Deluxe Family Stateroom with Ocean View

We had the option of converting the couch to a second bed or using the bunk bed that our attendant pulled from the ceiling each evening.  Additional amenities included a small tv that could pivot toward the king-size bed or the seating area/bunk bed, two hair dryers, water glasses and a refrigerator large enough for drinks and small meals. 

Read more about Staterooms and Amenities on the Disney Wonder

Day 2: At Sea

One of the only indoor activities we attended during the day was a talk with a Naturalist and Juneau resident who had explored much of the Alaskan Coast by Kayak. Through two talks she explained the history, terrain, and wildlife of Alaska.

Dinner was an optional formal dress at Animator’s Palette.

Day 3: Glacier Viewing

Our venture into the Alaskan Wilderness started less than traditionally; with beignets and mimosas at the French Quarter Lounge.

Most nights allowed us to meet the senior staff on the Cruise, including Captain Fabian. On the night before Glacier viewing, he told us that it was one of his favorite routes, and that the Disney Wonder was the largest ship size that was able to go up the narrow fjords and through parts of the inner passage.  Before entering the viewing area, the Naturalist again presented, this time focused on fjords and glaciers. Around noon, our Captain announced that we would be able to take the pass to his preferred destination glacier at the end of Sawyer Pass.

We learned later from crew and staff that we were lucky it had rained that day because the ice was far more blue than the grey tones that showed when it was sunnier. 

We skipped the evening acapella show to continue watching outside as we left the passage. That evening’s scheduled Frozen Deck Party was cancelled due to the rain, but they continued with themed photo and dinner activities.

We skipped the evening acapella show to continue watching outside as we left the passage. That evening’s scheduled Frozen Deck Party was cancelled due to the rain, but they continued with themed photo and dinner activities.

Day 4: Skagway Alaska

Skagway, once a gateway for those seeking to get rich in the 1890s gold rush, exists today because of the Cruise Industry and the White Pass Railway. There were multiple options for excursions. With a long day (6:45am-5pm) passengers were able to get out into the wilderness on a hiking trip, see sled dogs, whale/wildlife watch, hop on a sea plane, and more.

We opted to explore the town, take the White Pass Railway one way, then return via bus with a stop at the touristy but fun reenacted Liarstown Gold Rush Camp. (A link to more details about the excursions coming soon.)

Day 5: Juneau Alaska

Fun Fact: there are no roads to Alaska’s State Capital, Juneau. Residents and visitors can only get there by boat or plane. A large section of the “city” after exiting the ship was devoted to touristy cruise passenger shops. But after getting past those we found a small brewery for drinks and lunch. Nearby were small local bookstores, clothing shops, and bakeries/coffee shops/restaurants. With more time we would have visited the Alaska Sate Museum, one of the excursion options but also easily accessible on our own. 
 

Another short walk from the visitor center was a viewing platform from a peninsula with better views of the glacier flowing into the lake. We watched as more adventurous passengers (they also had more money to spare on an excursion that was $500+ per person) flew on helicopters to the glacier’s top. The visitor center included a fantastic interpretation center for the geography of glacial formations in Alaska. Rangers also noted wildlife recently spotted in the area on a dry erase board, and we learned later that there were binoculars focused on an area frequented by mountain goats. 

We returned to the ship for that evening’s broadway-style show, Frozen (our favorite of the trip). After dinner we concluded the evening with the adult performance with the visiting magician in Azure Lounge. The show was all the more entertaining when our table mate was chosen for a very intensive “mind-reading” exercise.

Day 6: Ketchikan

Ketchikan was smaller than Juneau but larger than Skagway. The town was still very much an active fishing port, with one of the tourist attractions the “salmon ladder” that helped them swim upstream to spawn. The most popular draw was Creek Street- a historic fisherman’s “red light” district that is now home to locally run gift shops instead of brothels.

After the show we were the only ship left in town, and most of the shops had closed down for the day. We were able to take pictures on Creek Street with fewer tourists, but unable to get a drink/snack in town like we had the other two ports. We returned to the ship in time to see that evening’s performance in the Disney Theater; a magic show with Chipper Lowell. Like the night before, a member of our party (me) was selected to participate. My stage fright was equal to my confusion, as he asked me to find passages to the book Sherlock Holmes for him to recite from memory. 

Day 7: Day at Sea

We later enjoyed the naturalist presentation (he had joined the ship in Juneau) focused on wild food in Alaska. He had traveled much of Alaska foraging and hunting. I recognize the the irony of a vegetarian at a hunting/fishing related talk, but much of his focus was on the necessity for surviving in Alaska with whatever resources are found, and meat and pelts were required for survival of both the indigenous people who first populated Alaska and many of the people who have come after. We were most surprised to learn that the Musk Ox had been hunted to extinction in northern Alaska for their meat and fur, but that they had been reintroduced and were thriving. Our presenter was available on deck for the rest of the day and evening as the ship made its way through the narrow inland passages. While we weren’t on deck during additional wildlife sights, we did enjoy seeing the small villages that dotted this area of the Canadian coast.

The rest of our day and evening were spent checking off experiences we hadn’t yet, including Pub Trivia at Crown & Fin, andcharacter greetings. We rounded out the night by staying up far too late for drinks at the Cadillac Club and walking after midnight on the fourth deck to watch the super moon.

Day 8: Disembarkation Day

Because we weren’t flying home that day, we didn’t need early demarkation, and were able to collect the luggage that we had packed the night before after leaving the ship. We had to exit our room by 8:15am, and were scheduled for sit-down dining at Tiana’s Place (Cabanas was available at any time for those who needed/wanted a different option). By 9:30am those who were waiting for luggage to be unloaded started to be called, and we were off the ship by 10:30am. We were in no hurry and liked being able to escape the crowded lower areas to relax on deck loungers until we were called. The check-out and customs process went quickly, and Taxis were easily available for $35+ CAD, but with no time constraint we walked from the terminal to the nearby Canada Line public transportation for a 25-minute and less than $10 ride to the airport.