First Cruise: Alaska, USA & Vancouver, Canada

Summer 2006

It was the summer before 6th grade—back when summers felt endless and school breaks stretched on forever. This wasn’t technically my first “big” trip (I’d already tagged along to the Bahamas and Mexico as a tiny human), but it’s the first one I remember clearly, so it officially earns the title of Earliest Adventure Logged on This Here Blog.

Our stops were Anchorage and Juneau, plus a couple of days in Vancouver. “We” included my mom, my grandma and her now-late husband, my brother, and a whole crew of our family friends. As a young, adventurous, free-spirited kid, I was thrilled for all the nature and wildlife we were about to see in this far-off state—but the trip still blew my little mind.

What I remember most is the sheer awe of those first views. Everything was breathtaking. From the ship, we could spot glaciers and towering mountains, and on hikes we saw caribou and even grizzlies. In summer, Alaska gets only a couple hours of darkness—so it’s basically daylight 24/7. Winter flips that, of course, thanks to its spot within the Arctic Circle.

So much of Alaska’s natural beauty is protected as state and national parks, though revisiting this memory years later, I’m also aware that much of this “final frontier” was taken from Native communities who lived in harmony with the land for generations.

As for the cruise ship itself, I remember endless ice cream, competitive ping-pong battles with my brother, and hours in the hot tub making new friends. Less glamorously, I also remember overindulging at the Captain’s Dinner (what else is a pre-teen with a bottomless appetite supposed to do with unlimited bread and pasta?). I got sick from my bunk in our tiny cabin and delivered the iconic line, through tears: “Mom… um, Mom? I don’t feel so—[BLEH].”

Cue a night of interrogation about possible airborne illness while staff in hazmat suits fumigated our room. My poor mom slept on a lounge sofa while my brother and I waged ping-pong wars into the early morning. I still feel bad for the saintly cleaners who no doubt caught whiffs of the escargot, lobster, and cake I had enthusiastically inhaled at dinner.

On the excursion front, we wanted to go zip-lining, but I didn’t meet the weight minimum yet—tragic—so we opted for a hike in Denali National Park instead, under the watchful eye of Denali itself, the tallest mountain in North America. At one point, I crept a little too close to a glacier, prompting my mom’s friend (and my brother’s godmother) to warn me that glaciers can shift in an instant and take anything—or anyone—with them.

We eventually reached the summit, just as my Converse sneakers rubbed blisters onto my small, bony ankles. We refueled, rehydrated, and made our way back to the ship—tired, sore, and completely thrilled.

Gallery

To Do or Not To Do?

Definitely go. Alaska is huge, and a cruise is an awesome way to get a taste of its sprawling coastline. Hopping off for excursions lets you peek at what’s happening just inland. It’s an outdoorsy place, though, so you’ve got to be up for adventure. Wherever that adventure takes you, pack plenty of water—some hikes hit high elevation and can make you feel a little funky. And snacks, of course, but that’s really just a universal life rule.

I’d also recommend visiting a wildlife center. Many of the animals were injured in the wild and are being rehabilitated or cared for safely, and it’s a super cool way to get up close and learn about the species. You can also try dog-sledding—something we didn’t get to do—but as always, make sure you choose a reputable organization that treats its animals and employees well.

Alaska is the definition of “take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints,” and being there genuinely humbled me. Everyone should experience that crisp air and those jaw-dropping landscapes at least once. I know I’m grateful I did.

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