Adventure of a lifetime: beginning the cruise up the Inland Passage, Vancouver to Alaska

There is a particular thrill that comes with the first day of a journey, don’t you agree? It especially applied to our recent one, a 7-night cruise up the Inland Passage to Alaska. Being vastly different from our norm, tension mixed with our excitement due to so many unknowns.

This adventure began in mid-July when we left home and flew to Vancouver. After a night in a hotel there, we woke to the real first day of our holiday.

In the warm sunshine, we walked through Gastown until we found a bench near the boarding area of our cruise liner, and waited for the time to head down the steep path to the basement check-in area.

There, we submitted our IDs and handed over our suitcases for loading onto the ship while we followed directions through the various security checks, toward the ship and up the gangway.

Once we found our cabin, suitcases waiting beside the door, we hurried inside, drawn immediately to our own little balcony, equipped with two chairs plus stools for our feet, and although tempted to take advantage of them immediately, there were too many other, more urgent jobs that pulled us back into the room. After checking out the brochures, the cabin and ensuite bathroom, the contents of cupboards, drawers where we found binoculars and a hairdryer, and then unpacked our bags, we were finally ready to head outside again.

But not to enjoy the comfortable chairs as the ship glided away from the wharf, but to cling to the railing, gazing out as the ship turned 180 degrees. This gave us constantly-changing views of the city as skyscrapers, industrial sites, and houses appeared, only to slide away again, until all signs of the city gave way to forest-covered hills and eventually, the ocean.

Finally, it was time to leave our cabin and explore the ship, opting for using the stairs rather than the escalators as we joined the rest of the 1400 or so passengers going from deck to deck.

We found several restaurants, shops, bars, a gym, casino, two pools plus two spa pools, a library, an area with tables for board games, a small theatre, and a huge, two-storied seating area with a stage, plus, on the top deck, the crows nest for the best views.

Photo of the indoor pool.

Clearly, there’d be plenty to do on this voyage, plenty of entertainment, and food galore, and with three stops along the way with an excursion booked for each one, we sure were looking forward to more excitement.

What a way to spend a week!

Check for the next installment in a few days.

Jena