Hello and welcome to episode 210 of Travel Stories from the Back Again and Gone podcast, coming to you from the home office of Chateau Relaxo, FL. If this is your first time listening, I’m glad you’re here. If you’re returning, welcome back. Tonight’s episode covers our recent adventure to Alaska. Thanks for tuning in.
I’m enjoying a Cigar City Fancy Papers Hazy IPA from Tampa, Florida—6.5% ABV, if you’re curious.
It’s been a while—almost five months since the last episode. Life at Chateau Relaxo has kept us busy, from losing a parent to switching jobs and everything in between.
After twenty-five years, I moved on from the company that started the original blog and inspired this podcast. The good news? My new job means more travel, so expect episodes a bit more frequently—maybe not 2019 levels, but definitely more than lately.
Recently, the CEO and I checked off a bucket-list item with a seven-day Alaska cruise, departing Seattle on the Norwegian Encore. Before this, my only cruise was Miami to Mexico during Carnival, and I wasn’t a fan. I was hesitant, but the CEO convinced me to give it another try.
My advice: If you’re cruising out of Seattle, consider flying in a day early. Coming from the East Coast, we arrived midday, which gave us time to explore Pike Place Market. All passengers were required on board by 4 PM—tempting as it is, don’t risk flying in the day of your cruise. One fellow passenger did, and his luggage ended up in Detroit. The staff had to assist him in shopping for clothes.
Day 1: Boarding in Seattle was smooth, with organized windows for boarding. Our luggage arrived around 4 PM, and finding it was like a scavenger hunt. The rest of the afternoon was spent unpacking and organizing—more on room organization will be discussed later.
Day 2: We were at sea, the perfect chance to explore the ship. Guest Services provided us with a map and informed us about the Norwegian app. Every morning, a newsletter lists the day's activities. Our internet package was less than 120 minutes, so we decided to upgrade to unlimited—it wasn’t cheap, but it was essential, as you'll see.
Day 3: Juneau. The first thing you’ll notice here is the abundance of jewelry stores—18 at last count. They're set up for cruise ship passengers with disposable income. Many are owned or partnered by cruise lines, offering discounts and rebates. I spent 30 minutes negotiating for a watch but left it—and found the same price in the duty-free shop, no haggling required. If you’re buying big-ticket items, do your homework before making a purchase.
Everyone recommends Tracy’s King Crab Shack and The Red Dog Saloon—but I skipped both. Tracy’s had an enormous line and pricey crab legs, and while reviews are stellar, both my patience and budget couldn’t handle it. The Red Dog Saloon is famous for its Duck Fart Shot, but these days, crowded bars and novelty drinks aren’t my thing.
Our first excursion was Douglas Island Pink and Chum—DIPAC—the local salmon hatchery. Quick note: book excursions through NCL. They’ve vetted providers and, if your tour runs late, the ship will wait for you. That’s not always the case with local bookings. DIPAC operates the Macaulay Hatchery, nearly 50 years old, helping sustain Alaska’s salmon population and offering interactive exhibits. Mid-July through August, you can witness millions of chum salmon returning to spawn. Outside the hatchery, a seal swam by, and the trees filled with bald eagles—a magical moment.
Back on the boat, we joined our first art auction, hosted by Park West Gallery. If you attend, expect lively bidding, champagne, and events such as “Guess the Price” and reverse auctions. It’s a fun way to learn about art, but be sure to research your purchases—most pieces are limited editions or prints, and appraisals aren’t always independent. We bought two pieces, spent more on framing and shipping than the art itself, but hey, maybe we’ve started a collection.
Day 4: Skagway and the . The train climbs nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles—stunning views, waterfalls, and bridges. Sit on the left side for the best scenery. We saw bears, learned about glacier geography, and crossed Pitchfork Falls (named for its multiple cascading streams). This was the only excursion requiring passports. After a full day, we skipped returning to Skagway—jet lag and exhaustion won out.
