Alaska Cruise

Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage on Seabourn Cruise Line

Whatever you may feel about cruise vacations, most people can agree that cruising is an ideal way to see and experience Alaska’s Inside Passage due to the difficulty accessing many of the remote islands, channels, and cities. Unlike other parts of the United States, much of Alaska does not have a highway road system that connects its major cities. The combination of the terrain and climate makes Alaska a more challenging destination to navigate. Thankfully, the cruise industry has established routes that expose visitors to The Last Frontier and a myriad of uniquely Alaskan adventures.

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Alaska was not high up on my bucket list for no particular reason. However, my husband’s long-time interest and the discovery of Seabourn’s excursion-focused sailings finally hooked me in. Now that we’ve been there and back, I can say with certainty that it is a must-see-and-do experience. The photos that I saw prior to visiting Alaska don’t do it adequate justice. I get it now. It is a place that you have to see in-person to truly appreciate the scale and unspoiled beauty of this majestic landscape.

What is it like to cruise on Seabourn Cruise Line?

Prior to our Alaska cruise, I had never sailed on a small, luxury cruise ship. Larger cruise ships with hundreds, if not thousands, of other passengers can be a lot of fun. However, the experience between a massive floating resort versus a yacht-like, all-inclusive luxury boat could not be more different.

Above photos: Seabourn Cruise

Smaller cruise ships can navigate the channels and smaller ports with greater ease. They offer personalized services, custom amenities, small group excursions, and all-you-can-eat caviar — just to name a few of the perks we enjoyed. The rooms are huge by comparison and most have their own private balcony. We loved Seabourn and are already contemplating where we want to go next.

Above photos: Seabourn Cruise

Probably my favorite aspect of Seabourn is their Ventures by Seabourn expeditions. These experiences are led by individuals who are avid adventurists and have a passion for helping others encounter the rugged outdoors in amazing ways. It is like having your own team of guides taking you out on excursions that would otherwise be inaccessible due to location, equipment needs, or required experience.

Above photo: Ventures by Seabourn zodiac boats in the Inian Islands

Of course, another very important consideration on a cruise is the food. Seabourn’s dining venues and menus were amazing. The food and wine selections were exquisite (and, again, all-inclusive). We had the option to dine with other passengers or alone. There wasn’t a specific seating time either. We just came and went whenever we wanted. It was truly a world-class dining experience every night.

Above photos: World-class dining on Seabourn Cruise Line

Our Inside Passageway itinerary

Alaska’s inside passage is a coastal route for ships that stretches 500 miles along the Pacific Ocean from northern Washington state, through British Columbia, and up into the southwest corner of Alaska. Popular ports-of-call include Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway, Wrangell, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Icy Strait Point, Haines, and Juneau. The geographic landscape is comprised of mountains, fjords, glaciers, and tropical rain forest. And the wildlife is spectacular! We saw bald eagles, sea otters, sea lions, whales, mountain goats and bears.

Our cruise started out in Vancouver, BC, Canada and followed a northernly route through Queen Charlotte Sound and up into the small communities of the Inside Passage, as well as a day sailing Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. While we disembarked in Juneau, we did have the option to sail back to Vancouver with different ports-of-call planned for the return voyage. However, we had already lengthened the trip by adding a couple days in Vancouver to the front-end and an extra day in Juneau to the back-end. Altogether, it was an 12-day trip.

Vancouver

Vancouver, British Columbia, is a seaport city located in the southwest corner of Canada and surrounded by mountains, evergreen forests, and waterways leading to the Pacific Ocean. It is a great place to spend a couple days prior to embarking on an Alaska cruise with so many attractions to explore both within the metro area and just outside in the gorgeous landscape of British Columbia.

If you just have a day in Vancouver, the top things to do are bicycle the Stanley Park Seawall and take a walk through the historic Gastown neighborhood. If you have time to get out of the city, head northwest to the Sea-to-Sky Gondola for epic views of Howe Sound or to Cipilano Suspension Bridge Park for its famous bridge, cliff walk, and other activities.

