The 49th state, Alaska is the largest but the least populated U.S. state. It occupies 20% of the US landmass, and is larger than all but 18 countries in the whole world. Alaska means "great land" in the Eskimo-Aleut language.

The main reason of the excursion is family reunion. It is my first time to visit Alaska, first time to be on a cruise, and first time (except for 11 yr-old Travis) to meet Alan's extended family and friends.

The Celebrity cruise line Mercury in one week's time departs from Seattle, Washington; makes very brief stops at Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan; cruises along the Alaska Panhandle up to Hubbard Glacier and through the Inside Passage back to Seattle.

After recently visiting the southern most city of the world, Ushuaia, Argentina, we find ourselves heading the other direction of the Americas four months later, as if we haven’t had enough long summer days. In many ways, the Alaska cruise trip is opposite of the trip to Patagonia – it is confined, structured, relaxing, with limited mobility. While Alaska is sparsely populated, the ports of calls are packed with tourists and seasonal stores that sell products from all over the world!