Me (with glasses, braces and a middle part) and my dad squinting at the sun on the deck of our Alaskan cruise
My childhood summer vacations ignited my love of travel, so I have many fond memories of our trips. As my two brothers and I got to elementary age, our family began taking a break from “normal” life to get away and see the world. I’m entirely thankful that my parents took the time off and invested in these trips. The experiences enriched our childhoods by showing us something different than the bubble where we lived and the routine we lived in. The destination of our trips was usually chosen by my parents and they did a great job in choosing, probably because they usually picked somewhere they wanted to go to and not necessarily a kid-friendly place. Some of my favorite trips included Disney World, Hawaii, China and the one I want to talk about – Alaska.
While an Alaskan cruise probably isn’t the first place you’d think to take your kids, our family had a blast. It’s much different than the typical beach or amusement park vacation, but for me and my siblings, it was awe-inspiring to see Alaska’s landscapes. We started the trip by flying into Seattle where we spent some time exploring the city, including the Space Needle. We boarded the Celebrity Cruise in Seattle and then sailed to stops in Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. I remember the constant beautiful sights of snowy mountains, the fresh fish markets, playing among totem poles and the chill Alaskan air. It was cold in Alaska, and I remember being so bummed that my younger brother and I got sick and had to stay in our cabin for a day! The cruise experience was fun for my family because we got to know our dinner staff (we did traditional dining so we were booked for the same dining time and table every night) and there was always something to do on the ship. Like any vacation, it was fun to learn about the world and see new sights with my family. This Alaskan cruise trip was definitely a favorite for me!
As my siblings and I got older and made time for college and creating our own families, we haven’t made time for a vacation together. It’s been five years to be exact! I’m thinking it’s time for a family vacation!
What is your favorite summer family vacation memory?
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