Above photos: Gastown Steam Clock (left); Lion’s Gate Bridge (center); Cipilano Suspension Bridge Park (right)

To read my complete post about our visit to Vancouver, click here.

Sailing the Queen Charlotte Sound

Our first full day at sea was spent sailing the Queen Charlotte Sound of the Pacific Ocean in British Columbia, Canada. This is a very common route for cruise itineraries through the Inside Passage. The route is sheltered from the Pacific Ocean, rough seas and storms. It also is favored for its scenic beauty of the islands, inlets, and fjords along the eastern side of the channel.

During the night, we were treated to an amazing display of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) for hours on end from the comfort of our private veranda. Often the aurora borealis forecast can predict the best times to catch activity, but other times you just get lucky. We had the forecast on our side and set our alarms. Bucket list item satisfied.

Above photos: Northern Lights over Queen Charlotte Sound

Ketchikan

Ketchikan has been dubbed the rainiest town in the US and the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Based on our own rainy day experience and the many salmon shops we saw, I wouldn’t argue with either of those claims. The town itself showcases Native Alaskan heritage and the historic Creek Street area. The surrounding wilderness offers numerous outdoor adventures including opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and exploring.

Above photos: Ketchikan sign (left); Historic Creek Street (right)

We had a tough time deciding between a guided tour of Misty Fjords National Monument and a back-country UTV Adventure, but ultimately opted for the later. It worked out well because we still had time to explore the historic buildings and cultural points-of-interest in downtown.

Above photos: Ketchikan UTV Adventure to Mahoney Lake

To read my complete post about our visit to Ketchikan, click here.

Sitka

Of all the various towns we visited during our Inside Passage cruise, Sitka was probably our favorite. It was the only town where I felt there was so much more to see and do than we had time for. While we prioritized wildlife viewing opportunities and outdoor adventures, I still wanted to have time to explore the historical and cultural attractions. And, this is where our time was cut short.

Above photos: St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Cathedral in downtown Sitka (top); Fortress of the Bear (left); Bald Eagle (right)

No regrets tho! Our morning Sea Otter Adventure turned into a complete wildlife extravaganza with sea lions, seals, grey whales, humpback whales, and bald eagles. The wildlife was incredible! Other highlights that are not to be missed in Sitka are Fortress of the Bear, a sanctuary for abandoned bear cubs, and St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Cathedral.

Above photos: Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest

To read my complete post about our visit to Sitka, click here.

Sailing Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

While Sitka was our favorite port city, our day sailing in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve was the hands-down highlight of our cruise. There are no words and my photos simply don’t do it justice. If you are pondering cruise itineraries, I strongly recommend filtering the choices that include Glacier Bay National Park.

This American national park is located in Southwest Alaska, west of Juneau, and encompasses 58,406 acres of public land. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve. The inlet is lined with forests and mountain peaks, rising over 15,000 feet. And, of course, there are several tidewater glaciers that flow into the water and calve large chunks of ice into the ocean.

The most spectacular glacier is Margerie Glacier, one of Alaska’s most photographed (and active!) glacial faces. We “hung out” at Margerie Glacier for a couple hours and witnessed calving as the glacier moved forward. The best way to spend a cruising day in Glacier Bay is to get out on deck! Whatever you do, don’t stay inside your room lest you miss the action, incredible scenery, and the abundance of wildlife.

Above photos: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

To read my complete post about our sailing through Glacier Bay National Park, click here.

Inian Islands

The Inian Islands form the northern entrance to the Inside Passage and are a mecca for wildlife. Our ship anchored somewhere in the middle of these islands where the water was calm and reflective. The conditions were perfect for water-based exploration via zodiac boat or kayaking. We decided on a super early-morning kayak trip with the Ventures by Seabourn team in hopes of catching some wildlife activity.

