Returning home is always bittersweet. With regular life taking center stage, let’s take a peek back at our Magical 7-day Alaska cruise on the Disney Magic. In case you’re just joining, you can start reading our daily reports beginning with Day 1. There were plenty of highlights and a few things we’d do differently in retrospect. I’ll cover that and answer some common questions that go along with the 4,000-mile trek from one corner of the country to another.
Disembarkation
Before we review, we have to complete the journey with everyone’s least favorite day – disembarkation. The breakfast options include a few light bites in the concierge lounge, Cabana’s buffet, or sit-down service in the main dining room (MDR). The MDR assignment coincides with your dinner location the previous evening. For us, that meant back to Animator’s Palette. Typically, if you have early dining (5:45 pm) for dinner, your assigned breakfast time will be 6:45 am. Or for the late dinner seating, which we had this week, breakfast will be a little later – 7:45 am.
As with most cruise lines, there are two options to disembark: express walk off, in which you take all your luggage with you; or standard, in which you place luggage outside of your stateroom the night before and collect it in the terminal prior to clearing customs. Staying concierge offers a mixture of the two. You can still place your luggage out for collection, but you get escorted from the lounge to the front of the line when they start calling groups. Think of it as the Lightning Lane for disembarkation.
With an early flight out, we inquired the previous evening about joining the early dining time slot for breakfast so we could catch one of the first shuttles heading to the airport. It’s usually fairly easy to swap disembarkation breakfast times as there are many guests that choose the buffet that the MDR’s are generally only half full the last morning. Just be sure to talk to your servers or head server the night before. The answer will likely be to come see them and they’ll find you an available table.
This is also the last opportunity to say goodbye and get those family pictures with the incredible service team!
Once breakfast was complete, it was up to the lounge to say our goodbyes and wait for our turn to head down to disembarkation. It was also when we got confirmation of a nasty rumor we heard. One of our favorite Concierge Hosts, Diogo, was also packing his bags today and heading home to Portugal for his vacation. However, instead of returning to the Magic later in the Alaskan season, he’s transferring to the Concierge team on the Disney Adventure sailing out of Singapore! As we don’t envision ever traveling over there for 3- or 4-day all-sea itineraries, it may be awhile before we see him again. (Check out our article on whether the Disney Adventure is worth the flight.)
Taking a Look Back
Going through the terminal to collect our luggage was a breeze, and we then were directed to where the airport shuttles were loading. Just a short walk and five-minute wait to load. Travel time to the airport took just about 40 minutes, dropping us off at 9:30 – plenty of time for our 12:10 flight out. Or so we thought.
Upon arriving at the United check-in, we found all their kiosks were down and a lengthy queue had already formed. Even though we had prechecked our bags, we had to wait our turn to get the tags printed and secured to the suitcases. An hour later, bags were loaded onto the conveyor belt, with security still awaiting. Add in a lengthy walk through the airport to get to the gates and it was 11:00 by the time we made it to our gate. Based on the fact there were only about two dozen passengers seated for an 11:30 boarding time, I was worried we might get delayed to allow for the backup in check-in. Luckily, the concourse filled in rapidly behind us and everything remained on schedule.
Why do I detail all this? Simply because when the cruise line suggests not booking flights before a certain time – they’re accounting for potential issues like these. In our case, we were right at the recommended “nothing before noon”. I could tell once we started boarding that almost half of the passengers on our flight were also on the ship with us – it’s pretty easy to recognize when they’re all wearing Disney shirts, jackets, and backpacks! I’m figuring we were among the first wave not only from our bus, but the subsequent buses after us.
The silver lining of being there with a few minutes to spare was having just enough time to stop at Tim Hortons, or the Canadian Dunkin Donuts, for some timbits (munchkins).
With the trek home including the flight from Vancouver to Houston, then on to Orlando, and then the drive home from the airport, it was another long day. In all, we stepped off the ship at 8:30 AM PT and pulled into our driveway at 1 AM ET.
With it all said and done, let’s take a look at the week in totality and recap the Magic.
- Stateroom – Outstanding! Yes, we splurged for a 1-bedroom concierge. It was worth it for the added perks of space and ability to have the table for room service. We spent at least twice the amount of time in the room and on the verandah just watching the scenery go by then normal. Unlike a typical stateroom or hotel room, this felt like home. When the temps were too chilly to sit out on the verandah too long, it was nice to be able to sit either at the table or the chaise to enjoy the views.
