I started researching and thought I couldn’t afford a Disney cruise. The brand makes DCL very expensive compared to other cruise lines. I started looking into Norwegian cruise lines instead. If you know me, you’re aware of the toxicity that is always brewing in me and causing me to make rash, irresponsible decisions when it comes to traveling. I told myself no, I’m going on the Disney cruise. I need to take a photo with fisherman Mickey. There is no alternative. So, here I am, a year later, swimming in debt because I can’t be rational. I cannot tell you how many rabbit holes I fell down deciding on our stateroom. First, it was just an oceanview stateroom because I didn’t know how I felt about an inside room with no window. Then, it was a stateroom with an obstructed balcony. Finally, my toxicity kicked in, and I booked a deluxe oceanview stateroom with a verandah. If I never go on another Alaskan cruise, I can say I got the best experience possible. So yes, I re-booked my stateroom three times. LOL.
We’d be sailing on the Disney Wonder for our journey to Alaska. Unbeknownst to me, I booked our cruise during the 25th Silver Anniversary of the Disney Cruise Line, which was exciting. The Wonder is the second oldest ship in the Disney fleet, entering service in 1999. Her sister ship is the Disney Magic, which is the very first ship to go into commission for the DCL. The Disney Wonder is relatively small compared to the cruise line’s newest ships entering the fleet. The Wonder has 11 public decks, accommodating 2,400 passengers with 875 staterooms. Her itinerary differs significantly from her younger years of sailing to the Bahamas for three and four-night cruises. From January to early May, the Disney Wonder does Baja cruises from San Diego with destinations like Catalina Island, Ensenada, and Cabo San Lucas. Then, she journeys up the West Coast to Victoria, where she repositions herself for Alaskan cruises out of Vancouver! The Alaskan season will last until mid-September when she will most likely go into drydock. The Disney Wonder will sail to Paradise of the Pacific for a Hawaiian cruise to Honolulu. She will reposition again on a South Pacific cruise to Sydney to embark on a newly added itinerary for Australia and New Zealand. The Disney Wonder has quite the journey!
Embarkation Day
Embarkation day was like no other day I’ve experienced. The ship was already docked at Canada Palace in the early morning hours. Danny sent me a few pictures of the boat as he went out to do street photography of Vancouver before our voyage on the Disney Wonder. The excitement took over my entire body. All I wanted to do was run across the street and board the ship, but it was only 7 in the morning. I still had a total of five hours until our port arrival time. I never thought I’d be this excited to be on a ship. The mouse makes you do crazy things! I was officially awake and could not sleep. I hopped out of bed to start packing and getting ready for our hotel checkout.
I was able to relax and enjoy the city view from our hotel. I asked Danny to pick up donuts at Lucky’s Doughnuts by 49th because I wanted both their carrot cake and PB&J flavors. Sadly, they didn’t have carrot cake, but Danny brought back a PB&J for me and a sprinkled ring for himself. The donut was MASSIVE. I could eat most of it, but I was worried I’d make myself sick with the sweetness of the jam before boarding the ship.
As we were lugging our suitcases to the hotel lobby, a bellhop stopped us and told us he could help get our luggage to the port. I was like, hallelujah! He must have noticed our Disney tags for the cruise. Also, our luggage isn’t inconspicuous. We have a whole Star Wars collection, lol. I was grateful that Fairmont Waterfront offered this service to their guests. It was convenient not to bring our heavy luggage to the terminal and hand them off to the porters ourselves. I could look at the ship docked before we headed into the cruise terminal to begin the check-in and boarding process.
The boarding process was quick and smooth. I didn’t know what to expect because it was my first time boarding a cruise ship, but we were on board within 20 minutes of port arrival time. When you enter the boat, the crew will announce your names. I was disappointed that Mickey wasn’t out on stage to greet us like I’ve seen in other people’s vlogs, so I’m deducting one point from Disney. I’m a harsh critic, I know. Once aboard, we explored the upper decks and headed to Cabanas for lunch. We had our first ice cream cone of the week while we figured out where our muster station was supposed to be. Eventually, I figured out that they put your key card in front of your stateroom, which will state your muster station. A map on the back of the door will show you where the station is.
I wish I had known these details beforehand as a newbie. I’m so used to the Disney apps and MagicBands opening the door that I didn’t realize you need an actual key card. LOL. Your key card is essential. It grants access to your stateroom and is required when you exit and enter the ship during port days. You will also use your key card to pay for anything on the boat, such as the Disney stores, alcohol, specialty drinks, and theater concession stands. I still hate using cards; I want MagicBands for everything. I’m annoyed that the muster drill took so long. We waited 20-30 minutes to hear a short explanation of safety measures and listen to the ship's emergency horns. I imagine it was because people were late to their muster stations.
