Ahoy there, fellow travelers! We’re excited to share our experience aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Spirit of the Seas on our summer Alaska cruise. This 7-day adventure took us from Seattle to Vancouver, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau, with breathtaking views of Alaska’s glaciers and wildlife along the way. We lived our dream of cruising Alaska’s inside passage, and the weather conditions were perfect when we did!
Table of Contents
Eating on the Norwegian Spirit
Entertainment on the Norwegian Spirit
Excursions and Exploring the Stops
***Juneau & Whale Watching
***Ketchikan
***Skagway & Panning for Gold, Train Ride and Dog-Sledding
***Vancouver BC
More About Cruising Alaska
***Taking an Alaskan Cruise in July
***Experience the World
***Packing for an Alaskan Cruise
Eating on the Norwegian Spirit
Let’s start with the food, because let’s be honest, it’s one of the highlights of any cruise. The Spirit of the Seas offers a wide variety of dining options, including complimentary dining rooms, buffets, and specialty restaurants for an additional fee. We tried a little bit of everything, and it was all delicious.
The complimentary dining rooms offered a range of menu options, from classic American fare to international dishes. We particularly enjoyed the main dining room which had some of the best salmon we’ve ever had. The buffets were also impressive, with a constantly changing selection of fresh salads, hot dishes, and desserts.
For a special night out, we made reservations at the Japanese Hibachi restaurant, which was well worth the additional fee. The chef was engaging and entertaining. We also tried the steakhouse, which had some of the best cuts of meat we’ve ever had.
Entertainment on the Norwegian Spirit
As for entertainment, the Spirit of the Seas did not disappoint. There were nightly shows in the theater, ranging from Broadway-style musicals to acrobatic performances. We particularly enjoyed the magician and his assistant, who had us scratching our heads in amazement. The ship also had live music in various bars and lounges, as well as a casino and game room. Karaoke was a favorite, too!
Excursions and Explorations
But the real highlights of our Alaska cruise were the excursions. Here’s a breakdown of each port of call and the excursions we did:
Juneau: Whale-Watching & Mendenhall Glacier
Juneau: Our first stop was Alaska’s capital city, Juneau. We took a helicopter tour to Mendenhall Glacier, which was an incredible experience. We landed on the glacier and had a chance to walk around and explore the ice formations. It was like being on another planet. We also saw some humpback whales and many, many bald eagles on a whale-watching tour later in the day.
Find Out More about our Trip to Juneau HERE & Whale-Watching with THIS LINK
Ketchikan
The next stop in Alaska was the charming town of Ketchikan. We took a floatplane tour to Misty Fjords National Monument, which was absolutely stunning. The fjords were shrouded in mist, and we saw cascading waterfalls and emerald-green forests from above. We also saw a few whales and sea otters in the water below.
Find Out More about our Trip to Ketchikan HERE
Skagway: Panning for Gold, Train Ride, & Dog-Sledding
Skagway: Skagway is a historic gold rush town, and we loved exploring the old saloons and buildings from the late 1800s. We took a scenic train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route, which was one of the highlights of our trip. The train climbed steep mountains and crossed breathtaking bridges, with stunning views of glaciers and waterfalls along the way.
Find Out More about our Trip to Skagway by clicking this LINK.
Vancouver BC
Vancouver: Last full day of the cruise was spent enjoying a day in Vancouver and it was a fantastic city to explore. We visited the stunning Butchart Gardens, a world-renowned garden filled with blooming flowers and exotic plants. It was a peaceful experience with breathtaking views. We also explored the historic downtown, with its charming architecture and vibrant culture.
Find Out More about our Trip to Vancouver BC HERE
More About Cruising Alaska
Taking an Alaskan Cruise in July
Experience the World
Packing for an Alaskan Cruise
Norwegian Spirit of the Seas
Overall, our summer Alaska cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Spirit of the Seas was a fantastic experience. The food and entertainment were top-notch, and the excursions were unforgettable. We highly recommend this cruise to anyone looking for an adventure in Alaska. Be sure and check out the links above to learn more specifics about our time cruising Alaska.
