Disney Magic Alaskan Cruise Review – Day 5: June 1, 2026

On this episode of ALONE: The Alaskan Frontier… day five of our 7-day Alaskan cruise on the Disney Magic finds us arriving in Icy Strait Point. The weather this morning was the best we’ve had since leaving Vancouver. Stepping out into mid-50s and sunshine with a projected high temperature in the low 60s was a pleasant change. The biggest change, though, is the mild breeze compared to the strong winds we experienced the first few days. The bay was nice and calm as we pulled up to the pier, and we even had a couple of whales and a seal come to check out the ship as we docked. Not a bad welcoming committee!

This port offers two docks, the Ocean Dock and the Wilderness Dock. The Disney Magic moored to the Ocean side, while the Wilderness Dock was utilized by Princess Cruise Line’s Island Princess. The Wilderness Dock is the hub for both zipline treks, offers a small gift shop, and an excursion sales counter next to a food truck. This is also where the land-based excursions and nature walks originate.

The Ocean Dock is home to the retired salmon cannery, now a museum, as well as a selection of gift shops. You can also choose from Duck Point Smokehouse Restaurant or The Cookhouse for a bite to eat. There was a well-talked-about doughnut shop as well, but of course, it was closed for a lunch break when we stopped by.

Icy Straight Point: Hoonah, Alaska

Disney Cruise Line describes this destination as:

Hoonah is a lively fishing community, former logging town and the world’s largest Tlingit village.

Local Culture and Flavor
Once ashore, explore the beaches, nature trails, free museum, boardwalks and docks. Explore the bay by catamaran or kayak – keeping your camera at the ready for brown bear and other wildlife. Or hurtle above the treetops on the ZipRider^TM—one of the world’s longest zip lines, bike, ATV, fish and discover the native Tlingit culture. Then enjoy the view from the old cannery, dining on fresh king crab or halibut and chips. It’s all part of the Alaska experience.

Past and Present
The Huna Tlingit were the first to occupy Glacier Bay before the Little Ice Age necessitated their migration to what is known today as Hoonah. The landmark cannery was built in 1912 and the resulting, Alaska Native owned-and-operated Icy Strait Point was built around this area in order to support the local community.

Since its 2001 groundbreaking ceremony, Icy Strait Point continues to be the only private cruise ship destination in the United States.

Boundless wilderness, fishing expeditions and other Alaskan pastimes are yours to discover.

Shopping
Shoppers rejoice! Icy Strait Point’s shops provide a variety of regional finds in the form of souvenirs, clothing, locally made woodworking goods, salmon products, art and books.

Scenic Mountain Ascent and ZipRider^TM Zip Line
Feel the rush and marvel at the view along this 5,330-foot-long thrill ride—as you soar through the sky up to 60 miles per hour from a 1,300-foot vertical drop!

ATV Expedition
Roam the land via an ATV while soaking up stunning valley, mountain and ocean views along the ride.

Whales, Wildlife and Brown Bear Search
Take a high-speed catamaran ride while searching for orca, sea lions, seals, humpback whales, bald eagles and other Alaskan creatures.

Forest, Nature and Hoonah Sightseeing with Tribal Dance
Journey through the forest, explore the beach and learn about the history of this former logging town. Then, take your seat at the Heritage Center Native Theater for the Tribal Dance and Cultural Legends performance.

Kayak Adventure
Paddle a 2-person wilderness kayak accompanied by a safety-certified local guide along the Hoonah waterfront.

In Alaska’s Wildest Kitchen
Savor an authentic culinary experience as an Alaskan fishing expert and wilderness chef shares her knowledge of local seafood, preservation techniques and how to grill up the day’s catch.

Tree Top Adventure Park and Ropes Course
Challenge yourself against the treetop obstacles and zip lines of our self-guided courses, which range in difficulty from very easy to challenging—making this an exhilarating all-family adventure.

While likely the smallest port you’ll find on this itinerary, there is no shortage of things to see and do. Clear to go ashore was just after the scheduled 7 AM, and we had until the usual 5 PM all-aboard to explore. I was pleased to find the Concierge Lounge opened early, at 6:30, to accommodate those who had early excursions planned.

We elected to go on a whale watching tour to see if we could get some closer views of these massive animals. It did not disappoint.

Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise in Icy Strait

Disney Cruise Line describes this excursion as:

Discover the diverse marine life of Icy Strait, including Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles and more.

On this adventure you will…

• • Take a short walk down the pier and board your spacious catamaran. Cruise past the magnificent scenery of Chichagof Island and distant Glacier Bay, and travel to the Point Adolphus area, one of Alaska’s premier whale-watching sites, where you are guaranteed to catch sight of a whale in its natural habitat. (The operators of this exciting excursion guarantee you will see a whale. If not, you’ll receive a full refund.)
  • Meet your onboard naturalist and relax in warm comfort surrounded by large windows while learning about the diverse marine life that congregate in the waters of Icy Strait each summer. Be sure to dress warmly so you can step out on the outdoor observation deck to experience the sights and sounds of magnificent humpback and killer whales up close. You may also spot Steller sea lions, harbor seals and bald eagles during the course of your 2.5 hour cruise.
  • Conclude your once-in-a-lifetime excursion and enjoy the scenic journey back to port. To enhance your true Alaska Experience at award-winning Icy Strait Point, your “All Access” tour ticket includes unlimited use of the Sky Peak Gondola.

This excursion will run you $234.00 (ages 10 and up), $154.00 (ages 3 to 9), and $154.00 (ages 0 to 2) per person and lasts approximately three hours dock to dock. The addition of the Sky Peak Gondola tickets gives you the opportunity to make as many trips up to the summit as you’d like upon returning to the docks. The standalone price for that ticket was $59 pp, so you can factor that into the base cost. Another important note: this excursion came with a money-back guarantee of seeing whales!

We met our guides on the pier at 10:30 and boarded the two awaiting crafts. These double-decker vessels each held 120 passengers and were fully enclosed to keep the chilly air out. It was surprisingly comfortable inside with nice cushioned seats and tables spread out similar to restaurant booths. When not in motion, doors opened to forward and aft observation decks for a clear view and some fresh Alaskan air.

The air was cool when the wind picked up, the skies were clear and sunny. Overall, it was a pleasant day on the water.

We started off by heading to check out a marker buoy that the crew explained was a popular hangout spot for seals. As advertised, there were a few playing in the water while others hung out working on their tan lines. One little guy was trying, unsuccessfully, to find room to join them but found only rebukes as he splashed back into the surf. A solid start to get everyone’s energy up.

From there we made our way along the coast in towards Neka Bay. I was keeping an eye not only on the water but along the shoreline as well. I haven’t given up on spotting a bear yet! While I did see what was likely a Sitka black-tailed deer, still no bear, to my dismay.

A pair of humpbacks were spotted not too far offshore so the captain paused to see if they would resurface. They taunted us for a few minutes without fully coming into view before disappearing into the depths. Moving on from there, we headed towards an area that the crew said was a common spotting site further into the bay.

Jackpot. We came upon a family of 5-6 humpbacks that were displaying a behavior known as “bubble-net feeding.” Google describes this as:

Groups of whales dive deep, encircle schools of herring, and release a cylindrical wall of bubbles. This “net” traps and disorients the fish, allowing the whales to lunge upward simultaneously with mouths agape to scoop up massive gulps.

What a sight! Seeing them break through the water in unison, cresting just before their pectoral fins emerge, then diving back down with a wave of their tail. The group remained active and we followed as they repositioned, tracking schools of fish. We spent around 45 minutes in this area and were joined by several other boats of excited sightseers.

The timing was about perfect as the pod began moving further away just as it was time for us to start heading back to the ship. There was no shortage of spectacular views along the way either. Much like the journey into Dawes Glacier, the horizon was filled with snow-capped mountains, trickling waterfalls, wooded shorelines, and plenty of sunshine. It also offered some scenic shots of the ship with a gorgeous backdrop.

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While the captain made his way back toward the dock, the crew shared with us some of the history of the region and the town of Hoonah. I mentioned this is one of the smallest ports you’ll find. The town of Hoonah, Alaska, is the largest Tlingit village in the state and has a whopping population of less than 1,000. The port isn’t even located directly in Hoonah, which is a mile and a half down the shore. Rich in tradition and native heritage, much of the revenue generated at Icy Strait Point, including most of the excursions, goes toward protecting their way of life.

