Alaska 2024

This year we are scratching off a big one on the bucket list! Thank you to my son for this pick for 2024 and so we began our research. What was the best way to travel there and see all that there is to see. Alaska is massive and we found so many blogs and recommendations; how do you possibly fit that into one trip?!?!

We enlisted the help of a friend from Aquamarine Travel who had some recommendations and started working on some options for us. She knew we had two younger kids, so she kept that in mind when looking for the family friendly aspects or the cruises and Denali adventures.

In September 2024, we had the unforgettable experience of cruising to Alaska on the Royal Princess. Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and serene waters created a perfect backdrop for an adventure of a lifetime. Here’s a recap of the best moments from my trip!

Our journey began as we set sail from Vancouver, Canada on the Royal Princess. The ship itself was magnificent, with luxurious amenities and spacious cabins that made me feel right at home. We quickly fell in love with the ship's many features. From the grand atrium to the lounges, and entertainment options, there was always something to do. The restaurants onboard offered a variety of delicious cuisine. Surprisingly, I was particularly impressed with buffet. If you didn't purchase the upgraded package, you didn't have access to some of the other restaurants. The buffet offered a ton of variety and a different theme of cuisine every night.

We had the opportunity to explore several ports along the way.

Ketchikan: Based on the shortened time within port, we decided to forego an excursion and just walk around downtown and try some local food.
Juneau: We utilized Alaska Shore Tours and booked a seaplane tour of the Mendenhall Glacier. This was a complete bucket list item. The terrain was pristine and like nothing I had ever witnessed. It brought tears to my eyes to see the happiness on my kids faces and to revel in the peacefulness of the environment.
Skagway: We took a historic train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route, which brought us face-to-face with some of Alaska's most rugged terrain.

One of the most awe-inspiring moments of the trip was cruising through Glacier Bay National Park. As we sailed through the icy waters, we were surrounded by towering glaciers, their blue hues shining in the sunlight. While we didn't get to see one in person, through the Facebook group of our cruise, someone caught a video of the calving glaciers which was exhilarating.

While Alaska is famous for its wildlife, we didn't see as much on land as we hoped, but from the ship, we did spot some whales breaching, and sea otters playfully floating by.

Between shore excursions, the Royal Princess kept us entertained. I enjoyed live music performances, Broadway-style shows, and a relaxing spa day. There were contests and giveaways and trivia (which was our favorite) all throughout the day. We even had a chance to play Deal or No Deal.

We docked/disembarked the cruise in Whittier, Alaska, where we hopped on the nine (9) hour train ride to Denali National Park. My son originally requested a cross country train trip, but we were able to get him to settle on this one. The view from our train car was absolutely breathtaking as we traveled through parts of Alaska. Once we arrived in Denali, we were also not disappointed. Our accommodations where spectacular and our bus tour was nothing less than beautiful and very informative.

After several days of exploring Alaska’s pristine wilderness, witnessing majestic glaciers, and encountering incredible wildlife, I came away with memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’re considering a cruise to Alaska, I can’t recommend it enough. This trip will forever hold a special place in my heart.