I wanted a prime spot for Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party, but the muster drill ruined my fun. I still had a decent view of the show. Mickey and the gang were adorable in their shimmering sea outfits for the 25th anniversary! I was so excited to hear Disney's horn in person, which is in tune with “When You Wish Upon a Star.” It was bittersweet sailing out of Vancouver since I love the city’s scenery. We had stunning views of the Lions Gate Bridge as the ship left the Burrard Inlet. We were embarking on a journey to The Last Frontier just like that.
Staterooms
I’ve heard Disney staterooms are larger than other cruise ships, but I wouldn’t know since this was my first cruise. The rooms are spotless and roomy. I was highly impressed with the room's storage space. Frankly, it’s more storage than I’ve gotten from any non-Disney hotel room. There are plenty of drawers, cabinets, and an entire closet to store your clothing. This was great for an Alaskan cruise, in which you have to pack various clothing to accommodate the weather conditions you might encounter.
I loved that the room had a vanity area where I could sit down to do my hair and makeup. I’m lazy, so you will never find me in the bathroom doing my makeup because I have to stand. The vanity also had many small drawers to store my makeup, skincare, sunscreen, and other small things that go in and out of my backpack. I appreciate all the mirrors the stateroom had. There was the large vanity mirror, a full body-length mirror, and two bathroom vanities. Our stateroom also had a split bathroom - a bathroom with a sink and a shower/tub and a half bathroom with a sink and toilet.
The best part of the room was the Verandah! It was worth the splurge, especially for an Alaskan cruise. Danny spent the majority of the cruise on the balcony. Sometimes, I wondered if he’d ever come inside to go to bed. It was nice having the luxury of watching the gorgeous scenery from the comfort of your stateroom. I imagine it’s hard going back to a stateroom without a balcony. I also appreciated our hostess, Ren, who was kind and welcoming. It was super cute that she made a towel holder for my Mickey ears. Her animal towel creations every night were beautiful. It’s the little things that go a long way.
Itinerary
I loved that the room had a vanity area where I could sit down to do my hair and makeup. I’m lazy, so you will never find me in the bathroom doing my makeup because I have to stand. The vanity also had many small drawers to store my makeup, skincare, sunscreen, and other small things that go in and out of my backpack. I appreciate all the mirrors the stateroom had. There was the large vanity mirror, a full body-length mirror, and two bathroom vanities. Our stateroom also had a split bathroom - a bathroom with a sink and a shower/tub and a half bathroom with a sink and toilet.
The best part of the room was the Verandah! It was worth the splurge, especially for an Alaskan cruise. Danny spent the majority of the cruise on the balcony. Sometimes, I wondered if he’d ever come inside to go to bed. It was nice having the luxury of watching the gorgeous scenery from the comfort of your stateroom. I imagine it’s hard going back to a stateroom without a balcony. I also appreciated our hostess, Ren, who was kind and welcoming. It was super cute that she made a towel holder for my Mickey ears. Her animal towel creations every night were beautiful. It’s the little things that go a long way.
Itinerary
Our Alaskan cruise was a 7-night journey from Vancouver, visiting Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.
Day 1 - Vancouver
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - Glacier Day
Day 4 - Skagway
Day 5 - Juneau
Day 6 - Ketchikan
Day 7 - At Sea
Day 8 - Vancouver
Excursions
Day 1 - Vancouver
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - Glacier Day
Day 4 - Skagway
Day 5 - Juneau
Day 6 - Ketchikan
Day 7 - At Sea
Day 8 - Vancouver
Excursions
The towns are very tiny and don’t consist of much. There were mostly jewelry shops, with many specializing in gold and tanzanite. Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan are all very picturesque, though. The quaint, old towns had character with their pastel-colored buildings, which I loved. I also found cherry blossoms in bloom while taking a walk in Ketchikan.
I knew I didn’t want to just explore the ports from the beginning. I wanted to experience the Alaskan wilderness, so I booked an excursion at each port and our visit to the glaciers. It was very pricey, especially when booking through Disney, but I prepared myself for the expense. I couldn’t just stay on the ship while in Alaska. I would have had major FOMO, which happened on our day in Ketchikan.
