I love traveling but find little time to write about it, so here, finally, is my cruise post. My sister and I went on an Alaskan cruise last July—my first cruise and second time traveling to the 49th state. Cruising up the coast of the Last Frontier was like being whisked into some dreamland where nature’s wild beauty meets vacation luxury.

We did the 7-day trip from Vancouver to Anchorage/Whittier, and I loved being able to explore Alaska’s wild landscapes by day and return to high-class dining, cozy lounges, and entertainment at night. Seven days was just enough time to feel like a real vacation, see everything we wanted, and take advantage of the ship’s amenities without the itch of cabin fever. Princess Cruises had a good deal for the two of us, and while we rode a slightly older ship (The Grand Princess), it was still in tip-top shape from what I could see.

I had asked around, researched, and debated with myself for weeks before the trip about splurging on the Plus package for the WiFi, alcoholic drinks, and “Ocean service”–i.e. on-demand food/drinks delivered to you anywhere on the ship. Let’s just say cocktails in the hot tub and French fries anytime/anywhere made it worth every penny.

Whether you’re interested in your own Alaskan cruise or just like travel stories, read on for my day-to-day explorations.

Day 1: Leaving Vancouver

Our cabin was a snug retreat in the middle of the ship—a prime spot if you like being gently rocked to sleep and waking up with zero view. But, despite all of the forums telling us it was the worst area of the ship for many reasons, my sister and I didn’t mind it and didn’t suffer from any seasickness.

It probably helped that we didn’t spend too much time there because we were busy doing so many other things. I did make sure it wasn’t above any noisy venues, like the theater or dining areas, so when it was time to sleep things were nice and quiet. Contrary to popular opinion, I would recommend going with the cheaper room if you don’t suffer from motion sickness and can handle the small quarters!

On that first evening, my sister and I wandered the decks, checked out the fitness and dining options, picked up a welcome Singapore Sling (and a couple more), and watched the sunset from the top deck as music blasted around us. It was a welcome beginning and pumped me up for the rest of our journey.

Day 2: Settling into the Sea Life

The first day at sea was the perfect opportunity to unwind, take in all the amenities the ship had to offer, and make a plan of what we wanted to see and do. I appreciated the list of activities printed and delivered to our room each day so we could check out the various events on board.

We spent the first morning in a fitness class that came with the Plus package (i.e. paid extra, had to use), then explored more of the ship, found a casual eatery we wanted to try, and poked around at some of the shops. 

In the afternoon, we attended a “beauty presentation” for a free facial and shoulder massage. It was nice to feel pampered and pretend to pay attention to their advertised spa and salon treatments. I’ll admit I was tempted, but the price tags were just too much for us. Maybe next time, if I become rich and famous before then.

Afterwards, we took a dip in the pool and soaked in the hot tub. While the larger pools were noisy with kids, we found one secluded adults-only pool and tub (aptly named “The Sanctuary”) that was much quieter and relaxing without the threat of splashes from rogue cannonballs.

In the evening, my sister and I dressed up for dinner and went to one of the three main dining rooms. The elegant atmosphere, with its crisp linens, attentive service, and meticulous culinary presentations, was like dining at a top-tier restaurant.

I felt like a hedonist as I enjoyed a three-course meal and post-dinner drinks without needing to worry about the bill at the end of the night. That is peak dining luxury: when you don’t need to think about the price.

Day 3: Ketchikan

Ketchikan, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” was our first stop, and it was a great introduction to the unique charm of Alaska.

My sister and I spent some time wandering along Creek Street, taking in the historic boardwalk and the quirky shops that lined the street. The history of the area was fascinating, particularly about the flourishing prostitution scene back in the day, and we peeked into various shops to see what kinds of goods were sold.

After a nice walk, we hopped on the free shuttle bus and stopped by the Totem Heritage Center. Although we didn’t go inside, we explored the area around it where the creek continued running surrounded by towering trees. We also eavesdropped on a tour group that happened to be there at the same time and learned about the journey of salmon as they make their way upstream.

Breathing in the fresh Alaskan air was grounding; this place has a way of making you pause and appreciate life’s rhythms—like an impromptu wellness retreat, but with a cruise ship waiting to spoil you at the end of the day.

Day 4: Juneau

Juneau felt a bit too big to explore on foot, so we kept things lowkey. We were at port for a long time, so we strolled around the town, taking in the views of the harbor and the surrounding mountains. I wanted to visit the famous Mendenhall Glacier (“famous” though I didn’t know it existed until we came to port…), but I found out too late it was too far for us to walk.

Instead, we stared at salmon swimming upstream for at least thirty minutes, marveling at how they managed to swim so far with such a blind, inexplicable drive to follow their natural instinct. These little guys were leaping, missing, and swimming for their lives while we cheered and sighed like some spectators watching sports.

As fascinating as the fish were to us tourists, it wasn’t long before we decided to walk a bit down the Totem Pole Trail, then head to the local library, where we found a quiet spot to sit and relax. It was nice to slow down and observe locals come in and out to check out books or have a sit for a little while. After reading a little there, we decided to head back to the ship and relax poolside before another indulgent dinner and a musical in the evening.

