In June of 2024, we set off on a long-anticipated Alaska cruise with Royal Caribbean, traveling with my wife, our boys, and a large group of extended family. It was our very first time cruising, and I’ll admit, I had researched it to death before we left. I watched countless YouTube videos, read articles, and tried to prepare for everything I thought we’d experience.
Alaska itself was breathtaking, no question about that. The landscapes we saw rivaled some of the most awe-inspiring places we’ve been: Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, even the Grand Canyon. I’d go back to Alaska in a heartbeat.
Our itinerary took us from Seattle up the Inside Passage, with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, and Victoria, before returning to Seattle. We had two full days at sea, which gave us plenty of time to explore the ship and get a feel for cruise life.
Our 7-night Alaska cruise followed this schedule:
- Friday, June 21 – Seattle, Washington: We boarded the ship in the afternoon, departed at 4:00 pm, and spent the evening getting settled and exploring.
- Saturday, June 22 – At Sea: A full day on the ship, with time for shows, activities, and relaxing on deck.
- Sunday, June 23 – Juneau, Alaska: We arrived just before noon and stayed until 10:00 pm. Highlights included visiting Mendenhall Glacier and exploring the town of Juneau.
- Monday, June 24 – Skagway, Alaska: Docked from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm. We explored the Gold Rush town, took the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, and did a little shopping.
- Tuesday, June 25 – Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier: Scenic cruising from 7:00 am until just before noon, with stunning views of the glacier and ice formations right from the ship.
- Wednesday, June 26 – At Sea: Another sea day with trivia, shows, and plenty of downtime.
- Thursday, June 27 – Victoria, British Columbia: Arrived at 8:00 am and left at 6:00 pm. We spent the day walking downtown, riding the hop-on-hop-off bus, and browsing local shops.
- Friday, June 28 – Seattle, Washington: Back in port at 6:00 am for disembarkation and the journey home.
The Highlights
One of the best decisions we made was our room selection. Recommended by Ali, our balcony stateroom had an incredible view and was easily the best feature of the trip. The kids were just down the hall in an interior cabin, which worked out perfectly. Having both convenience and a private balcony really elevated the experience.
The staff really impressed us. Just like at the all-inclusive resorts we’ve visited, they were attentive, friendly, and always willing to help. Guest services stood out in particular. Because of the kids’ ages, my wife and I technically had to be booked in two separate rooms, the boys in the interior cabin and us in the balcony. Since our drink packages were tied to our room keys, we needed extra keys for access. We expected it to be a hassle, but guest services had us in and out with new cards in just minutes.
Another unexpected highlight was the “all access” ship tour. I originally thought it was going to be overpriced fluff, but it ended up being one of the most fascinating parts of the trip. Seeing the inner workings of a ship that size, the kitchens, engine control rooms, crew areas, and even the bridge, gave us all a new appreciation for just how much goes into running a floating city.
Entertainment on board was better than I expected too. We caught a comedian and a ventriloquist, both of whom put on solid shows, and our group had a great time at trivia, bingo, and karaoke nights. Even the daytime events had a fun energy, and our crew managed to snag second place in the adults’ volleyball tournament.
The Frustrations
For all the positives, though, the downsides started to pile up quickly. The biggest issue was simply the crowds. With around 5,000 passengers, the ship often felt oversold. Lines were constant, waiting for food, elevators, even coffee, and finding a seat in the buffet during breakfast was nearly impossible. More than once, we ended up carrying plates across the ship only to eat now cold food sitting on a lounge chair outside by the pool. Walking the main promenade in the evening felt more like Black Friday at the mall than a vacation.
Something as simple as getting a soda was another headache. Several people in our group bought the soda package, only to discover that the ship had just four Coke Freestyle machines. Half the time they were out of ice or syrup, and with hundreds of guests waiting, it was a constant frustration.
The food situation wasn’t much better. We splurged twice on specialty dining: Chops Steakhouse and Jamie’s Italian and those meals were excellent (and expensive!). But the included dining left a lot to be desired. It wasn’t bad, just bland and forgettable, especially compared to the food at the all-inclusives we’ve visited.
Even Starbucks became a lesson in patience. One morning I was up early and decided to head down before it opened. I arrived at 5:45, fifteen minutes before the doors opened, and was already seventeenth in line. That became a theme: long waits for almost everything. Elevators were another sore spot as we spent countless minutes watching them arrive packed to capacity, doors opening and closing without a single person able to get on.
The costs added to the sting. Even with drink packages and onboard credit, we still owed an extra $1,000 by the end. Between overpriced arcade games, unreliable Royal Caribbean app messaging that pushed us into buying $600 worth of internet access, and small charges for seemingly everything, it constantly felt like we were being nickel-and-dimed. When I totaled everything up at the end of the trip, the grand cost came to $19,596.34. For that amount, it was hard not to think about the kind of luxury all-inclusive trip we could have taken instead.
The itinerary itself left me a little underwhelmed. Because the sailing was chosen to fit the work schedules of other family members, we didn’t have much say in the matter. Looking back, based on my research, I’d recommend a one-way Alaska cruise over a round trip, since those itineraries tend to include more interesting ports. Ours felt limited by comparison.
Even our pre-cruise hotel added to the frustrations. We had booked a double-bed room at the Marriott Courtyard Seattle Downtown, only to arrive and find it unavailable. They gave us a rollaway and some reward points, but it wasn’t what we reserved. All I could think about was that Seinfeld episode. The next morning’s breakfast didn’t help matters, just a standard buffet, yet the bill for four people, after tip, came to a staggering $188.
Looking Back
In the end, Alaska itself made the trip worthwhile. The scenery alone justified going, but the overall cruise experience left me questioning whether it’s the right style of travel for us. Royal Caribbean’s product, at least on this sailing, didn’t feel like a good value or a “premium” experience. The crowds, constant waiting, and endless upcharges often overshadowed the moments of fun, at least for me, the guy footing the bill. Ironically, our best excursion wasn’t even booked through Royal Caribbean, it was one we arranged independently for about half the cost of the same tour offered by the cruise line.
I don’t want to say I’ll never cruise again, but this experience has made me very hesitant. I’m sure there are cruise lines that deliver a smoother, more relaxed experience, but with the kind of money involved, I’d have to be convinced it was worth the risk.
Still, I don’t regret going. With our boys being 17 and 20, this was probably our last big family trip for who knows how long. I came home with thousands of photos, great memories with my wife and the kids, and a much clearer sense of what kind of travel suits us best. Next time, though, I suspect we’ll stick with what we know we love: the comfort and value of an all-inclusive resort.
If you’re thinking about taking your first cruise, especially to Alaska, my advice would be to do your homework and set realistic expectations. Watch the videos, read the reviews, and don’t assume that the glossy brochures or slick YouTube vlogs capture the whole picture. Cruising offers some unique advantages, but it also comes with trade-offs: big crowds, plenty of waiting, and costs that add up quickly.
For us, Alaska was absolutely worth seeing, but the cruise ship wasn’t the best fit for how we like to travel. If we ever try cruising again, we’d probably look for a smaller ship or a cruise line known for fewer crowds and a stronger focus on value. Until then, we’ll keep leaning into what we know works for us: slower-paced, all-inclusive trips where the focus is on relaxing and enjoying time together without all the hassle.
👉 For those of you who’ve cruised before, what did you love, and what drove you crazy? I’d love to hear how your experiences stacked up. Let me know in the comments.