On April 22, 2022, Stephanie DerGarabedian was starting her day with her favorite morning personalities on The Today Show. As she sipped her morning brew and began plugging away at work, something caught her attention. The Today Show was hosting a Mother\u2019s Day contest where viewers could nominate their moms to join them on The Plaza for brunch. Stephanie didn\u2019t hesitate. Not knowing it at the time, her actions would result in a great Alaska adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Delightfully surprised a couple weeks later, Stephanie and her mom were invited to join The Today Show hosts for a special Mother\u2019s Day brunch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey highlighted some of the families that were invited on the show, and then Carson Daly and Al Roker walked out wearing sailor hats and carrying luggage. They said they were giving away an Alaska cruise<\/a> on Holland America Line<\/a> and the moms can bring a plus one. I thought the prize was just going there for breakfast, which was wonderful. My mother was like: \u2018Wait! Did I just win a cruise to Alaska?!\u2019<\/p>\n When Stephanie confirmed that\u2019s exactly what just happened, they became overwhelmed with excitement. Her mom, Marineda Usera, said she was taking her daughter on their next big adventure.<\/p>\n Stephanie always wanted to take a mother\/daughter trip, but life often got in the way. \u201cMy mom would come to visit and help with the kids, but that wasn\u2019t a vacation. This was our first cruise together, and it was almost as if someone up there said, \u2018You need to do this. It\u2019s time to take your trip.\u201d<\/p>\n Embarking in Seattle in late June 2022, Stephanie and Marineda were greeted with warmth and kindness. \u201cThe cruise line and the staff…they pamper you. The food was amazing. The entertainment was incredible. At night, they would have these dance shows, and it was Broadway-quality. We would never be able to see that amount of shows \u2013 every night was something. We thought: When would we ever do this for ourselves?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> During their Alaska cruise, they explored Glacier Bay and relished the moments where they saw whales breaching, eagles soaring and sea lions basking.<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking this is really special. My mom is 88, and to be able to spend time with her\u2026it\u2019s really important to create memories and experiences. We had a lot of fun in Alaska. Hanging out with my mom is a joy.\u201d<\/p>\n Before they returned home, Stephanie was committed to having more adventures with her mom. She said this trip inspired her to make the most of every travel opportunity she has so she can bring her mom along and continue making memories.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mom is up for any adventure. She\u2019s one of those people where you can say, \u2018Let\u2019s go and do this.\u2019 She\u2019s spontaneous and enjoys having fun.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Though they live on opposite coasts, Stephanie flew her mom to New York to spend Mother\u2019s Day together this year. And while they love reflecting on their wild adventure in Alaska, Stephanie is looking forward to their next one together.<\/p>\n![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/mothers-day-alaska-cruise-2.webp\" "\\"Holland")
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