Travel dates
Jul 5 – Jul 14, 2026
Adam picks up Falls Church 5:45 AM Jul 5. Return IAD arrival 6:22 AM Jul 14 (red-eye), Adam drives home.
Master summary
At a glance
The Ship
Disney Wonder
Vancouver roundtrip. Embarkation at 999 Canada Place, Jul 6. Main dining every evening at 5:45 PM.
Andy, Sara, Rachel & Evie
Andy, Sara, Rachel (5), Evie (2)
Fairmont Pacific Rim pre-cruise. Westin Bayshore Jul 13 post-cruise. Flights confirmed. Disney Cruise Line online check-in required before departure.
Orlando group
Marty, Kathy, Shawn, Nathan, Johann
Arrived Vancouver Jul 3. Fairmont Pacific Rim confirmed. 9 guests total on board.
Ports of call
Glacier · Skagway · Juneau · Ketchikan
Plus two sea days on the Inside Passage. Glacier excursion Jul 8, three port days Jul 9–11.
Vancouver hotel
Fairmont Pacific Rim · Westin Bayshore
Pre-cruise: Fairmont Pacific Rim at Canada Place (Jul 5–6). Post-cruise: Westin Bayshore, 1601 Bayshore Dr — Roszak family (Jul 13–14).
Nathan's picks
Southeast Alaska Brewery Trail
Taproom rankings for Skagway, Juneau & Ketchikan — best year-round and seasonal pours on each port day (Jul 9–11).
July 5–14, 2026
Day by day
All times subject to change — confirm via Disney Navigator app closer to sailing.
5
Jul
Day 0 — Sunday, July 5
- 5:45 AM Adam picks up at 2132 Powhatan St for IAD. Confirmed — car seat + booster. Contact: adamelkadiri@gmail.com.
- 8:21 AM UA 1914 departs IAD (Terminal Main). Nonstop, 5h 46m.
- 11:05 AM Supreme Limousine pickup at YVR. Confirmed. First Class SUV, 2 child seats.
- Afternoon Check in to Fairmont Pacific Rim. Fairmont Gold room, floors 20–22. Gold Lounge access for 2 adults + 2 children.
- Evening Meet Orlando group (Marty, Kathy, Shawn, Nathan, Johann). Confirmed dinner: Cactus Club Cafe (Coal Harbour), 5:45 PM — Roszak family (party of 4) + Rubin/Morgan group (party of 5), separate tables, same time. Early bedtime — embarkation tomorrow.
Jet lag note: Vancouver is 3 hours behind Eastern. Adjust especially for the kids — early bedtime will pay off at embarkation tomorrow.
✦ Fun Fact
Vancouver's cruise terminal at Canada Place is one of the world's largest, serving ships headed to Alaska all summer long. The city is nicknamed "Hollywood North" — more movies and TV shows film here than almost anywhere else in North America. Stanley Park, near your hotel, spans more than 1,000 acres — bigger than Central Park in New York City.
6
Jul
Day 1 — Monday, July 6
- Morning Breakfast at Fairmont Gold Lounge (included) or walk to Cafe Villaggio (opens 7 AM) or Guffo Cafe (opens 6:30 AM). Check out of Fairmont.
- 3:00 PM Embarkation — all 9 guests. Terminal at 999 Canada Place, 5-minute walk from hotel. Confirm time via Disney Navigator app.
- Afternoon Explore the Disney Wonder. Locate stateroom, pools, and review Navigator app for day's schedule.
- 5:45 PM Dinner — Main Dining (all guests, every evening).
- Sail-away Ship departs Vancouver. Watch from the upper decks.
✦ Fun Fact
The Disney Wonder was the second ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, entering service on August 15, 1999 — making it nearly 27 years old during this sailing. It was built in Italy and christened at Port Canaveral, with Tinker Bell as the official godmother — the first animated character ever used in that role. The ship is about 964 feet long (more than three football fields), weighs 84,000 gross tons, carries over 2,700 guests across 11 decks, and features Tiana's Place, Animator's Palate, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, and Andy's Room from Toy Story.
