7-Day Alaska Cruise with Royal Caribbean® on Radiance of the Seas

By Patty Crawford, Travel Consultant
Sailed August 2025 · 6 min read

A large glacier calving into a body of water, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Quick takeaways

Patty led a group of 22 adults on a 7-night round trip from Vancouver aboard Radiance of the Seas.
Ports: Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, plus two scenic Inside Passage days.
Don’t miss the Red Dog Saloon and Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau, and the gondola at Icy Strait Point.
Ketchikan was Patty’s favourite: salmon donuts, totem poles, Rainbow Falls and Creek Street.

An Alaskan Cruise was always on our bucket list. So when we finally decided to book it, I was overwhelmed by how many clients wanted to join us…. We ended up being a group of 22 adults.

Pre-cruise day in Vancouver

Some of us arrived in Vancouver, dropped our luggage off at the Sandman Hotel where they took care of it while we explored a bit of Vancouver. We explored Granville Island and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Tap & Barrel Bridges. The food was amazing ….

A group of seven people posing happily together on a boat with a scenic view of mountains and water in the background.

Then we headed downtown and saw Gastown Steam Clock built in 1977. It runs on steam from the city’s underground heating system to power a musical whistle that plays the Westminster Quarters every quarter hour and blows steam on the hour. We also took some pictures along the waterfront.

Patty’s tipMany Vancouver hotels, like the Sandman, will hold your luggage so you can explore the city before or after your cruise.

Day 1: Embarkation day

We arrived with a very smooth and efficient check-in. Once on the ship, we headed to our check-in points for our safety meeting…While we enjoyed our first drink. Our balcony cabin was very nice. Once our luggage was in our cabins, we headed to the pool deck for some entertainment, waiting for the sail off party… As we set sail, we went under the Lions Gate Bridge.

View from a cruise ship deck featuring a bridge in the background against a clear blue sky and mountains.

A lively atmosphere at the Sky Bar on a cruise ship, with a crowd gathered around the bar area on a sunny day.

Day 2: Inside Passage

It was an inside passage day, so we relaxed and explored the ship. The adults-only Solarium was beautiful. We had dinner at Samba Grill, a specialty restaurant where various meats are carved tableside, alongside a starter station with appetizers and side dishes. We also celebrated guests with birthdays and 1 anniversary.

A person wearing a black beanie and red hoodie is taking a selfie on a boat, with a view of the ocean and cloudy sky in the background.

A panoramic view of the ocean from a cruise ship, featuring bright sunlight reflecting off the water and a clear blue sky.

Aerial view of a modern cruise ship atrium featuring multiple levels, plush seating areas, and decorative flooring with a star motif.

Interior view of a tropical pool area with glass roofing, featuring decorative elephant sculptures, lush plants, and an inviting atmosphere.

Day 3: Juneau, Alaska

The weather was damp and cool, but that did not stop us. We explored the town with stops at the Red Dog Saloon with live entertainment and sawdust on the floors. We made a stop at Alaskan Fudge Co. for a little tasting and to see how it was made.

Exterior view of the Red Dog Saloon, featuring vibrant flowers in the foreground and a multi-story building in the background.

Interior of a rustic restaurant featuring wooden decor, mounted animal heads, and various flags hanging from the ceiling. Patrons are seen dining in a lively atmosphere.

A tall totem pole featuring intricate carvings and faces, with a person standing beside it on a wooden deck surrounded by greenery and misty mountains.

Interior of a casual dining restaurant featuring a vibrant atmosphere, with patrons at tables enjoying their meals. The walls are decorated with various signs, t-shirts, and memorabilia, including a prominent 'SHACK SHOP' sign and a 'BAR' sign.

Exterior view of Tracy's King Crab Shack, a restaurant with a red and white facade, with people in raincoats in the foreground.

At the end of the day, we stopped at the famous Tracy’s King Crab Shack.

Day 4: Hubbard Glacier

Let me say this was an amazing view to see… We saw seals along the way and bald eagles. The best part was when the glacier would calve; it sounded like a gunshot, then it crashed into the ocean. The mountains were full of waterfalls everywhere you looked.

A panoramic view of a serene body of water surrounded by mountains, with a glacier visible in the distance under an overcast sky.

A couple posing for a selfie on a balcony with a scenic view of the mountains and glacial waters in the background.

Panoramic view of a glacier flowing into a still body of water, surrounded by snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky.

Day 5: Icy Strait Point

In Icy Strait Point, Alaska, you can enjoy outdoor adventures like riding the world’s largest zip line. You can also experience nature by taking a gondola ride, hiking trails to see wildlife like bald eagles, and searching for brown bears. For a cultural or relaxing experience, visit the free cannery museum. I would definitely recommend the gondola.

Two women posing next to a large warning sign about dangers in Alaska, including bear attacks and falling hazards.

A person stands outside a wooden building with a sign that reads 'ICY STRAIT POINT,' with trees in the background.

