Ketchikan – The Big Chop
(Part 6 and Final of our Disney Cruise Series)
No Escape to Be Had
During the overnight cruise from Juneau to Ketchikan, we treated ourselves to dinner at Palo, Disney’s upscale adults-only restaurant. The meal was exceptional — the chefs there really know their craft — but it comes at a price. Think New York City fine dining prices, aboard a ship where food is technically already included. Great planning on our part.
Over dinner, we learned that we’d be the only cruise ship in port at Ketchikan the next day. What sounded at first like a peaceful break quickly turned out to mean one thing: no escape from the Disney Cult today, either.
Exploring Creek Street
Once docked, we wandered through the charming area of Creek Street, reading about its colorful past as Ketchikan’s red-light district. The historic wooden boardwalks, bright buildings, and interpretive signs paint quite the picture of its days filled with “working ladies” and secret tunnels.
We even got lucky enough to spot a river otter snacking below the boardwalk — one of those quiet, authentic moments that makes you forget the cruise chaos for a bit. From there, we walked up to see the Salmon Ladder, where the fish battle their way upstream, before returning to the ship for our afternoon outing.
Crab Feasts and Chainsaws
The day’s excursion: All-You-Can-Eat Crab and a Lumberjack Show.
As someone who owns property, tractors, and a few chainsaws myself, the lumberjack part genuinely intrigued me — and who doesn’t love crab? Unfortunately, the “all-you-can-eat” portion featured Dungeness crab, not the prized Alaskan King crab. Understandable, given the cost difference, and to be fair, the crab was well cooked.
A few members of our group truly leaned into the “all you can eat” challenge — one gentleman even cracked a claw with his teeth. Hopefully his dentist has better sense than he does.
Then came the main event: the Lumberjack Show. It started strong — loud, lively, with earplug warnings for kids — until Goofy appeared. Suddenly, the sawdust-slinging showdown turned into a 15-minute “Disney Kid Stretch Time.” Those are 15 minutes I’d gladly trade back.
Once the cartoon chaos ended, though, the lumberjacks themselves were fantastic — genuine pros who put on a great performance. I’d happily watch the show again, just preferably the non-Disney version next time.
Back to the Ship
After the show, we did a bit of last-minute shopping before heading back aboard the Disney Wonder for our final sea days. A few relaxing hours on deck later, we found ourselves pulling back into Vancouver, ready to catch our flight home to Houston.
Reflections on Ketchikan
Ketchikan is a funky little city with a rich history, full of character and charm. It’s the kind of place I’d like to return to — just without the giant mouse ears everywhere. If I came back on another line, I’d gladly do the lumberjack show again and spend more time exploring the local culture.
Reflections on the Disney Cruise
As for the Disney Wonder itself — it’s clear this one wasn’t for us. While we were glad to spend time with my mother-in-law and her friends (who, thankfully, avoided seasickness), the ship itself felt dated. Built in 1999, it lacks the big outward-facing observation spaces that make an Alaskan cruise truly special. Instead, everything seems designed to turn you inward — toward the Disneyness of it all.
That said, Disney does what Disney does best: the experience is polished, the staff are incredible, and the organization is second to none. The food, however, outside of Palo and Boiler Bites, was mass-produced and uninspired.
And for those of us who enjoy a proper drink or two, the lack of a drink package makes things pricey fast. The wine allowance helps, but anyone who prefers spirits will quickly rack up a tab.
All in all, Alaska was stunning, the company was good, and the stories — well, unforgettable. But our next adventure will take us in a very different direction: Antarctica aboard the Viking Polaris. Something tells me that cruise will have a bit less Goofy in it.
