LIFE AFTER 1 WEEK ON AN ALASKAN CRUISE 🛳
Hey friend 👋🏻
After returning from Europe, and spending just under a week in Calgary my bags were packed to road trip to Vancouver, BC the city I lived in from when I was 17 - 27 (that’s bonkers to say), because we had a cruise to Alaska to catch!
Woo hoo! I was a bit nervous for this trip as it was my first cruise experience, I wasn’t sure what to expect + it was completely opposite from the volunteer, multi-person dorm room, pasta for almost every meal travel like experience I had just been living in Eastern Europe for the previous two months.
After a 12 hour road trip to Vancouver, we stayed 1 night in Richmond then boarded Holland America Line’s Koningsdam vessel to begin our 8 day, 7 night cruise up to Alaska.
We stopped in the ports of Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan + were one of two vessels that got to enter the Glacier Bay National Park + witness the incredible glaciers of Alaska!
If you came to this blog post because you’re interested in solo travel, then you’re probably wondering why I keep saying we! I was lucky enough to travel with my family + my sibling’s partners on this adventure, which was such a special treat getting to build memories all together especially as we haven’t all lived in the city since I left for Vancouver in 2012.
How was my first cruise experience?
It was awesome. The food was excellent (vegetarian/vegan friendly), service was top class, plenty of activities to do (we played trivia everyday), live music with comfortable + clean rooms, I really have nothing negative to say about the experience!
I would be more likely to book another cruise over an all-inclusive resort, especially if travelling with a group of friends or family that may be different ages or interests.
If you’re hoping to learn more what’s available on board the vessel, what one does while on a cruise ship… don’t worry, I vlogged the ENTIRE trip + it will be on my YouTube channel soon.
Following the trip I stayed 4 nights in Vancouver doggie sitting for friends of mine. It’s one of my favourite ways to make travel more affordable, as well as helping out a friend with their pup while they’re on vacation. It also made me realize single dog mom life isn’t a card I’m interested in picking up anytime soon, it’s a lot! You can check out platforms like Trusted Housesitters if you’re interested in travelling while house/pet sitting.
I look forward to finding a new routine while being in my home base of Calgary for over a month, engaging in two big projects for my freelance clients + editing some way overdue YouTube videos.
TRAVEL TIP (for cruises)
I could write a few blog posts on what to bring in your suitcase for a cruise but here are my top three suggestions:
Water bottle or Thermos // The ship has clean + tasty drinking water, making it easy to have a bottle in your room, fill one up with hot water for a cup of tea or bringing the bottle to your excursions when you’re on the Port. I bring my LARQ bottle because it provides extra filtration + my Klean Kanteen to keep hot water hot!
Birkenstocks // Whether it’s watching the views from your stateroom or running up to the buffet for a cookie these were easy + comfortable.
Fanny Pack // You won’t want to be carrying a large bag when on board doing activities, but somewhere to put your phone, stateroom card, water etc. is super helpful. I saw a TON of Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag, which is also one of my favourite suggestions.
Have you been on a cruise before? What was your experience like + would you do it again?