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TeaWhen I heard the whale blow for the first time, it silenced the entire catamaran. Prince Rupert’s morning peace is being interrupted by a sudden gust of wind British ColumbiaI couldn’t see the whales rising but I didn’t need to, the sound was enough, The silence that followed said it all,
As a blind traveler, I’m used to managing expectations – mostly other people’s. I’ve been asked if I really travel aloneI asked the hotel staff to hand the menu to my husband, assuming I wouldn’t need it, When I told people I was moving cruise To alaskaReactions ranged from interest to skepticism. “Isn’t Alaska known for its sights?”
It turns out, not everything needs to be seen to be felt.
I’ve been traveling for years, often independently, usually with a mix of curiosity and contingency planning. I’ve learned to ask the right questions: how many steps, what kind of lighting, are there audio guides, is the terrain uneven? I’ve also learned through repetition and determination that asking those questions doesn’t make me nervous, it just makes the journey possible.
I thought sea travel was not for me. In my mind, this meant bingo and old people and bland buffet food. I thought it would be slow, so-so, and there would be nothing to entertain me. But I was wrong.
What attracted me was the destination. Alaska to me means forests, wilderness, wildlife and glaciers. Places I had only seen in magazines and on TV. I was going there – ziplining among Alaskan spruce trees and throwing axes in Ketchikan, not to mention experiencing Incredible wildlife and scenery,
Read more: I cruised on the new Star Princess cruise and fell in love
My husband Grant and I set off with princess cruisesThe tone was set from the moment we stepped onboard, The staff introduced themselves by name – a small thing, unless you’re blind and used to guessing who was speaking, Our cabin manager remembered where we left things, The menu was read aloud, patiently and in full, The Princess app worked with my screen reader, meaning I was able to find Grant when he inevitably disappeared to get another slice of pizza,
Accessibility wasn’t treated like a strange idea. It was built into the design: braille and tactile numbers outside each cabin, audio announcements in the lifts, braille signage where you want it. The Ocean Medallion system – which includes a wearable device onto which information can be downloaded – even carefully caters to my access requirements, logging preferences and allergies.
I don’t need a wheelchair-accessible cabin – in fact, I often find it hard to locate larger rooms – but these accessible options are available, as well as elevators and step-free balconies. Clearly, the Princess has thought about many different travelers. When it came to navigating on port days, the crew announced clearly accessible entry and exit points on the tannoy. For once, I didn’t have to rely on anyone else to guide me.
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However, the real happiness happened outside the ship. In Skagway, I zipped through the trees on the high-wire course. The guides explained the layout, gave me clear verbal cues and took me in without any fuss. I flew through the spruce canopy with my arms outstretched, heart beating. I didn’t see that scene, but felt it. And the way he described it – the crisp green of the trees, the silvery streaks of the river below – I painted a picture of it in my mind.
Ketchikan gave me an ax throwing moment. The instructor showed me how to throw by feel. When the blade hit the wood with a satisfying crack, it was natural to smile.
Prince Rupert brought peace. Whale watching sounds like a visual feast, but for me, it was the sound and atmosphere. Or let the pictures painted in Matt’s commentary guide me that I can follow: the history of the land, the rhythm of the sea, the anticipation of a scene. And when the humpback whales finally breached, it was the collective gasp of passengers, the sudden spray, the quiet fear that stayed with me.
None of this happened because someone arranged it for me. This happened because the people involved communicated. They didn’t think I couldn’t do it. He asked what I wanted. They told me what to expect. They let me decide.
To me, that’s real access. The journey cannot be made welcoming just by the ramp. It’s made possible by the people who give you the information to say yes. Who understand that being blind doesn’t mean being cautious, or passive, or just grateful to be included.
Of course, no company is perfect: information about which tours were accessible was vague. The onus still often falls on passengers with disabilities to inquire about details. This needs to change; If you have an accessible toilet, please let us know. When we have knowledge, passengers with disabilities are empowered.
For once, I didn’t feel like a problem could be solved. I wasn’t doing a risk assessment. I wasn’t met with raised eyebrows or a nervous smile. I was just a woman with my husband on a voyage, doing things people don’t expect blind people to do.
And that’s what I’ll remember most. This trip didn’t just show me what I was missing: it reminded me of what I was made for.
Read more: I traveled on the new Star Princess Cruises and I liked its design
Sassy’s Top Alaska Cruise Experiences
whale watching
I never thought whale watching would be something I could fully appreciate, but in Prince Rupert it turned out to be one of the most powerful experiences of my life. As the humpbacks came into view, tails raised high and spraying into the air, I found myself laughing out loud in disbelief.
Even without sight, their scale and majesty were unmistakable. The sound of the taps breaking the peace, the rhythm of the water and the silence falling across the boat created a shared atmosphere that can barely be captured in words. For me, it wasn’t about seeing the whales, it was about being fully present with them.
That day reminded me that travel is not just about what we see, it is also about sound, sensation and connection. Experiences like this prove that adventure One should never be limited to perception. Everyone deserves the chance to experience these extraordinary moments.
Glacier Bay
Have you ever heard the roar of a glacier? We did, twice. Glacier Bay National Park felt like stepping into another world with 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, deep plains, and more than a thousand glaciers. Only a fraction can be explored by ship, and we were lucky to sail along ruby princess As National Park Rangers provided live commentary on deck.
We saw five glaciers in total, each of which was spectacular, but the highlights were the glaciers. First a deep crack and groan as the ice began to break, then a thunderous roar as tons of ice fell into the bay, sending spray and waves across the water. From puffins and seals to sea otters that float on their backs and even climb a small iceberg, the wildlife adds to the magic. There is no doubt that Glacier Bay is one of the most awe-inspiring places I have ever experienced.
A 10 Night Inside Passage Tour Aboard Ruby Princess, the roundtrip departure from San Francisco on Sunday, May 3, 2026 includes scenic cruises of Glacier Bay National Park and calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka and Prince Rupert.
Princess Plus fares include direct London Heathrow flights, one night pre-cruise stay at the Park 55 Hilton, transfers, drinks, WiFi and gratuity. Prices start from £2,880.74 per person.
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