BEARS? Check. Bald eagles? Check. Humpback whales? Check. Sea lions? Check. And world’s scariest ziprider? Ch . . . erm, not quite.
It wasn’t for want of trying. For the benefit of Sun readers I was yet again ready to face my deep-rooted fear of heights and hurtle 5,500ft down a mountain at 65mph. On a flimsy wire.
But, alas, the weather conspired against us.
I was on a tour of Alaska with Celebrity Cruises and the terrifying ziprider was one of the main attractions at our first port of call, Icy Strait Point.
Nestled next to the tiny fishing town of Hoonah (population 900), Icy Strait Point is now a fixture on the cruise circuit in this part of the world.
It boasts wildlife, scenery, a VERY steep cable car ride up the mountain, before an even steeper ride down on the aforementioned ziprider.
Luckily, the wildlife did not let us down even if the weather did.
Heading out into the bay with enthusiastic marine mammal expert Lauryn, it wasn’t long before we were trailing alongside a pod of orcas, including an adorable calf.
Soon, a majestic humpback whale joined in the fun off the port side, repeatedly spouting and giving us a show of its giant tail.
Then, over on the shore, Lauryn spotted movement . . . bears!
We watched in amazement as a mama bear and her two cubs plodded through their natural habitat, foraging on the shore.
Attenborough documentaries won’t cut it after this.
My one regret in that moment was not having invested in a better phone or camera before the trip so that I could bring home pictures to do the experience justice. Don’t make my mistake, explorers!
Back on land, and with the ziprider still closed, we refuelled at Lil Gen’s Mini Donuts.
This Salvation Army-run hut raises funds to help the tiny Alaskan community survive the winter months, when it’s too cold for cruise tourists to stop by and spend their money in the assortment of gift shops.
Check out the killer whale sculpture by American artist Wyland in the town’s harbour, by the way — apparently the seals find it so realistic that they’re now too scared to come to the shore!
Whales, seals and sea lions were regular sights from the deck of Celebrity’ Cruises’ newly refurbished Solstice, which took me on my week-long round trip from Vancouver.
The ship has seen improvements from bow to stern, including refreshed cabins and the creation of bougie new panoramic staterooms, if you have cash to splash.
A buzzy new sports and games bar, The Parlor, acts as a focal point for meeting before and after dinner at any of the vessel’s 11 restaurants.
I challenge you to name a board game they don’t have in that bar.
It’s also worth mentioning the flawless wi-fi passengers enjoy throughout the cruise, thanks to its use of Starlink.
I’ve been on cruises where connecting to the internet or video-calling home can be a painful experience, but not on here.
Staff were unfailingly friendly and helpful, as you’d expect, and were quick to find alternative excursions on shore when the weather interfered with plans.
As well as a multitude of wildlife-watching tours, there was everything from husky sledding atop a glacier and seaplane rides to wild fishing and, in Ketchikan, a live lumberjack show.
On another of our stops, Alaska’s state capital Juneau, a main street packed with gift shops, treats, stuffed animals and beer ended with a taste of the freshest, tastiest crab I’ve ever encountered at Tracy’s King Crab Shack, right on the dockside. And as you might imagine, the salmon in Alaska is a different class.
Which is why all the bears and sea lions look so darn healthy.
On one of the cruise’s sea days, the Solstice went for a breathtaking pass by the Hubbard Glacier.
The captain kindly swung the boat slowly through 360 degrees so everyone could get a good look at the mind-blowing scene from either the warmth of their cabin or out on the sleet-lashed deck.
GO: ALASKA
GETTING THERE: British Airways flies from Heathrow to Vancouver from £685 return.
See britishairways.com.
SAILING THERE: A seven-night Alaska cruise on board Celebrity Solstice is from £749pp for an inside stateroom, departing Vancouver on May 7, 2027 and calling at Inside Passage, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan and Hubbard Glacier.
See celebritycruises.com.
With a face six miles wide and 400ft tall, the tidewater glacier is actively advancing rather than shrinking, and the cruise ships that pass by have to keep a safe distance due to the regular “calving” of building-size chunks of ice into the ocean.
All along the journey up from Vancouver and back again, the mist-shrouded and snow-topped mountains were awe-inspiring — but again sold horribly short by my everyday iPhone.
Which makes me think, I need to start planning what I need to buy for my return trip.
Mobile phone with MUCH better zoom? Check.
Big-boy pants for the big-boy ziprider? Erm . . . let’s see nearer the time.