Disney Alaskan Cruise: 5 Night Itinerary with Stops at Sawyer Glaciers and Ketchikan, AK
We just got back from The Last Frontier, where we experienced the breathtaking beauty of the Tracy Arm and Sawyer South glaciers, as well as the charming town of Ketchikan all while sailing on the Disney Wonder cruise ship. Get ready to embark on our journey filled with magical moments and awe-inspiring sights!
Day 1: Departure from Vancouver, BC
The adventure began as we boarded the Disney Wonder in Vancouver, British Columbia. The night before, we stayed right at Canada Place in the Pan Pacific hotel. They have a cruise package that you can purchase where they take your bags directly from your room and bring them to the terminal- it was very handy!
We settled and unpacked into our stateroom and explored the ship’s many amenities, including pools, restaurants, and entertainment options. As the ship set sail, we took in the stunning views of the Vancouver skyline and got ready for the adventure ahead.
Well before embarkation day, online check-in takes place (30 days prior to be exact). This consists of uploading each person in your stateroom’s passport information. At that point you can choose a port arrival time – the sooner you get on the ship, the sooner you get to eat all the food, swim, and play to your hearts delight! We were very excited to get a 10:45am PAT, which put us on the boat before noon! First thing we did was grab some lunch at Tiana’s (Triton’s was closed due to a private event- I believe that’s the concierge lunch?) We wanted a nice sit down experience so we could plan out some activities since we got access to the daily activities on the Navigator app once onboard.
We checked out the kids club after eating. Then, our rooms were ready so we got to ditch our carry ons at that point! Ice cream and naps followed shortly after. Our bags were delivered later in the afternoon so we were able to really settle in and unpack at that point.
Day 2: At Sea
For our first day on the ship, we had ALL the princess things planned. The Royal Gathering (princess meet and greet), Bippiddy Boppiddy Boutique princess makeovers, and The Royal Court Royal Gathering Tea Party. The Royal Court Royal Gathering was exceptional and a top activity of the cruise for us- even Chase loved being there! The tea party hosts, Lady Chamomile and Chef Brulee, were such amazing actors and there’s also a chance to get to chat with the princesses.
It was a very Triton heavy day for us- breakfast for sit down was available in Triton’s which is where we chose to go, then the tea party and our dinner was in Triton’s!
Day 3: Tracy Arm and Sawyer South Glaciers
We were just in awe as the Disney Wonder navigated through the narrow fjords of Tracy Arm. We marveled at the towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and pristine wilderness surrounding us. We tried to keep our cameras ready as we approached the Sawyer South glaciers, where we witnessed chunks of ice calving into the water with a thunderous roar. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left us in awe of nature’s grandeur!
To start the day, we watched hundreds (not even exaggerating!) of whales on each side of the ship. Then, we saw Minnie Mouse in her special Alaska outfit on the deck- the girls were very excited to get a picture with her. Chase got in line one hour (yes, seriously!) before her show time and so we were first in line for that. On Glacier Day, there are special “Alaska” to-go tumblers for sale with coffee or hot chocolate (and some adult beverage add-ins!). This is the only time you can snag those cups, so Chase and I both made sure to get ours then.
Our main excursion of the cruise was signing up for the Glacier Explorer Excursion tour. We were on the first tour boat which left the Wonder around 12:30pm and off we went towards the glacier. We saw seals, eagles, and beautiful scenery. By the end of our excursion, the Wonder had made it all the way up to the glacier. Honestly, we got just as good of views on the excursion as we did later that afternoon on our verandah. I do believe this had to do with the timing of our sailing (August), since the captain could navigate through the waters quite easily (icebergs and seal birthings make it hard to navigate at other times).
Day 4: Ketchikan, Alaska
On Day 4, the Disney Wonder docked in Ketchikan, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” and the “Gateway to the Inside Passage.” We spent most of our time strolling along Creek Street, a historic boardwalk lined with colorful buildings, shops, and galleries. Some of my favorite shops were Niblick’s General Store, The Captain’s Lady Boutique, and Old Ache’s. I was really surprised to see such reasonably priced items in Tongass Trading- shirts and sweatshirts in the $20-$40 range which seemed low for such a tourist heavy spot. We did not sign up for any excursions because we wanted to slowly explore the town and do some souvenir shopping.
Day 5: At Sea
As our cruise neared its end, we took advantage of the last day at sea to enjoy all the activities and amenities on board. We explored around the boat (and found a rubber ducky – it’s a thing on Disney cruises!), met Spider Man, and the girls swam and rode the Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide over and over again. Chase and I even got a little date night in listening to the piano player in The Cadillac Lounge after dinner since the girls wanted to go play in the Kids Club!
Day 6: Return to Vancouver, BC
Sadly, it was time to bid farewell to the Disney Wonder and disembark in Vancouver. As we left the ship, we carried with us memories of stunning glaciers, charming towns, and the magic of Disney. The girls were shedding tears of sadness (literally), because they wanted to stay on the cruise forever (their exact words).
A Disney cruise to Alaska was a truly unique experience that combined the enchantment of Disney with the natural wonders of the Last Frontier. From the awe-inspiring Tracy Arm and Sawyer South glaciers to the quaint town of Ketchikan, our 5-day itinerary offed a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and Disney magic. See ya real soon, Mickey!
