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Disney Alaska Cruise 2020 and 2021 – Tips For The Perfect Vacation

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Disney Alaska Cruise

Are you thinking about sailing on a Disney Alaska Cruise for 2020 or 2021? The Disney Wonder will once again be sailing on some amazing Disney Alaskan Cruise dates for 2020 and 2021.

An Alaskan Cruise is on many people’s Bucket List and we think there is no better way to sail than on the Disney Wonder.

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In this article we will discuss the Disney Cruise sailings to Alaska which are available for 2020. The 2021 Alaskan Disney Cruises have not yet been released for sale. We will update you as soon as they are!

We will also talk about why we think that the Disney Wonder is the best choice for an Alaskan cruise.

Updated January 2020.

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Disney Alaska Cruise Cost 2020

The Disney Alaska Cruise 2020 and 2021 sailings are among the most popular of all the Disney cruise itineraries. The earlier that you book, the better price that you usually get.

The Disney Alaska cruise dates for 2020 were released in February 2019, so reserve your stateroom as soon as you think that you will want to sail to Alaska!

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The best prices on Disney cruises are usually as early as you can book when the new dates are released.

There are some last-minute bargains, but these are rare. This is true particularly with the highly sought after Disney Alaskan Cruises.

Join my Disney Cruise Group for Tips and Free Giveaways!

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For the Disney Alaska Cruise 2020 and 2021 (when released) the late availability staterooms are more likely to be available for the start or the end of the season.

May and September and the least popular months for an Alaskan cruise. This means the prices can be lower.

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We looked at the prices for various Alaskan cruises with Disney for 2020. Remember these prices are correct as at 6 January 2020 which is the date we last searched.

A May 18 2020 sailing for 7 nights starts at $3,832 for an Inside Stateroom, $4,770 for an Outside and $6,450 for a Verandah. Concierge for that sailing starts at $17,426.

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A June 22 2019 sailing for 7 nights starts at $4,850 for an Inside Stateroom, $6,040 for an Outside and $9,260 for a Verandah. Concierge for that sailing starts at $15,070.

An August 17 2020 sailing for 7 nights starts at $4,924 for an Inside Stateroom, $6,240 for an Outside and $9,320 for a Verandah. Concierge for that sailing starts is not available as it is fully booked right now.

All prices shown are for 2 adults and are subject to availability. The lowest price in each class of stateroom is shown.

These prices are around 15 to 20% higher than when the itineraries were released.

If you want up to date prices you should contact a trusted Disney Travel Agent.

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Disney Wonder 7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver 2020

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Sailings on May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13,  July 27, August 3, August 10, August 17, August 23, August 30 and September 2, 2019

Day 1 Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada
Day 2 At Sea
Day 3 Dawes Glacier, Alaska
Day 4 Skagway, Alaska
Day 5 Juneau, Alaska
Day 6 Ketchikan, Alaska
Day 7 At Sea
Day 8 Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada

Disney Wonder 7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver 2020 Alternate Itinerary

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This has an alternate itinerary as it sails to Icy Strait Point, instead of having a port stop in Skagway. It sails on July 20 and September 7, 2020.

Day 1 Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada
Day 2 At Sea
Day 3 Dawes Glacier, Alaska
Day 4 Icy Strait Point , Alaska
Day 5 Juneau, Alaska
Day 6 Ketchikan, Alaska
Day 7 At Sea
Day 8 Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada

Disney Alaska Cruise 2020 Which Date Is Best?

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The best prices are for May and September 2020. It may be that early or late in the season the weather isn’t as good, however, you really never can tell with an Alaskan cruise. We have sailed in September and had excellent weather.

The Disney Cruise Alaska is only sailing 7 nifht itineraries. This is a change from previous years, when they have sailed some 5, 9 and even 12 night itineraries.

There are 2 Disney Cruise Alaska sailings which include Icy Strait Point instead of Skagway. These sail on  July 20 and September 7, 2020.

I would be tempted to sail on September 7 with this slightly different itinerary. I do like Skagway very much, but the chance to see both Icy Strait Point and Dawes Glacier is very tempting.

Why Sail To Alaska on the Disney Wonder?

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The Disney Wonder offers things which others simply don’t. Let’s look at the things which set Disney cruise lines apart:

The Disney Wonder is Stunning

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The Disney Wonder is one of the original Disney Cruise “Classic” Ships. We love all the Disney ships but if we had to pick a favorite, it would be the Wonder.

The design of the Disney Wonder is simply beautiful, with so much attention to detail.

