Dreaming Up an Adventure

For our honeymoon, my wife and I plan to take a cruise. However, life has other plans. The world changes in 2020, delaying our dream. But this fall, that finally changes—we are taking our family cruise to Alaska!

How it All Started

It all begins with a simple trip to our local big-box store. My wife, Dawn, our infant son, Benson, and I finish checking out. As we wait in line for an employee to check our receipt, I grow bored. Looking around, I grab a travel packet from the nearby stand.

Flipping through the pages, I say, “I really want to go on a cruise and see Alaska.” It is a passing thought, and we don’t talk about it much. However, that small moment plants the seed for our biggest adventure yet.

The Idea Turns Into a Plan

A little over a week later, we find ourselves back at the store, waiting in line again. Just like before, I grab a travel packet and start flipping through it. However, this time, I pay closer attention to the details. The surprisingly low starting prices catch my eye.

Turning to Dawn, I ask, “If we take a cruise, who would we leave Benson with?” Before she can answer, another thought hits me.

“What if we don’t leave him behind? What if we invite my parents to join us instead?”

At that moment, everything changes. My parents’ 50th wedding anniversary is this year. Alaska is a destination my mother has always dreamed of visiting. The more I think about it, the more I realize—this is the perfect opportunity to make it happen.

Booking the Trip – Sticker Shock and a Surprise

Excited by the idea, I rush home and log into our membership travel site. I check prices, but my excitement quickly turns to shock. The actual cost is thousands of dollars more than I expect.

Panic sets in. I start searching for ways to lower the cost—considering everything from an inside cabin to a lower-level room. However, no matter what I do, the price still seems too high. For a moment, I think I will have to crush my mother’s dream before it even begins.

Right before I give up, I check the cruise line’s official website. To my surprise, I find a better deal—over $2,000 cheaper for two rooms next to each other. The booking includes an infant, two adults, and two seniors. It feels like a miracle!

Our Family Cruise to Alaska Becomes a Reality

With the booking secured, our dream cruise is finally happening! After years of waiting, unexpected delays, and one random store visit that starts it all, we are heading to Alaska this fall!

I can’t wait to share everything we learn—what’s worth repeating, what’s even better the second time, and what surprises we discover.

Stay tuned as we count down the days until we set sail on our family cruise to Alaska!

For more information about Alaska’s tourism, visit travelalaska.com or alaska.org or helpful information.

To read about day one of my Alaska adventure, visit 2022 Family Cruise to Alaska: Day 1. Also explore the whole story at Alaska 2022 Adventure.