April 29-May 6, 2023

One highlight to working in Seattle was the ease of taking an Alaskan Cruise. The cruise terminal is in downtown Seattle, so it felt almost sacrilegious to not partake in a cruise. Cruising is not my normal travel style, but I have fond memories of a Caribbean cruise as a child. While I was still on orientation at the hospital, I convinced one of the other travel nurses to book a cruise with me at the end of our contract. It would be early in the season which meant cheaper fares but also the risk of poor weather. I decided I could handle some rain, wind or even snow so we booked it! Such a great decision.

We had an absolute blast. I loved strolling on the deck and looking for whales. The safari mode in me activated and I enjoyed spotting animals. I wore my binoculars everywhere, even to dinner!

Our first stop was Juneau, Alaska. After the obligatory visit to the capitol building (not impressive) we visited Mendenhall glacier and went whale watching. It was damp and dreary which fit my expectations perfectly. I enjoyed hiking to the glacier and seeing icebergs in the lake. Whale watching was still fun but not very successful. I’d seen tons of whales and orcas from the cruise ship, and we only saw one tail while “whale watching.” Nevertheless, we kept amused by taking pictures of us freezing in the rain.

Next stop was Skagway. Skagway is a small town where most people take a train to Yukon, Canada. I went hiking since there were great trails within walking distance from the cruise port. I only saw a few other hikers, which was a needed escape after a busy cruise ship. On my way back to the ship we saw an orca right next to the bow. Incredible!

The weather turned as we arrived in Ketchikan. Sunny skies and warm weather seemed out of place. I hiked in just a long sleeved shirt and pants. It was a great day filled with easy hiking from the cruise port, countless eagles, indigenous culture, and a charming historical town.

Just when I thought Alaska couldn’t get better we woke up in Glacier Bay National Park. The sun was shining, seals played in the water, eagles rested on icebergs, mountain goats clung to the rocks, and the glaciers reached for the sea. The sun made the glaciers glow and the blue color pop. We spent the whole day enjoying the area with National Park Rangers explaining what we were seeing and why it was important. They talked not just about nature but also about the indigenous people who lived here. I had been reading John Muir’s Alaska which describes the glaciers in the bay and it made the experience extra special. I would go on an Alaskan cruise just for this experience.

The final port of call was Victoria, BC. We spent an evening admiring the flowers and old buildings. I would have liked more time but strolling the streets on a Friday night is a memory I will cherish.

I had such a great time on this cruise and the ports were only part of it. The cruise itself was so nice. I loved not having to pack and unpack multiple times. My room was my room for the whole week. The dining options were delicious. I preferred the sit-down restaurants and only ate at the buffet twice. There were so many options that were included. I ate well and often. We also enjoyed the ship’s entertainment. From live music to dancing to Broadway musicals – there were tons of events happening. My favorite show was Six: The Musical which is about Henry IV’s wives. Super catchy and we got to meet the cast on our whale watching excursion in Juneau.

I would absolutely go on another cruise. It’s not my typical backpacker style, but every now and then the ease of a cruise makes for a great holiday.