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Bears, Orcas, and Bonding, Our Alaska Adventure with Oceania

Jul 26 2026 | By: Gurvy Travel

My First Oceania Cruise to Alaska: Would I Sail Oceania Again? Absolutely.

I've been on a lot of trips over the years, but this one was extra special. It wasn't just my first Oceania cruise, it was checking off a bucket-list trip for my mom. Watching her experience Alaska made this trip one I'll never forget.

So... would I sail Oceania again?

Without hesitation.

One thing I noticed right away was the mix of ages onboard. There were retirees, couples, families, and travelers like me. It never felt like it catered to just one generation.

The Service... How Do They Do That?

The crew was incredible.

It honestly felt like social media somehow hearing your conversations, except they somehow knew what you were thinking before you even asked.

Need a drink? They were already on the way.

Finished your plate? Cleared.

Wondering where to sit? Somehow someone appeared.

Every single crew member greeted us with a smile. Every time we stepped out of our stateroom, our housekeeping attendants welcomed us like family.

I asked if they could move the dresser that sat between our beds to give us a little more room.

"No problem."

Done.

Mom wasn't comfortable on her mattress.

"No problem."

They flipped it, added a support board, and checked back to make sure she slept better.

Can I bring you home with me?

The Ship

Every area of Riviera was prettier than the last.

There were quiet places to read, beautiful lounges to grab a cocktail, comfortable outdoor seating, afternoon tea with a string quartet, and countless spots just to sit and watch Alaska go by.

We became complete window-seat snobs. Wherever we ate, drank coffee, or relaxed, we wanted the view.

And honestly... why wouldn't you?

Small Ship = Huge Perk

One of my favorite things about Oceania is the size.

Around 1,200 guests instead of 4,000+.

That made a huge difference. Getting off in port was easy. Specialty restaurant reservations weren't stressful.

The ship never felt crowded. No fighting for elevators. No waiting forever.

Just... easy.

 

The Stateroom

Spacious. Clean. Plenty of storage.

We actually unpacked everything instead of living out of a suitcase.

If you're sailing Alaska...

Book the balcony.

Seriously.

Don't go any lower.

Watching glaciers, mountains, whales, and the coastline from your own balcony is worth every penny.

I also loved that Oceania provides blankets on the balcony for chilly mornings.

Such a simple touch.

We had gorgeous weather every single day of our seven-night cruise.

Is that normal? Probably not... but I'll take it!

Laundry!

Can we talk about something nobody gets excited about until they're cruising?

Laundry. Having self-service laundry rooms with washers, dryers, detergent, and irons was amazing.

Such an underrated perk. Especially if you're extending your vacation.

The Food

Wow. People talk about Oceania's food. Now I understand why.

The specialty restaurants are not just an extension of Terrace Café.

Every meal felt thoughtfully prepared. The service never missed a beat.

We even showed up 10 minutes before our reservation more than once... and somehow they seated us anyway.

(Shhh... don't make that a habit.) Just be ready to eat.  A lot.

Little Things I Loved

  • Evening turndown service.
  • Chocolate on the pillow every night. (Did I want to ask for two? Maybe. 😄)
  • The leather key card holder instead of a plain cruise card.
  • Daily "Currents" newsletter.
  • Carson, the Cruise Director, was fantastic. His nightly preview of the next day became part of our routine.

Activities

There was always something happening. We spent more time than expected in the game room. Skyjo may have become a little competitive...

The gym has incredible views. The sauna was a nice way to unwind.

The nightly shows were fun and gave us something to do after dinner. The pools? Let's just say Alaska water temperatures don't exactly make you want to jump in. Embarkation day was probably the busiest I saw them.

Glo, the onboard naturalist, was incredible. Her presentations were informative, and if you followed her WhatsApp updates or stopped by Deck 14, she'd help guests spot whales, sea lions, dolphins, and other wildlife throughout the cruise. She made Alaska come alive.

The Ports

Every port was beautiful. Ketchikan. Sitka. Icy Strait. Victoria.

But surprisingly... Icy Strait Point was my favorite. It was peaceful. Green.

Quiet. Exactly what I imagined Alaska would feel like.

The orcas did not disappoint! 

This cruise gave my mom and me memories we'll talk about forever.

Between the incredible crew, outstanding food, beautiful ship, relaxing atmosphere, and breathtaking scenery, Oceania exceeded every expectation I had.

If you're looking for nonstop water slides, giant casinos, and amusement park-style entertainment, Oceania probably isn't your cruise line.

But if you appreciate exceptional service, amazing food, a smaller ship, and a destination-focused experience, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

Questions about Oceania or thinking about cruising Alaska? I'd love to help.

Ready to check Alaska off your bucket list? Let's go!

Let's get you booked!

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