Client Confidential: An Alaskan Adventure
Alaska Cruise – Client Confidential
I recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Alaska with a group of friends. Our journey began with a couple of nights in Anchorage, followed by a scenic train ride down the coast, and concluded with a luxurious cruise aboard Silversea. It was an incredible adventure, and I’m excited to share the highlights with you in this month’s blog.
Before diving into our experience with Silversea Cruise Line, I’d like to start by focusing on the land portion of our trip.
Anchorage:
Anchorage was a cute town. We were there 2 nights and we did a tour on day 2. The tour was very good and gave us some history of Anchorage. We were able to go to flat top mountain for some beautiful views. It was a great way to see the city and some of the surrounding areas. The downtown Anchorage area has cute shops and eateries so it’s easy to spend a few hours just walking around. We enjoyed lunch in the legendary White Spot Cafe, where we had the famous halibut sandwich - yum! For dinner, we ate at the Crush Café and it was a great meal with excellent wine. I’d highly recommend checking this out.
Coastal Train:
We took the morning train from Anchorage to Seward on Day 3. This was a fantastic experience!! We were in Goldstar class which was well worth the extra money. We arrived 1.5 hours before departure and that timing was perfect. It gave us time to drop off our bags and stand in a short line to get our tickets. Our bags were delivered directly to our hotel in Seward. This a Goldstar benefit. The views on the train were fantastic. We saw moose, mountain sheep and numerous bald eagles from our window view. Breakfast was included in the dining car. The seats were very comfortable, with lots of leg room and the large windows made viewing easy.
Seward:
Upon arrival in Seward, there was a free shuttle that took us to our hotel. We stayed at the Gateway Hotel which is situated between downtown Seward and the train station. The hotel was clean and perfectly fine but nothing fancy.
Seward has a cute downtown area with shops and restaurants. There is also a nice park at the edge of town if you want to sit and watch the water. Seward offers a wide array of fishing tours and tours of the Kenai Fjords so it’s a good launch point if you want to explore either of these options.
Silversea Cruise Line
Silversea is a luxury cruise line offering small-ship experiences to all seven continents. Whether it’s the Mediterranean, Antarctica, or Alaska, Silversea prides itself on immersive destination experiences, personalized service, and all-inclusive luxury. Onboard, you’ll find gourmet dining, fine wines and spirits, exceptional butler service for every suite, and enriching excursions—all included in your cruise fare. Below is the feedback from our group regarding regarding our cruise experience.
Embarkation Day
Our cruise embarkation began at 2:00 PM, and we arrived just before 1:00 PM. Even though we anticipated waiting, check-in was seamless—no lines at all. Upon boarding, we were welcomed with champagne and warm towels. Our stateroom was ready by 2:00 PM, and our luggage arrived an hour later. A buffet lunch was available onboard until 3:00 PM.
What’s included on a Silversea cruise?
Just about everything!
Spacious ocean-view suites with butler service
All meals, including five unique dining venues
Fine wines, spirits, and specialty coffees
Excursions in every port
Gratuities
Daily and nightly entertainment
WiFi (though a bit slow and limited to one device at a time)
What did you think of the food?
The food was fantastic, with a wide range of options across eight different restaurants including specialty restaurants. The Chef’s Table experience was outstanding and beautifully curated. We also tried La Dame, the fine dining French restaurant, and while the presentation was exquisite, we felt the meal didn’t quite justify the extra charge—especially without a wine pairing. Overall, though, the quality and variety of the food throughout the ship was excellent.
How was the service?
The service was exceptional—warm, professional, and genuinely friendly. The staff quickly learned our preferences, from morning coffee orders to evening cocktails. Our butler took care of everything from restaurant reservations to stocking our suite with our favorite drinks.
How would you describe the ship and your stateroom?
The ship was beautiful, modern, and well-maintained. Our suite was far more spacious than we expected, with plenty of storage, a luxurious bathroom, and thoughtful design touches throughout. We were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and elegant everything was.
What did you think of the excursions?
The excursions were amazing and really brought the Alaskan experience to life. From a scenic beer tasting in Klawock to visiting a fish hatchery, we felt immersed in the local culture and environment. Some of the guides were new, but all were enthusiastic. We appreciated the range of activity levels offered, though we recommend better grouping by fitness level to enhance the experience for everyone.
Was there entertainment onboard?
Yes! Silversea offered a variety of entertainment, from musical performances to enrichment lectures. Activities were well-paced and didn’t dominate the day. There are some age restrictions to note for certain venues, so make sure to ask if you're traveling with teens or younger adults.
What was a surprise?
We were also struck by how remote some of the Alaskan towns were, which made the immersive excursions even more special. And we didn’t expect the suites to be as spacious and well-appointed as they were.
What did you enjoy most?
Hands down, the service. Every staff member seemed genuinely happy to be there, and it made the entire experience feel warm and personalized. We also loved the cocktail program, the fine dining, and the chance to unwind in such a beautiful setting.
What would you change?
There were only a couple of small things we’d improve:
The WiFi could be better (and accessible on more than one device at a time).
For taller folks, the bed could be longer
Final thoughts
We had a wonderful time aboard Silversea. The ship was newer and beautiful, the food and drinks were top-notch, the excursions were immersive, and the service made us feel truly special. If you’re looking for a luxury way to experience Alaska—or anywhere around the globe—Silversea is a perfect choice.
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, I’d love to help you plan your own Silversea voyage. Let’s start designing the perfect luxury cruise just for you!
