When travelers book a Disney Cruise, what they can always count on is "fun" and an ever encompassing cruise to adventures. The Disney Cruise to Alaska, departing Vancouver for a seven-night cruise, offers families a well-rounded schedule of both on-board youth activities with special talks from experts in Alaskan wildlife, history and geography, and specialized adventures into the Alaskan wilderness.
A unique experience for kids is the Junior Ranger Program-- interacting with park rangers from the National Park Service, which also grants them "junior ranger status" with the association. Another engaging opportunity is the Disney Friends for Change program, where kids create videos highlighting the environmental aspects of their experience on the cruise to Alaska.
Once in Alaska, specially trained Port Guides introduce young explorers to unique nature and cultural aspects of each Alaska port that is visited. In Skagway, the narrated trip aboard the White Pass & Yukon railway is both for kids and parents. The private "kids-only train car" boasts sing-alongs, games, activities and stories based around the gold rush, and an interactive Railroader Guide is provided to mark progression on the tracks.
The Ketchikan adventure focuses on a cultural experience at Potlatch Park-- a re-created native settlement. Kids get to try their hand at the art of totem carving from a native carver. Best yet, each child paints a wooden feather that will be added to a special totem pole displayed publicly at the end of the cruise.
Other Alaska adventures on land include Glacier Dog Musher for a day, which sweeps guests by helicopter over to the Juneau Ice field and glacier. Visitors get to mush with sled dogs on the snow-capped glacier and through the wilderness. An exclusive perk to Disney guests-- a behind-the-scenes tour of the kennel, cookhouse, living quarters and the veterinary clinic. For teens, a glacier trek, accessible only by helicopter to the Juneau Ice field and mountaineering instructional, makes for a photo-worthy two-hour trek through stunning Alaskan terrain.
Back on-board, themed activities include a Taste of Alaska dinner featuring locally caught crab, salmon and for the adventurous, elk. Don't miss the BBQ on the upper decks as the ship passes through Tracy Arm Fjord.
A Disney Cruise to anywhere wouldn't be complete without an on-board visit from the famous characters. Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy meet up with guests in themed costumes; Mickey boasts his fishing outfit, Mini in her winter parka, Goofy's mountaineering get-up and Donald dressed-up in panning for gold attire.
For adults, themed Alaskan cooking demonstrations are available. Get away to the Outlook Cafe, a quiet place for coffee or cocktails with floor to ceiling windows for optimal viewing. Don't miss their specialized drink specials-- the Arctic Delight and Midnight Sun, or artisan beers handcrafted by the Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau: Alaskan White Ale, Alaskan Summer Ale and Alaska Amber are only available on the DCL Alaskan cruses.
Rates for seven-night Alaska cruises departing from Vancouver start at $1,015 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.