Getting There:

Get your passport ready! This Alaskan cruise doesn't stay stateside. I flew into Vancouver and boarded the ship, ready to see some glaciers and as much wildlife as possible.

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My Room:

I cruised on the Westerdam ship which is a part of the Holland America fleet. My room was a great size - with room to lounge. It had a very clean and neat design and featured an outdoor space with a table and chairs.

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The Weather:

There's a reason there is a high season in every location and Alaska is no different. There is a window a few months long where it isn't winter so the wildlife is out and about and the scenery is at its peak. 

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I was cruising during the shoulder season at the end of April in 2018 through the first week of May, and I wore my lite down jacket daily.  It was also raining which of course makes it feel even cooler with the dampness.   

The flip side was that it was much less crowded than high season and less expensive.  Expect a trade off.

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I traveled with a friend on this one and we had a nice time - we also did a pre-cruise option in Vancouver and Victoria and the weather was absolutely gorgeous then- sunny and temps in the low 70s. Just beautiful!

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My Favorite Stops:

I went on a Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Photo Safari - very cool to see the wildlife and take in the views.

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In Skagway, I went on a photography excursion. There were beautiful landscapes and we also stopped at Red Onion Saloon and Slide Cemetery - a tiny wilderness cemetery from back in the gold rush era.

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Glacier Bay was definitely a stop to remember - there are 1,045 glaciers in this bay! Glacier Bay is a National Park full of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and lush forests. It's definitely remote and is very serene.

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What To Pack:

There are a few items I'm very happy I brought on this cruise and wouldn't want to forget on future cruises like this one. Take a look at the items below -

• Umbrella - the cruise ship provides larger ones but it was really nice to have a compact umbrella on hand.
• Two jackets - I brought one lightweight down jacket which was really easy to pack. I also brought a second one that was more roomy and had a hood. Jackets that are quick drying are a plus, as well!
• Sunglasses - these are important all the time but they were especially handy while cruising on reflective water and looking at bright, snowy landscapes.
• Ear muffs - I tell my husband I'm a delicate flower and yes, it makes him smile. But these really helped with the dampness and I was able to spend time on the top deck and still stay warm.
• Comfortable waterproof walking shoes - You will definitely want to bring shoes that will dry overnight for the next day. Mine were slip on shoes and they were perfect!
• Pack so you're able to dress in layers - bring clothing that works together! With the temperature changes and different conditions outside, it's very helpful to be able to throw on or take off a sweater or jacket, etc.
• Camera - I highly recommend bringing a camera on all of your trips! This trip had so many breathtaking sites and I'm so happy I got to soak them in and bring home pictures to look back on.

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This is a trip for you!

Overall, I would recommend this cruise to just about anybody! At first glance, you may think this type of trip would be exclusively for outdoorsy people but that's not the case at all. That's the beauty of cruising Alaska's inside passages - you get to see and experience the nature yet get to go back into your comfy cruise ship surroundings. And I do think solo travelers would enjoy it as there are quite a few excursions one could take.  It really is a location made for anyone - even those who don't like the cold because you can be sitting in the lounge or in your stateroom with your desired beverage and see it from inside.  If you're an adventure person, though, you really do need to get out on excursions or you're going to be bored out of your gourd!

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Please let me know if you have any questions about my trip or if you'd like to take a trip like this. I'd love to talk with you and help you plan the best cruise possible!

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