Alaskan cruise recap

Many of these photos were taken by Nan, my brother-in-law, as the rest of us were lazy photographers. Thank you, Nan, for these photos!

We took a 7-night cruise (8/10/2025-6/17/2025) on the Norwegian Encore ship that took us to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan, Victoria (Canada), and then back to Seattle. It was the four of us, my mother-in-law, my brother in-law and his wife, and my sister-in-law's parents. I'm about to give you a full rundown of this trip with my unfiltered thoughts, so take whatever information you find useful and move on. Remember that all my thoughts are based on the perspective of a mom with two little kids (6 & 2). Also, photos are all from my phone…all the nicer pictures from our expensive camera will be slower to make it into my computer lol.

Pre-cruise: arrival in Seattle and spending a few days on Camano Island

This trip was a mini family reunion in some ways (with half of Z's family joining the cruise), so we wanted to extend the family time a little more beyond the cruise portion of the trip. Camano Island is no stranger to us, as my brother-in-law used to have a house out there. He has since sold the house, so we stayed at a VRBO rental with plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. Z was coming off a brutal call week at work, and I was stressed to the max getting the house prepped for a bathroom renovation (a story for another time), so this was some much-needed downtime with no set plans. We admired the beautiful canvas each sunrise and sunset created—each one unique but consistently breathtaking—and our tummies were spoiled by Nan’s (my brother-in-law) amazing cooking, which always puts my cooking abilities to shame.

The most memorable part of this stay was a whale-watching tour, where we saw a pod of orcas—two brothers and their mom—a magical experience that left us in awe of their existence.

Day 1 - Off we go!

We left the VRBO rental at 7 a.m. to make our way back to Seattle for cruise check-in. We had signed up for the earliest boarding option available at 9:30 a.m., but actual boarding didn’t begin until around 11 a.m. The check-in process was smooth, as expected—we waited in the holding area until it was our turn to get on the ship. I spent a good chunk of time watching all the goods (food, drinks, toiletry items, etc.) being loaded into the cargo area. I’m always in awe of how much it takes to supply a floating city of 4,200+ passengers and 1,200+ staff. There’s a behind-the-scenes documentary about this process, and it makes me want to rewatch it.

View of Seattle

The buffet (Garden Café) was already fully operational by the time we boarded. Our rooms weren’t ready until about 2 p.m., but there were plenty of things to do. We spent the first couple of hours holding down a couple of tables so the family could eat and relax. Knowing it was going to be a warm day in Seattle, we had packed swimsuits—the girls were overjoyed that pool time was already happening, though they would later discover it was the only pool time they’d get, since our trip took us to colder places the rest of the way. Later that day, I made sure Zoe was signed up for the kids’ club* (aka “Splash Academy”).

*The minimum age for Splash Academy is 3 years old, so unfortunately, Zaylee couldn’t join. However, there is a Guppies Room, which is a safe area for infants and toddlers to play. A parent or guardian must be present.

Day 2 - Sail Day

This was a full sail day, so there was no getting off the ship. Usually, the first sail day is a little easier for us parents with young kids because they’re still riding the high of being on this “big, amazing ship.” They’re generally more willing to check out activities throughout the day, even if they aren’t geared toward kids. If you’ve been on a cruise before, you know there’s an almost endless list of activities and events happening around the ship—though most don’t appeal to little ones. Half a day in, we had already gotten our 50th “What else is there to do?” from Zoe.

Zaylee might have been the tiniest/youngest passenger, but she had a blast.

Balloon twisting workshop

There’s an arcade room and a VR experience room, but both were a little outside the girls’ interest range. Zoe did start the day in the hot tub with Dad, and as a family we tried the go-karts (yes, this ship has a go-kart track). Each ride costs $15, so it can add up quickly unless you have some onboard credits to use. We would have liked to take advantage of the go-karts more, but the dual-seat option (the only one both girls could ride due to their ages) was only open for about an hour each day, and the line filled up fast. The pools and splash pad were open, but it was too cold outside—all pools are outdoors and unheated, except for four hot tubs. So, in true cruise-trip fashion, we embraced the gluttony and ate our day away.

Day 3 - Juneau, AK (2:30pm-10:00pm)

It allowed for a slower start—sleeping in, taking our time with breakfast, getting ready, and so on—before we got off the ship for our first real taste of Alaska. There was a balloon-twisting workshop where we learned how to make a sword and a dog—very fun, and a big hit with Zoe. The weather was beautiful and surprisingly warmer than anticipated—dressing in layers was absolutely the best advice.

Mendenhall Glacier

My brother-in-law had booked a van through Turo, which was waiting for us right as we got off the ship. We drove to Mendenhall Glacier, only about 15 minutes away; I hadn’t realized how close it was to the port. With several cruise ships docked that day, the viewpoint at the visitor center was understandably packed. On top of that, there was a flood warning, so most of the trails were closed as a precaution. Only two remained open—we chose the 3.5-mile East Glacier Trail to try to get closer to the waterfall. The trail was often muddy, making it a messy hike, but we were amazed to see how much the girls enjoyed it. We didn’t finish the whole trail since we had started later in the day and wanted to get off the mountain before losing too much sunlight, but what we did experience gave us spectacular views of the glacier and waterfalls, lush greenery in the forest, and, most importantly, precious time together as a family.

