money on your trip. Check out the Alaska Cruise Specials and ways to get them in our How to Save Money on a Disney Cruise to Alaska post.

Disney Alaska Cruise 7-Night Itinerary

So, there you have it! Our mini-journal of everything we did, saw and ate on our Disney Alaska Cruise. For us, this trip had been several years in the making. Between the planning and the saving money, it took some time, but we were happy with everything we chose to do and had the chance to experience. No matter how you fill your Disney Cruise to Alaska days know that there are gorgeous views from the boat, hot cocoa at the drinks station, walkable towns near the ports, and all the amazing activities onboard to make this your best cruise yet. We hope this post has been helpful. If you have any questions, just ask! To watch our Disney Alaskan Cruise adventures on YouTube, check out our playlist here !

Rochelle Mariah

Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.

• Rochelle Mariah https://www.polkadotsandpixiedust.com/author/rochellemariah/ Disney Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
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Alaska and Pacific Coast Shore Excursions

Disney Cruise Line hand picks shore excursions (Disney Cruise Line calls them Port Adventures) to allow the guest to experience a representative selection of what each port has to offer. Shore excursions can vary by cruise depending on the season and the times the ship will be in port. Options available for your specific voyage can be found on Disney Cruise Line’s website after booking.

Port Adventures range in price from under $50 to nearly $4,000 apiece. There is an adventure for every budget. There are hundreds of options and combinations available for each cruise. While some Port Adventures require a high level of mobility, there are others that are completely handicap accessible. Most Port Adventures are run by third-party companies, but Disney Cruise Lines makes these experiences great by coordinating with the companies to ensure that the ship’s schedule aligns with the Port Adventures. This way if something goes wrong and you miss a Port Adventure you can get a full refund. Port adventures can be booked online at the time of booking your cruise and anytime after. For questions regarding your Disney Cruise call (800) 951- 3532 or contact your travel agent .

While there are hundreds of available options, here is a sample of a few Port Adventures that are currently available on the Alaskan and Pacific Coasts.

Juneau, Alaska

Whale Watching  – Drive to Auke Bay for a three hour, once in a lifetime experience. Whale watching aboard a catamaran specifically designed for wildlife viewing. An expert on the subject will explain the animals you encounter and give some insight on what their lives are all about. Animals you will see include (not limited to) Humpback & Killer whales, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and much more. This shore excursion even guarantees $100 back if guests do not get to see the wales. It’s worth noting that not one refund has been required for the last 15 years!

Disney Exclusive Glacier Dog Musher for a Day – Take off on a helicopter for a 20-minute ride soaring high above the massive Juneau ice field. See glaciers in differing stages. You will land on Norris Glacier to a welcome from the crew at Alaska Heli Mush. Here you will meet the sled dogs of the Iditarod. Tour the camp and see the behind-the-scenes areas of the camp. You will help prepare the dog team for a day of mushing ahead. You will help prepare the dogs’ meal and brush their coats. You will participate in the dogs’ wellness check and help your musher harness and boot your dog team for the trail.

Deluxe Tour of Juneau – Board the bus for a tour of Juneau that will take you to several areas of interest: Mendenhall Glacier recreation area, Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, and the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery.

Ketchikan, Alaska

Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour – Set sail on the Aleutian Ballad and head toward the waters of the Inside Passage and Annette Bay. Watch the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen fish for halibut, rock fish, shark, and more. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, whales, sea lions, and seals. One of the highlights of the tour is the hauling in of the 700-pound king crab pots. The entire catch is put in an on-deck aquarium allowing for an up-close look. Next comes the barrel pot fishing demonstration in which octopus and wolf eels are common catches.

Disney Exclusive Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour and Dinner – Set sail on the Aleutian Ballad and head toward the waters of the Inside Passage and Annette Bay. Watch the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen fish for halibut, rock fish, shark, and more. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, whales, sea lions, and seals. One of the highlights of the tour is the hauling in of the 700-pound king crab pots. All the catch is put in an on-deck aquarium allowing for an up-close look. Next comes the barrel pot fishing demonstration in which octopus and wolf eels are common catches. Once back to port, your VIP experience will begin with a visit to the wheelhouse where the captain will explain the ship’s navigation equipment. You will then get to tour the rest of the Aleutian Ballad including the engine room and crew quarters. When it is time for dinner, you will dine on deck while the crew tells more behind-the-scenes stories with demonstrations of life, living, and working on the Bering Sea.

Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show – Meet your escort and walk 10 minutes to the show site. Enjoy the action-packed performance that has special segments exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests. Meet the lumberjacks after the show to get photos and autographs.

Totems, Exclusive Lumberjack Show, and Potlatch Park Featuring Exclusive Youth Activity – Board a bus for a 20-minute drive to Potlatch Park, a recreated Native village. Learn about the culture and daily life of Alaska’s Natives. Watch a Native carver to learn totem carving. Children may join Disney Cruise Line Youth Activities Counselors to paint their own wooden feather that will be added later to a totem being designed for Disney Cruise Line guests. Re-board the bus to travel back to view the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.

San Francisco, California

Fire Engine Tour – Hop aboard a Big Red Shiny Mack Fire Engine (open air) for a fun narrated tour of San Francisco. Travel through the Presidio to Fort Point at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Travel over the Golden Gate Bridge and stop at Fort Baker for a photo opportunity. Travel back over the Golden Gate Bridge and through the Union Street neighborhood to return to the pier.

Walt Disney Family Museum – Travel on an air conditioned bus along the Embarcadero, toward the Presidio. Spend 3 hours exploring the Walt Disney Family Museum before traveling back to the pier.

Walt Disney Family Museum and Views of San Francisco – Travel on an air conditioned bus along the Embarcadero, toward the Presidio. You will have 2 hours to explore the Walt Disney Family Museum before re-boarding the bus. You will then travel to Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge. There will be a few stops for photo opportunities.

Skagway, Alaska

Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake Featuring Exclusive Disney Character Experience – Board a bus for a tour through Skagway’s historical downtown. You will stop at Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake that was named for the journalists who came to Alaska to report on the Klondike Gold Rush. At the Liarsville Hippodrome a cast of characters will entertain you with a puppet show that tells tales of the gold rush era. Learn about panning for gold and enjoy a scavenger hunt to collect the equipment you will need to pan. Some of your favorite Disney characters will join you on your hunt for gold. Everyone is guaranteed to find gold in their pan. Next, gather around the campfire and roast marshmallows or take a photo with your Disney friends. Next comes an all-you-care-to-eat feast that includes wild Alaskan-caught salmon, among other favorites.

Klondike Rock Climbing and Rappelling – A 15-minute trip takes you through Skagway and to the White Pass Gold Trail. A short hike leads to the rock face carved by retreating glaciers.  Put on your rock climbing gear and harness and get ready to set off on your journey. There are over a dozen climbing routes to choose from, and each one ends with an amazing view of the Skagway River. You may also choose to try the 70-foot rappel.

Musher’s Camp & Sled Dog Experience – Your guides will tell you details of the Gold Rush history during the 40-minute trip to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Here you will switch to 4×4 vehicles to be driven up 1.5 miles of off-road trails to reach the musher’s camp. At the top, you will meet the dogs and climb into a wheeled sled that is specially made for the snowless summers. The dogs will pull you a mile along a wooded trail. You will meet a dog musher and learn about all the hard work and preparation that goes into training a dog team. Before leaving, you will get to spend some free time with the dogs.

Victoria, British Columbia

Wine, Cider, & Spirits on the Island (Adults Only) – This tour is only on select sailings. Ride in an air conditioned bus through the countryside for about 40 minutes on the way to Sea Cider House. Learn about cider making and enjoy the orchard-to-ocean view from the Ciderhouse before boarding the bus to continue to the Church & State Winery. The Church & State Winery is the largest wine estate on Vancouver Island. Enjoy a tour and a tasting of local wines paired with different cheese, smoked meats, and chocolate. Then, hop aboard the bus bound for Victoria Spirits, maker of Victoria Gin. Taste some of their production during this tour. Other production there includes vodka, whiskey, bitters, and wine.

Butchart Gardens & Short City Drive (Adult-Only Departure) – Board a bus and travel about 20 minutes through Victoria to Butchart Gardens, a National Historical Site of Canada. You will see Victoria’s Chinatown, Marine Drive, and Olde Towne during this drive. Enjoy a 90-minute self-guided tour of Butchart Gardens.

Grand City Tour & Empress Tea – Board an air conditioned bus for an hour tour of the sites of Victoria. You will visit the Empress Hotel for a traditional tea service, including fine pastries, sweets, and tasty sandwiches.