- Views – Speaking of the scenery, it’s simply breathtaking everywhere you look. Unlike typical Caribbean voyages where you can go days at a time with only seeing open ocean, this passage through the fjords and scattering of islands along the coast offered postcard panoramas all day.
- Daylight – Did I say all day? I mean ALL DAY. With nearly 19 hours of daylight, they take bright and early to a new level.
- Concierge Lounge – While it’s on the smaller size in comparison with the other class ships, it conversely makes it more personal. The renovations to the open-air section went mostly unused due to the cool temps, but inside was cozy and allowed you to spend time conversing with the hosts and other guests. There were a number of regulars and new friendships made. The cast members here really make the experience, and they continue to exceed expectations.
- Food – After getting over the indignation of not having fried brie, the rest of the menus were in line with what we’ve come to expect from Disney. A little something for everyone each night. Overall, the changes were to simplify the menus and streamline them a bit. Most of the same dishes as in the past, even if appearing with a new name, mixed with a few new selections. I’ve mentioned in the past that the menus were due for a revamp to shake things up. This is a half step – we’ll call it more of a refresh, but in a good way.
- Cast Members – One of the reasons we’ve fallen in love with the Magic over the past year comes directly from the staff. Between the concierge teams and our servers, they’ve become an extension of our family. Without that group, it’s safe to say we wouldn’t even have booked this cruise. Beyond them, the cruise director and entertainment staff are fantastic. Even our stateroom hosts made sure we were always taken care of. You just can’t beat Disney service, and the team aboard the Magic sets the standard.
- Internet – As a perk of staying in the 1-bedroom, we each received complimentary internet service on one device for the duration of the sailing. I’ll dive deeper into connection packages further down this article. Outside of the last sea day, I didn’t experience any issues and more than got my use. While some cruise lines’ internet packages require you to designate a device to be used for the duration, Disney lets you swap between devices as often as you wish.
- Entertainment – If you get bored of watching the snow-capped mountains pass by, there’s no shortage of entertainment on board. From the Broadway Musicals, World Class Magician, trivia contests, adult and family game shows, and dueling pianos, it’s non-stop. Oh, and then there’s the live music in Key’s Piano Bar and Scat Cat Lounge.
- Sail a Wave Party – Let’s start with the show that starts it all – the Sail a Wave Party. I’ll be honest, this time it just didn’t hit the same. Due to local noise ordinances, the cruise lines aren’t allowed to begin the festivities until outside the port area. Moving the premier kick-off party until three hours after you’ve set sail, between the dinner seatings, wasn’t ideal. Combined with high winds and cool air, it was hard to enjoy. This, obviously, isn’t Disney’s choice, so we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt here. What could’ve made it better would’ve been to have a fresh, Alaskan-themed presentation.
- Twice Charmed, Tangled, Disney Dreams – Fantastic casts and quality shows. Tangled has taken its place among our favorites, while Twice Charmed and Disney Dreams have definitely grown on me each time I’ve seen them. The individual performances of Marlana Dunn are just short of show-stealing.
- Broadway Stars – I really enjoyed this addition to the lineup. With a pair of Disney Broadway performers showcased on each of the ships throughout the summer, it’s a chance to broaden their exposure while showcasing the talents they possess.
- Jessica Jane – I think I’ve expressed my thoughts on her shows pretty well. Look her up, watch her YouTubes, stalk her on socials. You’ll thank me later.
- Fathoms – The assortment of games and entertainment carries you far into the night. As with any game show, the host can make or break it. Hannah brought the fun with each installment. Dueling pianos proved to be the sing along I didn’t know I needed.
- Bingo – Of course, the chance to win back a little bit of that cruise fare at the end of the week is appealing. Win or lose, it’s a fun wrap to the week.
- Merch – One of the big draws for the Alaskan sailing is the designated merchandise. Looking back to the Day 1 review, guests were lined up almost an hour before the doors even opened to ensure they wouldn’t miss out on any of the exclusive wares. Guess what – it was completely unnecessary. I checked each day and there wasn’t a single item that sold out. I’m sure later in the season they’ll start running low and certain items will run out, but if you’re sailing in the next month or so, don’t worry about rushing to get it and battle the crowd. I would suggest bringing an extra duffel bag folded up inside your suitcase to fit all your newfound treasures for the trip home.
