Disney Alaskan Cruise FAQs: What you REALLY NEED to know before you sail into the wilderness!

So, you’re interested in sailing to Alaska?

Honestly, do it. Don’t wait, don’t procrastinate, don’t push it back another year. This is a destination I think everyone should see firsthand! I mean, I am aiming to show you some gorgeous photos through the course of this blog to help demonstrate why I fell in love with Alaska on my recent Disney Cruise Line sailing, but genuinely, photos and descriptions just don’t do it justice. You’ve got to experience it for yourself! It is truly awe-inspiring.

That said, I understand that Alaska can seem a little daunting. For many of us, it is a lengthier journey than we’re used to when going to Disney’s American theme parks, has weather forecasts that can be challenging to predict and/or pack for, and offers activities and excursions far different from what you’d see on typical Caribbean cruises. So, today, I’d love to answer five common questions to help you start planning your dream Alaskan cruise adventure!

Question #1: Is it cold?

The short answer here is: sometimes! My teammate and I sailed in late June and, overall, had unusually sunny weather, which really helped us temperature-wise in most of our ports. Multiple locals told us how lucky we were to have the weather we experienced and shared that some places in Alaska see an average of 300 days of rain a year! That said, it was definitely much cooler than late June is here in Southern Ontario, and some days were chillier than others. Our day in Icy Strait Point was the only day we had cloudy skies and drizzle, so it was a day of hoodies and jackets. The pools onboard were occasionally open depending on the weather; however, the water slides were closed due to wind. Hot tubs were pretty much always full when open!

The coldest temperatures we experienced by far, however, were during glacier viewing! Unsurprisingly, the closer you get to a giant sheet of ice, the colder it gets! It was also incredibly windy on the upper decks as we watched the Disney Magic sail up Endicott Arm towards Dawe’s Glacier, which made things feel even colder. We were bundled up under MANY layers that day!

Alaskan weather can change really quickly, not just from rain to sun, but also from cool to warm and back again, so you’ll want to be prepared for a little bit of everything! Which brings me to the next question…

Question #2: What should I pack?

Scott Foster, the Naturalist onboard our sailing, suggested thinking of an onion when preparing your clothing selections for Alaska. Dressing in layers is KEY!

For example, speaking of our glacier viewing day, it was bright and sunny throughout the morning and afternoon, so we were in our blue, short sleeved DVCR polos and popped hoodies on and off depending on the wind or the amount of direct sunlight we were in. Later in the day, as we got closer to the glacier, the layers intensified! The sun was still bright and shiny in the sky, however, the wind picked up and the temperatures dropped, so for outdoor glacier viewing on the upper decks, I wore full length jeans, 2 pairs of socks, a tank top layered under a short-sleeved shirt with a cardigan, a hoodie over that, a heavy fleece jacket over that, and to top it all off, my windproof/waterproof jacket. When we got closest to the glacier, we also put on hats and mittens!

[As you can see in the photo above, the wind is still trying desperately to pull my jacket hood back even though I have it tied as tightly as possible!]

Compare that to the next day when we visited Skagway, it was completely different. We started the day prepped for an early hike in full-length pants, hoodies, and jackets. By late morning, hoodies and jacket layers were shed, and we spent the rest of the day in short sleeves. I even went back to the ship mid-afternoon to switch into cropped pants and sandals while we explored the town.

If you can, bring lots of options in different lengths and weights, so you’re prepared for all kinds of weather. I’d also say the VIP of my luggage was my lightweight waterproof-windproof jacket (a must-have for any colder cruise I have taken!) It protected me from the elements and was easy to fold down and pop into my backpack while exploring.

Comfortable, sturdy shoes will be another key piece to pack, especially if they are waterproof or water-resistant (I used a waterproofing spray on my sneakers before leaving home which worked perfectly!) At Icy Strait Point, we had some drizzle and rain and went kayaking, so having dry, warm feet kept us comfortable as we soaked up the incredible scenery (instead of water) and enjoyed our activities. We weren’t fussing over damp toes or squeaky shoes and could focus on the fun adventure ahead!

Other non-clothing items I’d highly recommend packing:

• Reusable water bottle (for use both onboard and while doing active excursions such as hiking!)
• Binoculars (so you can spot wildlife and the gorgeous landscapes in the distance!)
• Power bank battery chargers (trust me, you’ll take endless photos and videos as well as check the Navigator app a lot, so your phone will go through battery QUICKLY!)

Question #3: What were excursions like?

