Are you ready to book a 7-Day Inside Passage Alaska Cruise? The options were endless, so I contacted Lesley at Live Longitude Travel for assistance. Although I am trying to visit all 50 states, I did not want to check off Alaska on my list. I desired the total experience.

Things to Consider Before Cruising Solo

Do you know about the single supplement? I could not find anyone to cruise with; I went solo. For many years, I thought it was too expensive to cruise alone. However, when I planned this cruise, the difference ranged from $300.00-$600.00. The cost can be as high as 125% more for solo travelers. I checked the price for two guests (starting at $2140.00) to determine how much extra I was willing to pay. In addition, I received complimentary crew appreciation ($101.50), a beverage package ($479.57), and Wi-Fi ($69.79). Do not pay extra for Wi-Fi if you have more than one device. I had my MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. When you are in a port, use your hotspot. You can also switch devices when you are in your stateroom.

All Aboard on the 7-Day Inside Passage Alaska Cruise

Once I boarded, I went straight to my cabin. The Discovery Princess is beautiful. When I opened the door to my stateroom, I was pleasantly surprised. Although my luggage was in the closet, I noticed other luggage outside the cabins when I walked to my room. I thought I was going to feel claustrophobic because of the size of the room. Now the space for the toilet, shower, and sink is tight. I had a queen bed, desk, and plenty of closet space to hang my clothes. I met my cabin steward, Alex. He would check on me throughout the cruise. The shore excursion tickets I purchased and the event listings for the day were on the desk.

Bingo and Afternoon Tea

I headed to the Sailway Celebration. If you take a cruise, participate in the activities. Read the event page in your stateroom. You can check your Medallion app or screens near the elevator bank too. I signed up with Lotus Spa for a complimentary walk-in-hair consultation with Given. I went to see the Cruise Director, DuVual Gamble, give a presentation. He introduced us to the staff responsible for making Discovery Princess run like a well-oiled machine. He gave out a few prizes during the presentation. I also played Snowball Bingo. Although I did not win anything, I had a great time. I met passengers from Illinois at the Afternoon Tea. I would enjoy tea three more times before the cruise ended.

Specialty Dining: Sabatini’s ($34.00) and Bistro Sur La Mer ($39.00)

The 5-course meal at Sabatini’s was exceptional. It may sound like a lot of food, but the portions are belly friendly. As I listened to the servers, everyone recommended the calamari. I should have followed their recommendations. My dining experience lasted two hours.

Lourdes provided the best service on the cruise at Bistro Sur La Mer. Not only that, she refused a tip. I was impressed. She walked me through the menu, offered recommendations, and timed the meal perfectly. Everything she suggested met my approval. When I described how I like my wine, she got it right. I also enjoyed Pellegrino instead of tap water. If you want Perrier or Pellegrino, ask for it, but ensure the water is part of your beverage package.

7-Day Inside Passage Alaska Cruise Excursions: Ketchikan ($34.95)

I paid for two excursions using my combined credit of $100.00 from two promotions. I hopped on a trolley tour of the totem poles in Ketchikan. Three quick facts you need to know about Ketchikan. A master totem pole maker has a shop here, the totem pole pictured in your passport is in Ketchikan, and Creek Street is famous for hosting the oldest profession in the world. I enjoyed my tour, and please tip your tour guide.

Back on the ship, I participated in a Line Dancing Class and sat in on a presentation about future cruises. Of course, I had to try the Ketchikan Dining Room (Free). The ambiance and dining experience at Ketchikan were incredible. My servers were exceptional.

The Skagway Rockslide

I was excited when we arrived in Skagway. My Street Car Tour excursion was at 10:15AM. When I opened the curtains, I realized we had docked. At 6:20AM, I heard a loud noise. It was a rockslide, and debris landed near the ship. The captain had to pivot, and we embarked from a different part of the ship and used water taxis to get to the pier. I could not help but notice netting and barricades on the port near the front of the cruise ship. Of course, I googled rockslide in Skagway and discovered a news story from 2017. 

Skagway Excursion ($44.95)

Valerie was our guide for the Skagway Street Car Tour. I learned about Skagway as Valerie drove the bus through town. She shared points of interest like the house with the dinosaur in the yard. The tour in Skagway takes you to a scenic overlook for a panoramic view of the city. Breathtaking is an understatement. Are you ready to post to your IG account? We also visited the Gold Rush Cemetery to learn about the Soapy Smith gunfight. Be careful where you step. On the way back to town, Valerie showed us the home where Sarah Palin once lived. Do not forget to tip your tour guides. Before I walked back to the ship, I strolled through town and stopped at the Visitors Center.

