Thinking about an Alaska cruise?
Alaska is one of those destinations where choosing the right itinerary can make a huge difference to your holiday.
Over my 14 years in travel, I’ve planned hundreds of Alaska holidays and was lucky enough to experience Alaska myself with Princess Cruises. We cruised north from Vancouver before continuing overland through Denali and Fairbanks — and it remains one of my favourite travel experiences.
From glaciers and wildlife to Gold Rush towns, mountains and the Northern Lights, Alaska completely exceeded my expectations.
Here are the things I’d consider when planning your own Alaska cruise and land tour.
The main Alaska cruise season runs from May to September, and there really isn’t one perfect month.
May brings snowy scenery and fewer crowds.
June has wonderfully long days and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures.
July and August are popular for warmer weather and wildlife, with salmon runs attracting bears and eagles.
September brings cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, autumn colours and darker nights.
I travelled in September and loved seeing the landscape turn beautiful shades of yellow and gold, particularly once we reached Denali. We were also lucky enough to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks.
If wildlife is your priority, I’d lean towards July or August. For fewer crowds and autumn scenery, September is a beautiful time to travel.
Do you need a balcony?
No.
Would I have one if the budget allowed?
Absolutely.
An Alaska cruise is incredibly scenic. You’re sailing past mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife, so having all of that right outside your cabin is pretty special.
We spotted sea otters and dolphins from our balcony, and during Glacier Bay we sat outside with a glass of wine listening to the ranger commentary.
That said, I wouldn’t sacrifice the right itinerary for a balcony.
My tip: I’d rather see you in an inside cabin on the right Alaska cruise than a balcony cabin on the wrong one.
Not all Alaska cruises are the same.
Look beyond the price and consider the ports, scenic cruising and how long your ship actually spends in each destination.
For me, Glacier Bay is one of the big things to look for.
Cruising through Glacier Bay was one of the highlights of our trip. National Park rangers joined our ship and provided commentary throughout the day while we watched the incredible scenery and looked for wildlife.
It’s one of those days where the ship itself becomes your sightseeing platform.
My tip: Choose your Alaska itinerary first, then choose the ship that suits you.
Both are popular gateways, but for Australian travellers, Vancouver would be my pick.
Vancouver offers a great choice of one-way and return Alaska cruises and works particularly well if you want to combine your cruise with an Alaska land tour or more of Canada.
Seattle can be convenient for a seven-night return cruise, but always compare the actual itinerary and time spent in Alaska ports rather than looking only at the price.
Surrounded by rainforest and water, Ketchikan was our first taste of Alaska.
We had absolutely nothing planned — unusual for me!
Instead, we wandered through town, explored colourful Creek Street, watched salmon making their way upstream and discovered some of Ketchikan’s famous totem poles.
If wildlife is high on your list, Ketchikan also offers bear-viewing excursions, while Misty Fjords, fishing and the Deadliest Catch Fisherman’s Tour are popular options.
And if you love seafood, arrive hungry — think Alaskan salmon, halibut, crab and seafood chowder.
Sometimes having no plans turns out to be a pretty good plan.
Juneau delivered exactly what I had imagined Alaska would be — glaciers, wildlife and adventure.
We kayaked with views of Mendenhall Glacier, spotting bald eagles and harbour seals along the way.
Afterwards, we headed into town for lunch and an Alaskan beer at the Red Dog Saloon before taking the Goldbelt Tram up Mount Roberts for incredible views.
Juneau is also one of the ports where I’d consider spending a little extra on a bucket-list experience.
Whale watching, glacier hiking, helicopter flights and dog sledding on a glacier are just some of the options.
If there’s one excursion you really want to do, book it early.
With its historic buildings, colourful Gold Rush history and dramatic mountain scenery, Skagway feels a little like stepping onto the set of an old Western movie.
The famous White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is one of the most popular experiences, winding through spectacular mountain scenery along part of the route travelled by prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush.
We chose something a little different — an Ocean Raft Adventure.
We spent two exhilarating hours jet boating through the fjord, getting close to waterfalls and spotting harbour seals, sea lions and bald eagles.
Skagway may be small, but it’s definitely not a port I’d rush through.
If you have the time, yes.
This is exactly what we did.
After cruising north from Vancouver, we continued into Alaska’s Interior and spent two nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Denali gave us a completely different side of Alaska — mountains, forests, wildlife and that real cabin-in-the-wilderness feeling.
We travelled into Denali National Park on the Tundra Wilderness Tour and were rewarded with sightings of moose, caribou and bears in the wild.
We were also incredibly lucky to have a clear day and see Denali itself.
One misconception I hear is that Alaska is only for older travellers.
It couldn’t be further from the truth.
Kayaking, glacier hiking, rafting, dog sledding, ziplining and flightseeing can make an Alaska holiday as adventurous as you want it to be.
Our journey continued to Fairbanks aboard the Alaska Railroad.
We travelled in GoldStar Service with glass-dome windows, panoramic views, commentary and a three-course lunch.
Think Rocky Mountaineer vibes — but Alaska!
Fairbanks was also where one of my biggest Alaska bucket-list moments happened: seeing the Northern Lights.
We rugged up, headed out with our guide, roasted s’mores, enjoyed some wine and waited beneath the clear night sky.
Then the Aurora appeared.
To our eyes, it looked like soft streams of white light, but through the camera those streams transformed into beautiful green ribbons dancing across the sky.
Absolutely magical.
If seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska is important to you, allow several nights. Clear skies and solar activity both need to cooperate, so there are never guarantees.
We finished our adventure with something completely different — a flight towards the Arctic Circle.
After very little sleep, we boarded a tiny eight-seater aircraft and flew over the Alaskan wilderness before continuing by coach through remote Alaska.
We spotted moose and caribou along the road and experienced a side of Alaska that felt truly wild and isolated.
It was a fitting end to an incredible two weeks.
Choose the itinerary before the ship. The ports, scenic cruising and time in destination matter.
Consider Glacier Bay. It was one of the highlights of my Alaska cruise.
Budget for excursions. Helicopter flights, glacier experiences, wildlife tours and dog sledding can add considerably to the cost of your holiday.
Book bucket-list experiences early. Popular Alaska excursions can sell out.
Pack layers. Alaska’s weather can change quickly.
Consider a balcony if your budget allows. The scenery makes it particularly worthwhile in Alaska.
Go beyond the cruise if you have time. Denali and Fairbanks gave us a completely different perspective on Alaska.
Without hesitation.
Two weeks. One incredible adventure. And memories I’ll never forget.
From glaciers and mountains to wildlife, remote wilderness and seeing the Northern Lights, Alaska completely exceeded my expectations.
I came home with a huge appreciation for this wild and beautiful part of the world — and an even greater passion for helping other people experience it.
Choosing an Alaska cruise can be confusing. Which cruise line? Which itinerary? Glacier Bay or another glacier? Vancouver or Seattle? Return or one-way? Cruise only or an Alaska cruise and land tour?
This is where having someone who knows Alaska can make a real difference.
Having planned hundreds of Alaska holidays and experienced Alaska myself, I can help you find an itinerary that suits your budget, travel style and what you most want to experience.
Could Alaska be your next great adventure?
CLIA - Cruise Lines International Association
Princess Cruises Commodore Club
Tauck Certified Advisor
NSW TAFE Travel & Tourism Diploma of Tourism Management
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