Disney Cruise Line’s Alaska sailings are extremely popular, however the expertise you’ve on this itinerary can fluctuate broadly. This presents our prime 10 suggestions & tips for having the most effective crusing, with port tour suggestions, character recommendation, and find out how to enhance the standard & consolation of your expertise. (Up to date Might 28, 2025.)
We first shared a few of these Alaska DCL suggestions & tips following our first cruise, and have determined to develop upon the following tips for a few causes. First, as a result of Disney Cruise Line can have a second ship crusing to Alaska for the Summer season 2026 season, because the Disney Magic joins the Disney Surprise. The latter has provided Alaskan itineraries since 2011, the one ship within the DCL fleet to set sail to the Final Frontier. With the introduction of a second ship to Alaska, Disney Cruise Line will return with double the sailings sure for the picturesque glacial panorama of North America.
Starting in Might 2026, each the Disney Magic and the Disney Surprise will embark on seven-night voyages to Alaska from Vancouver, Canada. Itineraries will fluctuate and embody ports of name similar to Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, all well-known for his or her prehistoric glaciers, wealthy histories and eclectic procuring. On most sailings, cruisers may even uncover the incomparable pure great thing about Alaska once they go to Dawes Glacier, an impressive tidewater glacier that towers over 600-feet tall. Itineraries on the Disney Magic will function a cease at Icy Strait Level, identified for its distinctive wildlife.
Due to this, we’re anticipating extra reader curiosity in Alaska itineraries amongst Disney Cruise Line planners. Truthfully, although, the principle motivation is that we’re beginning to plan a return cruise to Alaska and, in so doing, I spotted I’d by no means revisited the subject after this and 7 Errors We Made on Our DCL Alaska Cruise. That was particularly widespread (you all appear to like after we screw up!), and prompted a variety of questions.
I had deliberate on answering these questions in future posts and a complete journey report…that by no means ended up occurring. Life acquired in the best way, I assume. Nevertheless, I do pretty complete journaling whereas touring and take copious photographs, permitting me to revisit the topic just a few years after the very fact and nonetheless share our experiences and proposals we’d make to you. And ourselves for that matter, as quite a bit has modified now that we’re now not only a couple, and shall be taking a do-over cruise with our toddler.
With that in thoughts, right here’s Previous Disney Grownup Tom’s recommendation to Future Disney Dad Tom and all of you, too…
Do Loads of Port Adventures
For our first Alaska cruise, we did the White Go Scenic Railway at our first cease in Skagway. We had been on the fence about this tour previous to the cruise and determined to make a game-day resolution based mostly upon the climate. It was attractive after we arrived in Skagway, so we opted to purchase tickets.
You should purchase these instantly from the White Go & Yukon Route ticket agent on the prepare, which is possibly 100 yards from the place the ship docks. We extremely suggest the White Go Scenic Railway Port Journey–it was nicely well worth the cash and probably the most memorable experiences of our Alaska cruise.
Had we not finished the White Go Scenic Railway, our plan was to hike Higher Dewey Lake Path for the view alongside the path to Satan’s Punch Bowl. That may’ve taken many of the day, and we didn’t have the time after we had been finished with the prepare, so as a substitute we did the simple 3-mile loop hike on Decrease Dewey Lake Path adopted by extra in-town actions.
If our price range had been limitless, I’d’ve added the Canine Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing to our itinerary, which may very well be finished in the identical day because the White Go & Yukon Route with loads of time to spare. I’d do that in Skagway over the Mendenhall Glacier Canine Sledding as a result of I discovered there to be extra to do in Juneau than Skagway, and likewise no scarcity of attention-grabbing methods to expertise Mendenhall Glacier.
Talking of which, in Juneau we did the Mendenhall Lake Kayak Journey. This was unbelievable and well-worth the cash, nevertheless it’s inconceivable for me to say it was higher than different Mendenhall Glacier experiences. My suggestion for Juneau is to do a Port Journey that options Mendenhall Glacier indirectly; no matter method that may be, you’re seemingly sure for an incredible expertise.
