Alaska’s Wild Grace: A Southbound Glacier Passage

Glacier Bay National Park Passage

There’s a sacred quality to watching ancient ice calve into the sea, each thunderous crack echoing across millennia. The ship falls silent as passengers witness ice that fell as snow before civilizations rose. It’s humbling theater on nature’s grandest stage.

Humpback whale encounters

These gentle giants emerge from the depths like ancient spirits, their massive forms breaching against glacier backdrops in moments that feel choreographed by the universe itself. Each sighting feels like a personal gift from the wilderness.

Hubbard Glacier experience

Standing before this moving mountain of ice, you’ll understand why Indigenous peoples spoke of glaciers as living beings. The glacier’s groans and shifts create a symphony that connects you to the planet’s deep rhythms—a meditation on time and permanence.

Fjord cruising through Inside Passage

The narrow waterways feel like nature’s cathedral, with towering granite walls that rise directly from emerald waters. Each turn reveals new compositions of mist, mountain, and reflection that photographers dream of but rarely capture.

Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier

A chance to walk near the ice that’s been carving this landscape for thousands of years. The visitor center provides context, but standing at the glacier’s terminus provides perspective that no book can offer.

Ketchikan's Creek Street

This historic boardwalk built over rushing salmon streams offers a glimpse into Alaska's colorful past while providing front-row seats to nature's annual salmon run—a reminder that life here still follows ancient patterns.

Wildlife photography from deck

The ship becomes a floating blind, offering opportunities to witness eagles, seals, and bears in their natural habitat. The key is patience and presence—Alaska rewards those who slow down and truly observe.

Onboard specialty restaurants

Celebrity’s specialty dining transforms the day’s fresh catch into culinary art. The salmon and halibut, pulled from these very waters, taste like the essence of the sea itself: clean, rich, and utterly satisfying.

Fresh dungeness crab & king crab legs

Whether served simply steamed with drawn butter or featured in elegant preparations, Alaska’s crab possesses an unmatched sweetness that comes from the state’s pristine, icy waters. Each succulent bite connects you directly to Alaska’s incredible marine abundance—truly Alaska’s gift to seafood lovers. Head over to Tracy’s Crab Shack in Juneau, a fun and casual waterfront spot perfect for messy, delicious crab feasts.

Wild Alaskan salmon

Forget everything you thought you knew about salmon. Here, it’s a revelatory experience: The fish tastes of glacial streams and ocean depths, served at the peak of freshness that only proximity to the source can provide. The Twisted Fish Company in Juneau is a casual waterfront spot known for their perfectly grilled salmon and harbor views.

Local brewery tastings in Port Small

Breweries in ports like Juneau and Skagway craft distinctive beers that capture Alaska’s wild spirit, often incorporating local ingredients like Sitka spruce tips or pristine glacier water. Each brew tells the story of its place through every carefully crafted sip. Skagway Brewing Company did not disappoint with their innovative use of local botanicals.

Halibut prepared multiple ways

This Pacific giant adapts beautifully to any preparation: grilled simply with lemon and herbs, transformed into crispy fish and chips, or elevated in sophisticated fine dining presentations. Its mild, flaky texture serves as the perfect canvas for Alaska’s culinary creativity. The Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan has the most delicious fish and chips I’ve tasted on this journey and beyond.