Ocean Wildlife & Orca Exploration – A high-speed catamaran or a single-hulled vessel will take you out on the waters to search for wildlife. Wildlife sightings may include (but are not guaranteed): seals, porpoise, dolphins, and even Orcas. You may even see eagles, great blue herons, and other water birds. The voyage will last almost 140 minutes.

*Port adventures are operated by third party contractors who are not agents of the Disney company. Disney does not control or oversee these contractors. All times given are approximate times. Please verify guest requirements and suggestions for each port adventure.

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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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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.

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 :)

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Complete Guide: Disney’s Alaska Cruises for 2023, 2024 and Beyond

By Lisa Gilmore Leave a Comment

If sweating and tan lines aren’t your style, that’s totally okay — we’ve got you covered. If that is what your typical vacation looks like, and you just want to switch things up, this post is also for you!

Today, we’re gonna talk about another popular vacation option: an Alaskan cruise! But with Alaska’s extremely cold climate, it can be difficult to pinpoint the best time to visit while also coordinating schedules with the people in your travel party. We’re here to provide you all the information on Disney Cruises to Alaska for 2023 and 2024 so you can find that sweet spot of a sail date for you and your family .

The good news is the hard part is over. You’ve already made a few big and critical decisions. You’ve decided that you want to go on a Disney Cruise and that you want to cruise to Alaska. The rest is just navigating through the details, like do you want to bring the black shoes or the red shoes, and how many evening gowns you might bring. Ok, ok, those probably aren’t the questions you’re scratching your head over.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggies you’re probably creating a pro/con list for right now:

When to Take a Disney Cruise to Alaska

How long of a cruise to select, which stateroom to choose, how much will it cost, choosing your alaskan shore excursions.

Not to worry, we’re gonna help you want through those questions! And even better, we’ll help provide you with some additional information, just so you can be sure to have the best cruise vacation ever!

Onboard Disney Cruise Line Programming

Alaskan cruise character meet & greets, packing for your alaskan cruise.

Because Alaska is way up north and cold (shocker, right? 🤣), the cruisin’ months are limited. So you can only sail up to the great white north (is that what it’s called, well… we’re coining it, you heard it here first… oh wait, it’s actually called The Last Frontier, ok, we’ll go with that. Love you, Alaska!) between April and September.

Phew, one hurdle down. We don’t have to stress about 12 months of options. We only have to consider six months. Easy, breezy.

©Disney Cruise Line Sailing to Alaska

Do you need to prioritize when your kids are in school? The May and September sailings will be less expensive and may not even be fully booked because kids will still be in school. Some of the same school discounting effects can be felt for the very beginning of June and the very end of September as well. If you are not confined to summer school schedules, you may want to consider a sailing at the beginning or end of the Alaskan cruising season.

The weather is beautiful!

The other option to consider is the weather (wait, you mean Alaska isn’t just a snowy, frosty wonderland all year-round?).  The later in the season, you plan your cruise, the higher the potential for rain during your trip. You can see on this Juneau, Alaska, monthly climate average that the average rainfall by month is double in September, which is in May. Ketchikan, Alaska, is actually one of the rainiest cities in the U.S. and receives nearly 235 days of precipitation per year. A weather note – most think of Alaska as cold. Throughout the summer months, the temperatures do not get too low, averaging around 60 degrees. Pretty comfortable when in pants. You’ll experience a mix of sun, rain, and cooler temperatures.

You can typically find 3 cruise lengths to Alaska. Disney Cruise Line offers a 5-night, 7-night, and 9-night cruise. Not a big head-scratcher here. Just like Goldilocks, consider your family, and your needs and find the cruise length that “just right” for you.

For many cruises, you could take the same approach that you might take for choosing a Disney resort – why pay for the room if you will be out of the room the entire trip exploring and having fun? You may want to reconsider this for an Alaskan cruise as the itineraries are longer, and the outdoor spaces are colder due to the Alaskan weather.

Oceanview Verandah

As you might not experience an Alaskan cruise more than once in your lifetime, you might think about splurging to have a Verandah room during your Alaskan Disney Cruise and enjoy waking up to views and having the option to check out the view without having to get warmer clothes on and go up on deck.

The prices for the cruise vary dramatically by room type and date of sailing. 

• For the seven-night sailing that leaves May 22, 2023, for two people, an interior room costs $3,574.94, and an exterior deluxe verandah 5C category room with an unobstructed view and regular balcony size costs $8,012.94.
• Compare this to the seven-night sailing that leaves on July 17, 2023, in the heart of the summer. For two people, an interior room costs $4,708.94, while an exterior Deluxe Verandah 5C category room with an unobstructed view and regular balcony size costs $11,148.94.
• The seven-night sailing that leaves on May 13, 2024, for two people in an interior room starts at $3,490, and an exterior verandah room starts at $6,347.

Again, 2024 follows the same trend as 2023, that the mid-summer period is more expensive with kids out of school and potentially better weather. On the seven-night sailing starting on July 29, an inside room for two people starts at $4,623, and a verandah room starts at $8,851.

There are over of excursions for Disney Cruises to Alaska (over 200!). Guests can opt for the most extravagant helicopter ride to dog sledding or just enjoy a leisurely walk around town. CAUTION – You will likely have sticker shock. Some excursions are hundreds of dollars per person. Remember that this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime Disney Cruise. Be sure to budget for these excursions as you plan for your trip.

Disney Cruise Line sells excursions directly, so you can add them to your Disney Cruise reservation plans and have the simplicity of just paying Disney for everything. There are always vendors just off the ship selling other excursion offerings, but be warned that if you take a third-party excursion and do not get back to the ship before the official departure time, the ship will leave you behind.

Skagway as Seen from the Ship

Excursion options will vary based on your length of cruise and the time of the year.

• Juneau, Alaska , is the state’s capital and the largest town that the ship stops in during the Alaskan cruise. The town has some noteworthy food options.
• Skagway, Alaska , was the access point for the last gold rush. This old gold rush town is the jumping-off point for excursions into the Yukon. Excursion options include a historic railway line with stunning vista views, helicopter tours, and tours of the old town.
• Ketchikan, Alaska , is the rainiest place in the world and features an old town built on stilts above a creek, salmon runs, Native American totem polls, and a lumberjack show. This port is the closest to Vancouver in Alaska, and all Disney Alaskan Cruises stop here.
• Dawes Glacier, Alaska , is not a port but a location the boat pulls into for one day of all Alaska sailings. The boat enters the cove near the glacier and then rotates slowly so that all sides of the boat get an angle of the glacier. There is an option for an excursion here to go out on a smaller boat that goes closer to the glacier. 
• Sitka, Alaska highlights revolve around the Russian history of the city (this was the capital of the territory when Alaska belonged to Russia) and the outdoor excursions, which are similar to the excursions offered in the other ports.

There are a variety of onboard Disney Cruise Line offerings to fill your days at sea and evenings. From lavish entertainment to educational programs to fitness offerings, there are many ways to stay busy during the days at sea. Your Disney Cruise Line Personal Navigator app has information on all times for all activities onboard the ship. Make sure everyone in your party has downloaded the app before your departure.

Walt Disney Theatre on the Wonder

Some of the standard Disney Cruise offerings you can expect are:

• Fitness centers
• Spa and Salon offerings
• Kids Clubs and activities
• Broadway-style live performance
• Cinema theatres
• Trivia and family game activities
• Beverage tasting and workshops
• Onboard WiFi, 
• Rotational Dining
• Specialty Dining

Animator’s Palate

Alaskan cruises offer educational nature presentations focused on the unique Alaskan environment. Check your Personal Navigator app for talks given by the naturalist onboard. These presentations can cover the fjords and waterways, whales and waterways, and Alaskan bears and salmon. Presentations are educational and provide context for your view and experience in this landscape.

All character meeting times are listed in the Personal Navigator app. Be on the lookout for the Disney fab five in their Alaskan outfits. The best opportunity to take these photos comes on the Dawes Glacier day. On this day, the characters will be up on the top deck outdoors so you can get an iconic Alaskan view in the background. Plan to arrive about fifteen minutes before the scheduled photo time to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse up here.

Mickey and Minnie in Alaska

The “Freeze the Night Away” deck party is a Frozen-themed deck party with your favorite songs and characters from Frozen. Snow comes down at the end of this show. The night of our deck party, it can be actually “freezing,” so dress appropriately! This show takes place after both dinner seatings have been completed.

Oh no, now you really DO have to decide if you’re going to pack the red shoes or the black shoes, and figure out your evening gown inventory! But don’t panic! There is a formal night onboard the ship, but you do not have to participate if you don’t want to.

