Exploring EVERY PORT on the FIRST Alaskan Cruise of 2024!

It's the earliest Alaskan cruise of the year - of ALL TIME, actually - and we're showing you what the amazing ports of Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan are like in early April!
Empty or crowded? Is anything open?! What's the weather like? Is it snowy? What is there to do?!
We answer all these questions and more in this video. And in the coming weeks, we'll do a deep dive into each of these ports as we vlog them in detail!
And if you missed our Embarkation Day vlog on the NCL Bliss, it's here:
• The FIRST Alaska Cruis...
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- Beth and Tony
@TravellingWithTeens
#cruise #alaskacruise #norwegiancruiselines
00:00 Welcome to Alaska!
00:46 Sitka
06:53 Juneau
12:34 Endicott Arm (Dawes Glacier)
15:14 Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)
22:08 Ketchikan

[@Daveatpcc]

One of the best cruising Alaska videos available on KZbin! Your focus on the ports and your excellent editing work made this a joy to watch. Thank you for sharing.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Your comment has MADE OUR DAY! Thank you so much, we try to make the videos we wanted to see (but couldn’t find) before we travelled… so lovely to hear you like it. Thank you for taking the time to comment

[@patriciamorash2763]

Enjoyed your videos. Especially appreciate the fact that you are cognizant of accessibility features and frequently mention conditions in terms of people with mobility issues. Thank you!😊

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thank you! Glad it is helpful. We certainly try to include everyone as much as possible, and we know how helpful it is to know things in advance

[@jenrae2603]

Thank you so much for this style of video! We are going on the same cruise this week and the info was so helpful!!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thank you, have a great cruise!

[@sudermom1]

Loved this video! Great job highlighting each port! We get on the Bliss this Saturday and haven’t booked any excursions. We just want to self explore the areas, your video reassured me that this wasn’t a wrong choice. Thanks for all the time and effort to share your trip with others. It truly is helpful!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

That’s EXACTLY why we make content! We rewatched it this morning, and Beth said she wished somebody had made it before we went… which is kind of our ethos behind the channel. Have a great trip, and thanks for watching!!!

[@Dadjokeswithmydaughter]

Another great video!! It is great seeing your channel continue growing. Looking forward to see your next video.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thanks so much! Your jokes crack me up

[@PostcardAndAPint]

Wow it's beautiful. This was a great overview of the ports. Hopefully one day we'll get to Alaska. That waterfall at Juneau is stunning. Wow!! That's cool that they opened the bow! What an amazing cruise 🍻

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thanks so much! You HAVE to go if you get the chance… life changing. We appreciate your support as always

[@cruisefraterpoultons]

Loved watching this. Wow the scenery is stunning and loved the bald eagles. This cruise is perfect for nature lovers and the waterfall was awesome and so were the views around it. 👏😍🦅

[@TravellingWithTeens]

It was BREATHTAKING, everything we imagined… and more! Thanks so much for watching

[@jarol001]

Valuable intel here! We're looking forward to the lumberjack show. Excited to see some eagles, as well!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We had NO IDEA we’d see eagles EVERYWHERE. And enjoy the lumberjack show, it’s fab!!!

[@derekbrown6832]

Hi, from the UK, nice video, brings back memories of my bucket list cruise to Alaska, way back in sept 2012, Princess cruises. Mine went into Glacier Bay, and we got to see ice carving, at the Margerie Glacier, did the White Pass Scenic Rail, and Helicopter onto Meade Glacier, in Skagway, and many more amazing experiences. I would go back in a heartbeat, if i could afford to do it all again, ha.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Wow that sounds an amazing trip! Glacier Bay was on our original itinerary but NCL changed it several months before. Would have loved to have seen it. Thanks so much for watching!

[@LuckyLarry]

This is great! Getting on board the Bliss in the AM…70 yo solo traveler..I have a balcony.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Have a great time! Happy cruising!!!

[@LuckyLarry]

It’s my “first”. Sweet hubby unable to travel at the moment and he insisted I take this trip to see if I like it. Your content is fabulous. Like little tutorials and Ted Talks!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Wow, what a compliment! Thank you so much, we are really happy you like our stuff!

