Alaska
We started off in LA, staying in Beverly Hills at the very nice Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire hoping to spot some celebrities (we had two definite sightings!), and the weather was so hot - Universal Studios in 90+ degree heat was a challenge to say the least! Vancouver was lovely and warm too, and we took the opportunity to relax by the pool at the Pan Pacific hotel which overlooks the harbour - it has a great location right by the cruise terminal. Then on to Anchorage where the weather was getting a little cooler but still fine.
We saw our first wildlife only a few yards outside Anchorage airport - a mother and two baby moose crossing the road. We had ARRIVED!! We spent a lovely day at the Alyeska Hotel Resort close to Anchorage and went up the cable car for lunch at the mountain top restaurant. There was still snow on the ground in July and it was breathtaking.
The cruise itself was fantastic, lots of relaxation interspersed with exhiliarating excursions, such as kayaking in the rain(!), fly fishing and bear watching. The fly fishing trip was interesting - just the four of us and a guide walking through "bear country" (the guide carried a gun but fortunately didn't have to use it!). Unfortunately the weather was not kind to us on the day we were due to go dog sledding so we had to shelve that idea, but the bear watching more than made up for missing the dogs. A short seaplane journey to Neets Bay out in the wilderness near Ketchikan and we were treated to several bears catching salmon in the stream right next to us. Every day we woke up to a different destination, and we have some lovely memories of seeing the glaciers at close hand, and sailing past small blue-tinted icebergs in millpond-calm waters.
Regent Seven Seas Navigator is a lovely small ship (only 490 guests at maximum occupancy) and all your drinks are included as well as all meals. Most shore excursions are also free of charge (but there is a charge for trips that involve seaplanes or helicopters). Wonderful staterooms, wonderful crew and service, and the food was always divine (and plentiful!) - I highly recommend it!
