Our Disney Alaska Cruise Adventure
We recently had the opportunity to experience Disney Cruise Line like never before – on the high seas…in Alaska! Typically we are warm-weather fans and you’d find us in climates down in the Caribbean or Mexico so an Alaskan cruise is something totally outside of our comfort zone…but in the BEST way possible! In fact, without giving away too many spoilers right away…I would go as far to stay this was our favorite cruise, and possibly one of our favorite family vacations ever.
When we originally envisioned our Disney Alaskan cruise, we anticipated chilly weather, gray skies and rain, but our mid-June sailing surprised us with abundant sunshine. Coming from Texas, we had packed plenty of layers, yet most days were pleasantly mild. The channels were calm and glassy, daylight stretched well into the evening, and the heated pools made it possible for the kids to swim on our very first day. Choosing late dining allowed us to maximize time outdoors, and we quickly discovered that Alaska in summer is not only beautiful but also remarkably family-friendly.
Fun fact: Did you know Alaska experiences summer solstice through about June 21 every year, which means the entire state is flooded with daylight for 18-19 hours. I was a little worried this would impact our sleep but it, in fact, did not. What it did do, was it allowed us to fully maximize every day because even at 10pm, it was still bright as day outside. It was really neat to experience something like this with our kids, and also explain what summer solstice was!
Arriving into Vancouver
For our Disney Alaska cruise, we flew into Vancouver, Canada the night before and stayed steps from the cruise port at the Fairmont Waterfront. We always arrive at least one day early for cruises to ensure we—and our luggage—make it in time. (The cruise ships wait for no one!) Boarding typically begins around 11 a.m., so same-day flights are risky. You could face delays or lost bags and miss the ship entirely so arriving a day early is always the best call. Vancouver’s cruise terminal is very efficient and easy to navigate. The next morning, embarkation day, felt smooth and stress-free. We were onboard in time to explore, grab a snack, and let the kids settle in before sail away.
Day-by-Day: A Quick Glimpse of our Alaskan Cruise Adventure
Sunday, June 15 — Pre-Cruise in Vancouver
The day before our cruise, we flew into Vancouver, checked into the Fairmont Waterfront, walked the harbor, and popped over to the Vancouver famous Water Street to shake off the flight and enjoy the city. If you’ve never been to Vancouver, it is absolutely stunning! Plan to spend some time in the city – you won’t regret it. After a busy day of travel, an early dinner and lights out was in the cards. With the long flight and time change we wanted everyone to adjust as quickly as possible. We all slept well knowing the ship would be right outside our hotel in the morning and sure enough, when we woke up – there she was! The Disney Magic had made it to port and was ready for embarkation.
Monday, June 16 — Embarkation Day, Sail Away & Tiana’s Place
We ate breakfast at the Fairmont that morning, walked our carry on bags to the terminal, and breezed through the check-in process. While the kids explored the open decks and kid’s spaces, I unpacked and set up our stateroom (6068, deluxe oceanview with verandah). Around 5 p.m., we headed up for the Sail-Away Party—a ship-wide deck party where we enjoyed music, characters, and that first big exhale as Vancouver slipped behind us. Dinner that night was at Tiana’s Place, complete with live jazz, New Orleans flair and a stop at our private table from the one and only, Tiana. The energy felt like a celebration from the first beignet to the last note and we all enjoyed our meals, coupled with seaside views of mountains and valleys. In the evening, the kid’s were chomping at the bit for a little free time in the kid’s club so while they enjoyed the kid’s spaces, the adults headed to the French Quarter Lounge for after dinner cocktails and then Azure, for a little adults only entertainment and our favorite trivia game onboard – Quest! If you have the opportunity to explore any of the adults only game shows – DO! They are hysterical yet tasteful and we always walk away laughing. The entertainment crews onboard are truly unmatched!
Tuesday, June 17 — Sea Day, Kids Club Heaven & Triton’s
Sea days have quickly become some of our favorite days onboard. We usually spend the mornings working, exercising, taking in the views from our private balcony and allowing the kids to fully relax before heading out of our stateroom. Room service is 24/7 on Disney Cruise Line and is something we love utilizing for coffee and breakfast on our sea days.
