In the end, we decided to pack incredibly light so that with all the transfers we wouldn't have to check in anything. We were able to get all 6 of us in 2 duffel bags that could fit on our backs, and one backpack/diaper bag. That is such a useless point of information but I'm including it bc I am proud of that haha, it was hard to make happen but we did it and it made life so much easier haha. 

On Friday, we drove our van to Vancouver, Canada and parked at the airport. We flew to Anchorage, Alaska then, and met up with Lester's siblings and parents. We spent that one night eating reindeer chili, hanging at the hotel and getting a good night's sleep. When we woke up, we took a 2 hour shuttle ride to the port in Whittier, Alaska and went through the the process of getting on board the ship.

I have never been on a cruise, and it truly blew my mind how much of a small city these ships are. Malls, spas, multiple restaurants and galleys, movie theaters, kids clubs and play rooms, game shows, multiple pools, sports courts, dance floors, bars, even mini golf. It was insane. The customer service was top notch, as was everything else.

Even apart from the ship, Alaska was the stuff of dreams. I have never seen such wild, untouched beauty in my life. Mountains of snow, massive lush green forests, huge glaciers and wild life everywhere. We spent the first 2 days sailing. The second day was pretty special. We entered Glacier Bay National Park and they dropped the rope ladder for park rangers to climb aboard as its protected land. I was touched by views, and how knowledgable and excited they were to share about their stewardship. It's one of those moment that I don't have the words to explain how beautiful the whole place and experience it was. Almost spiritual and I'll never forget it. 

The third day was our first port. We stopped in a place called Icy Strait, Hoonnah Alaska. It's small town, and we got SO much out of it. After some tourist shopping, the kids played on the rocky beach where they spent a long time putting tons of starfish back in the water as the tide receded. We stopped for some fresh Alaskan King Crab for lunch [SO sweet and buttery delicious] and then took a little shuttle bus into town. It is so clear how much the people here love and respect and want to share their beautiful home. They have one gas station, and one school they want to tell everyone about it. We were able to see a totem pole being carved, and the kids even got to keep some of the yellow cedar wood shaving. We got to watch a mama bear and her cub playing in the grass and tour a cannery, get halibut tacos, and explore more of the area learning and talking with the locals about their home. All of it was magical. Eventually, we headed back to the boat, and spent the rest of the day eating, playing at the kids club, swimming, and visiting with each other. 

The next day we stopped in our biggest port, Juneau. We toured as a family, saw lots of beautiful art work and nature, and ate more fresh crab. In the evening after our nightly family dinner, my FIL and I went and watched a Beatles tribute show apart from all the other fun daily things we'd been doing. When we stepped outside at close to midnight to go to our cabins, the sun was JUST starting to set as it summer solstice. Apparently it is only dark from midnight to around 3 or 4 every night. It was crazy. 

Our final port day was in Ketchikan Alaska. After walking through the town, we found a beautiful river area with a fish ladder and lots of natural beauty. We also toured a museum where we learned a lot about the history and nature of the area, and the tribes indigenous to it. The kids became junior rangers after completing a few tasks, and then they got sworn in and repeated their oath to protect the earth. That evening after a formal dinner and pictures, we stayed out on deck and did movie night with everyone and it was so fun.

The next day was our last full one, and we spent it doing all of our favorite things that we'd been doing daily. Swimming to our hearts contents while watching movies and drinking cold drinks. Going to the kids club for games and crafts, eating whatever whenever; playing ping pong, mini golf and shuffle board, seeing shows. Lester and I even got to spend an hour getting a couples massage while the kids spent time with Lolo and Lola. We did our last big family dinner that night, before heading out to the dance floor staying up late getting everyone moving. 

The next morning we said good bye over breakfast before disembarking and getting our car from the airport in Vancouver. After stopping for some roadside fruit and sourdough breads, we came home and are now all nursing some nasty colds haha. It was the experience of a lifetime and I'll never forget it. 

Once we're through, we're excited for the rest of the summer!