Two days in Seattle, a week up the Inside Passage, and a self-drive into the Yukon. Six of us, ages 8 to 15 — adventurous, but in no hurry.
Land SEA Friday 9:25 AM, ship leaves Sunday 3:00 PM — so a full Friday afternoon, all of Saturday, and Sunday morning. Based downtown at the Crowne Plaza, walkable to the icons.
Seattle is a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city, with matches at Lumen Field Mon Jun 15 and Fri Jun 19 — and the city filling up across your Jun 12–14 stay. Expect crowds at the icons, higher rideshare surge, and downtown traffic. You're already booked at the hotel (good), but plan attractions a little earlier in the day and don't count on a last-minute Uber on a tight timeline.
You sail from Pier 91 (Smith Cove) — about 3.5 miles north of downtown in an industrial area, ~12–25 min by car, with no shops or food nearby. The day before a downtown World Cup match, give yourself extra time. With LugLess handling the big bags you're traveling light, but you still need a ride for 6 — pre-book a transfer/large rideshare rather than hailing one day-of. Target arriving by ~12:30 PM for the 3:00 PM departure.
Scott & Nicole are on cruise tees — design, gather sizes, order, get them to the Crowne Plaza, and hand out Saturday so everyone wears them Sunday boarding (and for the Wed 10:30 AM group photo in Juneau). J&J cover it via Venmo.
The original public market — flying fish, the gum wall, stalls, and the first Starbucks. Easy, free, and the kids will love the chaos.
Market info →The revolving glass floor ("The Loupe") and tilting glass walls. The whole family tours together Saturday afternoon — tickets already booked. Monorail from Westlake.
About →Jaw-dropping blown-glass sculptures indoors and in the garden. The group does this straight after the Space Needle Saturday — tickets booked.
About →The rebuilt waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium's "Ocean Pavilion," and Argosy harbor cruises. Good Sunday-morning option before boarding.
Aquarium →Space Needle + Aquarium + 3 more of your choice. Valid 9 consecutive days, so it spans your whole pre-cruise window.
Keep it walkable/quick so you're at the Space Needle by 2:45. Any of these fit a relaxed morning.
The rebuilt waterfront and the Aquarium's new Ocean Pavilion — sea otters, octopus, jellies. Great with the kids and an easy walk from the hotel/Pike Place.
Aquarium →A one-hour narrated Elliott Bay cruise — skyline and a taste of Puget Sound before the big ship. Easy to do and back with time to spare. (A CityPASS option.)
Harbor tour →The Museum of Pop Culture (sci-fi, music, gaming) sits right at Seattle Center — do it in the late morning and you're already where the 2:45 meetup is.
MoPOP →If Friday felt rushed, a relaxed Saturday-morning market wander — breakfast, coffee, the lower levels, and the piroshky. Zero logistics.
Market →Waterfront + Aquarium in the late morning, grab lunch downtown, then monorail up to Seattle Center for the 2:45 Space Needle group meetup. Or pre-position at MoPOP so you're already there. Save Bainbridge/Rainier-type day trips for a future visit — they don't fit the 2:45 anchor.
Roundtrip from Seattle. Port order may vary — the line notes possible substitutions. Tap a port in the nav for excursion options.
Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier is scenic-cruising only (no stop) — early Wed Jun 17, roughly 5–9 AM. The ship noses deep into the fjord to the ice face, then slowly spins so both sides get a turn. Here's where to be and what to lock in ahead of time.
The single best vantage on glacier morning — you face straight into the fjord and the ice as the ship approaches. Cruisers consistently say get to an open forward deck rather than fixating on a side. Bundle up; it's cold and windy up there.
A geodesic glass-enclosed space at the front of the ship with tiered loungers and big forward views — the warm, comfortable way to watch if the weather's raw. Gets popular on scenic mornings, so stake out a spot early.
Since the ship rotates at the glacier, your balcony will get a direct view for part of the time no matter which side you're on — coffee in hand, no crowds. Then pop up to an open deck for the head-on approach.
If the bow is packed, the lower outdoor promenade gets you right down near the water for a different angle on the calving ice. Horizons Dining Room's floor-to-ceiling windows face the wake for a warm backup.
Set an alarm — the best ice is early (≈5–9 AM) and it's worth it. Layers + hat + gloves; grab a coffee from International Café. Don't stress about port vs. starboard: the captain spins the ship so everyone gets a look, and the bow is the real prize. Watch for seals on the bergs and listen for the crack of calving ice. Binoculars earn their keep here.
