I’m Stephanie Howard, and this is my Disney Wonder Alaska review after sailing from Vancouver with my family in 2024 and 2025. We sailed once in May and once in June. Here is what we enjoyed, what we would repeat and what I would tell another family before booking.
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: Alaska’s summer daylight varies by latitude and date. On our Inside Passage sailing, the evenings stayed light late, but I would check the local sunset time rather than assume midnight sunsets at every port. I was a little worried this would impact our sleep but it, in fact, did not. The long evening light gave us more time to enjoy the scenery with the kids.
Arriving into Vancouver
STEPHANIE’S FIRSTHAND FOOTAGE
Vancouver before our Alaska sailing
An earlier view from Stephanie’s Fairmont Waterfront stay looks across Vancouver’s harbor before an Alaska cruise. Views and room locations vary, so consider the arrival plan as well as the hotel.
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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!) Use the Port Arrival Time assigned to your reservation; it is not the same as a guaranteed boarding time. Vancouver’s cruise terminal is very efficient and easy to navigate. The next morning felt smooth and stress-free—we were onboard with time to explore, snack, and let the kids settle in before sail away.
Our Disney Wonder Alaska Itinerary at a Glance
This is a look back at our family cruise, not a schedule for every departure. Ports, restaurant rotations and entertainment can differ on your sailing.
Sunday — Pre-Cruise in Vancouver
We explored the harbor, Water Street, and soaked in the beauty of Vancouver before turning in early. Waking up to see the Disney Wonder docked right outside our hotel was pure magic.
Monday — Embarkation Day, Sail Away & Tiana’s Place
Smooth boarding, sail away festivities, jazz-filled dinner at Tiana’s Place, kids club fun, and adults-only trivia made the first night unforgettable.
Tuesday — Sea Day, Kids Clubs & Triton’s
Room service mornings, Oceaneer Club adventures, Cove Café, and elegant rotational dining at Triton’s reminded us why Disney does cruising best.
Wednesday — Glacier Day & Frozen Night
Robes, binoculars, hot cocoa, glaciers, wildlife, characters in Alaska attire, and the exclusive Frozen Night deck party made this our favorite day onboard.
Thursday — Icy Strait Point & Animator’s Palate
Gondola views, wildlife sightings, marshmallows by the water, and interactive dining at Animator’s Palate.
Friday — Juneau: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier
Whale breaches, bears, glaciers, waterfalls, and celebratory dinner back at Tiana’s Place.
Saturday — Ketchikan: Creek Street & Fishing
Salmon runs, orca pods, bald eagles, local seafood, and a cozy night at Triton’s.
Sunday — Sea Day & Farewell
Shopping, movies, kids clubs, packing, and dueling pianos.
Monday — Disembarkation
A smooth farewell and conversations already turning to “when can we go back?”
What we would repeat after Alaska in 2024 and 2025
We returned to the same Disney Wonder Alaska itinerary in back-to-back years, sailing once in May and once in June. Both times we sailed from Vancouver with Paisley and Parker. These are the experiences that stayed with us, and the choices I would talk through with another family.
Fishing or the lumberjack show in Ketchikan?
We went fishing on our first trip and saw the lumberjack show on our second. The show was playful, theatrical and entertaining, and the kids loved it. We are a fishing family, though, so fishing would be our first choice again.
Our fishing trip became one of our most memorable wildlife experiences. Orcas followed our boat while we fished close to shore. We did not catch any salmon that day, but we still loved being out on the water. That is the trade-off I would explain before booking: choose fishing because your family enjoys the experience, with any catch or wildlife sighting as a bonus. Neither is guaranteed.
Ketchikan was easy for us to explore on foot, with time for shopping and a meal at Alaska Fish House. The halibut and salmon were delicious. Of the food we tried in Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan was our favorite. The restaurant was a short walk from where our ship docked; check your own berth before planning around that walk.
Why Icy Strait Point felt so special
We loved the combination of waterfront scenery and history at Icy Strait Point. The destination’s historic cannery and Huna Tlingit roots give the setting a sense of place. We rode the gondola for the mountain views, enjoyed Bloody Marys garnished with crab legs, and saw whales around Icy Strait Point. We also saw whales around Juneau; our orca sightings were in Ketchikan.
Glacier day was one of our favorite days
For viewing spots, what to wear and the optional boat excursion, see my Disney Alaska glacier-day guide. Here is what we experienced on our two trips.
My choice for glacier viewing is the top deck. On our sailings, we watched as the ship turned to give different sides a view. Glacier footage appeared on the big screen by the pool, hot cocoa came around on carts, and characters appeared in their special Alaska outfits. Getting those photos with that scenery behind us was such a fun part of the day.
The first year was misty and overcast; the second was extremely sunny and felt hot. Both were beautiful. Check the Navigator app for your sailing’s character schedule and activities, because appearances, service and viewing arrangements can vary with the itinerary and conditions.
We also spent plenty of time with binoculars on our verandah and on the upper decks throughout the cruise. The kids enjoyed the clubs, but Alaska gave us so much to enjoy together just by looking outside. I would leave room in the schedule for that.
Vancouver was part of the vacation
We flew into Vancouver a day early, stayed overnight and spent time exploring the city before boarding. Our airport experience was smooth in both directions, and we flew home from Vancouver after the cruise. I would build in that overnight again, both for time in the city and a buffer before sailing.
For the decisions before booking, use my Disney Alaska planning guide. For what I would bring again, see our family Alaska packing list.
What I Would Book Again
I would book Alaska again for the glacier day, wildlife viewing and time outside together. Fishing would be our first choice in Ketchikan, and I would keep an overnight in Vancouver before sailing.
For what to do before you sail, read my Disney Alaska cruise tips for families.
Plan With a Concierge Touch
I specialize in Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Since founding Traveling Ears Vacations in 2017, I’ve planned over 7,000 vacations and personally research Disney destinations year-round.
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