Your Guide to Booking the Best Alaskan Cruise

Alaska, the Last Frontier, beckons with its majestic glaciers, abundant wildlife and breathtaking scenery. A cruise offers the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation, allowing you to navigate the Inside Passage, watch glaciers calving into turquoise waters and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Alaskan towns.

With more than 34,000 miles of coastline, Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined. Southeastern Alaska—where most of the cruise lines spend a majority of their time—isn’t far enough north to experience the round-the-clock daylight that happens in other parts of Alaska, but it does have incredibly long, colorful sunsets that linger near the horizon for as long as two hours before the sun finally sinks into the sea.

But with numerous cruise lines, itineraries and excursions to navigate, planning an Alaskan cruise can feel daunting. Fear not, intrepid traveler: This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to book the Alaskan cruise of your dreams.

What is an Alaskan cruise like?

Alaska’s reputation for being cold, snow-packed and filled with bears is only true if you venture deep inland. The wild beauty along the coastline on an Alaskan cruise is something travelers will remember for the rest of their lives.

Wildlife sightings are frequent, with cruise ship passengers often spotting grizzly and black bears, moose, deer, foxes and bald eagles on the shore. Humpback whales are another sight that enthralls cruisers, and it’s not uncommon to see a pod of orcas on their annual migrations.

Tips and Advice for Booking the Best Alaskan Cruise

An Alaskan cruise is often high on many travelers’ bucket lists. From ports that offer diverse culture and history to thousands of miles of Instagram-worthy coastline, calving glaciers, towering mountains and wildlife aplenty, America’s 49th state has a lot to offer all types of travelers.

Choosing the Best Time to Cruise to Alaska

The Alaskan cruise season typically runs from May to September. Earlier and later shoulders of the season may offer better deals and less-crowded ports, but also cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours.

Even during the peak cruising months of June, July and August, temperatures are generally fairly mild, with average highs in the 60s and lows in the high 40s and 50s. However, travelers should expect to encounter rain during their visit, particularly during the wettest season of July through January.

Choosing the Best Alaskan Cruise Itinerary

The vast majority to Alaska cruises are seven nights long and focus on southeastern Alaska’s Inside Passage. Some also venture further north into the Gulf of Alaska and can be as long as 10 to 14 nights.

Smaller ships, which move slower, tend to cruise one way, north or south, between towns like Juneau and Seattle or Vancouver, while the faster-moving mega-ships typically cruise round trip out of Vancouver or Seattle.

Here are the Alaskan ports you’ll likely be stopping at:

• Juneau: Alaska’s state capital sits at the base of Mount Roberts. Explore the nearby ice fields of Mendenhall Glacier or take the tram up to the top of Mount Roberts for spectacular views of the harbor.
• Skagway: This charming city is all about the legacy of the Klondike gold rush. It was the place prospectors converged more than a century ago to seek their fortunes in the snowy mountains. From Skagway, take a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway or sign up for the mostly downhill 15-mile bike ride along the Klondike Highway for endless views of snowcapped peaks.
• Ketchikan: Don’t miss checking out Ketchikan’s totem poles (above), salmon and flightseeing tour opportunities over Misty Fjords National Monument. From Ketchikan, the Misty Fjords tour will give you aerial views of rocks rising 3,000 feet from the sea. The grand finale is when the floatplane lands on a wilderness lake for a quick look around.
• Sitka: More than just a cruise port stop, this historic town is full of history, scenery and amazing local seafood. Hike up the 4.5-mile picnic rock overlook at Mount Verstovia for a stunning view or take a boat tour to visit the pristine hot springs to rejuvenate in the soothing waters.
• Seward: One of the ports in the Gulf of Alaska, Seward is great for exploring the outdoors. A mountain biking tour of the area will take you past Fort William H. Seward and then on through to the natural beauty of the Chilkat River.

Choosing the Best Part of the Cruise Ship

If you’re cruising northbound, for instance from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Whittier, Alaska, you might prefer a starboard-side room to get majestic views of the Canadian and Alaskan coastlines. Southbound cruisers will want to opt for a port-side room for the same views. For round-trip itineraries, you’ll have both coastline and oceanside views during your voyage.

Choosing the Best Excursions on Alaskan Cruises

Alaska is all about getting out in nature for those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Here’s a look at some of the best shore excursions offered:

• Helicopter tours: After seeing the marvel of Mother Nature from above, you’ll land at a remote glacier camp for ice trekking in the Alaskan wilderness.
• Canoeing and kayak excursions: Take a canoe or kayak trip to the base of Mendenhall Glacier for a unique perspective of the majestic ice structure.
• E-biking tours: Take an electric bike through wildlife-rich rainforest on this ecotour in Ketchikan.
• Dogsledding: Take a sled ride with Alaskan huskies through Tongass National Forest. Afterward, finish the tour with a play-and-cuddle session with a husky puppy.
• Whalewatching cruises: Get away from the crowds and experience Alaska’s marine life from an intimate, 20-person vessel. You’ll get a front-row seat to the most-beloved creatures, including whales, sea lions (above), eagles and more.
• ATV tours: Explore the Alaskan wilderness at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Top Cruise Lines for the Best Alaskan Cruise Adventure

There’s a cruise line for everyone. Talk to a AAA Travel Agent today to discover the cruise line that is perfect for your dream Alaska getaway.

• Princess Cruises is the iconic brand behind The Love Boat, offering immersive Alaska tours that are perfect for multigenerational vacationers.
• With Royal Caribbean, you can set sail on the largest ships with thrilling entertainment, including shows and ice-skating rinks.
• Celebrity Cruises offers modern resorts at sea with stylish staterooms, innovative design, all-included amenities and other premium options.
• Holland America Line allows you to relax in easy elegance on moderately sized ships with award-winning voyages to Alaska and beyond.
• Norwegian Cruise Line offers the flexibility of freestyle dining, immersive cruisetours and fantastic options for solo travelers.
• Viking Cruises’ award-winning luxury small ship—Viking Orion—is known for understated elegance and modern Scandinavian design.

Money-Saving Tips for Alaskan Cruises

Without a doubt, Alaska boasts some of the most incredible adventures you won’t find anywhere else. But your Alaska cruise doesn’t need to break the bank. As you begin searching for the most budget-friendly Alaskan cruise options, you’ll notice that May and September tend to have slightly colder weather and lower prices when compared to the prime summer months.

When you stop at an Alaskan port, one way to save money is to skip rental cars. Many Alaskan towns are small and can be easy to traverse on foot. Consider using public transportation in the port cities that have it, such Juneau’s city bus. Gas prices in Alaska are high, so even if you find an incredible deal on a rental vehicle, you’ll likely be looking at an expensive scenario when renting a car during your cruise.

To save even more, take advantage of AAA Member-exclusive discounts and rewards on hotels, car rentals, tours and more.  

Book the Best Alaskan Cruise with AAA

When booking your Alaska cruise, your AAA Travel Agent will work with you to find the itinerary of your dreams. Whether you need help deciding which cruise line is right for you, help choosing the best departure port for your route or information about purchasing travel insurance, AAA has you covered.