We’re heading back to Alaska on a cruise — with ZERO advanced planning… and it turned into one of our favorite cruises we’ve ever taken.
This time, we decided to wing it completely and explore Alaska without booking excursions ahead of time. From breathtaking scenery to unexpected wildlife encounters, this unplanned Alaska cruise proved you don’t need a rigid itinerary to have an incredible experience.
We’ll also show you our aft sunset balcony cabin, which quickly became our favorite cruise cabin ever thanks to nonstop views, peaceful sunsets, and incredible wildlife sightings right from our balcony.
Ports We Visited Without a Plan:
Sitka, Alaska
• Walked to Sitka National Historical Park (no reservation needed)
• Hiked among towering totem poles
• Watched thousands of salmon spawning
• Took on another hot dog challenge — including a smoked elk dog 🌭
Juneau, Alaska
• Laughed along with live music at the iconic Red Dog Saloon
• Tried the famous “Duck Fart” drink 🍹
Haines, Alaska
• Visited the Alaska Raptor Center and saw rescued bald eagles
• Explored the museum and learned about eagle rehabilitation
• Sampled mead and cider at The Three Northmen Brewery
• Checked out a local grocery store to see the true cost of living in Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska
• Got incredibly close to black bears and adorable cubs on the Rainforest Sanctuary Tour with Kawanti Tours
• Nancy enjoyed an unforgettable salmon crepe
• Caught a fun and classic Alaska lumberjack show
Bonus Alaska Cruise Reality:
Our ship was rerouted due to weather — something that’s very common on Alaska cruises, especially in September. We’ll share how it impacted our trip and why flexibility matters so much in Alaska.
❤️ Finally, a huge thank you to our Phase 2 Flock members who stopped to say hello onboard — meeting you truly means the world to us.
If you’re planning an Alaska cruise (or wondering if you should skip excursions), this video will show you what’s possible when you just go with the flow.
Sitka National Historical Park:
https://www.nps.gov/sitk/index.htm
Red Dog Saloon:
https://www.reddogsaloon.com/
Alaska Raptor Center:
https://alaskaraptor.org/
Three Northmen:
https://www.threenorthmen.com/
Lumberjack Show:
https://alaskanlumberjackshow.com/
Rainforest Sanctuary Tour:
https://kawanti.com/
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