Alaska Cruise Group Adventure

(11 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Ellen Prebelich

Bloomfield Hills, MI
Manager at The World of Travel

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Radiance of the Seas Alaska Group Cruise

We just returned from an amazing Alaskan adventure onboard Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas sailing northbound from Vancouver to Seward.  This trip was almost 4 years in the making, having been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.  We sailed with a group of 70 friends, including some first-time cruisers.  Here’s an overview of our itinerary and suggestions for things to see and do at each port of call. 


Vancouver


We arrived late in the evening the night before our cruise set sail, so we overnighted at the Vancouver Airport Marriott.  We enjoyed a private morning bus tour of Vancouver for the group, including stops at Stanley Park, QE Park and at the steam clock.  At the end of the 3 hour tour, they dropped us and our luggage off at the pier to check in for our cruise.  It was a great way to get a taste of all that Vancouver has to offer.   


Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas


Radiance of the Seas is still a beautiful ship.  She is older and smaller than many ships sailing in Alaska, but features lots of glass for viewing and many of the traditional Royal touches, like the champagne bar, Schooner lounge, Viking Crown Lounge, formal dining room and covered solarium pool.  It was a nice size for this type of cruise and easy to get around.  The food was good and we ate all of our dinners as a group in the main dining room.  


Juneau


After a day at sea, we arrived in Juneau at 1 pm.  Our group enjoyed a private whale watching excursion followed by a brief visit to Mendenhall glacier.  After the tour, our bus dropped us off at the Red Dog Saloon for a round of “Duck Fart Shots” and shopping.  We walked back to the ship which was docked at the AJ Pier, which was a very long walk.  Royal Caribbean said it was a 10 minute walk.  Royal Caribbean lied.  Lol!     


Icy Straight Point


The husbands chartered several fishing boats and set out in search of some Halibut.  They did catch quite a few and had them processed, frozen and shipped back home.  The wives did not have a tour planned, so we wandered around Icy Straight Point and did some shopping.  We took the $5 shuttle over to Hoonah, but it was a tiny little town with really nothing to see or do.  By the time we got back to Icy Straight Point, the boys had returned from their fishing trip, and we all enjoyed some Alaskan king and snow crab with cocktails at the Crab House for lunch.  After lunch we rode the tram to the top of the mountain to check out the views ($50 per person).  Several people in our group did the zipline from the top earlier in the day and really enjoyed it.  Others in the group booked a bear watching trip and didn’t actually see any bear. There is not much to see and do in Icy Straight Point if you don’t book a shore excursion, so consider booking a tour in advance or just plan on it being a quiet relaxing day. 


Sitka


Remember the movie the Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds?  That takes place in Sitka.  We were feeling adventurous and booked a morning kayaking tour through the cruise line.  All the kayaks were doubles.  I have been kayaking a few times here in Michigan, but this was a very different experience.  First, the water was COLD!  Second, I am used to kayaking in a river where the current pushes you along.  This was in an open bay, so we were paddling against the wind half the time and not making much progress.  Third, I thought we would see wildlife, like sea otters and seals and whales and bears and eagles.  We saw none.  Then it started to rain.  So, my fun day of kayaking wasn’t quite as fun as I imagined it would be. Am I glad we did it?  Sure.  Would I do it again?  Nope. 


Skagway


Skagway is a fun old gold mining town and the don’t miss thing to do here is to ride the historic Whitepass Railroad, which takes you up into the mountains and away from the touristy part of town.  Pictures don’t do the scenery justice.  After the train ride, we explored around town and did a little shopping.  Don’t miss indulging in a “Klondike Doughboy”, which is like an elephant ear from the fair.  The line was out the door for the Red Onion Saloon, so we missed visiting there, but “the ladies” offer tours for $10 and they serve food and drinks in the dining area.     


Hubbard Glacier


My maiden name is Hubbard, so I was excited to finally visit “my glacier”!    It was breathtakingly beautiful.  The rest of our day was at sea.


Seward to Anchorage


At the end of our cruise, we planned an all day sightseeing tour and transfer for our group with a company called Alaska Cruise Transportation.  It was a wonderful way to spend the day before our red eye flights home.  We stopped at Exit glacier, the Wildlife Conservation Center, the Alyeska Tram and Earthquake Park and ended with a private group dinner in Anchorage.  They offer a similar itinerary on an individual basis.  It was a great way to spend our last day.    

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