7
Jul
Day 2 — Tuesday, July 7
- 9:00 AM Royal Gathering — all guests. Check Navigator app for exact location.
- Morning Open deck time — Inside Passage scenery. Mountains, forests, islands, and possible early wildlife sightings. Bring binoculars.
- 3:00–4:30 PM Royal Court Royal Tea at Triton's — Andy, Marty, Sara, Nathan, Shawn, Kathy. Princess tea experience. Dress up encouraged!
- 3:00–4:30 PM Royal Court Royal Tea at Triton's — Rachel, Johann. Princess tea experience. Dress up encouraged!
- FLAG Evie is not listed for the tea and nursery is not booked until 7 PM. Either book Small World Nursery for approx. 2:45–4:45 PM, or one adult stays behind with Evie.
- 5:45 PM Dinner — Main Dining.
- 7:00–10:00 PM Small World Nursery, Deck 5 — Evie. Adults have free time: explore the ship, catch a show, or adult-only areas.
✦ Fun Fact
The Inside Passage stretches more than 1,000 miles from Washington through British Columbia toward Southeast Alaska, winding between forested islands, fjords, and mountain scenery. Alaska's portion alone is about 500 miles. July is prime time to spot humpback whales from the deck — they sometimes "bubble-net feed," working together to trap fish with a rising circle of bubbles before surfacing with their mouths open.
8
Jul
Day 3 — Wednesday, July 8
- Morning Open deck time for glacier viewing. Get to upper decks early for best vantage. Expect 45–55°F with wind chill. Blue-white ice, calving, floating icebergs, and possibly seals.
- 12:00–2:30 PM Glacier Explorer (DG01) — all 9 guests.
- 1:00–4:00 PM Small World Nursery, Deck 5 — Evie. (Overlaps end of excursion; Evie may need drop-off after returning.)
- 5:45 PM Dinner — Main Dining.
Deck gear: Camera + telephoto, binoculars, hand warmers, insulated mugs for hot cocoa.
What to wear: Moisture-wicking base layer, fleece midlayer, waterproof windproof jacket + hood, warm hat, gloves. Splash pants for the kids.
What to wear: Moisture-wicking base layer, fleece midlayer, waterproof windproof jacket + hood, warm hat, gloves. Splash pants for the kids.
✦ Fun Fact
Today the ship sails near the Stikine Icecap, a massive icefield straddling the Alaska–British Columbia border. It feeds glaciers and rivers across the region and sits partly within the Tongass National Forest — one of the world's largest temperate rainforests. Sunlight reflects powerfully off glacier ice, so sunscreen and sunglasses are a smart call even on cloudy days. Watch for floating ice, waterfalls, and wildlife along the fjord walls.
9
Jul
Day 4 — Thursday, July 9
- 7:15 AM Guests ashore (time subject to change). Small historic Gold Rush town, mountain valley, bald eagles, waterfalls.
- 10:15 AM–12:45 PM All Aboard Steam Train (SW11) — all 9 guests. White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad climbs through mountain passes with spectacular views.
- 1:00 PM Lunch — Skagway Fish Company — all 9 guests. No reservation needed.
- 2:00–3:00 PM Skagway Brewing Co. — 204 4th Ave — all guests. Spruce Tip Blonde Ale.
- 3:00–5:30 PM Glacier Discovery by Helicopter (SW21) — Marty, Nathan, Shawn, Kathy, Johann only. Andy, Sara, Rachel, and Evie are not on this excursion. Additional free time in Skagway or back on ship.
- 5:45 PM Dinner — Main Dining.
- 7:00–10:00 PM Small World Nursery, Deck 5 — Evie.
- 8:00 PM All guests onboard (time subject to change).