What do you pack for a cruise?

There are laundry machines to minimize the about of bulky clothes you need to pack. And the dryers are particularly handy for drying clothes that got soaked in the rain or snow. The machines can be operated by tapping your room key and charging the laundry to your room. Make sure to bring your binoculars, and consider getting a camera extension for your iPhone to increase your zoom strength. And you’ll still want to bring a bathing suit and sunscreen, in case you plan to enjoy the pool or spa.

Disney Cruise Packing List

Each guest 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened champagne or wine or 6 beers on to the ship at the beginning of the voyage and at each port. There are some things you’re not allowed to bring on a cruise , so make sure you’re following those rules.

Get Your Disney Cruise Must Haves — HERE!

What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line

Learn all about disney cruise line and its various ships, explore disney’s mega cruise ship – the wish, a full list of what you can’t bring on a disney cruise, these are the best times to book your disney cruise, the best ways to save space in your tiny cruise cabin, 10 things you need on your next cruise (that you won’t think to pack), what it’s like to live on a cruise ship for 6 months, join the dfb newsletter to get all the latest disney news delivered right to your inbox click here to subscribe.

Is there a Disney Cruise to Alaska in your future? Let us know in the comments below!

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Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

Alaska might be one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it's rugged and can be tricky to get around. Explore the Last Frontier by cruise ship, and you can travel to gold rush towns, glaciers, Alaska Native heritage sites and natural areas brimming with wildlife in comfort, even luxury.

When planning an Alaska cruise, you have many things to consider: when to go for the experience you're anticipating, which cruise line is best suited to your travel style, the best Alaska cruise ports to visit and which shoreside activities you want to prioritize. It's not the kind of trip you want to throw together at the last minute — especially since the best fare deals typically go to organized travelers who book early.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north.

Why cruise Alaska?

Most people have similar reasons for cruising Alaska. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its Native cultures and gold rush history. It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states.

One of the key reasons to cruise Alaska versus taking a land tour is to visit destinations along the Inside Passage that you cannot reach by road. Plus, many of the state's famous glaciers are best viewed from the sea.

If you want to see landlocked areas, such as Denali National Park, you can tack a cruise line-operated tour onto the beginning or end of your sailing for a seamless land and sea vacation. It's easier than fumbling with multiple train, bus, ferry and hotel reservations to cobble together the same trip on your own.

A cruise can also make an Alaska trip more affordable. Instead of taking a long and expensive flight to Anchorage or Fairbanks, you can choose a cruise that sails round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver (note, you won't be able to tack on a post-cruise land trip to Denali if you do this). Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with sales, can be cheaper than you'd think.

Related: Best Alaska cruise tips to help you make the most of your time aboard and ashore

When do cruises go to Alaska?

Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. The season is short due to weather. Cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises.

Alaska cruise weather can be chilly (in the 40s to 50s) first thing in the morning and at night. However, if it's a sunny summer day, temperatures can shoot into the 70s and even low 80s. It also rains a lot in Alaska; it's drier in the spring than in the summer.

When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and rain, and the price. Cruises at the beginning (April and May) and end (September and October) of Alaska's cruise season are generally a bit cheaper than those in June, July and August.

Related: Best time to cruise to Alaska

Best Alaska itineraries

Where do Alaska cruises even go? Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage.

Learn more about the best Alaska cruise itineraries for your next vacation.

Inside Passage

The Inside Passage is the most popular Alaska cruise route. Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau. A few lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard Line, offer 10-night Inside Passage cruises from Seattle or Vancouver.

Glacial ice carved this passageway long ago, and today, cruise ships and fishing vessels thread their way through the islets and channels to see some of the most spectacular natural sights in the world.

You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals. On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above.

Many people trek to Alaska to commune with nature, but there's also history here that you shouldn't overlook. Shore excursions and onboard lectures will explain the cultures of the Indigenous peoples of Alaska, as well as more recent inhabitants from the Russian community in Sitka and the fortune-seekers who moved to Skagway during the Klondike gold rush in the late 1890s.

Popular Inside Passage ports of call include Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Haines and Skagway. Most cruises will visit three or four ports of call.

Additionally, you'll have one day spent cruising the Inside Passage and one focused on "scenic cruising," where you can enjoy the landscapes but won't go ashore. This is not nearly as boring as you might think since you'll see incredible sights like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve or Hubbard Glacier .

One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses. If you worry about seasickness, an Inside Passage trip is the best Alaska cruise itinerary versus a sailing where your ship transits rougher, open waters.

Related: The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler

Gulf of Alaska

If you book a weeklong Gulf of Alaska voyage, you'll also enjoy exploring parts of the Inside Passage and its ports that could include a mix of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Haines and Icy Strait Point.

You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage. Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations might include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier.

Generally, these one-way sailings travel from Seward or Whittier (the cruise ports closest to Anchorage) to Vancouver (or vice versa). Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer.

For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. You can book the transportation on your own or through your cruise line.

Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage. Be prepared if you're particularly prone to seasickness.

Related: One-way Alaska cruises vs. round-trip: Which is best?

Longer sailings from the West Coast

Finally, you'll find some round-trip San Francisco itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. These cruises are best suited to travelers who love days at sea.

On a 10-night cruise, you'll have four sea days (for example, two days from San Francisco to Juneau) plus a day of scenic cruising at a spot like Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Endicott Arm, Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go.

Ports on these longer sailings might include Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point and Victoria, British Columbia.

You can also find one-way repositioning cruises between Southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season.

Related: The 5 best luxury Alaska cruises you can book right now

Cruisetours

Cruise lines understand that not all of Alaska's best sights lie along the coast. Denali National Park and the city of Fairbanks are well inland. And some coastal highlights, like the Kenai Peninsula, aren't typically visited on a seven-night cruise. So the cruise lines created their own "cruisetours": vacations that combine a weeklong cruise with a two- to seven-night bus tour.

On a cruisetour, you'll sail on a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise, so your cruise starts or ends in Alaska. Depending on the tour itinerary you choose, you might visit Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks — as well as spend one to three nights in Denali National Park.

Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway.

Your tour might include a ride on the scenic Alaska Railroad . Some activities are included in the cost of the cruisetour; other outings can be booked like shore excursions, depending on your interest and budget. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, booking a cruisetour in September might be your best bet to see the aurora on a cruise vacation.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Best Alaska cruise lines

Most big-ship and luxury cruise lines send at least one cruise ship to Alaska every summer. Some of the best Alaska cruise lines are Holland America and Princess Cruises because they have especially long histories in the region and offer cruises, as well as cruise and land tour combinations, on multiple ships each season.

If you want a more active trip in less touristed areas, a great choice would be a small-ship expedition line, including Alaska specialists such as Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures.

Ships in all price ranges sail a variety of itineraries, so don't let budget stop you from visiting. If luxury is what you're after, you can find lines that will go overboard pampering you on your journey north.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Best cruise lines for extended trips to Alaska

If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also to Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Princess even owns a handful of its own lodges.

Best Alaska cruises for families with kids

Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have extensive kids clubs aboard their ships that cater to all ages, from babies to teens. Little kids will adore meet-and-greets with beloved characters onboard Disney cruises, or hanging with Dr. Seuss characters when sailing with Carnival. Older kids will love the rock climbing walls, video game stations, sports courts, go-karts and laser tag on Royal Caribbean and NCL ships.

Related: 6 best Alaska cruises for families

Best cruise lines for adventure-seekers

Active travelers might prefer expedition-style voyages on smaller ships that include more time for adventurous activities, such as hiking in the Tongass National Forest, wildlife and glacier viewing from Zodiac rafts or kayaks, or even overnight camping. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists.

If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices. Just expect the majority of your shipmates to be older adults.

Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises.

Related: Pros and cons of small-ship cruising in Alaska

Best for multigenerational groups

Sailing with grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and kids? Try Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Princess Cruises. These cruise lines, especially on their newer ships, offer something for everyone — as well as a higher caliber of onboard dining than on the cheapest cruises.

Kids can hang out in the youth lounges while parents hit the spa or try a wine-tasting class. Everyone can come back together for dinner and evening entertainment or onboard activities suitable for all ages.

Best for couples and big celebrations

The luxury cruise lines are your best bet if you're a couple and enjoy spacious suites, gourmet food, pampering (many luxe lines hire butlers to cater to every passenger) and the opportunity to meet other like-minded cruisers. The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages might also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement.

Look at Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises and Viking.

Related: The best Alaska cruises for couples

Things to do in Alaska

Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint.