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We recommend that you take the Art of the Ship Tour which is usually offered a couple of times a week. This will give you an insight into all the smaller details which you may not notice.

The Disney Wonder and Magic are the smaller ships in the Disney fleet. They are 964 feet long and can take a maximum of 2,713 passengers, with a crew of 950.

For cruise ships these days this qualifies as one of the smaller ships! It has the advantage that it doesn’t feel huge and it is easy to navigate around. You won’t get lost, but there is still plenty to see and explore.

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The Disney Wonder was improved even more with the dry dock in 2019. Tiana’s Place is the newest rotational dining restaurant and it is a lot of fun.

Disney Wonder Cruise Staterooms

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We have sailed on many different cruise lines and we think that Disney cruises has the best staterooms overall.

Not only are Disney Cruise Staterooms around 25% larger than most other comparable cruise line staterooms, they are beautifully appointed. The Disney theme is subtle, but the quality of the furnishings and amenities is very high.

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The room layouts are sensibly thought out and include the famous split bathroom in most staterooms. The split bathroom means that there is one room with a toilet and sink and another with a shower and another sink. This makes sharing one bathroom with the family a whole lot easier.

Disney Cruise lines is also one of the very few cruise lines which offers staterooms which will accommodate 5 guests. This means that larger families do not have to be split into two staterooms. A Disney Alaska Cruise is a great cruise for families.

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Should you have a balcony stateroom on a Disney cruise? If you can afford it then we definitely recommend that you do.

The balcony staterooms are always more highly priced than the lower categories of inside and outside. This is particularly true on an Alaskan cruise.

The picture above is of a white wall verandah stateroom on the Disney Wonder. Most of the balconies on the ship are not like this – they have a clear plexiglass wall.

The white wall verandahs are priced lower than the clear walls, so can be a nice saving for an Alaska cruise where you get a balcony, but one which isn’t quite as desirable. The reason being that you cannot see the ocean when you are sitting down.

The picture below is of the plexi glass verandah so you can see the difference.

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However, you may get a much reduced rate in an inside cabin. There are plenty of places to enjoy the scenery on the ship. Your own balcony is not essential. But it is nice!

Check out our Insider Guide to Disney Wonder Staterooms to decide which is best for you.

Disney Cruise Ship Entertainment

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This is a key element of why Disney ships are very different from any other that you will experience. Disney knows how to put on a show.

You will be amazed at their Broadway quality entertainment. There really isn’t anything to compare in the cruise industry.

The shows on the Disney Wonder include The Golden Mickeys and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular. There are lots of live entertainers every evening around the ship and they are always of the highest quality.

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There are plenty of opportunities for meeting with the Disney characters on the ship.

There are numerous character greetings every day and you will often see the characters simply walking around the ship on the way to their destinations. It is a lot of fun to see Mickey Mouse or Cinderella walking through the ship.

Disney Cruise Dining

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Disney has a unique concept which is known as rotational dining. There are three main dining rooms on the Disney Wonder. Guests will move to a different dining room each night, but their servers will come with them.

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This means that you really get to know your wait staff and they will be much better able to provide you with individualized service.

This really is part of the Disney difference. The servers are usually outstanding. They actually seem to enjoy their job and want their guests to get the most out of their dining experience.

The Disney Wonder rotational dining restaurants are amazing. Each has its own theme and ambiance.

Disney Magic Animator's Palate

Animator’s Palate is the most people’s favorite with an amazing dinner show which will make you wonder how they make all of those effects work.

Triton’s is themed around The Little Mermaid – the decor is beautiful.

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The newly enhanced Disney Wonder has Tiana’s Place which is themed around the movie Princess and the Frog. Tiana’s Place features live music and lots of fabulous food.

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In addition to the main dining rooms there is an adults only restaurant Palo. For a very reasonable extra charge you can enjoy brunch or dinner at this excellent restaurant.

We particularly enjoy brunch on the Disney Alaskan cruises in Palo as you can watch the scenery if you get a window table.

To learn more about the restaurants and the food we have this Guide to Disney Cruise Food.

Disney Alaska Cruise Activities

Cold Air, Warm Mouse

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You could be busy from morning until night if you really wanted to be. Or your can simply sit down, relax and watch the amazing Alaskan landscape pass by.

A Disney Alaska Cruise is a place to relax or join in. You choose.

Every day your Personal Navigator will be delivered to your stateroom. This will detail the organized activities around the ship each day.

These include art and cooking classes, wine tasting, educational talks, movies, shows, character greetings and trivia games.

Most of these activities are included in the price of your Disney cruise (wine tasting has an extra fee).

