Although I typically like to splurge on a room with a veranda on cruises, I was especially glad I did so on this trip. There wasn’t any shortage of activities on board, but our favorite thing to do was grab our binoculars and sit out on our balcony.
We were able to see whales and porpoises swimming alongside the ship, as well as eagles flying above us and nestled in the trees alongside the shore — all from the comfort of our room.
We didn’t end up booking any formal whale watching excursions, but we felt like we had seen so much wildlife on the cruise itself that we didn’t regret passing on it.
Normally, I don’t love doing excursions on cruises. I’d rather do my own research and explore ports at my own speed. However, I think Alaska is the exception to this rule.
Because of how difficult some of the terrain is to access, it’s really vital to research and splurge on shore excursions in order to make the most of your trip.
During our sailing, we booked a bus ride to the Mendenhall Glacier, rode the White Pass Railroad in Skagway, and had an all-you-can-eat crab dinner at the George Inlet Lodge in Ketchikan.
Our cruise offered a unique option on the day that we sailed to the Stikine Icecap: the chance to board a smaller boat to take you even closer to the glacier.
The excursion was pricey at about $300 per person, and I was unsure if it would be worth it. But given I wasn’t sure when — or if — we’d ever be back in Alaska, I decided to risk it. I’m so glad I did because it ended up being the highlight of our trip.
Our explorer boat got closer to the glacier than the ship, and we also got to cruise around the fjord for about three hours, giving us great views of misty waterfalls, eagles, and mountains.
It feels like almost everyone you talk to on a cruise has one non-negotiable shore excursion. For me, it was riding the White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway.
The railroad was built during the Klondike Gold Rush over the course of two years and has been in operation since 1900.
It’s a steep climb through the mountains, and the roughly three-hour ride offered amazing views from inside the train car, as well as the open-air viewing platforms between cars.
I’m glad I packed for the worst-case-scenario weather, as the week we spent sailing the coast, we had rain nearly every day. Things like waterproof outerwear, thermal layers, wool socks, and gloves were essential for staying warm.
We did have some really rough water, as it was late in the season, and some guests — and even staff — had a hard time acclimating to it. But overall, we still had an incredible time.
There are some things I think Disney Cruise Line excels at, like great food, amazing hospitality, and small touches that make a trip feel really special.
Although every sailing I’ve had with Disney has been excellent, this one truly stood out for all of the extra touches. For example, there was always complimentary hot cocoa waiting for us upon returning from the port, or on deck during the glacier viewing. There were even stacks of fleece blankets in case we got too cold.
Plus, for one day of the sailing, the Disney characters wear exclusive costumes only seen on board Alaska voyages.
Although I’ve been on over a dozen cruises, I know I’ll never forget my journey to Alaska.
It was so special to be able to hike next to a glacier, dig into a pile of king crab legs, and ride through mountain passages on a train. Plus, when we got back on the ship, we got to experience all the storytelling and special touches that Disney is known for.
Overall, I really loved this itinerary and wouldn’t hesitate to save up for another sailing in the future.
I Took a Cruise to Alaska: Worth It, Best Parts From Frequent Cruiser