Related: Best shore excursions on an Alaska cruise

Wildlife tours are available in every port. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them.

Book a fishing trip to try your hand at catching salmon or halibut, or go out crab fishing for a glimpse into that type of work.

Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). You can even opt for a round of golf at the course in Haines.

In Alaska, sightseeing doesn't only take place on the ground. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dog-sledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway.

Alaska cruises provide plentiful opportunities to learn about Native Alaskan culture. You can get a taste of the gold rush life by trying your hand at panning for gold, attending a salmon bake or visiting a dog-sled camp. A hike on the Chilkoot Trail or ride on the White Pass Railway lets you follow in the footsteps of the miners who came to seek their fortunes. Cap your day by trying out locally brewed craft beers.

Shopping abounds, and you can buy everything from diamond jewelry to T-shirts and other souvenirs. You'll need to look carefully for Alaskan-owned stores selling local handicrafts, but they're worth seeking out.

Related: 15 Alaska cruise mistakes you never want to make

Best Alaska cruise ports

The best Alaska cruise ports are also the most crowded because no matter which type of itinerary and cruise line you select, you'll likely visit a mix of the same ports. The immediate port area will be filled with tourist shops and eateries. If you want to see nature at its finest, you must book a tour or venture farther afield.

If you want to see some of Alaska's most rustic and charming villages or stick to wild places, book a voyage with a line like Alaskan Dream Cruises or UnCruise to visit destinations like Baranof Island, Chichagof Island, Petersburg and Wrangell.

Ketchikan is known for three things: Native Alaskan (Tlingit) totem poles, Misty Fjords National Monument and the city's distinction as the Salmon Capital of the World. The town has more standing totem poles than anywhere else in the state; see them at the Saxman Native Village and the Totem Heritage Center. Access the Misty Fjords by kayak, floatplane or scenic cruise. Fishing excursions are plentiful here, too.

Ketchikan is where folks go to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, with athletes wielding axes and saws in traditional lumbering activities. It is also the jumping-off point for a Bering Sea crab fishing tour.

Alaska's capital city is interesting because no road leads from here to the rest of the state. It's located at the base of Mount Juneau, and you can only get there via boat or small plane — even residents have to bring their cars to Juneau via ferry. Home to Mendenhall Glacier, this is a popular port for hikes by, kayak tours to and helicopter landings on the glacier.

For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dog-sled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau.

If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day.

Skagway is an easy port for independent travelers who want to explore the town or go for a hike on their own. It's most famous as the terminus for the White Pass Railway into the Yukon.

Sitka is as much a working fishing town as it is a tourist destination. Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary. See St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop's House.

Before the Russians came, the Tlingit people settled here. You can learn about their history and culture at the Sitka National Historical Park and Sheldon Jackson Museum of Native Alaskan art. Wildlife enthusiasts might want to visit the Alaska Raptor Center, or go bird- and bear-watching.

The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found.

Animal lovers and kids tend to enjoy a visit to the Kroschel Center for Orphaned Animals here. For a special tour, go bear-watching at twilight.

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all Native Alaskan-owned. Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. The port is set on Chichagof Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines.

Scenic cruising

Most Alaska itineraries include some "scenic cruising," where your ship sails past incredible natural sights. You'll rarely leave the ship during these sail-bys (unless you happen to be aboard certain expedition, luxury or small ships that offer the chance to get on board a skiff to get closer ... but, even then, you're still viewing these sites from the water).

Onboard naturalists generally narrate what you're seeing, so head to the observation lounge (or tune to a broadcast on your in-room television) to learn about some of the top sights featured on scenic cruising days.

Top scenic cruising destinations in Alaska include Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve , Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Dawes Glacier at Endicott Arm and College Fjord.

Related: Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay: Which is the better scenic cruising spot in Alaska?

When to book an Alaska cruise

The best time to book an Alaska cruise is when a cruise line first opens bookings on that sailing, often more than a year in advance. You'll have your pick of itineraries and cabins — balcony cabins are popular in this scenic destination — and often the best fares.

Because Alaska has such a short season with a limited number of ships and is a dream trip for many, cruises are in high demand and people plan early.

If you wait to book, you're not entirely out of luck. Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as " wave season "). You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help.

In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and don't need to book flights. While some less preferred sail dates or cabin categories might be available a few months out, spurring cruise lines to drop rates, you might have trouble finding affordable airfare and pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations that do not consume your cruise savings.

Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?

What to bring on an Alaska cruise

When it comes to packing for an Alaska cruise, your mantra should always be: dress in layers. On the same day, you might be warm in town but chilly on your tour to a glacier. If you plan on hiking, kayaking or riding on a dog sled, you'll need the appropriate activewear.

Definitely pack for rain; consider skipping the umbrella and instead bringing a wide-brimmed waterproof hat, rain jacket, rain pants and waterproof shoes or boots.

This is also the trip for a camera with good telephoto lenses and binoculars. For more on what to bring on an Alaska cruise, check out our Alaska cruise packing list .

Bottom line

An Alaska cruise is a memorable experience. The beauty of the land and its immense history; the thrill of seeing bears, moose and bald eagles; and the mysteries of the surrounding marine life will astound you. It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier.

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

7 Alaska Cruise Excursions That Are Worth The Money

E xcursions come in all shapes and sizes. Some cruise lines include all excursions in the cost of your cruise passage, allowing you to choose the ones that suit your desires. Others include no excursions, which helps keep the initial cost of the cruise low, but you may find your onboard charging slipping higher than you expected. Still other cruise lines offer a hybrid option, where the basic tours are included and there is an upcharge for the higher-priced options.

1. Whales, Wildlife, And Brown Bear Search

For a full-day, 5.5-hour wildlife adventure, try the Whales, Wildlife, and Brown Bear Search out of Icy Strait Point. This excursion is offered by Princess cruise lines.

On this guaranteed whale sighting tour, jump on a high-speed catamaran to cruise the very active feeding ground of the humpback whale. Return to shore for an often bumpy ride to the Spasski River for a guided drive in search of brown bear, black-tailed deer, and bald eagles. The walking portion involves covering about a half-mile of gravel and boardwalk pathways, meaning this excursion requires moderate exertion.

2. Mendenhall Glacier Exploration

Alaska is all about the ice. Glaciers are ubiquitous and the variety of glacier-centric tour options runs from genial walks to full-on glacial climbs.

Mendenhall Glacier is the top excursion for your Alaska cruise’s Juneau stop. You can choose from a large variety of tours, and many providers have handicap-accessible options. They vary in time and price, meaning there’s a glacier tour option for everyone.

Princess Cruises offers the creme de la creme Mendenhall Helicopter Glacier Trek . If you are searching for the bucket-list Alaska cruise item, this is it. The 4- to 5-hour heli/walking tour starts around $480. You will be fitted for outerwear, hard hats, mountaineering boots, and crampons. Your kit will include a much-needed ice ax. After you touch down on the glacier, your guide will lead you on a 2-hour hike. You do not need experience, but you will be hiking for about two miles on uneven terrain.

Disney offers the 5-Glacier Seaplane Exploration that explores the Juneau icefield and five of its glaciers. Your seaplane journey takes you over the Tongass National Forest before you soar over Norris, Hole-In-The-Wall, Taku, and the East and West Twin glaciers. Wildlife spotting is very likely; keep on the lookout for eagles, bears, and moose. This tour is perfect for adventurers who require or prefer little or no walking. The minimum age is 2 years old, making it accessible for most family members. 

3. Sport Fishing

Salmon is king in Alaska, but there are many types of fishing adventures suitable for everyone from novices to hardened anglers.

Disney cruise line also offers a Ketchikan Alaska Fish Camp and Wilderness Dinner . The 5.5-hour fishing trip is available to family members 5 and up. Once you are outfitted with authentic Alaska fishing gear, you can cast your line in hopes of catching “The Big One.” After several hours of fishing, head to the campsite where chuck-wagon cooks will prep and cook your catch, serving up a wonderful outdoor dinner.

4. Panning For Gold

If you are traveling with teens or tweens, gold panning in Skagway is a fun, hands-on activity for the entire gang.

Princess offers a 6-hour exclusive Gold Panning, Sled Dog, and Scenic Railway excursion. The tour includes a gold panning lesson during which you can participate in a prospecting session in a controlled pavilion. You will also watch a dog sled demonstration run that includes a meet-and-greet with the sled dogs and musher. The tour concludes with a historic train ride through Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and Dead Horse Gulch. This is a great tour for everyone in the family and requires only mild exertion.

5. Bering Sea Crab Fishermen

Hop aboard Holland America Line’s Bering Sea Crab Fishermen excursion and explore the world of Disney’s Deadliest Catch TV Series.