Weather note: Could be sunny 65°F or overcast 50°F — wear layers and waterproof shoes.
Nathan's Beer Picks — Skagway
Must-try on the whole trail: Spruce Tip Blonde Ale at Skagway Brewing Co. — named unprompted by nearly every reviewer.
Skagway Brewing Co.
- Year-round: Spruce Tip Blonde Ale (Fruit & Field) ★★★★★ — BeerAdvocate 90
- Seasonal: Oosik Stout ★★★★☆
Klondike Brewing
- Year-round: Klondike Original (Altbier-Style Lager) ★★★★☆
- Seasonal: The Revenant (Barrel-Aged Stout) ★★★★☆
Breweries only — no pubs or saloons. Sourced from BeerAdvocate, Untappd & Alaska Beer Awards.
✦ Fun Fact
Skagway was the main jumping-off point for the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s, when thousands of prospectors arrived by ship before heading inland toward the Yukon gold fields. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway began construction in 1898 and climbs from sea level to nearly 3,000 feet in about 20 miles. Today Skagway has just over 1,100 year-round residents but becomes one of Southeast Alaska's busiest cruise ports each summer, with wooden boardwalks and restored Gold Rush-era buildings lining Broadway Street.
10
Jul
Day 5 — Friday, July 10
- 6:45 AM Guests ashore (time subject to change). Early start! Juneau: Alaska's capital, accessible only by boat or plane. Best chance of seeing humpback whales.
- 9:00 AM–2:30 PM Whale Quest at Orca Point Lodge (JU45) — Andy, Sara, Rachel, Evie, Nathan, Shawn, Johann. 5.5-hour excursion.
- 9:30 AM–1:00 PM Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and 5-Glacier Seaplane (JU48) — Marty and Kathy only (separate excursion).
- 2:45 PM Tracy's King Crab Shack — all 9 guests. Post-whale-quest snack stop in Juneau.
- 3:15–4:15 PM Devil's Club Brewing — 100 N Franklin St — adults. Imperial Pastry Stout.
- 4:45 PM All guests onboard (time subject to change).
- 5:45 PM Dinner — Main Dining.
- 7:00–10:00 PM Small World Nursery, Deck 5 — Evie.
Evie on a 5.5-hour excursion: Pack snacks, change of clothes, a comfort item, and plan for nap logistics on the boat.
Nathan's Beer Picks — Juneau
Trail best overall: Alaskan Smoked Porter. Best seasonal: Devil's Club Imperial Pastry Stout (Gold — AK Beer Awards '25). Four breweries — deepest field on the trail.
Alaskan Brewing Co.
- Year-round: Smoked Porter (Alder-Smoked Porter) ★★★★★ — trail benchmark
- Seasonal: Pilot Series: Whiskey Porter ★★★★☆
Devil's Club Brewing
- Year-round: Signature IPA ★★★★☆ — Silver, AK Beer Awards '25
- Seasonal: Imperial Pastry Stout (Hazelnut · Coconut · Vanilla) ★★★★★ — Gold, AK Beer Awards '25
Forbidden Peak Brewery
- Year-round: Frost Point IPA ★★★★☆
- Seasonal: Egan Is Lava (limited release) ★★★★☆
Harbor Mountain Brewing
- Year-round: Totally Pitted (Hazy IPA) ★★★★★
- Seasonal: Skiff Life (Czech-Style Amber Lager) ★★★★☆
Breweries only — no pubs or saloons. Sourced from BeerAdvocate, Untappd & Alaska Beer Awards.
✦ Fun Fact
Juneau is Alaska's capital city — and one of the only state capitals in the U.S. you cannot reach by road. It's accessible only by air or sea. Mendenhall Glacier sits about 12 miles from downtown and flows from the Juneau Icefield, a remnant of the last ice age covering about 1,500 square miles. The city is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S., home to eagles, salmon, and — on a good day — humpback whales.
