Alaska

In June 2023, we embarked on a breathtaking 7-day Alaskan cruise aboard the Norwegian Encore, and we did it in style—sailing in The Haven, Norwegian’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept.For those unfamiliar, The Haven is Norwegian’s most luxurious offering. It’s a private enclave accessible only to Haven guests, complete with its own concierge, bar, lounge, restaurant, pool, hot tub, and even a private observation lounge and sundeck—all tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the ship. It truly felt like sailing on a private yacht that just happened to be attached to a mega cruise liner.

From the moment we stepped onboard, the Haven experience was seamless and elevated. We were greeted with priority embarkation and taken directly to our suite—no lines, no waiting. Our stateroom was elegant and spacious, with a bathroom that rivaled many five-star hotels. Every detail, from the plush bedding to the attentive butler service, reminded us that this was no ordinary cruise.

One of the most surprising aspects was how peaceful and uncrowded it felt. Despite the ship sailing at full capacity, we almost never encountered crowds within the Haven spaces. Whether relaxing by the pool, enjoying a soak in the hot tub, or savoring a meal in the exclusive Haven restaurant, we felt like we had the ship to ourselves.

Beyond the luxurious amenities, Haven guests enjoy priority access to just about everything: reserved seating for production shows, priority disembarkation for shore excursions, and even skip-the-line privileges for restaurant reservations and getting on or off the ship in each port.

It was truly the most exclusive and relaxing cruise experience we’ve ever had—and worth every penny.Now, let’s dive into the ports of call and highlight what made this Alaskan itinerary so unforgettable. Our route took us through Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, Canada—each with its own unique charm and adventure.

Juneau, Alaska

Our first port of call was Juneau, Alaska’s remote and rugged capital. We had big plans for the day—a helicopter ride to a glacier followed by dog sledding across the ice. It sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. But, as is often the case in Alaska, Mother Nature had other ideas. The skies opened up, the rain poured down, and the weather conditions made flying a no-go.

But travel is all about being flexible, and thankfully, we were able to pivot quickly to an alternative excursion—one that turned out to be surprisingly unforgettable.Instead of soaring above the glaciers, we went deep beneath the mountains on a tour of an old gold mine. We actually went inside the mine, into the heart of the mountain, where we learned firsthand what it was like to work in such a grueling and dangerous environment. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and even demonstrated how the old mining equipment operated—loud, gritty, and absolutely fascinating. The scale of the underground cavern was massive, and standing inside it gave us a new appreciation for the lives of the miners who once toiled there.

After the mine tour, my little nephew got to try his hand at gold panning, and to his delight, he found a few small flecks of gold to take home as a souvenir. It was a fun, hands-on way to wrap up an unexpectedly enriching experience.To finish the day, we rode the Mount Roberts Tramway up for sweeping views over the town and the harbor—foggy, yes, but still beautiful. Then we made our way back down and returned to the ship, grateful for how the day had turned out. What started as a disappointment became one of the most memorable surprises of the trip. Alaska always has a way of delivering magic, even when plans change.

Skagway, Alaska

Our next stop was Skagway, and unlike our rainy day in Juneau, we were treated to perfect weather—blue skies, sunshine, and crisp mountain air. We had a full day of adventures planned, and Skagway delivered on every front.We started the day with one of Alaska’s most iconic experiences: the White Pass & Yukon Route railway. This was actually my third time taking the train, and let me tell you, it never gets old. The ride winds through dramatic mountain landscapes, past roaring rivers, and over historic wooden trestles that look like something straight out of an old western film. Snow still capped some of the higher elevations, and the contrast with the lush green below made for stunning photos and video. We met some great fellow travelers onboard and soaked in the scenery the entire way—it truly felt like a postcard come to life.

But the highlight of Skagway came later in the day when we finally got to take the helicopter flight we'd hoped for. While it didn’t include dog sledding, the experience was nothing short of magical. We flew high over the mountain ranges, soaring past jagged peaks and icy valleys, before landing on a massive glacier.Standing on that glacier felt like being on another planet. The ice was a surreal mix of white and brilliant blue, and a glacier-fed waterfall nearby shimmered in the sun as it poured over the rocks. We were given special boots and walking sticks so we could explore safely, and at one point, we even drank fresh glacial water straight from a stream running along the ice. It was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had in Alaska, hands down.