Our kids have cruised many times and they always make a beeline for the clubs on day one. On the Wonder, the Oceaneer Club & Lab (Deck 5) are massive, connected spaces designed for ages 3–10. They darted between Andy’s Room (hello, Slinky Dog slide!), Frozen Adventures (Arendelle fun and themed activities), Marvel Super Hero Academy (missions and tech), and creative projects in the Lab. Registration is quick and easy, and the Oceaneer Disney Band+ check-in/check-out process makes drop-offs seamless. Meanwhile, we reclaimed some grown-up time—coffee at Cove Café, a trivia session, and a quiet lap or two around the promenade deck.
That evening we dressed for Triton’s—classic, elegant, and a nice counterpoint to Tiana’s party vibe. Rotational dining meant our serving team stayed with us each night, which made everything easy for the kids. Our staff worked tirelessly to make sure they got to know each one of us, our drink orders, requests and more.
Evenings onboard mean more time in the Oceaneer Club for the kids, and more trivia for the adults. And this right here is the beauty of Disney cruising – the kids have their freedom and independence in the kid’s clubs, while the adults have dedicated time with one another, too! It is truly the definition of “we time” and “me time”.
Wednesday, June 18 — Glacier Viewing, Private Characters & Frozen Night
Glacier morning was cinematic and quickly became our favorite day of the entire sailing. We bundled up in our cozy robes (pro tip: pack robes!) on the verandah with room-service breakfast and got out our binoculars, where we watched for bald eagles while humpbacks surfaced in the channel. We even saw a sea otter float by!
Glacier day is a day onboard where the ship pulls into one of the historic glaciers. The captain slows down going into the channel, where we watched iceberg float around us, harbor seals swim around and waterfalls ribboning down the cliffs. Once close enough, the captain slowly turns the ship so everyone has a front-row view, no matter where you’re at on the ship. We headed to the top deck for character greetings, where Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy, and Donald were all dressed for Alaska and ready for photos. (It’s important to be prepared: wait times are long and guests start lining up for these photo opportunities early, but with so much beauty surrounding you, it’s a beautiful wait!) Hot chocolate stands were set up nearby, making it easy to sip something warm while enjoying the moment. Once we captured all of our photos, the kids were ready to hit the pool – yes, the SWAM while floating next to a glacier! The pools are heated, as are the slides, which makes it highly enjoyable for all. Not to mention, the onboard hot tubs are perfect for knocking the chill off!
After we left the glacier we changed for the evening’s Alaska-exclusive fun: Frozen Night deck party. This short, high-energy show features singing and dancing on the top deck with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf. Be sure to bring layers—dancing in the cold is part of the memory!
DAWES GLACIER – DISNEY MAGIC
Thursday, June 19 — Icy Strait Point & Animator’s Palate
Icy Strait was our first port of call and little did we know, we were the first sailing to make this stop! It’s always neat to be a part of Disney history. Here we rode the Sky Peak Gondola to sweeping views, strolled scenic trails, shopped for local souvenirs, and toasted marshmallows by the water. Keep binoculars handy—this is where Alaska starts to feel like an aquarium. We saw so many whales from the shoreline, and even spotted a sea otter!
Back onboard, we dressed for dinner at Animator’s Palate – a family favorite. The kids drew, giggled, and watched their creations spring to life on the screens, while the adults enjoyed cocktails and lively conversations.
Friday, June 20 — Juneau: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Then Tiana’s
Juneau was a full day! We rode a motor coach to a marina where we boarded a whale-watching boat. We spent several few hours on the water watching for whales—we even saw a baby breach! Seals and otters were spotted, as well as more bald eagles and this time, a brown bear! Seeing these magical animals in their natural habitat was a highlight for all!
Afterward we headed to Mendenhall Glacier and hiked to Nugget Falls. The blue of the ice and the rush of the water… no photo can capture the beauty of how it looks in person. Our kids loved being able to run around and stretch their legs before heading back to the ship.
Back onboard, Tiana’s Place felt extra festive, and the kids talked about whales between bites of beignets.