Above photos: Inian Islands Kayaking

Not seeing wildlife in Alaska is the exception to the rule, so we learned. We spotted critters everywhere — from our stateroom veranda to each of the excursions we took. I was genuinely curious if we would actually get to see wildlife up close from our kayaks. We did! We had some super playful sea lions that could not have been less bothered by our bright yellow kayaks and chatter.

Above photos: Sea lions (left) and a bald eagle (right) spotted while kayaking in the Inian Islands

I could not tell you how cold the water was. Freezing, no doubt, but we were encased from head-to-toe in dry suits, water-tight neoprene boots, hats, and gloves. I never felt cold, nor was there ever a moment where I felt we would tip over. If you are considering a kayak adventure, it is a surprisingly relaxing and enjoyable way to feel truly immersed in nature.

Above photo: Inian Islands Kayaking

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is located on Chichagof Island near the rural town of Hoonah. This port was developed specifically for cruise ships and, hence, felt a little touristy to me. However, if you sign up for an excursion here, you will get to see some of the most beautiful, unspoiled wilderness areas in Alaska.

We passed on the bus tours, zip line, and seafood feast, and instead opted for a Whale Watching and Marine Wildlife tour. Having only previously seen whales from a distance, I was not sure how exciting this experience would be, but it exceeded our expectations in every way. We saw so many whales and were close enough to smell whale breath. If you don’t know what that is, just be ready to hold your own breath. It was seriously the most disgusting thing I have ever inhaled. But, hey, a memorable experience for sure!

Above photos: A humpback whale up for a breath

Haines

Haines is a tiny town is the northern part of the Alaska Panhandle, just south of Skagway. It is known mostly for its wildlife viewing opportunities, but also has a well-preserved historic downtown. I maxed out my time in Haines on a zodiac and hiking adventure to the Davidson Glacier and have no regrets.

Above photos: Haines, Alaska

There is something so special about seeing something that very few people get to see due to its remote location and the level of effort to get there! The Ventures by Seabourn team crafted this expedition that is typically not available through other cruise lines. Our trip to the Davidson Glacier included a shuttle ride to Letnikof Cove, a zodiac boat trip across the bay with a beach landing at Glacier Point, and a hike through the temperate Alaska rain forest.

Above photos: Zodiac boat ride to the Davidson Glacier trailhead

Our group was the first to hike the trail that season. Along the way, our local guide was also doing trail maintenance, cutting back overgrowth, moving debris from the trail, etc. The forest was lush, dense, and completely beautiful. We would never have found our way on our own. This is definitely a hike to take with someone who knows the area well.

Above photos: Hike to Davidson Glacier

When we arrived at Davidson Glacier, it was pristine. Not a single other footprint except for some moose and bear tracks. Can you imagine? To get as close to the glacier as possible, we took our shoes off and walked through the runoff water. It was literally an ice bath! While we were not able to get up to the face of the glacier due to the water, it was still pretty magical to get as close as we did.

Above photo: Davidson Glacier

Juneau

Juneau is the capital city of Alaska and also one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. The downtown area of Juneau also has a lot to entertain visitors, making it a great port-of-call and also a great place to spend some extra time.

Above photo: View of Juneau and cruise ships from Mount Roberts Tram

If you only have a day in Juneau, the best way to structure it is to spend half a day visiting the Mendenhall Glacier attractions and the other half exploring historic downtown Juneau. Since Juneau was our last port-of-call, we planned to spend two full days there. But, our return flight was cancelled and we had to move up our departure — which meant, we missed out on our second day of activities including the Mendenhall Valley attractions.

Juneau highlights that you don’t want to miss include The Whale Project, Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, and the Mount Roberts Tram. In addition to the sights, we had a major food highlight gorging on crab at Tracy’s King Crab Shack.

Above photos: The Whale Project (top and left); Juneau waterfront (right)

To read my complete post about our visit to Juneau, click here.

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