For many, an Alaska cruise is a bucket-list, once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. The wildlife you see there is amazing- truly breathtaking. I once had a bald eagle fly a foot above my head at Juneau! Here’s a list of Alaska cruise tips and mistakes to avoid.
Alaska cruise packing list with free printable
Go During the Salmon Run
If you’re hoping to see wildlife, the best time to go on an Alaska cruise is during the peak months of late June through August. This is the time when the salmon run is happening. That’s when you have the highest chance of seeing wild bears. As the salmon swim upstream to spawn, the bears closely trail them.
Watching the bears sit by the river trying to catch salmon as they swim upstream is fun. I once saw a mother bear with her adorable cubs by the river!
Under Budgeting
Alaska cruises are often more expensive than you think. Budgeting is key. Alaska cruises can be pricey, with costs typically twice that of a Caribbean cruise. This is because you’ll also need to factor in the cost of shore excursions, which can be quite expensive.
For example, whale watching can cost over $200 per person, while a helicopter tour to go dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier can cost over $700 per person. These experiences are truly bucket-list worthy, so it’s worth budgeting for them. I recommend comparing the prices of cruise shore excursions with those of independent tour operators like Viator.
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Book Shore Excursions in Advance
Shore excursions are a must to fully enjoy your Alaska cruise. However, many popular shore excursions do sell out. I suggest you book them early so you get your top choice.
If the cruise shore excursion sells out, you should check with independent tour operators like Viator to see if they offer something similar. Chances are high that they do because oftentimes it’s the same tour company. You’ll also probably get the same shore excursion for less.
Winging it in Alaska
I don’t recommend winging it in Alaska. But if tours are sold out or you just like spontaneity, then you can certainly try your luck and see if you can get a cab or book a tour at the port.
Some ports such as Juneau have booths where you can book shore excursions like whale watching, etc. If you plan to book shore excursions at these booths, be sure to arrive early, since many tours start early, and they tend to fill up quickly.
Book Shore Excursion when You’re a Large Group
I can’t say this enough, if you’re traveling with a large group and have your heart set on a particular excursion, booking in advance is especially important. The last thing you want to do is to be wandering around the port aimlessly. It’s harder to wing it if you are a big group.
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Book a Balcony
To fully enjoy the sea days, book a balcony cabin. This way, you can sit back and enjoy the views of glaciers, whales, dolphins, and other wildlife from the comfort of your own balcony. Wildlife sightings are quite common on Alaska cruises. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars!
Book a Cabin on the Correct Side
When you book your Alaska cruise, make sure you book the balcony on the correct side. If you’re cruising northbound, book a balcony on the starboard side (right side) so you have a view of the land. If you’re cruising from north to south, book a balcony on the port side (left side) so you can see the land.
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Enjoy the View During Sea Days
One of the most amazing things about going on an Alaska cruise is the breathtaking view you’ll get to experience. You’ll see glaciers, floating ice pieces, playful seals, whales, and dolphins- so much wildlife!
If you have a balcony room, I recommend spending some time there to enjoy the view. If not, you can still take in the beautiful scenery from the deck or a lounge.
Some ships even have an observation lounge at the front of the ship with cozy chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows that are perfect for relaxing with a book and taking in the view. Just make sure to get there early to grab the best seats.
Make sure you dress warm when you’re out on the deck. If you’re worried about getting chilly, don’t worry- some cruise ships even provide fleece blankets to keep you warm and cozy.
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Get a Window Table
Another tip I have is to try to get a table by the window in the main dining room. Seeing wildlife during dinner is such a fun experience! I remember seeing seals and dolphins. I also love hearing the excited outbursts from other diners sitting by the window “Look, dolphins!”
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Dress in Layers
When it comes to clothing, it’s important to dress in layers. The weather in Alaska can be unpredictable, so it’s best to be prepared for both cold and hot temperatures. Bring a raincoat and an umbrella, and make sure to pack a winter jacket if you plan on going to the glaciers. Check out my Alaska cruise packing list with free packing list printable.
What to See
You’ll probably go to three ports, Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau.
Skagway is a charming gold rush town. There’s not much to do at the port so it’s best to book a shore excursion. You can visit the White Pass Summit and the Yukon Suspension Bridge, or take a bus tour of the Yukon to see wildlife and a dogsled camp. You can even go on a dogsled ride! Or you can take a high speed catamaran to Haines where you will have an expert naturalist guide to view the wildlife at Chilkoot Lake State Park (that’s where I saw the bear in the wild!)
Ketchikan is a bigger port than Skagway. If you don’t book a shore excursion, you can walk around the shops at Creek Street, see the totem poles in Ketchikan, and even watch for seals & salmons at the creek next to Creek Street.
But I do suggest, doing an excursion. You can take a seaplane to tour the breathtaking Misty Fjords, or opt for a budget-friendly Ketchikan tour to see the salmon ladder, totem poles and wildlife for less than $100.
Juneau is the biggest port of the three. You can walk around the shops if you don’t book a shore excursion. But I don’t recommend it. You should at least go to Mendenhall Glacier. You can take a bus to get there!
I highly recommend taking a shore excursion to Mendenhall Glacier. Go canoeing at Mendenhall Glacier for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And if canoeing is too active for you, no worries- you can always opt for a whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier combo tour.
Check out these cruise packing lists with free printables
Alaska cruise packing list
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