The Great Alaskan Cruise - The RC Bickett Gang

We started this vacation by meeting Tim, Mary, Steve & Kayla in Seattle the day before we boarded the ship. We were able to take in Pikes Market and eat on the docks, watching the fairies come in and out. Once we found our dock we quickly went through all the necessary cruise check in and were on our way to our ship, the Golden Princess. Jody, Darby and the girls flew in that morning and were the first to board the ship. It was the coolest thing to watch the city and the port get farther and farther away as we departed out into the ocean.

Boarding & Day 1 • Seattle & At Sea

We soon found every luxury of the ship including the 24-hour buffet. The rocking wasn’t too bad until our second night when we were really out in open waters with 50 ft. swells. Our states room was very cozy and we were able to wake and see nothing but the sea from our balcony.

Day 2 • Juneau

It was amazing to watch the beautiful coastline as we made our way towards Juneau. We made certain to bear the chilly weather out on the deck to do a little whale watching and were able to see a few blows and tails. Once we ported in Juneau we walked the streets and did a little souvenir shopping. All of the kids (Brian, Nicole, Darby, Jody, Steve & Kayla) were soon rushed across the bay in a jet boat to their Rainforest Canopy Zip-Line excursion where we suited up with all the necessary gear to go flying across the trees. Jody and Kayla were a little uneasy about the hight but Nicole and Darby had no problem jumping off the platforms. It was an adventure we will never forget.

Day 3 • Skagway

After a few trips to the food line and a short sleep later we ported in Skagway and were welcomed to another great adventure. We chose rock climbing for our second excursion while the rest of the group took the White Pass train. We were able to make two climbs each up an 80 ft. rock face and Nicole even succeeded at the hardest climb at that spot that had a small overhang. We then rappelled down and headed back to the ship, shopping along the way. In the evening we all joined each other for a five star dinner and magic show and then nestled into our state rooms to watch the breathtaking sunset from our balconies.

Day 4 • Tracy Arm Fjord

We awoke to an awesome site as the ship made its way up the fjord with its towering glacier carved walls and murky green waters. The ice bergs that we passed along side of were an indescribable shade of blue. On our way up the fjord we passed the Star Princess which is a sister ship and identical to the Golden Princess so it was a great chance to see what our ship looked like from a distance. We were unable to make our way to the face of the glacier as the Captain felt it was getting to dangerous to navigate through the icebergs.

Day 5 • Ketchikan

We woke up extra early to get a start on our excursions because we had only a short 4 hours in port. Kayla and Nicole wanted to finish up their shopping before taking their Totems and Traditions tour and Lumberjack Show. They were able to see many hand carved totems and learned about potlatches or big parties that the clans threw. After that they saw some wood chips fly at the lumberjack show—YO-HO! The boys went off to real in some “pinkies”, each catching their limit of 6 pink salmons during their sport fishing expedition.

Day 6 • Victoria, British Columbia

We couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up this wonderful vacation other then spending it with the ones we love. We deported in the evening at Victoria and we all walked the garden lined streets as a family. Once back aboard we couldn’t help but re-visit the buffet yet again; a little piece of the ship that will be “stuck” with us.

Day 7 • Seattle & Home Bound

We arrived in Seattle early that morning and were shuttled directly to the airport. While there we hung out with Darby, Jody and the girls for hours on end as our flights didn’t leave until later that afternoon. We were coming home with a bunch of bikers on their way to the Sturgis Rally and were glad to be home, on dry land and sleeping in a steady bed.