Endicott Passage

If you are accustomed to getting up early, you will enjoy the commentary from Naturalist Michael Modzelewski. He has written several books about Alaska. If you do not want to sit on the deck, turn to the live cam on your TV. There is so much to learn about wildlife, glaciers, waterfalls, and how long you can survive in the water if you accidentally fall overboard. It is a three-hour tour. Enjoy the scenery. I missed taking a picture of a sea otter resting on a glacier by three seconds. The myst in Alaska, yes, I spelled it correctly. The mist in Alaska is mystical.

Juneau

I did not book an excursion in Juneau, even though I would have loved the tram ride. I stayed grounded and stopped by the Visitors Center. There were two places I wanted to see: any local restaurant and the Glacier Soap Store. Did I say glacier soap? Yes. I purchased the original bar of soap. I enjoyed my walk as I stopped in the local shops around town. DuVaul highly recommended trying a local beer and a halibut sandwich. The beer was cold, like glacier cold. Now the sandwich was tasty, but way too much bread. I know it may seem counterintuitive to purchase food if you are on a cruise but try the local cuisine at least once.

Last Port: Victoria, Canada

DuVual highly recommended purchasing a ticket for the shuttle bus even though downtown was a 20-25 minute walk from the pier. The shuttle driver warned us most of the businesses were closed. I googled places to eat, and Time Out suggested Nubo Japanese Tapas. I ordered Puff Daddy and Kimchi Fried Rice with a glass of St. Germain. The food was delicious, but the meal was shareable. We pulled into the cruise port at 7:00PM and did not leave until 11:30PM. Although it was daylight when we arrived, it was pitch black when we set sail. There is no way I would have walked back to the pier in the dark. Remember, I was traveling solo.

What to Wear on a 7-Day Inside Passage Alaska Cruise?

Just be ready. In Ketchikan, I wore a heavy sweater with a hood, a down jacket, a raincoat, and booties. I needed everything I was wearing. You will need to dress in layers because the weather will change. My packable down jacket was the perfect item to bring on this trip. If you need a packable jacket, click on the Amazon link below. I also wore gym shoes in Skagway and Canada instead of boots. Bring at least one pair of dress shoes for the nights at sea and clothes to dress to impress. Although I packed three dresses, I only had one pair of black heels. I purchased most of my sweaters for this trip on clearance in the spring from Marshalls and T.J.Maxx.

The Cruise 15

Even though I was concerned about overeating, I paced the timing of my meals. The main dining halls have the names of each port. I enjoyed dinner in Ketchikan and Juneau and lunch in Skagway. The International Cafe is open 24 hours if you need a light snack or something sweet. Afternoon Tea was my favorite time of day. From 3:00PM-4:00PM, you can enjoy mini beef, chicken, ham, and cheese or tuna sandwiches, scones, or pistachio cookies. If you are concerned about gaining weight, try a class in the Fitness Center at 7:00AM or 9:30AM, take a walk on the track, play miniature golf (4 holes), or swim. Finally, try Zumba or Line Dancing.

Interview with an Employee

I stopped one of the employees for an impromptu interview. She had been waiting for three years to get a job aboard a cruise ship. She is from Nicaragua, and to work on a cruise ship, she had to become proficient in English. After becoming certified, she was able to land a job in a hotel. In April 2022, she received a call to work for the cruise line for one contract (eight to ten months). Her shifts rotate for eight weeks to learn the different departments on the ship. The employee is personable and has two children who still live in Nicaragua with her parents. She sends money to them regularly. 

Budget for the Alaska Cruise

Are you still looking for a 7-Day Inside Passage Alaska cruise? I was concerned about the age of passengers on this ship, but all ages were present. I interacted with everyone. My cabin steward called me by name. Do not be afraid to take a cruise by yourself. If there is a minimal charge to travel alone, go solo. I felt safe on board and when I left the port. Do not forget to complete the survey to acknowledge employees who went above and beyond their duties. I also offered additional tips. By the way, June is supposed to have the best weather in Alaska, especially the last week. If you still need help planning your cruise, reach out to Lesley. I saved $650.86 because I booked the cruise through Lesley.

All Aboard!

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