In the port of Ketchikan, travel along the Inside Passage with experienced fisherman hauling up the day’s king crab catch. Guests as young as 5 years old are welcome aboard the ship where stories of Alaska wilderness and maritime adventures will astound wide-eyed guests.

6. Food Tours

There is no shortage of tours for the foodie in your group. Disney’s Woodhouse Wine Estates tasting visit combined with a downtown Seattle tour is a fun date night excursion without the kids. Princess offers a Juneau Foodie Walking Tour in conjunction with Bon Appetit where you can sample some of Alaska’s finest local cuisine.

7. Scenic Drives In Sitka

Viking Cruises offers a 1.5-hour Scenic Sitka by Motor Coach excursion that is included in the passage price. This tour does include some incline walking when you visit Sitka National Historical Park, where you can view the site’s 18 totem poles. Learn Sitka’s Russian and U.S. history in this Southeast Alaska city.

Pro Tip: Booking Excursions

It is a good idea to choose an excursion that is booked through your cruise line. They will, in good faith, wait for you if there is a delay in your returning to the ship. If the ship cannot wait, they may make accommodations to get you to the next port of call. If you book an excursion with a private tour company, though, you are essentially on your own to get to the ship on time. If you miss the departure because of the tour arriving late, you will be responsible for catching up with the ship at the next port of call. That could be a considerable distance if they are at sea for two days, and some of the Alaska cruises have several consecutive days at sea.

Alaska Cruises are a bucket-list item you will want to explore at any age. You will find the history, natural beauty, and fresh-from-the-earth (or ocean) cuisine bring you closer to nature.

Still not sure an Alaska cruise is right for you? Read one traveler’s intimate account of her Alaska by small-ship cruise experience.

This article originally appeared on TravelAwaits

Help me choose: which Alaska Cruise is right for me?

Apr 23, 2024 • 7 min read

Taking to the water is a wonderful way to see Alaska's incredible coastline © Bala Sivakumar / Getty Images

Alaska's impressive southern coastlines contain hordes of island archipelagos, deep fjords and ancient glaciers. Nearly all of the area is roadless, so seafaring vessels, including cruise ships, are a popular way for visitors to experience these pristine areas.

Large cruise companies sail Alaska's Inside Passage from Seattle , Washington and Vancouver , and on through the Gulf of Alaska to Seward or Whittier. In between, passengers usually stop in Ketchikan , Juneau and Skagway , and then sail up College Fjord to see glaciers stretching their icy fingers into the sea. You'll see plenty of stunning scenery along the way but not up close – for most cruisers, it's more than enough to satisfy.

Smaller cruises max out at around 200 passengers and can nose into Southeast Alaska's nooks and crannies, launching skiffs and kayaks from their lower decks for an immersive shore visit full of exploration. These vessels may not stop in local ports, instead anchoring at night and offering guests the chance to hike a remote shoreline, whale-watch from a kayak or attend a presentation by indigenous artisans. If any ports are visited, they're likely to be smaller communities like Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg and Yakutat.

Additionally, with the Northwest Passage now open to marine traffic, the northwestern city of Nome is a regular port of call for higher-end, midsize cruise lines to expose passengers to the rural reaches of coastal Alaska. The Aleutian Island city of Unalaska is also on some boutique cruise line itineraries, so check carefully that the region that sparks your interest.

Which part of Alaska should I choose to cruise?

For an overview of Alaska The standard Inside Passage cruise between Vancouver or Seattle and Seward or Whittier is an excellent choice, boasting beautiful scenery and the chance to experience a route taken by steamships of the late 1800s. You’ll get a snapshot of the Tongass National Forest , glaciers and the occasional whale or bear, but not up close unless you’re on a specific shore excursion. Holland America, Cunard and Viking all have cruises that fit this itinerary.

Taking a deep dive into Alaska’s coastal regions   Book a small ship cruise between Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau for a week or longer in the nooks and crannies of southeast Alaska. You’ll hike where there are no trails, paddle without another human in sight, and get to know the traditional lands of Alaska’s Coastal Native tribes. We like Alaskan Dream Cruises, UnCruise Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions for smaller, more sustainable cruises.

To discover Alaska’s rich history You can’t skip Ketchikan, Juneau or Skagway on an itinerary. Juneau is the state capital and a former mining community. Ketchikan once was a major player in the timber industry and has a sordid past steeped in bootlegging and brothels. Skagway was a jumping-off point for the Klondike Gold Rush beyond Chilkoot Pass and has an old railroad to prove it. All three cities are often on large ship itineraries.

Explore Alaska’s most remote coastal areas Consider a luxury midsize (or smaller) cruise to places like Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands or to the northwestern city of Nome. Both combine a look at the rugged, raw coastlines with time spent on shore in towns with few frills. Weather can often be cold, rainy and windy, but if you want a unique adventure in Alaska, check out the itineraries from Hurtigruten.

When should I go?

Depending on the cruise line, sailings begin in late April and continue through to early October. The most dependable weather typically appears in July and August, but that's also the most popular (and expensive) time; pick a trip earlier or later in the season for cheaper passage and shore excursions.

For spring and fall passengers, know that temperatures will be cooler than you might expect and variable types of precipitation, including snow showers, aren't unusual. In the summer, it's still cool on deck and near glaciers, so don't expect a lot of outdoor pool time or sunbathing on board.

If spotting wildlife is a priority, consider cruising during the salmon runs, when bears are most active and can be spotted from the decks of the ship. Humpback whales often follow schools of herring and other small fish during the summer and can be seen anytime between May and September before they migrate to Hawaii or Mexico .

How do I know my cruise line is operating sustainably?

While all travel has environmental and cultural impacts, cruising leaves its mark to varying degrees on Alaska's fragile ecosystems. The average large cruise ship can have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars and produce up to a ton of trash each day. While there can be a positive economic impact on ports of call, a small community visited by 15,000 people per day during sailing season can intrinsically change.

The industry's trade group Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) touts a desire for "conscious cruising." They have guidelines for water conservation and upgrades to heating, air-conditioning and ventilation, with a goal for ships to be net zero by 2050. There is also a focus on respecting the cultural traditions of destinations through cooperative regenerative tourism that preserves a community's unique history, culture and values.

What kinds of activities can we experience?

Onshore activities differ depending on the size and style of the cruise. Traditional excursions are created to fit a specific number of people, all of whom come from the ships and are expected to be in port for a specific time. They provide an overview of Alaska's history, culture, recreation and industry, and don't offer much of a personal touch.

Smaller boutique cruises strive to immerse their guests in the wild Alaska they've researched and desire to experience. Trips to shore rarely involve large port cities except for embarking and disembarking – instead, they drop kayaks in the water from the ship or use a rubber skiff to reach a deserted shoreline for a hike. The communities they visit are usually smaller, like Petersburg, Wrangell or Haines.

• Glacier & Wildlife Tours: Cruise for a few hours aboard a smaller vessel to witness whales, otters, seals and icy glaciers.
• Dogsledding: Learn about mushing, huskies and the operations of sled-dog kennels before taking a spin behind a team.
• ATV Adventuring: Rev up for a wilderness or tundra tour aboard a four-wheeler or side-by-side vehicle.
• Flightseeing:  Take a unique peek at Alaska's landscapes from above, spotting wildlife, and ogling glaciers and mountain ranges.
• Alaska Native Traditions:  Learn the ways of Alaska's many tribal groups, with dancing, drumming and art displays as part of the program.
• Ride a Historic Train:  Skagway's White Pass Yukon Railroad climbs over Chilkoot Pass for a hands-on gold-rush history tour.
• Paddle Power:  Hop in a raft or kayak and explore Alaska's beautiful coastlines and rivers.

Need-to-know before you go

Plan for wet weather Alaska’s southeastern region is part of a rainforest, where wet conditions are the norm even in summer. Bring waterproof rain gear, sturdy shoes, a hat and gloves to stay warm and dry.

Know your physical limits If mobility or other health issues may affect your ability to enjoy a cruise to the fullest, consider traveling with a larger operator. These companies are well-versed in accessibility and have made accommodations for those with mobility needs. Smaller ships are full of trip hazards and watertight door jambs and require bending and stepping up or down to access activities like kayaking or skiff rides.

Plan your own shoreside activities There is no requirement to book excursions or activities through the cruise line. If a more independent style of exploration is your thing, feel free to do your own research ahead of time or visit each port of call’s visitor bureau upon arrival. Just be sure to adhere strictly to the ship’s boarding time. 