Sadly, our Ketchikan excursion was canceled. It wasn’t until we disembarked the ship that we were informed the excursion was called off due to mechanical issues with the boat we were supposed to be boarding. We were going to explore the Misty Fjords National Monument. It still upsets me to think of all the wildlife we missed. When planning our Alaskan trip, everyone advised me not to get attached to excursions because they quickly get canceled for various reasons. I was mad because the weather wasn’t the issue. Ketchikan is the Rain Capital of Alaska, but it was warm, clear, and sunny on this day. Why did they lead me on like that? We got off the ship for nothing.
Weather
I knew I didn’t want to just explore the ports from the beginning. I wanted to experience the Alaskan wilderness, so I booked an excursion at each port and our visit to the glaciers. It was very pricey, especially when booking through Disney, but I prepared myself for the expense. I couldn’t just stay on the ship while in Alaska. I would have had major FOMO, which happened on our day in Ketchikan.
Sadly, our Ketchikan excursion was canceled. It wasn’t until we disembarked the ship that we were informed the excursion was called off due to mechanical issues with the boat we were supposed to be boarding. We were going to explore the Misty Fjords National Monument. It still upsets me to think of all the wildlife we missed. When planning our Alaskan trip, everyone advised me not to get attached to excursions because they quickly get canceled for various reasons. I was mad because the weather wasn’t the issue. Ketchikan is the Rain Capital of Alaska, but it was warm, clear, and sunny on this day. Why did they lead me on like that? We got off the ship for nothing.
Weather
Alaska was warmer than I thought it would be on our vacation. The temperatures are usually in the 40s - 50s in mid-May, but we had warm spring days full of sunny weather and clear skies. There was barely any rain on our entire trip. As I mentioned before, it didn’t even rain in Ketchikan! I prepared myself for cold, rainy weather by channeling my inner Paddington Bear, but I barely wore my yellow raincoat. Juneau was the only town that delivered on this front. We did experience a fair amount of fog on our days at sea, which can be alarming while on a cruise ship. There were times our boat had to frequently sound the horn to alert nearby vessels of our presence.
Outfits
Outfits
From my vast research, packing clothes for Alaska can be divided into outer, mid, and base layers. Alaskan weather is fickle. The mornings may be cold, but it could be super warm by the afternoon. The day may start clear, but it can always rain at the drop of a hat. Alaskan weather is wet and unpredictable, so dressing in layers and ensuring the outer layer is waterproof is essential.
Outer layer:
Outer layer:
Waterproof raincoat and a lightweight puffer jacket.
If you’re not picky like me, there are packable puffers to maximize suitcase space and to easily carry in a backpack while you’re out in the wilderness. I bought a bright yellow slim coat from Lululemon meant to run in the cold. I hated buying anything from Lululemon because the brand gave me the ick, but I liked the obnoxious color. The coat was also supposed to be warm and waterproof. I wore it once while dog sledding. It was too warm in May for even a lightweight jacket, which is unusual. My research warned me that May would be colder than summer, but that was NOT my experience. I also brought a Helly Hanson yellow raincoat to look like Paddington Bear. It is a trench coat for rain with a belt that cinches your waist. I hated all the shapeless rain jackets I found online. If you’re not as annoying as me, you’d have less difficulty finding a raincoat.
Midlayers:
Midlayers:
Fleece sweaters/jackets and regular sweaters.
I brought a white fleece cropped Northface jacket, a buffalo plaid Buff Bunny fleece sweater (which is also reversible), and pink and grey sweaters from Forever 21. I didn’t end up wearing my Forever 21 sweaters, but it is always good to have options for when you’re on the ship or out on excursions.
Base Layers:
Base Layers:
A thin, lightweight thermal or wool base layer.
From Helly Hanson, I bought a Merino wool midweight base layer in black and two crew long sleeves in white. These layers are supposed to keep you warm while being lightweight and moisture-wicking. Underarmour has excellent options, too. I hate the primary colors of base layers and the obnoxious logos they have on them. It is okay if they are hiding underneath your mid-layer, but if it’s too hot and you must remove the sweater, it’s not cute. Again, you’ll have no problem finding base layers if you’re not as picky as me.
Pants:
Pants:
Avoid jeans for excursions. I don’t wear jeans, so I had no intention of bringing a pair. If I were to bring jeans, I would wear them on the ship or while strolling through the Alaskan towns. You’ll want athletic or nylon leggings for excursions because they are more water-resistant than jeans. I brought two pairs of black Buff Bunny legacy leggings. Also, from Blackmilk, I brought a shiny black pair of leggings and my pretend jean leggings.
Footwear:
Footwear:
Comfortable shoes and waterproof boots.
