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Last summer I went on an Alaskan cruise with my spouse, parents, brothers, sister-in-law, and nephews.
I was fascinated by the flora and fauna of Alaska. It’s nothing like Ontario.
My parents had been curious about taking a cruise for years thanks to the stories they’d heard about other cruises my spouse and I had been on. Mom had also been wanting to see Alaska for herself for quite some time, too. We were thrilled to find a cruise that fit everyone’s schedule by picking it out about eighteen months before we actually sailed.
My mom hugging me. I believe this was a day we were in Glacier Bay.
It was a week that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. We saw whales swimming in Glacier Bay and seals resting on small pieces of ice that floated by our cruise ship. Visiting various towns in Alaska on port days was fascinating, too. We skipped over the touristy stuff to explore the history of that state and look at the gigantic crows and beautiful flowers that don’t exist or are quite different where we all live.
It was so much fun to watch our nephews, then age five and twelve, react to all of the new experiences they had during that trip, from the formal dinners in the fancy dining room to Alaskan wildlife and more.
Our older nephew was old enough to be pretty independent as far as setting his own social schedule goes while we were on board but still young enough to think it was cool to spend time with family. Twelve is such a great age.
They even had fancy, dairy-free desserts for me in the main dining room!
The younger nephew loved the magic show we saw one night of the cruise. He also loved telling us all sorts of interesting facts about the Titanic and how we were not going to sink like it did because we have computers to navigate a ship and plenty of lifeboats to save everyone now in case of emergency.
Photo credit: Jim Schoch
Alaska is such a picturesque part of the world. I highly recommend visiting it if or when you’re able to. These pictures are such a small slice of something that everyone should experience for themselves.
My brothers and oldest nephew. Other relatives are more camera shy, and I respect that.
It’s so much fun to look back at the photos everyone took of this trip and think about the good times we had. May there be another extended family adventure in our futures at some point in the years to come.
Family trips can be so awesome. I would love to do something like that with our family at some point. We’ve rented cabins in the mountains a couple of times and that was great. Memories are the best!
Thank you. I hope your family will get to do something similar someday!
I have family in Alaska, and keep meaning to go. A cruise would be amazing! I love your pictures… definitely whet my appetite to visit.
Thank you! And I think you’d love Alaska.
Beautiful. It’s on my bucket list to visit Alaska. Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! I hope you get to visit Alaska someday.
That glacier looks incredible!! Sounds like you had such a wonderful trip. How cold was it when you went?
Thank you! Yes, it was.
Glacier Bay was really cold. I’d guess about -10 C (14 Fahrenheit)…and this was in July! I shudder to think how freezing it would be in January.
The rest of the stops were warmer. I’d guess the high temperatures in them was between 10 and 20 C (50-68 F). That is, everybody wore jeans and carried light jackets, but you didn’t shiver or anything. It was comfortable weather for walking around in.
I love Alaska. I’ve only been to Ketchikan, but it seriously holds a big piece of my heart!
Ketchikan was one of our stops! It was lovely. 🙂
A trip of a lifetime. Family trips have more meaning. https://pmprescott.blogspot.com/2020/06/wc-063020.html
Thanks. And I agree!
My in-laws took an Alaskan cruise several years ago and loved it. I want to visit Alaska some day, but I get seasick, so not sure a cruise is for me. LOL!
Love all the photos, too.
https://nerdyreadergirl.wordpress.com/2020/07/01/wednesday-weekly-blogging-challenge-july-1-2020/
Thanks, Aymee. I hope you do get to see Alaska someday. It’s such a beautiful and peaceful part of the world.
That looks like so much fun! We took an Alaskan cruise a few years back, and really enjoyed it. I’d love to go on another one at a different time of year to see different wildlife.
Thanks! Yes, I’m sure the amount and types of wildlife there varies a lot by the season. It would be cool to see it in other seasons for sure.
Oh wow, I am so jealous!! Alaska is one trip we can’t wait to take. Gotta wait until hubby retires so we can take our time. Loved your pictures. Thanks for sharing. Here’s mine. https://www.tenastetler.com/wednesdays-blog-challenge-last-place-i-traveled-to-why/
You’re welcome. I hope you and your husband love Alaska when you visit after retirement.
What an awesome family vacation. My husband and I did an Alaskan Cruise for out 25th Anniversary, it is a trip I will remember. Great pictures Lydia.
Thank you very much. I’m glad you’ve been on a similar cruise.
I’ve always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise. That sounds amazing.
I hope you get to do one someday! They’re tons of fun.
What a fantastic trip! My MIL has been on an Alaskan cruise and would love to go back. She’s invited us a few times to go with her, but that won’t be happening anytime soon, but maybe some day. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome. I hope you do get to take that Alaskan cruise with your MIL one day. They’re fantastic for multi-generational families and big groups. There’s something for everyone no matter your fitness level or interests.
I bet that cruise was unreal. Everyone I know who’s done an Alaskan cruise (and it feels like everyone except us has done one!) has raved about it. It’s definitely on our bucket list.
Yes, it was truly fabulous! I hope you get to go on one once we have a vaccine for Covid-19.
I went on a cruise to Alaska years and years ago – I’ll never forget the incredible views. Looks like you all had a brilliant time. You must be glad you got it done before it all kicked off, I think it’s going to be a while before cruising is back to normal. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, those views are incredible and so hard to put into words or capture in a photograph.
And I’m very glad we got to have this trip before Covid-19 started spreading. What lucky timing.
Perhaps you & your family would enjoy this film about an Alaska/Canada expedition.
https://mountainlifefilm.com/about
I saw it at a film festival. I’m a bit sad that the latest edition of the film festival, which should have been in April, was postponed until September (and might not happen then, I fear). But I hope tto get the dvd of this film and watch it. I think it would appeal to you as well.
Oh, thank you, Herbert. I’m sharing it with them now.
Alaska is one of my must-see places, especially by way of cruise.
I hope you get to see it someday!