I’ve been on 4 Alaskan cruises, and it’s the only route I ever want to sail. The beauty is unmatched.

• I’ve been on four Alaskan cruises, and I’d happily take more just for the beautiful sights.
• I love starting the cruise in Vancouver and traveling north through the Inside Passage.
• Spotting wildlife and some of the US’ largest glaciers is always a treat.

If there were only one place I could cruise for the rest of my life, I’d choose Alaska. I’ve enjoyed other destinations, but the northernmost US state is unmatched in terms of sheer, unspoiled beauty.

Glaciers — particularly those in and around Juneau — are melting at alarming rates, and I don’t want to squander any of my remaining opportunities to take the natural beauty in.

Luckily, Alaska’s cruise industry is booming. In fact, at the start of October, residents of Juneau voted against a bill that would ban cruise ships on Saturdays because the industry is so crucial to the local economy.

With four Alaskan cruises under my belt — and more to come — here are some of the things that make the route so great.