Our Alaskan Adventure

An Unforgettable Alaskan Adventure: Cruising Alaska on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas

Alaska had been on our bucket list for years, and this journey delivered in ways we never imagined. From glaciers and whales to winding hikes, towering totem poles, fresh crab tastings, and unforgettable wildlife encounters, this trip became a celebration of the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Every day brought something new—and memorable.

Olympic National Park: The Perfect Way to Start

After arriving in Seattle, we picked up our rental car at the airport and headed toward the Olympic Peninsula for two nights exploring—the perfect way to ease into vacation mode.

One of the highlights was taking the Bainbridge Ferry… with our car! Driving onto the ferry made it feel like part of the adventure, and the views from the deck across Puget Sound were stunning.

Olympic National Park completely exceeded expectations:

• Lake Crescent was calm, clear, and incredibly peaceful

• Rialto Beach was rugged and dramatic, with sea stacks, driftwood, and crashing waves

• Hurricane Ridge delivered sweeping mountain views that made us stop in our tracks

• Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost point in the contiguous U.S., felt wild and humbling—standing at the edge of the continent was unforgettable

Each stop felt totally different, yet equally beautiful.

Seattle: One Night Before Sailing

After Olympic, we headed back into the city for one night at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. The hotel was modern, comfortable, and perfectly located for embarkation day. There was even a Starbucks right inside the hotel, which made grabbing coffee that morning super easy.

On embarkation day, we dropped off our rental car downtown and took an Uber to the cruise port, which was quick, stress-free, and way easier than navigating parking at the terminal.

Life Onboard Quantum of the Seas

Once onboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, the fun really kicked in. This ship is packed with things to do—and we took full advantage.

Some highlights:

• Surfing on the FlowRider… in Alaska

• Bumper cars and laser tag

• A sushi-making class and a cupcake decorating class

• Karaoke and an unexpectedly amazing silent disco

Between activities, we spent plenty of time bundled up on deck or on our balcony, watching Alaska glide by.

Ports of Call: Alaska Highlights

Ketchikan

Ketchikan was home to our favorite excursion of the entire trip: the Crab Tour aboard the Aleutian Ballad, the famous Deadliest Catch boat. The scenery was incredible, the stories were fascinating, and the fresh Alaskan crab was unreal. Seeing the town’s colorful totem poles was the perfect finishing touch.

Sitka

Sitka had a quieter, more relaxed feel. It’s the kind of place where you can just stroll, enjoy the coastal views, and soak in the history.

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

Sailing through Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier was unforgettable. We were up early that morning, watching the glacier from our balcony, bundled up and completely in awe as massive walls of ice came into view. Floating chunks of glacier drifted by as the ship slowly approached—it was peaceful, quiet, and surreal.

Juneau

In Juneau, we visited Mendenhall Glacier, which was even more impressive in person, and the Fortress of the Bear, where we saw rescued bears up close and learned about conservation efforts. We also stopped by a salmon hatchery, which was fascinating and gave us a close-up look at the lifecycle of Alaska’s iconic fish.

Victoria, British Columbia

Our final stop was Victoria, which felt like a charming, relaxing way to end the cruise. We took a double-decker bus into downtown, which made getting around simple and fun. From there, we explored on foot, enjoying the city’s European-style architecture and walkable streets before heading back to the ship.

Wildlife Sightings from the Ship

One of the coolest parts of the trip was all the wildlife. We spotted whales from the ship on most days, and bald eagles were everywhere—perched along the coastline, swooping overhead, and even near the ports. Every sighting felt magical and made the trip even more memorable.

Wrapping Up in Seattle

After the cruise, we wrapped up our journey with a visit to the Space Needle, taking in sweeping city views and spotting Mount Rainier in the distance. It was the perfect final moment of an incredible adventure.

Final Thoughts

This trip was the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and pure fun. From Olympic National Park to Alaska’s glaciers, paired with everything Quantum of the Seas has to offer, it was a vacation we’ll never forget—and one we’d absolutely do again.