11
Jul
Day 6 — Saturday, July 11
- 11:15 AM Guests ashore — late arrival. Ketchikan: Salmon Capital of the World. ~150 inches rain/year. Pack rain jackets. Creek Street (colorful houses on stilts), totem poles, salmon in the creek.
- 12:00–3:15 PM By the Sea Wildlife and Sightseeing Cruise (KE39) — all 9 guests.
- 3:30–5:00 PM Creek St. & Salmon Ladder — all guests. Back aboard by 5:00 PM.
- Quick stop Bawden St. Brewing — 325 Bawden St — all guests. Mark IV IPA.
- 5:45 PM Dinner — Main Dining.
- 7:00 PM All guests onboard (time subject to change).
- 7:00–10:00 PM Small World Nursery, Deck 5 — Evie.
Rain kit: Rain jackets + hoods for everyone. Waterproof shoes essential. Splash pants for kids. Dry change of clothes in a daypack.
Nathan's Beer Picks — Ketchikan
Note: Only one real brewery in town — best of one, not a competitive field like Juneau.
Bawden Street Brewing
- Year-round: Mark IV IPA ★★★★☆ — flagship; "Shut Up, Donna!" is the fun-name favorite
- Seasonal: Cherry on Top (Fruited Chocolate Stout) ★★★★☆
Breweries only — no pubs or saloons. Sourced from BeerAdvocate, Untappd & Alaska Beer Awards.
✦ Fun Fact
Ketchikan is known as Alaska's "First City" — it's often the first Alaskan port travelers reach when cruising north through the Inside Passage. It also claims the title of "Salmon Capital of the World." The surrounding Tongass National Forest covers 17 million acres of temperate rainforest filled with cedar, Sitka spruce, waterfalls, and wildlife. The area has one of the highest concentrations of totem poles in the world, carved by Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian artists.
12
Jul
Day 7 — Sunday, July 12
- 10:30 AM–12:00 PM Palo Brunch — adults only: Andy, Sara, Marty, Nathan, Shawn, Kathy. Upscale Italian dining.
- FLAG Evie needs nursery or childcare during Palo Brunch. Nursery currently booked starting 1:00 PM only. Either book nursery from 10:00 AM or one adult skips brunch to stay with Evie.
- 1:00–4:00 PM Small World Nursery, Deck 5 — Evie.
- 2:00–2:50 PM 50-minute facial at Senses Spa — Shawn.
- 3:45–4:30 PM Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique — Rachel. Princess transformation.
- 4:00–4:45 PM Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique — Johann.
- 5:45 PM Final dinner — Main Dining.
- Evening Pack suitcases. Place luggage outside stateroom door before bed per Disney instructions. Check Navigator app for specific time and color tag. Keep carry-on with essentials for morning.
✦ Fun Fact
Today the ship sails south through Southeast Alaska — one of the best stretches of coastline in the world for spotting wildlife. Humpback whales are commonly seen bubble-net feeding: a group blows a rising circle of bubbles to trap fish, then surfaces together through the middle with mouths open. Alaska has more bald eagles than any other state — look for them perched in tall trees near the shoreline or diving for fish. Keep binoculars handy.
13
Jul
Day 8 — Monday, July 13
- ~7:30–8:00 AM Disembarkation per Navigator app color tag. Clear Canadian customs at cruise terminal — Andy, Sara, Rachel & Evie.
- 8–9 AM Taxi or rideshare with luggage to The Westin Bayshore (1601 Bayshore Dr). Your24 early check-in is approved for 9:00 AM, so the room should be available on arrival.
- 9–9:30 AM Breakfast near Bayshore / Coal Harbour after check-in: Guffo Cafe (Robson, opens 6:30 AM), Cafe Villaggio (Coal Harbour, opens 7 AM), or Harbour Cafe (opens 8 AM, pistachio croissant).
