Hello from Alaska –

This week I am taking a 7 day cruise onboard the luxury Seabourn cruise line on their vessel Odyssey sailing from Juneau, Alaska southbound to Vancouver, BC, Canada. We are celebrating our 50th anniversary (I am really not that OLD!). Alaska has become one of several bucket list destinations for many travelers young and old. This is my 7th cruise to Alaska and there are multiple ways to see the 49th state. Here are my observations.

Here are my 10 observations of my Alaska cruise on Seabourn Cruises.

1. Alaska is the best place to beat the summer heat –
In August, temperatures in Alaska are generally mild, ranging from around 50°F to 65°F (10°C to 18°C) in coastal areas where the cruise will likely travel. It can be cooler near glaciers and in the mornings and evenings. Leaving home it was 90 degrees. Here I need sweaters, long pants, a good coat and hat. 

2. Be sure to bring your binoculars as there is more wildlife to see than taking a safari – You can expect to see an amazing variety of wildlife, including humpback whales, bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, wolverines, foxes, otters, beavers, puffins, and even sea lions, seals, and walruses. Alaska is also a birdwatcher’s paradise with bald eagles, owls, falcons, ravens, ducks, geese, swans, and songbirds. Be sure to bring some good binoculars. 

3. It is hard to sleep with only 6 hours of almost darkness – August in Alaska experiences 18 hours of daylight with the sky that almost does not go dark at nighttime. You might want to bring a sleeping aid to get some shut eye.

4. Cruising with 500 people is so much better than 5000 people – Can you imagine arriving at a small Alaskan port on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas with 5000 passengers? You feel packed like a sardine. The Seabourn Odyssey has 458 passengers. The Explorer of the Seas is mass market Las Vegas look and feel while the Odyssey is perfect for travelers seeking a more intimate, luxurious experience with a focus on relaxation, personalized service, and cultural exploration. 

5. Add a land package to your cruise to really see Alaska – Because we have cruised to Alaska several times before we did not add a land package to the front or back end of our cruise, but if this is your first time cruising Alaska you really need to spend a few more shekels and add a 4-7 day land tour extension from Anchorage to Fairbanks.

6. This is the only trip I allow us to check on luggage – I hate to bring checked-on luggage. But heading to Alaska and you need to bring layers of coats and sweaters and shoes. I never, ever, check on luggage….except on a cruise to Alaska. 

7. Alaska has a high season, shoulder season and no season – Alaska cruising wakes up in May with great deals followed by the high season months of June, July and August. Then comes more great deals in September and pretty much closes down in mid October. Almost all the tourist attractions shut their doors for 6 months between October and April. The nights are long and cold. 

8. Watching a glacier calving is the wonder of a lifetime – It is hard to explain the anticipation and emotion when our cruise ship entered the bay filled to the horizon with the white wall of the glacier.  The crowd on our cruise ship filled every balcony and all the upper decks to get a first hand view of the massive panorama. It is truly amazing to hear the deep cracks in the glacier echo like thunder. Seconds later a massive chunk of blue ice plunged into the beautiful turquoise water like the sound of a cannon going off. Our crowd broke out in applause as the waves ripple toward our cruise ship. You stand speechless, dwarfed by the raw power and timeless beauty of nature on display.

9. I refuse to allow anyone I know to purchase anything but an outside cabin with a veranda on an Alaskan cruise – The most memorable events ever from your Alaskan cruise will take place from you veranda watching as the Alaskan dramatic landscape passes you by. Watch the eagles soar, the humpback whales blow, the glaciers calve all from the your front porch. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish by saving a few dollars and reserving a cabin without a veranda. 

10. The scenic beauty of Alaska is inspirational – Alaska’s natural beauty is nothing short of spellbinding, with its majestic landscapes evoking a profound sense of wonder. Snow-capped mountains rising dramatically up in the sky, massive glaciers and fjords, serene coastlines, drifting icebergs creating a stunning visual spectacle. This raw, untamed splendor of Alaska not only inspires awe but also invites deep reflection, reminding us of God’s magnificence and the importance of preserving these pristine landscapes for future generations. I hope someday all my readers are able to be inspired by a cruise or tour to Alaska.

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