Taking pictures of the whales proved difficult. It mainly consisted of pointing the camera in the general direction of where you hoped they’d surface and recording it. I have a compilation of those videos, with editing credit to Scott, below.

Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Once back ashore, we started chatting with a family we met during the muster drill on day 1. They happened to be on the other boat for the same excursion. As they don’t follow each other tied to the hip, each had a slightly different experience. They were part of the flotilla of ships admiring the whale pod, but said we had a better position and got closer than they did. However, they DID see a momma bear and two cubs along the shoreline while they were in transit. This is a perfect example that you never know exactly what you’ll see when it comes to wild animals and nature, and no two tours are the same.

Would I recommend this excursion? 100%. While it’s on the pricey side, it’s one of those things that, if you’ve never done it before, you won’t soon forget, as much of this sailing has been.

Skyline(r)

After the conclusion of the excursion, we made a quick stop at our stateroom to drop off unneeded layers, then it was off to explore. The main attraction, and one I’ve been looking forward to since we booked this sailing, is the Skyline. For many, this may seem more like a nice bonus rather than a featured attraction, but it had a special appeal to me. Before we bonded over our love of cruising, Scott and I first met as members of the opening team of Disney’s Skyliner, a gondola system that transports guests to and between Hollywood Studios and Epcot, with a few stops at select resorts at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The Icy Strait Point Skyline was built in 2021-2022, just after the Disney Skyliner opened in September of 2019, by Doppelmayr, the same world-renowned Austrian ropeway manufacturer that built the Disney Skyliner. At first look, the nostalgia hit me. The cable cars and operating system appeared identical to the Highway-in-the-Sky. Of course, I had to ask a few questions of the staff as we boarded and grab a picture of their control console to share with my #Skyfam — I know some are reading along!

The Skyline at Icy Strait offers two separate lines. The green line transports guests between the Wilderness dock and the Ocean dock. The green line is complimentary, and it’s a nice, gentle ride for the half mile between stops. This is a continuous-motion ride that only pauses occasionally for WAV wheelchair-accessible cabins to load. One thing missing was the in-cabin narration that we’re accustomed to in WDW, and it felt oddly quiet. The trek over to the Wilderness dock is wooded on both sides, and we kept our eyes out for any fauna roaming below.

Arriving at our destination, we took a few minutes to check out the gift shop and inquire about the ZipRider that runs from the summit of Hoonah Mountain back down to the Ocean dock. I was intrigued, but Becca wasn’t too sure if she was ready to tackle the tallest zip line in the world. We decided to take a ride up the 1,500-foot Red Line to have a look around.

Taking 10 minutes, this was a thrill in itself. While mostly smooth, there were a few times that the line slowed or stopped to assist guests with mobility issues. This caused a slight swaying of the cabin that made you rethink your life choices. Now, I’ve been in plenty of cabins and felt that rocking motion more times than I can count while working on Skyliner. Dangling on the side of a cliff doing it was a bit different, to say the least. The views more than made it worth it, though.

Upon reaching the top, there was a small overlook where you could see down to the ship, but it was fairly obstructed by foliage. Other than that, there wasn’t much going on up there. Two little gift shops that were nothing more than renovated trailers, a single food truck, an access road leading down the backside of the mountain, a fire pit for roasting s’mores, and the launch point of the ZipRider.

We were hoping to see the zip line from above as she was building up courage, but only ticketed riders were allowed down the path to the load zone. The attendant there had a video of guests earlier in the day that he showed us and helped assuage some of her concerns. At $200 per rider, though, I didn’t want to chance her not being sure and opting out at the last minute.

As we walked back over to the gondola for the trip down, she said she’d do it! To our dismay, after we returned back down to the excursion sales desk, they had just sold the last few tickets for time slots prior to our all-aboard time. Oh well, there was more to explore back at the Ocean side.

While at the peak, there was an announcement warning guests from the Princess ship that their all aboard was approaching and they needed to make their way down. I was a little surprised at that, as it was only 2:30. I found out a few minutes later while in the gift shop that it was due to another ship coming in behind them. I guess having daylight until 10 PM allows them to have two full shifts of guests spending money! Looking out into the bay, we could see the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas waiting for her turn at the dock.

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Ocean Pier at Hoonah, Alaska

With the treetops thoroughly explored, it was time to check out the Salmon Cannery Museum and gift shops. With such a beautiful day, the trek along the boardwalk was refreshing, with bald eagles roosting overhead and the waves splashing on the shoreline.

