It was a true Alaska day as we sailed north, deep into Glacier Bay National Park. Cloud-covered mountaintops and rainswept alluvial fans were the theme of the day. National Geographic Venture made its way up through Russell Cut to Margerie Glacier. On the southbound route, we made our way past Gloomy Knob and South Marble Island, iconic features of the park that always deliver on the wildlife front.

We were lucky to have a few humpback whale sightings, along with hundreds of sea otters, Steller sea lions, tufted puffins, a hoary marmot, and the crème de le crème, our first killer whales of the trip. Accompanied by exhilarating weather, we were blessed with these sightings.