Sally Gunnell: A day-by-day look at my Celebrity Cruises & Rocky Mountaineer adventure

_{Written by Sally Gunnell, Cruise Miles® Ambassador}

When Sally Gunnell returned from her Celebrity Cruises and Rocky Mountaineer adventure through Alaska and the Canadian Rockies, it was immediately obvious just how much the trip had exceeded expectations. From spotting humpback whales from the deck of Celebrity Solstice to flying over glaciers in Alaska and travelling through the Rockies on board Rocky Mountaineer, every part of the journey left a lasting impression.

Below, Sally shares a day-by-day look at the itinerary in her own words - and why this cruise and rail experience became one of the most memorable holidays she’s ever been on. 

We arrived in Vancouver and stayed overnight at the Pan Pacific Hotel, which honestly couldn’t have been a better start to the trip. Our room overlooked the port, and we could actually see Celebrity Solstice waiting for us below, which immediately built the excitement. Vancouver itself was such a lovely city. It felt safe, relaxed, and incredibly scenic, with water running through it and mountains in the distance. 

We spent time just soaking up the atmosphere and easing ourselves into holiday mode before the adventure really began. Looking back, I’d definitely recommend adding a night or two in Vancouver before boarding because it gives you time to settle in properly rather than rushing straight onto the ship after a flight. 

Embarkation day was incredibly smooth. We literally went downstairs from the hotel and straight into the port terminal - it couldn’t have been easier. Once onboard, the excitement really kicked in. 

Celebrity Solstice immediately felt relaxed and welcoming. I’ve done more traditional cruises before, but this felt very different - much more laid-back and adventure-focused, which suited Alaska perfectly. We headed straight up to the top deck for sail away, and the atmosphere was brilliant. There was music playing, people sitting out in the sunshine with drinks, and incredible views as we sailed away from Vancouver into the Inside Passage. 

Even from those first few hours, you realised this wasn’t going to be a normal cruise. The scenery was already breathtaking.

This was unlike any sea day I’ve experienced before because your eyes are outside all the time. Usually on a cruise, you might spend time around the pool or reading your book, but here we were constantly looking out at the landscape. 

Everywhere you looked, there were mountains, forests, waterfalls and little islands drifting past. We spent most of the day up in our favourite spot onboard - Sunset Park on Deck 15 - sitting with binoculars and just watching the world go by. 

What struck me most was the calmness of it all. Alaska has this really peaceful atmosphere that’s difficult to explain until you experience it yourself. 

Icy Strait Point was all about wildlife for us. We booked both a whale watching tour and a bear excursion, which ended up being such a highlight of the trip.

Seeing humpback whales and orcas in the wild was incredible, especially because we’d hoped so much that we’d see them. We also spotted bears along the shoreline, including one mother bear with cubs, which was really special. I’d never really thought about bears being near beaches before, but watching them turn over rocks looking for food was fascinating.

The excursions were really well organised and felt like genuine once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Skagway had such a different feel from the other ports. It felt very historic and scenic, surrounded by these huge mountains that almost make you feel tiny when you arrive. 

What I loved most was simply getting off and exploring. Everywhere in Alaska felt very organised and easy to navigate, so you could either head off on excursions or just enjoy wandering at your own pace. There’s such a lovely sense of adventure there because you’re surrounded by forests, mountains and incredible scenery wherever you look.

One thing we really noticed throughout the trip was how smooth everything felt getting on and off the ship. Even when there were lots of people arriving in port, it never felt overcrowded or stressful.

Skagway was also one of those places where the scenery constantly catches your eye. Even just standing on deck, arriving in port felt special because the surrounding landscape is so dramatic. 

This was probably one of the most visually breathtaking days of the whole cruise. Celebrity Solstice sailed right up through Endicott Arm towards Dawes Glacier, surrounded by floating icebergs and these enormous cliffs rising out of the water. 

You genuinely can’t prepare yourself for the scale of it all. The glacier itself had the most incredible blue colouring running through the ice, and even though the weather was slightly overcast, it was still absolutely stunning. I can only imagine how bright the colours would look in full sunshine. 

What made it so special was how close the ship got. We slowly turned around near the glacier so everybody on board could take in the views properly, and then there was this incredible silence around us, apart from the sounds of the ice and water.

It felt surreal - one of those moments where you almost can’t believe you’re actually there, seeing it with your own eyes. Photos just don’t capture the scale, the atmosphere, or the feeling of being surrounded by something so huge and untouched.

Juneau ended up being my favourite stop because this was where we did the seaplane excursion over the glaciers - honestly, one of the best experiences we’ve ever had.

We flew over five glaciers in this beautiful old seaplane before landing at a remote wilderness lodge for lunch. Looking down over Alaska from the air was completely mind-blowing. It genuinely took my breath away. 

At the lodge, we had freshly cooked salmon and spent time walking around the waterfalls and forests before flying back again. It felt so remote and untouched - like being in another world entirely. 

By the time we reached Ketchikan, we were ready for a slightly slower-paced day. We spent time simply walking through the town, exploring the trails and soaking up the scenery.

What I love about Ketchikan is how easy it is just to wander and enjoy being there. We stopped for seafood in a local restaurant and enjoyed having a more relaxed afternoon after some of the bigger excursion days earlier in the itinerary.

One thing I really noticed throughout Alaska was how organised and clean every port felt. Even with cruise ships arriving, everything still felt calm and manageable. 

Our final sea day gave us another chance to simply sit back and appreciate the scenery. I found myself glued to the windows again, following all the islands and mountains as we sailed back towards Vancouver.

We spent the day doing our usual routine - gym in the morning, healthy breakfast at the Spa Café, then relaxing upstairs watching for wildlife. We saw eagles, whales and endless mountain views. 

It was one of those rare holidays where you feel genuinely relaxed but also completely inspired by everything around you.

We spent another couple of days in Vancouver before beginning the rail portion of the trip, and I’m really glad we did. It gave us time to reset before the next adventure. 

The transition onto Rocky Mountaineer was incredibly smooth. Everything was organised for us - luggage transfers, boarding instructions, hotel arrangements - which made the whole experience feel completely stress-free.

Rocky Mountaineer felt like an experience in itself rather than simply transport. From the moment we boarded, it felt really special. There were bagpipes playing at the station, the train looked beautiful, and the GoldLeaf carriage with its glass-domed roof gave you these panoramic views the entire journey. 

The scenery changed constantly throughout the trip. One moment, you were travelling through forests and rivers, then suddenly you’d be surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks. The onboard hosts were brilliant as well - constantly sharing stories about the wildlife, the salmon runs and the history of the Rockies.

What amazed me most was how quickly the 12-hour days passed. You’d think sitting on a train that long would feel exhausting, but it absolutely flew by because there was always something new to look at.

The journey through the Rockies was completely stunning and felt like the perfect ending to the holiday. 

What made this itinerary so special was how perfectly the cruise and rail experiences complemented one another. From the glaciers of Alaska to the Rockies of Canada, it felt like one huge adventure full of moments we’ll never forget.

It was exciting, relaxing, adventurous and incredibly memorable all at the same time - the sort of trip that genuinely stays with you forever.