For the longest time I did not think I needed to visit Alaska and I certainly didn’t associate long, cold days with a cruise! Boy was I wrong!

My family had expressed interest in an Alaskan cruise and I had more and more clients reaching out, so I decided to bite the bullet and book it! I am so glad I did!

We recently sailed Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas from Vancouver. We visited Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Haines and Tracy Arm Fjord.

Following my number one rule of cruising, we arrived to Vancouver the day before sailing. We arrived at the beautiful port at our assigned time, dropped off our luggage and began the process of stand and wait to board.

Once we were finally onboard we enjoyed lunch and then our cabin was ready. After dropping off our things and meeting our room steward, we headed out to explore our home for the next 7 nights!

Before we even set sail, I knew this was going to be a special sailing. The views from the port were absolutely incredible and I loved watching the other ships leave before us! As we sailed, it just got better and better!

Our first port day took us to Sitka. We scheduled an excursion to Sitka National Historical Park. Our tour guide shared some interesting historical facts and then we were free to explore the park and museum. The park is home to Totem poles from Tlingit and Haida areas. The poles convey the history of the area and the people who lived there. Each one is unique and so interesting.

After that we explored the shopping area and enjoyed sundae’s at Henry Race Pharmacy. This is a hidden gem with an old fashioned ice cream parlor. I highly recommend grabbing a treat there!

Our second stop had to be my very favorite! In Juneau we had two amazing excursions planned! Port days are nice and long on Alaska sailings, so there is plenty of time to explore!

We started with a Salmon Bake. Our transfer took us to the Gold Creek where we had all you can eat Salmon right from the grill, as well as ribs, coleslaw, blueberry cake, and more!

The salmon bake took place in a beautiful wooded area where you could explore, roast marshmallows and pan for gold. We had the best time!

Our next excursion is one that is going to be hard to beat! We went dog sledding! Pro Tip – if you visit Alaska, be sure to go dog sledding! We got to meet the dogs, play with puppies, learn about the Iditarod and take an exciting ride around the site!

Our next day was a sea day. We enjoyed a relaxing day on the ship taking in more of those incredible views from our balcony. We participated in lots of trivia games, watched some fun shows, and went swimming in the enclosed pool at the Solarium. Oh – and there was lots of eating! There is never a shortage of delicious food on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Next Stop: Skagway! We took a tour to the White Pass Summit. Our very entertaining driver shared lots of stories and history about Skagway and the White Pass. These views were nothing short of breathtaking!

Lastly, we docked in Haines. This was a short evening stop and we didn’t plan any excursions, but we did enjoy shopping at the cute local shops in the port.

Pro Tip – when sailing Alaska, if at all possible, spring for a Balcony Stateroom. Unlike a Caribbean sailing, on an Inside Passage Cruise you can almost always see land or glaciers or something just stunning.

When we sailed through Tracy Arm Fjord, we ordered room service for breakfast, bundled up and sat on our balcony to take in the beauty. We saw Bald Eagles and seals while sailing through the Fjord.

The question I get most often about Alaska cruising is when is the best time to go. May to October is considered prime season for Alaska cruises. The earlier you go, the cooler you can expect it to be. We had relatively mild temps and very little rain, which we were assured was unusual for the first week of June.

The second question I get most often is which cruise line is best for Alaska. The good news is there are so many great options! The best line will really depend on itinerary, travel party and budget. That’s where a travel agent can really help you make the best choice for your needs.

Pro Tip – Here are some items I recommend for cruising:

When sailing Alaska, be prepared for fluctuating temperatures and be sure to pack jackets and clothes that can be layered. Also, don’t forget, days are longer in Alaska. Our sunsets were between 9 and 10 p.m. nightly with sunrise as early as 4 a.m.

Pro Tip – You do not have to book an excursion to explore port towns. Our ports all had complimentary shuttles to and from the port. That being said, an excursion led by experts is always a good idea to get the most out of your time in port.

This vacation definitely will be one that we never forget. I am so glad we had this opportunity and I can’t wait to send more clients on this amazing journey!

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