Well, that’s the plan anyway.
As I told my counselor before I left for this epic adventure, if you never see me again, it’s because I YOLO’ed.
This whole trip has been one big YOLO. Even now, as I pre-prep entries, my stomach is doing somersaults as I start the “Will I get on a seaplane?” or “How many Xanax will get me to the Arctic Circle?” debates. This YOLO includes many tiny planes. I am not a fan of planes of any size. Prayers up.
I have gotten much better at leaning into the surprises of travel, yes. Still, I’d also like to know, in advance, how many times I’ll want to strangle my husband during any given trip. Is it even a vacation if I don’t have at least one meltdown?
Today, we are heading from Denali to Anchorage, where this epic adventure will come to an end.
Tonight, we will board a red-eye that will carry us from Anchorage to Newark and, if I haven’t had a complete meltdown yet, then it will for sure arrive at some point in the overnight hours as we make our way back east, folded up in our airplane seats.
Tomorrow, I will be a little sad to have this trip behind me…
…but…
I do leave for that post-vacation vacation in just ten days, so perhaps that will help.
Next up? I’ll be boarding the Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas for the 2025 President’s Cruise! The list of “new” things is long for this one. It is a work-ish trip on a bigger ship than I’ve ever sailed on, which means even more people to drive me bananas. I’m traveling with the newest member of my girl gang, and we’ve used Girl Math to tack on a few days at Universal Orlando. The hope is that the ten days in between trips will be enough to get rested up but there is the real chance that exhaustion will hit somewhere in the Bahamas.
Yes. There will be stories. Of this I have no doubt.
We just finished traveling with Holland America on an Alaska-Yukon-Denali sea/land tour. This tour has limited openings each summer as there is only space for forty-five travelers at a time. Think you might be interested? Here’s a link to the 2026-version of the adventure: HAL CruiseTour. I’ll tell you all about our trip when we return and, perhaps, we’ll get you booked for the 2026 season!
For those on the hunt for a less cruise-y Alaskan adventure, here are some additional options!
- Lindblad Expeditions: The Lindblad family is the originator of expedition travel, and their itineraries continue to amaze! With small ships (think less than 200 passengers), travelers can go further “into” Alaska than on any other line. And, because they are US-flagged ships, there is never a wait for Customs clearances in Alaska. Check out this 6-day signature expedition.
- Adventures by Disney: Alaska: This 8-day, land tour is a semi-private experience with a few adults-only options. I promise, you will not see Mickey Mouse, but you will have at least two guides with you for the entire small-group tour.
- NatGeo Journeys: Discover Alaska: Another boutique land tour with availability all summer long!
- Alaska Rail Vacations: Warning, Alaska Rail Vacations is a rabbit hole with so many interesting itineraries that involve trains, planes, and more.