In 2018, I returned to Alaska for a seven-day cruise on the Norwegian Pearl. I had visited Alaska the previous September, so this trip gave me a different way to see the state.
I brought camera gear and planned one main excursion: whale watching in Juneau.
Seattle and the Norwegian Pearl
My cruise departed from Pier 66 in Seattle. The Norwegian Pearl was home for the next seven days.
The itinerary included Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia.
The weather was very different from a warm-weather cruise. Wind and rain changed throughout the trip, and there were times when the outside decks were closed because of strong winds.
Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier
On day three, I joined the Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Photo Safari in Juneau.
We traveled by bus from the port to Stephens Passage, then boarded a boat for whale watching. I saw humpback whales and sea lions.
Near the end of the whale-watching portion, I saw a humpback whale breach. I did not capture it because we were heading back to our seats.
Afterward, we visited the Mendenhall Glacier area. Clouds and rain blocked the glacier from view during my visit.
On the walk back, I saw a family of black bears, including a young bear eating salmon.
Skagway and Ketchikan
I skipped the organized excursions in Skagway and Ketchikan because I wanted to explore the ports on my own.
That gave me more time to walk, look around, and photograph what interested me.
Glacier Bay
When the ship reached Glacier Bay, the outside decks filled with passengers watching the glaciers.
I saw icebergs and glacier calving. We spent about an hour in front of Margerie Glacier.
I had taken a separate Alaska day cruise the year before, so Glacier Bay looked different from what I had imagined. I still came away with photographs and video of the scenery.
What I Took Away From the Trip
The cruise was peaceful. Most days were clear, and the only daytime rain I clearly remember was in Juneau.
For me, cruising was a practical way to visit several places without changing hotels. It also gave me plenty of opportunities to photograph and film the scenery.
You can see more of my current work on my Photography page.