Larry Hamblin's 7th Alaska Cruise: Still Finding Wonder
Alaska has a way of pulling you back. After seven cruises to this magnificent coastline, you might think I'd have nothing new to discover. But that's the magic of this destination. Every voyage reveals something different, not always in the landscape, but in the people you share it with.
This May, I boarded the Celebrity Solstice with a group of 18 See Shelter Indigenous Elders for a seven-day round trip cruise from Vancouver. For me, it was familiar waters. For them, it was their very first cruise, and watching Alaska unfold through their eyes reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this journey in the first place.
Rediscovering Alaska Through New Eyes
What struck me most was the pure, unbridled excitement these Elders brought to every moment. They bounced around the ship exploring every nook and cranny, from the grand dining room to the theater to the quiet observation decks. Nothing was taken for granted. Every detail of the cruise ship became an adventure unto itself. There's something profoundly moving about watching someone experience wonder for the first time, especially when that someone has a lifetime of wisdom behind them.
My role shifted from simply enjoying the cruise to helping my group discover all the venues and experiences the ship offered. Getting everyone comfortable with the dining room, encouraging them to explore the theater productions, showing them how to navigate the various spaces on board. It reminded me that cruising isn't intuitive for everyone, and having someone who knows the ropes makes all the difference.
The Story Worth Telling
If you're looking for an excursion that captures the true spirit of Alaska's maritime heritage, let me tell you about the Bering Sea Crab trip in Juneau. You board an actual crabbing vessel that once worked the Bering Sea, and the stories are incredible. This particular ship capsized twice during its working life. The second time, the crab pots were only half full, and the boat wouldn't right itself. The crew had to abandon ship. Two days later, the Coast Guard contacted the captain to tell him his vessel was floating again. He gathered some crew members, took another boat out, and climbed back aboard his ship. That's the kind of authentic Alaska experience you simply can't manufacture.
After 37 cruises with my wife and eight trips to Alaska alone, I've learned that this destination never repeats itself. The wildlife shows up differently. The glaciers shift and calve in new patterns. The light on the water changes with every hour. Alaska is truly one of the last frontiers, and that's not just marketing speak. It's the truth.
Who Should Sail to Alaska
Here's what I tell everyone who asks: nobody should skip an Alaska cruise. First-timers find the dramatic scenery and wildlife overwhelming in the best possible way. Repeat visitors, like myself, discover that each journey offers something new. The destination rewards both the adventurous spirit and the contemplative observer.
I'm already looking ahead to my next Alaska adventure in late August. I'll be hosting another group of 18 guests on an 11-day land and sea cruise, sailing from Vancouver to Whittier, then taking the train to Denali for two nights. From there, we coach to Mount McKinley for another night before returning to Anchorage. The grand finale? A 26-glacier cruise on a smaller vessel that takes you right into the heart of glacier country.
This will be my eighth Alaska cruise, and I'm just as excited as I was for my first. That's the mark of a truly extraordinary destination. When I recommend Alaska to my clients, I'm not reading from a brochure. I've walked those decks, stood at those railings, and watched the coastline reveal itself over and over again. And I cannot wait to share that experience with the next group of travelers ready to discover why Alaska keeps calling people back.