2026 Alumni Trip
Fun Vacations Travel is proud to be the 2026 Travel Agency Coordinator for the Jacksonville State University Alumni Trip. We look forward to assisting you with these travel plans and seeing you on board the Norwegian Bliss!
SHIP: Norwegian Bliss
WHERE TO: Alaska: Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka & Victoria
When: May 30, 2026- June 6, 2026
COME JOIN OUR COCKY TRAVELERS!
One of the most scenic and thrilling cruises is Alaska, and this 7-day itinerary even includes Icy Strait Point and its wilderness experiences. Just outside of Juneau is where you’ll find the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. Walk the nature trails and explore the Visitor Center with its view of the Juneau Ice Field. Icy Strait Point is home to the largest Native Tlingit village in the state and its waters are teeming with wildlife, including orcas and humpbacks. Since every shop at Icy Strait Point is Native-owned, this is the place for authentic goods and handicrafts. Your last port is Victoria, the oldest city in the Pacific Northwest. With its green spaces and Victorian architecture, it is stunning. See Butchart Gardens and the stately Craigdarroch Castle.
Norwegian BLISS
As one of the larger ships in our fleet, Norwegian Bliss is custom-built for the spectacular. The stunning Observation Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows, featuring 180-degree views designed to feel one with the great outdoors. Or head outside and stroll along the quarter-mile promenade known as The Waterfront®. Every seat boasts the best view in the house here, meals are served oceanside, and sunsets are best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. Imagine exhilaration while exploring the wilds of Alaska. Ready for action? Zip around hairpin turns on the Bliss Speedway, enjoy a playful day at Horizon Park or putt a quick nine of mini golf. With a wide-range of dining options– including a complimentary 24-hour eatery and Specialty Dining standouts like Cagney’s Steakhouse and La Cucina, mealtime is always a great time. There’s one word to describe the experiences awaiting you on one of Norwegian’s grandest ships: Bliss.
- 168,028 Gross Tonnage
- 4,010Guest
Capacity double occupancy - 1,094ft Overall Length
- 136ft Max Beam
- 2025 Refurbished
- Year Built 2018
- 1,716 Ship Crew
Start Your Journey in Seattle Washington
Start this adventure in Seattle, Washington. Seattle sits on the slip of land between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with the Olympic and Cascade Mountains serving as a dramatic backdrop for this oh-so cosmopolitan city. Soar up the futuristic Space Needle and experience the views atop this stunning landmark created for the 1962 World's Fair.
Day 2 Sea Day
Day 2 Sea Day
Get to know your home away from home! The Bliss offers an abundance of activities for children of all ages. Visit the Spa, take a dip in a hot tub, a spin on the go carts, splash away in the water park, press your luck in the casino, or just unwind with a signature cocktail watching the amazing views.
Day 3 - Sitka, Alaska
Day 3 - Sitka, Alaska
Sitka is a charming island community surrounded with stunning mountain and seaside panoramic views. The vast and rich wildlife boasts sightings of whales, brown bears, deers, sea otters, and various birds flock here. This destination offers superb fishing, and plentiful historical attractions.
Day 4 Juneau, Alaska
Day 3 - Sitka, Alaska
Juneau has been called “Alaska's peak experience,” certainly due in part to its unparalleled glacier viewing from such places as Tracy Arm Fjord, the Juneau Icefields and Glacier Bay National Park. Kayak up one of the area's many protected waterways, go flightseeing, tour historic downtown or try your hand at panning for gold. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier lies nearly 12 miles outside Juneau, a treck worthwhile.
Day 4- Sea Day, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier (Cruising)
Day 4- Sea Day, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier (Cruising)
This is why visitors come to Alaska—to see glaciers as magnificent as Dawes—and getting there is half the excitement. From Stephens Passage, your ship will turn into the glacially carved fjord of Endicott Arm, the southern sister fjord to Tracy. However, Endicott is special. It’s the fjord less travelled, and at its head, Dawes Glacier. But first, the 31-mile fjord. Sheer granite walls. Plunging waterfalls. Spruce and hemlock trees clinging to the steep sides. It is the definition of pristine. Look for “bergy bits,” floating chunks of glacial ice, some looking more like sculptures, some with resting seals on top. Keep an eye open for bears, mountain goats and whales, too. As we approach the glacier, listen for thunderous cracks and have your camera ready. Dawes is an active tidewater glacier that recedes daily causing calving, where huge hunks of ice plunge into the sea. At 600 feet tall and a half-mile wide, this blue-hued, powerful glacier may be the highlight of your Alaska cruise.
