I have been lucky enough to do an Alaskan Cruise not once, but twice, and after comparing the two trips which were quite different, I thought it would be useful to share a few hints and tips to ensure you have the best experience.
I first visited Alaska in 2015 on a one-way Holland America voyage, starting in Anchorage, with a land excursion to Denali National Park before returning to Anchorage to board the ms Zaandam on a seven-night voyage from Anchorage to Vancouver.
My second cruise was with Princess Cruises aboard the Royal Princess on a seven-night Seattle roundtrip itinerary.
Where should I depart from?
This is an easy one in my opinion. It’s best to depart from Vancouver for several reasons. Logistically, there are direct flights from Australia to Vancouver on several airlines, which avoids the extra hassle of transits, and you can avoid the dreaded Los Angeles Airport.
Coming from Australia you should ensure you arrive at your cruise port an absolute minimum one day before the cruise. Vancouver is a fantastic destination so it’s worthwhile arriving a few days early to explore Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Granville markets and so much more.
The big plus for departing from Vancouver versus some of the American departure points such as Seattle or San Francisco is you’ll generally spend more time in ports, and less time sailing.
Should I do a one-way or roundtrip itinerary?
If you want to maximise your time on land I would recommend a one-way itinerary. One-way cruises only have to cover half the distance of a round-trip itinerary which generally means you’ll have more ports, longer time in port or a combination of both.
The big bonus of one-way itineraries is you can combine them with land excursions and travel inland into Alaska which for me was the highlight, more to come on this later.
What are the must-visit ports on an Alaskan cruise?
You’ll find most cruise itineraries are fairly similar and usually visit a combination of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. However not all itineraries are created equal! Have a look at how long you’re spending in each of these ports. Some itineraries may only give you half a day (or less) in port which will limit the shore excursions available and may mean you don’t have enough time to experience the things you’d like to see.
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The other thing to look at is - does your itinerary visit Glacier Bay, and if so, for how long? Glacier Bay is the pinnacle of glacier viewing however cruise lines require permits to visit so depending on which cruise you’re on you may not get to visit. On the cruises that don’t visit Glacier Bay you’ll often see they will visit alternative glaciers instead.
What cruise line should I travel with?
The cruise line you choose will be a big part of the experience you have in Alaska. I always ensure I match my clients with the cruise line that best suits their preferences. Some ships are designed for the family market with waterslides and go-kart tracks, whilst others have enrichment lectures to learn more about the destination and natural environment.
When travelling to Alaska it’s also worth considering travelling with a cruise line that has Grandfather Rights. Holland America pioneered cruising the Inside Passage of Alaska and has been cruising the area for over 70 years. As a result, they are given prime berthing slots in port, and obtain the most permits for Glacier Bay, making it more likely your cruise will visit.
But what difference does that really have on your trip you may ask? At times there were up to five ships in a port at any given time. Holland America always had the closest berths to town, so less time getting off, and then when you did get off you were right there. Other cruise lines were either significantly down the pier (sometimes more than a ten-minute walk to where the Holland America ships were docked), and other times the alternative ships had to anchor. When a ship is at anchor, you’ll need to get a tender boat to shore. Capacity on the tenders is around 100 so if you have a ship with a capacity of 3000+ people that can mean a lot more waiting around and a lot less time in port. In Ketchikan, a cruise line wasn’t able to even anchor at the port, so they were at a dock in a different location, where guests had to get a shuttle bus from the port to town. There was a queue of people at least 300 metres long of passengers waiting to catch the bus back to the ship. So again, that means more waiting around, less enjoying the destination.
For some clients that want a more intimate experience, there are cruise lines that offer smaller ships (around 600 passengers) and there are also very small cruises between 36 to 100 guests, that offer more expedition-style cruising for those that are more adventurous.
Is a balcony cabin worth the extra cost on an Alaska cruise?
This is really a personal preference. A balcony is a great way to get lots of natural light and fresh air into the cabin on any cruise. In Alaska, it’s often not very warm (yes, even in summer!) so you’re less likely to spend the afternoon out on the balcony. Having said that, I had perfect weather and spend a couple of hours on the deck scanning the ocean for whales and other sea life which was great fun and we did spot quite a few whales. It’s also nice to have a balcony for Glacier Bay, however, the best viewing is definitely on the outdoor top decks as you can see the 360-degree views, whereas from your balcony you can only see what’s on your side of the ship.
Is there anything else I should consider when booking my Alaskan Cruise?
If you have the time and funds, I would highly recommend adding on a land itinerary into Alaska at the beginning or end of the cruise. The land itineraries range from 3-10 days so you can choose the itinerary that suits you best. Cruise lines like Holland America and Princess allow you to add the land itinerary to any one-way itinerary and you can customise the land itinerary to suit you. Over the years I’ve convinced my clients to include the land itinerary and it’s always a highlight for them.
Many people will add on some land touring in Canada before or after the trip. If the Rocky Mountaineer is also on your bucket list, it’s important to book this early to ensure you don’t miss out. So make sure you book the cruise and the train at the same time.
How early should I book my Alaskan Cruise?
The golden rule for cruises is to either book super early when the itineraries are first released, or book super late when the cruise lines are trying to fill any remaining cabins. For Australians, cruising the Inside Passage on an Alaska Cruise is a bucket list trip so I would recommend booking as soon as the cruises are released which is usually around 18 months prior to departure. Booking early you get a great deal, plus you can pick and choose which cabin type, and cabin location you’d like. You can obviously book last minute but that can become difficult with flights and any other arrangements you want to add on before or after the cruise, plus you’re then left with limited choice on cabin types and usually only the undesirable cabin locations are left.
What’s the best way to book my Alaskan Cruise?
With an experienced and knowledgeable Travel Consultant of course. I’d love to help you plan and book your dream Alaskan Cruise so please get in touch.
