Where Does The Disney Wonder Depart From
In 2023, the Disney Wonder is making roundtrip Alaska sailings from Vancouver , Canada.
The airport is about a thirty minute drive to the cruise terminal however, we recommend flying in at least one day early and staying in Downtown Vancouver. Many hotels are within walking distance of the terminal!
Spend the day before your cruise at the Vancouver Aquarium, Museum of Anthropology, roaming through the Granville Island Public Market, or hiking in the Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
Upon returning in Vancouver, Disney Cruise Line recommends that guests book a return flight home from the airport no earlier than 12:00pm, allowing for time to debark, go through customs, travel to the airport, check luggage, and go through airport security.
Scenic Cruise Destinations In Alaska
Glaciers are a must-see in Alaska, and every cruise itinerary features at least one day of scenic cruising. Glacier Bay National Park is the top pick for glacier-viewing because of its multiple glaciers and generally passable channel. However, so many cruise lines wish to visit that the national park issues a limited-number of day-use spots each year.
Other scenic cruising sites along the Inside Passage include Tracy Arm with its Sawyer Glacier andEndicott Arm with Dawes Glacier. One-way Alaska cruises that travel to/from Seward and Whittier may also visit the spectacular Hubbard Glacier.
Typically, the big ships will open up all the outer decks for passengers to crowd the railings to watch the glaciers calve and scan the area for wildlife. If you want to get out on a kayak or small boat to get closer to the glacier or the marine life, youll need to book an expedition cruise.
Compare the options in our guide to scenic cruising in Alaska.
The Disney Wonder Is Small
At just under 1,000 feet long, the Disney Wonder is one of Disneys smaller ships, and one of the smaller ships from the big-name cruise lines. This means it can travel to places the bigger ships cant like the beautiful Endicott Arm. Believe us when we say, Wow. The ships small size means it holds fewer people, about 1,300 guests less than on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, so there will be fewer people to contend with, meaning shorter lines to see characters, fewer people to wrestle seats for the evening shows, fewer people on the viewing decks, fewer people in the pool and on the water slideyou get the picture.
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Most Family Friendly: Disney Cruise Lines
Disney is often associated with amusement parks. Yet, Disney Cruise Line is renowned for entertaining cruises that offer fun for the entire family. Since launching in 1998, this cruise line has changed the way families do cruises.
Each cruise in its fleet delivers an ultimate family experience. Cruise ships set sail from Vancouver and involve a 5-9 night stay on board.
Disney Cruise Lines packs outdoor adventure with picturesque scenery to provide an enchanting experience. This cruise line caters more towards the diversity of family over most others.
Guests can choose between rough and rugged outdoor adventures like zip lining, adventure kart expeditions, rappelling adventures, Hummer excursions, or ATV expeditions.
There are various food excursions as well, ranging from fishing/wilderness dining, salmon bakes, and other fun activities. There are several science adventures, steam train adventures, horseback adventures and more. Their excursions encompass more family-friendly aspects than most others and offer a better diversity in activities.
Also, even while on board the entire atmosphere is completely kid-friendly.
Book A Longer Luxury Cruise That Travels To Alaska
Another option is to book a long cruise that crosses the Pacific beginning or ending in Vancouver and ending or beginning in Hong Kong, Singapore or other Asian ports. These itineraries offer the best of Alaska cruising combined with off-the-beaten-path ports like Dutch Harbor and beyond into Asia.
When Alan and I cruised from Vancouver to Singapore on a fall crossing aboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner, the itinerary included typical Alaskan ports combined with Kodiak Island, Sitka and Dutch Harbor. In spring 2018, we cruised on Seabourn Sojourn from Hong Kong to Alaska where we visited Kodiak Island again.
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Here Are The Best Alaskan Cruises For Families This Year
So youve decided to sail an Alaskan itinerary, but what cruise line and cruise ship would be best for your family? To help you decide, we have compiled a list of the best Alaskan cruises for families. Our focus is on the best family-friendly cruise lines that have ships that are particularly good for families sailing with kids.
We reviewed the 18 different cruise lines that offer Alaskan sailings with an array of dozens of different ships from which to choose. We have narrowed the field down to nine different ships that we think offer the best Alaskan cruises for families. This list includes megaships, large ships, luxury ships, and one recommendation from the small ship category. Read on to figure out which one will be just right for you.
Best Alaska Cruise For You
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Nearly every major cruise line offers seasonal Alaskan cruises. With departures as early as May and as late as September, theres never been more options to find an Alaskan cruise for your traveling style and budget.
Most cruise lines offer similar itineraries, like popular one-way formats with departures from either Vancouver, British Columbia or Seward, Alaska . And lots of cruise lines offer pre-cruise or post-cruise tours or trips.
Find opportunities to explore the rugged wilderness of the national parks in Canada and the U.S. Additionally, some cruise lines offer scenic train rides. Find bucket list add-on excursions like dogsledding, flightseeing and helicopter glacier tours.
