Our Alaska Cruise Adventure: Why This Trip Truly Has Something for Everyone
Alaska was never really on my radar until I started planning trips there for a few clients. I’ve never been particularly drawn to cold-weather destinations, but after experiencing it firsthand, I’m already dreaming of going back. The landscapes, wildlife, and sheer scale of the scenery are unlike anything I’ve seen before — and no photo, no matter how stunning, can truly capture it.
Setting out from Vancouver
We arrived in Vancouver the day before our cruise and booked an early flight, so we were tired—but determined to push through and adjust to west-coast time. A walk along Stanley Park’s seawall cleared the cobwebs, and a stop at Granville Island Public Market was the perfect way to taste local bakery and cheese offerings. For meals, Cactus Club Café and Jam Café were both easy, reliable picks for a pre-embarkation lunch and breakfast.
Embarkation on the Koningsdam was smooth and well-organized. Within an hour of leaving Vancouver I realized how wrong I’d been to think Alaska wasn’t for me — the coastline started delivering drama immediately. I found myself wanting to be by a window for most of the trip.
Life on the Koningsdam
The ship suited our group of 18 perfectly. A few practical highlights that mattered on a day-to-day level:
Covered pool — the retractable roof made this an all-weather hangout. Kids swam and played; adults lounged on cushioned chairs with good sightlines to the passing scenery.
Constant whale watching — we texted each other when someone spotted a blow or a tail, and it became a running group game. We’d meet around the pool or on deck when sightings came in.
Educational talks — the theater programming added context to the places we were visiting. My son and I attended a talk about the Iditarod that made later stops feel more meaningful.
Evening entertainment — Music Walk and the dueling pianos were a nightly way to regroup and laugh together after long days in port.
With that mix of structured programming and flexible downtime, the Koningsdam made it easy to travel as a large, multigenerational group.
Juneau — Crab legs, sawdust floors, and a last-minute change
Juneau is a classic Alaska stop for a reason. On our day there we visited Tracy’s King Crab Shack and then the Red Dog Saloon—the sawdust floor and live piano are exactly the kind of local character spots worth a quick stop. We also went to the waterfront park with the breaching whale statue.
We had a helicopter + dogsled excursion booked, but heavy fog grounded it — canceled about five minutes before departure while we were at the park. Disappointing, yes, but the flexibility to pivot made the day worthwhile: good food, a quirky saloon visit, and time to enjoy Juneau on foot.
Skagway — Waterfalls, local beer, and a little sweetness
Skagway is compact and easy to explore. We started in town with a visit to Reid Falls and a stop at Skagway Brewing Company — a great local lunch and a chance to taste regional craft beer. Later we took the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, which climbs high into dramatic mountain scenery. Back in town, a warm dough boy (the hot, sugar-dusted pastry the town is known for) was the perfect treat before heading back to the ship. It’s a town that offers history, scenery, and easy walks between highlights.
Glacier Bay — Rangers, otters, and a foggy approach
Glacier Bay was a day of patience and payoff. Park rangers boarded the ship in the morning and narrated the day, which added context about the glaciers, wildlife, and conservation. The rangers advised that sea otters are easiest to spot early, so I got up at sunrise and went straight to my verandah. I saw a few otters then — and later in the day we saw hundreds. My friend and I laughed that we probably could have slept in.
Fog kept us from getting close to Margerie Glacier; instead we spent our time watching the distant Johns Hopkins Glacier and rotating between viewing spots — the Crow’s Nest, upper decks, open bow, and our balcony — to get as many perspectives as possible. We didn’t get a dramatic calving moment, but the ranger narration and the sheer scale of the ice made the day meaningful and educational.
Ketchikan — Rain, zodiacs, and the orca moment
Ketchikan lived up to its rainy reputation. We suited up and joined a Zodiac tour, which gave us hands-on lessons about the local marine life and ecosystems. Midway through that outing, we were fortunate to come upon nine orcas — a personal highlight of the trip and the kind of wildlife encounter you plan for and then hope to get lucky with. Even in the rain, the day was one of the most memorable of the cruise.
After our tour, we strolled Creek Street, checked out the coastal rainforest, and warmed up with chowder in town.
Post-cruise: San Juan Island — Family and whales
After disembarking in Vancouver we extended our trip to San Juan Island, where we met cousins from Seattle — a wonderful family reunion that felt like the perfect end to a busy week. One of the most incredible moments was when a group of orcas passed right by our hotel. Our time on the island was spent enjoying the coves and family friendly dining options. We took a whale-watching tour with Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching; I highly recommend them. Their guides knew the background and story of each whale we encountered, which made the experience richer and more memorable. Seeing orcas in the wild was a goal for me on this trip, and we were so fortunate to see so many of them!
Why this trip works so well for multigenerational groups
We traveled with grandparents, kids, and extended family, and the cruise format allowed each person to travel at their own pace. Some mornings a few of us would head out for a full-day excursion; others stayed on board with coffee and a book. Evenings were reliably communal — dinners where everyone shared stories from the day. That balance of independence + togetherness is exactly why cruises are so effective for family groups.
5 Reasons Alaska Is for Everyone
Wildlife that’s accessible — sightings happen from ship decks, shore excursions, or small-boat tours.
Activities for every energy level — from dogsledding and hikes to train rides and easy town strolls.
Educational value — onboard talks and ranger commentary turn scenery into learning moments.
Easy group logistics — unpack once and travel to multiple destinations; great for family reunions.
The memories — shared moments like a group spotting orcas or an impromptu singalong feel big and lasting.
Final thoughts
Before this trip, Alaska felt too remote for my personal travel style. Afterward, it’s a place I’m eager to revisit. It’s vast and wild, yes — but it’s also accessible, meaningful, and ideal for family travel. Seeing grandparents, parents, and kids all find something to love in the same day reminded me why I do this work: travel that connects people across generations is the most rewarding.
If Alaska is on your list, now is a smart time to start planning for 2027 sailings. The best cabins and excursions go early, and having the time to lock in flights and extensions makes the whole trip smoother. If you want help building a multigenerational itinerary that actually works, I’d love to help.
