How good does it feel to tick a destination off your bucket list… Alaska was one of these destinations for Sonia. This month, she cruised with Regent Seven Seas Cruises from Vancouver to Seward. She had some amazing shore excursions including bear encounters in Ketchikan, seeing Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, going on a float adventure in Skagway, exploring the back country in Icy Straight Point and cruising Hubbard Glacier.

Here's Sonia’s feedback on her experience onboard, her excursions, and the highlights not to be missed.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is recognized as one of the world's premier luxury lines with features such as all-suite, all-balcony ships and superior space and service ratios. Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ modern fleet sails to more than 450 iconic and immersive destinations around the world. As the leading luxury ocean cruise line, every luxury is included in Regent voyages, such as all-suite accommodations, the largest collection of free unlimited shore excursions, entertainment, highly personalized service, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits, gratuities, ground transfers and more.

Welcome to Explorer

Seven Seas Explorer takes up to 746 guests with 548 crew members. She features multiple food and beverage outlets, two pools, a multi-level theatre, extensive outdoor activities and more. She is an elegant and spacious home at sea.

Every suite has high-end finishes, relaxing Elite Slumber beds and private balconies. What Sonia particularly enjoyed during her 7-day cruise are the beautifully appointed public spaces . One of her favourite spots was the library. With its large floor-to-ceiling windows it is a delightful nook to escape to. Sonia loved doing the daily crossword, sudoku and Mensa puzzle sheets and there was a huge selection of books for the avid reader to enjoy.

Two large pools is a treat on a small ship! The main pool on Deck 11 is large with ample lounges and seats for everyone. The infinity pool in front of the spa is quiet and the perfect spot to relax.

Don't miss Coffee Connections - a proper cafe with a barista making European-style coffees. "One happy coffee snob here!" says Sonia! There is also a nice little deck space outside Coffee Connections for those wanting fresh air with their latte.

And the food... it did not disappoint!

Breakfast – Sonia’s favourite spot was out on the back deck of La Veranda as she sailed into port (on clear days) or up on Deck 11 near the pool for something light.

Lunch – Sonia was ashore most days, but for onboard lunch the best spot was up on the pool deck. Here you'll find great salads, burgers and sandwiches, either from the buffet or made-to-order. There are also light snacks available in the coffee shop until 5pm, perfect if you want something sweet or some fruit when you come in from a shore excursion. For those staying onboard, the specialty restaurants also have lunch menus which are excellent!

Dinner – All guests can enjoy three complimentary specialty dining reservations as part of their seven night cruise. Of the specialty restaurants Pacific Rim and Chartreuse were the stand outs. Prime 7 is an excellent steak house, and Compass Rose and Sette Mari do not require reservations to dine at. Bother are excellent a la carte restaurants. Plus there is always in-suite dining!

Lastly, Sonia said that the service aboard was consistently excellent. The staff were always polite, professional and prompt. The atmosphere was relaxed, warm and welcoming.

Cruising the Inside Passage

“A magical morning of scenic cruising through the Inside Passage enroute from Vancouver to Alaska. Stunning vista, ethereal landscapes and calm Explorer sails quietly and smoothly through the passage.”

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World. The town also houses an outstanding collection of totem poles. It's also THE spot to go looking for bears!

"I was lucky enough to be there at the peak of the salmon season, which is mid-late August. The fish are plentiful, and the bears are hungry as they fatten up ready for hibernation. The salmon swim up the river, and all the bears have to do is open their mouths and help themselves! It's just like a grab-and-go sushi bar! It was an amazing display to witness up-close."

Juneau

“A very wet day in Juneau, the Alaskan Capital, didn’t dampen our spirits! We still managed to get to the Mendenhall Glacier and have a quick explore of the town. Make sure you stop in at Tracy's King Crab Shack - the crab cakes are excellent !”

Skagway

“Most Alaskan cruise itineraries include a stop in Skagway. It’s a great little town and has heaps to offer tourists. The highlight for us was our included shore excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Railway. We had great visibility as we rode the vintage railway up the mountains and followed the path of the Stampeders who built this railway and trekked to Canada in search of gold in the late 19th century.

My favourite tale from the day was how these miners overcame scurvy… taught by local First Nations people, the Tlingits, to make a tea from spruce tips, the stampeders instead decided to brew beer! It’s a pretty tasty drop too!”

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)

“Icy Strait Point boasts stunning countryside and a beautiful spot to spend the day. It’s also home to one of the world’s longest zip lines! This is the destination for hikers, adventurers and nature lovers.

I opted for a back country Jeep adventure. It’s a self-drive experience with a small group of vehicles and takes you off road to see some of the more remote corners of Icy Strait Point. No wildlife spotted this time but beautiful views nonetheless.”

Hubbard Glacier

“Hubbard Glacier was absolutely breathtaking and the weather was perfection. Our ship sailed to within 10km of the glacier and then we boarded an icebreaker vessel to get right up-close to it. We watched ice calving and cracking and marvelled at the deep blues and whites of the ice. It was an extraordinary experience and hands down the highlight of our cruise."