- 9:30–10 AM FlyOver Canada (optional) — 999 Canada Place. ~25-min flying simulation. Minimum 40 inches (102 cm) for Rachel — check height. Evie likely too short, one adult sits out. Hours: 10 AM–9 PM.
- 10:00 AM Orlando group departs — Supreme Limousine from cruise terminal to YVR. DL/WestJet 1064 at 1:16 PM to SLC → MCO.
- 10:30 AM–2:30 PM Vancouver Aquarium — 845 Avison Way, Stanley Park. 65,000+ animals, rescued sea otters and sea lions. Stroller-friendly. Lunch at Upstream Cafe. Walk to Brockton Point totem poles after. Easy from Westin Bayshore.
- 2:30–4:00 PM Quiet time. Let the kids rest in the room, take a Seawall stroll along Bayshore, or use the hotel as a reset point before the red-eye.
- 4:00 PM Freshen up — The Westin Bayshore — Superior room, 2 double beds, pool & garden view (upgrade confirmed). Room access is already approved from 9:00 AM via Your24.
- 4:30–6:00 PM Early dinner near Bayshore. Option A: hotel dining. Option B: Cactus Club Cafe Coal Harbour (~5 min). Option C: Fisherman's Terrace in Richmond (dim sum, 25–30 min toward airport).
- 6:00–6:30 PM Check out of Westin with luggage and depart for YVR. (Room booked through Jul 14 — no overnight stay; red-eye departs tonight.)
- 6:30–7:30 PM Transfer to YVR — rideshare or Supreme Limousine. NOT YET BOOKED. ~25–30 minutes to airport.
- 8:00 PM Arrive YVR. 2.5 hours before departure for international check-in, security, and boarding with children.
- 10:25 PM UA 564 departs YVR (Terminal M). Overnight red-eye, 4h 57m nonstop to IAD — Andy, Sara, Rachel & Evie.
Roszak family hotel — The Westin Bayshore: 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver BC V6G 2V4 · +1 604 682 3377
Mon Jul 13 – Tue Jul 14, 2026 · Your24 early check-in approved for 9:00 AM · Check-out 12:00 PM (booked through Jul 14; departing for YVR ~6 PM Jul 13)
1 room · 2 adults, 2 children · Superior guest room, 2 double beds, pool & garden view
Rainy day alternative: Science World (1455 Quebec Street) — Wonder Gallery designed for ages 0–5, water tables, sensory play, climbing. Evie free. Almost entirely indoors.
Mon Jul 13 – Tue Jul 14, 2026 · Your24 early check-in approved for 9:00 AM · Check-out 12:00 PM (booked through Jul 14; departing for YVR ~6 PM Jul 13)
1 room · 2 adults, 2 children · Superior guest room, 2 double beds, pool & garden view
Rainy day alternative: Science World (1455 Quebec Street) — Wonder Gallery designed for ages 0–5, water tables, sensory play, climbing. Evie free. Almost entirely indoors.
✦ Fun Fact
Welcome back to Vancouver — one of the most scenic cruise ports in North America. The city is bordered by ocean and mountains on three sides, so even the trip into port can feel like part of the adventure. Vancouver's Seawall is the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path, stretching about 28 kilometers from the Convention Centre to Spanish Banks Park — a perfect farewell view after a week of glaciers, fjords, and Alaska wildlife.
14
Jul
Day 9 — Tuesday, July 14
- 6:22 AM Arrive IAD (Terminal Main). Clear customs. Note: 6:22 AM Eastern = 3:22 AM Vancouver time.
- Morning Adam picks up at Dulles after the UA 564 landing and drives the family home. Confirmed — car seat + booster. Contact: adamelkadiri@gmail.com.
- Home Unpack. Rest. Start planning the next one.
All booked
Shore excursions
Five excursions across three ports and the glacier day. All booked through Disney Cruise Line.
Glacier Explorer
DG01 · 12:00–2:30 PM
Up-close glacier exploration during the Stikine Icecap sail. Expect calving ice, floating bergs, and possibly seals.
