Sailing the Last Frontier: The Ultimate Guide to Alaska Cruises

Towering glaciers, misty fjords, breaching whales, and charming frontier towns, Alaska has it all. And, there’s no better way to experience the magic of the Last Frontier than by cruise. Whether you’re planning an adventurous escape with your partner or a family vacation, there’s an Alaska cruise to match your style. This guide walks you through choosing the right itinerary and season, the most popular Alaskan cruise ships, and must-visit ports, along with tips to help you make the most of your voyage.

Choosing The Right Alaska Cruise Itinerary

Alaska cruise itineraries vary widely. Some cruises focus on port-heavy schedules with historic towns and cultural experiences. Others emphasize scenic cruising, glaciers, and wildlife.

Mainstream cruise lines offer both round-trip cruises or Gulf of Alaska itineraries and one-way Southbound or Northbound cruises along the Inside Passage between Anchorage and either Vancouver or Seattle. Round-trip cruises like the 7-Night Alaska Experience Cruise are popular for first-time cruisers. These cruises visit the must-see ports and also spends time sailing in the open ocean with a relaxed pace. On the other hand, Northbound or Southbound Inside Passage cruises usually offer more port stops. This makes cruises like the NCL 7-Night Alaska Voyage ideal for travelers wanting to combine their cruise with a land tour.

Timing Your Cruise Just Right

Alaskan cruises are usually scheduled between May and September. Timing your cruise depends on what matters most to you - weather, wildlife, scenery, pricing, or crowd levels.

Mid-June to August is the peak cruising season. The long, warm days make cruises in this season ideal for wildlife viewing and family-friendly shore excursions.

May to early June and September are considered the shoulder season. This is ideal for travelers who want fewer crowds and dramatic scenery. You’ll often find cruise packages at lower prices during this period.

Budgeting For An Alaskan Cruise

Alaska cruise packages usually include accommodation, meals in main dining venues, and onboard entertainment. Inside cabins and early- or late-season sailings are typically the most budget-friendly options. When it comes to excursions, most packages only include transportation from the ship to shore. However, select itineraries - such as the  7-Night Glaciers & Wildlife cruise  bundle shore excursions as part of the fare.

Extras like alcoholic drinks, specialty dining, spa services, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and onboard shopping are generally charged separately. Many cruise lines offer drink packages or bundled deals to help manage onboard expenses. When budgeting, be sure to account for flights to and from the cruise ports, as well as daily gratuities.

Planning A Cruise That Suits Your Travel Style

Alaskan cruise ships range from floating resorts packed with activities to smaller expedition ships focused on wildlife and wilderness.

Holidays like the 7-Night Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier cruise aboard large cruise ships are ideal for first-time cruisers and families. These ships have a wide range of cabins, plenty of onboard amenities and a lively atmosphere. You can expect multiple dining options, spas, pools and more. The onboard entertainment on these ships ranges from lounges to take in scenic views to Broadway-style shows.

On the other hand, small ship expedition cruises like the 7-Night Seward to Vancouver cruise focus on exploration rather than amenities. They can access narrow fjords and remote areas that large ships can’t. Here you’ll be sailing with just about 50-250 other cruisers, including naturalists and expedition leaders. These cruises are generally more expensive and are well-suited to cruisers who prefer fewer crowds and a quieter onboard environment.

Most Popular Cruise Lines For Alaska Cruises

Choosing the right cruise line has a big impact on your overall experience. If you’re looking for a big ship experience, you could consider:

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
  

  NCL is known for its casual, flexible cruising style. Cruises like the 9-Night Alaska Voyage are a good choice for families and groups looking for a balance of onboard and onshore entertainment. The Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore even have waterslides and electric go-kart racing tracks!

• Princess Cruises

  Cruises like the 7-Night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise let you enjoy big ship amenities as well as educational excursions. The cruise line is known for its award-winning ‘North to Alaska’ program that brings local experts onboard to give cruisers a more enriching experience. It also holds permits for extensive glacier access.

• Royal Caribbean

  Royal Caribbean Alaska cruises stand out for their diverse itineraries and amenity-packed ships. Shore excursions on these cruises include glacier hiking, dog sledding and scenic railway rides.

On the other hand, if you’re dreaming of a luxury escape, consider itineraries by cruise lines like:

• Seabourn
  

  Seabourn cruises like the 7-Day Alaska Fjords & Canadian Inside Passage cruise, combine adventure with ultra-luxury and personalized service. These smaller ships let you sail into narrow fjords and lesser-visited ports for a fuller Alaska experience. You can choose to further enrich your experience with expert-led excursions like kayaking and zodiac glacier exploration.

