Cruising Through Retirement - Alaska Cruising: Why a Voyage Through the Last Frontier Belongs on Your Bucket List
The Moment Alaska Hooked Me
The Norwegian Pearl - the cruise that changed how I travel.
Welcome back to Cruising Through Retirement—a place where I (Evelyn Kwan Green, PhD., Travels With Darley Producer, and semi-retiree) share stories, insights, and lessons from a lifetime in hospitality and a continued journey of discovery.
I almost didn't book this trip. Alaska had been on my list for years — the kind of destination you keep pushing to "someday" because it feels almost too big, too remote, too ambitious. And then in 2018, I finally stopped waiting and boarded the Norwegian Pearl. I was not prepared for what happened next. The moment I stepped onto the deck and the air hit me — crisp, cold, and clean in a way city air never is — something shifted. Snow-capped mountains stretched in every direction. The water below was almost perfectly still, like glass. And then the glaciers came into view. Massive. Silent. Ancient.
You don't just see Alaska. You feel it.
That was the trip that turned me into a cruiser — and it's the reason Alaska is the first destination I want to share with you here in Cruising Through Retirement. Because if you've been putting it off the way I did, I want to be the person who finally convinces you to go.
Massive magnificent glaciers
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a United Nations World Heritage Site. Comprised of 3.3 million acres of natural wonders, it is home to magnificent glaciers, snow-capped mountains and abundant birds and wildlife.
Why Alaska Is Made for Cruising
Alaska is enormous — 663,000 square miles of wilderness, coastline, glaciers, and wildlife. Driving it would take weeks. Flying between destinations means missing everything in between. Cruising solves all of that. You board once, unpack once, and wake up somewhere new every morning. The ship becomes your base camp — comfortable and well-provisioned — while the landscape outside changes daily. It's adventure travel with a very comfortable home base, which, at this stage of life, is exactly how I like it.
The Must-See Highlight: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
If there is one experience that defines an Alaska cruise, it's Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. A United Nations World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay encompasses 3.3 million acres of wilderness — massive tidewater glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and waters teeming with humpback whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, and hundreds of bird species. Standing on deck as the ship moves slowly through the bay, surrounded by glaciers that have existed for thousands of years — it's the kind of moment that recalibrates your sense of scale. These are living, moving, calving walls of ancient ice. You don't just see them. You hear them. My tip: Position yourself on the outer deck early. Most Alaska cruises include a ranger-narrated Glacier Bay experience, and the best views come as the ship makes its slow turn in the bay. Dress warmly — it is cold out there, and you will not want to go inside.
What to Expect on an Alaska Cruise
The Scenery: Dramatic at every turn — fjords, rainforests, waterfalls, and peaks that rise straight from the water. The Inside Passage, which most Alaska cruises travel, is one of the most scenic sailing routes in the world. I found myself spending hours simply standing on deck, watching it go by.
The Wildlife: Alaska delivers wildlife sightings that feel almost cinematic. Keep your camera ready for humpback whales breaching, bald eagles overhead, brown bears along the shoreline, and glaciers calving into the sea. I was not a wildlife photographer before this trip. I became one.
The Ports: Each port along an Alaska cruise itinerary has its own character:
Juneau — Alaska's capital, only accessible by sea or air. Don't miss the Mendenhall Glacier, just 12 miles from downtown, or a whale-watching excursion in the surrounding waters.
Ketchikan — Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World" and home to the world's largest collection of standing totem poles. Walk Creek Street and take your time.
Skagway — A gold rush town frozen in time. The White Pass & Yukon Route railway is a must — one of the most scenic train rides in North America, and a genuine piece of living history.
Sitka — Rich in Russian and Tlingit history, with stunning ocean views and excellent wildlife watching in Sitka Sound.
Icy Strait Point — One of the best spots in Alaska for brown bear sightings and, if you're feeling adventurous, zip-lining over the rainforest canopy.
Planning Your Alaska Cruise: What to Know
Best time to go: Late May through early September. July and August offer the warmest temperatures and peak wildlife activity. June is ideal for whale watching and slightly fewer crowds.
How long: Most Alaska cruises run 7 nights, departing from Seattle, Vancouver, or San Francisco. Longer 10–14 night itineraries allow for more ports and a deeper experience — worth it if your schedule allows.
What to pack: Layers are essential. Even in summer, mornings on deck and time near the glaciers are cold. A waterproof jacket, warm base layers, and good walking shoes are non-negotiable. I speak from experience.
Cruise lines to consider: Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity all offer strong Alaska itineraries. Holland America has one of the longest histories in Alaska and offers pre- or post-cruise land packages through their wilderness lodges — a wonderful option if you want to extend your time there.
Book early: Alaska cruises sell out. If you have a specific ship, cabin category, or sailing date in mind, book 9 to 12 months out.
It Started With Alaska — and It Didn't Stop There
That first sailing on the Norwegian Pearl turned into many more voyages — with friends, with my daughter, and eventually solo. It introduced me to river cruising, where the pace slows and the connection to each destination deepens in a different way. Different journeys, same sense of discovery. But Alaska was the beginning. And if you're looking for a place to start your own cruising journey, I can't think of a better one.
