Just got off the Wonder last week if you have Alaska questions.

[Jeni1781]

Happy to help. We did the Icy Strait itinerary.

 

[JM_97]

Are there any on board activities that are only done on Alaska and can't be found on warmer itineraries?

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

Happy to help. We did the Icy Strait itinerary.

How was the weather in June? What was the view of the Glaciers like? Did you see any wildlife? What kind of excursions did you do? Obviously, I am excited to plan Alaska for next summer and haven't picked a date yet!

 

[Jeni1781]

Are there any on board activities that are only done on Alaska and can't be found on warmer itineraries?

There was Alaska themed trivia and several talks lead by an Alaska naturalist. Also if you collect the free charms there are several Alaska only ones available at the ports.

 

[Jeni1781]

How was the weather in June? What was the view of the Glaciers like? Did you see any wildlife? What kind of excursions did you do? Obviously, I am excited to plan Alaska for next summer and haven't picked a date yet!

We had amazing weather. Only rained half day in Juneau. When we were near the glaciers and on our whale watch we needed winter gear (jackets and hats). Otherwise just layers with sweatshirts.
We got a great view on our glacier excursion (they told us the closest since 2018). We saw lots of whales, bald eagles, bears, sea lions.
Excursions we did:
Glacier explorer boat on glacier day
Icy Strait: ATV tour and whale watching (both booked on our own and were amazing. Happy to share company information if you want)
Juneau: we took a bus with an outside company to Mendenhall glacier and then we did a dog sled camp (both also amazing)
Ketchikan: explored on our own - super small town and they give free maps and then did the lumberjack show.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Jeni1781 thanks for posting. Did my online check-in last night for our 8/5 sailing and we have never done AK so very excited. I booked Icy Straight and Ketchiken tours with outside of DCL (Bear and Wilderness Treck and then Rainforest and Totem Pole) and then we are doing Mendenhall with Disney in Jeneau. All 3-4 hour morning so we can explore the towns on our own a bit afterward before reboarding. Did you happen to find or try Tracy's Crab Shack? It's on our To Do list.

Also interested to know how early on Glacier day you are in the bay. We are not doing the excursion but I have an 800x zoom camera lens (I'm an amateur photographer) so hoping to get some good shots.

 

[pachy25]

How was the embarkation process in Vancouver. Did it take a very long time?

 

[Jeni1781]

Jeni1781 thanks for posting. Did my online check-in last night for our 8/5 sailing and we have never done AK so very excited. I booked Icy Straight and Ketchiken tours with outside of DCL (Bear and Wilderness Treck and then Rainforest and Totem Pole) and then we are doing Mendenhall with Disney in Jeneau. All 3-4 hour morning so we can explore the towns on our own a bit afterward before reboarding. Did you happen to find or try Tracy's Crab Shack? It's on our To Do list.

Also interested to know how early on Glacier day you are in the bay. We are not doing the excursion but I have an 800x zoom camera lens (I'm an amateur photographer) so hoping to get some good shots.

We didn’t go to Tracy’s crab shack but you can’t miss it. Easy to find.
We were not supposed to get to the bay on Glacier Day until later in the afternoon but we ended up leaving Vancouver about 20 minutes earlier and apparently that made a huge difference we ended up in the arm starting around noon and then leaving it around 6:00. Our first sea day was rough waters but also it seemed like we were hurrying to get there which turned out to be true. It has to do with the tides so the captain was trying to get us more time in the arm.

 

[Jeni1781]

How was the embarkation process in Vancouver. Did it take a very long time?

Nope. We were probably all done at the port within 20 minutes of getting off the ship. It was super easy.

 

[pachy25]

Nope. We were probably all done at the port within 20 minutes of getting off the ship. It was super easy.

What about embarkation?

 

[Jeni1781]

What about embarkation?

Oh sorry. Read your original post wrong.
This took a little longer. Our arrival time was 10:45, group 5. We got there before that to drop off luggage. We were able to drop off luggage right away but they were not allowing anyone to check in until 10 minutes before their time. We waited inside the port and a Disney worker saw us and let us just check in early. The check in part was quick. We did then have to wait to board as no one started to board until around 11:30/11:40. Once our group was called it was quick.

 

[slindamood]

Was the CM GUS onboard? He does the cocktails and canvases activity. We are booked for next summer and hope to see him.

 

[Cheburashka]

Did you happen to find or try Tracy's Crab Shack? It's on our To Do list.

Not the OP but we sailed the Wonder to Alaska in 2018 and had lunch at Tracy's Crab Shack in Juneau. It's easy to find- you almost can't miss it. There is (or at least was then- I'm assuming this is the same) a free shuttle bus that took people from where the ship docks to the tourism hub of Juneau. That distance is easily walkable, as well- we took the shuttle bus to get there, but chose to walk back at the end of the day.

At that tourism hub, you will see people at stands selling bus rides to different locations (we bought one to see the glacier, and that worked well), as well as the entrance to the Juneau skyliner. In that same area is Tracy's Crab Shack. It is not hard to find at all. The line will likely be out the door, but it doesn't take that long. We really liked it, and I'm not even a seafood person. I had the chowder, and my son had a king crab leg. Both very good. Pleasant relaxed atmosphere.

 

[MissScarlet]

Does anyone know what time the royal gathering is on the Alaska sailings, like what is the earliest/latest time possible? Thank you.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

We didn’t go to Tracy’s crab shack but you can’t miss it. Easy to find.
We were not supposed to get to the bay on Glacier Day until later in the afternoon but we ended up leaving Vancouver about 20 minutes earlier and apparently that made a huge difference we ended up in the arm starting around noon and then leaving it around 6:00. Our first sea day was rough waters but also it seemed like we were hurrying to get there which turned out to be true. It has to do with the tides so the captain was trying to get us more time in the arm.

Thanks! That's good to know!