Look to shoulder season sailings Not only will you often receive a significant discount, you’ll also be able to witness Alaska’s seasonal transitions and fewer crowds at ports of call.

Know what "all-inclusive" really means:  Drill down into the details of your cruise and ask questions about meals, alcoholic beverages, activities and shore trips. It may be that a smaller cruise line will include everything at one price.

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Protect Your Trip »

The 10 best cruises for teens in 2024.

The best cruises for teens provide the right mix of autonomy and time with family.

The Best Cruises for Teens

Amy Smith | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Teen spaces on cruise ships foster friendships through games, music, events and more.

Cruises make the perfect family vacation, especially when traveling with teens. Teens can mix and mingle with others their age in teens-only clubs, play games, listen to music, or grab a pizza and watch a movie under the stars. If your tweens and teens need more action-packed fun to keep them entertained, some cruise ships act like floating amusement parks with zip lines, racetracks, roller coasters, ice skating rinks, laser tag, waterslides and more.

The following lines offer the best cruises for teens and tweens, along with their parents.

Find your perfect cruise

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers plenty of family fun and activities for teens on its ships, including sports tournaments, waterslides and a family disco. On select ships, you'll also find the full-size MSC Formula Racer simulator, an interactive XD cinema, a virtual reality experience, zip lines and an arcade room. The Young Club programming by MSC Cruises offers daily activities for 12- to 14-year-old tweens, while teens 15 to 17 can participate in sports and dance competitions as well as video game tournaments at the Teen Club. Older kids can also participate in fun themed events, karaoke, piloting practice at the Drone Academy and flash mobs – and there's a teens-only disco.

On MSC Seascape , teens can stay busy in three new concept spaces. "Future" features a state-of-the-art technology area with the latest-generation consoles, VR and video screens for hours of entertainment. "Chill Out" is just as it sounds – a place to hang out, chat, and play foosball and pingpong. Meanwhile, "Music" is a dance club where kids can choose their own tunes and dance the night away with cool lighting and sound effects. If all that isn't enough, Robotron, the first of its kind at sea, is an amusement park-like ride that combines the thrill of a roller coaster with personalized music and lighting.

MSC World Europa boasts the largest and most engaging kids area in the fleet with an impressive 8,245 square feet of action-packed space. The new Teens Lab features an immersive area for teenagers with more than 20 of the latest consoles, seven VR stations and dozens of video games. Drone Academy 2.0 is a high-energy relay race for drones. There's even more onboard fun at Z Active, a sports program that offers basketball, football and zorb ball alongside two firsts for the line – pickleball and hoverboards. Teens can also take a spin on the bumper cars at the MSC Sportplex.

MSC Euribia – the line's newest ship, which set sail on its inaugural cruise in June 2023 – has a total of 7,500-plus square feet of space dedicated to kids ages 0 to 17. The new Teens Club Extra Space offers three different areas: the Young Club (ages 12 to 14), the Teens Club (15 to 17) and the Teens Lab (12 to 17). Some of the activities include those found on other MSC ships, such as Z Active, Drone Academy 2.0 and the MSC Dance Crew competition. Teens will also have access to new video games; pingpong; World Quest, an interactive game show based on trivia and geography; and Caravaggio, an immersive spy game show about an art heist.

Compare  MSC Cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line boasts a teens-only venue, Entourage, which caters to young adults 13 to 17 years old. This supervised space – available on 16 of the line's 19 ships – keeps teens busy in an adults-free lounge that's filled with video games, movies, music, arts and sports. Teen counselors on Norwegian Cruise Line plan activities and challenges to keep kids entertained throughout the cruise. A list of detailed activities is available on embarkation day so teens can plan out their schedule for the cruise.

Norwegian Prima , the first vessel in the Prima class, features many first-at-sea innovations perfect for entertaining families and energetic teens, including the three-level Prima Speedway. With cars reaching up to 30 miles per hour, this quarter-mile-long racetrack is one of the highest-rated attractions on Prima. Adventurous teens will also want to check out The Drop and The Rush. Billed as the fastest slides at sea, these chutes offer thrill-seekers a heart-pumping 10-story freefall plunge.

If that's not enough action, teens can also play The Bull's Eye, a classic game of darts that uses a video tracking system, or check out Tee Time for a pumped-up version of mini-golf set against a Las Vegas backdrop. In the Galaxy Pavilion, an indoor gaming complex, you'll find more than a dozen attractions, including immersive simulator experiences, escape rooms and the Topgolf Swing Suite – all of which are unique to Norwegian Prima. When it's time to cool off, the Tidal Wave waterslide is another first for the brand, letting guests ride inner tubes to catch the surf.

Norwegian Viva, the second vessel in the Prima class, is set to launch in August 2023. As the newest ship in NCL's fleet, Viva will also feature these exciting high-tech attractions, including Viva Speedway. If you and your teens are fans of the movie "Beetlejuice," you're in for a treat: The Broadway musical adaptation will debut on the new ship.

The line's Breakaway Plus class – Norwegian Escape , Joy , Bliss and Encore – is also popular with families as these ships offer plenty of activities and attractions suited for active teens, such as go-kart tracks, outdoor laser tag and VR games in the Galaxy Pavilion.

Find  Norwegian Cruise Line deals on GoToSea .

Disney Cruise Line

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line features two cool spaces dedicated to teens and tweens, who can hang out on comfy couches, watch shows or movies, and play video games. These hangouts, called Edge (for ages 11 to 14) and Vibe (ages 14 to 17), are available on all Disney Cruise Line ships.

On Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream , the space at Vibe also features a private outdoor deck with chaise lounges, wading pools, foosball and more. While indoors, teenagers can mingle with others their age, or just kick back and relax in individual nooks. There's a dance club area for karaoke contests, talent shows and dance competitions. The trendy indoor-outdoor space – at almost 9,000 square feet – is accessible with a teens-only card or DisneyBand+. On the new Disney Wish ship, Vibe has a French twist inspired by a Paris artist's loft with neon signs and funk pop art.

For tweens sailing on Disney Fantasy or Dream, Edge is a bright, loft-style gathering spot – located in the funnel – that has individual computer stations for gaming and a massive video wall for screening television, movies and games. There's also a lit-up dance floor for dance parties. Two nifty features of the space – and its location – are views of the pool decks below as well as three portholes that allow for glimpses of the riders on the water coaster, AquaDuck, as they zoom by.

On the first night of the cruise, kids receive information on what activities and events will be available during their vacation so they can curate a personalized entertainment itinerary. Some fun options throughout the week may include "Gotcha," a game of elimination where one teen will become the ultimate victor. For a special treat – and a bit of pampering – guests ages 13 to 17 won't want to miss an afternoon at Chill Spa, located inside Senses Spa & Salon.

Book a  Disney cruise on GoToSea .

Royal Caribbean International

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

The newly updated space for teens 13 to 17 years old on Royal Caribbean International vessels is hidden behind a secret speakeasy entrance. The dedicated venue, which has a gaming lounge and music, is a cozy place to hang out to meet other teens on the ship. There's also an outdoor patio where you can relax in the sun or chill out under the stars. Teens will find planned activities throughout the day at the lounge, including sports tournaments, a nightly teen disco and themed parties.

Social 100 is an exclusive new space for ages 13 to 17 on Wonder of the Seas . The outdoor space sits next to the waterslides and boasts a hot tub, lawn games, cozy seating, a selfie area, and a bar serving zero-proof cocktails and shakes. The indoor part of Social 100 features a gaming area, foosball tables, a vending machine and more comfortable spaces for teens to mingle.

Teens have plenty of activities they can do with their families on Royal Caribbean's ships, especially on the new Icon of the Seas, the first vessel in the Icon class. Slated for its inaugural sailing in January 2024, Wonder of the Seas will be the  world's largest cruise ship .  Cruisers of all ages will have endless opportunities for fun with more venues, activities and attractions than you've ever seen on a cruise ship.

Teens and their parents will appreciate Chill Island, a three-level pool deck with the first swim-up bar at sea. The new water park, Thrill Island, boasts six waterslides, including exciting firsts at sea, such as Pressure Drop, the first open freefall slide. If that's not enough to get the adrenaline pumping, teens can check out Crown's Edge – a combination thrill ride, skywalk and ropes course – or other Royal Caribbean favorites like Adrenaline Peak, Sports Court, the FlowRider surf simulator or the reimagined mini-golf course.

If you're hanging out in the new Surfside neighborhood on Icon, a dedicated space for young families, teens will have easy access to the supervised teens-only club, Social 020, from this open-air space.

