ALASKA!

Alaska: A Trip I’ll Never Forget

Have you ever been to Alaska? If not, it’s an absolute must-see in my humble opinion.

Most people think of vacations as sun, beaches, and sand — the classic recipe for relaxation. But there’s something magical about skipping the swimsuit, bundling up, and embracing the crisp cold with your fellow cruisers. Trust me, the views make every chilly moment worth it.

Sailing into the Unknown

Going into this trip, we really didn’t know what to expect. It was a 7-day cruise, and several of my friends had never cruised before. Add to that the fact that we were traveling on the very last cruise of the season, and the unpredictability of the weather had us all wondering what we were in for.

To our surprise, the weather was incredible! Sure, it was a little cold, and yes, we had a couple of rough days at sea when people were getting tossed around and a few even got sick. But our port days? Sunny and in the 60s. Absolutely perfect.

Our Itinerary: From Seattle to Victoria

We kicked things off in Seattle — where we admittedly drank a bit too much even before setting sail! From there, our stops included:

Juneau

Probably my favorite stop of the entire trip. We spotted a black mama bear and her three cubs, visited a glacier, explored St. Theresa’s Shrine, and enjoyed some food at Tracy’s King Crab Shack.

Sitka

A charming small town with a picturesque main street and the chance to do some whale watching.

Skagway

Another adorable main street, plus the unforgettable White Pass Train ride. The views were nothing short of breathtaking.

Victoria

We wandered the city, shopped, visited a cozy pub where I had my very first Irish coffee, and chatted with a friendly local who shared stories about the area’s surprisingly mild weather.

Life on Anthem of the Seas

We sailed with Royal Caribbean on Anthem of the Seas, and I can’t say enough good things about the staff. They were warm, friendly, and always smiling. We made friends with several of them and learned more about their lives and travels.

The ship itself was gorgeous, and the food… AMAZING. One of our favorite onboard activities? Bumper cars. We acted like kids again — ramming into each other, laughing so hard our sides hurt, and running right back into line for another round. Eventually, they kicked us out because it was “teen-only time.” Rude, right? Kids get all the fun!

Chasing the Northern Lights

One of the biggest highlights of the trip: seeing the Northern Lights. For many of us, it was the first time. The moment word spread that they were visible, we raced to the upper decks, braced the cold, and took in the magical green glow dancing across the sky. Truly unforgettable.

Little Moments That Made Big Memories

Beyond the big sights, it was the smaller moments that made this trip special — watching my talented friends sing karaoke, watching a Queen tribute musical, celebrating a 60th birthday, sending group texts like “Where is everyone?” and taking elevator selfies as we searched for each other around the ship.

We also made new friendships — both with fellow passengers and with the incredible staff who remembered our faces, our orders, our room numbers, and the hilarious impressions we left on day one.

Alaska Is Calling Me Back

This adventure showed me that Alaska isn’t a one-and-done destination. There’s so much more to explore, and I know I’ll return someday — whether by another cruise or exploring by land. Either way, Alaska has earned a permanent spot on my must-return list.