Day 5 - Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Day 6 Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska
Day 6 Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska
Icy Strait Point is a spectacular destination for adventure seekers! Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of excursions that let you experience the wild beauty of Alaska firsthand. Some of the top options include:
Whale Watching & Seafood Feast – Sail through waters rich with humpback whales and enjoy a traditional Alaskan seafood meal.
World’s Largest ZipRider – Soar down a mountain on the longest zipline in the world for an adrenaline rush.
Spasski River Valley & Wildlife – Spot bears, deer, and bald eagles in their natural habitat.
Kayaking in Port Frederick – Paddle through pristine waters surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Waking Up with Whales – A morning excursion that maximizes your chances of seeing these majestic creatures. For more personalized experiences click the book excursions link below.
Day 6 Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska
Day 6 Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska
Day 6 Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska
Ketchikan is a special place, with its lush rainforests, rich Indigenous heritage, and abundant wildlife. It's Tlingit Indian name, Kach Khanna, means “spread wings of the eagle.” Chances are you'll see one of these magnificent birds perched atop a Sitka tree during your Alaska cruise to Ketchikan (Ward Cove). Ward Cove is about seven miles north of downtown Ketchikan and offers a quieter, more nature-focused experience. This is a perfect opportunity to:
Go Eagle spotting – Bald eagles are frequently seen in the trees around the cove.
Take a Rainforest nature walk – The surrounding Tongass National Forest is breathtaking.
or
Explore The Mill at Ward Cove – A historic site turned cruise terminal with growing attractions.
Day 7- Victoria, British Columbia
Day 6 Ketchikan (Ward Cove), Alaska
Day 7- Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, Canada, is a fantastic place to explore at night, even if you only have a few hours. The city's British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city. Here are some great ways to make the most of your evening:
Stroll the Inner Harbour – The Parliament Buildings and Empress Hotel are beautifully illuminated, creating a stunning waterfront view.
Take a Ghost Tour – Victoria has a rich history, and its ghost walks through old streets and alleys add a thrilling twist to your visit.
Enjoy Live Music – Venues like Hermann’s Jazz Club and Lucky Bar host great performances.
Explore Bastion Square – A historic area with bars, restaurants, and occasional street performances.
Note this is only a 4 hour stop. It is highly recommended if you do an excursion limit your excursion time to 2 hours or purchase NCL offered excursions.
Day 8 - Disembarkation Seattle, Washington
If you didn't get a chance to visit pre- cruise, stay an extra night in Seattle and visit the famous fish market. Located in Seattle’s Pike Place Market since 1930, Pike Place Fish Market has endured as the local favorite for fresh, wild, premium Pacific seafood.
In 1986, longtime owner John Yokoyama and his crew made a commitment to become “World Famous” by only sourcing the highest quality seafood, providing excellent customer service, and committing to making a difference in their community.
Now, internationally esteemed for its fresh seafood and in-person “fish throwing,” Pike Place Fish Market passionately stands by its pillars of excellence, committed to providing you with the world’s best seafood no matter where you are in the US.
What do you do in port?
Sailing through Alaska’s wild beauty, you’ll explore Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, kayak through Sitka’s serene waters, and stroll the colorful streets of Ketchikan, where totem poles tell centuries-old stories. A floatplane ride over Misty Fjords offers breathtaking views of untouched wilderness, while Victoria’s charming Inner Harbour and Butchart Gardens provide a stunning finale. With expert-guided excursions, you can experience the best of each destination while embracing the freedom to explore at your own pace.
DON'T FORGET TRAVEL INSURANCE!
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