Keys to Alaskan Cruising

Let’s head north to Alaska! This incredible destination is worth exploring both on land and by sea. There are several ways to experience everything that Alaska has to offer. Today, let’s talk about the keys to Alaskan cruising!

Who Should You Cruise with?

There are many cruise lines that offer itineraries traveling to Alaska. How do you decide? Luckily, your Key to the World Travel advisor is here to help and guide you through that decision-making process. Here are a few things to consider as you choose the best fit:

Who is traveling? 

Alaska is a destination for all ages and there are also ships that accommodate travelers of all ages. However, the recommended ship and cruise line might be different depending on who you are traveling with. For example, if you are traveling with young children, you may have different priorities compared to if you are traveling with adults only.

What is your budget?

It’s important to think about the budget for your Alaska vacation because that will help determine the cruise line that best fits your vacation. In addition, it’s important to think about the value of the vacation. Sometimes, the cruise line may have a higher price point because there are different experiences or inclusions that you’re not aware of.

What kind of vibe are you looking for?

Do you prefer to relax and take in all of the scenery? Are you looking for a luxurious experience that is more all-inclusive? Would you like to have a lot of options for entertainment in the evenings and throughout the day? Are you traveling with kids who love to take advantage of the pool, waterslide, or other activities like the kids’ clubs or go-carts? Do you want to travel on a cruise ship that has adults only?

Each cruise line with have a different vibe during your Alaskan vacation.  As you’re planning, ask yourself how you like to experience your vacation.

Do you have specific ports you’d like to visit?

If Alaska is a bucket list trip for you, it’s likely that you have ideas about what you’d like to do while you’re there. This will definitely play a role in what cruise line you choose too. Different excursions are offered at each port. The excursions may vary by cruise line too. Plus, not every cruise line visits each port. In fact, although this is not a port, Glacier Bay only allows a limited number of ships to cruise there each day. So, if that’s important to you, it’s essential that you keep that in mind while planning.

Choosing Your Itinerary

There are MANY different itineraries to choose from when you are planning an Alaskan cruise.  Some cruise lines have shorter itineraries such as 5-night sailings. There are also much longer sailings such as 10- or 12-night cruises. There are several ports to choose from for embarkation too. Do you want to sail up the California coast? Consider departing from San Francisco. You may opt for Seattle or Vancouver, which are the two most popular embarkation points. Some people prefer one-way sailings, either north or southbound. This is a great way to experience Alaska by land AND sea, adding on a cruise tour.

It’s also important to consider the ports that each itinerary goes to. If you know that whale watching is important to you, be sure that your itinerary includes Icy Strait Point or Juneau. Do you want to experience the White Pass and Yukon Railway? Make sure you have a stop in Skagway! Many of the one-way sailings begin or end in Seward, Alaska. This gives guests more opportunities to see the northern part of the state and often includes glacier viewings as well.

The Onboard Experience

Each cruise line offers a different onboard experience. That is part of what makes each one unique. All cruise lines offer some kind of entertainment in the evenings. For example, Disney Cruise Line is known for its Broadway-style shows and Fireworks at Sea. If you or someone in your travel party is looking for adventure onboard, a few cruise lines offer things such as go-karts, rollercoasters at sea, and more! Plus, many cruise lines have things such as trivia, game shows, casinos, and more.

The dining onboard is also important to many guests. Disney Cruise Line has rotational dining onboard each ship, which ensures that you can enjoy each of the three main restaurants onboard. All of the other cruise lines allow guests to either make their reservations once onboard or select a specific time each night to dine. In addition, there are often specialty dining experiences available. These experiences are included with some packages that guests can add or you can pay for them separately.

Some cruise lines offer special experiences based on the itinerary too. For example, Princess Cruise Lines offered unique experiences for guests that included learning from park rangers at Glacier Bay National Park. Another example is meeting and playing with puppies in their event known as “Puppies in the Piazza”. Guests listened as the caretaker shared information about dog sledding and being a musher, then introduced the pups.

Shore Excursions

When you decide to visit Alaska, you may have specific things that you really want to experience during your vacation. For example, whale watching is very popular, or attending a salmon bake. As described above, different ports offer different excursions but the same is true about cruise lines. While the experiences may be similar, it’s important to keep in mind that some experiences may be completely unique to certain cruise lines.

There are options for guests of all ages, needs, and interests. However, some excursions do have age requirements. If you are traveling with someone who has mobility needs, it’s important to talk with your travel advisor and the cruise line to determine the best fit.

Some examples of the amazing excursions you might want to consider include:

• Whale watching
• Nature walks with wildlife views
• Nature photo safari
• White Pass & Yukon Railway
• Chillkoot hiking or horseback riding
• Panning for gold
• Dog sledding adventures

As you can see, the options are endless and there is no doubt that you will find something amazing at each port!

Land and Sea Options

If you are looking to experience Alaska by land and by sea, a cruise tour may be the perfect option for you! There are several cruise lines that offer this option, often including a visit to Denali National Park. You can add this right onto your cruise package and the cruise line provides the transportation in many cases too.

Alternatively, it’s ALWAYS recommended to arrive at least one day early for your cruise vacation. Your travel advisor is a great resource to help you plan a pre-cruise stay in whatever city you are embarking on the ship. It’s easy to add a post-cruise stay as well. Why not plan some time to explore before or after your cruise?

Alaska is the bucket list trip that you may not even know you need! Are you ready to go yet? There are so many choices but we are here to help! These keys to Alaskan cruising are a great start to helping you plan an amazing trip! The next step is to contact your Key to the World Travel Advisor!

Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands.

Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor for your next trip, or send us a quote request to get started.