Cruising up the Inside Passage

This Series Cruising up the Inside Passage

Hey, normally I write about travel destinations and not the means of getting there. But sometimes the means of travel becomes the destination.

Caribbean Cruise

Back in 2004 our cruise voyage through the Caribbean connected a series of memorable island adventures. The ship departed from San Juan in Puerto Rico and the itinerary included St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Grenada, Isla de Margarita and Aruba. On each island we usually opted for a shore excursion, some independent exploration, or lounging around on the beach, as it is custom to do in the Caribbean.

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Day of Embarcation

Alaska’s Inside Passage

This time around we were heading north to colder seas. The cast of characters on this trip were my dad (catalyst and primary organizer), my grandma Pat (who had suggested this trip years prior), my sister Summer and her two niños Nainoa and Kekoa (who wished to escape the humid summer weather in Sayulita). Oh and me too.

Butchart Gardens

The Alaskan itinerary charted a course from Seattle through the Inside Passage, stopped in at Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, British Columbia. On the return leg we ventured into Tracy Arm and ended up at Sawyer Glacier.

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The Gangway at Skagway

Cruise ships always seemed to have an edge of cheese, like Las Vegas. While the fare may be reasonable, the casinos, lounges, shore excursions and other amenitities are where they milk you for profits. However, if you know what you're getting into then it's a pleasant, satisfying cruise. Most of the best things are free — the endless, delicious food, majestic scenery, and the attentive service.

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The Towel Monkey

The Service

On both cruises we’ve had nothing but the very best service. The room attendants, wait staff and other crew members all bust ass to take care of any petty need that might arise. Our cabin was constantly kept scrupulously clean, and on some days we returned to discover a towel cleverly folded into an animal shape, like a monkey, elephant or stingray. A minor yet endearing gesture.

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Lifeboat Tender Hull above Deck 6

Mendenhall Glacier

Shore Excursions

While in port a variety of intriguing shore excursions were available. The first stop in Juneau offered local attractions like Mount Roberts Tramway, a helicopter trip and walkabout on Mendenhall Glacier, and whale watching north of Auke Bay.

One of many trestles along the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad.

WP&YR Railroad

In Skagway most everyone who steps off the boat takes the White Pass Yukon Route railroad at least as far as White Pass Summit or over the border to Fraser, British Columbia. For the trip back I opted for a bike ride down the Klondike Highway which became a favorite adventure only after the brakes were released. Near the terminus of our return leg a sunny day at stunning Butchart Gardens was a reward for braving a week of cold, drizzly Alaskan weather.

Tags Boating, Ocean, Mountains