Sailing to Alaska on the Disney Wonder soon? This is everything you need to know about what to pack — including the items I wore every single day, what was a total waste of suitcase space, and a few things that surprised me about packing for this bucket list trip.
We’ve been on several Disney cruises at this point, and packing for a warm-weather sailing like the Bahamas and days at Castaway Cay is practically second nature to me now. Side note: if you’re curious about that, I wrote a whole guide on what to wear on a Disney Cruise for the Bahamas that covers all the basics. But Alaska? Alaska is a completely different animal. And I say that in the absolute best way.
What to Pack on a Disney Alaska Cruise: A Complete Disney Wonder Packing List
We sailed on the Disney Wonder to Alaska in early June — three port stops, gorgeous scenery, and a crash course in what you actually need when you trade tropical sunshine for misty fjords and lush green mountains. Spoiler: it’s not the same suitcase. This was a major packing challenge.
Let me save you the stress of overpacking the wrong things, because yes…..I overpacked.
EVERYTHING WE PACKED:
First, Let’s Talk About the Weather
If you’re used to packing for a Caribbean Disney cruise, prepare to shift your entire mindset. Alaska in June is cool, frequently overcast, and VERY often rainy. The rain can be a bit unpredictable. We had rain on the forecast leading up to the trip, but lucked out on our port days. Light sprinkles were all we got. In contrast, a friend sailed the Disney Magic two days later and had a TON of rain and wind. So…..be prepared! Temperatures at our three ports — Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan — hovered in the 50s°F, with occasional drops when we were on excursions or on the water.
The key with Alaska weather is layers. You might start a morning excursion in a light drizzle with temps in the low 50s and end the afternoon with a bit of sun breaking through. A few days felt milder and warmer than I expected, but the wind off the water made everything feel colder. Bottom line: don’t pack for spring break. Pack for a cool, beautiful Pacific Northwest adventure (and you know, a glacier day).
What to Pack on a Disney Alaska Cruise: Port by Port
Each of our three port stops had a slightly different vibe, and it’s worth thinking through what you’ll be doing at each one as you pack.
Skagway is charming and walkable, with a historic downtown that feels like stepping back into the Gold Rush era. We did the White Pass Scenic Railway, which is stunning — think sweeping mountain views and dramatic valleys from a vintage railcar. It’s a longer excursion (bring snacks!), and the altitude and open-air platform mean you’ll want a real jacket. Layers are a must here.
Juneau is where we did the Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp excursion — and honestly, it was my favorite part of the entire trip. We got to hold six-week-old puppies. I repeat: six-week-old puppies. The excursion meets on the ship, which is so convenient on an early morning. Layers were key here — it was a bit cool during the sled ride itself, but warmer during the camp portion. We had the option to take our excursion shuttle back to the ship or into downtown Juneau. We went straight to downtown so layers were important throughout the day.
Ketchikan gets the most rain of any of our stops (a tour guide told us 220 days a year), which makes it feel lush and green but super unpredicatable. We did the exclusive Disney Lumberjack Show, and it was so fun — kitschy, interactive, and Goofy makes an appearance (he only comes to the Disney exclusive version). Ketchikan is also great for walking around and shopping Creek Street. Again: waterproof everything and layers. It was fairly warm for us, but got cold by our late afternoon Lumberjack show (which is outdoors).
My Top 5 Most-Used Items I Packed
These are the things that genuinely earned their space in my suitcase. If you want to know what to pack on a Disney Alaska Cruise start here.
1. A Good Raincoat I cannot stress this enough. A waterproof, packable raincoat was my most-used item for the entire trip — both at ports and on the ship deck. Alaska weather shifts so quickly, and rain is almost a given in at least one or two stops. It does have to be actually waterproof (not just water-resistant). Mine folded up small enough to tuck into my day bag, which made it easy to bring along on every excursion. And bonus, it’s actually cute so I’ll use it again!
2. Waterproof Sneakers I bought waterproof sneakers for a trip last year and…..they’re the BEST. The only sneakers I brought on this trip and worth every penny. Between muddy excursions, wet docks, and walking through towns after rain, my feet were in these shoes every time we left the ship. They look just like normal sneakers — no one would ever know — but they kept my feet dry across every single port day. A total game changer.
3. Ugg Slip-Ons for the Ship Okay, this one might seem random but hear me out. On a warm-weather cruise, I’d toss on flip flops in the stateroom and call it a day. On a cold-weather cruise? The ship itself can feel chilly, especially in the mornings and evenings. My Ugg slip-ons were perfect — cozy enough to wear around the room and casual enough to slip on for a run to the coffee station or a walk on the deck. If you wear anything similar at home, absolutely bring them. Lydia wore hers constantly too!
4. A Warm Jacket (Not Just a Sweatshirt) I’m talking an actual insulated jacket — something that would keep you warm at 48°F on the water (glacier day is well, FREEZING). Sweatshirts are great for layering underneath, but you’ll want something with real warmth for early morning excursion departures and evenings on the deck.
5. Non-Wrinkling Pants The magical pants win again! I raved about these pants awhile back. They’re comfy, don’t wrinkle, dry quickly and actually look cute?!?! They look put-together for dinner, they’re comfortable for walking around ports, and they take up almost no space in a suitcase. The Alaska dining situation means you’re not dressing formally for dinner (more on that in a second), so you want pants that can go from a day on shore straight to the dining room without looking like you hiked in them. These absolutely delivered.
What We Didn’t Need (Spoiler: It’s the Dresses)
Here’s the thing I wish someone had told me before I packed: you don’t need all those dresses. I brought several cute going-out dresses for the dining rotation, and I wore exactly two of them (formal and semiformal night). While people often dress up for dinner on other Disney Cruise routes, this was different. You often head to dinner straight from a port excursion. Even on formal night, people were dressed VERY casually.