Saturday, June 21 — Ketchikan: Creek Street, Fishing & Triton’s
Once docked, we headed straight for Creek Street—historic boardwalks, colorful buildings, and salmon running below. The town of Ketchikan is charming and everything you’d ever expect in an Alaskan city. In the afternoon we met our fishing charter and hugged the coastline while trolling for king salmon. This easily became another favorite because before we knew it, two orca pods trailed our boat and joined us for a long stretch while the bald eagles circled overhead. It was a bucket list moment to see these huge, mystical creatures with our very own eyes! Back in town, we made a stop at the infamous Fish House to enjoy locally-caught cod fish, halibut and Alaskan salmon. If you are a seafood lover, this is a must-do! The restaurant is right on the water, so we enjoyed watching all the fishing boats come in for the day while sea lions popped up near the marina. That night, dinner at Triton’s felt like a cozy exhale after a phenomenal day spent on the water!
Sunday, June 22 — Sea Day, Shopping & Animator’s
We kept this day simple: shopping (Alaska merch goes fast—be sure to visit when the shops open at sea), movies in the Buena Vista Theatre, a final kids-club sprint, and one last Animator’s Palate dinner where the whole room “comes alive.” We spent a portion of the day packing up our suitcases so we could enjoy one last evening with our incredible cruise crew and boy did they go out with a bang with dualing pianos!
Monday, June 23 — Disembark & Home
Breakfast in Cabanas (the onboard buffet), a final stroll on the top deck (& one last ice cream cone), and it was a smooth walk off the ship. Disney’s seamless disembarkation system and transportation ensured everyone made it off the ship in time to catch our flights home. Before we knew it, we were already talking about when we would return. It was truly a magical week, and one that our family will treasure and remember for a lifetime!
After returning home, we had time to reflect on our journey—every moment from beginning to end. It’s difficult to put into words just how profound this experience was, but I’ve come to realize that Alaska was a quite unexpectedly life-changing and spiritual experience. The stillness of the sea, the mystical silhouette of the mountains, and the sensation of floating atop what felt like a vast, living aquarium—never knowing what wonder might appear next—was breathtaking beyond explanation. At times, I’d find myself on the top deck, gazing at the mountains and ocean, watching orcas breach in the distance, and thinking about how immense this world truly is and how much beauty surrounds us if we simply go out and seek it. As someone who has always been a devoted beach connoisseur, this trip marked a pivotal moment in my life as a traveler and I can’t wait to continue to explore this world, beyond the beach.
Whether you’ve waited a lifetime to visit Alaska, or you’re interest is recently piqued – GO. Just go. Pack your family, prepare to take your kids (they will LOVE IT!) and make the investment in visiting such a beautiful area of our world. I can assure, from personal experience and from working with clients, an Alaskan cruise will forever live at the top of your vacation memories, and we’d love to help make those vacation dreams a reality.
Ready to plan your Alaskan sailing? Request a Quote and follow along on Instagram for daily inspiration: @travelingearsvacations.
Plan With a Concierge Touch
I specialize in not just booking, but truly planning, all Disney destinations, Disney Cruise Line, the Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Since founding Traveling Ears Vacations in 2017, I’ve planned more than 6,000 vacations and personally research Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line year-round. Not only will I assist in securing the right ship and stateroom, but I’ll ensure every detail is considered, and book all of the activities for you, big and small. Disney Cruise Line vacations are one of my personal favorite ways to travel (Platinum Castaway Club member here!), but it’s also a destination I love for clients to consider. Disney cruise vacations are always a top notch family experience and with 100% customer satisfaction from our clients, I can assure you will enjoy a Disney cruise just as much!
More Helpful Reads
- Disney Cruises 2025 Planning Guide
- Choosing the Right Disney Ship for Your Family
- What’s Included in Your Disney Cruise Vacation?
- Disney Cruise Packing Essentials
Work With Stephanie
I’m Stephanie Howard—a luxury travel advisor and Certified Sandals Specialist. My white-glove team and I design 5-star getaways across the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line. We’re hands-on, detail-driven, and we tailor every plan to your needs, wants, budget, and vision.
Let’s map your Alaska adventure: Request a Quote | Explore more at Traveling Ears Vacations.