It is advisable to wear waterproof hiking boots for excursions. Oddly, I found hiking boots I liked from Skechers. I have a black pair with red accents and a tan pair with pink accents. You also want to bring comfortable sneakers and whatever footwear you want to walk around the ship. I brought my white platform Keds and white and black boots for ship outfits. This was before I discovered that Nike Air Max 270s are comfortable and cute. Now, I’d consider bringing sneakers like a normal person.
Clothing for the ship:
Clothing for the ship:
Comfortable, cute Disney Outfits and formal wear.
I packed several pairs of Disney leggings from Blackmilk Clothing to wear around the ship. I also brought my Minnie polka dot and Steamboat Willie skirts from Blackmilk Clothing. My Buff Bunny butter black and white top paired well with skirts because they were simple. I wish Popflex released all their cute pastel and Disney-inspired collections last year because they would have been perfect for the cruise.
On a seven-day Disney, there is one formal night and one semi-formal night. I threw my green sequin dress into my suitcase for the formal night. I should have taken the formal night more seriously and taken photos with the characters. I had a crisis during the trip and didn’t feel very confident then. I would have done it differently now, but I don’t regret not participating full force. Many people on the ship didn’t seem to be overly fancy anyway. I believe other cruise lines have stricter rules regarding formal nights. I appreciate that Disney is more lenient.
On a seven-day Disney, there is one formal night and one semi-formal night. I threw my green sequin dress into my suitcase for the formal night. I should have taken the formal night more seriously and taken photos with the characters. I had a crisis during the trip and didn’t feel very confident then. I would have done it differently now, but I don’t regret not participating full force. Many people on the ship didn’t seem to be overly fancy anyway. I believe other cruise lines have stricter rules regarding formal nights. I appreciate that Disney is more lenient.
Accessories and Packing Essentials:
For accessories, I packed a few winter hats, gloves, and plaid scarves to keep me warm in chilly weather. I also brought an adorable mini silver Northface backpack for excursions. I packed two water bottles to have water when we were lounging in our room or on excursions. I found tablets on Amazon that will clean your water bottles, which was helpful when we used the bottles for soda. Unlimited water and soda were unavailable during the entire cruise, so we took advantage.
Expecting rainy weather, I would have been a fool not to bring an umbrella. For sun protection, sunscreen, and sunglasses are important for your face. Both were essential for our dog sledding excursion. Danny is a rebel who did not wear sunscreen or sunglasses on this trip. As you can imagine, he got sunburn on his face from the reflection of the snow and proceeded to wear my heart-shaped sunglasses on the cruise even though I had told him to get his own. Depending on the time of the season, you might need mosquito repellent. I bought bracelets that are supposed to ward off mosquitos, but luckily, I didn’t have to use them. I opted for the bracelets because I wouldn’t say I like bug spray, but mosquitos seem to love my blood for whatever reason.
Many people suggested buying binoculars to spot wildlife on the ship, so I did. Danny made fun of me for buying them but used them the whole trip. Sometimes, I want to punch him. Depending on our excursions, I was also recommended to buy a neck wallet and waterproof phone case. The neck wallet was helpful during our dog sled excursion, as we were not allowed to bring bags with us on the helicopter due to weight restrictions. In terms of first-aid, I bought band-aids and Advil along with seasickness/nausea medication because I was not sure how we’d react on the ship. It’s better to be safe than sorry, but you can always visit the Health Center if you require bandages or medication.
Dining
Expecting rainy weather, I would have been a fool not to bring an umbrella. For sun protection, sunscreen, and sunglasses are important for your face. Both were essential for our dog sledding excursion. Danny is a rebel who did not wear sunscreen or sunglasses on this trip. As you can imagine, he got sunburn on his face from the reflection of the snow and proceeded to wear my heart-shaped sunglasses on the cruise even though I had told him to get his own. Depending on the time of the season, you might need mosquito repellent. I bought bracelets that are supposed to ward off mosquitos, but luckily, I didn’t have to use them. I opted for the bracelets because I wouldn’t say I like bug spray, but mosquitos seem to love my blood for whatever reason.
Many people suggested buying binoculars to spot wildlife on the ship, so I did. Danny made fun of me for buying them but used them the whole trip. Sometimes, I want to punch him. Depending on our excursions, I was also recommended to buy a neck wallet and waterproof phone case. The neck wallet was helpful during our dog sled excursion, as we were not allowed to bring bags with us on the helicopter due to weight restrictions. In terms of first-aid, I bought band-aids and Advil along with seasickness/nausea medication because I was not sure how we’d react on the ship. It’s better to be safe than sorry, but you can always visit the Health Center if you require bandages or medication.
