Alaska was never one of my dream destinations. It wasn’t at the top of my travel list, and I never spent years imagining glaciers, mountains, or cold mornings on a cruise ship balcony.
Then I went—and Alaska became a lifetime memory that still calls me back for more.
Alaska doesn’t quietly enter your life. It greets you with towering mountains, magnificent glaciers, soaring eagles, and whales appearing beside the ship as though they’ve been expecting you all along.
The excitement begins long before you see your first whale. Passengers gather on balconies and open decks, scanning the water for the sudden splash of a tail or the unmistakable mist from a whale’s blowhole. Then someone points and shouts, “There!” Suddenly, everyone is searching for the same magical moment. Complete strangers become teammates, sharing binoculars, pointing excitedly, and celebrating each sighting together.
(Submitted by Crystal Ellsworth)
Watching humpback whales surface in their natural habitat was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my trip. There is something almost spiritual about seeing one rise from the icy water before gracefully disappearing beneath the surface with a final wave of its enormous tail. For a few moments, the entire ship grows quiet.
The wildlife doesn’t stop at the water. Eagles soar effortlessly above the coastline while seabirds circle overhead, often signaling that whales are feeding below. Unlike visiting a zoo, Alaska’s wildlife appears on its own schedule, making every encounter feel like an unexpected gift.
(Submitted by Crystal Ellsworth)
Then there are the glaciers.
Photographs simply cannot capture the feeling of standing before these massive rivers of ancient ice. You hear the cracking before you see it. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness glacier calving, when huge sections of ice break away and crash into the water with a thunderous roar.
One of my favorite excursions was hiking to Nugget Falls, where I stood near the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. The brilliant blue ice, rushing waterfall, and towering mountains surrounding me created one of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever experienced.
The adventure continued in Skagway, where the Gold Rush still feels alive. Historic buildings, costumed storytellers, and the famous White Pass railway transport visitors back in time while showcasing spectacular mountain scenery.
Next month, I’ll continue our journey through Juneau and Ketchikan and share why I’m already planning my return to Alaska—this time including an unforgettable inland adventure through Denali and Fairbanks.
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