In a word: awesome! If you’ve seen past blogs and posts of mine, you’ll know I’m not typically the first girl to venture out into the wilderness. Don’t get me wrong, I love the gorgeous natural scenery as much as the next gal, but in my everyday life, you’re FAR more likely to see me at the mall than you are on a hiking trail. Let me tell you, though, Alaska brought out a different side of me! I hiked, I kayaked for the first time, I tried axe-throwing…I was a whole different person, and I LOVED IT ALL! It is the perfect place to try something new, get out of your comfort zone, and fully lean into the epic Alaskan vibes.

Now, I don’t do it often, but I do enjoy hiking. I will say, however, to be diligent in determining whether the activity levels of different Alaskan hiking excursions align with your personal comfort levels. In Skagway, my teammate and I were scheduled for an “Adventure Hike” excursion…which I had to bail out of about 15 minutes in. Our guide told us honestly before we began that it would be more strenuous than described on the cruise line’s website, and while I’m always willing to give things a shot, I quickly discovered that it was well beyond my skill and comfort level. I made the choice to cut my experience short, and the guides were super understanding and helpful in getting me back down the mountainside safely (though my teammate crushed the whole thing successfully!) The next day, when I was set for another hike in Icy Strait Point, I knew to ask the guide additional questions about the elevation and route before we got going to ensure I’d have a more successful experience (which I did!)

The excursion guides loved being part of my new experiences and were friendly, warm, and happy to help with any questions I had. Kayaking for the very first time out on the ocean, scoping the shore for bears and bald eagles, was an experience I’ll never forget. I felt immense pride reaching the top of the mountain while hiking! I might not have been great at it, but I loved axe-throwing and cheering at the famous lumberjack show in Ketchikan!

That is just a few of the activities we enjoyed, too! We also lunched at locally run restaurants, browsed in charming boutiques full of locally made trinkets and art, went for a train ride through the Yukon Pass, saw sled dog puppies, and took in incredible totem pole creations. There are TONS of excursions and activities to choose from, and there’s something for everyone!

Question #4: Any seasickness issues?

This will vary from person to person. For me, even though I experience motion sickness on long car rides and some theme park rides, I have never had an issue with seasickness on a cruise, including through Alaska. I will say, however, that due to the higher winds and propulsion to take us north quickly, this sailing was definitely the one where I have felt the most motion onboard. I spoke to others who did need some seasickness remedies, so if you have concerns, I’d definitely suggest bringing along the remedy you’re most comfortable with (e.g., wristbands, medications, ginger-based options, etc.).

One thing that was unique for me in Alaska, compared to other destinations I’ve sailed to, that might also help with hesitations about being out on the ocean or experiencing motion sickness, was being able to see land in the distance from the ship almost the entire time. 

My teammate was feeling a little off from the rocking of the ship one night while we were in the theater, so when the show finished, we popped outside onto the walking path around Deck 4. She felt better within a few minutes of getting some fresh air and seeing the mountainous landscape we were sailing past. Is it a psychological thing? Maybe! But seeing land on the horizon worked like a charm for her!

Question #5: Is it a good option for families and those traveling with children?

This is another spot where the answer will vary, as needs and preferences change from family to family. I am a childless millennial myself; however, I wouldn’t hesitate to bring kids along if I had them!

One thing to keep in mind is that there were fewer family-focused excursions or those geared toward really little children, simply because of the adventurous nature of traditional Alaskan activities, but there was still plenty for school-age and older kids to enjoy, and there were TONS of kids on our sailing, obviously having a blast! For example, the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan was FULL of enthusiastic kids and designed for families to enjoy together (warning, though: hearing protection might be something to consider for little ones, as it gets LOUD in there!). The gondola rides at Icy Strait Point would also be great for families to enjoy together (very similar to the Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World), and the campfires at the top were perfect for a family s’mores snack moment with a gorgeous view!

The kids’ clubs on the ship were busy and lively, the pools were packed with children when open, and the little ones onboard also enjoyed the stage shows, characters, and other entertainment, like family game shows and karaoke. The Frozen-themed Deck Party was also a huge hit for the kiddos on our cruise, and the show is adorable!

Additionally, it was really cool to see kids spotting wildlife (we saw whales, seals, otters, deer, and many more!), asking questions about local history and being awestruck by Alaska’s natural beauty. I can only imagine the amazing core memories created by all of the families that we sailed with! 

I could probably list a zillion FAQs for Alaskan cruises, but we’ll start with these 5 for today before I ramble uncontrollably about how much I learned and loved on my sailing! If you love adventure, incredible landscapes, wildlife spotting, and of course, spending time enjoying the great outdoors and all the activities that it offers, it’s well worth the planning, saving, and travel time to make your dream cruise to Alaska a reality!

~Stacy