Our next Alaska adventure begins aboard the MSC Poesia! Join us for Day 1 of our 7-night Alaska cruise as we board the ship in Seattle, explore some of the public spaces, check out our aft balcony cabin, enjoy sail away, and experience our first evening onboard.
This sailing takes us to Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Victoria, and scenic cruising through Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier. But first, it was time to get settled in and start exploring the MSC Poesia.
π₯ Watch our complete Day 1 vlog here:
https://youtu.be/QOROOzXwsRs
π’ Boarding & Exploring the MSC Poesia
After making our way through the Seattle cruise terminal, boarding went smoothly and we were excited to finally step aboard. We started exploring some of the shipβs public spaces, including the colorful atrium, Zebra Bar, theater, and upper decks.
One of our first stops was the Lido Deck pool area. There are two outdoor pools, several small elevated whirlpools, a kids splash area, a stage, and plenty of loungers. We had beautiful weather in Seattle, which made it a great place to start getting familiar with the ship.

π Lunch at the Villa Pompeiana Buffet
Once we had explored for a while, it was time for lunch at the Villa Pompeiana Buffet on Deck 13.
There was a wide selection to choose from, including pizza, pasta, roast beef, salads, curries, ramen, fruit, desserts, and plenty more. We also discovered outdoor seating at the back of the buffet with views over the aft of the ship.
That location turned out to be especially convenient because our cabin was only two decks below via the outdoor aft staircase.
ποΈ Our Aft Balcony Cabin 11250
Our home for the week was Aft Balcony Stateroom 11250 on Deck 11, located right at the back of the MSC Poesia. This was our first time staying in an aft-facing balcony cabin, so we were especially excited about the views we would get throughout our Alaska cruise.
The room itself was on the smaller side, but we found the layout comfortable and there was a good amount of storage throughout the cabin. It included a king-size bed that could be separated into twins, nightstands with drawers, a vanity with several charging options, a TV, mini bar, closet space, and a compact bathroom.
Of course, the highlight was the aft-facing balcony. It was angled and not particularly wide, but it gave us a completely different view from a traditional balcony on the side of the ship. We were really looking forward to sitting out there and watching the wake as we sailed toward Alaska.

We also have a complete tour of this cabin here: https://youtu.be/2zU-h8ofhwY
π Sail Away from Seattle
After settling into our cabin, it was time to head outside for sail away from Seattle. The weather was absolutely beautiful, with blue skies, sunshine, and great views as the MSC Poesia pulled away from the city and began the journey north toward Alaska.
The pool deck quickly came to life with music, dancing, and passengers gathering outside to celebrate the start of the cruise. Between the skyline views, the warm weather, and the energy around the ship, it was a fantastic way to begin our 7-night Alaska adventure.

π½οΈ Dinner at Il Palladio
For our first dinner onboard, we headed to Il Palladio Restaurant on Deck 6.
We were happy to have been assigned a table for two, and because we had the early 5:00 p.m. seating, the dining room was especially quiet that evening. It made for a relaxed start to the cruise before we headed out for the evening entertainment.
π Welcome Aboard Show & Evening Entertainment
Our first night included the Welcome Aboard Show in the main theater. It was designed as a preview of the entertainment coming throughout the week, with singing, dancing, comedy, and other performances.
Afterward, we checked out Big Band at Sea, featuring a full live band with brass instruments and vocals. It was a relaxing way to finish a busy first day aboard the MSC Poesia.

β A Great Start to Our MSC Poesia Alaska Cruise
Day 1 gave us a great introduction to the MSC Poesia. We explored the ship, enjoyed the pools and buffet, settled into our aft balcony cabin, experienced a beautiful sail away from Seattle, and finished the evening with dinner and live entertainment.
Next up is a full sea day as we continue north toward Alaska!
π₯ Watch MSC Poesia Alaska Cruise: Sail Away from Seattle – Day 1 Vlog
https://youtu.be/QOROOzXwsRs
More MSC Poesia Videos π’
β 10 Questions Before Sailing MSC Poesia (Answered!)
https://northernvikingexplorer.com/msc-poesia-questions-before-sailing/
ποΈ MSC Poesia Aft Balcony Cabin Tour: Stateroom 11250
https://northernvikingexplorer.com/msc-poesia-aft-balcony-cabin-tour/
