For those just off the Alaska cruise...

[Geomom]

In Skagway we booked the Yukon bus and Rail with Chilkoot which I highly recommend. It was a great quality excursion. The pickup instructions were very clear and went well. Our tour guide mike was awesome. We stopped at so many places to take pictures that the big busses didn't. He pulled over and pointed out a lot of wildlife including a bear! The lunch that was included was pretty good. The train ride down was really good. I'm sure cruises later in the year will be more crowded but we were in a half empty train car already when they came in and told us there was another empty car behind us and asked if anyone wanted to move. It was us and one other couple in a whole train car which was awesome.

In Juneau we booked a canoe paddle and glacier trek with Above and Beyond Alaska. This is another excursion that I would highly recommend. It was our favorite and one of the most amazing things we have ever done. We canoed across mendenhall lake, explored an ice cave, and walked on the mendenhall glacier. It was like being in another world! So worth the price and the effort of the canoe paddle to get there.

In Ketchikan we booked through Disney the boat ride to the Misty Fijords. This was a nice trip but probably our "least" favorite. It was still amazing scenery and we saw several whales and eagles. It was an enjoyable trip but just didn't wow us the same way the others did.

They did have the Pixar and frozen parties but we did not go to them and yes we did get the snowflake necklaces.

Glad you had a great cruise! We had Mike from Chilkoot as our tour guide last August--he was awesome! Our train car was maybe 1/4 full? Alaska was our first cruise as well...not so patiently waiting until next August for our second one...

 

[nycdisneygal]

Thanks thompj7188.
2 more questions - were the MDRs/inside areas very warm or pretty cool?
Who was captain?

 

[ironz]

We're just back from the 5/22/17 sailing.
MDR's were not chilly to me. Not super warm, but I was comfortable. I did bring a sweater/light jacket with me, just in case.
I think Captain Robert?
There was some Alaska specific merchandise, but I'm not a big shopper in that way, so ... pretty sure t-shirts, jackets, there was Alaska cruise scrapbook paper, the Mickey and Minnie small plush with their Alaska outfits.

Cruise was awesome.
We did the Glacier Explorer, which I have mixed feelings about whether or not it was worth the extra expense, since the ship got pretty close (not as close as the smaller excursion boat). In Skagway, we did the train/snowshoe adventure, which won't be offered the rest of the season. It was so much fun, but the snow is melting as they have had some warm days. In Juneau, we did whale watching (booked independently through Harv and Marv) and saw quite a few orcas and humpbacks. In Ketchikan, we just ran/hiked/walked around on our own and went to an early dinner in town.

 

[thompj7188]

Thanks thompj7188.
2 more questions - were the MDRs/inside areas very warm or pretty cool?
Who was captain?

The only night I was actually cold was formal night in Tiana's but I think that was mainly because I was in a dress with shoulder cut outs and no sweaters. I worse dresses with sweaters two other night and was fine. The other nights I was in jeans with light sweaters and was comfortable. I usually run pretty cold. I run my heater at work constantly.

Sorry, I don't remember the captain's name.

 

[KayKayJS]

We had a great time! Tianas place was great. We loved the naturalist talks, the ventriloquist, and the magicians.

We had TP TR AP TP TR AP TP.

The first 3 days were what I think were the rotational menus, we skipped our second TP for Palo, and our third TP had the beignets. Im guessing they also did the beignets the 2nd time there.

Excursions:

Skagway: We did the Bus Up Train Down with Chilkoot. We really enjoyed this, we felt like this day was very cold but the pics we got were incredible. We were supposed to dogsled here too but it got cancelled. We rebooked for Juneau with Disney.

Juneau: We did whale watching in the morning with Harv & Marv. Didn't see many whales but we had fun. I think the summer is better for whale watching. In the afternoon we did the Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall with Temsco Helicopters (thru Disney) - this was INCREDIBLE. By far the highlight of the trip. At $1278 for two it was not cheap but I feel it was worth it. They said they had not seen tours in 6 days due to weather, so I feel extremely fortunate to have gotten to do this.

Ketchikan: We walked around and shopped and ate at one of the restaurants. Perfect weather.

I was not impressed with debarkation/the port. We waited over an hour at the exit of the ship to be allowed to get off (not Disney's fault, the port can't handle more than so many at a time it seems). Then we waited over an hour for a cab, we barely made our flight (12:55PM). ETA: If I had known , I would have done express walk off and dragged our luggage with us.

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[DVC Doc]

Let me know if you have any questions!

Was there a BBQ on Tracy/Endicott Arm day?

 

[jetskigrl]

The only souvenir I bought was a wooden Christmas ornament that was shaped like Alaska and said Alaska 2017 and also said Disney Cruise Line with the DCL logo on it. There wasn't that much Alaska specific merchandise that I remember. A lot of DCL merchandise but not a ton of Alaska. They did have some nice looking Navy jackets that said Alaska on the front. We don't buy that many souvenirs since we mainly like to have the photos so I am probably not the best person to ask.

Thanks so much for the feedback The is probably why they didn't have an announcement of the merchandise this year (just not as much stuff specific to Alaska).

We're just back from the 5/22/17 sailing.
MDR's were not chilly to me. Not super warm, but I was comfortable. I did bring a sweater/light jacket with me, just in case.
I think Captain Robert?
There was some Alaska specific merchandise, but I'm not a big shopper in that way, so ... pretty sure t-shirts, jackets, there was Alaska cruise scrapbook paper, the Mickey and Minnie small plush with their Alaska outfits.