Two people inside a gondola with rain on the windows, overlooking a forested area and a body of water.

A rustic red wooden building with a slanted roof, featuring multiple windows and doors. The scene includes fishing gear scattered around, such as nets and buoys, and a wooden platform beneath overhead pulleys.

A colorful totem pole stands outside a red wooden building, with a sign that reads 'Dei Le'an' above the entrance. A person can be seen partially inside the doorway.

A spherical metal sculpture featuring intricate cutouts of trees and wildlife, placed on a mound of rocks.

That evening we did another specialty dining at Chops Grill…. The food was amazing from start to finish.

Day 6: Ketchikan, Alaska

This was my favorite port. The first stop was the famous Jellyfish Donuts. They are famous for salmon donuts. Then we did a 3-hour tour with the Wild Adventure Tour. We got lucky and had a native of the land as our guide, and the culture and stories he told made the tour well worth it.

A person smiling and standing with arms raised in the street in Ketchikan, Alaska, under a welcome sign that reads 'Welcome to Alaska's 1st City Ketchikan - The Salmon Capital of the World.' The street is lined with shops and vehicles.

Scenic view of a waterfront village featuring wooden buildings on stilts, with colorful facades and surrounding greenery.

A weathered wooden sign detailing the history of Saxman, a Tlingit Indian village established in 1894, including information about Samuel Saxman, totem collection, and restoration efforts by the U.S. Forest Service.

A group of seven individuals standing on a wooden walkway by a waterway, with buildings in the background and cloudy skies.

A man and a woman standing together in front of a waterfall, surrounded by greenery.

Clear creek water flowing over rocks on a tour in Ketchikan, Alaska

A flowing river surrounded by rocky banks and lush greenery, with a wooden walkway above.

A display of assorted colorful doughnuts arranged on a wire rack, featuring various toppings such as chocolate, sprinkles, and icing.

We toured the town with stops at Rainbow Falls, A native village to explore the totem poles, and to learn their meanings. We ended the tour at Creek Street, where we got to see seals and visited Dolly’s House.

Day 7: Inside Passage

Our last full day on the ship was relaxing… We took this opportunity for some last-minute shopping and photos.

View of an elegant atrium interior with colorful lighting, multiple floors, and a tall ceiling featuring decorative elements and a palm plant in the foreground.

A couple taking a selfie on a cruise ship with a scenic view of mountains and water in the background.

A person standing on the deck of a cruise ship, wearing a black vest and pants, with a scenic view of mountains and water in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Scenic view of mountains and a calm lake under a cloudy sky, taken from a cruise ship railing.

Group photo of people posing on a grand staircase in a decorated venue, smiling and dressed casually.

Planning your own Alaska cruise

Ready to tick Alaska off your bucket list too? Here’s what we tell clients who are starting to plan.

When to go: the Alaska cruise season runs from about May to September. June, July and August bring the warmest weather and longest days, while May and September can mean lower prices and fewer crowds.
Sailing from Vancouver: round-trip Inside Passage cruises from Vancouver, like Patty’s, are a great fit for Canadians. One-way cruises between Vancouver and Alaska add more glacier time but need a flight home.
Bring your passport: you’ll be visiting U.S. ports, so make sure your passport is valid well beyond your travel dates.
Pack in layers: the weather changes quickly, so bring a waterproof jacket, warm layers, comfortable walking shoes and binoculars for spotting eagles, seals and whales.
Book excursions early: popular tours like whale watching, glacier flights and the Icy Strait Point zip line can sell out.
Arrive the day before: spend a night in Vancouver before you sail, like Patty’s group did, so a flight delay doesn’t put your cruise at risk.

Advisor tipAlaska is a wonderful trip to share. Patty sailed with a group of 22 adults! If you’re thinking of a family or friends group cruise, we can help coordinate cabins, dining and excursions so everyone can enjoy it together.

Want to plan your own Alaskan adventure? Reach out to Patty and let’s choose the perfect cruise, book the best excursions and create a stress-free getaway!

Plan your Alaska cruise with Patty Explore Royal Caribbean®

FAQs

Where do Alaska cruises from Vancouver go?

Patty’s 7-night Radiance of the Seas sailing visited Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, with scenic Inside Passage days.

What is there to do in Icy Strait Point?

Ride one of the world’s largest zip lines, take the gondola, hike to look for bald eagles and brown bears, or visit the free cannery museum. Patty recommends the gondola.

What should I do in Ketchikan?

Try a salmon donut, take a tour to Rainbow Falls and a native village with totem poles, and finish at Creek Street to see seals and Dolly’s House.

Can you see glaciers calving on an Alaska cruise?

Yes. At Hubbard Glacier, Patty’s group watched ice break off and crash into the water with a sound like a gunshot.

When is the best time to cruise to Alaska?

The season runs from about May to September. June, July and August are the warmest months, while May and September can mean lower prices and fewer crowds.

Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise from Vancouver?

Yes. Alaska cruises from Vancouver visit U.S. ports, so bring a valid passport.