if we will get a good enough view from the ship. It is expensive and we could spend the money on other excursions, but if it is truly fantastic we are willing to pay for the smaller boat experience.
I think it's really personal what is "worth it." What I will try to do is explain what we saw, and the differences between being on the Wonder and the tiny ship. Again, if you have been up close to glaciers before, either in Alaska or in another country, this may not be "worth it." I have seen lots of glaciers after this experience, and done some glacier tours that put me even closer. This was our first time ever seeing a glacier in person, so at that point it was absolutely worth it to us.
So what will you see? You will board the small excursion boat at the entrance of Endicot arm, or if you have the second time slot, at Dawes Glacier (I was on the early time slot, and we had the entire Endicot arm to ourselves on the excursion boat, which was part of what made it so amazing). This boat had two levels. The first level is mostly an indoor area surrounded by widows. Inside is a restrooms, a small refreshment stand, and plenty of seating. There are several small decks out back and on the sides where you can also stand while the ship is moving. These can get crowded and be very windy. Come prepared. The second level of the deck is only open when the boat has stopped at the glacier. On board will be around 50 people on the port adventure from the Disney Wonder plus a half dozen or so crew.
If starting from the early slot which is at the entrance to Endicot Arm you board your boat and will have around 60-90 minute (I'd have to go back and check my notes) of traveling up the Arm. You will travel close to shore, so you may see Bald Eagles, Bears, and other animals. We saw a Bald Eagle during our time traveling up the Arm. You will have a close up view of the rolling hills and trees. Along the way you may pass small ice chunks or icebergs, and on these may be seals (we saw a baby seal). You can relax inside or enjoy the main deck outside areas during this part of the journey,
Once you get close to Dawes Glacier, the boat will pull up as close as they determine is safe. This distance depends changes daily and depends on the weather and the ice activity and flow. Your boat will then stop, and turn off the engines (or at least it becomes very quiet so I assume they were off) and you can then go onto the second deck. This is a large deck, but everyone cannot fit at once. For us, most people ran up there, took all their selfies, and then left within 15 minutes. We waited on the lower deck, and went up when it was less crowded, and had the deck area almost to ourselves the rest of the time. You will park at the glacier for 45-60 minutes, depending. You hopefully may get a chance to hear the glacier calve, which is something I will NEVER forget. That and the smell of a glacier. It's unmistakeable once you've experienced it. Near the end of this time period, the Disney Wonder will pull up a distance behind you (and further from the glacier) and when your time is up, you will pull up to the Wonder and get off, and the next group gets on.
The afternoon group will start at the glacier, stay there a bit after the Wonder leaves, and then follow the wonder back out of Endicot Arm and re-board near the end of the Arm.
So what will you see on the Wonder. All the same sights, just further away and higher up. Your views will be looking down on everything. You will not be at eye level. Even on deck 4, you are much higher then you will be on the excursion boat. You board the boat on deck 1, as a reference and it is only a small second story above that. You also will have to jockey for position to see with all the other guests, especially if you don't have a verandah (I'd rather spend the money on the excursions then the verandah IMHO). You will have access to more services like comfortable loungers, endless food and drinks, Disney music, movies etc if you get board of watching the glacier and scenery for some reason.
Onboard the Expedition boat you won't experience Characters at the glacier. We rushed back aboard and got one picture with Mickey out on deck, but by that time the characters were done with on deck pictures. We still got plenty in the "Alaska outfits" indoors the remainder of the afternoon.
I think that is about it for my experience. This was several years ago now, and the experience for this Port Adventure could have changed, or be a different company so different small ship etc, but this should hopefully give you a general idea of what to expect.
Again, I would sign up for this in a second if we were going on an Alaskan cruise again. Standing on the upper platform hearing the glaciers calves was something that I felt deep in my core. It was amazing. Just standing on the lower deck while we sailed along with the wind hitting my face and the smell of nature and cold water was a great time. Seeing a baby seal unclose was awesome.
Whatever you end up doing you will enjoy, so just pick what fits your budget and wishes for spending that time.
