After our Niagara Falls trip and Toronto culinary adventures, our cruise to Bermuda, and our road trip from New York to Texas, we were off onto another adventure of a lifetime: a cruise to Alaska, The Last Frontier!

Peeping Glaciers

This trip was inspired by a long-term travel goal of mine: a summer trip to Glacier National Park in Montana. That has been on my bucket list for years, but something always got in the way in the summer months. When Summer 2022 rolled around and we had a swath of free time after graduating from residency, I wanted to seize the opportunity. However, when researching possible itineraries I learned of the wonders of Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, and my mind was swayed. In the end, we had drafted a magnificent itinerary of the ultimate epic trip of a lifetime to the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and southwest Canada.

The first bit of the trip was …drumroll, please… an Alaskan cruise!

We boarded the Carnival Spirit in Seattle and settled in for our 8-night journey.

Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship

The Carnival Spirit is not a tiny ship by any means, but it is quite a bit smaller than some of the behemoth cruise ships we’ve been on before (ahem, I’m looking at you, Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas). I expected to prefer the larger and more modern ships, but I actually really appreciated the Carnival Spirit! The decor was quirky but done well without feeling cheesy, and somehow the lower ceilings offered an atmosphere that felt more cozy rather than cramped. The Carnival Spirit is also quite nostalgic and classic, reminding me of my “old school” cruising days a decade ago– the formal dining room still plays host to cute dance parties, the photo gallery still prints hard copies of all pictures and displays them randomly so you have to hunt for your face in the sea of prints, and the Carnival Playlist Production nightly shows are still good old-fashioned family fun and of pleasantly surprising quality.

 Carnival Spirit is also perfectly built for Alaskan journeys. The mid-ship portion of the top deck has a pool as expected, no surprise. But what’s not expected is that this area is covered and sheltered from the cool winds, and the pool is heated! Yes– that big saltwater pool is heated along with all of the hot tubs! It was quite a sight walking around the chilly deck watching the steam rolling off the pools. Pro tip: Don’t pass on the waterslides! Your brave venture into the cold windy breeze in your swimsuit will be rewarded with a ride in the warmest, coziest downhill lazy river experience (steam and all).

8 Night Alaska Cruise Itinerary

Here is what we did on each day of our Alaska cruise! We tried to make the most of our time in each port— if you enjoy hiking, glaciers, and wildlife be sure to add these to your bucket list. Each port day deserved its own post so click the links and read on!

Day 1-2: Sea Days

It rained during our first day at sea, but I was happy that the weather forecast was clear for all of our port days. Despite the sprinkles, we experienced our first whale sighting that first day! Carnival Spirit is lucky to have its own resident Naturalist who sets up camp in the overhead bridge area on the ship and keeps his eyes peeled for wildlife all day long. When the Naturalist announced that whales were spotted on both sides of the ship, we rushed to grab our binoculars. Stationed at the balconies, we peered out at the water and sure enough saw several puffy spouts of water intermittently shooting into the air from the surface. I was lucky enough to aim my binoculars at one of the spews of water and got a great view of the subsequent tail flip of a whale swimming along by our ship! 

We arrived into the first bit of “The Last Frontier” overnight and awoke early to a dramatic scene change of endless stretches of blue mountains. The fog was rolling over the surface of the water, clouds were rising slowly into the trees, and the water was barely rippling. It was magical.

Day 3: Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point, AK

Click here to see how we spent our day in Icy Strait Point on a whale watching boat tour! Learn how to pick the best whale watching excursion for your Alaska cruise to make the most of your time in port. Icy Strait Point is one of the most active (read: “it has a lot of whale activity”) places to go on a whale watching excursion so if you want to see whales, do it at this port. We went with Glacier Wind Charters and definitely recommend.

Day 4: Mendenhall Glacier Hike in Juneau, AK

Click here for our itinerary for 1 day in Juneau, Alaska! We embarked on a guided hike to Mendenhall Glacier and were able to see, feel, and even taste the glacier. Weather permitting, the guide will also bring you to hike on top of the glacial ice itself.

Day 5: Dewey Lakes Hiking and Local Beer in Skagway, AK

Click here to find out the best things to do in Skagway, Alaska without a tour! We opted to be self-led adventurers for the day and went for some hiking along the Dewey Lakes Trail System (for free!) followed by exploration of the old town of Skagway and brewery hopping in town (not free). Try the Skagway-famous spruce tip beers!

Day 6: Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Cruise

The main ship sails part of the Tracy Arm Fjord, but you can choose to get even closer. Is the extra Carnival excursion to board a small speedboat to view the glaciers in Tracy Arm Fjord worth it? Click here to read about how we arranged a small boat tour to get closer to the glaciers and decide if you should, too.

Day 7: Hike Rainbird Trail And Taste The Salmon Capital Of The World in Ketchikan, AK

Time in the port of Ketchikan, Alaska is limited (our cruise itinerary allowed only five hours in Ketchikan) but you can still fill the day with activities! Check out this supercharged itinerary for a half day in Ketchikan, AK full of hiking through a rainforest and eating your way through the Salmon Capital of the World.

Day 8: After Hours in Victoria, BC

8:00pm arrival into port? You don’t have much time in Victoria, BC, Canada on this itinerary but I still recommend getting off the cruise ship to look around! Click here for what to do with a few evening hours in Victoria, BC.

Pro Tips and Dirty Truths, Planning Your Alaska Cruise:

• Victoria, BC is on the cruise itinerary just so Carnival can say we docked at an international destination. It very much feels like an afterthought port of call. You don’t have time to do much at all, and most establishments (except for the bars) are closed by the time you get to the downtown area.
• Spoiler alert: If you hike close to a glacier sometime during your time in Alaska, don’t feel the need to pay extra for an “excursion” through Carnival cruise line to go on the smaller boat to get closer to the glaciers when sailing Tracy Arm Fjord. It was super early in the morning so the fog was extremely thick and remained so until mid-day when the cruise ship had to leave the area anyway. The cruise ship itself gets quite close to the glacier and you can still see the glacier and hear it calving from the main boat. However, if you won’t be getting up close and personal with a glacier on any of your port days, the small boat excursion is a fun experience.
• Pack layers, especially if going on an Alaska cruise in the summer! You’ll want to wear the whole gamut of what you packed, from short sleeves and sandals to sweaters and beanies.
• Before booking a cruise: Pay close attention to the arrival and departure times for each port when choosing between different Alaska cruise itineraries. You’ll want to maximize the time in port, particularly in Juneau and Icy Strait Point (if you want a good whale watching experience). If you’re a train fan and history buff, prioritize your time in Skagway.