The one with the cider, the sea otters in Alaska, and the slot machine win

1. Two years in the making

We booked the Alaska cruise two years ago because cruise deals are almost always better early than last minute (most of the time, that's what we find here in Australia).

May 2025 finally arrived, with it, our adventure to Seattle, Alaska and Las Vegas.

First-time Magic, seasoned travel smarts, and a whole lot of snacks starting with an airport beer with breakfast - it's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?.

We weren’t ticking off locations but revisiting our sense of adventure, one scenic detour at a time.

2. Jet lag and joy: 36 hours to Seattle

We left Brisbane on Friday 2 May, bleary-eyed but buzzing. After layovers in Auckland and Los Angeles, we arrived in Seattle. The light rail got us to our hotel for $3 each - beats a $50 Uber.

Jo’s tip: use the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app - it cut our immigration wait from three hours to 30 minutes

CitizenM Pioneer Square was everything. It had a comfortable king-size bed, incredible blackout curtains, and rosemary fries that were a religious experience.

Jo’s tip: don’t get stuck near the window unless you’re ready for a ninja vault in the dark when you need a wee in the middle of the night!

After 36 hours of travel and a couple of beers with fellow guests, we slept like vampires.

3. Pike Place market: bagels, cider and gum walls

We tackled the hill to Pike Place Market with legs still sore from travel. A detour past the famous (and mildly revolting) Gum Wall gave way to beautiful poster-covered bricks and our first-ever bagels.

Hot apple cider followed, warming us from the inside out.

We saw the original Starbucks - the queue was sooooo long (and it’s only coffee, right?) that we didn’t bother and headed to get our very first bagel, sausage and cheese on an everything bagel - it even came with mini tater tots. It was delicious but so blooming hot!!

Later: lemon curd crumpets, Seattle t-shirts, and a seaside stroll with a starfish sighting.

A surprise highlight? Burgundy, (I've added her link on her name here - check her out) a 3D artist whose coral scenes literally popped out of the frame. Her use of colour, depth, and lighting was mesmerising. It’s the kind of find that makes travel feel like treasure hunting.

4. Boarding Discovery Princess: chaos, cream jumpers and seafood

After the world’s longest baggage check-in line (two hours!), we finally boarded the Discovery Princess. The crew's familiar cream jumpers reminded us of Francisco from our NZ cruise last year - instant comfort, and it felt like a warm hug. The app said check-in was between 10:30 and 2:30pm… apparently for everyone.

Onboard highlights: halibut, barramundi, crab cakes. We leaned fully into the “When in Alaska” spirit.

Entertainment-wise, we caught Jason Bird’s comedy Magic, the dazzling Rock Opera, Gen Moldenado belting out diva anthems, and Viva La Musica.

5. Alaska ports: snowy peaks and scenic sips

Ketchikan

Picture-perfect houses, misty mountains, and even a bald eagle spotting. We walked, sipped coffee, and marvelled. The old red light district was fascinating - a glimpse into a wilder history.

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

We woke at 5am for this, and it was worth every frosty breath. Sea otters zipped by, the icebergs sparkled blue, and we even spotted one shaped like Nessie. Princess handed out blankets, and we brought our own travel mugs with hot choc and marshmallows - pure Magic.

A naturalist onboard told us about hummingbirds that appear in Endicott in July - his theory? They ride bald eagles like little feathery hitchhikers. I kind of hope it’s true.

Juneau

After our glacier nap, we landed in Juneau and joined Jimmy (our hilarious bus guide) to Mendenhall Glacier - a quick mile or two hike, waterfall selfies, and whispers of nearby bears.

Spoiler: no bear sightings. Again. But the gushing waterfall and misty walk made it all worthwhile.

Skagway

Cue Wild West vibes and history galore. We rode the White Pass Scenic Railway to 2000m and back - cold but breathtaking. The engineering stories blew us away: men working five minutes at a time with ten-minute hut warm-ups.

Afterwards, we hit Red Onion Bar (yep, another historic brothel), downed a Blueberry Mojito and a local shot called a Reindeer Fart. Baileys, Kahlua and Peppermint Schnapps - it was like Christmas in a glass. We wobbled back to the ship, giggling like teenagers.

6. Delta, Vegas and curly wurly upy downy escalators

Delta wins the airline award: great app, on-time flights, smooth all round. In Vegas, we stayed at NoMad (non-smoking, praise be!) and scored free nights, credits, and even a few slot machine wins—$400 off 50c spins. No whales here. Only strategic snack-fuelled gamblers.

Food highlights: Hob Burger at House of Blues (sneaky Santana concert next door), prime rib dip at Tom’s Urban with gravy and horseradish. Weather? Perfect. Curly escalators at Caesar’s? Still iconic. Still filmed for my cousin, Donna (it’s our thing lol).

Shopping? Oh yes. We visited both the North and South Outlets. Paul bought me a new Samsonite as the Mickey Mouse one was giving up. I discovered Columbia skorts—colourful, comfy, and no leg chafing after those Vegas walks.

Jo’s Vegas Bus Tip: Heading to the Outlets? Use Bonneville Transit Centre as your change hub. Not clearly signed—trust me, I’ve tested the maze. On your way back to the Strip, make sure you cross the concourse and hop on the next Deuce.

7. Books, dogs and coming home

I finished reading John Gwynne’s Blood & Bone series (17 years of writing, 150 years of fictional history!) and devoured The Mysterious Bakery on the Rue de Paris by Evie Woods on the flight back. That little bit of whimsy was the perfect way to land.

On our final layover in LA, we met a family with two Scruff-sized dogs, and yes, I got cuddles. He even offered me one of his cake treats. I must be a very good girl hehehehehe.

Back home now, reunited with our little Scruff. He’s snoozing in his jumper as I write this. Suitcase unpacked, tea in hand, and a heart full of memories.

Travel isn’t always smooth. But it’s always worth it.

Trips like this remind me that adventure doesn’t always come with big moments - sometimes it’s in the rosemary fries, the conversations, or spotting a starfish. Magic’s in the margins, if we’re paying attention.

Ready to dot your own journey? Grab your notebook, pack your snacks, and don’t forget your travel mug.

Got a favourite moment from Alaska, Seattle or Vegas? Or a place that’s top of your list? Leave a comment - I’d love to hear about your next adventures.