My Gold Trip: Seattle & Sailing to Alaska on Norwegian Bliss

24 Hours in Seattle

Thanks to the 8‑hour time difference, I saw 2 am, 4 am and finally gave up at 5 am. The upside: an early breakfast and a full day to explore.

I headed straight for the waterfront and the famous Pike Place Market. It is a brilliant place to wander: fresh seafood piled high, colourful flower stalls, artisan food, and that wonderfully buzzy atmosphere. I even had my fortune told by Zoltar… if you know the film “Big”, you will appreciate the moment!

Just around the corner is the world’s first Starbucks. The queue to get in was huge, so I decided to save that visit for my return day in Seattle. After a good wander, it was time to transfer to the port and board our home for the week: Norwegian Bliss.

Let’s just say our group did not travel light. We needed two 56‑seater coaches just for the luggage alone! Once at the cruise terminal it was an afternoon of exploring the ship while we waited for cabins and cases. Later that evening we kicked things off with welcome drinks in The Cavern Club, and the adventure really began.

 

Life Onboard Norwegian Bliss

One of the things I love about cruising is how quickly you lose track of days and dates. According to my NCL app we were on day 4 before I even realised it.

Norwegian Bliss is a fantastic ship for Alaska. There is so much happening onboard: 

- Great entertainment, from West End–style shows to live bands 

- Plenty of bars and lounges to find your favourite cocktail (my winner was the Pineapple & Coconut Mojito… purely for research purposes of course!) 

- Loads of indoor viewing spaces, which is so important in Alaska’s cooler, sometimes wetter weather

With 19 different dining options, you can easily eat your way around the ship. A few of my favourites:

- Cagney’s Steakhouse: incredible steak cooked to perfection. We could not decide on dessert so they brought us one of each to share. 

- Teppanyaki: great fun and very entertaining, with the classic chef showmanship plus really good food. 

- The Local & American Diner: ideal for a quick bite at lunch or a late‑night snack, with great burgers as a nice alternative to the buffet.

There is a 60 USD per person service charge for some speciality restaurants, but if you upgrade to the Free at Sea package you get a set number of speciality meals included depending on the length of your cruise. It is a lovely way to add a bit of extra indulgence to your holiday.

And when you are not eating or watching a show, Norwegian Bliss has plenty of cosy corners where you can curl up with a drink and simply watch that incredible Alaskan scenery glide by.

 

Juneau: Whale Watching in the Rain

Our first port of call was Juneau. It is a very pretty town, and also very wet. September is traditionally one of the wettest months in parts of Alaska and it certainly lived up to that while we were there.

This stop was all about whales. After disembarking, we drove around 30 minutes from the port. The sun came out for a brief moment, but it was very cold and then the rain returned as we boarded our small boat for a 2‑hour whale‑watching trip.

We saw plenty of fins breaking the surface and spouts of water as the whales came up to breathe. The scenery was beautiful: misty mountains, rainbows through the showers and those still, moody waters that feel so uniquely Alaskan. We got very wet, but it was absolutely worth it.

 

Skagway: The White Pass & Yukon Route

Next up was Skagway, and this turned out to be one of my favourite stops. We boarded the famous White Pass & Yukon Route train for a scenic journey through the mountains.

For around three hours we passed stunning scenery: dramatic peaks, distant glaciers, tumbling waterfalls and sheer drops beside the track. It is one of those experiences where you keep thinking you have seen the best view, and then you go round another bend.

After the train, we had time to wander around Skagway itself. It is a lovely little town with some of the friendliest people. I said it reminded me of the little town in Schitt’s Creek. I really wished we had longer there.

 

Glacier Bay: A Day I Will Never Forget

Glacier Bay was the day I had been most excited about, and it did not disappoint.

The weather was probably the worst of the week in terms of cold and showers, but the water was calm and the visibility was good in between downpours. Quiet waters, dramatic mountains, floating chunks of ice and water so intensely blue: it honestly felt like sailing through another world.

Due to too much floating ice, the captain decided it was not safe to see all three glaciers as originally planned. Safety comes first in Alaska. But what we did see was absolutely unforgettable and will stay with me forever.

 

Ketchikan: Totem Poles & Lumberjacks

Ketchikan was a shorter stop, only around four hours. My cabin buddy went off on a bear‑watching excursion , I chose to explore some of the local culture.

I visited Totem Bight State Park, surrounded by beautifully carved totem poles, rich Indigenous heritage and peaceful rainforest. It was a small but powerful glimpse into Alaska’s culture, history and artistry.

Then for something completely different, I headed to the lumberjack show. It is great fun, full of skill, humour and a real sense of local character.

 

Victoria: A Late‑Night City Taster

Our final stop before returning to Seattle was Victoria on Vancouver Island. We docked late, around 8 pm, and sailed again at midnight, so it was a very short visit.

I took a horse‑drawn carriage tour of the city which lasted about an hour. It was just enough time to get a little feel for Victoria’s charm and architecture lit up at night. It is somewhere I would love to return to for a longer stay.

 

Back to Seattle & Fond Farewells

After Victoria, we sailed back to Seattle where I had one more day to explore before the journey home. Seattle really surprised me: I fell a little bit in love with the city. There is so much to see and do and it pairs perfectly with an Alaska cruise.

Then, sadly, it was time for home and to say a huge thank you to Norwegian Cruise Line for their hospitality, to our Head Office team, and to my fellow Travel Counsellors for all the laughs, dinners, shows and even the karaoke that we will not talk too much about!

 

Why Choose Alaska – And Why Norwegian Bliss?

People often ask if Alaska really lives up to the hype. In my experience, it absolutely does.

The scenery is incredible: snow‑capped mountains, glaciers, wildlife and picture‑perfect little ports. 

Cruising lets you experience a lot in a relatively short time without constantly packing and unpacking. 

Norwegian Bliss is a brilliant ship for this itinerary, with plenty of indoor viewing spaces, great dining, and lots of entertainment for those cooler evenings.

 

Some of my standout memories from this trip: 

- Whale watching in Juneau and seeing these magnificent creatures in the wild 

- Riding the White Pass train in Skagway and being blown away by the scenery 

- Watching the Lumberjack Show and admiring the totem poles in Ketchikan 

- Those gorgeous Alaskan sunsets 

- Group dinners, wine tasting and countless laughs 

- The Choir of Man on board and the brilliant Beatles tribute band in The Cavern Club 

- Going behind the scenes of The Choir of Man 

- And a real “pinch me” moment: being invited onto the bridge to meet the Captain

 

It was one of those trips where the destination and the ship were equally part of the experience.

Ready To Plan Your Own Alaska Adventure?

If Alaska is on your bucket list, I can honestly say it is a very special way to see this part of the world. Whether you are drawn to glaciers and wildlife, scenic rail journeys or simply watching the world go by from a cosy lounge with a cocktail in hand, there is something incredibly magical about an Alaska cruise.

If you would like to find out more about sailing to Alaska, Norwegian Bliss or combining a cruise with time in Seattle, drop me a message and I would love to help you start planning.