Hello!
I just got home from Alaska. And in seven days, I'm going back.
I've traveled to most corners of the world and seen many wonders of the world but let me just say WOW just wow. Pictures definitely don't do Alaska justice. I now know why it's considered a bucket list vacation. The beauty is overwhelmingly breathtaking. I feel very lucky to return in seven days. I took two completely different kinds of trips to test out for you, and I think the comparison is genuinely useful if you've ever wondered which style of Alaska vacation is right for your family.
Trip one: Disney Wonder, with the whole crew
The port I was least looking forward to ended up being our favorite: Icy Strait Point. It's small, new, and impeccably done. The gondola across the island is accessible to mobility scooters, there's an easy 15-minute nature trail, and the little port town is packed with good food, shopping, and excursions running from whale watching to ziplining to kayaking. We almost didn't need the whale-watching excursion. An orca surfaced just a few feet from shore and gave us a show before we'd even left the dock. Still so glad we did it anyway, because it was life changing.
Then there was Glacier Day. I don't have the words for how magnificent it is. If you take this cruise, do the glacier excursion. It's non-negotiable. We also loved the White Pass train ride out of Skagway, one of those views that makes everyone on board relax all at the same time.
I feel a Disney cruise to Alaska is actually good for: big-ship comfort, endless built-in entertainment (Royal Gathering, Broadway-style shows, movies under the stars, and yes, we hit the pool on a 72-degree day), a predictable routine, and a crew trained to handle meltdowns and transitions without judgment. The Oceaneer's Club gives the adults a real break. No cooking (endless food options for selective eaters), no cleaning (your stateroom is cleaned twice a day), and your stateroom is never more than a few minutes away if someone needs a sensory reset.
And then there's pixie dusting, which is one of our favorite traditions onboard. Surprising another guest with something small and magical just to watch their face light up is its own kind of joy. We even pixie dusted the executive crew and they pixie dusted us right back.
If your family needs structure, options, and a safety net built into the itinerary, this is the move.
Thinking about Alaska on Disney for your own family? Book a planning call
Trip two: National Geographic Quest
In seven days, I board a completely different kind of ship. The National Geographic Quest sails a small-ship expedition through the Inside Passage from Sitka, Alaska, to Seattle, Washington, two weeks, way fewer passengers, way more zodiacs, naturalists, and unscripted wildlife moments than a Disney itinerary was ever built to offer.
I'm going to preview it firsthand, bringing a friend along instead of my kids this round (because they need to go to school sometimes), so I can come back with real, on-the-ground answers about whether this kind of trip is right for your family, your teenager, or that milestone trip you've been circling for years.
I'll be mostly off-grid while I'm out there, but when reception allows, I will be going LIVE to show you the beauty firsthand on Instagram. I'm also bringing my camera and my notebook, and I'll be sharing what I find with you when I'm back.
Are you curious whether an expedition trip fits your family or want to get ahead of the planning for next season? Reply to this email and I'll check in with you soon!
Two ships, two completely different kinds of magic. More soon.
P.S. If you've been sitting on a "someday" Alaska trip, now's a good time to reach out. I'll have firsthand notes on both ends of the spectrum by mid-October.
If cost is part of what's held you back from booking, here are a couple of things worth knowing:
- Inclusive Navigators offers a Travel Experience Grant to help make accessible, meaningful travel possible for neurodivergent individuals and families. It's open to USA residents only. Application found here.
- When you book your Disney Cruise Line vacation with me, you can receive up to $1,000 in onboard credit that's yours to spend on the spa, tastings, port adventures, Wi-Fi, photo package, souvenirs, or whatever treat feels right once you're onboard.
My planning services are 100% complimentary, so let's take the stress off your plate and build an itinerary that actually works for your family.
Warmly,
Elizabeth "Bess" Hobson, CATP, Travel Advisor
with Fairytale Journeys Travel
a Platinum Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Where I'm Headed Next
If any of these dates line up with your family's calendar, I'd love to say hi!
- National Geographic Expedition to Alaska: September 26 – October 9, 2026
- Disneyland & California Adventure: October 26 · November 16 · December 7, 2026 · January 24 · February 4–7, 2027
- Disney Mediterranean Cruise on the Wish: July 3–10, 2027
Elizabeth is an independent travel advisor with Fairytale Journeys Travel, a Platinum Authorized Disney Vacation Planner specializing in luxury, neuro-inclusive travel designed to help all families reclaim the joy of exploring the world together. Because travel suppliers compensate her directly for her expertise with travel logistics and white-glove planning behind every trip, her concierge planning services come at no additional cost to you.
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“To all who come to this happy place: Welcome.”
— Walt Disney