Dining
Disney Cruises have rotational dining, so they schedule you to eat aboard the ship at one of the three themed restaurants for each cruise night. Your dining schedule is easily provided via the DCL app. Dinner times are scheduled for either 5:00 or 8:00 in the evenings. We were assigned the latter time because it was apparent to Disney that we were childless millennials. I didn’t object because very few kids were in the dining room during this time.
The three restaurants aboard the Disney Wonder are Animator’s Palate, Tiana’s Place and Trition’s. Animator’s Palate is themed around Disney animation, with sketches of classic characters and scenes from Disney films adorning the walls around you. Sorcerer Mickey appeared on our first night at the restaurant. I was slightly disappointed because our table wasn’t positioned for an optimal view of Mickey so that I couldn’t get a great video of him. Our second night at Animator’s Palate required us to draw our characters. Danny’s drawing was great because he’s an artist, but not mine. I’m a perfectionist, so I need at least 2-3 tries to get it right. Nonetheless, our characters came to life during a show later in our dinner, and we became certified Disney animators.
Tiana’s Place is based on The Princess and the Frog, in which Tiana accomplishes her lifelong dream of opening her very own restaurant in New Orleans. The restaurant is energetic, with a live jazz band, and both Tiana and Louis greet guests. We even celebrated Mardi Gras one night! Our waiter forced us to get up to join the conga line and limbo, lol. I got a nice video of Tiana and Louis dancing on stage. Lastly, Triton’s is themed after The Little Mermaid with a beautiful mosaic tile mural of Ariel and her father. Sadly, Trition lacks any particular shows or events and is the least exciting restaurant on the ship.
Overall, I enjoyed our dining experiences aboard the ship. I know Disney Cruises get mixed reviews on their food, but I’m not looking for 5-star fine dining. I want comfort food when I’m on vacation. I had a variety of dishes each night - penne bolognese, thanksgiving turkey, scallops, lobster ravioli, creole chicken, and Beef Wellington. Being the picky eater he is, Danny stuck to the steak/beef option every night. He did venture outside his comfort zone, trying lobster and an Alaskan smoked salmon timbale. The salmon appetizer scarred him for life because it was paired with horseradish. Now, he has trust issues when he sees salmon on a menu, and I have to insist that a salmon steak is the type of salmon he’s looking for, lol. I regret not trying multiple dishes during our dinners.
I constantly needed to remember that food was included in our cruise fare, and I could get whatever I wanted at no extra cost. I would have liked to have tried more seafood dishes to see what I enjoyed without fearing going hungry that night. Our dining staff was great as well. Your servers will follow you to your dining rotations and serve you during your vacation. Danny became best friends with everyone and is now following/friends with them on social media. Typical.
I did book a reservation at Palo for our last night on the cruise, but I decided at the last minute that I wasn’t feeling the menu and canceled while we were on board. Palo is a fine dining experience serving Italian cuisine, and you are required to dress to impress. This restaurant is not included in your cruise fare, so you must pay extra for this experience. I would have preferred brunch, but reservations book fast. I could have asked guest services while we were onboard if any slots were available, but it wasn’t my priority. I was already paying enough for this cruise.
For breakfast and lunch, we mostly went to Cabanas for the buffet. You can also enjoy these meals in any of the restaurants on board if you’d prefer a sit-down experience. I like the freedom of serving yourself immediately at the buffet and leaving as soon as you're done. Cabanas had a wide array of food that was overwhelming for me every time. Let me tell you how excited I was when they served corn dog nuggets and mini carrot cakes! Another big win was eating Mickey waffles all seven days of the cruise if your heart desired. Some days, they even had churro Mickey waffles!
Other food options include Pinocchio’s Pizzeria, Pete’s Boiler Bites, and Daisy’s De-Lites. We had burgers and pizza a few times during our cruise when Cabanas was closed for lunch. While the food is nothing to sing home about, it didn’t stop us from getting mediocre frozen pizza multiple days. I don’t know what it is about cruises, but your stomach doubles in size. For someone who cannot eat a lot, I managed to stuff myself with buffet lunches, pizza, ice cream, dinner, AND dessert, all in a day's work. How?!