[@va4life398]

Thanks for sharing with us. I'm going to Alaska on a cruise in June. I'm super excited!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

It’s AMAZING! We know you’ll have the best time, and thank you so much for watching

[@modernmind]

Absolutely wonderful music...great job!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

You know, we choose our music very carefully… and you are the FIRST viewer to ever comment on it! So thank you very much, and we hope you keep watching!!!

[@modernmind]

@@TravellingWithTeens I viewed your video on a large screen TV through headphones while working out on my rowing machine and it was heavenly. I'll be on the Bliss beginning this Saturday. Looking forward to the rest of the videos in your series.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Oh how amazing! We hope you have the best time!

[@Iannovich]

We were also on this sailing. We booked very last minute, so we only found out later that Skagway and Glacier Bay had been on the original itinerary. I'm glad we didn't know, I would have been gutted to have those two destinations swapped out. Spotted ourselves in the crowd at the Lumberjack Show! The donuts in Icy Strait were warm and fresh and delicious!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thank you for solving the donut mystery! Wish we’d had some now. It was a great cruise despite the itinerary change, I’m sure you agree. Thanks for watching, and look out for yourself in our sea day vlog (out now) and future vlogs in each port, which will be far more detailed. See you around, we hope!

[@hartingheidi]

We were on the second, got back Saturday. What an amazing cruise. We saw Orcas, Grey Whales...it was amazing..not crowded and just the best time.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

You had that amazing weather, didn’t you? We would 100% go in April again, loved the fact there were no crowds etc… thanks for watching!

[@VernonWolfe]

Creek Street in Ketchikan is one of my favorite places in Alaska.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We loved it too! Cant wait to visit in high season one day

[@vickilawhorn8284]

The funicular in Ketchikan is closed and hasn't run for several years now. It used to take you to the top of the hill where there is a hotel and restaurant.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thank you SO much for answering our question! We would have loved to see the views on the way up.

[@bleumustang6362]

Thank you for your video!! I will be there this year probably at the busiest time lol 1st week of July 2024. Im super excited. 1st time cruise for me. 😁😃😃

[@TravellingWithTeens]

You’re very welcome! We know you’ll have the best time in Alaska… for sure you’ll have better weather than we did! Thanks for watching!

[@bleumustang6362]

@@TravellingWithTeensits hard to know what to pack but im sure it will be much warmer than what you all had lol i would totally freeze!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

It is SO hard to pack for Alaska, but we (and every other person who has been) recommend layers. You never know what you’re going to get up there!

[@Kalscoop]

We were on this same cruise with you!! Lumberjack show, nugget falls and all! :) The best cruise!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

It was amazing, wasn’t it? What was your favourite part?

[@Kalscoop]

Definetly the Juneau/Endicott Arm day. Mendenhall glacier, nugget falls, the endicott arm cruising all in the same day was majestic!

[@Kalscoop]

We were right behind you at the lumberjack show! Haha how fun! Love the memories you captured

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@Kalscoop We were robbed by Dawson Creek! Haha what a small world. Hope you enjoy the future vlogs!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We agree - that was our favourite too

[@lovelienanythingvlog]

I cant wait to our turn for alaska cruise this coming june

[@TravellingWithTeens]

It’s absolutely wonderful. Have a fantastic time, and thanks for watching!

[@brianj3070]

I was hoping to see myself in your video as we were on the same sailing as well!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Hello! Hope you had a great time… there are more vlogs coming so you never know!

[@cynthiaschaeffer650]

The funicular you came across in Ketchikan is the Cape Fox Hill Tram, owned by the Cape Fox Lodge at the top. It’s not new. I think the cost is normally around $5 per person but it may not be currently operational.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thank you! Like we said in the video, we had no idea! Appreciate the info, and thank you for watching!

[@sewistnotsewer]

We're doing this exact itinerary soon. Glacier Bay was removed from our itinerary, too. Did NCL ever tell you why? Great video!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

They didn’t tell us why, but we really enjoyed Endicott Arm (as you may have noticed!) even though we didn’t make it to Dawes Glacier. Thank you for watching!

[@jolilly4264]

We have just booked the zip wire so looking forward to it

[@TravellingWithTeens]

So jealous! We didn’t get to do it… come back and let us know what it was like!

[@jolilly4264]

@@TravellingWithTeens if I survive 😂

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Haha!

[@ireneinanaheim]

We will be on the 5th also😊

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Have a lovely cruise!

[@idcollectorseries5646]

You skipped over the best snack to eat in all of Sitka; Sitka Nuts. They serve warm fresh candy nuts inside the terminal. So good on a cold day. I highly recommend stopping and getting a cone. I paid $10 for a good amount then went back to get more.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We saw (and SMELLED) these in Sitka, and were so tempted… wish we had now! Reason to back

[@TravellingWithTeens]

What’s YOUR favorite port in Alaska?! Tell us 👇

[@genericalaskanexplorer4470]

Juneau Alaska lived there for a couple years and where I took photography.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

I think it was mine too. City + nature = perfection

[@marianjeffrey8684]

Come to Victoria Australia for real lumberjacks. We see this every year at the Royal Melbourne show. So we gave this show a miss. We were in Ketchikan on May 10th. My favourite Alaskan port, just not enough time in each port.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

That sounds a much warmer lumberjack show for sure! Thanks for watching!!!

[@grahamjones7639]

I'm back on the Bliss for my second Cruise in Alaska in October,

[@sharondavis8454]

Us too, Oct 5th

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We’d go back In a heartbeat! Have the best time!!!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

So jealous!

[@jonathannicori152]

I heard you also heard a native Alaskan yupik Eskimo singing a short song on a brief ride to Ketchikan

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We did, he was fantastic! One of the highlights of our trip!!!

[@gregtrain1]

Now you'll have to go back someday and visit Skagway! You'll have to ride the White Pass train!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Yes, absolutely! We thought Alaska might be ‘one and done’ for us, because it’s so far from where we live in the UK… but we’re already saying we HAVE to go back!

[@gregtrain1]

@@TravellingWithTeens : Then I suggest possibly trying A different cruise line and possibly A cruise tour if they have them. My mom and my godparents did that with us many years ago. We used Holland America cruise line. They’re best known for Alaska cruises. They offer tours. You get on in Vancouver, cruise as far as Skagway. You get on the train and go into the Yukon of Canada. Spend A few days up there before you get on A coach bus back towards Alaska. Spend A couple of days in Fairbanks before getting on the train to Denali National Park. A night or two there. Then you’re back on the train back to Anchorage. A night or two there before going back to England. You’ll have to see if there’s flights back to England from there. Or if you want, take A cruise back to Canada and fly home from Vancouver. Your choice.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

That sounds AMAZING

[@leightonmiller4096]

Was on this cruise also it was an amazing time!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Agreed!! What was your highlight of the cruise?

[@leightonmiller4096]

​@TravellingWithTeens Trying to get to Dawes Glacier or one the way back all the whales that came out! There was one that jumped all the way out of the water which was amazing!

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@leightonmiller4096 yes, we missed that but filmed some orcas (and their babies!) a bit later on… keep watching and you’ll see them!

[@lindadeters8685]

My friend and I were also on that cruise. 😊

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@lindadeters8685 it was wonderful, wasn’t it? What was your favourite port?

[@peggyroberts8601]

Great video, how far is the national park in Sitka from the visitor center?

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thanks! It was about a 15 minute walk for us, all flat! Thanks for watching

[@dixiefortune3568]

We’re going mid October I hope they don’t change our itinerary as I am looking forward to the train ride in Skagway and the beauty of Glacier Bay.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We found out in August (8 months prior to sailing) so perhaps you’re ok! Fingers crossed, and have a wonderful cruise

[@genericalaskanexplorer4470]

During October it's more than likely things will be changed at the last moment due to weather

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@genericalaskanexplorer4470 True! Always a possibility wherever you cruise, but even more so up in Alaska

[@T_Jonesy]

I'm heading to Alaska in 9 days on a cruise. We also learned that we won't be going to Skagway, but to Icy Straight Point instead. I wonder what's going on in that port that everyone is being re-routed. Great video. It looks like you really enjoyed your cruise.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We had the BEST time! And we have no idea what’s going on with Skagway… you’re not the first person to chime in on this very topic! I hope someone knows, because it’s effecting a lot of people

[@bleumustang6362]

My cruise is this July and i found out we are going to Icy point too! If you are able to tell me your experience here that would be awesome! 🤩

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@bleumustang6362 as luck would have it, our icy strait point video is coming out today! Check back at 1pm EST to see it, and thank you for watching! Have a lovely cruise!

[@T_Jonesy]

@@bleumustang6362 Icy Straight Point turned out to be a fantastic port for us and I would be bummed if I ever returned to Alaska and this wasn't a stop. Book the Zip Line there. I'm terrified of heights and was dreading this excursion, but it was one of the most thrilling, beautiful and memorable things I've ever done. It turned out not to be scary at all and at the end of it, I would have gone straight up and done it again if it was possible. An excursion not to be missed. Also, the Crab House restaurant at this port was fantastic. The Bloody Mary is unreal and the crab was delicious.

Suggest Holland America next time during the Summer. Your experience (not covered by video) will no doubt have taught that lesson.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We’d love to try Holland America, but will have to wait until the kids are grown. Thanks for watching!

[@tahirashah7501]

Looks good there at end of June anything you would recommend like tours to take?

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We really enjoyed Mendenhall Glacier; however, if we were going in June we’d probably book something where we would see some bears! Lumberjack Show also a must

[@richardperkins3460]

Which company did you use to rent your car in Juneau? It’s a really good video. I’m going in mid October so will be on the last go and the only cruise ship in town.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thanks! We used Turo.com (where you effectively pay to borrow someone’s car!) - in fact, we just released a detailed video on it two days ago! Dona KZbin search for ‘travelling with teens Juneau’ and you’ll find it!

[@terrybarber9769]

The donuts were amazing, hot and delicious. I think part of the proceeds were for charity.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Mystery solved! Now we wish WE had ordered some!!! Thanks son much for watching, and for taking the time to comment

[@EJJohnson-cj4qn]

How did you get your rain gear dry and ready for the next day?

[@TravellingWithTeens]

GREAT question! As it happens, we cover exactly that topic in our Sitka blog, out on Sunday (tomorrow? Today?) at 6pm GMT (1pm EST). Check back then, and thanks for watching!!!

[@EJJohnson-cj4qn]

@@TravellingWithTeens thank you. I’ll watch for it. We are taking the last NCL 2024 cruise to Alaska in October and it seems the weather will be very similar to yours in April.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@EJJohnson-cj4qn that sounds about right. Hope you have as much fun as we did!

[@lovelienanythingvlog]

Do you get excursions at norwegian or you just make ur own itinerary for excursion?

[@TravellingWithTeens]

We made our own itinerary… so much cheaper!

[@lovelienanythingvlog]

@@TravellingWithTeens thats cool. Thank you so much for some ideas.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

No problem! Thank YOU for watching!

[@sumiller833]

Can you walk back to the ship from Ketchikan?

[@TravellingWithTeens]

I wouldn’t! It’s seven miles. But anything is possible, I suppose

[@sumiller833]

@@TravellingWithTeens ok thank you, someone told me it was only a couple of miles. We’re going in May on the Encore. This is our first Alaska cruise so your videos have been very helpful. Hopefully our teenagers will love it.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@sumiller833 fingers (and mittens) crossed they will love it! Ours did! Have a great time

[@ehummingbird669]

Taxi back to ship was $35.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@ehummingbird669 that’s a LOT!

[@shadrach6299]

I had to SEARCH for Diet Dr Pepper in all of the ports.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

And did you find it? We hope so!

[@Dnicol363]

They act like they discovered Alaska!

[@keithdonaghy5325]

No need, just be nice or be gone.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

For us, we did! It was our first time

[@TravellingWithTeens]

Thanks for your support

[@sewistnotsewer]

Isn't that the point of traveling? I guess we could all just stay home and never leave.

[@TravellingWithTeens]

@sewistnotsewer exactly!