Readers and fellow travelers, welcome to my Alaskan Cruise Adventures Part I. This is the first of a 3-part series on our 7-day Alaskan cruise. Oh, girls, it was glorious. And for about a week afterward, we were still rocking with the motion of the seas in the comfort of our own home. That thing about getting your land legs back is for real.
For this month’s edition of Where Blogger’s Live we were asked to write about what’s in our bag. I chose to write about what I packed for our cruise. You can find that article, here. This was our first cruise and our first trip to Alaska. I watched a number of YouTube videos on what to wear in Alaska in May in order to pack the right things. And I did pretty well.
Also watched videos about cruise hacks and tips, in general. I purchased a number of things that were suggested ‘essentials’ for making cruises more comfortable. Some of the things we used. Some of the things we didn’t. But I was glad to have everything – JUST IN CASE.
Alaskan Cruise Adventures Part I
Silly me, I thought I could review our whole cruise in one post until I started writing it and then adding the photos I wanted to share. Can you say photo heavy post?? Even now that I have pared down this post to include only the first 2 days of our trip, its still pretty photo prolific!! But there is just so much to show you. So, apologies for all the pictures but can’t figure out how to share all about our vacation without them.
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Sunday, 04.27.2025
Even though Larkspur Landing Hotel in Seattle isn’t fancy, the bed was comfortable and the breakfast was pleasant. I was surprised I could sleep with all my excitement for what the day would hold.
Sunday Morning
We headed back to the airport about 10:30 am, found the Holland American representative, turned in our suitcases and were soon loaded onto a bus for the port. The embarkation process was fairly straightforward and took about an hour.
We deposited our carry-on suitcases and made a little video of our stateroom. I uploaded the brief, giddy and very unprofessional video of our room to YouTube, here.
Before 1:00 pm, we were exploring the ship.
Had a bite of lunch at the buffet, just some pasta, then joined the sailaway party on one of the decks, with champagne, music, and line dancing. The waves were bobbing and the winds were blowing so we went back to our room to unpack and rest for a bit before dinner. The stewards responsible for our room were both very friendly and wore ear-to-ear smiles every time we encountered them.
We returned to the Lido Market, which is the buffet, for dinner. I had mussels and salmon. Delicious. I could get very used to having fresh seafood every day.
At 8:30, we had an appointment for a Swedish couples massage which was the perfect way to unwind. Crawled into our comfy king-sized bed and were lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the ship on the waves.
Monday, 04.28.2025
Monday Morning
It was cold, rainy and gray, a low of 39* when we woke up and the ship was absolutely flying through the water; showered and dressed in a white turtleneck, chunky pull-on sweater, and jeans with my tennis shoes.
We went to the dining room for breakfast and enjoyed a Swedish pancake and sausage for breakfast with fresh fruit; sat at a table with another couple our age; sat poolside to write – I answered a question or two for To Our Children’s Children and started writing up my jury duty experience.
At 10:30, we participated in a watercolor class where we painted jellyfish – relaxing; took everything back to our cabin and headed to the buffet for lunch – sushi, fruit, cheese and this multi-grain bread that was so hearty and good.
The waves became very rough mid-afternoon as we meandered about the ship, checking out the casino, made a video of me trying to walk about the ship and fighting to maintain my balance and participated in a line-dancing class that was fun and got me warmed up nicely.
Check out the blinds moving back and forth on their own in this video clip.
At 3:30, we attended high tea. It’s been probably a good 60 years or more since I attended a tea party. And almost that long since I have had a cup of hot tea. This was a real treat. Little sandwiches and pastries, napkins folded like crowns in the national color of the Netherlands.
Returned to the cabin for a nap while PC watched the Reds game.
Monday Evening
We had a reservation at the dining room for 7:45 pm, I wore my black jumpsuit and a sequined jacket and PC wore a dress shirt, tie and dress pants with a pull-over sweater.
PC had steak and shrimp, I had a delicious cherry crusted salmon with aspargus and green beans and ice cream for dessert.
We went to the comedy show, the guy was funny but there wasn’t a big crowd and something about his delivery was lacking.
Back to our cabin for bed, found a towel folded like a shrimp or lobster on our bed with 2 chocolate mints and a reminder that we should turn our clocks back an hour as we would enter the Alaska time zone in the middle of the night.
No wonder there was a pretty obnoxious banging in the hall outside our room. The seas were super rough with gale force winds. And PC found the emergency closet door in the hallway outside our room opening then slamming shut over and over; the ship was really swaying all night; thank goodness for my relief band for motion sickness and our bonine motion sickness medication. 7,728 steps. 04.28.2025 OGT: the laid back vacation feel of the day at sea
Tuesday would be our first excursion and what an experience it was. Hope you will join me for Part 2 of my Alaskan Cruise Adventures coming up in the next couple of days!!
Your Turn
Have you been on a cruise before or maybe taking a cruise is on your bucket list? I absolutely loved it…have I said that yet? And hope that we can enjoy at least one more cruise before ‘all is said and done’!! Maybe somewhere warm next time? But this was delightful in every way.
