5 Things to Know Before Booking Your Alaska Cruise or CruiseTour

Is Alaska on Your Bucket List?

Sparkling glaciers.  Mountains with the most beautiful snowy peaks.  Whales blowing ocean spray feet into the air.  Charming, picturesque small towns.  It's some of the most incredible scenery you will see.

Most people consider Alaska to be a bucket list destination.  If that's the case for you, there are a few things you should consider before booking an Alaska cruise or cruisetour.  Planning Alaska is not as simple as choosing a time of year or ship.  Alaska cruises and itineraries that look similar may have very different experiences.  The ports, glaciers, cabin location, excursions and the decision to add a land portion of the trip can all make a big impact on what kind of vacation you ultimately have.

Before you book, here are 5 things I recommend every traveler looking to visit Alaska by cruise ship or cruisetour should know.

Thinking About Alaska in 2027 or 2028?

There are hundreds of Alaska cruise and cruisetour options, and the "best" one depends on what you want to experience.  If you don't understand the difference between a DSC cruisetour and a D3L, then working with a professional who knows Alaska might be the ticket.

I specialize in helping travelers compare Alaska cruises, cruisetours, Denali options, cabins and itineraries - and my cruise planning services are complimentary when you book your cruise through me.

1. Not all Alaska Itineraries are the Same.

Before you choose a cruise ship, or even a cruise line, decide which itinerary is a must-do for this vacation.  Many cruises visit:

• Juneau
• Ketchikan
• Skagway
• Sitka
• Ice Strait Point

Pay close attention to how long the ship stays in each port.  One itinerary might keep your ship in port for just a few hours, while another can give you an entire day to thoroughly explore.

However, glaciers and where the ship intends to cruise past can also be critical parts of the itinerary.  Your cruise itinerary might include Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord or Tracy Arm.

 If you are adding a land portion, you may also want to visit:

• Fairbanks
• Anchorage
• Denali National Park
• Seward

Take a Peek Takeaway:  When comparing Alaskan cruises and cruisetours, don't just count the NUMBER of ports.  Look at which ports you will visit, time in port, land destinations and scenic cruising that is included.

2. Round Trip Cruises and One-Way Cruises Offer Very Different Experiences

Most Alaska cruise-only vacations start in Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia and can be either one-way or round trip, depending on the itinerary.  Cruisetours often begin in Vancouver, BC or Fairbanks, Alaska and are a one-way trip.  Seattle cruises are almost always round-trip.  While passports are always recommended, they are required for the one-way options from Vancouver, Fairbanks or Whittier.  This makes Seattle more appealing if you don't have a passport, or don't want to get one.  Round trip cruises can also be convenient when it comes to flights, since a round-trip ticket is a possibility.

However, if you prioritize scenery, a cruisetour from Vancouver or Fairbanks is the way to go every time.  This opens the options to exploring Alaska's interior.  If Denali is on your bucket list, make sure you compare all of the cruisetour options.  One of the biggest advantages of an Alaska cruisetour is experiencing parts of Alaska you simply can’t reach on a traditional round-trip cruise. You’ll have the opportunity to ride the spectacular glass-domed McKinley Explorer train and venture deep into Denali on the Tundra Wilderness Tour—one of the best opportunities to spot Alaska’s iconic wildlife, including grizzlies, caribou, Dall sheep, moose, and even wolves, surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state.

3.  A Cruisetour Can Turn Your Cruise Into a True Alaska Adventure

A cruisetour combines (typically) a 7 night cruise with a land journey into Alaska's interior, while a cruise explores only the coastline and ports in Southeast Alaska.

Depending on your itinerary,  your cruisetour land portion may include:

• Denali National Park
• Anchorage
• Fairbanks
• Talkeetna
• Alyeska
• Seward

Select itineraries may include scenic rail travel or travel by smaller boat.  The most popular cruisetours range from 10-14 days, but longer cruisetours are available.  Just taking a longer cruisetour doesn't guarantee that it's the best one for you.  Transportation included, hotel nights, included activities and how much time you have in each city matter.

Not sure which Alaksa itinerary is right for you?

I can help you compare cruise lines, itinerares, cruisetours, and Denali options based on what matters most to you.

4. Your Cabin Choice Matters More in Alaska

The most popular room for an Alaskan cruise is a balcony room.  The scenery outside the ship is the star of the show, and having a private place to experience the wonder is invaluable.  Imagine waking up, stepping onto your balcony with a cup of coffee and watching a whale perform a show so spectacular that a picture or a video could never do it justice.

So, do you have to have a balcony to have an amazing cruise?  No, an interior or Oceanview cabin can be a good way to save money.  Any room on a cruise is better than being at work, am I right??   Having a balcony matters less if you plan to spend the majority of your time on the upper decks of the ship rather than in your room.

Sometimes, moving down just one cabin category can save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars without taking away from the overall experience. On the other hand, moving up a category can completely elevate your trip, adding extra space, exclusive perks, or special touches that make your vacation feel like something truly extraordinary.

5.  The Best Time to Visit Depends on What you Want to See

The Alaska cruise season typically runs from spring through early fall, and every part of the seasons has different advantages.

• May - Often cooler with beautiful snow still visible on the mountains.  Early-season pricing can be attractive.
• June - Long daylight hours and the beginning of Alaska's busy summer season.  This is also the start of best part of the year to see Humpback Whales.  The best chance of seeing an Orca also begins in late June.
• July - Typically one of the warmest and most popular times to visit Alaska.  Pricing will be highest during this time.  This is also the peak of whale sighting season.
• August - Excellent summer cruising with plenty of opportunities for wildlife and beautiful scenery.
• September - Cooler temps and cheaper pricing with end-of-season deals.  Chance to see changing fall colors.

There is no "right or best" time of year to visit Alaska by cruise ship or cruisetour.  If pricing is a factor, May or September might be particularly appealing.  If seeing a whale is a must-do, then late June through July might be the right choice for you.

BONUS:  10 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BOOKING

Before placing a deposit, ask yourself:

• Do I want a round-trip cruise or one-way itinerary or cruisetour?
• Is visiting Denali important to me?
• Which glacier experiences are most important to me?
• How much time does my itinerary give me in each port?
• Do I want a balcony?
• How much should I budget for excursions?
• Which cruise line fits me the best?
• Do I want to arrive a day or two before the cruise or cruisetour?

If you don't know the answers yet, that's okay. That's exactly what cruise planning services are for.

Ready to Start Planning Alaska?

You don't have to spend weeks Googling, comparing, or asking ChatGPT by yourself.  I can help! As your travel advisor, I'll help you compare your options and find an Alaska vacation that fits your travel style and budget.

I can help with:

• Alaska Cruises
• Alaska Cruisetours
• Cruise line comparisons
• Itinerary slection
• Cabin choices
• Denali and land tour options
• Pre-and post- cruise hotels
• Excursion recommendations
• Packing lists/ Do's and Don'ts
• Travel planning from deposit through arrival home

When you book your cruise through me, my cruise planning services come at no cost to you.

Your Alaska adventure starts with a conversation.  Just click the link below to start.