Weeklong Alaska Voyage: Our northern journey

Returning to the Great Outdoors

My spouse and I recently returned from an incredible 7-day cruise. Planned ahead with our travel agency, this was my partner's very first time seeing the majestic landscapes of the north, and it had been over a decade since my last northern voyage.

We were honored to host 50 total guests on this sailing—our largest travel group to date! Below is a recap of our daily adventures, standout meals, and the wonderful memories we made along the way.

The Daily Itinerary

Day 1 & 2: City Arrival & Embarkation

To avoid pre-cruise travel stress, we flew into the departure port city a day early. We stayed at a boutique downtown hotel, explored the local public market, and enjoyed an incredible chef's-choice seafood dinner.

The next day, after grabbing pastries at a local bakery, we boarded the ship smoothly. The digital check-in via the mobile application took less than 10 minutes. Once on board, we hosted an exclusive welcome reception for our group at a music lounge, where our group gathered to kick off the week's events. We wrapped up embarkation day with an excellent seafood dinner at a specialty restaurant.

Day 3: A Luxurious Day at Sea

We spent a peaceful morning on our private balcony before hitting the ship's fitness center. In the afternoon, we had advance reservations for our entire 50-guest group at the stunning main dining room. The grand, upscale atmosphere and outstanding food made it a fantastic opportunity for everyone to mingle.

Day 4: Wild Mountain Trails

We docked at our first port in the morning and skipped the formal excursions to hike a beautiful 7-mile mountain trail. After spotting fresh bear scat, we quickly turned back toward the main path! In town, we stopped at a local bar and grill for lunch and visited a historic tavern to chat with friendly locals. Back on the ship, we had a fantastic dinner at an exceptional fusion specialty restaurant.

Day 5: Canoeing & Witnessing a Glacier Calve

Our morning at the second port was the absolute pinnacle of the trip. We booked a guided lake tour, canoeing across freezing waters directly to the face of a massive glacier. While walking near the ice, we heard a thundering boom and witnessed a rare calving event as a massive chunk of ancient ice crashed into the water below.

Later, the ship navigated through a breathtaking fjord to view another majestic glacier. We popped a bottle of champagne on our balcony to enjoy the views, then wrapped up the day with a French dinner at an upscale specialty venue, where the braised chicken became my favorite dish of the cruise.

Day 6 & 7: Coastal Boardwalks & Harbor Towns

At our third port, we took a scenic 45-minute walk along a coastal boardwalk to a nearby village for a local breakfast. The scenery was wild, and I lost count of how many bald eagles we saw nesting in the trees.

The next day at our final port, the ship docked at a secondary cove, and we took a free shuttle into the town center. We walked to a historic river ladder and completed a steep, rewarding hike up to a mountain lookout point. Our final specialty dinner was at the ship's steakhouse, featuring a perfectly seared ribeye and a decadent multi-layer chocolate cake.

Day 8 & 9: Evening Port Stop & Disembarkation

Our last sea day was spent relaxing along the outdoor promenade deck. In the evening, the ship made a brief stop at a coastal city, where we grabbed a drink at a historic hotel lounge and enjoyed fresh, warm waffle cones at a local creamery before flying home the next morning.

Onboard Highlights: Food, Vessel Condition & Relaxation

Unwinding On Board

After long days of hiking and exploring icy ports, the ship offered plenty of ways to unwind. One evening, after a spectacular dinner, my partner and I, along with a few guests from our group, decided to spend some time relaxing and having a bit of fun at the ship's casino. It was a lovely, lively spot to chat about the day's adventures and enjoy a casual, playful night out with friends before heading to bed.

Pristine Post-Renovation Condition

The ship underwent an extensive, top-to-bottom drydock renovation on its interior spaces very recently. The results are phenomenal. From the pristine carpets in the stateroom hallways to the gleaming elevator banks and modernized public spaces, the ship feels immaculate, polished, and beautifully brand new.