We just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary, by cruising with our family. We chose a Royal Caribbean Cruise, 7 night Alaska Sawyer Glacier Cruise on the Rhapsody of the Seas. In began in the Pacific Northwest, departing from Seattle, we traveled the Inside Passage of Alaska. All of our children, (except for our youngest daughter and son-in-law who are expecting a new baby in two weeks), joined us along with my Mom and sister-in-law. We had a fantastic time together!
Skagway, Alaska, July 2013
The 3 port cities we visited on this cruise were fabulous. Our first stop was Juneau, Alaska. The ships and harbor views were breath-taking.
A sailing yacht docked in Auke Bay Harbor where Faith Hill and Tim McGraw were vacationing with their family.
We had a whale of a time on Auke Bay. We were able to see 2 pods of approximately 6 Humpback whales, even babies, bubble feeding of the side of our double-decked catamaran. We also spotted several soaring eagles overhead.
We had a moment of silence for all the herring that gave their lives for this shot!
Bubble feeding Humpback whales near Juneau, Alaska.
I highly recommend Juneau Tours. We saved some money, (booking directly with them, rather than through Royal Caribbean International), and enjoyed the Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching tour.
Our Juneau Tours Whale Watching Crew…SHE drove the boat!
Juneau is actually the capital of Alaska, and third largest city. The Mendenhall Glacier is just 13 miles from downtown. While there, a black bear crossed the street with one of our girls. Surprised, she scrambled for her camera, but wasn’t able to get a picture of it!
Mendenhall Glacier is 12 miles long, 1.5 miles wide and compromised of ice 400-800 feet deep.
Amazing wildflowers at Mendenhall Glacier.
Our next port city was Skagway, Alaska, a charming little city known for it’s gold rush history on the Alaskan panhandle. We took a great bus tour to White Pass, finding ourselves surrounded by snowcapped mountains and glistening glaciers. We also hit the mother-load sampling Alaska’s best cupcakes ever from Sugar Mamas.
At the top of The Klondike Highway, near the Canadian border.
Renée is passionate about making and sharing ALL things delicious! Her happy place really is her kitchen where she loves whipping up memories with her family and friends. Raised in sunny Southern California she's spent her adulthood in Idaho, both sides of her great state. She's married to an amazing man, and together they have 5 children, who gave them five more, and now they have 28 grandchildren. So there’s always a reason to cook and celebrate around their place!
What a great way to celebrate! We are coming up to our 40th in October. I’ve always wanted to go on the Alaskan trip – we see the ships here all summer, as many of them stop in Victoria. I look forward to your next post about the trip.
yay! you were so lucky to see the whales feeding, unfortunately we only saw tails when we were there a month ago! looking forward to the rest of your pictures.
Touring with the folk dancers for 40 years along with several Caribbean cruises, (we went to the eastern Caribbean for our 25th), but we’d never been to Alaska. I hope to get to Denali sometime. Alaska was just awesome in every way, but you’re right Julie, if it was warmer,it would have been perfect!
What a great time you had!! The photo of you and your wonderful family is my favorite. While I still can’t believe how close you were to those whales! That’s awesome! Congratulations on 40 years!!!!!
You would have taken better pix for sure, but it was a thrill and pouring rain. You would have loved seeing me in sport mode, a barrel of fun. I’m just grateful my camera still works!
Happy Anniversary!! I have said it before, but I’ll say it again that you have a beautiful family.
A cruise to Alaska has never been on my wish list. I don’t know why because it’s logical that I would love to be where it’s anything but hot. After seeing this, I have decided to put it on there. It’s gorgeous. I love the shots you got of the whales.
Thanks sweet friend. You DO need to take an Alaskan Cruise, and guess what, you can drive across country and I’m on your way to Seattle! Whales are just waiting to see you….
Happy 40th. How wonderful to get to take everyone. Looks like you had wonderful weather. We took our kids on an Alaskan cruise and were socked in and raining at every port and it was in August. We didn’t get any good pictures or sun until we were out at sea every time. The whale pictures feeding are amazing. My hubby and boys saw that on another fishing trip they took up there and that is still the thing they talk about most.
Thanks Jacqueline, we did enjoy very good weather. Lots of rain when we saw the whales, but other than that day it was all good. You help me realize we were lucky!
We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! Read More…
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We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! 
What a great way to celebrate! We are coming up to our 40th in October. I’ve always wanted to go on the Alaskan trip – we see the ships here all summer, as many of them stop in Victoria. I look forward to your next post about the trip.
Thanks Pondside, I fell in love with Victoria!
yay! you were so lucky to see the whales feeding, unfortunately we only saw tails when we were there a month ago! looking forward to the rest of your pictures.
Thanks Cape, I really enjoyed reading about your adventure too!
Congratulations!!! An Alaskan Cruise is on our bucket list but for now I am sticking with the warm weather winter cruises :). Beautiful photos!
Touring with the folk dancers for 40 years along with several Caribbean cruises, (we went to the eastern Caribbean for our 25th), but we’d never been to Alaska. I hope to get to Denali sometime. Alaska was just awesome in every way, but you’re right Julie, if it was warmer,it would have been perfect!
What a great time you had!! The photo of you and your wonderful family is my favorite. While I still can’t believe how close you were to those whales! That’s awesome! Congratulations on 40 years!!!!!
You would have taken better pix for sure, but it was a thrill and pouring rain. You would have loved seeing me in sport mode, a barrel of fun. I’m just grateful my camera still works!
What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary! It all looks so beautiful and fun, especially with your family with you.
Thanks Lorraine and DITTO! Looks like you and your family have been celebrating too…
Happy Anny! Looks like you had an amazing trip and great memories I’m sure:@)
Thanks Lynn…good times!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time!!!
Thanks Christine, we did have a wonderful time. Thinking of you.
Happy Anniversary!!
I have said it before, but I’ll say it again that you have a beautiful family.
A cruise to Alaska has never been on my wish list. I don’t know why because it’s logical that I would love to be where it’s anything but hot. After seeing this, I have decided to put it on there. It’s gorgeous. I love the shots you got of the whales.
Thanks sweet friend. You DO need to take an Alaskan Cruise, and guess what, you can drive across country and I’m on your way to Seattle! Whales are just waiting to see you….
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful trip with your family and the photos are absolutely wonderful!
Thanks Susan. I’m missing your posts and know you are enjoying your summer!
Happy 40th. How wonderful to get to take everyone. Looks like you had wonderful weather. We took our kids on an Alaskan cruise and were socked in and raining at every port and it was in August. We didn’t get any good pictures or sun until we were out at sea every time. The whale pictures feeding are amazing. My hubby and boys saw that on another fishing trip they took up there and that is still the thing they talk about most.
Thanks Jacqueline, we did enjoy very good weather. Lots of rain when we saw the whales, but other than that day it was all good. You help me realize we were lucky!