When you head ashore to Perfect Day in CocoCay, one of the best  cruise line private islands , teen cruisers will find plenty of fun land-based activities like Thrill Waterpark and 1,600-foot-long zip lines. Be sure not to miss another thrilling experience: Up, Up and Away. The helium balloon ride soars 450 feet above the ground to the highest vantage point in the Bahamas , offering incredible panoramic views of the island and surrounding turquoise waters.

Explore  Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea . 

Holland America Line

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Holland America Line

The Kids Club on Holland America Line offers a fun supervised program for 13- to 17-year-old guests in an adult-free zone known as The Loft. The name is in the process of changing to High Score!, and you'll already find the updated concept on Oosterdam and Eurodam . The line's other ships will change over to the new venue throughout 2024. High Score! is a family game room that serves as a secret getaway for teens by day. In the evenings, entire families can come to play skeeball, board games and join in other activities.

The teens-only space (during the day) on Holland America Line resembles a New York artists loft where kids can listen to music, watch movies, play games and meet and hang out with same-age cruisers. Programs and activities at the current space, The Loft, include themed events, karaoke, a teen disco and nighttime activities such as Poker Night and video game tournaments. Youths can also participate in pingpong, basketball and other teens-only sporting events. If they still need more entertainment to keep them busy, the Kids Club offers origami lessons and watercolor painting as well as competitions in "Mario Kart," air hockey, foosball, pinball and more.

The Kids Club is complimentary for guests. The space is open daily, and you'll also find teen events around the ship. When it comes to dining, there are many teen-friendly dining options – where teens can even enjoy mocktails like nonalcoholic mojitos – at venues throughout the ship.

If you're cruising to Alaska with Holland America or other adventure-filled destinations, look for excursions that will appeal to younger family members like zip lining tours, trail hikes, float trips, helicopter tours and wilderness safaris. Alaska is a teen favorite, especially in Skagway (one of Alaska's top destinations ), where travelers can get a thrill out of dog mushing with a team of Alaskan huskies, taking a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, or going on a rock climbing excursion.

Find  Holland America Line cruises on GoToSea .

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Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

The modern Beach House lounge is the go-to place for passengers ages 13 to 17 to socialize and meet others their age when sailing on a Princess Cruises ship. Fun activities for teens include late-night movies and tournaments where they can challenge their peers in video games or at air hockey, foosball and table tennis. For more energetic activities, join in the fun during indoor dodgeball and basketball games. Or, learn new dance moves from some of the dancers in the crew, then hit the dance floor for one of the competitions. At the "Rock the Boat Party," teenagers can dress up and party the night away with mocktails and new friends on the ship.

"Movies Under the Stars" is one of Princess' signature events. Guests can watch movies, sporting events and concerts while bundled up with cozy blankets on the pool deck outdoors. Teens will enjoy the complimentary snacks – not to mention the special movie nights designed with them in mind, such as "Scary Movie Night." You might even find teen makeovers and glitter tattoos some evenings on the ship.

The line's three newest ships – Discovery Princess , Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess – offer the most activities for teens, but all of the ships in the fleet host youth programs in partnership with Discovery, along with plenty of other family-friendly activities. These offerings include Discovery Family and Animal Planet shore excursions and onboard entertainment like "The Voice of the Ocean," a musical competition.

Parents will be able to keep track of their busy teens anywhere on the ship with the state-of-the-art Princess MedallionClass system. The quarter-size wearable medallion and accompanying app allow guests to personalize their itinerary and locate family members and friends on board.

When Sun Princess launches in February 2024, as the first vessel in the line's Sphere class, it will feature Park19. This top-deck family activity zone boasts many outdoor adventures, including Sea Breeze – the first Rollglider at sea. The ADA-accessible seated ride offers a hang-gliding experience with panoramic views of the ocean and ports of call. Families and teens can also check out the climbing obstacle course, cargo nets and lookout points. The ship also has a recreational court – which offers pingpong, shuffleboard, fitness classes and more – and a splash zone where you can cool off after all the outdoor activities.

Inside Sun Princess, tweens and teens will find two centers just for them: Neon Grove and The Underground. Both spaces offer cozy and colorful areas for young adults to hang out, socialize, and play video games on the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. They'll also find foosball, skeeball and air hockey on top of planned activities like movie nights, dance parties and scavenger hunts.

Explore  Princess Cruises on GoToSea .

Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney offers river and expedition cruises for the whole family; the itineraries span many choices and experiences for tweens and teens with a focus on culture, history, gastronomy and adventure. The river cruises are operated in partnership with AmaWaterways, while the expedition cruises are a collaboration with luxury French cruise line Ponant.

If you're sailing on the Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise itinerary, for example, guests can choose between various exciting excursions. While you're docked in Strasbourg, France , for the day, teen-friendly options include a tour of the Black Forest, complete with a toboggan run and a visit to a woodworking museum. Another choice here is to visit Germany's Europa-Park, a one-of-a-kind theme park located between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. In Melk, Austria, on the Danube itinerary, families can go for a bike ride along the Danube River, hike to the castle in Dürnstein or visit a family-run apricot farm.

Another great feature of these cruises is that teens can opt to have dinner and evening get-togethers with same-age cruisers, so they don't have to dine with their parents or younger siblings every night. Adventure Guides also curate special activities for teens like game shows and pool parties.

In destinations like Antarctica, the Adriatic and the Galápagos Islands , expert naturalists lead tours during these bucket list trips. You might even find a bit of Disney storytelling woven into the presentations by the Adventure Guides.

Keep in mind if you have younger kids as well as teens that children need to be 5 or older to sail on the river cruises. For the Galápagos Islands expedition cruises, the minimum age for Junior Adventurers is 7, and for expeditions to the polar regions, kids need to be 10 years of age or older.

Read: The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Carnival Cruise Line

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Celebration, which launched in November 2022, is the line's newest Excel-class ship. It features an expanded family and youth program, including its offerings for teens. The line also rolled out the new program fleetwide in spring 2023.

The Carnival Cruise Line teen programming at Circle "C" is for tweens ages 12 to 14, while Club O2 is for ages 15 to 17. In these venues you'll find entertainment like themed dance parties – and even a Carnival prom – as well as video games, movies and karaoke. Circle "C" stands for "Cruise, chill and connect," and that's what teens can do in this colorful, contemporary space with engaging counselors. New activities include anime drawing lessons and pop culture games at Circle "C." Older teens can foster new friendships while engaging in Japanese crafts and authentic tea ceremonies at Club O2.

Teens will appreciate Carnival's onboard water park, Waterworks, which includes a splash park and slides. Carnival Panorama even has the trampoline park Skyzone. Teenage passengers won't want to miss the first roller coaster at sea, BOLT, on Excel-class ships: Mardi Gras , Celebration and the upcoming Jubilee, scheduled to launch in December 2023.

For even more action, Vista-class ships feature Skyride. This two-lane, bike-like ride is suspended above the top deck of the ships and extends out over the ocean. More indoor fun can be found at Thrill Theater (on Horizon and Vista ), an immersive cinematic experience where you'll feel the seat rumble, the wind blow through your hair and even a spritz of water during the action-packed video.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea .

Celebrity Cruises

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

This line's Teen Club features activities focused on kids 13 to 17. Some of the events offered for teens in the Camp at Sea program on Celebrity Cruises range from video game tournaments and sports competitions to culinary classes and silent disco parties. Teen cruisers can even book glass-blowing classes on Celebrity Solstice , Equinox and Eclipse . The offerings for young passengers are similar at either The Basement on Edge-series ships ( Edge , Apex , Beyond and Ascent, set to launch in November 2023) or at X Club on Solstice- and Millennium-class ships. Note, however, the line's three Galápagos expedition vessels do not have the teen venues. Families who need accessible accommodations, activities and programs will also find autism-friendly cruises on Celebrity.

When it comes to pampering, Celebrity's spas offer spa menus for 13- to 17-year-olds. Teens can book facials that are designed for young sensitive skin or have express pedicures and manicures. When you're ready to relax, schedule a two-by-two massage, where parents and kids can have a side-by-side treatment.

Celebrity also offers family-focused excursions that highlight cultural attractions, wildlife sightings and adventure. Some of these tours include seeing gentoo, king and Magellanic penguins in the Falkland Islands; taking an aerial tram through the treetop canopies of a rainforest in Costa Rica ; and going on a small culinary or sightseeing group excursion in Europe and other destinations around the world. On Caribbean sailings – especially when school is out for summer or on holidays – Celebrity has additional family-friendly shore excursions on its five- and seven-night sailings.

Find a  Celebrity Cruises deal on GoToSea .