The museum itself was nothing special. It would be better described as small sections of displays spread throughout various gift shops. There was a nice selection of local wares, and we found a few souvenirs. While roaming the stores, we passed by Ainsley and Hiba, the Broadway Series stars, taking in the sights. They were chatting and taking pictures with fellow cruisers and seemed very approachable. The atmosphere all around was relaxed and friendly, not the usual hustle and bustle you encounter in most port cities.

I think this may be near the top of the list of favorite ports we’ve been to in all our travels. While not flashy, it just has a laid-back vibe with plenty of activities. Whether you take a whale-watching tour, nature hike, Skyline to the pinnacle, or just roam along the boardwalk, you won’t get bored. That’s not even taking into account the astonishing views.

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A Night with Rapunzel on Disney Magic

Back aboard, we had a double dose of Rapunzel. First with Tangled: The Musical, then returning to Rapunzel’s Royal Table for the culmination of her birthday party. Let’s dig in.

We knew this would be a hit with Becca the first time we saw it. It’s one I’ve been looking forward to not only her getting to see, but me getting to watch her watch it. It’s one of those things all parents will understand. Seeing your child’s delight never gets old.

The production was wonderful, as always, with all the key players hitting their marks. The Snuggly Duckling Pub scene with “I Have a Dream” is always a crowd-pleaser, and this night was no different. The showstopper for me has always been Mother Gothel. I’ve raved over her performance in the past, and she once again threatened to steal the show. But we’ll talk more about her later in the week.

Once the ovation subsided and the curtain closed, I asked Becca how she liked it. She declared it was her new favorite on all the ships. While I expected as much, it did lead to a brief discussion and ranking of Disney Cruise Line shows. I may have to do a ranking recap after our next sailing in a standalone article.

Rapunzel's Royal Table Dinner Menu B

Rapunzel’s Royal Table is a full-on dinner party, with songs, dancing, and characters popping in while you eat. Between the Snuggly Duckling Thugs causing trouble and Rapunzel herself making an appearance, it’s one of those meals where the entertainment is just as memorable as the food. Menu updated for 2026!

Available on: Disney Magic

Small Plates +

Snuggly Duckling Platter

A selection of Charcuterie, Pumpernickel, Bavarian Sweet Mustard

Ahi Tuna Tartar

Cucumber, Mango, Wasabi, Basil, Sesame Wonton Crisp, Sweet Chili Mayonnaise

Crisp Isle of Corona Shrimp

Pea Purée, Fried Potato, Crisp Pancetta, Pea Shoots, Lemon-Tarragon Caper Mayonnaise

Pulled Beef and Portobello Mushroom Ravioli “Tiroler”

Red Wine-Thyme Reduction, Roasted Carrots, Pearl Onions

Potato Cream Soup

Carrots, Leeks, Celery, Knockwurst

Green Asparagus and Broccoli Soup

Buttered Sourdough Croutons

Maximus Salad

Cucumber-Dill Salad, Marinated Potato Salad, Carrot Salad, Baby Oak Leaf, Lollo Rosso

Romaine Wedge and “Hot” Smoked Salmon Salad

Raspberries, Candied Pecans, Brie, Creamy Lemon-Parsley Dressing

Pretzel, Soft White, Whole Wheat Rolls

Entrées +

Tangled Pasta

Angel Hair Pasta, Basil Pesto, Caramelized Sea Scallops, Blistered Grape Tomatoes, Sun-dried Tomato Tapenade, Roasted Meyer Lemon

Pan-Seared Corvina

White Asparagus, Leeks, Spinach, Broccoli, Peas, Tangled Kohlrabi, Carrots, Champagne-Truffle Vinaigrette

Oktoberfest Lemon and Thyme Roasted Chicken

Fondant Potato, Buttered Kale, Baby Turnips, Romanesco, Red Wine Chicken Jus

Flynn Rider Platter

Grilled Barbecue Smoked Pork Loin, Roasted Smoked Pork Belly, Bockwurst, Braised Red Cabbage, Crisp Potato Dumpling, Spätburgunder Wine Jus

