A Whaley Memorable Day
June 3, 2025
Dawes Glacier and Juneau, AK
This was my favorite day- The views were AMAZING!
Morning
The Anthem of the Seas had a FULL day as we would be visiting both the Dawes Glacier and the capital city of Alaska, Juneau. Dawes Glacier viewing was scheduled for 5 to 10AM so we planned on getting to the upper decks at 5:45AM as the Windjammer opened at 6AM. We got to the Windjammer early and it was already open so we got breakfast. It was SO COLD (36*) but that didn't stop us from sitting in the back of the Windjammer at the outside tables. The view was phenomenal and so picture perfect. Remember- You only live once... LIVE IT UP!
My breakfast views... PERFECT!
The aft view from the Windjammer (AFT) seating area.
It was 6:15AM and we were already seeing icebergs!
After breakfast we went up to Deck 15 to walk on the open decks as we approached the Dawes Glacier. The Anthem of the Seas was supposed to reach the actual glacier around 7:15AM so we walked around until then. Once at the Dawes Glacier, we started on the Starboard side but then made our way to the aft of the ship as the captain would literally turn the ship 360* TWICE before leaving the Dawes Glacier inlet. The views were INCREDIBLE. We were able to see tons of icebergs, water falls and even some wildlife; although not as much wildlife as our 10 Year Anniversary Cruise in 2016 much later in the summer. This viewing IS EARLY (7AM at the latest) but you MUST GET UP! You can sleep later... GET UP AND SEE THE GLACIER! If you miss it, you will regret it! I promise you it is WORTH IT!
Making the turn into the Dawes Glacier inlet.
Making our way to the glacier, the views were picture perfect!
We saw countless waterfalls!
And so many icebergs
I always wonder how far down the iceberg goes as you only see the top 10% or so!
This was so special for all of us.
And once again, the weather was cooperative and we could see the Glacier clearly!
This was the LIVE view (not zoomed in)
This was the .5 view from my iPhone.
Another view of the glacier!
This was taken as we were starting to exit the glacier.
My whole heart is in this picture!
Looking as we started to exit!
I LOVE YOU LUKE AND NATALIE!
Be still my heart!
This was taken about 30 minutes after we started to exit!
One last view of the Dawes Glacier before making our way to Juneau!
On our way out...
Classic Mini-Me!
Time needs to stop!
Goodbye Dawes Glacier inlet!
Once the captain made several turns around the Dawes Glacier, he began the trip back out the Dawes inlet towards Juneau as we were supposed to dock in Juneau at 2PM. It took about 2-3 hours to get out of the inlet and headed to Juneau. Luke and I went to the indoor hot-tubs and watched the mountains go by from the glass roof. Chris and Natalie went back to get ready for the day as they literally rolled out of bed to see the glacier.
The Indoor Pool Deck on the Anthem of the Seas is AWESOME!
Afternoon
Luke and I spent over an hour in the hot-tub before changing to meet Chris and Natalie at the North Star Bar to enjoy the fjords and look for wildlife. We were able to see some harbor seals along the way but did not see any whales.
Luke and I had the hot-tub all to ourselves and the views were EPIC!
All changed and ready for the day!
And now it's time for a mocktail- This was a frozen peach/ strawberry Slush!
A view as we entered open waters headed to Juneau!
The fog started to roll in but it wasn't going to "rain" on our parade!
We all grabbed our own lunch and then met in the Main Theater for our Royal Caribbean shore excursion- Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest. This Excursion was $249/ pp ($219/ under 12) and guaranteed whale sightings May- August or your money back. We realized when we got to the Main Theater that this was a MASSIVE excursion and we were not the only ones who booked this tour. We got off the ship around 1:45PM for our 2PM tour and loaded onto 3 busses that would take us out of Juneau to Auk Bay for our Whale Watching tour.
Once at our tour start, we noticed we were the LAST of the now 4 busses to get to the boat. I was SUPER upset but knew we would have to be on the outside decks and standing in order to see any whales anyway so I did not let the crowds bother me. We got to the starboard side of boat and sat on a bench that was covered in water and my pants were soaked... But I didn't care, I was going to have a good time no matter what! Reminder- A Cruise (and an experience in general) is what you make of it!
Our boat started to move to open waters and the views were spectacular and stunningly beautiful. The captain stopped a few times for a far off whale sighting. We would see the spout and wait for the whale to come back up to the surface but the first 2 whales seemed to stay down for a long time. I started to get that feeling that this was going to be a bust (much like our Pacific Whale Watching Tour in San Diego- April 2022).