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Of course there are some great swimming pools on the Disney Wonder. You will probably not use these as often as you would on your Alaskan cruise as you would in the Caribbean, but you can always give it a try!

It is wonderful to relax in a hot tun while you watch the beautiful scenery go by.

Want an adventure? Why not try a Disney Cruise Alaska Dog Sledding Excursion?

Disney Alaska Cruise For Kids

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Disney cruise lines is just the very best for kids. There are kids clubs for all ages from 3 to 17. There is even a nursery for the little ones under 3 (for an extra charge).

Your children will probably love the kids clubs so much that they will not want to leave them.

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The new enhanced Disney Wonder has more character appearances in the kids clubs – do not be surprised to see Spider Man or some of the other Marvel characters as well as some of the more traditional Disney characters.

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Disney Alaskan Cruise For Adults

The Disney Wonder has plenty to keep the adults happy too. Disney wanted to make sure that there were plenty of kid free spaces for the grown ups to enjoy.

Adults have their very own pool deck space and spa which is only open to the over 18s. There you will find the Quiet Cove Pool which is exclusively for adults. The kid free zone also has a bar, cafe and a full service spa.

There is also an entertainment area on Deck 3 which is adults only and is known as After Hours. This has three differently themed bars: Azure, the British pub themed Crown and Fin, and the Cadillac Lounge.

Top 10 Things To Do On A Disney Cruise For Adults

What Are The Disney Alaskan Cruise Port Stops Like?

A Disney cruise has port stops in Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. It also has a day exploring Tracy Arm. Each of these experiences has something different to offer.

Disney Cruise Dawes Glacier

This isn’t a port stop. However, it is an experience sailing around the Dawes Glacier. This is an amazing experience and is often the highlight of a Disney Alaskan cruise. To be able to get up close and see the amazing scenery is an experience not to be missed.

Dawes Glacier is part of the scenic Endicott Arm fjord which is located approximately 45 miles south of Juneau, Alaska.

You get very close to the glaciers. Nothing can prepare you for that amazing sight of the spectacular glaciers.

Many people say that you must have a Verandah stateroom on an Alaska cruise. It is a fabulous option as you have your own private space to simply sit and admire the landscape.

The glacier experience from your own balcony is one not to be missed. However, not everyone has room in their budget for a Verandah stateroom.

These staterooms are always sold at a higher price than inside and outside staterooms, and the price gap is even more pronounced on an Alaska cruise.

If you don’t have a Verandah stateroom there are plenty of ways to enjoy the scenery. The best views are of course from either the front or the back of the ship from Deck 9. This is also where everyone else goes.

What you may not realize at the start of the day is that you spend a long time sailing around the Endicott Arm fjord  so there is plenty of opportunity to take in the views.

This is also a great day to order Room Service if you have a balcony stateroom.

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Most of the Disney Cruise Room Service Menu is free, but always remember to tip.

Everyone tends to crowd into the best viewing spaces at the start of the day, so just wait a little and the crowds will lessen and you will get a better view. Deck 4 is also a great place to be although the view is from the side of the ship.

Sitting in a hot tub is also a pretty good way to enjoy the view! The Tracy Arm experience will last around 5 hours, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the experience from different view points. Remember to dress in layers and bring those binoculars with you!

Don’t forget the hot chocolate and cookies which are available on Deck 9. You will need to think about packing for your Disney Alaska Cruise.

This is a once in a lifetime experience as it does take you to places where the Disney Wonder can’t reach, but the view on the ship is pretty fabulous too.

There is only one excursion option for Dawes Glacier which is the Glacier Explorer. Guests board a deluxe boat directly from the Disney Wonder and enjoy nearly 3 hours immersed in the beautiful Endicott Arm Fjord. The cost is $260 for adults and $185 for children aged 0 to 9

Disney Cruise Alaska Skagway Port and Excursions

Guide and Dog [Explored]

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The small town of Skagway is your next port of call on your Disney Alaskan Cruise. You dock right in the middle of the town and the shops are within walking distance. This is how you imagine stepping back in time would feel like.

Skagway is a tiny town. It has one main street which isn’t very long.

It is well worth the short walk into town though if only to imagine what it must have been like to live in one of the Gold Rush towns. There are some tourist stores, a couple of bars and a museum which is worth checking out.

However, you will most likely want to combine your visit to Skagway with some Disney cruise excursions to make the most of your time there.

What many people are interested in is the White Pass Scenic Railway. The station is right where the Disney Wonder docks in the town. We recommend that if you are interested in this excursion you book it as soon as you can, as it does sell out.