Cruise was awesome.
We did the Glacier Explorer, which I have mixed feelings about whether or not it was worth the extra expense, since the ship got pretty close (not as close as the smaller excursion boat). In Skagway, we did the train/snowshoe adventure, which won't be offered the rest of the season. It was so much fun, but the snow is melting as they have had some warm days. In Juneau, we did whale watching (booked independently through Harv and Marv) and saw quite a few orcas and humpbacks. In Ketchikan, we just ran/hiked/walked around on our own and went to an early dinner in town.

We have the Glacier Explorer booked also. My DH and DS have already decided not to do it but my daughter is wanting to work on her photography skills this time so I think just her and I will go so that she can get some pictures close up. We have done Alaska before and seen the glacier from the ship, so we wanted something a little different this time. Besides the glacier, did you get closer to the waterfalls or other areas?

 

[KayKayJS]

Was there a BBQ on Tracy/Endicott Arm day?

If there was one in Cabanas we didn't see it... We did Palo brunch that day so were full, sorry! They did have CMs brining out bread bowls with soup and hot chocolate.

 

[Geomom]

Scott has the personal navigators from the 1st Alaskan cruise up on his site:
http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...7-night-alaskan-cruise-vancouver-may-22-2017/

Dining Rotation:
day 1: standard rotational
day 2: Prince and princess
day 3: standard rotational
day 4: frozen
day 5: standard rotational
day 6: captain's Gala
day 7: Til we meet again

 

[ironz]

Thanks so much for the feedback The is probably why they didn't have an announcement of the merchandise this year (just not as much stuff specific to Alaska).



We have the Glacier Explorer booked also. My DH and DS have already decided not to do it but my daughter is wanting to work on her photography skills this time so I think just her and I will go so that she can get some pictures close up. We have done Alaska before and seen the glacier from the ship, so we wanted something a little different this time. Besides the glacier, did you get closer to the waterfalls or other areas?

In that case, you and your daughter will definitely enjoy the Glacier Explorer-- definitely opportunities to get closer pics of the glaciers and icebergs. We did stop near a couple of waterfalls as well. And you're lower to the ground to see sea lions on the floating icebergs, though I'm pretty sure the smaller boat is not allowed to get too close to them.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

If there was one in Cabanas we didn't see it... We did Palo brunch that day so were full, sorry! They did have CMs brining out bread bowls with soup and hot chocolate.

No barbecue. Didn't look like there was any space in the back of Cabanas for grills. Just the normal buffet on Endicott Arm day.
This was our 2nd DCL Alaskan cruise and we had an awesome time.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Thanks thompj7188.
2 more questions - were the MDRs/inside areas very warm or pretty cool?
Who was captain?

This is a subjective question. I live in FL and was cold most nights in the dining rooms. Bring a light jacket or sweater. On Skagway day when the winds were very high, deck 3 mid gangway was used. These doors are right by Tritons and were still open when early dining started. It was cold in Tritons that night!

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Thanks so much for sharing! We are on the June 19 cruise, and I am getting so excited! And slightly stressed about what clothes to pack to have enough but not too much.

 

[ironz]

This is a subjective question. I live in FL and was cold most nights in the dining rooms. Bring a light jacket or sweater. On Skagway day when the winds were very high, deck 3 mid gangway was used. These doors are right by Tritons and were still open when early dining started. It was cold in Tritons that night!

Oh, my! I can only imagine. Skagway was definitely cold and windy!

 

[ironz]

Thanks so much for sharing! We are on the June 19 cruise, and I am getting so excited! And slightly stressed about what clothes to pack to have enough but not too much.

A little of everything, so you can add/subtract layers. We were blessed with mostly nice weather, though I was in long sleeves most of the time, if not a jacket.

 

[Rake 08]

Dawes Glacier. The ship gets closer to a larger glacier; Endicott Arm is not as narrow as Tracy Arm. Note the small excursion ship on the left.

 

[woody64]

Great shot. Where did you take the picture from (deck)? Just trying to get some perspective.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Thanks so much for sharing! We are on the June 19 cruise, and I am getting so excited! And slightly stressed about what clothes to pack to have enough but not too much.

@bamagirl@hrt We are on the same sailing! It really has dawned on me that I should probably start throwing some stuff in the suitcase. It's not like I am going to wear most of it here in Texas were it is already HOT!

 

[maxiesmom]

Do you think this is a cruise where you have to have an outside cabin? Or one with a balcony?

 

[KayKayJS]

Do you think this is a cruise where you have to have an outside cabin? Or one with a balcony?

So, I've sailed in all 3 room types on Disney. Inside, Ocean, Verandah. I especially love the super large verandahs (4Es, etc.) When I was doing my research there were a ton of people saying they would never do Alaska without a Verandah. Now that we've completed our cruise, I definitely do not agree. I do think you want to have a porthole, mostly so you can see what's going by, as there are constant views.

We had ocean view room 2116 (cat 9C) near the aft elevators and laundry. It was the large porthole but not the really large one.

I honestly can say I wouldn't have paid more than $100 to upgrade to a Verandah. Would it have been nice Sure. But not for the prices they were asking. We spent that money on incredible excursions. The porthole gave us awesome views when we just wanted to lay in the room and watch movies, and when we wanted to take photos, we took those on deck 4 or deck 10. We spent most of Endicott Arm day on deck 10.

We loved our room and I especially loved being close to the elevators and laundry, as we did do laundry once during the trip.

Here's a shot I took out of our porthole: (sorry its so big)