Glacier Explorer from 5 night Alaskan cruise on the Wonder

[kickash]

We were on the July 18 5 night Alaskan cruise. As Silver members, I wasn’t sure if I would get the glacier explorer, but I did. We booked the first tour leaving around noon. It was absolutely fantastic and worth every penny! There were 4 of us: 2 A and 2 K ages 8 and 12. When we first got on the boat, they took us to a sighting of whales. We saw humpbacks and orcas! They even came on the PA and said they rarely see whales because it is a glacier trip but they couldn’t pass up the opportunity for us to see them. We then headed up the fjord to the glacier, passing the Wonder. I don’t know what I liked more, the glacier or the views of the Wonder coming up to the glacier! We also passed many ice floats and a pretty big iceberg. On board, they provided complimentary water and donut holes but you could purchase pop, beer, and a wide variety of snacks. There were also a few restrooms on board. It was fantastic and I would highly recommend it.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We have this excursion booked for our trip. Same time. Your pictures have made me so excited. I seriously can not wait!

 

[kickash]

We have this excursion booked for our trip. Same time. Your pictures have made me so excited. I seriously can not wait!

It was absolutely fabulous! We just marveled at the scenery at every turn. The views of the Wonder were just breathtaking. The glacier was incredible! Massive! Just be sure to dress in layers. Even though we had bright sun, it was cold and extremely windy. We all ducked back inside the boat throughout the excursion.

 

[Van Houten]

Did this sailing visit Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm?

Edit: Nevermind, found on Scott's blog that this was Endicott.

 

[tlprice]

Great pictures! I am doing Alaska in May and wasn't planning on doing this, but your pictures have made me think more about possibly doing it.

 

[kickash]

Did this sailing visit Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm?

Edit: Nevermind, found on Scott's blog that this was Endicott.

Yup they announced that morning that we were going to Endicott. I wasn't surprised at all as hardly any cruises have made it Tracy Arm in recent sailings. It was still spectacular!

 

[kickash]

Great pictures! I am doing Alaska in May and wasn't planning on doing this, but your pictures have made me think more about possibly doing it.

Oh my gosh do it if you can! I was so on the fence about it mainly because of my children's ages and the fact that we had just done a 3+ hour whale watching trip in Vancouver (wasn't sure if they would be into *more* nature lol) but we all loved it. I bought them small binoculars but the boat had them for anyone who wanted to use them. With seeing the whales then the cruise ship then icebergs then the glacier, it was enough to keep them entertained. While you can see a lot of the same scenery from the ship, we got up close and personal with the icebergs and closer to the glacier than the ship.

Also just a word of caution: we had to run back to see Mickey in his Alaska outfit outside because he (and Minnie but we couldn't get to her) was only in that outfit outside with the glacier for 2 time periods, the 2nd one being 3 pm for 15 minutes (Ridiculous! Not nearly enough time but they did extend it). A lot of us in line missed Minnie outside in her outfit (she too was meeting at 3 pm for 15 minutes on the opposite deck from Mickey) so if that matters to you, you might want to reconsider. That was the only thing I was disappointed about was the timing of the day. Minor as we caught Minnie that night inside in her outfit.

 

[Van Houten]

Yup they announced that morning that we were going to Endicott. I wasn't surprised at all as hardly any cruises have made it Tracy Arm in recent sailings.

I noticed that, for some reason Wonder was avoiding Tracy Arm and heading to Endicott. Yesterday Wonder headed to Endicott Arm in the afternoon, just as Emerald Princess was exiting Tracy Arm; Carnival Legend was at Tracy Arm today in the afternoon. Endicott Arm is still an amazing sight (awesome pics, btw!), but for the Glacier Explorer tour, Tracy Arm is a more unique setting.

You definitely lucked out with whale watching!

 

[kickash]

I noticed that, for some reason Wonder was avoiding Tracy Arm and heading to Endicott. Yesterday Wonder headed to Endicott Arm in the afternoon, just as Emerald Princess was exiting Tracy Arm; Carnival Legend was at Tracy Arm today in the afternoon. Endicott Arm is still an amazing sight (awesome pics, btw!), but for the Glacier Explorer tour, Tracy Arm is a more unique setting.

You definitely lucked out with whale watching!

The whales were a great bonus! We had already seen some during a whale watching trip we took in Vancouver but one can never get too many whale sightings on one’s vacation, amIright?

Not sure what goes into the decision for Tracy vs Endicott but we don’t feel we missed out on anything. I’m not sure when the last Disney cruise went to Tracy but again, we were just thrilled to be able to see a glacier up close.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Your photos are spectacular! Really beautiful! I am glad you had such a great time with your family!

I have never been to Alaska so forgive me...I am curious why the Wonder was moving why you were on your excursion? I am sorry if that is a dumb question, but I have no idea!

 

[Van Houten]

I am curious why the Wonder was moving why you were on your excursion?

The excursion provides an opportunity to explore the fjord up close from a smaller ship. Wonder or any other cruise ship can only get as close to the glacier as its size allows for safe maneuvering. So the ship drops the tender platform, has a smaller excursion boat dock to it to load the passengers, undock, and then both proceed into the fjord on their own. The two ships meet up three times: at the entrance to the fjord for the first excursion time (12:00pm), at the far end of the fjord to discharge the first group and load the second excursion (3:00pm), and as the Wonder exits the fjord (6:00pm). So on a typical Disney itinerary, you get two excursion times.

Other cruise lines offer the same excursion in a slightly different format: the boat docks once with the cruise ship in early morning, takes the passengers into the fjord, and then discharges them in Juneau by mid-day. Cruise ship also sails into fjord, then docks in Juneau.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I have such FOMO about this excursion but I really think my kids will be too young and I don't want to leave them on the Wonder for DH and I to go. Plus I really do want to get pics with the characters outside in their Alaska outfits, and enjoy the balcony we're paying for as well. And we're already doing whale watching in Juneau.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

The excursion provides an opportunity to explore the fjord up close from a smaller ship. Wonder or any other cruise ship can only get as close to the glacier as its size allows for safe maneuvering. So the ship drops the tender platform, has a smaller excursion boat dock to it to load the passengers, undock, and then both proceed into the fjord on their own. The two ships meet up three times: at the entrance to the fjord for the first excursion time (12:00pm), at the far end of the fjord to discharge the first group and load the second excursion (3:00pm), and as the Wonder exits the fjord (6:00pm). So on a typical Disney itinerary, you get two excursion times.

Other cruise lines offer the same excursion in a slightly different format: the boat docks once with the cruise ship in early morning, takes the passengers into the fjord, and then discharges them in Juneau by mid-day. Cruise ship also sails into fjord, then docks in Juneau.

Thanks! Wow! I had NO IDEA about any of this!!

 

[kickash]

I have such FOMO about this excursion but I really think my kids will be too young and I don't want to leave them on the Wonder for DH and I to go. Plus I really do want to get pics with the characters outside in their Alaska outfits, and enjoy the balcony we're paying for as well. And we're already doing whale watching in Juneau.

Get in line early! The ship turns so by the time we were up for our picture the background was no longer the glacier, but the mountainside.

 

[mike314]

how was the weather? I am looking into an Alaska cruise in the future

 

[kickash]

how was the weather? I am looking into an Alaska cruise in the future

Ours was great, no major rain. But it does fluctuate within the day. One morning was very cold (layers, jackets, blankets) and by afternoon kids were swimming. We followed the “dress like an onion” approach so we could peel off layers.