This morning we woke to blue skies, the first we’d seen since boarding the cruise ship. Of course it’s a sea day.

I felt ignorant about Alaska before we arrived. Even though I saw the multitude of islands on the map, I didn’t understand. The islands control the culture, in a weird way similar to our visit to Sweden. But here, unlike Sweden, the islands are steep-sided, not easy to land in many places.

Geologically, Alaska consists of tectonic terrains, smashed together over millions of years to form the mountains and other landscapes. When we visited Wrangell, we remembered that one of these terrains is called Wrangellia! Fun fact!

The undefined Inside Passage had been an easy oceanic experience, smooth as can be. Crossing the Gulf of Alaska has more waves, but is also fairly smooth.

The excursions are well organized. The guests, as we are called, are collected into named groups, the mighty whale, majestic eagle, sleek seal. We are in the group of cute, mischievous sea otters. I feel right at home!

On deck six, one below our cabin, are the active rooms including art and science. In the art lab on our first day, Clare painted our water bottles to distinguish them. This helped when she left it somewhere but got the right one back.

In the afternoon, our group (sea otters) got invited to the bridge for a brief tour.

• Alaska 2025