Alaska

Alaska is pure, untamed beauty — from snow-capped mountains and icy blue glaciers to the wildlife and wonder around every turn. Whether you explore it by land or sea, there’s truly nothing like experiencing the Last Frontier. Back in the ’90s, I spent a few unforgettable years living in Anchorage, Alaska as a military wife. Years later, I had the opportunity to experience Alaska in a whole new way - by ship. I’ve actually cruised to Alaska twice now with Royal Caribbean, and both trips left me absolutely in awe. Seeing the glaciers, wildlife, and rugged coastline from the water offered a breathtaking perspective that’s completely different from life on land. It’s a place that never stops inspiring me, no matter how many times I visit.

We visited ports like Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Dawes Glacier, Inside Passage, and Sitka — each one offering something unforgettable. We spotted whales breaching in the distance, watched bears and bald eagles in their natural habitat, and stood in awe at the deep, glowing blues of glacier ice.

Skagway quickly became a favorite of ours thanks to the White Pass Railway train excursion that winds through the mountains of Alaska and into Canada. And in Juneau, I faced my fear of heights (twice!) on the Goldbelt Tram — totally worth it for the views alone, but there’s also trails at the top that you can hike. In Icy Strait we watched others zipline down the world’s largest zipliner (or at least the largest at that time, not certain if it still holds the record). Definitely fun to watch, but no way could i participate.

If Alaska’s on your travel list, let this be your sign: go. It’s wild, wonderful, and waiting for you. - Teresa