Well Ahoy there Jodi, and welcome to planDisney!
I'm so excited to answer this question; as a seasoned sailor in Alaskan waters for many years, there's really nothing like voyaging onboard the
Disney Wonder for a trip out to see the sights and sounds along with the chance to spot the local wildlife along the way.
Speaking of furry friends, one of the great things about
your itinerary out to Alaska is the chance to see some of your beloved Character pals on deck - especially as they are out and about during the day dedicated to
Glacier Viewing along the Stikine Icecap. There are strict regulations about the time and access that ships have in these locations, and often local specialists are brought on board to help narrate and navigate the area so timing has tended to remain fairly consistent over the past decade. As long as weather conditions are suitable, you may begin to see
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald and Daisy come out to greet guests in their Alaska-appropriate attire up on Deck 10, Midship when the ship has begun to slow down. In my experience, lines tend to form along the Port and Starboard sides prior to 11:00 A.M. until just past 3:00 P.M. (Ship's time) with each Character on alternating sides and swapping out periodically. While appearance times and availability of certain Characters are subject to change without prior notice, they have also been spotted in the Lobby Atrium and roaming along the outer Promenade Deck 4! I highly recommend confirming their scheduled appearances on deck on your
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App as soon as you board, and it wouldn't hurt to ask a Character Greeter the day before for their best tips and tricks to make sure that you can snap a photo with your favorite friends!
One of my Princely Picks, Tips and Tricks is to have a thermos or cups filled with warm tea and hot chocolate to sip on while you're waiting your turn for photos as the weather can vary quite drastically from clear skies to chilly fog. It's very important to note that your cruise may or may not get a chance to view Dawes Glacier - well known for moments of frequent and dramatic calving which has been a part of its retreat in recent years. Instead, Glacier Viewing itineraries are always subject to change depending on the weather, visibility and whether conditions are safe for the ship to proceed further into the arms for guests to enjoy more majestic icefield views. (This is among many of the great reasons why ships want to steer clear of icebergs!)
You're always welcome to come back to planDisney to
ask me any more questions ahead of your voyage - and be sure to connect with our Disney Cruise Line specialists
Tracie and
Adrianna for a bit of their nautical knowledge over the years!
All the best on your upcoming Alaskan Adventure!
Prince