Alaska: A Trip of a Lifetime
After five years with WestCMR, I wanted to take my trip of a lifetime doing something meaningful—an experience my 10-year-old son Mark and I could share and remember forever. We landed on something that had been on my dream list for years: an Alaskan cruise. And looking back, I can honestly say that it was everything I hoped it would be and so much more.
We flew into Seattle on an overnight flight that led us straight to the cruise ship terminal. No time wasted! The ship itself was incredible. We had a balcony room (a little splurge that was completely worth it), and Mark spent the first few hours on board exploring waterslides and already making new friends before we even left the dock. Mark, being a Florida baby, had never seen anything quite like the Alaskan wilderness. And even for me, originally from Michigan and no stranger to cold weather, this trip was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
Nature Like We’ve Never Seen Before
One of our first stops was Juneau, where we boarded a boat for a tour of the Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier. It was definitely the coldest part of our journey, but also the most magical. We saw orcas, harbor seals, sea lions, and even a bald eagle soaring above. The water was this beautiful opaque mint green from the glacial silt, and the mountains surrounded us on both sides. It was quiet and just breathtaking. Mark especially loved this part—he was glued to the railing trying to count sea otters (he got to 50 and stopped trying!).
In Skagway, we rode the White Pass train through the mountains and then hiked to Reid Falls. Afterward, we stopped for lunch and had the best clam chowder I’ve ever tasted, plus some well-earned king crab legs. We strolled around town, picked up a Christmas ornament, and visited the historic gold rush cemetery.
Ketchikan gave us a lighter day with “The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show”—silly, fun, and entertaining in the best way!
And one of my favorite moments of the trip was cruising through Glacier Bay National Park. We found a quiet spot in the ship’s observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and light bites, and just took it all in. The stillness, the size of the glaciers, and the sheer beauty of the landscape was unlike anything I’d ever seen. And sharing that moment with Mark made it all the more meaningful.
The Ship Experience
Our cruise ship truly felt like a floating resort. It had just about everything: a go-kart track, a full arcade with virtual reality F1 racing and zombie games (Mark’s favorite), live Broadway-style entertainment like Choir of Men, and plenty of family-friendly dining options. We could be as busy or as relaxed as we wanted. Some days we packed in the activities, and others we just sat out on the balcony, watching the waves roll by and looking for whales.
Thank you to WestCMR
For me, this wasn’t just a vacation but a celebration. A way to reflect on how far I’ve come and to give my son an experience he’ll never forget
I’m incredibly thankful to WestCMR for supporting me these past five years and making this trip possible. We made memories that we’ll carry for a lifetime.