In Juneau, we additionally hiked Mount Roberts Path up, and took the Tramway down (a savvy possibility for frugal vacationers because the tram is “free” that method). Of the three ports, Juneau was our favourite. There have been one other half-dozen issues on my checklist that I want we had time to do there.
Our last port was Ketchikan, which is the rainiest metropolis in America, receiving over 150″ of annual rainfall (in comparison with Seattle’s ~38″), together with a file quantity final June, July, and August. Suffice to say, it poured all the day we had been in Ketchikan, which is to be anticipated.
Not letting this spoil the expertise, we did a rainforest hike via the fittingly named Rainbird Path. This was harder than anticipated attributable to a number of impromptu waterfalls and washed out sections of path. On the plus aspect, we solely noticed 2 different folks throughout all the hike. (Funnily sufficient, that is one in all my strongest and finest recollections of the cruise just a few years later.)
We additionally bought a combo ticket for the Tongass Historic Museum and Totem Heritage Middle, each of which had been wonderful and extremely beneficial. In our preferrred Ketchikan itinerary, an tour involving a floatplane and the Tongass Nationwide Forest would’ve been enjoyable. And maybe an all-you-can-eat crab feast.
Splurge on a Verandah
We was adamantly anti-verandah, viewing them as an pointless expense for us since we spend a lot time exterior the room. When it got here to Alaska, many readers and mates who had taken the cruise provided pushback on this angle, with many extremely beneficial a verandah. We didn’t have a verandah on our Norwegian Fjords cruise and felt like we didn’t miss something, so I ignored this recommendation.
This was a mistake. With 2 days at sea plus 1 day going via an iceberg-filled fjord, we’d’ve gotten loads of use out of the verandah. Even on port days, it will’ve been nice for whale watching. As an alternative, we ended up spending a variety of time up on the out of doors public decks. A lot of that point it was windy, raining, or chilly, and I’d’ve relatively been again within the room sitting down with a cup of espresso. We stayed exterior even in nasty climate as a result of we felt a way of obligation to be exterior of the room since we spent a lot cash on the cruise.
Thoughts you, we took this Alaska cruise after we had been childless Disney Adults and nonetheless regretted not splurging on a verandah. Now that we’re Disney Dad and mom, I can not fathom not getting a verandah. We spend rather more time within the room now, as every thing takes longer. There is no such thing as a racing as much as the out of doors decks at a second’s discover. We’ve solely finished two cruises with our daughter, on the Disney Want and Disney Treasure, each with verandahs. I can not think about going again at this level. Undoubtedly not for an Alaska cruise, and doubtless in no way.
Discover Past the Port Areas
It’s not unusual for there to be touristy procuring districts proper round cruise ports regardless of the place you go. I don’t know why I anticipated Alaska to be any completely different, however I used to be nonetheless shocked to see Diamonds Worldwide, my arch nemesis (probably not), with massive storefronts within the Final Frontier. (I’m so grateful Sarah has little interest in diamonds.)
The difficulty with these ports, notably Skagway, is that a lot of the native economic system is based upon tourism. Once more, that is par for the course with cruising, however when you’re visiting Alaska for its undeveloped surroundings, it’s nonetheless mildly shocking. With that mentioned, when you enterprise past the port space, you’ll be rewarded.
Except for a fast cease in a retailer for surprisingly low-cost souvenirs, we largely ignored the procuring areas at every port. There have been worthwhile museums and different methods to get a way for genuine tradition of Alaska, however this wasn’t as simple because it was in Norway.
Costume in Layers
Ketchikan is the rainiest metropolis in America. Climate within the different ports can likewise be dodgy, with heavy rain and sunshine within the span of an hour. Certainly one of our days at sea actually underscored this, as we went from t-shirts to insulated layers and GORE-TEX inside 20 minutes.