One of my favorite spots was Eye Scream Treats. There are two self-service ice cream machines available from 10:30 am to midnight. It’s what dreams are made of. I’m not a big ice cream person, but I had a cone every day of the cruise without fail. One of my day's highlights was seeing the unique flavor of the day. Their special flavors on our cruise were banana, strawberry, mango, and blueberry. Danny stuck to his classic vanilla and chocolate swirl and was not interested in being adventurous with his ice cream. Surprisingly, the banana and chocolate swirl may have been my favorite.
Entertainment
The three restaurants aboard the Disney Wonder are Animator’s Palate, Tiana’s Place and Trition’s. Animator’s Palate is themed around Disney animation, with sketches of classic characters and scenes from Disney films adorning the walls around you. Sorcerer Mickey appeared on our first night at the restaurant. I was slightly disappointed because our table wasn’t positioned for an optimal view of Mickey so that I couldn’t get a great video of him. Our second night at Animator’s Palate required us to draw our characters. Danny’s drawing was great because he’s an artist, but not mine. I’m a perfectionist, so I need at least 2-3 tries to get it right. Nonetheless, our characters came to life during a show later in our dinner, and we became certified Disney animators.
Tiana’s Place is based on The Princess and the Frog, in which Tiana accomplishes her lifelong dream of opening her very own restaurant in New Orleans. The restaurant is energetic, with a live jazz band, and both Tiana and Louis greet guests. We even celebrated Mardi Gras one night! Our waiter forced us to get up to join the conga line and limbo, lol. I got a nice video of Tiana and Louis dancing on stage. Lastly, Triton’s is themed after The Little Mermaid with a beautiful mosaic tile mural of Ariel and her father. Sadly, Trition lacks any particular shows or events and is the least exciting restaurant on the ship.
Overall, I enjoyed our dining experiences aboard the ship. I know Disney Cruises get mixed reviews on their food, but I’m not looking for 5-star fine dining. I want comfort food when I’m on vacation. I had a variety of dishes each night - penne bolognese, thanksgiving turkey, scallops, lobster ravioli, creole chicken, and Beef Wellington. Being the picky eater he is, Danny stuck to the steak/beef option every night. He did venture outside his comfort zone, trying lobster and an Alaskan smoked salmon timbale. The salmon appetizer scarred him for life because it was paired with horseradish. Now, he has trust issues when he sees salmon on a menu, and I have to insist that a salmon steak is the type of salmon he’s looking for, lol. I regret not trying multiple dishes during our dinners.
I constantly needed to remember that food was included in our cruise fare, and I could get whatever I wanted at no extra cost. I would have liked to have tried more seafood dishes to see what I enjoyed without fearing going hungry that night. Our dining staff was great as well. Your servers will follow you to your dining rotations and serve you during your vacation. Danny became best friends with everyone and is now following/friends with them on social media. Typical.
I did book a reservation at Palo for our last night on the cruise, but I decided at the last minute that I wasn’t feeling the menu and canceled while we were on board. Palo is a fine dining experience serving Italian cuisine, and you are required to dress to impress. This restaurant is not included in your cruise fare, so you must pay extra for this experience. I would have preferred brunch, but reservations book fast. I could have asked guest services while we were onboard if any slots were available, but it wasn’t my priority. I was already paying enough for this cruise.
For breakfast and lunch, we mostly went to Cabanas for the buffet. You can also enjoy these meals in any of the restaurants on board if you’d prefer a sit-down experience. I like the freedom of serving yourself immediately at the buffet and leaving as soon as you're done. Cabanas had a wide array of food that was overwhelming for me every time. Let me tell you how excited I was when they served corn dog nuggets and mini carrot cakes! Another big win was eating Mickey waffles all seven days of the cruise if your heart desired. Some days, they even had churro Mickey waffles!
Other food options include Pinocchio’s Pizzeria, Pete’s Boiler Bites, and Daisy’s De-Lites. We had burgers and pizza a few times during our cruise when Cabanas was closed for lunch. While the food is nothing to sing home about, it didn’t stop us from getting mediocre frozen pizza multiple days. I don’t know what it is about cruises, but your stomach doubles in size. For someone who cannot eat a lot, I managed to stuff myself with buffet lunches, pizza, ice cream, dinner, AND dessert, all in a day's work. How?!
One of my favorite spots was Eye Scream Treats. There are two self-service ice cream machines available from 10:30 am to midnight. It’s what dreams are made of. I’m not a big ice cream person, but I had a cone every day of the cruise without fail. One of my day's highlights was seeing the unique flavor of the day. Their special flavors on our cruise were banana, strawberry, mango, and blueberry. Danny stuck to his classic vanilla and chocolate swirl and was not interested in being adventurous with his ice cream. Surprisingly, the banana and chocolate swirl may have been my favorite.
