Having cruised Alaska before I was excited to experience a small luxury ship and Oceania Cruises exceeded my expectations.
Embarking in Vancouver on Oceania Regatta was a pleasant surprise with no lines or crowds. We simply walked onboard and were escorted to our luxurious stateroom. Regatta is a stunning small ship with only 670 guests and 400 crew members. The gourmet restaurants aboard Regattta are all complimentary with open seating in the Grand Dining Room and Terrace Café and reservations offered for the Specialty Restaurants, Toscana and Polo Grill. The cuisine and service in all of the restaurants was superb. Afternoon Tea was a delight with a string quartet playing softly and a beautiful presentation of finger sandwiches, petits fours, scones & desserts. Evening entertainment is continuously changing with production shows, talented vocalists, classical and jazz music and the Monte Carlo-style Casino.
Ketchikan is known as Alaska’s first city due it its location at the Southern tip of the Inside Passage. Totem poles are one of Ketchikan’s chief attractions and the best places to view them are Saxman Village and Totem Bright State Park. Since we visited Saxman Village on a previous trip we decided on a Wilderness Hike in the Tongass Rainforest which was absolutely beautiful.
Juneau is a mountain town and coastal community. For a state capital, it maintains a small-town charm. With no road access it can only be reached by sea or air. Mendenhall Glacier is a short drive from downtown and is one of the city’s most iconic sites. We enjoyed walking the narrow streets past old and new structures and houses before our drive out of town and delicious lunch at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake.
Skagway played a pivotal role in the Klondike Gold Rush and the town is full of history. It features streets lined with wooden boardwalks, and restored buildings that look just like they did 100 years ago. Skagway is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Take a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad and see the trail the gold rushers hiked into the high mountain pass. We enjoyed the White Pass Railroad last time we were in Skagway and this time we chose a hike along Chilkoot Trail and a scenic river rafting tour which was another great adventure with incredible scenery.
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) is Alaska Native owned and operated by the community of Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village. Icy Strait Point has some of the most pristine
waters anywhere in the world and it’s teeming with wildlife. Wildlife outnumbers everyone so watch for bears, eagles and humpback whales. Icy Strait Point was a highlight of the trip with our Wildlife and Bear Search with humpback whales, seals, bald eagles and Bears!
Hubbard Glacier is nicknamed the “Galloping Glacier” because it moves faster than almost any other glacier on the continent. On clear days Hubbard turns a stunning deep blue, and on cloudy days, its many ripples and icebergs shimmer. The scenic cruising day to Hubbard Glacier was a perfect last day on the ship to relax before arriving in Seward the next morning to disembark.
Oceania Cruises was the perfect way to experience Alaska on a small luxury ship. The exceptional service and cuisine onboard the ship is what Oceania Cruises excels in. I loved exploring Alaska with Oceania Cruises!
Please contact me so I can help you plan your next cruise with Oceania Cruises!
Travel has always been a big part of my life. I enjoy using my knowledge and experience to help clients plan a perfect vacation and make lasting memories.
Embarking in Vancouver on Oceania Regatta was a pleasant surprise...
We settled into our room and headed out to explore...
We started our adventure with a few days in Munich,...
