Disney Wonder - tips/suggestions

[OffToDWD]

We will be cruising on the Wonder to Alaska next summer (hopefully!). This will be our first time on the Wonder - we'll also have our kids (9 and 14 at that time). Just wondering if there are "must tries" or tips for the ship that you can share! Or even things that maybe we should avoid. It can be food, activities, etc. Very excited! Thanks!

 

[BruinEd03]

We will be cruising on the Wonder to Alaska next summer (hopefully!). This will be our first time on the Wonder - we'll also have our kids (9 and 14 at that time). Just wondering if there are "must tries" or tips for the ship that you can share! Or even things that maybe we should avoid. It can be food, activities, etc. Very excited! Thanks!

Wonder specific - Take the ship tour with the backstory on the art and architecture. It's usually Adults only though. Try Palo (again adults only). If you haven't been on the classic ships before, Palo is a different experience. In the larger ships it's got less personality and seems to be more of an afterthought.

Alaska specific - There are two helicopter tours - the dog sledding and the glacier. Either is worthwhile, but completely different. If you can swing it, really rewarding. Though, also have backup plans - those are the most cancelled excursions due to weather.

Also, the Deadliest Catch boat was amazing, too.

Remember when the ship's time slot is to go to the glacier. Wake up ahead of time for the journey there. Completely worth it the first time. Bundle up though because even if it's warm and sunny outside, it can be windy and thus feel cold.

Spend some time just staring at the scenery either on the 4th floor, top deck, or in your room. You will be surprised at how many whales, dolphins, mountain goats (well sort of on mountain goats those guys hide really well), and other wildlife you'll see if you just watch. The watching portion also goes into port. You may be able to see bald eagles, salmon, bears, or even river otters.

 

[auntlynne]

On the glacier day, the characters are out and about on the upper deck, sporting their finest Alaska apparel. Great photo ops.



Heated swimming pools as you sail up the Inner Passage. A travel rule taught to me when I was young - Never forget your bathing suit when vacationing.

 

[mamamia2005]

Following along!
It will be our first trip on Wonder and first time to Alaska next August too! We've previously been on Dream and Magic

 

[JM_97]

Use the time between boarding and the muster drill to just walk around! It will make finding your way around the ship for the rest of the time easier and you'll be able to check everything out to help kill some time too. Did this on my last trip and it helped me get my bearings and it was fun to explore before the huge crowds came

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

In Juneau we rented a car (Juneau Car Rental); $98 for the day and drove all over. Eagle Bay State Park, Shrine of St. Therese, downtown. There's a ton to see in the area.

 

[auntlynne]

Especially on AK cruises - bring clothes pins or clips to securely close curtains. The sun comes up too early and stays up too late (for sleeping in the dark).

 

[auntlynne]

The temperature can be really cold or tee-shirt weather.

 

[auntlynne]

Hot beverage carts are out on Glacier day. And check for hot chocolate in the soda / drink area on the pool deck.

 

[auntlynne]

You’ve made me recall great memories of Alaska. Thanks.

 

[Travel60]

The Wonder is the sister to the Magic. Except for some different names for venues, identical. Be sure you bring one really warm jacket per person. I thought my all-weather jacket with a sweater would be plenty. It wasn't. I ended up buying a sweatshirt (and I don't generally wear sweatshirts). But as mentioned, it could be tee shirt weather.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

The ship will have guest speakers that will talk about the glaciers and wildlife. Be sure to attend those lectures (in one of the theaters).
Get good hiking boots/insulated boots that have really good gripping soles. Standing on the top deck for hours watching the glaciers or walking around during shore excursions on wet rocks, slippery mud, and occasional ice patch will not be pleasant.
Lots of layers. It can be windy/cold. I brought a sweater to dinner for strolls on the decks.

 

[ktate82]

Will the Frozen menu be the night of the Dawes Glacier or Skagway? We are trying to figure out when to go to Polo.

 

[brewcrew]

We LOVE Palo brunch!!! The service and the view during the day is amazing! Then you can still have the Frozen menu for dinner. We did this cruise in 2015 and for us this cruise became more about the scenery outside than the ship (even though the Wonder was fabulous too)! We also rented a car through Juneau Rental Cars and drove to Mendenhall ourselves. It was wonderful to take our time. Have fun! Your family will love it!

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

Tiana’s Place is fun, but can be very loud depending on where you’re seated. We enjoyed it, though. Cadillac Lounge is nice for a drink in the evening.

 

[KVH]

I have a totally different perspective. I would suggest saving and taking extra $$$ ashore. Souvenirs or excursions or food or whatever. They've had a hard time of it w/o the tourists last year and I'm sure every penny spent would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Wonder is my favorite! Cadillac Lounge is great. Palo is best on the Wonder. We thought food in general was better on the Wonder. Beignets at Tiana's or the lounge are great.

 

[HiStitch626]

If they are offering the Glacier Explorer excursion cruise, take it. You get onto a small boat on the glacier day and get to see the glaciers, fjord, and animals up close. Many other excursions in the ports can be arranged on your own, often at a savings over the Disney booked excursions, but the Glacier Explorer needs to be booked with Disney and is great.

 

[OffToDWD]

Thank you, everyone, for all the great tips so far!!! Love it!

 

[DisneyConvert]

All good thoughts . . . so much depends on what the Cruise/tourism industry becomes (and if the CDC and Canadian government lets it!).

SE Alaska is not unlike St Thomas, Bahamas, Cancun, etc. in that the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, etc. are set up to handle 1~1.5 million visitors during the June - September season. In other words, lots of things to do and an entire industry catering to cruise tourists.
Obviously everyone speaks English and takes US$'s so non-Disney excursions are/were easy to arrange with Viator, TripAdvisor, etc.
FWIW, we were very happy with "Frontier Excursions" in Skagway.

We tend to do the least-expensive verandah's and I loved the views on the last day as the Wonder navigated the Johnstone Strait on its way back to Vancouver.