ALASKAN CRUISE

In May 2024, we embarked on an unforgettable Alaska cruise, departing from Seattle. This seven-day journey aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas was truly one of the most beautiful and memorable trips we’ve ever taken. Since we flew into Seattle a few days early, we had the opportunity to catch up with friends and family in the area. One of the highlights was visiting Snoqualmie Falls Park, where we captured stunning photos of the waterfall. We also explored a trail that led us past the water turbines, giving us insight into the local energy programs. It was the perfect way to start our adventure.

The following day, we were ready to board the cruise. Arriving early at the port, we gave ourselves plenty of time for check-in. After dropping off our check-in bags, we received our room number and bag tags. We then passed through customs and passport control. Don’t forget your passport, as many Alaskan cruises enter Canada. Once onboard, we were able to explore the ship while waiting for our room to be ready. We grabbed a bite at the main dining area before heading to our room.

We had booked a balcony room, and let me tell you—if you’re planning an Alaskan cruise, it’s a must! The views are beyond breathtaking, and you’ll want to capture those memories without having to elbow your way to the deck. Plus, you’ll have the convenience of going in and out of your room in the cold weather. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Check out the pictures below to view some of the pictures from our trip. Words really can’t do justice to how magnificent the scenery is!

While we were waiting for our bags to arrive, we explored the ship and got some much-needed rest. Royal Caribbean was offering free cruise tickets for kids under 12, which made our daughter’s cruise completely free. They also provide free daycare for a set number of hours during the cruise. TIP: As soon as you board, go to the nursery to reserve your free hours—spots fill up quickly, and it’s first come, first served. We were very impressed with the babysitting service; our daughter had a great time while we enjoyed some much-needed time to ourselves. Just remember, the daycare doesn’t provide meals, so be sure to feed your little one before dropping them off. They also give you a portable phone to stay in touch in case of any issues.

TIP: Be sure to use the Royal Caribbean app before and during your cruise. It’s packed with useful information including daycare timings, entertainment and shows etc.

Another tip: just like flying, pack essential items in your carry-on, so you’re not left scrambling while waiting for your bags to arrive. That evening, we enjoyed the welcome dinner, and here’s the menu from the first night.

But before diving into the rest of the cruise details, let’s talk about the food. One of the biggest highlights of any cruise is the food, and Royal Caribbean did not disappoint. The meals were excellent throughout the entire journey. Use the Royal Caribbean app to make reservations for your daily three-course dinners ahead of time. These time slots fill up fast, so be sure to book early. You’ll also want to plan your dinners around any excursions or entertainment you want to enjoy. Of course, you can always grab pizza from the parlor any time, but we loved sitting down together as a family for a relaxing meal. Here are some pictures of our delicious dinners.

Our first stop was Sitka, Alaska, where we had pre-booked our excursions. TIP: While it’s possible to book excursions directly through the cruise line, they can be pricey. We found that booking through third-party companies like Viator and TripAdvisor offered the some of the excursions at a lower cost. However, it’s up to you to plan to be back on the ship before its departure time. If you book through the cruise line, they’ll wait for you if there’s a delay, but with careful planning, booking with third parties can save you money without the worry of missing the ship. We always made a point of knowing the exact meeting spot for our tours, so we did not waste time once off the ship. Also, we were among the first in line to exit the ship. The lines at the ship exits grow fast, so go a little early if you want to leave the ship early. Always have your passport handy when exiting and re-boarding the ship—it’s required each time. In Sitka, we took a bear conservation tour and a sightseeing excursion. Watching two Alaskan bears playing together was a highlight of this excursion!

Next, we headed to the glacier. The sight was absolutely breathtaking—there’s no way to truly capture its beauty in words or even in pictures!

We booked our cruise for late May, which has the lowest prices, since there is a risk of the glacier not be as accessible as it would be later in the part of summer. Fortunately, the ice had melted enough for us to get up close to the glacier, providing us with spectacular shots.

Our journey continued in Juneau, Alaska, where we had the chance to experience dog sledding, a historic Alaskan tradition. Contrary to misconceptions, these dogs absolutely love pulling the sleds, and they were full of excitement! Our daughter had the time of her life, and we even got to meet and pet one of the retired dogs.

Afterward, we had some free time and enjoyed a refreshing drink at a local brewery. If you are into beer, it’s worth keeping some time aside to try out Alaskan beer.

Our last stop was Victoria, Canada, where we took a Tuk-tuk tour with the Victoria Pedicab Company https://victoriapedicabs.com Highly recommend this tour company if you’re visiting Victoria—they provided blankets to keep us warm, allowed ample time for photos, and even took us to a souvenir shop. During the tour, we saw peacocks strolling the streets and got to feed them, which was an incredible experience!

We also discovered strawberries growing on the streets—a unique sight you don’t see every roadside. Another highlight was seeing the world’s narrowest road, which even has a mailing address! The tour also took us to several historic monuments and a beautiful park/garden. If you enjoy history and nature, this tour is a must. We also happened to be there during a car show, but unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to check it out before returning to the ship.

We were also supposed to stop in Skagway, but a rockslide had damaged the port, so we had an extra day at sea. We made the most of it by attending shows and enjoying entertainment. There’s a variety of shows for all ages. From bumper cars and an arcade to table tennis, there’s something for everyone. My husband also got to try the simulated skydiving experience on the cruise—he loved it! I wasn’t brave enough, but I enjoyed capturing photos and videos of his adventure.

On the evening, we attended the main highlight show, which we had reserved in advance through the app. Be sure to arrive early for the best seats. Once the show starts, you will asked to wait until the performers leave the audience floor (they come close to the crowd during the performance) to be seated. Unfortunately, there was a power outage during the show, and we missed almost half the show. The outage lasted for a couple hours but the staff quickly came up with creative ideas to keep the guests entertained.

Overall, this Alaskan cruise was an unforgettable experience, and we’d love to do it again. Next time, we hope to go whale watching, visit Skagway, and explore more of Alaska’s stunning destinations. We highly recommend taking an Alaskan cruise at least once in your lifetime! Scroll through the pictures below for a glimpse of our adventure, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions, suggestions, or additional tips for an Alaskan cruise.