7 Night Alaska Cruise from Vancouver with Royal Caribbean

Our summer escape kicked off with a morning flight out of RDU, landing in Vancouver at 11:10am. From there, we set sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise that took us through some of the most breathtaking scenery we’ve ever seen. From laid-back strolls to packed excursion days, we found something for everyone. Here is how the adventure unfolded.

Day 1: Exploring Vancouver

Arrival Time: 11:10am

Transport: UberXL from airport to hotel – ~$45 USD for the 6 of us

We arrived at La Grande Residence Hotel and were pleasantly surprised by the service and space. Summer hotel rates in Vancouver are steep, but we found good value with two spacious rooms at ~$300 USD each. We dropped off our bags and headed out to explore before check-in at 4 PM.

Lunch: Cactus Club Cafe

Only a 10-minute walk from the hotel, this popular spot sits near the waterfront. While a bit pricey (~$25 USD per person), the food was delicious — I highly recommend the falafel bowl.

After lunch, we walked toward the Vancouver Convention Center and along the water through Harbour Green Park, continuing toward Stanley Park. There’s a beautiful walking path here, dotted with benches and marine life sightings (starfish and many small fish!). By 4 PM, we returned for check-in, freshened up, and headed out again.

Evening Activity:

We joined a Vancouver Film & Ghost Tour at 7 PM. This was a fun and quirky way to learn local history and get our bearings. Ghosts aside, the stories and city lore made for a great intro to Gastown.

Dinner: Six Acres (Gastown)

We grabbed beef stew and fries with aioli during their late-night happy hour. Cozy and atmospheric, perfect after a day on our feet.

Tip: Staying up and skipping naps helped us adjust quickly to the time change!

Day 2: Morning Hike and Cruise Check-In

Morning:

We started the day with coffee, then took an Uber (~$80 USD roundtrip for 6ppl) to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. It’s free to access and offers amazing views, but not for those afraid of heights! We continued on a scenic 15-minute walk to Thirty Foot Pool, a dreamy spot surrounded by forest and cool, clear water (perfect for a cold plunge!).

Back in the city by early afternoon, we picked up our bags and walked ~10 minutes to Canada Place for cruise check-in. The process was a breeze and we were onboard in under 30 minutes and ready for sailing adventures ahead!

Day 3: At Sea

A relaxing sea day. Unlike Caribbean cruises, we stayed close to the shore with breathtaking scenery the whole way. Keep your binoculars close for whale and dolphin sightings!

Day 4: Sitka, Alaska

We docked early and split into two groups:

My mom and her husband joined a $90 USD guided tour (Bear Center, Raptor Rehab Center, Totem Park). This was a great value and they loved it!

The rest of us explored on foot and by public trail. This was still enjoyable, but transportation proved tricky.

Highlights:

Alaska Raptor Center – inspiring and educational

Totem Park Trails – peaceful and scenic, with a bonus seal sighting!

Pro Tip: Book transport in advance or go with a tour like Sitka Tours Alaska.

Day 5: Juneau, Fishing, and Glaciers

Originally scheduled to cruise Tracy Arm Fjord, we headed straight to Juneau due to ship issues and made the most of the extra time.

Morning Activity:

Fishing DIY-style at Chum Fun Charters (~$70 USD total for rental + $15 USD pp fishing licenses). We caught a few salmon by the water near DIPAC and I even wandered into the hatchery for free coffee and wonderful salmon facts!

Afternoon:

We pre-booked a $100 USD roundtrip taxi for 6 to Mendenhall Glacier. Don’t miss the walk to Nugget Falls, it is breathtaking and worth every minute! After ~2.5 hours here, we headed back for shopping and snacks in Juneau.

Day 6: At Sea (Unexpectedly)

We missed our stop at Icy Strait Point due to continued technical issues, but the silver lining?

Whale and dolphin sightings galore! A peaceful sea day full of nature watching.

Day 7: Ketchikan + Local Tour

Arrival: On time (7:30 AM) - and on the 4th of July!

We booked a private tour with Shane, a local with deep roots in Ketchikan. He took us to hidden waterfalls, seal-filled bays, Herring Cove for (attempted) bear spotting, and a historic totem park. Cost was $420 USD total (2.5 hrs for 6 people).

Lunch: New York Cafe

Crowded but worth the short wait, excellent fish & chips and friendly staff. We also browsed shops and admired artwork by local legend Ray Troll.

Bonus: Don’t miss the Creek Street boardwalk and seal sightings there too!

Day 8: Final Sea Day

Cruising through the Inside Passage was the perfect finale. There were stunning views all day long. Pack a blanket, binoculars, and find a quiet deck to take it all in.

Day 9: Back in Vancouver and Boat Tour

Disembarkation: Quick and smooth, we were off of the ship by 8:30 AM.

Tip: For a speedy disembark, I always recommend walking your own luggage off.

We weren’t ready to say goodbye to Vancouver just yet, so we took an Uber to Deep Cove (~$100 USD roundtrip) and booked a 3-hour boat tour with James from Cove Boat Taxi ($430 USD total). He was an incredible guide, sharing stories of the Indian Arm inlet - a peaceful, less-touristy gem.

Evening:

We checked into the Level Yaletown on Seymour, then walked to a nearby Greek restaurant for happy hour. Afterward, we strolled to the waterfront and eventually dined at Hoshi, a great little Asian spot on the water. Vancouver’s food scene truly never disappoints!

Day 10: Heading Home

Our final morning was bittersweet. I soaked in the last quiet moments with a peaceful morning run, taking in the beauty one last time. Then it was time to pack up, head to the airport, and say goodbye. We were all tired, happy, and already dreaming about where the next adventure will take us!

Final Tips:

Pack layers as the weather shifts a lot between Vancouver and Alaska. Vancouver was sunny and ~75°F while Alaska was cloudy/rainy and average of 55°F.

Book transport/tours ahead in small ports like Sitka and Ketchikan. Try to look for smaller local companies to avoid huge bus tours and crowds.

Don’t skip the walking paths in Vancouver, it's one of the most walkable and scenic cities.

Binoculars are a must for sea days!

Keep your rain jacket handy!