Join us on the DCL Podcast as we welcome back podcast creator Steve and his wife, Wake, to discuss their incredible Alaskan sailing aboard the Disney Wonder! In this episode, Steve and Wake share expert tips on how to maximize your Disney Cruise Line Alaska itinerary with independent, DIY port excursions. Discover how they experienced up-close whale watching in Juneau, experienced a smaller boat excursion at Dawes Glacier, rented a car in Skagway to explore the scenic Yukon, and kayaked alongside sea lions in Ketchikan. Plus, get the inside scoop on Disney Wonder rotational dining highlights, Palo dinner reviews, pre-cruise Vancouver logistics, and relaxation on board. Whether you are planning your first Disney Cruise Line Alaska vacation or looking to upgrade your next sailing, this episode is packed with essential Disney Cruise tips and inspiration! HighlightsPre-Cruise & Port of Embarkation (Vancouver): Drove six hours from Portland to Vancouver, checked into the Fairmont Waterfront across from Canada Place, took hotel bikes on a ride around the Stanley Park Seawall, and enjoyed seamless luggage transfers directly from the hotel to the ship.Onboard Experience & Entertainment: Highlights from the Disney Wonder, including morning coffee at Cove Café, relaxing spa pedicures, participating in ship trivia with their teenager, and enjoying live evening piano performances in Cadillac Lounge.Dining Highlights: Overall review of rotational dining, memorable staff interactions at Tiana’s Place, and an anniversary dinner at Palo featuring rack of lamb and expert wine pairings while sailing out of Juneau.Naturalist & Wildlife Talks: Presentations by the onboard naturalist on salmon, bears, whales, glaciers, and Native Alaskan communities, as well as an opportunistic viewing of a solar eclipse on a sea day. Port GuidePort of Embarkation: Vancouver, Canada (Canada Place)Arrived the day before the cruise, stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront, rented hotel bikes to cycle around the Stanley Park Seawall, met up with a friend for breakfast, and utilized the hotel’s direct luggage drop-off service before boarding the Disney Wonder.Glacier Day (Dawes Glacier / Endicott Arm)Observed icebergs, eagles, and sunbathing seals from Decks 9 and 10 before embarking on the Glacier Explorer excursion. The smaller boat provided an up-close view of three major glacier calving events, waterfall views in side inlets, and unexpected raftings of sea otters.Port Stop 1 (Skagway)Bypassed standard tour buses to rent a car from Klondike Electric Bicycles for a self-guided drive along the Klondike Highway into Canada’s Yukon Territory. Highlights included passing through passport control, visiting the Yukon Suspension Bridge, snapping photos at the Yukon border sign, hiking to a waterfall, and enjoying local beer at Skagway Brewing Company.Port Stop 2 (Juneau)Booked an independent small-boat tour with Juneau Whale Watching, experiencing close-up humpback whale bubble-net feeding, viewing the Mendenhall Glacier from the water, and grabbing fish and chips at The Hangar on the Wharf while watching seaplanes take off.Port Stop 3 (Ketchikan)Participated in an independent guided kayak excursion out of a nearby harbor, paddling for 2.5 hours past bald eagles, scenic tree-lined shorelines, and a bachelor pod of 1,300-pound male sea lions hunting salmon. Ended the day exploring Creek Street and watching salmon leap up the fish ladder. Follow Steve at: https://www.instagram.com/dcl_adventurers/?hl=en Want to be on the show? Fill out this form, and we’ll be in contact with you real soon!https://dclpodcast.com/want-to-be-on-the-show/ Support our show via Patreon:http://www.patreon.com/dclpodcast Use Christy’s Travel Services:https://dclpodcast.com/book-with-christy/ Follow the DCL Podcast via:http://www.facebook.com/dclpodcasthttp://www.instagram.com/dcl_podcast Follow Lake at:https://www.instagram.com/mouse.genhttps://www.youtube.com/@MouseGen Follow Christy at:http://www.packyourpixiedust.comhttps://www.instagram.com/packyourpixiedust
