Alaska Cruises: A Cheat Sheet to Planning the Perfect Adventure

Table Of Content

• Inside Passage vs. Gulf of Alaska – Pros and Cons for Each Route
• Check out these Amazing Alaska Tours.
• Dining
• Northern Lights Cruises
• Listen to cruise expert Ilana from Life Well Cruised share about her first Alaska cruise experience on the podcast:
• Best Alaska Cruise Itineraries
• Night Alaska Inside PassageDetails

Take your Alaska adventure to new heights with our 14-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Los Angeles. Escape the pandemonium of the city and cruise into the welcoming waters of the Pacific. Take a dip in freshwater pools, enjoy a unique cinematic experience with Movies Under the Stars® or sip specially crafted cocktails as you sail into Ketchikan. Upon arriving, witness traditional axe-throwing sports at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show or visit Totem Bight State Park to see traditional, hand-carved totem poles. On your way to Juneau, stop at Icy Strait Point and get up close and personal with killer whales, sea lions and brown grizzly bears. Or, test your inner thrill-seeker and soar down a 5,330-foot-long descent on the world’s highest ZipRider cable – which sits 1,300 feet above sea level.

Inside Passage vs. Gulf of Alaska – Pros and Cons for Each Route

Glacier Bay Vs. Hubbard Glacier, that question gets asked again and again. In contrast to a Caribbean cruise, an Alaska cruise can experience vastly different weather. And then there’s Ketchikan, where you can immerse yourself in native Alaskan culture. Between the totem poles and the rich indigenous history, it’s like a living museum but set against the backdrop of stunning natural beauty. With Agnes and Chris, you're not just reading another travel blog; you're tapping into a treasure trove of insider tips, curated itineraries, and invaluable insights to make your Alaskan journey truly unforgettable. Agnes Stabinska is the creative force and co-founder behind the Alaska Itinerary blog.

Check out these Amazing Alaska Tours.

Its colossal face drops apartment-sized icebergs into the bay, creating small tidal waves. Your captain will decide which glaciers to approach, and that decision may be dependent on weather, ice, and time. Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site, and for a good reason. If you suffer from motion sickness, picking an Alaska cruise can be tricky.

The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024 - AFAR Media

The 8 Best Alaska Cruises to Take in 2024.

Posted: Wed, 27 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Dining

We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. Each cruise line has their preferred port—Holland America Line and Princess Cruises berth at Whittier. Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas—currently berthing at Seward—will move operations to Whittier upon completion of berths currently under construction. Cruise lines offer enticing deals for the summer during “wave" season from January through March.

Hubbard Glacier vs Glacier Bay vs Dawes Glacier – Which one is best?

If you want to view Alaska’s natural splendors, but don’t have more than a week or so consider seven-day cruises that depart Seattle or Vancouver and return to the same spot. Watch silvery skyscrapers fade into the distance and say hello to fjords, rugged coastlines and blankets of lush temperate rain forests. We bring you not just authentic Alaska itineraries and insider tips but also a treasure trove of our own photos and first-hand experiences from the places we've explored and activities we've relished.

Not all Alaska shore excursions are available during shoulder season. If you’re interested in a land tour, such as visiting Denali National Park, it’s worth noting that the park is most accessible from late May through the summer months. The cruise line you choose will significantly influence your journey.

Compared to our roundtrip itineraries, our Voyage of the Glaciers cruises sail 500 miles farther north across the Gulf of Alaska into Prince William Sound. In addition to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway or Icy Strait Point, you will begin or end your journey in Whittier. There, you’ll have extra time to soak up expansive views of rich greenery and striking mountains.

Best Alaska Cruise Itineraries

On a cruisetour, you'll sail a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise, so your cruise starts or ends in Alaska. Depending on the tour itinerary you choose, you might visit Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Anchorage and Fairbanks — as well as spend one to three nights in Denali National Park. You'll have four sea days (for example, two days from San Francisco to Juneau) plus a day of scenic cruising at a spot like Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers), Endicott Arm, Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay National Park. The waters before you enter the Inside Passage can be calm, rough or anything in between, depending on when you go. Additionally, you'll have one day spent cruising the Inside Passage and one focused on "scenic cruising," where you can enjoy the landscapes but won't go ashore.

Night Alaska Inside PassageDetails

Cruise ships sail in the deepest waters, and whales feed close to land. Viewing from a large vessel is different from taking a smaller boat tour. While Icy Strait Point offers many things to do, the tours are unique.

If relaxation is a priority, look for ships with extensive spa facilities and adult-only pools. Budgeting for an Alaska cruise involves more than just the ticket price. Some cruises offer all-inclusive packages, while others have hidden fees for amenities and excursions. We have an article with a detailed breakdown of Alaska cruise costs, including hidden fees. Some Alaska cruise itineraries include a port of call in Victoria, Canada, so checking passport requirements is crucial before embarking on such a journey. Seward is located along the Gulf of Alaska and is an excellent port for exploring the outdoors.

Cruise lines often run sales in the fall or in the early months of the year (a period known in the cruise industry as "wave season"). You can take advantage of discounted fares, free upgrades or complimentary add-ons, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, restaurant meals, beverage packages and tours. Some of the most desirable cabins might be sold out; being flexible about your sail date or itinerary can help.

The largest Silversea ship sailing to Alaska also carries just under 600 guests, allowing for port calls at lesser-visited stops like Wrangell, Haines, and Valdez. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the best Alaska cruise itineraries for 2024 based on our extensive travel experiences in Alaska—both by land and sea. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a glacier admirer, or an adventure-seeker, we’ve got you covered.

Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dogsledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. You may also find one-way repositioning cruises between southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season.

If you're looking for other surefire ways to save, inside and ocean-view cabins are often much cheaper than balcony cabins on Alaska cruises. Those private verandas are highly desirable, with everyone seeking views of the wilderness, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. If you're traveling with young kids in Alaska and want an activity- and entertainment-packed experience, make a beeline for Disney Cruise Line and its Alaska-based Disney Wonder. The ship has an extensive children's program, high-quality entertainment, and such activities as water slides and play areas. While you might not be sunning yourself to a stunning shade of bronze on an Alaska cruise, you and everyone on board will want to take in the scenery.