Entertainment
There is plenty of entertainment on the ship to keep you occupied, or you can do nothing at all and view the scenery from the upper decks or the comfort of your verandah. We were very much the latter. There are three Broadway-like productions aboard the Wonder: The Golden Mickeys, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, and Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic. We didn’t attend any shows because I didn’t think they’d be my cup of tea, and Danny discriminates against musicals. Next time, I’d see The Golden Mickeys on a formal night to see what it’s all about. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Disney’s shows on their ship fleet, but I still do not regret skipping out.
Unlike Caribbean itineraries, Alaskan Cruises do not have a pirate night. Instead, they have a Frozen night! Again, I did not attend the Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa, and Friends show since I’m just not a fan of Frozen, and I knew I did not care to go up to the upper decks to watch it. Unfortunately, Frozen Night has no fireworks due to location and wildlife. The Captain also did not play the Disney horn much during our seven days aboard the ship, and I assume it’s for the same reasons. If there were fireworks, then, of course, my ass would have been outside to witness it lol.
A movie theater on board the ship plays the latest Disney movies. Movies playing during our sailing were:
There are also many more activities besides food, theater shows, and movies. For adult beverages, there are several lounges and bars on the ship. Trivia, Bingo, and game show contests occur daily for all game lovers aboard. If you want to relax, tons of spa treatments are available at an additional cost. The pools and hot tubs are open daily, no matter how cold it is on deck. If you want to be more active, there is a fitness center, a basketball court, and a running track. While in Shutters, I got caught in the character procession as they made their way to the Character Dance Party. It would have made for the perfect video, but I was too stunned to act. I attended the goodbye party, ’Til We Meet Again, ' hosted by our cruise director, Trent. We got to see all the characters in their Shimmering Seas outfits, and it was so adorable!
My Experience
Unlike Caribbean itineraries, Alaskan Cruises do not have a pirate night. Instead, they have a Frozen night! Again, I did not attend the Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa, and Friends show since I’m just not a fan of Frozen, and I knew I did not care to go up to the upper decks to watch it. Unfortunately, Frozen Night has no fireworks due to location and wildlife. The Captain also did not play the Disney horn much during our seven days aboard the ship, and I assume it’s for the same reasons. If there were fireworks, then, of course, my ass would have been outside to witness it lol.
A movie theater on board the ship plays the latest Disney movies. Movies playing during our sailing were:
- Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
- Avatar: The Way of Water
- Black Panther: Wakanda
- Encanto
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- Peter Pan & Wendy
- Strange World
- Black Panther: Wakanda
There are also many more activities besides food, theater shows, and movies. For adult beverages, there are several lounges and bars on the ship. Trivia, Bingo, and game show contests occur daily for all game lovers aboard. If you want to relax, tons of spa treatments are available at an additional cost. The pools and hot tubs are open daily, no matter how cold it is on deck. If you want to be more active, there is a fitness center, a basketball court, and a running track. While in Shutters, I got caught in the character procession as they made their way to the Character Dance Party. It would have made for the perfect video, but I was too stunned to act. I attended the goodbye party, ’Til We Meet Again, ' hosted by our cruise director, Trent. We got to see all the characters in their Shimmering Seas outfits, and it was so adorable!
My Experience
I want to come home from Alaska. I did not want to disembark the Disney Wonder whatsoever. Usually, I'm over it towards the end of my Disney trips and wish to return home. My feet hurt, and I’m fucking tired, lol. However, leaving Vancouver for New York, I never felt like that. I felt calm and anew. I probably could’ve stayed there forever. Time went by more slowly on the cruise. I needed that break from the anxiety and stress of work. Being in the moment and not having much service on the trip was pleasant.
If I’m being honest, I still don’t find cruises that appealing. Yes, this was the best trip I’ve ever been on, but it doesn’t mean you’ll find me on many cruises in the future. I think visiting Alaska via a cruise ship was an excellent option to experience The Last Frontier, especially since we’re grown-ass adults who do not drive lol. Our cruise was the perfect mix of seeking new adventures while still relaxing and experiencing Alaska’s stunning views from the comfort of our ship.
Many cruises sail to more tropical destinations, but I don’t have much desire to visit the Caribbean. I’ve never been much of a beach girl. I’m also not a fan of the heat or the stronger UV rays, given that my skin is more sensitive to the sun. Since I don’t have much disposable income, I told myself to focus on visiting places that excite Danny and I. Sadly, that means reducing my time at Disney. I want to stop spending so much money in the magic bubble. Never say never, though.
