Hi, Scott!
A cruise to
Alaska is an unforgettable experience. I have been on many cruises, but sailing to Alaska is at the top of my list. Always keep an eye out for wildlife on both land and sea as you never know what you might see! My family saw whales, bald eagles, and bears from our cruise ship at random times, so hopefully you will have some wildlife sightings.
If you purchased a
ground transfer from the cruise terminal to the Vancouver Airport, you will be directed to the motorcoaches as you exit the ship. Buses generally begin leaving the port about 30 minutes after debarkation begins. Once a bus is full, they will depart, with another bus ready to fill-up with passengers. (If you have not yet done so,
contact Disney Cruise Line to reserve your transfers.)
You have a few options for breakfast. The buffet will be open for you to enjoy at whatever time you choose. If you have late dining but want early breakfast on your last day, you will need to speak to your Head Server in the dining room on your last night to see if they can accommodate you if you prefer a sit-down breakfast.
If you are planning for an early departure, you will want to keep all of your luggage with you, and you may line up as soon as the ship is cleared by local authorities. If you put your luggage out on your last night to have it transported to the cruise terminal for you, you will need to wait for your character luggage tag to be called.
Per the
Disney Cruise Line website, flight departures are recommended no earlier than 12:30pm. However, please note that the Vancouver Airport is about a 30-minute ride from the cruise terminal.
So back to the fun stuff of your Alaskan Cruise! Cruising to Alaska is a bit different than a warm-weather cruise! Days can be sunny and comfortable, but it gets quite chilly at night. I suggest packing long sleeve shirts and hoodies, and even jackets and rain gear. Have a backpack for Port Adventures so you can take along some gloves or extra layers. Here is where it gets crazy in Alaska: It can still be sunny and even on the warm side! Pack hats and sunglasses as you might need them. On one day of my Alaskan cruise, it even got warm enough for my kids to hop in the pool so you might want to toss swimsuits in your luggage just in case!
Scott, I hope you have an amazing cruise with your family. Hopefully you will have a few days to enjoy
Vancouver before boarding. It is a super fun city with a lot of family friendly activities. Have fun planning this magical adventure.
Cathy