Book these in the Princess app / Cruise Personalizer before you sail — the popular times fill up, especially on a full summer sailing.
If you want a special dinner: Crown Grill (steak/seafood, ~$60pp), The Butcher's Block by Dario (8-course family-style, ~$60pp), Makoto Ocean (sushi), or Love by Britto. Popular times go fast — book pre-cruise. Note your two casual meals from Princess Plus can apply at some spots.
The speakeasy magic experience — close-up magicians + a theater show, includes 2 cocktails. 13+ only, so this is a you-and-Nicole or older-teens outing (Truman & Olive qualify; not the younger two). Dine ~2 hrs before. Four shows nightly 6–9 PM; reserve ahead.
Production shows in the main theater don't need a booking, but seating is tight on Sphere-class and big chunks are held for suite/Premium guests. Arrive ~40 min early for a good seat, especially the headline nights.
For the included three-story main dining room, set a standing reservation (same time/table nightly) in the app so your group of 6 isn't waiting. Easier than walk-up on a full ship — and it locks your 7:30 family dinners with the group.
Juneau heli is already locked direct with Coastal. The one ship-excursion worth booking in-app: Victoria's Butchart Gardens fireworks (Sat) — the bus guarantees you're back before all-aboard. Everything else (Ketchikan, Skagway) you've got covered independently.
Alfredo's pizzeria, International Café, the buffet, the Dome pool, and casual spots are walk-up. The kids' clubs just need a quick registration once aboard — do it the first afternoon so they're set for the sea days.
Princess youth programs are age-banded — roughly 3–7, 8–12, and a 13–17 teen lounge. So Jensen (8) & August (11) are together in the middle group, while Truman (14) & Olive (15) are in the teen club. Don't expect all four in one room — register each in the right band that first afternoon.
It's a 7-day trip and you're packing light with LugLess — Princess has self-service launderettes (washers, dryers, soap) if you want to re-wear layers and pack less. Handy for the kids mid-week.
Finish OceanReady check-in in the Princess app for all six so your Medallions ship to the house. Then, from the Cruise Personalizer, grab your specialty-dining times, any Spellbound show, and the Butchart excursion. Locking these now beats scrambling onboard — popular slots are usually gone by embarkation day.
Group lumberjack show is 9:15–10:45 AM (5–10 min walk off the ship). After that, you're doing the relaxed downtown walkabout — Creek Street + totems — back aboard by ~2:30. Ketchikan is the rainiest town in SE Alaska, so pack the rain shells for this morning even if it looks clear.
The famous boardwalk on stilts over Ketchikan Creek — once the red-light district, now galleries and shops. Watch for salmon running below in season and seals chasing them up the creek.
A short historic footpath behind Creek Street, plus a tiny cable-car funicular up to Cape Fox lodge for the best view over the harbor. Kid-friendly and quick.
Ketchikan has more standing totems than anywhere. Closest: Totem Heritage Center (in town, walkable). Bigger displays at Totem Bight State Park or Saxman Village if you grab a quick bus/taxi.
Bald eagles often perch over the creek; the Salmon Ladder is a short stroll up. Reward the kids at a local spot — Ketchikan's a good ice-cream / fudge wander on the way back to the ship.
Ship's in 12:30–9:15 PM — the longest, latest port. The afternoon is open to explore downtown, then the big event in the evening: your private helicopter to the icefield.
352643645 · Order FSZWECIt's 15–20°F colder up top. Layers, hat, gloves, sunglasses — they supply glacier over-boots and rain gear if needed. No bags of any size on the aircraft (lockers at base). Bring your camera. Everyone's weighed at check-in.
With pickup at 5:45, you've got the afternoon downtown. Easy options near the dock: Mt. Roberts Tramway (right at the pickup spot), Mendenhall Glacier visitor center + Nugget Falls walk, or the Red Dog Saloon and downtown shops.
Tour ends ~8:15 PM with transport back to the tram — comfortable margin before the 9:15 PM all-aboard. If weather pushes the flight, Coastal reschedules within the window or refunds; the late departure is your friend here.
You booked the whole helicopter — just the six of you, no strangers in the seats. All four kids are on the manifest (Coastal allows under-12 with a parent aboard, which you are). Weather permitting, this lands you on the Juneau Icefield for a glacier walkabout. The single best "wow" of the trip.