You’ll completely need to gown in athletic and out of doors apparel and pack in layers. Ideally, pack a water-resistant & windproof outer layer, an insulating layer, and a moisture-wicking base layer. We’d suggest packing a number of moisture-wicking shirts, in addition to additional socks and waterproof mountain climbing boots–even when you don’t plan on mountain climbing.
We each use GORE-TEX jackets for our outer layer, and people stored us completely dry and heat. GORE-TEX is pricey and may be overkill when you dwell someplace dry and heat, nevertheless it’s an excellent funding when you’re uncovered to rain or snow often. We noticed lots of people carrying Disney Parks ponchos at port, which needed to have been suboptimal. If GORE-TEX is out of the query, take into account that dorky Frogg Toggs Rain Swimsuit I like to recommend on our Disney Packing Listing Suggestions put up. It’s not as dry of an answer, nevertheless it’s low-cost and much superior to ponchos.
I’d additionally suggest softshell mountain climbing pants which are waterproof or quick-drying. These ought to have spandex in them; not like the remainder of my wardrobe, that’s truly not trigger for concern right here. Even when you don’t plan on mountain climbing, softshell pants are a greater possibility for the ports than denims since you’ll find yourself moist all day when you simply put on denims. Good pairs of those aren’t low-cost, however REI shops ought to have some which are below $100. I’m an enormous fan of Mammut, however any 4-way stretch possibility ought to suffice. If it makes the price extra palatable, these are probably the most comfy pants I personal, and I often put on them round the home on lazy Sundays.
Deliver Binoculars
Persevering with the “pack appropriately” style of suggestions, we’d extremely suggest packing binoculars. There’s quite a bit to see each within the ports and whereas crusing via Alaska, and far of it’s fairly distant.
For the photographers on the market, I’d additionally suggest packing or renting a wildlife lens. I’ve gone mountain climbing within the mountains of California, Montana, and Canada in wildlife-dense areas and have by no means felt the necessity for an excellent telephoto lens (we’re speaking 300-600mm) like I did in Alaska (Glacier Nationwide Park was shut).
What I didn’t count on was so many seals on icebergs and bald eagles. Severely, it’s like bald eagles are the pigeons of Alaska. They had been all over the place. On the best way to at least one Port Journey, we noticed two fields with–actually–a whole lot of bald eagles simply chilling on the bottom. (It was a surreal sight and it nearly appeared like they had been constructing a military to stand up towards the people.)
Eat at Tracy’s King Crab Shack
Many individuals beneficial this restaurant to us, however we had been nonetheless apprehensive. It’s proper alongside the principle drag of Juneau’s downtown procuring district, and we fearful it’d be just like the Alaska model of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. or Joe’s Crab Shack.
Fortunately, we gave it an opportunity and our fears had been completely unfounded. It was the most effective crab we’ve ever had, and was a superb expertise. In hindsight, I want we’d’ve purchased the Giant Alaskan King Crab Bucket. Not as a result of we wanted that a lot meals, however as a result of I’m a complete sucker for gimmicky experiences that contain overeating.
Arrive Early or Late for Characters
From a distinctly Disney perspective, one of many coolest features of the Alaska cruise is that the characters meet in Alaska-exclusive costumes. You recognize the outfits–the long-lasting picture of Mickey and Minnie in Tracy Arm is featured closely in just about all Disney Cruise Line’s advertising supplies for Alaska itinerary.
Unquestionably, the most effective day to satisfy these characters is on the Tracy Arm fjord cruise day, once they seem for a few units on Deck 10, climate allowing. Minnie is by far the most well-liked of those characters (in all probability as a result of her outfit is finest), and the perfect strategy for her is lining up about 10-20 minutes earlier than her first set.