With a couple of hours left, we drove to a remote beach away from the tourist crowd to watch more of the Mendenhall Glacier and its surrounding mountains from afar. As simple as it is, watching the girls play with rocks, looking for tiny snails, and staring at barnacles felt peaceful and just right.

Day 4 - Skagway, AK (6:00am-8:00pm)

Longest port day. The highlight was most definitely the White Pass Scenic Railway, and as touristy as it may seem, I highly recommend signing up for this excursion (we booked it through the cruise). There was no bad side to sit on, as both sides offer great views of the ride. The train climbs nearly 3,000 ft in 20 miles—it was a wonderful treat to see the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness: sweeping views of glaciers, steep cliffs, deep gorges, railways, and tunnels all carved by human hands. With much less construction technology than what we have today, it really makes you wonder how they accomplished it all.

After we got off the train, we watched a stream where salmon were making their way upstream. We told the girls about the salmon’s hard way of living, although I’m not sure if they cared or understood any of it. We walked around town for a bit, but it felt a little too touristy for us. So, we went back to the ship fairly early for a nap and enjoyed a slower-paced dinner.

A seal having a nice feast on our back to the cruise ship

Day 5 - Glacial Bay National Park

This was a slow cruise day, and the highlight of the trip. Not all cruises get to enter this area, so you have to be sure to look for this destination when booking an Alaskan cruise. It was one of the most magical times and my favorite moment of the trip. We entered a world where time felt still, and yet it didn’t, because we were aware of how glaciers have evolved over time. In the stillness of the bay, we saw floating ice, seabirds flying, and a family of otters drifting on their backs without a care in the world. We were witnessing an ecosystem that is largely protected and untouched, and yet greatly influenced by how the planet evolves. It was a beautiful day—another day warmer than I anticipated. We just stood there with our cups of hot chocolate (or clam chowder), taking it all in.

Day 6 - Ketchikan, AK (7:00am-1:15pm)

As our cruise neared the end, the last few port stops became shorter. Ketchikan, with its reputation for rain—about 220 days a year—welcomed us with a steady drizzle. Finally, our rain jackets got a proper workout, and I was glad I had Scotchgard-ed all our shoes beforehand to keep them as dry as possible. With limited time on shore, we decided to catch The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. It was entertaining, often funny, and genuinely impressive. I couldn’t help but think back to the time Z and I went axe-throwing on a date night and how close I came to causing an accidental disaster with my terrible axe skills. Beyond the show, Ketchikan charmed us with its unique townscape—so many buildings perched right on the water, giving the town a storybook feel even in the drizzle.

Day 7 - Victoria, British Columbia (8:00pm-11:59pm)

By far the shortest port stop; we learned that it is required for all Alaskan cruises to make a port call in British Columbia. It was a little disappointing that it was dark by the time we arrived as it appeared to be a charming city. We walked around the town to find a nice night viewpoint of downtown Victoria. Girls were getting tired so we didn't stay out too long.

Downtown Victoria

Norwegian Encore Cruise (random) thoughts/notes in no particular priority:

• The go-kart was a very fun feature of this trip, but like any popular attraction on a ship, it was hard to enjoy continuously because the long line builds up quickly and moves slowly. That said, the ride itself was pretty fun.

• There is a whole area dedicated to VR experiences and gaming, but it didn’t seem very popular—too expensive to use.

• You are not assigned to a main dining table (at Manhattan Room) with the same server, unlike our experience on a Royal Caribbean ship. We missed having the personalized service you get from the same server all week. You also can't reserve a table ahead of time. Needless to say, all the staff were amazingly courteous and hardworking.

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• We stayed in an M4 category room (Family Club Balcony Suite). I wouldn’t really consider it a suite, but it was enough space for us with two little kids. If you have older or bigger kids, the room might feel more cramped.

• M4 category room also comes with 1 complimentary laundry. It is a small bag, so I wouldn't count on doing all your laundry - we used it to get a clean set of essentials (underwears, socks, t-shirts and some kid leggings).

  

• The only specialty restaurants we visited were Cagney’s (steakhouse) and Le Bistro (French), using the dining credits we received at the time of booking through Priceline. The food at both places was cooked well and delicious. Specialty dining is $60 per person, and kids eat free if they choose from the kid’s menu. Our girls did not attend either restaurant and were watched by Grandma.

  

  

• For the most part, we dined at Garden Café (buffet), as it offered the most flexibility with timing, no need to wait to be seated, and good food options for the kids.

• Since we were heading to Alaska, the weather for the whole trip was admittedly not swimmable. If it had been, the girls definitely would have spent much more time in the pool and splash pad.

• While Zoe enjoyed Splash Academy, she preferred to hang out with us more, which is perfectly fine—we like that she wants to spend her time with family. :)

• Our favorite show onboard was the Choir of Man - a really talented group of performers!

  
  

  

• There were definitely rough sea moments during sail time—sea bands and Dramamine are a must.

Our Alaskan cruise was an unforgettable family adventure. The nature there is breathtaking—largely untouched wilderness, towering glaciers, and sparkling waters that feel like stepping into another world. Spending quality time together as a family, and sharing this experience with our girls, was truly special. It was incredible to show them a different part of the country, full of natural wonders and unique wildlife. One highlight we highly recommend is choosing a cruise route that includes Glacier Bay National Park—the scenery there is absolutely magical and not to be missed.