The cost is $154 for adults and $74 for children aged 3 to 9. This vintage train takes you on a spectacular journey on a track which was built in 1898. This is another one of those once in a lifetime experiences which we highly recommend.

One of the most sought after Disney Cruise Alaska excursions is a dog sledding adventure. There are plenty of opportunities to book an Alaskan port adventure where you can enjoy this amazing experience.

Here is a complete guide as to the Disney excursions which include dog sledding.

Disney Cruise Alaska Dog Sledding Port Adventures

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There are many other options of excursions in Skagway. One of the least pricey is the Skagway’s Original Street Car City Tour which is $52 for adults and $35 for children.

On this excursion you board an original 1927 sightseeing bus and are taken on an historical journey around the town. It is a good way to see more of the breathtaking scenery surrounding the town and to get an overview of the history of the area.

Other excursions include Alpine Lake Canoe Adventure, Dog Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing, Evening Wildlife Expedition, Klondike Bicycle Tour, Ocean Raft Nature Adventure, Sunset Horseback Adventure and the Yukon Expedition.

Disney Cruise Alaska Juneau Port and Excursions

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Your next port of call will be Juneau, the state capital of Alaska. This is the only state capital in the US which is land locked – in other words there are no roads going in and out of the town. The only way to get to Juneau is by air or sea.

The Disney Wonder docks right in the center of town so you can just walk off the ship and explore the shops and restaurants. It is of course a town which caters to tourists, so you will find a lot of souvenir shops which start to look the same as each other very quickly.

The Mount Roberts Tramway is a very popular attraction in Juneau. The aerial tramway takes guests 1,800 feet into the mountains for a spectacular view of the surrounding scenery.

The entrance is a short walk from the ship. You can do this on your own, but there is also an excursion available. The lines can be long and if the weather is bad (as it often is) you may not see much of a view.

We would say to wait until you arrive and see what the weather is like before deciding if it is worth standing in line.

Kayaking toward Mendenhall Glacier

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There are so many activities that you can do in Juneau you will find yourself struggling about which to choose. Juneau is particularly well known for the Mendenhall Glacier. This breathtaking natural feature is the only glacier in Alaska which you can get to by road.

There are many Disney port adventures which give guests the chance to visit the glacier. These range from a trip to view the glacier from the ground, to plenty of options from a boat or kayak.

The Mendenhall Lake Kayak Adventure gives you an opportunity to explore the glacier up close. It is is $217 for adults and $114 for children

Alaska is of course known for it’s abundant wildlife. You will likely see whales from your ship, but if you want to increase your odds of seeing one of these beautiful creatures there are plenty of Whale Watching Adventures to choose from.

The Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest is $172 for adults and $104 for children. Guests will board a catamaran and sail on a whale watching adventure.

Disney Alaska Cruise Ketchikan Port and Excursions

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The final port on your Disney Cruise is the town of Ketchikan. The Disney Wonder docks right in the town so you can just step off the ship and explore. Once again the town is full of tourist shops.

It is worth taking a short time to browse around, but you will probably want to take an excursion to explore much more than the town itself. Ketchikan is most famous for it’s colorful totem poles which you can see around the town.

The Misty Fjords National Monument by Seaplane is a very popular excursion. This 2 hour adventure will have you flying over spectacular scenery and enjoying a view of the surrounding fjords, waterfalls and lakes. The cost is $389 for adults and $305 for children aged 2 to 9. Under 2 are free.

Day 6: Ketchikan, AK

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Ketchikan is also famous for its lumberjack show, which is a short walk from the cruise ship. You can book the Exclusive Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show at $47 for adults and $23 for children. It is a 90 minute show and the kids will probably love it.

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There are lots of Disney Alaska Cruise Port Adventures to get you out in the amazing Alaskan scenery. These include an Alaksan Bear Adventure, Zipline Adventures, Hunting for Halibut, Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure, Rainforest Family Adventure and a Wilderness Exploration and Crab Fest.

There is something for everyone and you really should take the opportunity to explore this amazing place.

Is a Disney Alaska Cruise Worth It?

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We know that there are many choices of cruise line to sail with to Alaska. However, for us Disney offers the very best experience. This is particularly true if you have children.

Many of the other cruise lines have an older client base for the Alaskan cruises and children may be in the minority. A Disney Alaska Cruise is something which you will remember for a lifetime. And will no doubt want to book another one!

If you are thinking of sailing on a cruise on the Disney Alaska Cruise we always suggest contacting a Disney Authorized Travel Agent. We recommend Destinations in Florida – Get a Quote Now!. There services are free and you may even get a discount!

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