All 9 guests
All Aboard Steam Train
SW11 · 10:15 AM–12:45 PM
White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. Climbs through mountain passes and historic Gold Rush country with spectacular views.
All 9 guests
Glacier Discovery by Helicopter
SW21 · 3:00–5:30 PM
Helicopter glacier flight over the Skagway mountains. Andy, Sara, Rachel, and Evie have free time during this window — explore town or return to ship.
Marty, Nathan, Shawn, Kathy, Johann only
Whale Quest at Orca Point Lodge
JU45 · 9:00 AM–2:30 PM
5.5-hour whale watching excursion at Orca Point Lodge.
Andy, Sara, Rachel, Evie, Nathan, Shawn, Johann
Taku Glacier Lodge + 5-Glacier Seaplane
JU48 · 9:30 AM–1:00 PM
Floatplane flight over five glaciers with a stop at historic Taku Glacier Lodge in the Tongass National Forest.
Marty and Kathy only
By the Sea Wildlife and Sightseeing Cruise
KE39 · 12:00–3:15 PM
Boat tour of Ketchikan's coastal waters with wildlife viewing. Followed by free time for Creek Street and totem poles.
All 9 guests
Trip Weather Forecast
Hi/Lo, precipitation chance, and wind for every day of the trip. Data refreshes every time you load the page. Forecasts become available roughly 16 days before each date.
Vancouver, BC
Jul 5 — Travel day, hotel arrival
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Vancouver, BC
Jul 6 — Embarkation day
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Inside Passage
Jul 7 — Sea day
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Tracy Arm Fjord
Jul 8 — Glacier day
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Skagway, AK
Jul 9 — Steam Train day
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Juneau, AK
Jul 10 — Whale Quest day
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Ketchikan, AK
Jul 11 — Wildlife Cruise day
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Inside Passage
Jul 12 — Sea day, return
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Vancouver, BC
Jul 13 — Disembarkation + Aquarium
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What's booked
Booking status
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| United flights — Andy, Sara, Rachel, Evie (UA 1914 + UA 564) | Seats selected — confirmed |
| Fairmont Pacific Rim — Andy, Sara, Rachel, Evie (Jul 5–6) | Confirmed |
| Westin Bayshore — Andy, Sara, Rachel, Evie (Jul 13–14) | Confirmed — Your24 9:00 AM check-in approved |
| Fairmont Pacific Rim — Orlando group (Jul 3–6) | Confirmed |
| Supreme Limo: YVR → hotel | Confirmed |
| Supreme Limo: YVR → hotel, Orlando | Confirmed |
| Supreme Limo: Cruise terminal → YVR, Orlando (Jul 13) | Confirmed |
| Supreme Limo: MCO pickup — Orlando out | Confirmed |
| Supreme Limo: MCO return — Orlando in | Confirmed |
| Supreme Limo: Cruise terminal → YVR (Jul 13) | NOT BOOKED |
| Adam: Falls Church → IAD (Jul 5) | Confirmed — car seat + booster |
| Adam: IAD → Falls Church (Jul 14) | Confirmed — car seat + booster |
Key contacts
Who to call
Fairmont Pacific Rim
The Westin Bayshore
Adam — DC airport car service
Supreme Limousine (24/7)
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison Way, Stanley Park
vanaqua.org
vanaqua.org
Needs a human
Still open
Everything below needs to be booked or resolved before departure.
Canada eTA / visa — Confirm entry requirements for all travelers. Complete within 3 days of entry per your note.
Book nursery: Day 2 — Small World Nursery for Evie, 2:45–4:45 PM (during Royal Tea)
Book nursery: Day 7 — Small World Nursery for Evie, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (during Palo Brunch)
Book transport: Vancouver cruise terminal → YVR (Jul 13 evening)
Book Vancouver Aquarium tickets for Jul 13 — vanaqua.org, target 10:30 or 11:00 AM