I’d always had a dream of experiencing Alaska, the Last Frontier, and that desire was first fulfilled in May 2000.   My husband had extended time off from work and we booked a cruisetour on Celebrity Cruises. 

An Alaskan cruisetour is a type of vacation that involves taking a cruise ship through the waters of Alaska, typically with stops at various ports along the way. These tours often include guided excursions on land, such as visits to national parks, wildlife reserves, and cultural attractions.

Our adventure started with a pre-cruise tour of the Canadian Rockies.  We began in Calgary and then visited Banff, Lake Louise, Kamloops/Lac le Jeune before heading to Vancouver, Canada where we boarded Celebrity Mercury for a 7-night Northbound Glacier cruise.    The cruise itinerary included port stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Valdez along with scenic cruising of Hubbard Glacier and College Fjord.   We disembarked the ship in Seward.

What an adventure so far.  The Canadian Rockies were spectacular, and the cruise was breathtaking. We’d seen bald eagles soaring, seals and whales up close, glacier ice floating next to our ship, and even calving glaciers.   We had a fabulous fresh salmon bake in Juneau and did some shopping in Ketchikan.

The best was yet to come as we ventured further into the wilderness of the Last Frontier.  Our post-cruise tour included a visit to Denali, where we stayed overnight and took the Denali Natural History Tour where we went deep into the park to scout the forest and tundra for wildlife.  Other highlights included the train ride from Denali where we were fortunate to see Mount McKinley (Denali) in all its glory, and Fairbanks where we panned for gold just like the settlers did many years ago.  Our final stop was Anchorage where we flew back home.

We had been told that during an Alaskan cruisetour, passengers could expect to see stunning natural landscapes, including glaciers, fjords, and rugged coastlines. They might also have the opportunity to witness wildlife such as whales, eagles, bears, and moose in their natural habitats.   I’m happy to say that all those boxes were checked and more.   Travel memories last forever and even though this was more than 20 years ago, I still remember the trip just as if it was only yesterday.

I fell in love with Alaska on this first trip and have gone back to visit multiple times.   When I became a Travel Advisor, I decided to become a certified Alaska expert and completed certifications with Princess Cruises and the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA). 

I have been fortunate to travel to Alaska multiple times, but often this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for my guests.   I encourage them to experience Alaska on land and sea by taking a cruisetour if time and money permit.  Regardless of the amount of time or budget, as an Alaska expert, I will tailor your Alaska adventure to your specifications.   Call me today to start planning your trip to The Last Frontier.