Grilled Grain-Fed Sirloin Steak

Oven-baked Potato, Asparagus

Baked Spinach, Zucchini, Eggplant, Ricotta Filled Potato Crêpe

Tomato Provençale Sauce, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil

Chili-Spiced Tofu Bowl

Soy-Ginger Broth, Rice Noodles, Shiitake Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy, Purple Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Cilantro

Captain of the Guards Roasted Prime Rib of Beef

Double-baked Potato, Broccoli, Sweet Roasted Carrots, Red Wine Veal Jus

Lobster Salad

Green and White Asparagus Spears, Globe Radish, Green Onions, Cucumber, Avocado, Spinach, Escarole, Arugula, Citrus-Parsley Dressing

Desserts +

Sacher Torte

Chocolate Torte, Apricot Glaze, Raspberry Sauce

White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Butterscotch Sauce, Almond Florentine, Vanilla Ice Cream

Attila’s Sublime Cupcake

Red Velvet Cupcake, Vanilla Frosting, Celebration Sprinkles

Sundae +

Rote Grütze Sundae

Vanilla Ice Cream, Mixed Berry Compote, Fresh Whipped Cream

No Sugar Added Dessert +

Coffee Crème Dome

Ladyfingers, Amaretto Espresso, Mascarpone Cheese

📄 View Menu as PDF or Image

I’ve mentioned our daughter’s fondness for charcuterie, so it should be no surprise she went with the Snuggly Duckling Platter for an appetizer. I kept it simple with the Corona Shrimp, as I knew the entrees would require some additional space. Fearing I may go hungry, Cristiano presented me with a double dip of shrimp! I don’t know how many times I can say it: he gets me!

As the menu has a German flair, the bread selection this evening included soft pretzel rolls. It was just missing a beer cheese dipping sauce, and that could have been an appetizer of its own!

Bypassing the soups and salads altogether, we got right down to business. We each chose the Prime Rib, while I added a plate of Pan-Seared Corvina to accompany it. I know not everyone likes medium rare, but just look at how tender and juicy that is! This is the only restaurant where I’ve found corvina, and from the time I tried it on our initial Magic sailing, it’s become one of my favorites. Too hard to pass up. It’s similar in texture to sea bass, another of my favorites. Topped with a dill-chive wine reduction that adds just a hint of tang without overpowering the soft, flaking fish. The meal wouldn’t have been complete without a few sea marshmallows, aka seared scallops, to round things out.

The only changes to this menu for 2026 were all-new dessert selections. They had me at the bread pudding. Since there were some other intriguing new selections, I tried the coffee crème dome while Becca doubled down with the Sacher torte and Sublime Cupcake. This allowed us each to sample a bit of everything. All were good. The caramel sauce in the bread pudding was a little scorched, just short of burnt, but I didn’t let that stop me from polishing it off. I’ll pass on the coffee torte next time. It was okay but only warranted a few spoonfuls. The Sacher torte was very rich, and I would recommend that anytime. I could only take a few bites of that, though, as the combination with the bread pudding was too rich to indulge in too much.

At the conclusion of the meal, and Rapunzel’s birthday party, there is a serenade of “Happy Birthday,” followed by Flynn, Rapunzel, Attila, and Hook Hand leading a procession around the dining room. The servers join in and invite guests to join the parade. It’s a fun way to get a head start on burning off a few of those calories.

Jessica Jane on Disney Magic Alaska Cruises

A magical finish to what was a fantastic day culminated with the adults-only presentation by magician Jessica Jane in Fathoms. If you read my review of this show from our February sailing, you can imagine I’ve been looking forward to this since before we stepped on board. She was just as astonishing the second time around. While the show was primarily the same as before, she did add a few wrinkles. The same charisma and stage presence kept the audience on the edge of their seats. She knows how to work the crowd and involves plenty of willing, and some voluntold, participants with an array of artistry. A mixture of illusions, sleight of hand, mentalism, and escape artistry. It’s not often you see a magician as crafty in multiple disciplines. Add in a perky style and passion for what she does, and it’s pure perfection. 10/10 would recommend.

With a puff of smoke, or was that a whale blowhole, I’m disappearing into the night. It was a full day of adventure and, to be honest, my favorite day of this cruise so far. Thanks for reading along, and we’ll see you tomorrow.

Disney Magic Day 5 Daily Program

Personal Day-By-Day Disney Magic Alaska Cruise Review: