One of the best things when on a cruise is pulling into port, especially around sunrise. It’s the beginning of a new day and you’ve arrived at a new place like Skagway, Alaska.
Skagway is a historic gold rush town that sits at the top of the Inside Passage and panhandle of Alaska near the border with Canada and the Yukon.
We weren’t alone as it was summertime at the heart of the Alaskan cruise season. The town population of 900 doubles this time of year with tourism traffic.
Walking up-top the Celebrity Solstice in port we enjoyed the calmness of the Taiya Inlet waters and the early morning light shinning on the snow-capped mountains.
It was the wee hours of the morning so of course a coffee and it’s mug had to take in the experience too. 🙂
Well it was time to get off the ship and head for some rafting fun on the Taiya River. What a great first taste of Skagway, Alaska though by pulling into port at dawn.
What ports have you enjoyed pulling into when on a cruise? Any Alaskan favorites?
I have never been on a cruise, but I know people who have been to Alaska via cruise and loved it! I would love to go some day…it looks beautiful!
Everyone is right. It was my first time in Alaska and a cruise is a great way too see it. Beautiful wilderness and nature views everywhere you look. Hope you do make it sometime. 🙂
Looks beautiful. An Alaskan cruise is on my bucket list to visit for sure!
It is even more beautiful seeing up close! 🙂
Wow!! Alaska 🙂
And a big ship underneath you.. Sounds like something great. Btw, id love to have a solstice deck everywhere i go lol 😉
Cheers
Pieter
14+ decks below me when I took most of these shots. Yes, yes a solstice deck. Always having access to a heated pool and whirlpool with mini-bars all around, that’ll work haha. 🙂
Ohhhh I wanna visit there someday! Great shots 🙂
Thank you! Hope you have a chance to. Not a bad scene to start the day to.
Hahaha true!! 😃
Great photos. I’ve seen a number of US states but not (yet) Alaska. Looks superb. I have cruised in Norway and that was memorable…great to wake up somewhere new each day!
Awesome pics Aaron!
Believe it or not I’ve never been on a cruise but after seeing and reading about your experience I might give it a try 😉
Wow, Alaska sure is beautiful.
I bet it was the beginning of a great adventure on land!
Thank you Karla! The excursion and sunrise/sunset opportunities on a cruise make it worth it all by themselves. 🙂 Your right, it was just the beginning to a great day in Skagway. Wrote about the rafting did while there.
https://elatlboy.com/2013/10/10/alaska-rafting-the-taiya-river/
Skagway looks like a beautiful and interesting town. Hope to get there someday and see it in person.
The main drag is mostly tourist traps but all the excursions and adventure/nature that surround it make it a great Alaskan stop. The town itself does have a lot history itself that is worth exploring. 🙂
summertime would be prime tourist time. Living in Arizona, I’m pretty sure I’d freeze solid if I went to Alaska in the winter 🙂
It was cool and rainy most of the trip except for this day. Was in the 80’s and sunny which was highly unusual. Definitely took advantage of the beautiful Alaska summer day. 🙂
It looks stunning.
A great way to start the day, arriving in a small Alaskan town surrounded by mountains and so much natural beauty. 🙂