6 Compelling Reasons to Cruise to Alaska
Alaska is a cruise destination unlike any other, showcasing a rarely seen side of the United States: still truly wild, practically untouched and open to endless adventure. But with such a hefty price tag, you may be wondering, “Are Alaska cruises worth it?”
Our answer is undeniably yes. The reasons to go -- and go now -- can outweigh the cons of time and cruise costs. If you're considering a cruise to Alaska, here are six reasons to book -- and to book sooner rather than later.
1. Take Your Pick from Plenty of Cruise Lines Sailing Alaska
Alaska’s cruise season runs from mid-May to mid-September. High demand means plenty of ships can fill to capacity during those four summer months. Almost every ocean cruise line -- including luxury lines and expedition styles -- serves the 49th state in the U.S., so there are more than a dozen lines to choose from.
Not sure which line or ship to pick? Our comparison of the most popular ships in Alaska gives you an idea of which cruise ship will offer the best Alaska experience for you. There's never been a better time for choice when exploring the Last Frontier; just make sure to book way in advance -- up to a year -- for your pick of the litter.
A few Alaska cruise line favorites include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas and Viking Ocean Cruises.
2. It's Quite Possibly the Most Multigenerational Destination
Many cruisers and tourists consider Alaska a bucket list destination, but why wait to experience such a spectacular place? That's the thought shared by the large numbers of families who travel there each year.
Curious kids can appreciate the grandiosity of watching a glacier calve or a whale breach. Young cruisers can enjoy dog sledding and whale-watching, along with a scenic Alaskan train ride and a crab fishing experience.
Alaska meets the checklist of various activity levels, points of interest for all ages, and seasonality that falls during summer break. If you're looking for your next family trip with the kids and grandkids, you should start planning your Alaska cruise right now.
3. Experience Unparalleled Access to Ice and Wildlife While in Alaska
If you can reach out and touch an iceberg or come within feet of a brown bear fishing for salmon, we'd call that getting up close and personal. In Alaska, there's an abundance of glowing blue glaciers and wild animals patrolling the land, air and sea -- and you can see them from the comfort of your cruise ship.
Of course, encountering a moose on a hike or an otter by kayak is arguably more thrilling, but for the less adventurous or able, the wildlife viewing from the deck of your ship is equally satisfying.
As a bonus, most, if not all, Alaska itineraries include scenic cruising days where your sole intention is to whip out the binoculars, grab a coffee and scour the horizon for any sign of a whale tail or bald eagle's white head.
On Glacier Bay cruises, a national park ranger is required to board in those protected waters and provide informative commentary about what you're looking at and what to look out for. Glaciers are receding rapidly, so visit before the landscape is forever changed (or more protected further from human visitation).
4. Alaska’s Shore Excursions Are on Another Level
If you've heard anything from family, friends or forums about Alaska cruises, there's a strong chance that elaborate shore excursions have come up. While the price ranges might be unlike other shore tours you've encountered before, the experiences are even more incredible.
Anything involving flight doesn't come cheap, like flightseeing in Denali, but Alaska is one of the best places to grab an aerial view -- especially as planes are a regular mode of transportation in a state where many locales aren't accessible by road. Floatplanes to bear-viewing parks or helicopters to sled dog camps or tundras high above sea level leave an indelible cruise memory.
Cruisers looking for a memorable experience may be interested in helicopter flightseeing experiences where adventurers rappel down glaciers after appreciating the sweeping aerial views.
And for every tame salmon bake or city tour, there are once-in-a-lifetime activities like snorkeling in the frigid waters of Ketchikan or paddleboarding past Bear Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park (Seward).
5. It's the Perfect Excuse for a Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Tour
While a cruise is certainly a vacation highlight, you can’t fully experience Alaska in a week at sea. A few extra days on terra firma add to the awe with sights like Denali National Park or the Kenai River Valley, which aren't accessible by cruise ship.
Whether you build your own cruisetour or book a pre-arranged Alaska cruisetour with your cruise line, a trip out to the largest U.S. state (by far) is served well with a land tour before you board, after you disembark or even both. It will take many times over to see all there is to see across Alaska, which could fit New York State inside its confines about 12 times.
6. Alaska Won’t Look the Same Forever
Global warming is real; ask any Alaskan. Despite a wealth of natural treasures, including sprawling rainforests and iconic glaciers, Alaska's landscape is changing as our climate is warming.
Visit Exit Glacier in Seward, and signposts with years will line the path -- those years are where the glacier used to sit, and you can walk about 187 feet between just two signposts; that's how fast it's receding.
Climate change is affecting not only ice but also Alaska's bird, animal and marine inhabitants. Take an Alaska cruise because who knows what the impact will be in a few short years. (To get as close to nature as possible, consider booking an expedition sailing.)