Debbie Whelchel

Whether it's your first cruise or your fifth, it's always nice to have a guide to help with packing. I've refined this list to what you really need, not what you think you need. I was a notorious over-packer and space on a cruise is limited, so I streamlined it to essentials and very helpful extras.

Sitka is a small, picturesque fishing village on the western shore of Baranof Island. It is surrounded by beautiful blue water, lush scenery from Tongass National rainforest, and abundant wildlife. In Sitka, Tlingit culture and Russian history are meshed after years of history together. Russia controlled Alaska until the United States purchased it in 1867. Sitka was the actual site of the ceremony of the purchase. Sitka was the capital of Russian America, and you can see the architectural influence in St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House. Sitka offers you everything from the opportunity to get up close to bears, otters, and other wildlife, to fishing and hiking to a walkable downtown with totems, museums, shops, and restaurants. Please note that Sitka can be a tender port (which means the ship anchors offshore and passengers are ferried to the port and back with smaller tender boats), so plan accordingly. Make sure that you know your ship’s particular procedures for a tender port and accessibility. Always speak with guest services or the Access Department as soon as you board the ship to find out the accessibility protocol to be excursion ready.

Icy Strait Point is located near the largest Tlingit village on Chichagof Island in Hoonah, Alaska. It is 100 percent Alaska Native owned and operated, and all profits from visitors support the local community. Around 1,000 Huna Tlingit live and work in this beautiful area. This is the only cruise port in Alaska that is privately owned and built by Alaskan Natives. The port is home to majestic mountains, incredible wildlife, a towering rainforest, lots of adventure, and a rich Native Heritage. Of note: Icy Strait Point is strictly a cruise port destination and is only open when there is a ship in port.

Whether it's your first cruise or your fifth, it's always nice to have a guide to help with packing. I've refined this list to what you really need, not what you think you need. I was a notorious over-packer and space on a cruise is limited, so I streamlined it to essentials and very helpful extras.

Vancouver is not just a starting port for an Alaskan cruise; it’s a vibrant city in British Columbia, Canada, worth exploring in its own right. If you're embarking on an Alaskan cruise, you should consider spending at least a day or night here. Vancouver offers a mix of a dynamic urban city, breathtaking natural beauty, and scenic waterfronts. From Stanley Park to Grouse Mountain, Vancouver is a destination that you’ll want to include in your Alaskan vacation.

Scenic cruising on an Alaska Inside Passage cruise offers you an up-close view of stunning scenery, which includes glacier-carved fjords, evergreen forested banks and islands, beautiful waterfalls, majestic glaciers, rugged coastlines, and wildlife-rich channels. The best part is that this is seen all from the comfort of your ship’s deck, panoramic lounges, or even your own cabin. It’s one of the standout highlights of any Alaska cruise.

Victoria, British Columbia is a beautiful city with old-world charm. It was founded in 1843 and it was first known as Fort Victoria. Vancouver Island was a British colony, and Victoria later became its capital. The city boasts beautiful Victorian-era architecture, which reflects its colonial British heritage. It is filled with stately buildings, beautiful gardens and parks, castles, charming neighborhoods, and vibrant waterfront markets, all with a very British feel. The harbors, especially Inner Harbour, have beautiful waterfront views with boats and ships of all sizes, and occasional floatplanes taking off or landing. You can explore Victoria with scenic walks, horse-drawn carriages, bikes, or even double-decker buses. You’ll find farm-to-table dining, delicious local seafood, craft beverages, afternoon tea, and incredible shopping in town. Nearby, there are castles and first-class gardens to explore and the whale-watching tours are spectacular.

Skagway is Alaska’s first incorporated city. It was the Gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898, and its historic district still has over 100 buildings from the gold rush era. Skagway is surrounded by forests, mountains, and waterways, which makes it perfect for hiking, exploring, and viewing wildlife. It is the home of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, White Pass, and Chilkoot Trail. You can do everything from taking a scenic train ride through the White Pass, panning for gold, hiking at Yakutania Point, or ferrying to nearby Haines. You'll also find delicious restaurants and excellent shopping.

Juneau is the capital of Alaska. It is one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. It’s surrounded by forests, mountains, and waterways, which makes it perfect for hiking, exploring, fishing, and viewing wildlife. You can do everything from exploring glaciers, panning for gold, and dog mushing on a glacier, to soaring over the scenery in a seaplane. You’ll also find delicious restaurants and excellent shopping.

Seattle is often seen as a port embarkment spot for Alaskan cruises rather than a location to visit. Make sure you spend some time in the city or even a day trip to one of the nearby islands or magnificent National Parks. Seattle is so much fun, we find something new that we love, every time we visit.

CoCo Cay has anything and everything that you would need to have a perfect beach day. Is your perfect day at an adult-only pool, family fun at a waterpark, beach volleyball with new friends, quietly getting sun and reading a book or top-of-the-line service with luxurious surroundings? Coco Cay is all of this and more. My perfect day was a quiet day on a lounger near the beach and frequent visits to the floating bar.

Our family visited Nassau frequently as I was growing up. It was one of our favorite vacation spots. From beautiful beaches to world class resorts, to colorful and fun festivals, it's a wonderful place to make lasting memories.

Ketchikan, Alaska, is a colorful city and one of my favorite cruise ports. It’s surrounded by forests, mountains and waterways, which makes it perfect for hiking, exploring, fishing and viewing wildlife. It has a proud history of Native Alaskan culture, highlighted with colorful totem poles located around the city, as well as the Totem Heritage Center and Saxman Native Village. It also has delicious restaurants and ample shopping.

A cruise is an amazing way to vacation, but it can be a bit overwhelming at first. In this guide, I've tried to simplify everything so you can get the most out of your cruise immediately. These tips will help you sail stress-free and give you more time for fun and relaxation.

My parents are in their 80’s and avid cruisers. They both have limited mobility issues, but cruising is a way that they can still travel safely and comfortably. You can easily make a cruise into a very personalized trip, so you can have a jam-packed adventure or a serene relaxing vacation. For them, it’s a floating hotel that takes them to a new location daily, while offering them top-notch dining and entertainment along the way. My mom invited me to accompany her on an Alaskan cruise, and I jumped at the chance. It was a bucket list item for both of us. Traveling with her, I got a firsthand look at the challenges that can be faced by travelers with limited mobility. There have been great strides made to address these challenges, to create smooth sailing for all passengers regardless of their physical limitations.