Seattle to Alaska: Pacific Northwest Adventure
In July 2017, we took a week-long cruise from Seattle to Alaska. It became one of our most memorable vacations. Here's our story and everything we learned along the way.
Pre-Cruise: Exploring Seattle Together
We arrived in Seattle a couple of days early to explore the city before boarding the cruise. It gave us time to settle in, shake off the travel exhaustion, and really enjoy the city before our cruise adventure began.
Seattle Highlights:
Started at Pike Place Market to watch the famous fish tossing and made the pilgrimage to the original Starbucks – touristy but fun. We also checked out the quirky Gum Wall nearby, which is exactly what it sounds like and is strangely fascinating. We went up the Space Needle for those classic Seattle views.
We spent time along the waterfront, where we ate at one of the restaurants with beautiful views of Elliott Bay and the ferries coming and going. Walked around downtown, taking in the city vibe.
Space Needle
Seattle
Our Bainbridge Island Day Trip
Before embarking on the cruise, we decided to take a day trip to Bainbridge Island. The 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle was an adventure in itself. We sat outside on the deck, and watching Seattle's skyline slowly fade as we crossed the water was magical.
Our Island Adventure: The ferry docks right in this charming little downtown area. We wandered the streets together, found a cozy coffee shop, and browsed the local shops.
The Main Event: Our 8-Day Alaska Adventure with Norwegian Cruiseline
Cruising the Serene Inside Passage
And then came the cruise – seven days aboard the Norwegian Pearl, sailing from Seattle up to Alaska and back.
Day 1: Setting Sail from Seattle – Boarding day! When the ship pulled away from Seattle around 5pm, we gathered on deck to watch the city skyline drift away. It was one of those perfect moments – the adventure officially beginning.
Day 2: Inside Passage – Our first full day at sea was wonderfully relaxing. We took our time exploring everything the ship had to offer, and spent hours just watching the scenery glide by. The Inside Passage lives up to its reputation – calm waters, forested shorelines, and incredible wildlife.
Day 3: Juneau – Glaciers and Whales! - We booked our excursion through the cruise line. First, we visited the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Standing there looking at this massive 13-mile-long river of ice – part of the ancient Juneau Icefield leftover from the last ice age – was awe-inspiring.
Then came the whale watching at Auke Bay. We boarded this specially-designed catamaran. We saw multiple humpback whales – these magnificent creatures surfacing and diving right near our boat. Our naturalist guide explained their behaviors and habitats, and we also spotted playful sea lions and more bald eagles.
Mendenhall Glacier
Day 4: Skagway – A Journey Back in Time - The White Pass Scenic Railway lives up to its name — "The Scenic Railway of the World" is no exaggeration. We boarded this vintage narrow-gauge train that follows the same route blasted out of solid rock in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush. The path climbs nearly 3,000 feet in just 20 miles, winding through the stunning Tongass National Forest.
We didn't move from the windows the entire ride. Gorges dropping away below us, waterfalls everywhere, mountain peaks, glimpses of glaciers – it just kept getting better. This railway is recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
After the railway, we strolled through downtown, did souvenir shopping, and soaked in the Gold Rush atmosphere. It's a tiny town, but it's got so much character and charm.
Day 5: Glacier Bay – The Day That Takes Your Breath Away – If I had to pick one day that defined this entire trip, it would be our day in Glacier Bay National Park. The ship spent the entire day slowly cruising through the bay, and National Park rangers came aboard to narrate and share their knowledge. We learned about the glaciers, the geology, the ecosystem – but more than that, we felt the magic of being in one of the world's most pristine wilderness areas.
Watching massive chunks of ice calve off the glaciers and crash into the sea with thunderous booms that echoed across the water. The mountains surrounding us rose over 15,000 feet, making us feel wonderfully small in the best possible way.
Years later, the memory stays vivid – the thunderous sound of ice calving, the mist in the air, the raw wilderness of it all.
Day 6: Ketchikan - We started by walking the famous Creek Street – this historic boardwalk is built right on stilts over Ketchikan Creek. Totem poles line the streets of Ketchikan – hundreds of them. Each one tells a story through the remarkable craftsmanship of indigenous artists.
Lumberjack Show
We also caught the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show – watching lumberjacks compete in log rolling, axe throwing, and speed climbing was entertaining and impressive. Our excursion to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary took us through 40 acres of temperate rainforest bordering the Tongass National Forest. The guided nature walk covered local wildlife and ecology, we visited a historic sawmill and an authentic totem park and saw reindeer. A perfect blend of nature, culture, and Alaskan charm.
Day 7: Victoria, BC - We hopped on the public bus from the cruise terminal to get downtown – it was easy and affordable, a nice way to see a bit of the city along the way. We strolled through the compact downtown and loved how different it felt – very British in character but with a Pacific Northwest vibe.
Day 8: Back to Seattle – Our last morning, we woke up as the ship glided back into Seattle around 7am.
Final Thoughts
The Pacific Northwest to Alaska is more than a vacation – it's a journey that reminds you why we travel. The majesty of untouched wilderness. The joy of discovery and adventure. From Seattle's vibrant streets to Alaska's pristine landscapes, it's truly unforgettable.
