I am beyond excited. Alaska has always held a certain mystique for me.
Towering glaciers, breaching whales, bald eagles, quaint frontier towns and landscapes so vast they almost defy description.
It’s one of those destinations that seems to live in travellers’ imaginations long before it appears on an itinerary and now it’s finally my turn to experience it aboard one of my favourites: Viking.
Yes, in a couple of weeks (I am counting down!!) I’ll be cruising Alaska’s legendary Inside Passage and if everything I’ve read (and dreamed about) comes to life, this promises to be one of those journeys where the destination steals the show every single day.
I’m hoping for those magical moments that no camera can truly capture – the thunderous crack of a glacier calving into icy waters, humpback whales surfacing unexpectedly alongside the ship and mornings spent with a coffee in hand watching mist drift across pine-covered islands from my balcony.
It’s been quite a cold winter here in Sydney but its gonna get even colder for me and I just cannot wait!
The Inside Passage has a reputation for delivering some of the calmest and most scenic cruising in the world.
Sheltered by a maze of islands stretching along the Pacific coast, it’s a route renowned for its dramatic fjords, pristine wilderness and incredible wildlife.
It sounds like the sort of place where simply sitting on deck could become the highlight of the day.
Then there are the ports. Juneau, Alaska’s only state capital inaccessible by road, promises glacier adventures and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Skagway’s (above) colourful Gold Rush history has long fascinated me, while Ketchikan’s famous totem poles, Indigenous culture and fresh seafood are all high on my must-see list.
I’m equally excited by the Viking experience itself. With its elegant Scandinavian design, destination-focused philosophy and emphasis on enrichment rather than onboard distractions, it feels like the ideal way to explore a region where nature is undoubtedly the headline act.
This isn’t about water slides, casinos or flashy entertainment – it’s about slowing down, looking outside and connecting with one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
Of course, there’s always a wish list of pinch myself moments.
I’d love to spot bears fishing along the shoreline, watch sea otters bobbing through sheltered coves, hear the haunting call of an eagle overhead and I have everything crossed I might witness the mesmerising Northern Light-like colours that can appear during Alaska’s long summer sunsets.
As it’s the end of August, I am told that there is a good chance.
Most of all, I’m looking forward to being surprised. The best travel experiences are often the ones you never see coming – the unexpected wildlife encounter, the local story that stays with you, or simply standing in silence as nature reminds you just how small we really are.
So that’s the plan. Warm layers packed? Check. Camera charged? Check. Sense of adventure? Absolutely.
Stay tuned. I’ll be reporting back from Alaska to find out whether this extraordinary corner of the world lives up to its legendary reputation.
Somehow, I have a feeling it just might.
