7-Day Alaskan Cruise on Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas

7-Day Alaskan Cruise on Anthem of the Seas: Our Itinerary & Experience

Taking an Alaska cruise has always been at the top of our travel bucket list, and this year we finally made it happen. We booked a 7-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas that sailed roundtrip from Seattle. Our itinerary included stops in Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Victoria, British Columbia, along with a couple of sea days to enjoy everything the ship has to offer.

This was also our first time trying out a balcony stateroom. The views were beautiful, especially when sailing through the Inside Passage, but I think I still prefer the comfort and price of an interior cabin. Here’s a look at everything we did throughout the week, along with a few tips for anyone planning their own Alaska cruise.

Pre-Cruise Stay in Seattle

We decided to fly in the day before embarkation and I’m so glad we did. Seattle is such a fun city with plenty to see and do.

• Pike Place Market: Our first stop was Pike Place, which is lively and colorful at any time of day. Between the flower stalls, seafood stands and the famous fishmongers, and the gum wall, it’s an experience that feels like a little piece of Seattle history. We grabbed a snack and soaked in the atmosphere while browsing the shops.
• Breweries: As we strolled, we popped into a few of Seattle’s local breweries. The city has a thriving craft beer scene, and it was fun to try something different at each stop. It set the perfect laid-back tone before heading into cruise mode the next day.
• Space Needle & Chihuly Garden and Glass: We made our way to the Space Needle, which is right next door to the Chihuly Garden and Glass. The views from the top of the Space Needle are breathtaking, with Mount Rainier peeking through the clouds and the Puget Sound stretching out below. Just steps away, Chihuly’s glass artwork is dazzling. Giant colorful pieces hang from the ceiling and spill out into the gardens. The colors and shapes get me every single time!

Embarkation Day

Boarding at Seattle’s cruise port was impressively smooth. We arrived right around lunchtime, had a quick meal at the Windjammer buffet, and were in our cabin by about 1:00 PM. Having those extra few hours to unpack, wander around, and get familiar with the ship really set the stage for a relaxed first evening.

Anthem of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class, which means it comes with some really unique features you don’t find on every ship. Between the indoor skydiving simulator, bumper cars, and the North Star observation pod, there was always something new to try.

Day 2: Sea Day

Our first full day was spent at sea and it was one of the most relaxing days of the entire trip. We gravitated toward the adults-only Solarium, where floor-to-ceiling windows made it easy to take in the passing scenery. We kept our eyes peeled and managed to spot a variety of sea life, including whales and pods of dolphins.

John kicked off the morning with the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator. Watching from the sidelines was almost as fun as participating. Later in the day we joined friends for a ride on the North Star, the glass pod that lifts you high above the ship for 360-degree views. Floating over the water while looking back at the ship was a surreal experience and something I’d definitely recommend. Especially if you can get a free ride while you’re in port!

Day 3: Juneau, Alaska

Juneau was the stop I had been most excited about, and it completely delivered. We booked a small-group whale watching tour on a boat that held only about 20 passengers. That made the experience feel very personal and allowed the captain to quickly move us to different spots where whales were active.

We ended up seeing six different humpback whales. Some were off in the distance, while others came shockingly close to the boat. With the sun shining and temperatures warmer than expected, it felt like the perfect Alaskan day.

After our excursion we stopped for dinner at The Hangar on the Wharf, a waterfront restaurant with big windows overlooking the harbor where seaplanes were landing and taking off. The seafood was fresh and delicious, the service was warm and friendly, and it was the ideal way to wind down after such an exhilarating afternoon.

Day 4: Skagway, Alaska

In Skagway, we went for something a little different with a dog sledding excursion. Since the weather was unusually warm, the dogs pulled us around on a dirt trail instead of snow. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but our guides explained how important this kind of training is for the dogs. Their breed needs to run and pull 80-100 miles A DAY.

That night, the northern lights were forecasted to make an appearance. While they weren’t visible to the naked eye, we managed to capture them faintly on our phone camera. Even though it wasn’t the full dancing-lights experience, it still feels special to say we saw them in Alaska.

Day 5: Sitka, Alaska

Sitka was our most laid-back port day. Without a scheduled excursion, we hopped on the free shuttle into town and started exploring on foot.

Our walk took us to the Sitka National Historical Park, where trails wind through towering trees and historic totem poles. On the way we spotted a seal in the harbor and tons of salmon flopping around in the bay.

For lunch, we popped into Harbor Mountain Brewing Co., where we split a pizza and sampled a couple of beers. The pizza was fantastic, but the wait was long, so plan accordingly if you visit. A bonus was the post office right next door, which gave us a chance to send postcards home.

Day 6: Sea Day

Our second sea day was just as enjoyable as the first. This time we treated ourselves to the Sip, Tour, Brunch experience. We got a behind-the-scenes tour of the galley, learning how the chefs prepare meals for thousands of guests every day, followed by a leisurely brunch with bottomless mimosas.

That evening was formal night. We had booked the Chef’s Table, a five-course dinner with wine pairings. While it sounded amazing on paper, I have to admit it didn’t quite live up to the hype. The food was good, but not much more impressive than the main dining room, and for the additional cost I expected something more memorable.

Day 7: Victoria, British Columbia

Our final port was Victoria, and it was such a charming way to end the cruise. We made our way into the city and went straight to Pendray’s for high tea. Each of us was given our own pot of tea along with a beautiful tower of pastries, sandwiches, and scones. It was such a fun and different way to spend the afternoon.

We spent a little more time strolling downtown before heading back to the ship. At the port, I picked up a few souvenirs including my go-to, a Christmas ornament, which always feels like the perfect way to remember a trip.

Debarkation and Post-Cruise

Getting off the ship was pretty quick and painless, although the walk to the Uber pickup spot was a little longer than expected. Thankfully, the Renaissance Hotel let us check in hours before the official time, which gave us a chance to nap before heading out for dinner with friends stationed at JBLM.

Final Thoughts on Our Alaska Cruise

Looking back, our 7-night Alaskan cruise on Anthem of the Seas was everything we had hoped for and more. The weather was far better than we expected, the excursions gave us unforgettable experiences, and the ship provided plenty of ways to relax and have fun.

Would I splurge on a balcony cabin again? Probably not, since I actually enjoy the coziness of an interior room. But would I recommend this itinerary to anyone considering an Alaska cruise? Absolutely.

If you are planning an Alaska cruise from Seattle on Royal Caribbean, know that you are in for the adventure of a lifetime. Between the scenery, the wildlife, and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it is a trip that will stay with you forever.