Norwegian Cruise Line Makes Loving Alaska Easy

Dad was pulling up in our wood-paneled station wagon when Mom said something so matter of fact, yet disarmingly romantic, that it bore through my then self-absorbed teen brain and established residency: “There’s my hubby. I still get the best butterflies in my stomach when he arrives.”

Recently I thought about that in terms of travel love, while standing on the bow of Norwegian Encore as it practically pecked the face of Margerie Glacier in Alaska’s spectacular Glacier Bay.

The morning had unfurled sailing through this frosty cathedral of nature, where floating rafts of ice hosted napping seals and mountain goats looked like mini marshmallows dotting the steep shoreline. Eagles soared in the sky above, and pop-up waterfalls made the surrounding mountains appear as if they were weeping with joy.

Of course, there were glaciers — hanging ones blanketing lofty valleys, as well as tidewater ones advancing and retreating. This place is aptly named! But the obvious star was Margerie Glacier, who was putting on a show, calving icebergs into the milky blue bay with thunderous claps and splashes. While the scene was familiar from previous trips, my belly and heart were both aflutter. Seeing Alaska always makes me swoon. Visiting never gets old, though it seems to be getting easier.

What to Expect on a Cruise to Alaska

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is hot for icy Alaska, and traveling aboard one of its ships built to showcase the region is bound to make you fall in love with the Frontier State, too.

NCL’s ships are among the first to arrive and the last to leave Alaskan waters, contributing to an ever-expanding season that now runs from April to October. This results in more affordable cruises bookending the popular summer period. If you shun crowded ports, these shoulder season departures are the ticket.

Encore sailed to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan in Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, roundtrip from Seattle, further enhancing affordability by eliminating the pricey, multicity (often international) flights required for one-way Alaska cruises.

Destination photos for Visit Seattle by Rachael Jones - 2022 — (Photo credit: Rachael Jones, Visit Seattle)

Cruising to Alaska from Seattle economizes time, doesn’t require passports and delivers other signature advantages — think strolling historic Pike Place Market or spying your ship from atop the iconic Space Needle! You’ll also find the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park tucked in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. It’s a perfect appetizer to the stampede culture on tap in Skagway.

Seattle exudes waterfront vitality with hotels within walking distance and others offering shuttles. The AAA Four Diamond designated Lotte Hotel Seattle even boasts a Lexus fleet available to whisk guests to their ship for free.

alaska whale watching — Whale watching (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

The Perks of Sailing NCL’s Encore

A rewarding picture of Alaska unfolds throughout the cruise. Beyond ice-carved fjords and pine-scented forests, my voyage revealed waters percolating with whales. Encore’s layout made it simple to spot them spouting. Balcony cabins abound, including singles that invite solo travelers aboard without stinging supplemental fees.

Plus, if you’re looking for an exclusive, ultra-luxe roost ensconced within a big, attraction-packed boat, The Haven beckons. This suite enclave, with members-only amenities such as a pool and restaurant, delivers a best-of-both-worlds scenario. Its sprawling Horizon Lounge on Encore rivaled the ship’s main Observation Lounge for breathtaking vistas.

But what really elevated Encore’s sea-gazing game were a few unexpected haunts, especially The Waterfront, a quarter-mile promenade lined with alfresco restaurants. Opt for whatever suits your mood — maybe a sizzling rib-eye with parmesan dusted truffle fries or succulent scallops with prosciutto and pistachio pesto or just a perfectly smooth Alaskan Ale — all with a side of fresh sea air and potential wildlife sightings. The ship’s unique go-kart Speedway delivers heady views, too. It dovetails with Alaska’s cooler energy better than the usual marquee watersports attractions. (Though Encore has those.) I even enjoyed an eyeful of Alaska at the Mandara Spa, where a sublime Thermal Suite promises thalassotherapy pools and heated loungers fronting a wall of aft windows. Hello, wake-surfing Alaskan porpoises!

COPY Skagway -- White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (credit Bradley Wittke) — White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (Photo credit: Bradley Wittke)

My Alaska Cruise Ports

Spa respites are advisable, because Alaska will wear you out if you’re willing. Countless shore excursions propose everything from totem pole treks and panning for gold to dog-sledding and heli-hiking atop glaciers. Hop a floatplane to watch bears pluck salmon from a waterfall. Board a crabbing boat to see fishermen haul their pots. Take the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway to behold unforgiving terrain stampeders tackled on foot. Or, simply relish walking around.

All the ports are fun to navigate independently, whether strolling on frontier-style boardwalks in the sourdough town of Skagway or ambling along Ketchikan’s infamous Creek Street, a former red-light district built on stilts. Ketchikan also ranks as the self-proclaimed Salmon Capital of the World.

Alaska, Mendenhall Glacier with canoe in Juneau — Mendenhall Glacier (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

Even Juneau, Alaska’s capital, lends itself to easy exploration with an aerial tram for effortless views, a harborside totem trail and plenty of shuttles to nearby Mendenhall Glacier, where an interpretive center and well-maintained trails await. Nugget Falls Trail runs alongside Mendenhall Lake to a powerful waterfall fed from a hanging glacier.

Victoria felt like a teaser for a return trip. The island oozes stately charm, its domed Parliament Building reigning over an inner harbor bustling with water taxies and rimmed with landmark hotels. Horse-drawn carriages tote tourists around. The genteel air certainly differed from Alaska’s brand. Overnight, it’s as if you sail from leather to lace.

Skagway Alaska — Skagway, Alaska (Photo credit: Frank Flavin, Explore Skagway)

Final Thoughts on Alaska Cruises

No doubt, there’s a lot to experience on this itinerary. Still, passengers get to bite off what they want to chew, which means everybody comes away feeling satisfied. You might think Alaska has niche appeal, but I met multigenerational families and diverse passengers on Encore. All were digesting Alaska differently, and loving it.

NCL’s “freestyle cruising” philosophy jettisons rigid rules and schedules in favor of adopting a customizable approach to shipboard life. This allowed Encore to provide a universal fit. There was always something happening, from live music and top-notch theatrical shows to laser tag and lectures. I literally learned to paint an Alaskan seascape.

NCL encore — Norwegian Encore (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

With extended hours at attractions, no fussy dress codes and the freedom to dine when, where and with whomever you choose, the ship facilitated rather than dictated one’s day. Embracing spontaneity works especially well in Alaska, since Mother Nature reveals her wonders at will.

NCL’s vibe grants license to linger. It’s a comforting permission slip, because in Alaska, the ordinary can be extraordinary. And even if you’ve been blessed to bear witness before, expect the best butterflies in your belly.

Plan your Alaska cruise with a AAA travel advisor.

Featured image: Alaska glacier hiking. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

Dana Hammond

A long-time contributor to AAA Northeast and a member of The Society of American Travel Writers, Dana has explored every continent on the globe — yes, including Antarctica! Her work also has appeared nationwide in publications such as The New York Post, The Los Angeles Times and USA Today. She credits her career to a childhood of being encouraged to appreciate everything with the wide-eyed wonder of a traveler, even if it’s in your own backyard.