•  SilverSea

  SilverSea luxury cruises like the 7-Night Vancouver to Seward cruise, stand out for their all-ocean-view suites and true all-inclusive packages. Along with accommodation and meals, these packages are also usually inclusive of attentive butler service. Their Alaska cruise itineraries blend scenic cruising with enriching shore activities like whale watching, glacier viewing and expert-led nature talks.

• Regent Seven Seas
  

  Along with a luxurious experience, Regent Seven Seas cruises like the 7-Night Northern Explorer cruise are known for the unlimited shore excursions in every port. Your options range from scenic flightseeing and cultural exchanges to wildlife viewing and glacier treks.

Ports & Excursions

While cruise itineraries may vary, a few ports are considered essential stops to experience the best of Alaska. Here’s a quick look.

Juneau
Alaska’s capital is a must-visit for its views of the Mendenhall Glacier and Mount Roberts Tramway rides.
Top Excursions

• Whale watching
• Helicopter flightseeing
• Glacier trekking
• Mount Roberts tramway ride

Skagway
This gold rush town is best known for the breathtaking White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad.
Top Excursions

• Dog sledding
• Wildlife safari
• Klondike summit and historic city tours

Ketchikan
A popular port on Inside Passage itineraries, Ketchikan is known for its rich native heritage, totem poles and rainforest surroundings.
Top Excursions

• Totem pole parks and Saxman Native Village visits
• Creek Street walking tours

Sitka
This scenic port is known for its blend of Russian and Tlingit heritage, dramatic coastal scenery, and abundant wildlife viewing.
Top Excursions

• Whale watching and marine wildlife cruises
• Sitka National Historical Park and totem trails
• Sea kayaking

 Icy Strait Point
This wildlife-rich port near Hoonah offers authentic cultural experiences, opportunities for whale watching and bear viewing, and thrilling adventure activities.
Top Excursions

• Whale watching and marine wildlife tours
• Bear viewing
• Cultural experiences in Hoonah
• ZipRider zip line adventure

Hubbard Glacier
Known as Alaska’s Largest Tidewater Glacier, Hubbard Glacier offers unforgettable views of ice formations and their thunderous falls into the sea.
Top Excursions

• Wildlife spotting
• Glacier and calving ice Photography

Glacier Bay National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected wilderness is best known for massive glaciers, wildlife viewing opportunities, and ranger-led narration.
Top Excursions

• Ranger-led scenic cruising
• Nature photography of glaciers and fjords

Packing for an Alaska Cruise

Temperatures and weather conditions can change quickly in Alaska. Hence, layering is essential.

Pack waterproof and windproof outerwear and moisture-wicking base layers. Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are important for shore excursions. Depending on the ship’s activities, you may need to carry one or two dressier outfits for evenings. Other essentials include gloves, a hat, binoculars, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Check out this article for a general guide on packing for cruises.

Visas & Travel Requirements

Alaska is part of the United States. Hence, you will need a U.S. visitor visa to disembark at Alaskan ports. You will also need a Canadian visitor visa as your cruise will be passing through Canadian waters. If your cruise itinerary involves entering the U.S., then Canada, then re-entering the U.S., you may need multiple entry visas.

Planning your Alaska Cruise

From first-time cruisers to experienced explorers, CruiseBay simplifies and streamlines your Alaska cruise booking. To begin with, Cruisebay lets you search for and compare available Alaskan cruise packages from all major cruise lines. Our dedicated cruise consultants can help you choose the right cruise, cabins, excursions and more based on your preferences, budget, and schedule. You might also be able to access exclusive deals on cruise packages.

Beyond the cruise itself, CruiseBay can assist with flights, visas, hotels, land tours, and travel insurance. In short, we ensure every detail is covered so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to go on an Alaska Cruise?
Mid-June to August is the peak cruising season, while May to early June and September are considered the shoulder season.

Do Alaska cruises include wildlife viewing?
Yes! Alaska cruises are excellent for wildlife viewing. Cruise passengers often see whales, sea otters, bald eagles, and sometimes bears near the shoreline during excursions.

What are the Alaska Shore excursion options?
Popular shore excursion options include whale watching tours, glacier helicopter rides, dog sledding, kayaking and wildlife expeditions, cultural village visits and scenic train rides.