Turo booked: a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (fits all 6). The South Klondike Highway parallels the White Pass railroad — you see the train without riding it, and stop wherever you like.
The ship docks ~6 AM but the Turo pickup is 9:30 AM (host needs your info by 7:30 AM — submit it first thing). Use the ~3 hours: a quiet early walk down Broadway before the crowds, breakfast in town, and the free Klondike Gold Rush NHP visitor center when it opens. The driving timeline below assumes you roll out around then. Re-clear US Customs on the way back; be back well before 5 PM all-aboard.
With the 9:30 van pickup, point back toward Skagway by ~12:30–1:00 PM at the latest. That keeps a solid cushion before the 5 PM all-aboard even with a customs line. If a stop runs long, drop Emerald Lake — the ship will not wait.
An evening-only stop — and a Saturday, which is the one night Butchart Gardens does fireworks. The port (Ogden Point) is a 15–20 min walk or a quick shuttle from the Inner Harbour. It stays light until ~9 PM in June. Passports required.
55 acres lit by thousands of hidden lights, capped by a music-choreographed fireworks show that only runs Saturday summer nights — and your stop lands exactly on one. It's ~45 min each way and genuinely hard to reach on your own, so book the ship's bus excursion to guarantee you're back aboard.
Butchart info →If you'd rather stay flexible: walk the lantern-lit Inner Harbour, the floodlit Parliament Buildings, and the grand Fairmont Empress. Street performers, harbor views, ice cream — easy and free with the kids, no bus needed.
Colorful floating homes, food kiosks, and harbor seals you can watch (don't feed). A short, fun walk that's right between the port and downtown — good for an hour before it gets late.
A quick narrated spin past the harbor and James Bay's historic streets. Pedicabs leave right from near the port; carriages from downtown. Easy, kid-pleasing, and no advance booking needed.
Two good plays. If the family's got energy, the Butchart fireworks are a rare Saturday-only finale and worth the late night — but book it through Princess so the bus gets you back before 11:59. If everyone's wiped from Skagway the day before, a relaxed Inner Harbour + Fisherman's Wharf walk is a lovely, low-effort way to set foot in Canada. Either way, keep an eye on the all-aboard time — and have passports in hand.
Everything to lock in before June 14, grouped by when it's due. Tap to check off — saved on this device.
The Princess app (Cruise Personalizer) is home base for dining, shows, the Butchart excursion, OceanReady, and Medallion delivery. Knock out the "Do now" group this week — popular dining and show slots are often gone by embarkation day.
Everything confirmed, in one place. Pulled from Gmail and current as of build — re-pull anytime to refresh.
GL8DJ99RWNGG9RWNHM57818423 · info due Jun 18 7:30aGL8DJ9Everyone — including all four kids — needs a valid passport. Victoria (Day 7) is in Canada, and the Skagway self-drive crosses into the Yukon. One requirement covers both.
This trip celebrates Jeff & Janet's 50th — 10 rooms across the family. Below: the things that touch us specifically.
Design, gather everyone's sizes, order, and get them to the Crowne Plaza. Hand out Saturday so all wear them Sunday boarding — and for the Wed 10:30 AM Juneau group photo. J&J reimburse via Venmo.
Sat 2:45p Space Needle · Sun 6p scavenger hunt + 7:30p dinner · Mon 6:30p formal photo + dinner · Tue 7:30p dinner · Wed 10:30a t-shirt photo · Thu 7:30p dinner · Fri 5–7p J&J tribute + dinner · Sat 11a sports court.
Wi-Fi (1 device/guest, MedallionNet Max), drinks to $15 + specialty coffee/juice, crew gratuities, 2 casual meals, 2 premium desserts/day, OceanNow delivery, unlimited room service, 2 fitness classes.
Scott 8552669865 · Nicole 8626942950 · August 8626942914 · Jensen 8626942913 · Olive 8626942952 · Truman 8626942951.
Each family checks in via the Princess app and notes any dietary needs. Complete it 14+ days before embarkation to get Medallions mailed to you. Checklist →
Port of Seattle's free luggage service — bags get tagged on the ship and checked straight through to your flight, so you skip carrying them to the airport. Airport transfer covered by J&J. How it works →
Southeast Alaska is a temperate rainforest: highs of 55–65°F, rain possible any day, and it's colder at sea and near glaciers (down to ~45°F). The game is layers + real waterproofing, not resort wear. Don't judge it by sunny Seattle.
