We did Royal Caribbean, my Mother's choice, and it was fine. Left Seattle, stopped in Juneau, Skagway, went up the fjord to a Glacier, then stopped at Victoria. Our group did various excursions ranging from whale watching and a fly in fishing trip in Juneau. My kids went with grandmas for the whale watching and enjoyed it. My brother went fly fishing and said it wasn't worth the cost. Me, my wife and daughter just walked around town and probably had the best time of all in Juneau. I really wanted to go Halibut fishing but no one else was interested.

Skagway some went on a train ride but me, my son, brother, and SIL rented a jeep from Green Jeep Company and drove into the Yukon. Saw much more than the train riders for a lot less money. When we got back we still had plenty of time to ride around the Skagway area. If you stop anywhere you will need your bug spray to try to keep the hummingbird sized mosquitoes at bay. Had my fill of fresh Halibut downtown and it was great.

Make sure to get up early and get a good spot on deck for the glacier. The ship goes up the fjord to the glacier and then does an impressive 180 to get back out. Enjoy a Hot Chocolate with Brandy while enjoying the view. Take binos because we saw a lot of wildlife. More Sea Otters than I could count.

Victoria is a city I would like to return to one day. Some went to some Gardens and museums while the rest of us rode a double decker bus to see the sites. It makes a big loop around the city and then you can return to what interests you. We then walked back to their little China Town area for real Chinese food. I think what we got in Seattle at Pike's Market was more authentic, but both good. Then we just walked around along the water and did tourist stuff. A very clean city. I enjoyed our day there but the walking wore me out. You'll need a Passport here.

We stayed at a motel by the airport right next to a Light Rail stop. It was real easy to hop on it and go into Seattle to all the high points like Pike's Place Market. My wife and daughter insisted on getting coffee from the Starbuck's Mother ship there. No different than any other but we can say we've done it. Personally, Pike's was where I got my first ever Boba tea and I liked it much better than Starbucks.

The one thing about this trip is the scenery. Not often on the cruise are you not able to see land and even then you can sit on the deck and spot whales. Especially Orcas. Tons of them.

I was hoping to see the Northern lights, but never did. I've got a friend that took his family to Iceland last year and they saw them. Might want to look at something that way. They really enjoyed that trip.

The only cruises offered to AK are in Summer months so they kind of make your mind up about when to go for you. I loved it so have fun and don't feel like you have to book excursions. Some of our most fun times were just walking around.

Lord, please help us get our nation straightened out.