Cruising to Alaska with Royal Caribbean

Pre-Cruise Stay: This cruise is embarked from Vancouver, BC. We arrived the night before our cruise was set to sail and spent the night at the luxurious Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. Like it sounds, this hotel is located in the airport, which was so convenient. We just walked over, checked in and within minutes were seated in the beautiful JetSide Lounge watching planes take off and land while enjoying a delicious dinner with our complimentary $100 dining credit. The room was so large and luxurious and we greatly enjoyed our time here before starting off on our Alaskan adventure.

Image 1: Getting a bite to eat at the convenient Jetside Lounge; Image 2: The beautiful accommodations of the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel.

Essentials to Bring: Make sure to pack lots of layers and coat options, including a rain jacket. The weather along the coast is very unpredictable and rain is a frequent occurrence, especially in May and June. Good walking shoes are another must, especially if you plan to go hiking. Binoculars are handy if you want the best view of wildlife. Finally, pack a couple dressy outfits if you want to look your best for the two formal nights on board.

Image 1: At the main dining room you can indulge in an extra dessert; Image 2: A sea star surprise on the way back to the ship.

The Ship: The Radiance of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s smaller ships and carries around 2,500 guests. This ship is perfect for the small ports and waterways on an Alaska cruise and still has plenty of the amenities you would expect on the larger ships. The main dining room was our go-to location for most meals. Dinner featured menus like Taste of Italy, Asia and France, while breakfast and lunch included a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts to please any palate. If you wanted a quick bite, the Windjammer Buffet or Park Cafe were also great options. We loved going to Park Cafe for a late-night pizza and cookie snack. Several specialty restaurants like Chop’s Grille and Izumi are also available for an additional cost. The ship has 13 decks with many staterooms occupying decks three through ten. The spa, pool and solarium were located on deck 11 and the fitness center, kids area, and sports court on deck 12. Deck 13 has a rock climbing wall, nightclub and miniature golf course. The ship also had a library, game room, casino and multiple bars and lounges.

Image 1: Make sure you pack lots of layers to keep you warm in the unpredictable Alaskan weather; Image 2: The best salmon chowder we've ever tasted at Beak.

Entertainment and Activities: There were a variety of activities available on board. Throughout the day, staff would host trivia, scavenger hunts, and various contests. There was an art gallery and auctions, cash bingo and a movie theater on board. In the evening, musicians, comedians and other entertainers would perform in the Aurora Theater.

Port Calls: The ports on this amazing Alaska itinerary is what makes this cruise so appealing. We packed our port days full of history, food, shopping and adventure and can’t wait to go back.

Juneau: We chose a guided shore excursion that brought us to a salmon hatchery. We got to see the baby salmon in various stages of growth as well as learn more about the vital role that hatcheries play in creating a sustainable future for salmon. Next, we drove over to Mendenhall Glacier. On the way, our tour guide told us more about the history of Juneau and pointed out several bald eagles. At the glacier, my husband and I chose to hike the Nugget Falls trail and got a close-up view of the glacier and nearby waterfall. It was an amazing experience and a great start to our first port day. Afterwards, we returned to Juneau to explore the shopping district and take the Goldbelt Tram to the top of Mount Roberts for some stunning views. Some restaurants to note are the Red Dog Saloon, Traci’s Crab Shack and the Hanger on the Wharf, where you can watch seaplanes while enjoying your meal.

Icy Strait Point: This port is the place for an adrenaline rush. Take to the skies on the world’s largest zipline, book an ATV tour or take a whale-watching cruise. We took it a little easier this day. We strolled through some shops, enjoyed some delicious donuts and took a cooking class where we learned to prepare Alaskan halibut. You can also take an inexpensive shuttle to the nearby town of Hoonah for more to explore. Be sure to look for hundreds of sea stars along the beach as the tide washes out on the way back to the ship.

Sitka: This was by far our favorite port and our favorite tour. We chose the Best of Sitka tour and it did not disappoint. We saw bears and eagles being rehabilitated then went on a totem walk to see some original totem poles that were carved throughout Alaska. We enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at Beak — get the chowder and scone — then took a look around town at some delightful shops and the beautiful Russian Orthodox Church.

Skagway: This little Alaskan town has a lot to offer those looking for one more adventure. We chose the Ghost and Goodtime Girls walking tour and enjoyed learning about the history of Skagway, the gold rush and the women of the past. There were also lots of shops in this town, but we enjoyed learning more about the history of Skagway at the Skagway Museum. We had planned to go on a couple hikes in the area, but it was pretty cold and rainy the day we visited, so we grabbed a quick lunch and headed back to the ship. The other main highlight at this port has to be the White Pass Railway, which I definitely think we will book on our next trip.

Additional Costs: Like most cruises, the shore excursions I mentioned above are not included in the cost of the cruise. Neither are drink packages, specialty restaurants or gratuities. The price of your cruise will also depend on the room and itinerary chosen. But I’m certainly willing to help you navigate all the ins and outs of pricing a cruise if you’d like to go on a similar trip.

If you are looking for an affordable and easy way to see the best of Alaska’s coast, I highly recommend working with me to book an Alaska cruise. We loved going in June but anytime in summer would be ideal. You absolutely can’t find such stunning natural beauty anywhere else.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Alaska. In need of further inspiration? Check out my guide, Adventure in Alaska: A Five Day Itinerary.