Yes, these helicopter excursions can be pricey, but if you’re looking to experience Alaska’s raw, untouched beauty, I can’t recommend a flightseeing tour enough. It’s the kind of adventure you remember for a lifetime.

Ketchikan, Alaska

Our final stop in Alaska was the charming town of Ketchikan, often known as “Alaska’s First City” thanks to its location at the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage. In the past, I’ve usually taken people on excursions to Misty Fjords National Monument—but this time around, we decided to switch things up and try something completely different.

We went to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, and let me tell you—it was an absolute blast.I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going in, but the show turned out to be wildly entertaining, full of fast-paced competitions, log rolling, axe throwing, chainsaw carving, and playful humor throughout. The performers were incredibly skilled—and yes, I’ll just say it—the guys were very easy on the eyes. Definitely some top-tier man-candy for those who appreciate that sort of thing (guilty!).We laughed, we cheered, we swooned a little—it was just a fun, light-hearted way to end our time in Alaska. We didn’t pack a full day of activities in Ketchikan, but honestly, the energy of the show and the laid-back vibe of the town were the perfect final notes before heading back onboard.

Victoria, Canada

Our final port before returning home was Victoria, British Columbia, but to be honest—it was barely a stop at all. We arrived in the evening, which meant it was already dark by the time we got off the ship.We squeezed in a little bit of shopping and took a quick bus tour around town, but with limited daylight and not much time on the ground, it was hard to really see or do anything meaningful. The city itself looked charming, and I’m sure it would have been lovely to explore in the daylight, but unfortunately, this visit felt like a bit of a throwaway.From what I understand, cruise ships that are foreign-flagged are required to stop in a foreign port (like Victoria) to comply with certain government regulations. So this felt more like a checkbox stop than a real destination.If you’re planning an Alaskan cruise and notice Victoria on the itinerary, just know that unless your ship arrives during the day and stays a bit longer, you likely won’t see much. Still, after such an adventurous week in Alaska, we were content with a quiet final evening before heading back to Seattle.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Alaskan Adventure

All in all, this was probably my favorite Alaskan cruise I’ve ever taken—and I’ve taken a few. The combination of sailing in The Haven, spending time with my nephew and his dad, and also having my cousin and her husband on board (I gifted them the trip!) made it a truly memorable experience. We got to enjoy so much time together, whether it was dining in specialty restaurants, hanging out in the Haven lounge, or just taking in the views from the observation deck—it was quality time at its best.And while The Haven was absolutely the highlight in terms of comfort and luxury, I want to give some credit to the Norwegian Encore itself, because this ship was stacked with features—especially for families. If you're cruising with kids, Norwegian really goes above and beyond. From laser tag to a virtual reality arcade, multi-story water slides, and even a go-kart racetrack on the top deck, the Encore has so many fun options that other ships sailing to Alaska simply don’t offer. It's a game-changer for keeping younger travelers entertained.

That said, the ship does quiet down quite a bit in the evenings—something my cousin, a bit of a night owl, noticed more than I did. But that's typical of Alaskan cruises, which tend to attract an older, more relaxed crowd. You won’t find the same level of nightlife or partying as you might on Caribbean sailings, so just keep that in mind when picking your itinerary and cruise line.If your budget allows, I can't recommend The Haven enough. It elevated the entire experience. But even if you're not sailing in The Haven, my biggest piece of advice is this: splurge on at least one premium excursion. Whether it’s a helicopter ride, a floatplane flight, or a glacier landing, getting into the air is hands-down the best way to see the raw, majestic beauty of Alaska.Because truthfully, if you're just stepping off the ship and wandering the port towns, you’re mostly going to find souvenir shops and t-shirt stores. The real Alaska—the glaciers, the fjords, the wildlife, the silence of nature—is out there, and it’s absolutely worth the extra cost to experience it up close.

This cruise reminded me why I keep coming back to Alaska: it never stops surprising you.