The typical ports of call include cruising the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and cruising the Hubbard Glacier. Additional ports of call include Icy Strait Point and Tracy Arm Fjord or the Endicott Arm.
And for first-time cruisers, the waters of the Inside Passage are relatively calm. Of course, its always smart to pack remedies for seasickness for your cruise. And, dont forget to learn the unique cruise vocabulary youll need onboard.
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Disney Wonder: 7 Nights Alaska Cruise From Vancouver
Cruising on the Disney Cruise line takes family cruising to another level. There is so much to do for families aboard the Disney Wonder. Your kids will have so much fun at the epic Disney Cruise line kids club.
Learn how to become a Super Hero at the Marvel Super Hero Academy. Sing Frozen songs with Olaf. Meet the Disney Junior Characters. Watch award winning live productions like Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.
Big kids will love zipping down the water slides. Little kids will love splashing in the Disney-themed water playground.
The Disney Wonder itinerary with sailings to Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan will give your family a good introduction to the most popular sights in Alaska. You cant go wrong cruising to Alaska on Disney Wonder, its the ultimate family friendly cruise experience.
How To Pick The Best Alaska Cruises
My journey to Alaska began in Vancouver British Columbia, where we boarded Holland America for a cruise through the inside passage. When choosing a cruise for your next trip, here are some things to consider. What is the budget? Where do you want to go? What kind of experience would be best? Do you have any favorite destinations? Or ports of call that should be included in your itinerary? And excursions on land, in addition to tours onboard, do they look interesting? Make sure theyre offered by the cruise line .
Alaskan sailing trips can vary greatly depending upon which route or region you choose. For example, a luxury yacht might give passengers access to more intimate views but wont often allow them onto land. . In contrast, smaller vessels may provide an even closer view of glaciers than their bigger counterparts but may have fewer onboard amenities like hot tubs.
Many cruise lines offer a wide range of itineraries in Alaska, so its important to do your homework before making any decisions. The most popular routes are from Vancouver up to Skagway and then back down again , with occasional sailings around the state. Though shorter versions are available, but these typically last seven nights.
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Authentic Alaska With Kids
TheGlacier Bay and Island Adventure Cruiseoffers an authentic Alaska experience through the lens of local Alaskans. The8-day itinerary sailing aboard the40-guestAlaskan Dreammoves at a slower pace with more time to explore the nature and culture of Alaska. Highlights include visits to Sitka, Petersburg, Juneau and Kake with a special focus on Alaskan culture and Native American history.
We recommend this cruise for all ages, but it is perhaps the best Alaska cruise for families with younger school-age children. Due to their interest in a mix of wilderness, Native culture, port visits and soft adventure activities, they will be able to interact with locals and be active. Children ages 15 and under receive 15% off the double occupancy rate.
Best Educational Experience: Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions partnered with National Geographic to provide an excursion of a lifetime. 2009-2012 Travel + Leisure award winner for Small Ship Cruise Line, they are known for nature-focused Alaskan cruises and culture. But cruising Alaska isnt just educational on this cruise line its also memorable.
Families can explore Alaska together and create memories to last a lifetime. Whether you are encountering incredible wildlife, going hiking, kayaking, or any other experience, there is something everyone will enjoy.
However, this isnt just a regular trip to Alaska. Lindblad Expeditions provides unique excursions for children as well, enhancing their overall knowledge, appreciation, social savvy, and skills. On this cruise, it isnt just the individual experiencing Alaska it incorporates the entire family sharing a bonding experience that will be remembered forever.
Expeditions involve watching polar bears come so close you can almost touch them, using tandem kayaks, experiencing hands-on science, nature lessons provided by naturalists, and more. Guests can explore wildlife above and under the sea. They can be immersed in heritage and culture along with various types of folklore.
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Best Alaska Cruise For Kids
If youre cruising with small children, you cant beat the experience on the Disney Wonder. While Disneyland is known as the happiest place on earth, maybe their ships are the happiest place on the water?
When cruising from the Vancouver cruise port, your 7-day family cruise sails the inside passage, which minimizes the risk of rough seas. Also, your cruise includes visits from the Disney characters themselves.
If your children love Disney and want to meet their favorite characters, the wait is much shorter than at the theme park itself. Plus, youll get to see them in their Alaskan outfits.
Disney Cruise Lines kids club, Oceaneer Club, is fantastic and provides babysitting when needed.
From dining to theater shows, the theme is Disney-based and fun for adults and kids. The Wonder features adult-only areas if you want time without the little ones.
The Ovation of the Seas, Norwegian Bliss, and Encore are recommended if your kids arent into Disney.
Alaska Cruise Itineraries From Seattle
Seattle
Alaska cruises departing from Seattle typically last seven nights and feature stops in five ports of call: Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria, and Seattle.
