Captain Mickey & Gang add Whale Watching & Glacier Trekking to Magical Excursions

Disney Cruise Line Alaska Cruises

Watch out Sarah Palin, Captain Mickey Mouse and the gang are bringing the magic of the 83,000-ton, Disney Wonder to Alaska for the 2011 season.

The Disney Wonder will offer roundtrip Alaska cruises from Vancouver to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Tracey Arm Fjord before returning to Vancouver.

This is, unquestionably, one of the more anticipated deployments in the cruise industry.  Not necessarily among all cruise aficionados, but certainly among Disneyphiles in general and loyal Disney Cruise Line guests in particular.   With the exception of a handful of West Coast and Europe/Mediterranean departures, Disney Cruise Lines has consistently sailed in the Caribbean and Bahamas since its inaugural cruise in 1998.  There is a tremendous amount of pent up demand for new itineraries, and according to Disney Cruise Line President, Karl Holz, Alaska was Disney’s most requested future cruise destination.  The decision to go to Alaska was based on guest feedback.

The Disney Wonder’s visit to the Land of the Midnight Sun will be a huge boost the State’s tourism industry which has recently been hard hit not only by the economy, but also by recent decisions by some cruise lines to redeploy three ships from Alaska to other destinations.  In 2006, the Alaska Travel Industry Association reported that over 1.6 Million people visited Alaska – 950,000 of them by cruise ship.   According to the Alaska State Department of Commerce, over 1.7 million people visited Alaska in 2008, but only 835,000 by cruise ship.  We don’t have 2009 stats yet, but it is expected that 2010 will show 140,000 fewer cruise passengers as a result of reduction in ships.   Royal Caribbean, Norwegian & Carnival all cite the costs of operating in Alaska and a $50 per person Alaska Cruise Passenger Head Tax implemented by a 2007 referendum as the primary reasons for redeployment.   While one ship doesn’t replace three ships, Disney’s presence will bring some much needed positive attention.

Behind the Caribbean and Europe, Alaska is the third largest cruise market.   People go to Alaska to see thundering glaciers, whales, wilderness, mountains, and wildlife.  They want experience a culture influenced by Native American and Russian history and the turn-of-the-century gold rush.  They want to embark on high adventure excursions like dog sledding, zip-lining, white water rafting, and kayaking.  They want to see bears in the wild, fly over glaciers in a helicopter, ride on a train, hike, go salmon fishing or live the “World’s Deadliest Catch.”  Alaska is one of those “life-long” dream destinations and is listed in the book, “1,000 Place to See before You Die.”   It’s “America’s Last Frontier” and “the Land of Wonder.”   It’s no wonder why Disney would want to cruise there.  Pixar Studios couldn’t create more colorful backdrop of dramatic scenery.

Peter Yesawich of Ypartners.com in Orlando, Florida is an expert in travel marketing.  His company’s studies show an increasing trend in Family Reunion Travel and report that “a special occasion” is one of the top motivators for people to take a vacation.  If this is the case, I predict that Disney Alaska cruises will one of the most popular if not THE MOST POPULAR 50th Anniversary Cruise options in 2011.   Alaska has something for everyone and Disney is the quintessential “multi-generational” cruise line.  This combination will give grandparents, parents, kids, grandkids, young adults, teenagers, and toddlers the opportunity to share in a unique family event where they will all see and do some amazing things and experience a magical vacation they will never forget.

Details regarding Alaska shore excursions, activities, special events and entertainment on the ship have not been announced. It is unknown if Captain Jack Sparrow and the Pirates of the Caribbean will change their name to the Pirates of the Inside Passage.  Stay tuned for more info as we get it.

Disney ships have 10 decks and pay homage to the grand era of the ocean liner, with Art Deco and Art Nouveau themes featuring touches of Disney magic.  They have 877 staterooms and accommodate 1,750 passengers.  Staterooms are configured especially for families – many of which are able to accommodate 4 or 5 guests in one stateroom.  They all have plenty of extra storage and most have scenic ocean views, balconies and split bathrooms to make getting ready for the day or dinner much easier.

Several youth activities and clubs promise age-appropriate fun for kids from 3 months to 17 years old.  There is a multitude of dining options, and Disney’s unique Rotational Dining system offers a fun way to enjoy most of them.  Entertainment includes original Disney Broadway-style musicals and the latest Disney Digital 3-D movies.  Adults get a taste of nightlife with nightclubs and lounges that offer dancing and entertainment.

And, if that was not enough to whet your appetite, Disney currently has two ships under construction at the Meyer Werft Shipyards in Germany.  The two, 122,000-ton ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will each have 1,250 staterooms carry 4,000 passengers.  They will be two-decks taller than the Disney Wonder and are scheduled to arrive in 2011 and 2012.