My Alaskan Adventure
- Val
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 5
Exploring the Last Frontier: My Incredible Alaskan Cruise Tour with Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises
I just returned from an unforgettable agent training trip with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity in Alaska , and I can’t wait to share the magic of what I experienced. If you’re planning an Alaskan cruise with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises, there’s a way to take your adventure to the next level: add a Cruisetour. These land-based journeys are designed to complement your cruise and allow you to explore Alaska’s breathtaking interior—something you simply can’t do from the ship alone.
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have expertly curated these tours to showcase the very best of Alaska, choosing top-rated lodges and unforgettable excursions that capture the true spirit of the state. This isn’t just a trip—it’s a deeper connection to the land, wildlife, and culture of Alaska. These cruisetours include a fully escorted land tour component, featuring a dedicated tour guide who provides expert insight and personalized service throughout the journey. Guests travel in comfort aboard a deluxe motorcoach, accompanied by a professional motorcoach driver, ensuring a seamless and relaxing travel experience. This combination allows travelers to enjoy both the scenic beauty of Alaska with the convenience of guided, worry-free land travel.
Day 1: Anchorage to Seward – Into the Wild
Our journey began in Anchorage and took us south to the picturesque town of Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. We set off on a thrilling Kenai Fjords boat cruise in Resurrection Bay, where we were treated to incredible wildlife sightings—humpback whales, sea otters, stellar sea lions, bald eagles, mountain goats, and puffins. Lunch was provided onboard, paired with Alaska’s majestic scenery, made for a perfect afternoon. The scenery was breath taking.
We stopped at the Alaska SeaLife Center for a closer look at marine conservation efforts before heading to our overnight stay at the Windsong Lodge, nestled in a lush, peaceful forest setting. For dinner, we took the complimentary shuttle into town and had a great dinner at Ray's Waterfront and I had an amazing Miso Sablefish.
Day 2: Seward to Talkeetna – A Taste of Culture and Luxury
The next leg of the tour brought us to Talkeetna, with stops at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where rescued native animals, that cannot be reintroduced into the wild, roam. This is a must see. It is an amazing place that will give you a look at much of Alaskas wildlife. Our next stop was in Girdwood for the luxurious Hotel Alyeska, Alaska’s only 5-star resort. This hotel sits tucked amid the Chugach Mountains on Alaska's south-central coast, and has a backdrop of glaciers, bald eagles, and towering spruce trees. Stay here and you’ll be in for a treat—as well as the chance to experience some bucket-list adventures such as hiking, biking, (and in the winter, skiing or fat biking) trails around the hotel. They can also arrange additional excursions such as like dogsledding, heli-hiking, day cruises, fishing, and rafting. Another stop along our route was a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where we explored the diverse cultural heritage of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples through art, dance, and hands-on exhibits. They have a beautiful trail around the water that takes you to the village as well.
We checked in to the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, perched on a ridge with views of Denali on clear days. The view is one of the best we saw on this trip. That evening, we took advantage of some of the additional excursions offered by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity and we boarded a K2 Aviation Denali Flyer for a jaw-dropping flight-seeing tour—complete with a glacier landing. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that was a bucket list item for me. In the morning, when preparing to leave, the clouds had cleared and we had a perfect view of Denali, as shown on the header photo.
Day 3: Talkeetna to Denali – Scenic Rails and Rugged Beauty
From Talkeetna, we boarded the Wilderness Explorer Dome Train to Denali, a luxury rail experience featuring full-glass dome windows for panoramic views of the wilderness. Glaciers, forests, and untamed landscapes stretched out in every direction—this was Alaska at its most majestic.
Once in Denali National Park, we explored the rugged terrain and learned about the Denali National Park and viewed some wildlife. After leaving Denali National Park, we checked in to the Denali Park Village Lodge. Just steps away was the Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre, an energetic and heartfelt performance about Alaska’s Gold Rush history, brought to life with songs, humor, and a hearty family-style meal. This is offered as an add-on with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise tours and is very inexpensive.
Day 4: Denali to Fairbanks – Rivers, Sled Dogs & Local Flavor
We traveled by motor coach to Fairbanks, where we enjoyed lunch downtown at local eatery before boarding the Riverboat Discovery Cruise. This 3-hour tour begins aboard an authentic steamboat and takes you through the rich history of Fairbanks and interior Alaska. You'll learn about the early prospectors who journeyed north in search of gold, witness a thrilling live bush pilot demonstration, and enjoy scenic views of historic landmarks along the Chena River.
One of the highlights is passing by Trail Breaker Kennel, home to sled dogs and operated by the legacy of four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher daughter, Tekla Butcher-Monson. You’ll see the dogs in action, learn how they’re trained, and even see how salmon is prepared for their high-protein diet. We saw reindeer along the way, too!
Midway through, you’ll disembark at Chena Village, a recreated Athabascan settlement, where you’ll discover the traditional lifestyle of Alaska’s Indigenous people—how they hunted, fished, and crafted their tools and clothing from the land. You will return to the Riverboat for a cruise back to Steamboat Landing.
Our final lodge stay was at the beautiful Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, a guest favorite for good reason. Pike’s Waterfront Lodge offers comfortable rooms many with scenic views, a steam room, riverside deck, restaurant, a comfortable lounge, and wireless Internet in the public areas and most sleeping rooms. They also offer Aveda aromatherapy room amenities. This hotel is minutes from the Fairbanks Alaska airport, next door to famous Pike’s Landing restaurant. We wrapped up our adventure of learning with a classic salmon bake and the Golden Heart Revue, a fun and touching show about Fairbanks’ frontier history. It was a great way to end our adventure.
Why Choose a Cruisetour?
While Alaska cruises are breathtaking, they only show you a piece of the state—its stunning coastline. To truly experience Alaska’s wildlife, national parks, Indigenous culture, and remote beauty, you need to go inland. That’s where Cruisetours come in.
With hand-select top-tier lodges, exclusive excursions, and seamless travel by luxury motorcoach and railcar, they ensure your land journey is just as amazing as your time at sea. These land experiences can be booked before or after your cruise.
Final Thoughts
If Alaska is on your bucket list, don’t stop at the coastline. Enhance your cruise with a Cruisetour and step into the soul of the state. From glaciers to gold rush tales, from Native heritage to wild river journeys, this land tour opened my eyes to the true heart of Alaska. These cruisetours are available from May through September, which is the tourist season in Alaska.
Have questions about planning a cruisetour? I’d love to help you plan an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary.
Contact Val at val@vacationwithval.com.
Comentários