Cruising Alaska in Luxury on Silversea

Silversea is a true all-inclusive, luxury cruise line. All food, beverage and room service is included, as well as most shore excursions. Their 1:1 staffing approach means that a cocktail is always handy, snacks and meals are always ready to be served and rooms are clean and tidy at all times. With door-to-door service, we hardly even touched our luggage as everything was taken care of — including black car pickup to and from the airport.

Our pre-cruise hotel was part of the all-inclusive package, as was the exclusive scenic train ride that whisked us from Anchorage to Seward to board our 350-guest ship. This meant next to no waiting and no lines to do anything — embark, disembark or get service.

The small ship meant everything was easily accessible. We stayed on floor five, which I recommend, as it was the same as the main reception, the embarkation point for most ports, as well as shopping and casino.

Life on board is nothing less than easy and relaxing. I do recommend reservations in advance for all dining other than in the main dining room, where we found the experience slow and a little needlessly over the top. On board Silver Whisper, the Italian restaurant was a particular favorite and we visited frequently. The French restaurant, La Dame, was the only one with an upcharge, and was not worth the additional costs.

Onboard activities included shopping and casino, as well as organized activities like bingo, trivia and games. But music is always a favorite, including late-night dancing.

The spa is an additional charge, depending on service, but features a talented staff. The sauna is usable by all guests at any time, and my travel companion visited daily after the gym.

Every stop offered excursions exclusive to Silversea, included in the cost of the trip. For example, in Juneau, our whale-watching cruise and Mendenhall glacier visit had only Silversea guests on the boat and bus. This meant the boat was not full and a very comfortable experience for all. The same was true in Sitka, where we took a boat trip to find sea otters; there was no shortage of available seats and space on the rails to spot wildlife.

In Wrangell, we did pay an additional fee to go on a private bear-watching tour, which was well worth the cost. A 30-minute private boat ride — only 10 guests — took us to Anan Wildlife Observatory, which grants only 60 visitor permits per day. Our guides expertly took us through the woods — armed, in case of surprise bears — to a bear blind at a stream. A short wait yielded a dozen different bears fishing in the stream, including several mamas and cubs. Memories of a lifetime.

Sitka was a favorite stop of the trip, with excellent excursions. We did a memorable sea otter cruise, where we also saw numerous whales and even a bear swimming offshore. It is a truly special town. A picturesque main street offers great shopping, and our favorite stops on Lincoln Street included Alaska Pure Sea Salt, Sitka Lighthouse Store and the Sitka Fur Gallery. A streetside stand with freshly caught king crab was also a huge hit.

Because of the luxury nature of the cruise, dinners are slightly more formal. Formal wear is not necessary, but dress is definitely a step up from jeans and sweaters. Sundresses are perfectly appropriate. Be sure to pack a wrap or coverup for the evenings. Alaska's weather was wide-ranging depending on the sun. But the ship being at sea — and often in proximity to glaciers — means the cold winds can really blow through. So layers are key.

The crowd on Silversea skews older — most guests are retired couples — so plan for the accompanying vibe.

If you’re looking for a luxury, kid-free experience that leaves you with no worries for a truly relaxing vacation, Silversea is an excellent choice. This small ship experience made our Alaska trip special and magical — giving us access to majestic sites without the large crowds to spoil the experience.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Alaska. In need of further inspiration? Check out Kelsey Parry’s guide, A Complete Cruiser’s Guide to the Port of Ketchikan, Alaska.