Setting Sail for Adventure: An Alaskan 7 Night Cruise

This morning we woke up early and went to the airport to fly to Seattle. On most cruises, I don't suggest flying in the same day you board the ship. This was the first flight out and it was a direct flight arriving in Seattle 5 hours before my boarding time)

Thanks to Carnival's super easy airport transfers, we were on the Carnival Spirit in no time. Our Alaskan adventure has officially kicked off! We've already had a blast with lunch at Guy's Burgers, mini golf and exploring our new home away from home. We discovered an amazing hot tub that isn't crowded with kids and it was indoors, out of the wind. Topped off the day with dinner, arcade fun and a movie under the stars.

Dinner tonight was a culinary adventure that started with amazing appetizers like Pappardelle with Braised Lamb, Crispy Roasted Duck Rolls and a refreshing Roasted Tomato Soup. For the main course, we couldn't resist the Cornish Game Hen, Szechuan Shrimp (fire!) and BBQ Salmon. And to top it all off, Cheesecake, a sinful Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake, and fresh Tropical Fruit. Make my taste buds dance!

We started our day with a delicious breakfast and coffee in the Lido, enjoying the stunning views of Alaska's Haida Gwaii. The beauty of the landscape was breathtaking!

It was time for a Mid-Morning Boost — I tried fresh-pressed pineapple, ginger, lime, date and turmeric juice. This tropical blend gave me the energy I needed to conquer the day ahead. For a sea brunch, I indulged in flaming tomato soup, mac and cheese and banana cream pie and my grandson enjoyed a hearty steak and eggs.

Started our afternoon with a delicious taco lunch at Blue Iguana, followed by a friendly game of life-sized chess on the Lido and another round of mini-golf. We then headed off for Tea Time, which was the perfect mid-afternoon treat. Hung out by the lido pool and listened to music in different locations throughout the ship. Dinner in the main dining room was a culinary delight, followed by an epic rock show and a relaxing Dive In movie, and Late Night Pizza. Then it was time to catch some Zzz's!

Today was an unforgettable experience as we explored Tracy Arm Fjord. Witnessing the majestic North Sawyer Glacier up close, surrounded by cascading waterfalls and towering cliffs, was truly breathtaking. We spotted harbor seals and floated among icebergs, even getting the chance to hold a piece of an iceberg extracted from the water!

Feeling recharged, we returned to the ship and enjoyed another amazing dinner. Tonight's menu features Jambalaya Pasta, Greek Salad and West Indian Pumpkin Soup. For the main course, we indulged in Classic Beef Wellington, Herb-Crusted Stuffed Portobello Mushroom and Chicken Roulade. And for dessert, Key Lime Pie (although it wasn't quite as good as the one I had in Key West) and Carnival Melting Cake!

We spent the rest of the evening exploring the ship, watching the Getaway Island Show and attending The Great Alaska Bash!

Skagway quickly stole our hearts! We started the day with an adrenaline-pumping zipline adventure at Grizzly Falls, a must-do for thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.

After all that excitement, we refueled and embarked on a hiking adventure through the stunning Alaskan wilderness. We then explored the charming town of Skagway, stopping at the historic Red Onion Saloon and grabbing a delicious reindeer sausage at The Sittin' Sasquatch. We also browsed through local shops and museums.

To end the day, we indulged in a delicious feast at the Lido Buffet. We enjoyed Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Soup, Spaghetti Carbonara, Roast Leg of Lamb with Roasted Cauliflower, Broccoli and Carrot and Red Skin Potato. For dessert, we couldn't resist the Banana Cream Pie with Salted Caramel, Cappuccino Pot de Crème and Chocolate Cake with Cherry Sauce.

(Note: Some nights some of these dishes at the buffet are also on the menu in the main dining room)

We wound down the day with a relaxing round of mini golf before heading to bed. Skagway was a great experience, and we're so thankful to have been able to explore this beautiful Alaskan town. It was my favorite port on this cruise.

Today, I felt like a true Aleut explorer as I embarked on a sea-kayaking adventure through Juneau's pristine waters. It was pure magic! I encountered various wildlife, witnessed the majestic Mendenhall Glacier and discovered hidden gems along the way.

When hunger struck, the Red Dog Saloon came to the rescue with their mouthwatering Denali BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich, Nunivak Reindeer Sandwich and Hobart Bay Fish Basket. And let's not forget the Root beer and Gold Diggers Dessert - pure bliss!