Day 5: Skagway

Skagway was pure Gold Rush charm. This town, all decked out with wooden sidewalks and replica buildings, transports you straight to another era. Even though the buildings were only copies of what once was, I still liked the vibrant colors and homage to Skagway’s past.

My day started with a Klondlike rock climbing and rappelling excursion that I booked through the cruise, which turned out to be one of my highlights of the trip.

Since we had a small group, we were able to climb several routes, each with varying levels of difficulty. Our youngest member was an elementary school student and the oldest was his dad, making it a pretty cool family-friendly activity.

Indoor rock climbing is my main form of exercise, but top roping outdoors gives a different kind of thrill. We were able to climb most of these routes regardless of our climbing experience, with the hardest one being a 5.10a/b. I loved the sense of camaraderie with the other travelers and our guides as we encouraged each other, took pictures, and shared stories of our travels and adventures.

After climbing, it was time to get to the top to jump down. We did a short walk up to the top of the cliff (views were breath-taking), and our guides thoroughly explained the process to us. It was my first time rappelling down a cliff, and stepping off the edge was exhilarating. If you and/or your kids are thrill-seekers and not afraid of heights, I’d definitely recommend an excursion like this for gorgeous views and a bit of adventure.

After the adrenaline rush, I met with my sister, and we took a long walk through the town and found a gorgeous waterfall, Reid Falls, tucked away in the forest. It felt so refreshing to be there splashing my hands in the ice cold water, not to mention how beautiful the whole scene was.

Skagway itself was small but busy with fun shops and eateries, and it was easy to explore on foot from the ship. It was my favorite town of the three simply because it was vibrant, walkable, and full of adventurous opportunities.

Day 6: Glacier Bay

Having been warned by people on Reddit about the chilly temperatures at Glacier Bay, I had packed several layers to stand on deck and watch as we entered the bay.

Since it was so chilly by the glaciers, there was someone out on deck with a cart offering hot coffee and cocoa to those watching outside. It was nice to hold a hot drink, perhaps especially because he added Bailey’s to my coffee to make it a sweet treat (it’s vacation, what can I say).

We saw a couple of animals swimming in the greenish water, tinted by the melting ice, as the naturalist on board explained how the glaciers formed and changed over time. It felt bittersweet imagining how enormous these glaciers used to be and seeing the effects of ice melting year after year.

At one point the naturalist pointed out a bear in the distance, and since we hadn’t seen any animals yet, a bunch of us got excited and took turns pressing our faces against the window. But it was so far in the distance none of us could see it with our “bear” eyes.

I like to think I was able to spot it (just a teeny moving brown thing) using the binoculars my sister and I had brought along for this trip, but others were skeptical. C’est la vie. 

Another recommendation–bring binoculars for animal sightings!

Day 7: College Fjord

Our last full day brought us to College Fjord, home to some of Alaska’s most beautiful and accessible glaciers. I sat with a hot coffee, watching as we passed glaciers and rock formations, each equally impressive. I felt really thankful for the chance to see these natural wonders in person and a little melancholy knowing we’d be disembarking soon.

It was a quiet, reflective day for me but a busy one for my sister, who competed in the cruise’s singing competition, The Voice of the Ocean, and made it to the finals. Though she didn’t win first place, she definitely received her 15 minutes of fame on the ship, and I was happy being her “plus one” and cheering her on.

Before her big show, we sat at a shared table and met some older couples from the East Coast who had lots of stories to tell and were interested in hearing about our lives. It was so fun exchanging stories about travel, lifestyles, and cruise experiences, and they even came to watch my sister perform after dinner. I tell you, I was kind of touched by the support from many of these passengers, and I wasn’t even the one singing. It was definitely a special experience for both my sister and I.

Day 8: Whittier/Anchorage

By the time we landed in Whittier, I was reluctant to leave the ship but more than ready to be back on land.

We didn’t know until a little later in the cruise that the ship didn’t go straight to Anchorage but to Whittier, located an hour outside of the city, so we booked a transfer service a few days before disembarking. The transfer service we booked turned out to be a cool bus tour with the driver talking most of the time and pointing out certain sights, like more glaciers and the Whittier Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America.

There was so much more we did that made it such a memorable experience for me, and they are things I’ll keep close to my sentimental heart. If you’re willing to spend a little more money for extra pampering, I’d highly recommend taking the Princess Cruise. Next time, though, I’d like to try Celebrity or another line to mingle with people a little closer to my age.

Hot Tips

If you’re looking to book a cruise to Alaska, here are some tips I found useful during my trip:

• Dress in Layers: Weather can change quickly—bring warm layers and a waterproof jacket.
• Bring Binoculars and a Camera: Perfect for spotting wildlife and capturing incredible scenery.
• Book Excursions Early: Popular tours like whale-watching and the Skagway train fill up fast.
• Talk to Onboard Naturalists: Their knowledge adds depth to the wildlife and landscape sightings.
• Pack Snacks for Excursions: They’re a lifesaver on long outings without easy food access.
• Stay on Deck in Glacier Bay and College Fjord: The best views are from outside, especially when glaciers are in sight.
• Learn the Local History: Alaska’s rich culture and history make each stop more meaningful.

~Photo Gallery~