Merino or synthetic next to skin — NOT cotton (cotton stays wet and cold). T-shirts, leggings/long underwear for the kids on glacier days.
Fleece or a light puffy. This is your warmth dial — easy to add or stash as the day swings from sunny deck to cold fjord.
A truly waterproof (not "water-resistant") breathable jacket — and rain pants for boat/kayak/glacier days. Ponchos tear in the wind.
Waterproof shoes or light hikers for everyone — port trails and docks are wet. Pack quick-dry socks (wool), and a second pair of shoes so a soaked pair has time to dry. Flip-flops only for the pool.
Tap to check off — saved on this device.
All three layers, warm hat + gloves, sunglasses. Wear the waterproof shoes — over-boots go on top. Everyone's weighed at check-in.
Base + fleece + waterproof shell and pants. Quick-dry everything, no cotton. Dry bag for your phone. It's colder on the water than on deck.
Casual layers — you're in and out of the van. Toss rain jackets in the back. Snacks + water for the kids; customs stop both ways.
Smart-casual most nights (collared shirt / nice top; clean dark jeans fine). Mon is formal — a jacket or dress for the 6:30p family photo.
Lumberjack show is outdoor bleachers — rain shell handy. 5–10 min walk off the ship; 9:15 showtime so head off early.
It can be warm and sunny — lighter layers, but keep a rain shell. Comfy walking shoes for Pike Place and the 2:45 Space Needle meetup.
Mid-June Alaska barely gets dark. Bring sleep masks — cabins have blackout curtains, but kids' bedtimes get weird. Use it: late-evening deck time is gorgeous.
Princess Plus = 1 device/guest on MedallionNet. The Medallion is your room key + payment + OceanNow food delivery anywhere on the ship. Download the app + this site before you sail.
Inside Passage is mostly calm, but the open stretch and small excursion boats can roll. Take meds before you feel it; midship lower cabins help. Ginger chews are kid-friendly.
On disembark day, the free Port of Seattle service tags your bags on the ship and checks them straight to your Delta flight — no lugging them through the airport.
Whales, eagles, bears, mountain goats — half the wildlife is a speck without them. One decent pair per couple beats the kids fighting over a phone zoom.
Cash for tips and small shops in port; Victoria + the Yukon drive are Canada (cards work, but a few CAD helps). Tell your bank you're traveling.
If bags lag at embarkation, keep swimsuits, meds, and a change of clothes in a carry-on so the kids can hit the pool while you settle in.
Cold drains batteries fast on the glacier and heli. Bring spares, keep them in an inside pocket, and clear space on phones the night before big days.
Fun facts, history, and conversation-starters for each stop on the Klondike Highway — read these aloud as you go. Stampeders, con men, dead horses, and the world's smallest desert. (Mileposts are "S" = miles from Skagway.)
In August 1896, gold was found in a Klondike creek near Dawson City. Word hit Seattle in July 1897 and ~40,000 "stampeders" stampeded north. Skagway was the gateway: from here they climbed the White Pass (or the Chilkoot) into Canada, where the Mounties forced every person to haul a full ton of supplies — a year's food — over the mountains in multiple trips before they'd let them in. Your drive today follows that brutal route, in heated comfort, in about two hours.
Before 1897, Skagway was one guy: Billy Moore, who'd staked a homestead and built a wharf, betting a gold rush would come. He was right — then got steamrolled as thousands of strangers swarmed his claim.
Just past US Customs, a ~2,000-ft ribbon of water tumbles off the cliff on your right, fed by Goat Lake up above (which also runs a small hydro plant for Skagway).
This pretty alpine pass has a grim nickname. In the winter of 1897–98, desperate stampeders drove pack horses up the narrow, icy White Pass Trail — and worked them to death.
Just over the border, the road crosses a windswept, high-elevation moonscape of stunted trees, scattered boulders, and little tarns (ponds). It looks otherworldly — and earns its name.
A genuine field of sand dunes, about one square mile, ringed by snowy peaks. Kids can run the dunes; it's surreal and very photogenic.
A tiny, colorful community (pop. ~300) of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, who have lived here for thousands of years — 4,500-year-old tools have been found nearby. Great spot to stretch, grab a coffee/bakery treat, and use restrooms.
Your turnaround. A roadside pull-off looks down on water that glows turquoise and green — the most-photographed lake in the territory.
With time before all-aboard, the six-block historic district is a living museum — about 100 original 1898–1910 buildings still stand, many restored by the National Park Service.