By: Kim Ellison, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
Some vacations are simply trips. Others become lifelong memories. Our June 2026 Alaska Land & Sea Tour with Royal Caribbean was one of those rare experiences that stays with you forever. As both a travel advisor and someone who loves cruising, Alaska had always been on my bucket list—but nothing truly prepares you for seeing it in person. From glaciers and wildlife to mountains that seem to touch the sky, Alaska is unlike any other cruise destination. Every single day felt like we were stepping into a postcard. We chose Royal Caribbean’s Land Tour 11B, combining Alaska’s interior—including Denali National Park—with an Inside Passage cruise aboard Ovation of the Seas. Looking back, it was the perfect way to experience Alaska.
Our journey began June 16th from Charlotte, with a connection in Chicago before our long flight to Anchorage. Knowing the four-hour time difference, we arrived a day early and stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton downtown—one of the best decisions of the trip. That extra night helped us reset and prepare for the adventure ahead.
We woke up early thanks to jet lag and were ready to explore by 5:30 a.m. After checking into the downtown Marriott for the land portion, we headed out to experience Anchorage. Lunch at the rooftop patio of 49th State Brewing was the perfect introduction—great food, homemade sodas, and beautiful views of the city. A two-hour trolley tour followed, giving us a great overview of Anchorage, including:
That evening we met our tour director, Victoria, who would guide us through Denali and beyond. After a relaxed dinner, we turned in early.
The next morning brought one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip: the glass dome train. Clear skies and sunshine carried us deep into Alaska’s interior while we enjoyed breakfast onboard and watched endless wilderness roll by. Snow-capped peaks, rivers, and untouched forests stretched for miles. It was the kind of scenery that makes you stop talking and just look.
From Talkeetna, we continued by motorcoach into Denali National Park, stopping briefly at Chubby’s Grocery before entering the park. Almost immediately, we saw wildlife—two moose calves right near the road. As we traveled deeper into the park, our guide shared stories about Alaska’s wildlife and history before we were rewarded with something truly special: a clear view of Denali. Many visitors never see the mountain due to cloud cover, but we were lucky enough to see it two days in a row during our land portion—something our guide called extremely rare. That night we stayed at Denali Park Village, surrounded by quiet wilderness.
Our journey south included breathtaking scenery, a stop at the Alaska Veterans Memorial, and even a fun ice cream break—where I chose caramel caribou in honor of the wildlife we had seen. And then it happened again. Denali appeared in full view for the second day in a row. We officially joined what our guide called the “0.01% club.” After lunch in Anchorage at Humpy’s, we continued to Seward, where we said goodbye to our guides and boarded the ship in under 15 minutes. Our luggage was already waiting outside our connecting balcony staterooms on Deck 11. The cruise had begun.
One of the most unforgettable moments of the entire cruise was Hubbard Glacier. Nicknamed the “Silent Giant,” this massive glacier stretches over 76 miles long and 6 miles wide. As we approached, the captain slowly rotated the ship so everyone could enjoy the view. We watched from our balcony and then moved to the open decks as the clouds lifted and brilliant blue ice filled the horizon. It was quiet, massive, and humbling in a way photos can’t capture.
In Juneau, we took a trolley tour that included wildlife sightings—bald eagles and even a bear along the roadside. At Mendenhall Glacier, we explored Nugget Falls and the surrounding trails. The walk was easy and incredibly scenic, with glacier views at every turn. Standing at the base of the waterfall with the glacier in the background was a highlight of the entire trip. We ended the day with lunch at Tracy’s Crab Shack, shopping, and a relaxed evening back onboard.
Skagway delivered one of the most iconic excursions: the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. After traveling by motorcoach into the Yukon, we boarded the historic train for a breathtaking ride back down through mountains, waterfalls, and valleys. Every turn looked like a painting. Back in town, we explored downtown, tried the famous Doughboy pastry (and avoided the bold local crows), then enjoyed a quiet evening onboard.
Icy Strait Point was one of the most memorable days of the cruise. Our whale-watching excursion quickly turned into what the captain called “whale soup”—with 8–9 humpback whales surrounding our boat. We watched them surface, dive, and even heard them communicate underwater. It was magical. Later, we headed inland and spotted a brown bear named Frosty just minutes into our drive. She walked right alongside our vehicle before returning to the woods. We finished the day with warm donuts from the Salvation Army stand, supporting the local community.
After busy port days, the sea days were a welcome pause. We slept in, enjoyed brunch in the Main Dining Room, relaxed in the Solarium, and spent time simply enjoying the ship. Since our trip fell during the World Cup, the kids especially loved watching FIFA matches onboard, and every night often ended in the Schooner Bar singing “Sweet Caroline” with fellow guests and crew. By the end of the cruise, the staff truly felt like family.
We disembarked in Vancouver and spent one final night in the city before flying home. A rainy day and a FIFA-filled atmosphere made for a relaxed ending to an incredible trip. The next day, we flew Air Canada back to Charlotte.
Alaska is unlike any other cruise destination. Caribbean cruises are about beaches and relaxation—but Alaska is about awe. Every day brings something new: glaciers, wildlife, mountains, and moments you’ll never forget. The Land & Sea Tour added even more depth, allowing us to experience both Alaska’s interior and coastline in one seamless journey. As for Ovation of the Seas, she exceeded expectations. She felt modern, well-maintained, and full of energy. But what truly stood out was the crew—their warmth, friendliness, and personal service made the experience unforgettable.
The glaciers were incredible. The whales were unforgettable. The scenery was unmatched. But the best part? Sharing it all with my family. That’s what made this trip truly priceless. Alaska had always been a bucket list destination—but now it’s a place I hope to return to again. If Alaska is on your list, don’t wait. It’s even more magical than you imagine.
Contact Kim or another Marvelous Mouse Travels agent to start planning your Alaska vacation.
