Alaska with Regent Seven Seas
I’m so thrilled to have cruised through Alaska at last, and very pleased I waited to do it in style with Regent Seven Seas. They were a perfect fit.
I sailed on the Regent Seven Seas (RSS) Explorer. Every room onboard is a Suite with a private balcony. There was plenty of space with a comfy queen bed, sofa, minibar, walk-in wardrobe and a magnificent marble ensuite and shower. I had the most gracious butler who brought me a pot of tea very early each morning. Room service one evening allowed me to catch up on some work.
Every aspect of this ship was pristine and luxurious. The main dining room Compass Rose was spacious and welcoming. The many Specialty restaurants were more intimate with dimmed lighting, fewer tables, exquisite cuisine and it was all included. In fact ‘All inclusive’ with RSS means drinks, specialty coffees, specialty dining restaurants, shore tours, butler service, room service and gratuities…. are all included. The extras I did pay for were the 3 hour coach transfer from Anchorage to Seward port at the start of the cruise, an a massage once on board.
Alaska, the 49th state of the United States really is the wild frontier. Rugged beauty, mountains, snow, glaciers, forests, incredible wildlife, endless untouched coastlines and inside passage made for the most beautiful cruising.
Southbound Seward to Vancouver
First day was a ’sea’ day with the slow manoeuvre to view Hubbard Glacier. Icebergs floated past the ship, some just big enough to accommodate a family of seals. The water emerald green at first and changing to aqua blue closer to the glacier. This cruise was blessed with six days of perfect sunny skies and warm temperatures. Most of us were on the top deck to get the best views. A family enjoyed a round of miniature golf and the glacier was quite a unique backdrop.
Sitka: Formerly under Russian rule, Sitka was purchased by the Americans in 1867. I would describe it as an archipelago of islands all covered in pine forests, where adventurers can enjoy kayaking, water activities and whale watching. My chosen shore tour was an expedition on a smaller boat where we spotted bald eagles, sea otters and humpback whales.
Skagway: Famous for the Klondike Gold Rush. This town was straight out of an old movie set complete with brightly painted wooden storefronts plying their wares such as gemstones, wood carvings, sweets and saloons. I could not wait for this day… my shore tour was to go zip lining. A scenic drive up the mountain, a slow hike into the forest followed by six adrenaline filled zips weaving back down through the forest. A day I will always remember
Juneau: The capital of Alaska. It was a burst of colour arriving in this port where a pallet of pastel wooden buildings weaved with flower boxes welcomed you. My chosen shore tour started with a drive into the forest for a gentle hike on the trails frequented by bears. We walked to the famous Mendenhall glacier which took my breathe away. The iridescent blue ice reflected beautifully on the lake below which was spotted with icebergs. The second half of the tour was a drive back to port and a couple hours whale watching. It was truly exceptional! We had six humpbacks on one side of our boat and a breaching calf on the other, we did not know which way to point the camera.
Ketchikan: A friend once told me ‘it rains in Ketchikan, every day of the year’. The approach by ship was like sailing through a misty curtain. Sunshine on one side and drizzle on the other. The town did not disappoint however. My tour was a zodiac expedition to the rainforest Eagle Island. The hike on the island was beautiful and lush, the canopy so thick it protected us from the weather.
Vancouver: Smooth sailing into Canada where my luxury cruise had to end. Regent Seven Seas I hope to see you again soon