These itineraries also include a cruising day through Alaskas Endicott Arm Fjord, a 30-mile-long stretch full of natural beauty, that ends at the gorgeous Dawes Glacier. Step out into your veranda or head up to one of the ships outdoor decks and be soothed by the granite Alaskan mountains, cascading waterfalls, drifting icebergs, and spectacular glaciers.
During a round-trip Alaska cruise from Seattle, youll also sail through the Inside Passage, a maze of fjords and bays home to a number of animals including bald eagles, sea lions, and whales.
Visiting Alaska is on many peoples bucket lists. This remote US state captures the imagination of people young and old. With majestic mountains and glaciers, dense arctic forests, and barren tundra, Alaska is a nature lovers paradise. With so much wilderness, Alaska is also a great place for amazing excursions, up-close encounters with wildlife ranging from bears and moose to whales and seals.
However, when choosing a ship to go to Alaska you need to find the best for your party, whether its family, friends or just a couples trip. Thus, we break down the best Alaska Cruise based on your party.
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How Much Do Port Adventures Cost
Disney Cruise Line only offers two port adventures in Alaska that are under $50 per person: the Goldbelt Tram in Juneau and tickets to The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan.
Tours in Alaska are usually more expensive than those in the Caribbean due to their strenuous activity levels and/or duration, so it’s important to set aside a generous budget in order to check off everything that you want to do.
Here are some port adventure prices as of January 2023 :
- Glacier Discovery by Helicopter in Skagway, Alaska . The duration of this tour is 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Whale Watching, Salmon Bake, and Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska . The duration of this tour is 5.5 to 6 hours.
- White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway, Alaska . The duration of this tour is 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
- Rainforest Sanctuary and Totem Park in Ketchikan, Alaska . The duration of this tour is 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Sitka Culture, National Park, and Raptor Center in Sitka, Alaska . The duration of this tour is 3.5 to 4 hours.
Best Alaska Cruise Itinerary To See Wildlife
One of the biggest draws of taking a cruise to Alaska is the opportunity to spot abundant wildlife in their natural habitat.
Brown bears in Alaska
An Alaska cruise route that stops in Icy Strait Point is sure to appeal to animal lovers. There, you can trek along the famous Trail of the Bears in Spasski River Valley, where youll find brown bears, black-tailed deer, and regal bald eagles.
Victoria in British Columbia is considered one of the best places to spot whales in the wild. Climb aboard an eco-friendly zodiac boat and search for migrating orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and marine birds.
Ketchikan, Alaska
In Sitka, double up and take a guided boat tour through the Sitka Sound, where youll see a number of marine wildlife including porpoises and harbor seals, and later visit the Alaska Raptor Center, a facility where injured eagles and other birds of prey are rehabilitated and then released back into the wild.
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Royal Caribbean Quantum Of The Seas And Ovation Of The Seas: 7 Nights Alaska Cruise From Seattle
You cant go wrong cruising with Royal Caribbean on your next Alaska family vacation. There are two Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas. They will depart from Seattle and head north to Alaska with inside passage itineraries.
Quantum of the Seas was built in 2014 and Ovation of the Seas was built in 2016.
Both Royal Caribbean ships are jammed packed with family-friendly activities. Go skydiving at iFly. Grab a board and surf at FlowRider® Surf Simulator.
Order a Shirley temple from the robot bartender at Bionic Bar®. Go on the North Star for breathtaking 360 views of the glaciers! Go rock climbing on the ship. Play at the massive SportsPlex.
Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas stops at the most popular Alaska cruise ports- Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and Skagway. Your entire family will have blast sailing to Alaska on Royal Caribbean!
Best For Cruisers On A Budget: Norwegian Cruise Line
If you are looking to sail to Alaska on a budget, we recommend Norwegian Cruise Line for a few different reasons.
First, Norwegians Free at Sea Program means that youll automatically get more included than you would with just the base fare, if you opt to pay for the gratuities. This means enjoying an unlimited open bar, speciality dining, and Wi-Fi while onboard!
The biggest perk, however, is the shore excursion credit. While you can have a great day in port wandering through town, youll want to take advantage of excursions in order to get the most out of your time in Alaska. These excursions are often expensive, so having a credit of $50 per excursion, per stateroom will help to reduce the overall cost.
Second, they have sailings that depart from major cities, such as Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, Canada. Sailing from a larger city usually means that transportation costs will be significantly less.
For the 2023 season, a 7-day cruise on the Norwegian Spirit from Vancouver, Canada is as low as $756.82/per person, including all taxes, port fees, and gratuities! While this price does not include speciality dining or an unlimited open bar, it does include Wi-Fi and the shore excursion credits.
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Niagara Speedway Niagara Falls
Clifton Hill, the famous Street of Fun, boasts an elevated four-acre facility that combines the thrills of go-kart racing and roller coaster riding. On hot days, one of the best summer attractions in Ontario is the Game Zone, featuring new and classic carnival games, the Niagara SkyWheel, the Great Canadian Midway and the wax museums.