This proved that we would NOT get our money back as we did in fact see a whale.
At this point, I was a little worried this was going to be the best we would get!
OH LITTLE DID WE REALIZE- Thank you Jesus!
A view of the Mendenhall Glacier just outside of Juneau on our way to the open waters of Auk Bay!
It was a wee bit chilly. My phone said it was 37* with a 33* wind chill.
And the wind was BLOWING HARD... Not gonna lie, It was BRUTAL!
We sat back down and the captain sailed about 20 more minutes then I saw something. A spout again so we all stood up. Before we realized it a humpback whale had swam towards our boat and started putting on a show. The captain turned off the engine and she (and her baby) were within 20 yards of our boat. The show these two put on was nothing short of INCREDIBLE! Even the captain said in all his years of doing this had never had a whale so close.
This video features each of the smaller videos I took while on this tour!
Seriously, you could take a thousand whale watching tours and never see this type of show again! We were so BLESSED!
We had our very own Prudential Commercial happening LIVE right in front of us and thanks to not being able to get a seat inside the boat, the 4 Davises had FRONT ROW SEATS. You could go on a THOUSAND whale watching tours and never see anything like this. The mama whale even swam under the boat to give the other side viewers a show as well. We stayed and watched her and her pup for 30 minutes before the Captain had to push back to get us back to the ship on time.
A initial view of the mama as she approached the boat!
The mama started showing off for us!
She was just flopping all over the place!
A whale tale... One of the only shots I got!
But she was not shy at all... She just gave us a GREAT SHOW!
Another dance she performed for us!
And we spotted baby for the first time!
Mama and baby showing off for us!
Another whale tale!
A money shot...
Is this the Prudential Commercial or my experience???
As we were sailing back we realized just how lucky we were as many people on the inside of the ship didn't get the show or were able to see the show like we were. In fact, before we got back to the ship I saw people already complaining about this excursion online and in many Facebook groups. And while this excursion WAS packed with well over 200 people, we still got the SHOW OF A LIFETIME because we braved the elements and did whatever it takes to get our money's worth. Let this be a lesson, you will have to put out effort to get what you want. You may have to stand the whole time- check. Or you may have to brace the freezing wind-chill the whole trip- check. But IT WILL BE WORTH IT!
A humpback whale TOOTH... Almost as tall as Natalie (5'8"+)
It felt SO WEIRD!
This excursion cost a total of $966 but it was worth EVERY PENNY! We will never be able to experience anything like this again in our lifetime, I'm sure!
THE Money Shot!
And another MONEY shot taken by Natalie!
Evening
Once back on dry land, we board our bus with the masses and got back to downtown Juneau. We had planned on going to Tracy's Crab Shack for dinner but the line was too long and the boys were HUNGRY so they walked back to the ship while Natalie and I explored around town. I really regret not waiting in the line for Tracy's as it really is THE BEST! Natalie and I spent way too much money around town but got back on the ship just in time for Evening Trivia in the Schooner Bar.
We loved shopping in Juneau!
After trivia we went to the Chic Dining Room for dinner and the service and food were exceptional once again. We really love the Taste of Italy menu that Royal offers and it did not disappoint.
We love eating dinner in MDR, even at 8:30PM!
The Arancini Balls (all)- 4.0
These were YUMMY and crispy!
Caesar Salad- 4.5
Royal does this REALLY well!
The Lasagna- 3.5
It is REALLY meaty (if you like that). Luke loved it but it was "little much" for me!
Mushroom Risotto- 3.5
This was GOOD but not as GREAT as I remember!
Tiramisu- 4.5
WOW... it was SO GOOD!
After dinner we went back to the room and Luke decided to just go to bed since he was so tired. Natalie went to the Sea Plex for the Teen Dodgeball while Chris and I headed to 270 for the Adults Only Quest Gameshow. TIP- This is such a FUNNY event and should not be missed; but know it can get a little raunchy and not for kids at all. Usually RCCL checks Sea pass cards at the door but did not on this ship. This Quest was also a "little lame" as the crowd was so much older but we still had fun! Natalie went to bed after Dodgeball so Chris and I closed out the night in Vintages. We shut down the bar at 1AM and we loved it!
Day 5 was LOADED but OH SO FUN!
It was a FULL day and SO MANY MEMORIES were made!
Did you miss Day 4? Catch up HERE!
Up Next... Another Sea Day aboard Anthem of the Seas!
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- March 2019
The Norwegian Breakaway- November 2018
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- 2018
Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
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