Day 5: Glacier Bay. Perfect timing for a rest day. We discovered a laundry service—everything you can fit in a bag for $35, a lifesaver halfway through the trip. Glacier Bay was stunning—and if you have binoculars, be sure to use them. Balcony rooms pay off when public spaces get packed. We watched otters swimming and frolicking in the bay, another highlight.
Day 6: Ketchikan, docked at Ward Cove on July 4th. Enormous souvenir warehouse, and at the back, options for all sorts of Alaskan excursions. Norwegian seems to opt for more remote docking spots.
Our excursion: The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour on the Aleutian Ballad (from Deadliest Catch). Calm waters offered up-close views of king crab, octopus, and more—plus dozens of eagles swooping for fish.
The crew’s sea tales blended humor, drama, and inspiration. Ketchikan’s parade meant limited time in town, so we headed back early.
Day 7: Victoria, BC. More time at sea before docking at 8:30 PM. Hit the casino, lost money—typical. We stayed aboard instead of exploring.
Boat Life: Dining options galore—three main restaurants, buffet, and The Local open 24/7. Several specialty restaurants satisfied every craving. If you’re hungry, that’s on you.
Entertainment included Broadway shows, a Beatles tribute, live music, themed parties, silent discos, and DJ sets. The casino and art gallery provide chances to win or lose. The Encore Speedway—the largest racetrack at sea—never seemed open. Pools, hot tubs, an observation lounge, and a spa offered plenty of ways to relax. Drink packages? If one cabin member buys, everyone must. Beer selection is average, cocktails are strong, and prices are high.
Time change tip: We stuck to Eastern Time, waking up at 4:30 AM Alaska time. 24-hour dining saved us many mornings.
What we brought—and didn’t use: Eye mask (room has blackout curtains), aluminum straws (never needed), rain pants (unused), tripod/GoPro (never used), HDMI cable for screencasting (ship TVs aren’t compatible).
What we used: Magnets (metal walls = extra storage), raincoats (for warmth), “hot hands” packs, lanyards (keycards convenience essential), power strip (one cabin outlet), packing cubes, snacks, backpack, battery pack, binoculars with straps.
50/50 items: Didn’t need waterproof boots, sunglasses (no glare issues), water bottles (didn’t miss them), waterproof phone covers (never used).
My must-bring list: First aid kit, Ziploc bags, old hotel key (for lights), Dudewipes.
Wish I’d brought: Small wedge for the door, more cigars (the ship’s cigar lounge only sells when in international waters, so stock up ahead), Poo-Pourri spray for the cabin.
One last tip: Skip the elevator—stairs save time and are good cardio.
Encore stats: Built in 2019, 1,094 feet long, 136 feet wide, crew of 1,735, 2,043 staterooms, 20 decks, speeds up to 25 knots.
Special features: Encore Speedway, laser tag, Galaxy Pavilion, observation lounge, 28 bars/lounges, and a 24/7 laundry staffed by 22.
I’m a spreadsheet nerd, so here are some stats: On a typical 7-day cruise, the ship provides 200,000 meals daily, 50 types of bread, 15,000 morning coffees, 30,000 pounds of produce, and 31,900 bottles of beer (among lots of other numbers).
Day 8: Seattle. Off the ship by 10 AM, flight at 9 PM, so the CEO booked a final tour: Space Needle, Sky View Observatory, Seattle Aquarium (amazing jellyfish), Pike Brewing Company (food > beer), and the over-the-top Chihuly Garden and Glass.
After nine days of 4:30 AM wakeups, we were ready for the airport.
All in all, I wasn’t sold on the trip at first, but once the ship sailed, I was hooked. The staff made every moment enjoyable.
That wraps up episode 210, “Our trip to Alaska.” Thank you to our longtime listeners for your comments and emails, as well as to our new listeners. I hope you'll come back. Find detailed show notes, links, and pictures at Substack—travelstories.substack.com. Leave a message on Anchor, or email TravelFrick@gmail.com.
As always, travel safe, be safe, and thanks for listening.
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