Disney Magic WiFi
Some vacationers simply want to unplug from the world while others need to be connected at all times. If you’re one of the latter Disney Cruise Line has you covered. They describe their two WiFi packages, as:
Disney Cruise Line offers two purchase options: the Internet Package and the Internet + Streaming Package.
Internet Package
Stay connected on social media, browse the web and access your emails with our most affordable internet plan. With this plan, you can:
- Post text, pictures and video on popular websites and applications like Facebook, Facebook Messenger, X, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn and TikTok.
- Make audio and video phone calls on FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom and more.
- View short-form video on social media newsfeeds and platforms like Snapchat and TikTok.
- Surf the web, read the news, check the weather and visit other favorite websites.
- Send and receive emails.
Note: This plan does not support YouTube or long-form video streaming platforms such as Disney+ and Hulu.
Internet + Streaming Package
This plan includes all the features of our Internet Package, plus faster connection speeds and full streaming access. With this plan, you can:
- Stream favorite movies and TV shows from streaming platforms such as Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu and more.
- Access YouTube content.
- Listen to audio streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Note: While video game streaming is possible, we cannot ensure a seamless experience due to the constraints of satellite connectivity at sea.
Pricing averages around $28 per day for the Internet package and $40 for Internet + Streaming. There are some discounts if you purchase a length-of-sailing option within the first 24 hours on board or if you choose to package up to four devices per account. There aren’t any options to purchase an internet package pre-cruise, but it can be done anytime once you complete final check-in at the port. With the ability to share your connection by logging off one device and logging in on another, families can swap a single subscription. I’ll grab some more specific pricing later this week to share.
With the industry standard becoming digital, almost everything onboard requires the use of an app. Dining reservations, activity guides, even menus. Fret not though, if you don’t want to spend extra to get an internet package. Using the Disney Navigator App is complimentary once you secure airplane mode and connect to the ship’s WiFi. There are a few other apps that work as well. Two notable ones are iMessage and WhatsApp. Both of these can be used to communicate with family back home or onboard.
Disney Cruise Line & Social Media Connections
Living in the digital world has led to the abundance of social media groups for cruise enthusiasts. Not only does each cruise line have an official Facebook page, but there are countless fan-run groups. It’s become almost a given that each individual cruise has a designated Facebook group to share tips, organize meetups and gift swaps (known as Fish Extenders in the DCL community), or ask questions regarding the itinerary. If you’re going somewhere new, experiencing a new ship, or a rookie sailor, these can be a great resource. Usually, a quick search within Facebook will locate the group for your particular sailing. One important reminder though – these aren’t sponsored or sanctioned by the cruise lines, so it’s important to cross-reference for accurate information.
WhatsApp is becoming another secondary favorite for those that want to keep in touch before, during, and after the cruise. I joined a group that was created for the first time leading up to this cruise. The main reason was to be in touch with those posting wildlife sightings around the ship. To be honest, it ended up being more of a general chat group and I had to silence it by mid-week. On the flip side, our daughter joined a group that was created as a way for kids to get to know each other prior to the cruise. From there, smaller chat groups formed as cliques broke off. That cluster of tweens were instant BFFs and have remained in contact as they’ve begun to explore the potential of meeting up again in the future.
The Big Question… Would We Do an Alaska Cruise Again?
I started the week stating we approached this as a likely one-and-done itinerary. With the cold weather largely being a negative factor, we really were unsure if it would be for us. So that leads to the obvious questions of “was it worth it?” and “would you do it again?” In retrospect, the answer to both is – yes. While we won’t be rushing back next year, we figure within five years we’ll give it another go.
There are some things we’ll do differently in regards to the ports, but otherwise, it was an extraordinary venture. The spectacular views were breathtaking and such a different experience than what we’re used to. Another change we may make is going later in the summer and hoping for slightly warmer temps. For me, Icy Strait Point was the highlight day, even more than the glacier viewing. I can guarantee I won’t sleep on the helicopter tour in Skagway next time. Before we head back though, I’m targeting a Mediterranean cruise along with a few other hemispheres to visit.
Thank you once again for following along. I hope you enjoyed the journey as much as we did. The Disney Destiny awaits, so stay tuned!