Thank you for visiting today. Make this weekend a good one. We will be opening the pool – YAY!! – and having the kids over to swim and for a BBQ and my belated birthday cake. Yum.
Hugs and kisses,
I’ve never been on a cruise but it sounds and looks very relaxing, and the food looks delicious. My trips are always go, go, go. I think I’d like this.
This cruise was a wonderful combination of excursions and relaxation. I highly recommend it!! The scenery was breath-taking – some of God’s best work. And the stateroom was very comfortable, good food, fun entertainment. Just the right mix. Thank you for coming by!!
Thanks for this glimpse into your cruise. I’ve never been on one but an Alaskan cruise would be top of my list.
Oh,Juhli, I just loved every minute. Even the gale warnings were exciting and fun!! It was such a wonderful combination of activity and relaxation. Lots to do on the ship but also enjoyed just writing in the library or walking on the deck. Really hope you guys will make some plans to cruise to Alaska. It was delightful. Thank you for visiting.
I am so glad you had such a great time! We’ve only been on 2 cruises and I enjoyed them both tremendously. I’d love to go on an Alaskan cruise next. It seems like the perfect way to cross that state off my list.
Girl, make those plans. I just loved our cruise. Alaska is breath-taking and I enjoyed the cooler weather, the snow-capped mountain views, the slower pace than what we might have experienced on a Carribean or warm-water cruise. Thank you for coming by. Hope you will be sharing details of YOUR Alaskan cruise in the near future.
We’ve never been on a cruise. We’ve talked about it though and neither one of us are thrilled to be out in the open ocean. We’re both good swimmers, just makes us nervous to not see the shore. 🙂 We have talked about doing a river cruise, just to get our feet wet, no pun intended. I’m living vicariously through you! Loving all the pictures!
LOL, you make me laugh. A river cruise would be a great way to test the waters…no pun intended. Ha!! My sister was telling me a friend of hers is taking a fall foliage cruise around New England. Wouldn’t that be terrific? And it must stay close to the shore!! Thank you for coming by.
We cruised last October and have another one scheduled for later this year. We were awakened one night by a banging noise and it was our bathroom door – open and close . . .and and close!
What a coincidence with the banging doors!! I was glad PC was brave enough to venture out of our room to see what was going on. Where are you headed on your upcoming cruise? I surely hope we have at least one more cruise adventure in us. It was delightful. Thank you for stopping by.
This looks so fun already and it’s just the cruise entertainment! I love the water painting class and the high tea!
The entertainment options on the ship were so varied. There was something for everyone. And our excursions were delightful, too. I am hoping this is not our one and only cruise!! Thank you.
I went on an Alaskan cruise in 2002. It was an experience!
Thanks for sharing the detail of your cruise, Leslie. I’m excited to read part 2. Other than the high winds, the cruise sounds perfect so far, and you look fabulous!
Oh, Christie, it was delightful. The gale winds just made things more interesting!! Hope we are able to take another cruise again someday.
I had to laugh at the coffee photo and no swirling needed! Ha! You had some rough seas! We had pretty calm weather for our Disney cruise last summer, but I have been on a couple other cruises with RC back when I was in my 20’s and we had some more rocky weather on at least one of them. I remember walking down the hallway and having my arms out to balance myself against each wall as the shipped swayed! Ha, ha! Oh, don’t they feed you well on these cruises?!!! That is the best part! I can’t wait to read your other posts. I’d love to do an Alaskan cruise with Brian someday!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
A couple’s massage – & painting together – how FUN of a trip is this????
I would want to catch them switching teh rugs out every day with the days of the week LOL … mission impossible
I’m just so in awe of this beautiful trip.
Gale warning – while on a ship – is not something I want to read! Oh my. I am cruising next week and just went to get my patches today. Thank you!! Would not be anywhere near water without them. I hope I have half as much fun as you two! You make me aside to get on that ship next week!! Oh, and you are both artists. Those jellyfish pictures are good!!
What a great recap! Can’t wait to read the other installments!
Hi Leslie, I enjoyed your post so much and love how you’ve shared your time with us. It sounds like you had lots happening on board, but the gale warning isn’t something I’d enjoy!! Looking forward to reading your next instalment. You both look relaxed and happy and your artworks are fabulous to by the way!
Good heaven, what a amazing trip! Great food and entertainment!
Oh, it was divine. Hope it isn’t my one and only crusie!! Thank you!!
I’m so glad you’re doing this as a series! I loved watching the YouTube short of your room. It looks like you had lots of room, and that balcony was so cool! I’ve never been on a cruise, but I sure would love to go on one. Every time I would convince Mike to go, there would be flu outbreak on some ship! Le sigh… I’m so glad you got to go and can’t wait to read about more!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I think you and Mike need to bump a cruise to the top of your bucket list, especially since his surgery is behind him and I think he has done well. Hope you will stop by to read Part II, also. Thank you.
Really enjoyed this! Looking forward to the next instalment. We’ve never been on a cruise. I’ve been researching them….