Dreaming of Alaska

Maybe it’s because I took my first-ever cruise to this region back in 1998 aboard Norwegian Cruise Line‘s long-departed Norwegian Wind, but I find myself thinking of Alaska a lot lately. The 2016 Alaska Cruise Season begins in April from Port Metro Vancouver‘s Canada Place Cruise Terminal, and on April 29 for departures from the Port of Seattle.

Over the nearly two decades inbetween, I’ve sailed North, to Alaska nearly a dozen times – and it’s highly likely I’ll set out once again on a journey to this most scenic of cruise destinations.

Cruising Tracy Arm Fjord aboard Silver Shadow. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Frequently maligned for its recurring bouts of liquid sunshine, Alaska is often overlooked as a cruise destination. People want sun, sand, beaches, Mediterranean drinks with little umbrellas in them. And while you’ll find cocktails, it’s true you won’t find a lot of beaches worth swimming in. Palm trees don’t sway, and temperatures rarely peak above anything that would cause you to break a sweat (though they definitely can).

What Alaska has, though, is history. Scenery. Nature. You’ll see bears and whales and harbour seals and birds of all kinds. You’ll see towns that exist because of their Klondike Gold Rush past, and which still have a hard edge to them to this day. Cruise ships come here in droves, sure, but Ketchikan doesn’t exist to serve cruise passengers. Nor does Juneau, the isolated capital city of Alaska, where no roads connect it to other parts of mainland Alaska.

Skagway's White Pass & Yukon Route railroad. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Today, I think it’s fitting to take a look – in pictures – at some of my Alaska cruises past. I also want to reach out to ask you for your help: which Alaska cruise do you want me to take this year? What ship? What itinerary? What are you curious about? What would you like to see covered as a day-by-day Live Voyage Report here and on The Avid Cruiser? Use the comment form below to post your answer.

Until then, enjoy Alaska – in pictures. And if you haven’t been, isn’t it time you set sail for this amazing place?

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sun approaches the dock in Ketchikan. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

The railroad was a critical lifeline for the Gold Rush town of Skagway, Alaska. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Rain pelts Skagway, Alaska in September, 2006. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

With Un-Cruise Adventures, how you spend your time in Alaska is up to you. My advice? Try everything at least once. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

One of the very best days of Inside Passage cruising I've ever seen. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Skagway, Alaska was the site of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Alaska, 1998: Holland America Line’s Maasdam, as seen from the deck of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Wind. Photo © Aaron Saunders

Disney Cruise Lines' Disney Wonder in Tracy Arm Fjord. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun called on Wrangell during her 2005 season. Today, only luxury lines and small-ship expedition cruises visit. Photo © Aaron Saunders

Beautiful Wrangell, Alaska is well known for its historic Petroglyph Beach. Photo © Aaron Saunders

June 29, 2014: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Near Juneau, July 1998: the classic Island Princess departs Juneau, bound for Ketchikan. Photo © Aaron Saunders

The State Capital of Juneau, Alaska. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Holland America's Zuiderdam returns to Alaska and Skagway in 2011. Photo © Aaron Saunders

Ketchikan, July 1998: I’ve never seen it rain so hard in my life. Note the green “Norwegian Cruise Line” ponchos, which were provided free of charge at the time. Photo © Aaron Saunders