Data about this within the Navigator is imprecise, however character attendants will begin popping up the place characters shall be. Don’t be shy about asking them which characters will meet in every location and when. As soon as the characters truly come out, strains balloon and waits are vital.
In case you’re unable to satisfy each character on the fjord cruise day (maybe somebody has a greater technique than us, however we discovered it to be inconceivable), they’ll seem inside on subsequent nights. These are far simpler to do, however the backdrop is way duller, too.
The ten p.m. meet & greets have the shortest waits, which labored nicely for us as childless Disney Adults. Now that now we have a toddler who’s quick asleep by then, we’ll have to transform this technique for our second Alaska cruise!
Go Mountaineering
On our second Alaska cruise, there’s no method we’ll go mountain climbing as a lot as we did on the primary. We overdid it then, and that was with out a toddler. Our daughter makes that a lot mountain climbing an absolute non-starter.
With that mentioned, we are going to go on some hikes and extremely suggest doing the identical. We had a blast on every of the hikes and so they had been distinctive, even when so many was bodily exhausting. Maybe my In-N-Out Weight-reduction plan, patent pending, shouldn’t be as wholesome as everybody assumes?
Whereas 4 hikes may be too many, we’d extremely suggest at the least a pair. For the shorter, much less strenuous ones, you don’t even need to plan prematurely (other than apparel, however we’d suggest dressing for a hike regardless of your plans). Every of the ports has Customer Facilities the place you will get suggestions for hikes below 2 miles, and free maps. These hikes are a good way to see Alaska’s lovely and surprisingly numerous pure surroundings.
All Alaska Crusing Dates Have Professionals & Cons
I spent hours researching the most effective time to go with a purpose to decide whether or not we should always go early, late, or throughout peak season. From costs to climate to wildlife to mosquito season, there are compelling causes to go or keep away from each single month of Alaska cruise season.
Whereas we clearly solely did this cruise throughout one explicit week of the yr, I’m at peace with my perception that there’s no excellent time to go, and upsides and disadvantages to all choices. The massive upside for us was worth and crowds, and our ship was undoubtedly not crammed to capability. (Though this had its personal draw back: there was an incredible last-minute deal on our crusing, that means we overpaid…which pains me.)
In any case, do the analysis about what every month presents/lacks, decide your individual priorities, and guide accordingly. As we’ve already demonstrated, it’s simple to Monday-Morning QB your choices, however compromise is one facet of cruising!
Use a Journey Agent with Alaska Expertise
I’m a agency believer within the worth of specialised information and experience. I additionally love studying, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with placing within the work, doing the analysis, and turning into an professional.
Generally, these two notions are in battle, and our first Alaska cruise was one in all them. With additional distance and the advantage of hindsight, I notice that I used to be in over my head when planning for Alaska. That I didn’t know what I didn’t know. If I’m being trustworthy, I used to be overly assured in my planning talents and what would switch from our experiences in Norway. I had a false sense of safety based mostly on the benefit of planning different DCL sailings, regardless of the stakes being greater for us and Port Journey bookings mattering extra (and seemingly being extra aggressive).
If we had our first Alaska cruise to do over once more, we’d use an skilled journey agent. Not only one that has booked X variety of cruises, however one who has in depth Alaska expertise, reserving for purchasers and ideally have taken a cruise or two to Alaska themselves. We’d ask for suggestions, which Port Adventures reviewed positively amongst their purchasers, and many others. We’re often good about recommending an Licensed Disney Trip Planner to Walt Disney World first-timers to “do the give you the results you want” to save lots of time and stress. We must always’ve adopted our personal recommendation for our first Alaska DCL crusing, and would now suggest you study from our mistake!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the following tips? In case you’ve cruised to or visited Alaska, what suggestions would you add? Ideas on any of those–or different–Port Adventures? Agree or disagree with our recommendation for setting sail to Alaska aboard Disney Cruise Line? Any questions for these taking or contemplating an Alaska cruise? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
