Elaine Smalling's Alaska Cruise: A Family Journey to Dawes Glacier

From bear sightings in the Tongass National Forest to seals lounging on floating ice, Elaine shares how an inside passage cruise became the perfect 25th anniversary celebration.

My husband and I have talked about Alaska for years. It sat on our list of must-see destinations, always pushed aside by work schedules and the chaos of raising two daughters. This year, celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, we finally made it happen. And we didn't go alone. We brought our 19 and 23-year-old daughters with us aboard the Celebrity Edge for a cruise through the inside passage to Dawes Glacier. Some trips are about escaping family. This one was about embracing it.

The Wilderness Revealed

I would never have fully grasped how vast and diverse Alaska's untouched wilderness truly is without experiencing it firsthand. The scale of it simply cannot be captured in photographs or documentaries. We hiked through the Tongass National Forest and spotted a mama bear with two cubs from a safe distance. My heart pounded, not from fear, but from the privilege of witnessing something so raw and real. As we approached Dawes Glacier, seals sunned themselves on floating islands of ice, completely unbothered by our presence. Not a single day passed without a bald eagle soaring past the ship or whales swimming in the wake.

What surprised me most was the emotional impact. I find myself overwhelmed with concern for how fragile our world has become with the environmental challenges we face daily. But this trip renewed my faith in humanity. To see how much vast wilderness still sits untouched and protected by the neighboring communities we visited along the way inspired me deeply. Just when I thought I had seen the most beautiful sunset or sunrise, Alaska reminded me I have yet to be amazed by the amount of beauty still waiting in this world.

The Insider Lesson We Learned the Hard Way

Our family decided to uber up to Mendenhall Glacier to hike some of the trails at our own pace. We wanted the solitude of a small group experience. Our driver turned out to be one of the best guides we could have asked for, incredibly knowledgeable about local history and culture. On the trail, local hikers told us about a waterfall off the main path. A friendly couple leaving the area even offered us their bear spray. Those spontaneous connections made the day unforgettable.

But here is the lesson we will never forget: cell service near the glacier is hit or miss. Scheduling an uber back is nearly impossible. We found ourselves stranded in the rain, waving goodbye to buses leaving with their tour groups. A kind older gentleman, a local who knows visitors get stranded every day at the trailheads, offered us a ride back to the ship. The kindness of a stranger saved the day. Make sure you have a reliable ride to and from your destination. Trust me on this one.

Who This Trip Is Made For

If you love the idea of being surrounded by the stillness of nature and observing wildlife in their natural habitat, this trip is for you. If you enjoy interacting with locals in small seaside towns, immersing yourself in indigenous culture, and craving a slow and peaceful rest, a cruise through the inside passage is ideal. We visited three unique towns, each with their own history to share, and still enjoyed a scenic Skagway rail experience through the Yukon Forest of British Columbia.

However, if you love vibrant nightlife, the multi-deck thrill-seeking pool slide of a mega-ship, or want to lay out on the beach working on your tan with a drink in hand, this may not be the summer cruise for you. Alaska makes even Texas look small, and trying to see it all by land would take weeks. A cruise allowed our family to experience a rainforest, the ocean, waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, diverse wildlife, local cuisine, arts, culture, and history in just one week.

Cruising peacefully through the Alaskan inside passage reminded our family how much we needed to slow down and be fully present. With two college-aged kids, most of our vacations are filled with big city adventures. But this trip reminded us all how important it is for the soul to pause. I highly recommend your first visit to Alaska be the Dawes Glacier inside passage cruise. What you see and learn will inspire you to return for a more immersive experience tailored around your favorite activity. Each of us is already planning how we want to go back.