Before returning to the ship, we explored the charming town of Juneau and indulged in delicious fudge from the Alaskan Fudge Company.

Later that afternoon, we relaxed on the Carnival Spirit as we sailed away. The sun was shining, the whales were blowing and the sunset was breathtaking.

Dinner at the Empire Restaurant was the cherry on top. We enjoyed Stuffed Mushrooms, Smoked Poblano and Corn Soup, Linguine with Clams, Pepper Steak, Fried Mississippi Catfish, Indian Vegetarian dish, Tiramisu, Bartlett Pear Almond Cake and Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake.

Another gorgeous sunny day in Alaska! Ketchikan, you were unforgettable! From hiking Married Man's Trail to witness the incredible salmon spawning to stepping back in time on Creek Street and taking a tour of Dolly's House (where Dolly,*yes, that Dolly from McCall, Idaho, made her mark), this port day was pure bliss! Totem Heritage Museum was fascinating, and the shopping was on point. And let's not forget those amazing crepes from Alaska Crepe Co. We missed getting to watch the lumberjack show — we were 10 minutes late to buy our tickets for entry. Be sure to check the show schedule, so you don’t miss out on these attractions.

Wow! Just had an incredible dinner in the main dining room on the Carnival Spirit! The food was absolutely amazing from start to finish. We started with the Spinach Salad, Chilled Strawberry & Chia Seed, Crispy Buttermilk Calamari, Crawfish Fettuccini and Corn Chowder. For our mains, we enjoyed the Herb-Crusted Salmon, Chicken Cordon Bleu and Slow-Cooked Prime Rib. And to top it off, we indulged in Crème Brûlée, Panna Cotta and the Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake.

We brought along a bottle of Bledsoe family wine to enjoy with our meal, and while the $15 corking fee was worth it! Overall, a fantastic dining experience.

We laughed until our sides hurt at Daniel Dugar, then totally rocked out to the best '80s jams ever at '80s Pop to the Max show! Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney and Michael — you name it, they had it! Fueled by Pizza Pirate's hot, hot, hot pizza, we checked out the '80s Rock-n-Glow Party.

We slept in this morning and grabbed brunch at Blue Iguana Cantina (build your own tacos and burritos) and had a Ringer Burger at Guy's Burger Joint.

Then we unleashed our inner artists at Soul Play, a unique art experience exclusive to the Carnival Spirit. We explored our creativity and brought home one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

To cap off our Alaskan adventure, we indulged in a culinary extravaganza last night. I savored mouthwatering dishes like Parched Pig Ale & Cheddar Soup, Fried Tomatoes, Coffee-Glazed Roast Duck and Baked Alaska! Ryder even tried Frog Legs Provençal for the first time! And let's not forget the amazing Beet and Petite Greens Jesse enjoyed, and the Jerk Spiced Pork Chop and Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake (Ryder's 6th time, it's THAT good)!

Last night, I embarked on a solo adventure to explore Victoria during the Oh Canada Night Lights Tour. While Ryder and Jesse were too tired to join, I had a blast discovering the city's illuminated landmarks.

I rode along the waterfront, taking in iconic landmarks like Mile Zero and Beacon Hill Park. I visited the oldest Chinatown in Canada and admired the stately Empress Hotel and Legislature building in Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbor. A Canadian trivia quiz entertained me along the way, and I even stopped for coffee and a snack at the beloved Tim Hortons.

As a parting gift, we received a Canadian goodie bag filled with chips, a chocolate bar, maple candy and a souvenir to remember our trip.

Our Alaskan adventure was truly unforgettable, filled with culinary delights, artistic exploration and cultural discoveries. We'll cherish these memories for years to come.

Our incredible cruise adventure concluded as we docked in Seattle. We bid farewell to the open seas and embarked on a whirlwind exploration of the Emerald City.

We began our day at the iconic Pike Place Market, a bustling hub of fresh produce, seafood and handcrafted goods. Next, we ventured to the quirky Gum Wall, a colorful and unique attraction.

To delve deeper into Seattle's history, we couldn't resist taking the Underground Tour. We explored the city's hidden tunnels and learned about its early days.

For a dose of marine life, we visited the Seattle Aquarium, where we marveled at the underwater wonders. We then found a peaceful escape at Waterfall Garden Park, surrounded by lush greenery and cascading waterfalls.

We continued our exploration with a visit to Miners Landing, a waterfront district with shops, restaurants and stunning views.

With our day filled with exploration, we headed to the airport to catch our flight home, already dreaming of our next adventure!