Cunard Line

Cunard Line offers programs and activities for passengers ages 13 to 17 years old in its Teen Zone. This dedicated space is a place for teens to hang out with cruisers their own age and play video and team games, table tennis, and more. On the first day of the cruise, you'll find an activity program for young guests delivered to the stateroom so your teens can plan out their vacation experience, which may include entertaining theme days, deck sports, quizzes and dancing at the disco.

Teens on Cunard Line can participate in the activities around the ship, hit the pool for a dip, practice their putting or try their hand at croquet. If you're sailing on Queen Mary 2, those interested in science, wildlife and the solar system can watch up to four 3D films a day (on sea days) in the largest planetarium at sea.

Compare  Cunard Line cruises on GoToSea .

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She's sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, traditional masted sailing ships, and expedition vessels in Antarctica and the Galápagos. Pratesi covers the travel and cruise industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

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Luxurious American cruise line provides a comfortable way to learn about U.S. history | Sandy Fenton

• Published: Apr. 27, 2024, 7:00 a.m.

You might not be familiar with the name, but American Cruise Lines has been taking guests to the country's most popular rivers and coastal waters for over 50 years. American Cruise LInes

• Sandy Fenton | Special to PennLive

You don’t need to travel overseas to enjoy a river cruise vacation.

You might not be familiar with the name, but American Cruise Lines has been taking guests to America’s most popular rivers and coastal waters for over 50 years.

My husband and I recently returned home from a weeklong “Historic South & Golden Isles” sailing aboard the new, upscale and modern “American Eagle,” a 100-passenger coastal catamaran ship that departs from Amelia Island (Fernandina), Fla., and ends in Charleston, S.C.

Our itinerary also included port-of-calls in Brunswick, Ga., Savannah, Ga. (overnight), and Hilton Head and Beaufort, S.C., (overnight) as we cruised the Intracoastal Waterway taking in all the amazing Lowcountry scenery along the way.

Having loved our many European river cruises, I didn’t know what to expect cruising throughout the United States. Well, we’re sold. “American Eagle” exceeded our expectations.

American Cruise Lines is positioning itself as the number one choice for domestic and foreign adult travelers wanting a premium experience while learning more about American history and culture from a river, harbor and coastal water perspective.

American Cruise Lines is the only 100% all-American-owned and operated cruise company in the U.S. All ships are built in Salisbury, Md., and crewed by Americans. The company sails both rivers and coastal itineraries around the country, only visiting U.S. ports. Their guests (Eagle Society Members) keep coming back over and over again (75-80% were past passengers on our itinerary).

American Cruise Lines is all about small ships and all-inclusive cruising (90-180 passengers). They have 17 ships, with American “Liberty” and American “Legend” debuting this year, plus two more coming in 2025. In addition, ACL just purchased four paddle-boat ships from the recently defunct American Queen Voyages.

Popular itineraries and ports of call in 35 states spotlight the Columbia and Snake rivers, the entire East Coast from Maine to Florida, Alaska, the Mississippi River and its tributaries, New England islands and harbors, the Pacific Northwest and the Chesapeake Bay - with onboard resident historians and experts hosting port discussions and briefings on all sailings.

On our “American Eagle” sailing most guests were 60+, retired, well-traveled, active and eager to discover new ports and explore the historic river towns along the way. These “Eagle Society” members have already “done that, been there” when it comes to travel, especially cruising. Many have circumnavigated the world by land, river and sea.

Nowadays, they still have the time, money and energy/good health to travel, but prefer to stay in the United States, closer to home, and do not need (or want) over-the-top, opulent surroundings with personal butlers and sommeliers, nor do they want mega-size vessels holding 6,000+ guests. “Eagle Society” cruisers want good food & drinks, good service, and comfortable and modern accommodations combined with a relaxed, uncomplicated, friendly onboard experience.

The most popular event is the late afternoon open bar “Signature Cocktail Hour” with officers and fellow guests enjoying their favorite beverages and hors d’oeuvres featuring local specialties, and chatting about their day’s adventures (with live background music) before heading into the open seating dinner from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Fresh food is brought aboard daily, and all meals & snacks are included in your cruise. Master chefs prepare traditional American menus with a regional flair featuring local ingredients. The menus are short and sweet without any confusion when ordering. Breakfast in the dining room offers the most menu choices including a feature of the day.

In Brunswick, Georgia, the feature was beef tenderloin with eggs, lobster scampi & breakfast potatoes (I know, I know), plus made-to-order omelets, French toast, oatmeal, specialty quiches and the usual sides – bacon, sausage, grits. (A casual breakfast/lunch is offered every day in the outdoor café).

Our lunch choices included fried green tomato BLT, Napoleon lemon dill crab salad, or Brunswick stew. Dinner has two appetizers (corn chowder soup or iceberg wedge salad) and 3 entrees: Southern BBQ pork chop, crab-crusted salmon or pan-seared sea bass. Wine and beer and soft drinks are complimentary during lunch and dinner, and homemade desserts are a big deal with this crowd.

Following dinner, many guests head back to the main lounge for live entertainment, featuring local musical guests, comedians, magicians and storytellers – and yes, the open bar is available to all.

To be clear, American Cruise Lines is not for everyone. It is not for families with young children. It is not for honeymooners wanting a tropical island beach vacation during the day and a heart-pounding late-night disco dance party. There is no onboard pool, casino, shopping, fancy spa, Broadway shows, 24/7 room service, activities or entertainment. It is the total opposite of Disney or Vegas or Carnival Cruises.

It is also not an inexpensive cruise line. ACL is a small, intimate experience for adults wanting to see and explore the United States in an upscale and comfortable environment – without long lines and crowds. (Some New England and Columbia & Snake River summer itineraries are popular with multi-generational groups – without young children.)

Here are a few of my favorite ACL “American Eagle” experiences during our “Historic South & Golden Isles” sailing :

• Easy and seamless walking on and off the ship at every port of call. In Savannah we were docked in front of the River Walk, smack in the heart of this historic and beautiful city.
• The new, modern and luxurious onboard décor. Very light and airy throughout the ship. Spacious public areas and staterooms/suites, including a surprisingly large sun deck with comfy lounge chairs and a track for scenic walking.
• Shore excursions, especially the “Alligator Wildlife Exploration” in the Sea Pines Resort Forest in Hilton Head and the “Pat Conroy’s Writing Exploration” and “Beaufort Movie Walking Tour” (”The Big Chill,” “Prince of Tides,” “Forest Gump,” “The Great Santini”) in beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina.
• Eating breakfast or lunch outdoors on the Sky Lounge verandah overlooking the back of the ship and all the Lowcountry scenery on both sides.
• All-inclusive cruising – no nickel and diming. Fares include all onboard farm-to-table meals and snacks, wifi, evening cocktails, entertainment, enrichment programs, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, tips and gratuities, and so much more.

Before you book an American Cruise Line vacation, be sure to ask your travel advisor what style of ship you will be on. There are distinct differences (interior & exterior) between the riverboats, paddle-wheelers and coastal cruise ships. Many of the itineraries include a pre-cruise hotel stay with transfers and some extend complimentary airfare and special promotions.

For more information, go to www.americancruiselines.com .

“Let’s Visit PA with Sandy Fenton” is syndicated on iHeartRadio and heard locally every Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon on WHP580 .

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7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver

What's included in the price of a disney cruise.

Broadway-Quality Shows

Pools, Waterslides & Recreation

Spacious Staterooms

Upscale, Casual & 24-Hour In-Room Dining

Adult-Exclusive Activities

Clubs for Kids, Tweens & Teens

Cruise Itinerary

• Cross the picturesque Capilano Suspension Bridge
• Shop along Water Street in the historic Gastown neighborhood
• Catch a play or music show at the Orpheum Theatre
• Watch a Broadway-quality musical and splash it up in a freshwater pool
• Savor upscale restaurants, buffets, poolside snacks and room-service
• Find one-of-a-kind fun in unique clubs designed for kids, teens, tweens and adults
• Get an up-close look at Dawes Glacier and watch it calve into the sea
• Spot bald eagles, brown bears, goats and whales in the wilderness
• Breathe in the fresh air and snap photos of the stunning scenery
• Speed down the highest zip line in the U.S.
• Kayak along the serene Hoonah waterfront
• Angle for halibut at Icy Point’s hottest fishing locales
• Hike along Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area
• Soar by aerial tramway to the top of Mount Roberts
• Drop into the Red Dog Saloon, built during the Gold Rush
• Behold centuries-old Tlingit and Haida village totem poles
• Observe salmon spawning at a local hatchery
• Explore Misty Fjords National Monument by floatplane