There are some places that get under your skin—in the best way. For me, Alaska was one of those. On May 5th, we set sail on Serenade of the Seas and spent seven days winding through some of the most jaw-dropping scenery I’ve ever laid eyes on. From misty fjords and towering evergreens to whales, eagles, and fresh king crab—it was wild in the most beautiful sense of the word.

We kicked things off in Vancouver, and let me just say—this city is such a gem. It’s clean, friendly, and walkable with no shortage of great food and coffee. If your cruise starts here, I highly recommend arriving a day or two early to soak in the vibes (and buffer against travel delays).

We had a balcony cabin and I’m so glad we did. Alaska is a destination where your room can double as a wildlife viewing deck. Whether it was sipping coffee as eagles soared past or catching a glimpse of whales in the distance, the views never stopped. As parents of a child in flight school, we literally have 100 videos of the seaplanes taking off and landing at each port! We were obsessed! The weather hovered around 40 degrees with a few light showers, but it honestly added to the cozy, misty magic of the trip.

In Juneau, we booked a humpback whale excursion—but what we got was even better. A pod of killer whales made a surprise appearance, and it was one of those moments that just takes your breath away. Seeing them glide through the water felt like something straight out of a nature documentary. When your tour guides start geeking out, you know that you have just experienced something so special! Our boat captain and our guide were BEAMING!

Ketchikan gave us the chance to hike through Tongass National Forest. If you’ve never walked through a temperate rainforest, imagine towering trees, moss-covered everything, and a quiet that wraps around you like a blanket. It felt ancient and alive all at once. It was nothing like anything I expected. Who knew Alaska had a rainforest…. not me. When we were in Juneau, we hiked to the Mendenhall Glacier and it was so neat to walk through the rainforest and see all of the markers showing how much and at what date the glacier had melted from. I would have never thought rainforest and glacier would be a part of the same environment.

Both Sitka and Prince Rupert surprised us with how many bald eagles we saw. At one point, we just stopped counting. Perched on trees, swooping across the sky—it felt like they were putting on a show just for us.

Sailing through Tracy Arm Fjord felt like stepping into a dream. Towering waterfalls tumbled down cliffs so high they disappeared into the mist, and the water was dotted with floating chunks of glacial ice—each one its own tiny iceberg drifting silently past. There were hot cocoa stands set up all around the outside decks that morning, and somehow that little detail made everything feel even more magical. It was like they’d thought of everything. We bundled up, wrapped our hands around warm mugs, and stayed outside for hours just watching the ice float by. It looked exactly like the brochures—and somehow, even better.

Back on the ship, we treated ourselves to a spa day—and it was absolutely worth it. A massage while cruising past the last frontier? Yes, please. The thermal suite was a dream after chilly shore days, and it gave us the perfect excuse to slow down and recharge. I LOVED that on this ship, the steam room and sauna were included for free for everyone! Did I visit the sauna fully clothed in boots…. I did! Was it allowed? Don’t know, didn’t’ care… I was cold!

A Few Tips If You’re Thinking About Alaska

• Book early—especially if you want a balcony with a great location for wildlife watching. I can help you get the best cabin possible with the least amount of obstructed views. .
• Excursions fill fast. Book them as soon as possible, especially if you want whale watching, glacier tours, or dog sledding.
• Bring layers. Poncho or raincoat, waterproof shoes, and a good pair of binoculars.

This wasn’t just a cruise. It was a journey through the wild edges of North America, where nature is still king and every turn brings a new kind of awe. If Alaska is on your list, let’s talk. I’d love to help you plan a trip that’s just as unforgettable.