Epilogue

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This cruise brought with it a lot of firsts for us. It was our first time cruising with Disney (and my first time cruising, ever). It was also our first time going to Alaska—a state that we’d heard such great things about and seen incredible pictures from. Luckily, the whole experience was everything we could have ever imagined and more. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that it has made lifelong cruisers out of us (we’ve already taken another one and can’t wait to sail again). There are so many options when it comes to exploring exciting new places, and cruising seems to be one of the best ways to get a taste of a destination while also ensuring lots of variety in your vacation.

Alaska itself was even more gorgeous than we could have dreamed. It’s a place that pictures don’t do justice to and that everyone really needs to experience for themselves at least once in their lives. We’re already chomping at the bit to go back—whether on another cruise or a land vacation. We saw and did a lot, but it feels like we only scratched the surface.

This trip report has come to an end, but here are a few of our superlatives from the cruise, just to sum up what really stood out.

Our Favorite Port
Ketchikan (I think we were surprised at how different each port was and how every town had very unique characteristics. Even though we’d heard some negatives about Ketchikan—mostly from people who had visited when it was raining—we lucked out with such gorgeous weather that we could really enjoy the vibe of this little hamlet. It seemed like the most livable place we visited because it wasn’t too small like Skagway and wasn’t too big like Juneau. It also somehow felt like the most welcoming of all the ports. Sitka would be a close second among our favorites because it, too, was just a really friendly place. I hope that the visit to Sitka wasn’t a one-time thing for Disney Cruise Line. It’s a port that deserves to be revisited, in my opinion.)

Our Favorite Excursion
Musher’s Camp and Sled Dog Experience in Skagway (Even if we couldn’t afford to go dogsledding in the actual snow, this excursion felt so uniquely Alaskan that it topped a list of many exciting adventures. We’re already suckers for dogs—almost regardless of the scenario—and it was so cool to see these working animals doing something they loved. Add on a great guide and a fun Unimog ride, and the whole experience was a lot of fun. Our runner-up would probably be our visit to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Choosing not to do the organized Port Adventure was definitely the right decision for us because it gave us more freedom to enjoy this natural wonder on our own schedule.)

Our Favorite Restaurant
Palo (It feels a little unfair to compare Palo with the other shipboard restaurants because it is designed to be a signature dining experience, but it’s the meal that clearly stands out from our cruise almost two years later. The upcharge wasn’t that bad considering how memorable the dinner was, and it really gave us the opportunity to enjoy a fun and romantic meal in an incredible setting. Not to mention, the food was easily among the best we’ve eaten in our entire lives.)

Our Favorite Show
Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic (I don’t know if most cruisers try to catch every single show at the Walt Disney Theatre, but we wanted to experience as much entertainment as possible. Of all the performances we got to enjoy during our cruise, Disney Dreams just brought together all the elements that make shows in the parks stand out as well. It was sentimental without being cheesy, and it featured so many classic characters and songs. We just really enjoyed it.)

Our Favorite Shipboard Experiences
Disney Parks Trivia and Match Your Mate (Choosing among several fun experiences on board the Wonder is difficult because we enjoyed almost everything we tried. If we had to choose, though, Disney Parks Trivia and Match Your Mate both stand out because of the sense of community they fostered among the cruisers. We’re not usually the types to seek out new friends on a vacation, but there was something about sharing a ship with the same group of people for nine nights that fostered companionship among our fellows. The trivia session allowed us to pair up with the mother and daughter who we would continue to see and chat with throughout the cruise, while Match Your Mate let the whole crowd rally around the contestants and created inside jokes every time we would see the couples afterwards.)

Thanks for reading over the last year-and-a-half as I relived our incredible Alaska Cruise through this trip report. I hope it’s inspired you to book your own adventure to the Great White North and gives you some fun ideas about what to do when you’re there. Happy sailing!

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