Another issue is that the Disney Cruise Line fits my personality better than other cruise lines. I can’t see myself enjoying a more “adult” cruise as much, given I don’t like “adult” activities. LOL. Disney Cruises are just too expensive for me to afford regularly. If I ever book another Alaskan cruise, it will be hard not to choose Disney. I talked to Danny about different itineraries for another Alaskan trip because I’d love to sail out of Seattle, but I know the emotions I’ll have if I see the Wonder docked while we’re on vacation. I’ll be distraught. Maybe one day, I can book another Disney Alaskan Cruise or sail to Norway. Please help me manifest the money I need to make these cruises happen LOL.
Do I Have Regrets?
If I’m being honest, I still don’t find cruises that appealing. Yes, this was the best trip I’ve ever been on, but it doesn’t mean you’ll find me on many cruises in the future. I think visiting Alaska via a cruise ship was an excellent option to experience The Last Frontier, especially since we’re grown-ass adults who do not drive lol. Our cruise was the perfect mix of seeking new adventures while still relaxing and experiencing Alaska’s stunning views from the comfort of our ship.
Many cruises sail to more tropical destinations, but I don’t have much desire to visit the Caribbean. I’ve never been much of a beach girl. I’m also not a fan of the heat or the stronger UV rays, given that my skin is more sensitive to the sun. Since I don’t have much disposable income, I told myself to focus on visiting places that excite Danny and I. Sadly, that means reducing my time at Disney. I want to stop spending so much money in the magic bubble. Never say never, though.
Another issue is that the Disney Cruise Line fits my personality better than other cruise lines. I can’t see myself enjoying a more “adult” cruise as much, given I don’t like “adult” activities. LOL. Disney Cruises are just too expensive for me to afford regularly. If I ever book another Alaskan cruise, it will be hard not to choose Disney. I talked to Danny about different itineraries for another Alaskan trip because I’d love to sail out of Seattle, but I know the emotions I’ll have if I see the Wonder docked while we’re on vacation. I’ll be distraught. Maybe one day, I can book another Disney Alaskan Cruise or sail to Norway. Please help me manifest the money I need to make these cruises happen LOL.
Do I Have Regrets?
As broke as I am, I have little regrets. My only qualm is that I did not stalk Mickey the entire trip. My research wasn’t thorough enough because I didn’t realize he’d be in multiple outfits during his photo sessions. I was so focused on fisherman Mickey that I blacked out everything else. I missed Captain Mickey! I didn’t get a photo with him in his sequin shimmering seas outfit. I disregarded Mickey in his formal attire. I couldn’t get a photo and video of Fantasia Mickey at Animator’s Palate.
In all seriousness, I’ll never regret this trip. I got to see Alaska with Danny for the first time. We soaked in her vast beauty while experiencing a completely new adventure together that was both cathartic and healing. Crossing something off my bucket list with someone I love is so special. I’m happy I finally found my forever travel partner. He’s always thanking me for taking him to even the most minor places, saying I don’t have to take him on these vacations, but I choose to include him anyway. I’m always confused by this because who else would I go on these trips with, and why would I go alone? I think I’m dragging him on my wild adventures, always scheming on my next evil plan late at night while he’s asleep early. LOL. Yet, here, he is appreciative and full of gratitude. I’m still not used to it, but I’m grateful for him.
I’m forever indebted to the Wonder. I’ll never forget what she did for me. So many exciting and good memories happened to me on that ship. The Wonder helped me live out one of my wildest dreams, and I’ll always be thankful. One day, I hope to sail with her once again.
In all seriousness, I’ll never regret this trip. I got to see Alaska with Danny for the first time. We soaked in her vast beauty while experiencing a completely new adventure together that was both cathartic and healing. Crossing something off my bucket list with someone I love is so special. I’m happy I finally found my forever travel partner. He’s always thanking me for taking him to even the most minor places, saying I don’t have to take him on these vacations, but I choose to include him anyway. I’m always confused by this because who else would I go on these trips with, and why would I go alone? I think I’m dragging him on my wild adventures, always scheming on my next evil plan late at night while he’s asleep early. LOL. Yet, here, he is appreciative and full of gratitude. I’m still not used to it, but I’m grateful for him.
I’m forever indebted to the Wonder. I’ll never forget what she did for me. So many exciting and good memories happened to me on that ship. The Wonder helped me live out one of my wildest dreams, and I’ll always be thankful. One day, I hope to sail with her once again.
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