On a Bahamas or Bahamas-style cruise, a sundress for dinner is perfect and easy. On an Alaska cruise, I’d swap almost every dress for a cute outfit with those non-wrinkling pants (see above!) and a nice top. You can absolutely still look stylish and put-together — just do it in warmer layers.
Other things you can safely leave home:
- Swimsuit cover-ups in heavy rotation (you might use the pool once, but it’s not the focus of this sailing)
- Sandals (pack one pair if you want, but they’ll mostly stay in your suitcase…we brought none and just used our slip on Uggs by the pool)
A Few More Packing Tips for the Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise
Do bring: Sunscreen (yes, even in Alaska — especially if you’re doing an outdoor excursion like the railway, which has long sun exposure stretches), a day bag or small backpack for excursions, motion sickness bands or Dramamine just in case (the open ocean can be rougher than Caribbean waters), and good binoculars if you have them — the wildlife and scenery are unreal.
Don’t stress about: Formal wear, a lot of extra shoes, or a beach bag. This is a completely different kind of cruise packing.
Pro tip: Leave room in your suitcase for Disney Wonder Alaska merch. The exclusive Alaska-themed merchandise was incredible — think striped zip-ups, Mickey and Minnie in adorable Alaska outfits, and a stunning exclusive waterproof jacket. Items did sell out fast on the first night, but I saw most things restocked the very next day, so don’t panic.
The Bottom Line
An Alaska cruise on the Disney Wonder is one of the most magical travel experiences I’ve ever had. The scenery is stunning, the excursions are genuinely unique, and Disney does an incredible job of making the whole experience feel special at every turn. But to truly enjoy it, you have to pack for Alaska — not for a warm weather cruise.
YES to layers. Prioritize waterproof over cute. And pack those Ugg slip-ons.
Have questions about the sailing or any of the port stops? Drop them in the comments — I’ll be here!
And if you’re heading on a warmer Disney cruise, make sure to check out my Disney Cruise packing guide for the Bahamas for the flip-flops-and-sundresses version of this post.
Frequently Asked Questions: Disney Alaska Cruise Packing
Do I need formal clothes for a Disney Alaska cruise?
Nope. The Disney Wonder dining rotation does not require formal attire. Cruise casual is perfectly appropriate for all the main dining rooms, which means nice pants and a top, a casual dress (with a warm layer!), or anything neat and put-together. One exception would be if you’re dining at Palo, the adults-only restaurant, where slightly dressier attire is appreciated. There is a formal night and a semiformal night…..but dressing up for these is optional.
What is the weather like in Alaska in June for a cruise?
Early June in Alaska is cool, frequently overcast, and often rainy. Expect temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s°F at port stops. It can feel colder on the water or during outdoor excursions, and wind chill is real. Some days you’ll get lucky with sunshine, but you should plan your packing around cool and damp — not warm and sunny. We had minimal rain and moderate temperatures except for glacier day which was….of course, freezing.
What shoes should I pack for a Disney Alaska cruise?
Waterproof sneakers are the #1 shoe I’d recommend. Between wet docks, rainy port towns, and muddy excursions, you’ll want shoes that keep your feet dry without looking like hiking boots. Beyond that, I’d add a pair of cozy slip-ons or slippers for the ship, and one pair of nicer shoes (flats) for dinner. Sandals and flip-flops are unnecessary — skip them or pack just one pair if you must.
Is there a pool on the Disney Wonder Alaska cruise? Should I pack a swimsuit?
Yes, the Disney Wonder does have pools — and yes, they are heated. Pack a swimsuit! That said, it’s not really a “pool cruise” the way a Caribbean sailing is. You might get one or two pool days (especially on sea days), but it won’t be the focus of your trip. I’d bring one or two suits rather than five, and skip the multiple cover-ups. We used the pool once, on our last at sea day.
How cold does it get on the Disney Wonder at night during an Alaska cruise?
Evening temperatures can dip into the 40s°F, especially on deck. Inside the ship it’s comfortable and climate controlled, but if you plan to spend any time outside watching the scenery (and you absolutely should), you’ll want a warm jacket and layers. This is why cozy ship shoes and a real insulated jacket make such a difference on this itinerary.
What excursions did you do on the Disney Wonder Alaska cruise?
We booked all three excursions through Disney, which I’d recommend for peace of mind and logistics. In Skagway, we did the White Pass Scenic Railway — breathtaking views, great for all ages and mobility levels, but long, so bring snacks. For Juneau, we did the Sled Dog Discovery and Musher’s Camp, which was my personal favorite (puppy holding was involved, enough said). In Ketchikan, we did the exclusive Disney Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, which was cheesy and so much fun and Goofy makes a special appearance only for the Disney exclusive version.
Can I buy Alaska-themed merchandise on the Disney Wonder?
Yes, and it’s so good. The Disney Wonder carries exclusive Alaska-themed merch that you can only get on this sailing — things like a striped Alaska zip-up, Mickey and Minnie stuffies dressed for Alaska, and a limited edition waterproof jacket. Items did sell out on the first night, but restocked quickly. I’d suggest checking on Day 2 if you missed something on boarding day.
How many suitcases should I pack for a Disney Alaska cruise?
For our family, we did four suitcases and it was honestly too much. The key is to pack versatile layers rather than bulky individual outfits. Non-wrinkling pants that can go from an excursion to dinner, a good rain jacket that packs small, and a few mix-and-match tops will carry you much further than separate outfits for every occasion. And as always — leave a little room for souvenirs!
