Living the Yacht Life in Southeast Alaska: A Trip I’ll Never Forget
Let me set the scene: It’s mid-June. I’ve just come off back-to-back trips — from dancing my heart out at Beyoncé in New York City to hugging old friends in San Diego — and now I’m boarding a private yacht with my best friend, Danika, and my husband, Brant, for a four-day sail through Southeast Alaska. The vibe? Fully unhinged luxury meets chill Alaskan dream.
We were hosted by Oceana Charters and traveled with a team that felt more like friends by the end: Captain Mike, the absolute pro behind the helm; Miguel, the bosun who patiently tried to teach me how to fly fish; our chef who fed us like royalty; and the stew who made sure I never lifted a finger — or poured my own margarita.
Day One (June 13): Boarding + First Taste of the Good Life
We flew into Juneau and boarded the yacht that evening. I’d packed every cozy-yet-functional item I took on my glacier glamping trip (shout out to my Xtratufs). We settled in, met the crew, and had our first dinner on the water. I didn’t take many pictures on this trip, but I did take a lot of video. (Because when you’re living your Bravo Housewife dream, you document.)
Day Two (June 14): Margaritas, Halibut, and Bears — Oh My
We woke up to sunshine and zero responsibilities. Coffee was handed to me. Beds were made while I ate smoked lox and berries. I ordered a morning margarita with zero shame.
We ventured out on the skiff, hiked to waterfalls, and tried our hand at fishing. I learned I’m a terrible fly fisher, but a great cheerleader. Later, we spotted whales, ate warm cookies with ice cream, and watched actual bears from the yacht. I skipped the evening skiff ride and instead stayed up journaling and doing my Duolingo like the multilingual margarita queen I am.
Day Three (June 15): Jesus Crab, Kayaks, and a Crab Boil on the Beach
Breakfast was dragon fruit, crepes, and ham with béchamel sauce. We checked the crab pots (yes, I said “we” — I watched from a safe distance) and caught some shrimp and crabs. One crab had the face of Jesus on its underside. I posted it. The internet lost its mind. We returned it to the sea (you can’t keep females), and that is the Gospel according to Southeast Alaska.
We ended the day with a full-on crab feast on the beach — tablecloths, campfire, newspaper, the works. Brant and Nick jumped off the top of the boat into the cold water. I chose another margarita.
Day Four (June 16): Tenakee Springs and the Hot Tub Finale
We boated into a tiny bush town called Tenakee Springs — no roads, just trails and slugs and kind people waving hello. It rained, so we skiffed back to the boat and had lunch: leftover crab cakes with caviar, chocolate raspberry bars, and I promptly took the best nap of my life.
That evening we ate beef ribs and baked Alaska, and Danika and I hot tubbed under the Alaskan sky, swatting away mosquitoes but loving every second of it.
Departure Day (June 17): Smoked Salmon Benedict + Goodbye Gin
Our final breakfast was smoked salmon Benedict and cubed potatoes with onions. I wasn’t sure we’d get lunch before docking, but of course we did — sushi rolls, mango cilantro salad, and prawns we’d caught earlier. We said goodbye to the crew, took one last drone pic, and wrapped things up with oysters and a gin cocktail downtown before flying home.
What I Packed (and What I Regret Not Bringing)
Every item I took to sleep on a glacier? I repacked it for this trip. It worked perfectly — except I really should’ve brought a tank top and a pair of shorts. It was way warmer than expected. Pro tip: If you’re traveling Alaska in June, don’t assume it’ll be cold the whole time.
Want to Book Your Own Yacht Trip?
If this sounds like a dream you want to make real — good news. You actually can do this.
Captain Mike (yes, the Captain Mike) mentioned that if you're interested in booking a trip like ours, you can message him directly on Instagram — @oceana_charters— and mention that you saw it through Danika’s or my trip.
Normally, bookings go through a broker (which adds a fee), but if you message him directly and mention us, you’ll skip the broker fee. Aka: you get a discount and more money goes to the crew who makes this magic happen.
And speaking of the crew — they were top notch. I always felt safe, heard, welcomed, and totally taken care of. Every single person on board brought their A-game, and they created the kind of experience that’s not just luxury… it’s unforgettable.
You're welcome. 😉
Final Thoughts
I didn’t go on this yacht trip for the outfits, but for what it’s worth—I re-wore every single thing I packed for my glacier glamping adventure. ExtraTufs included (and they were perfect for the day we went hiking and fishing). If I could do it again, I’d throw in a pair of shorts and a tank top, because Southeast Alaska surprised me with that sunshine.
But this trip wasn’t about clothes or content. It was about rest. About sitting still. About being off the grid and in the moment. About living the kind of lifestyle you usually only see on TV—except this time, I was in it.
Danika and I kept joking, “This is the life we were meant to live.” And I felt that. From the slow mornings and gourmet meals to watching whales from the deck and sipping margaritas at 10 a.m., it felt indulgent in the best, most soul-filling way.
If you’re ever looking for a trip of a lifetime—whether it’s a girls’ trip, a couples’ trip, or a celebration of something big—Oceana Charters delivers. I’d never met the other guests before, but by the end, we were teasing each other like old friends. It was that kind of magic.
And honestly? The best part was knowing we didn’t just have one night, or two—but a whole long, lingering stretch of time to take it all in. I don’t get many pauses like that in my real life. I’m grateful I got this one.