You’ve picked the ship and booked the trip, and now you and your family are heading to Alaska on a cruise. Well, you’re in for a real treat, because a cruise to Alaska is a bucket-list-worthy trip where you’ll have plenty of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, spend time in awe at the marvels of nature, and enjoy all the luxuries on a beautiful cruise ship.
No matter which ship you’ve picked, what itinerary you’ve booked, and where your embarkation port is, you’re sure to have a good time in Alaska with just a little bit of planning. That’s why we’re sharing our top nine tips for making the most of your time on a cruise to Alaska. And no, these aren’t tips like book a verandah cabin (though I sure hope you did). We’re talking tips like how to know which exclusions to book on your own, what iconic snacks should be high up on your must-get list, and how to make sleeping through the midnight sun easier. So if you and your family are heading to the Last Frontier soon, keep reading for some top tips to keep in mind before and during your cruise.
Packing and what to bring
Tip one: Pack in layers
You’ve likely heard that you need to pack layers for Alaska, but it’s one of the most important things to do before your cruise. The weather in Alaska during the summer can be unpredictable. For example, last summer, my family and I cruised on the Disney Wonder to Alaska and had a wide range of weather, from sunshine and the mid-70s in Ketchikan to drizzly rain and cooler temperatures in Skagway. Even before the trip, I looked at the weather, and it looked chilly nearly every day. But as I learned in Alaska, don’t trust the weather apps fully.
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Some basics you’ll want to pack include t-shirts, jeans, leggings and sweatpants, sweaters, and a jacket, plus hats and gloves if you get cold easily. You’ll also want some rain gear, like jackets and waterproof boots or hiking gear. I’d also throw in a pair of shorts or two, just in case you’re lucky like my family was for a warmer day.
Tip two: Bring binoculars
When people told me to bring binoculars to Alaska, I was hesitant. I’d done a few wildlife-based cruises before and never used them, but in Alaska, I found myself reaching for my binoculars more than not. On sea days and glacier viewing day, I loved having them to get better looks at seals sunbathing on icebergs and bald eagles taking to the skies. I also loved having these on a whale-watching excursion in Juneau. My group of fellow whale watchers and I got very lucky to see a humpback whale mom and calf breaching for about 20 minutes.
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Tip three: Bring the right type of day bag
Because of the unpredictable weather, you’ll want a day bag you take off the ship that’s waterproof or water-resistant so your day essentials don’t get soaked if it’s raining. A few options that I like are here, here, and here. If you’re really tight on space in your suitcase, use this day bag as your personal item on your flight to your embarkation port.
What to book before your cruise
Tip four: Arrive at your embarkation port early
You may hear this all the time for any cruise vacation, but you should always arrive at your embarkation port at least one day early. Most cruises to Alaska start from either Seattle, Washington, or Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Some itineraries begin at ports near Anchorage, Alaska, like Seward or Whittier.
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For my family, that meant arriving in Vancouver two days early, allowing plenty of time to adjust to the time difference and to explore the city. During our two days in Vancouver, we loved the vibrant coffee scene, enjoyed a few local breweries, embarked on a food tour of Chinatown, and had one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had at Jam Cafe.
Tip five: Know what excursions to book on your own and what to book through a cruise line
You’ve likely read over all the excursion options at the various ports of call and wonder what you can book on your own (sometimes for a cheaper cost) and what you should book through the cruise line. Two things to consider are how far your excursion is from your ship and how adventurous the excursion is.
If the excursion is taking you more than 30 minutes from the ship, you may want to book through the cruise line. Things happen, and excursions run late. If you book through the cruise line, your ship won’t leave you behind. If you’re late with a third-party excursion company, you run the risk of being left behind and using your own funds to catch up to the ship at the next port.
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For more adventurous excursions, like fishing trips or helicopter tours, I always suggest booking through the cruise line for the assurance that it’s a brand that the cruise trusts. You won’t need to worry about whether you’re booking a safe company. You simply need to show up at your meeting point on time to have a good time.
Some popular shore excursions you could book on your own include the White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway or the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan. Both are close to the port (though the train does take you pretty far into the wilderness for incredible views). Alternatively, some excursions I would only book through the cruise line include any fishing trips or helicopter tours.
What to know about the onboard experience
Tip six: Don’t stay inside on glacier viewing day
Yes, Alaska can be cold and rainy, but if you only go outside a few times while you’re on a cruise, make it a glacier-viewing day. Nearly all Alaska itineraries across brands will have one scenic sailing day where you’ll venture into a fjord and near a glacier. Some cruise ships have indoor observation lounges or floor-to-ceiling windows in different areas, but there’s nothing like getting outside to enjoy the view.
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I loved spending part of my day on my verandah, sipping coffee and munching on Disney’s iconic chicken tenders from room service. But I also spent a good chunk of the day on the upper decks, enjoying the wildlife viewing and immaculate scenery with other passengers.
Even better, if you have the budget, book one of the shore excursions for glacier-viewing day, where you’ll board a smaller boat to get even closer to the glacier. I was lucky to do this on my Disney Cruise, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. My small group saw plenty of animals, plus we got to see the glacier calving.
Tip seven: The midnight sun can make it hard to sleep
The midnight sun is fun to see for the first few nights of an Alaska cruise, but the nearly 24-hour daylight can make it challenging to sleep. During my Alaska cruise, I was waking up at three and four in the morning and had a lot of trouble falling back asleep because of the midnight sun. And even though cruise lines have blackout curtains, sunlight still seeps through the cracks around the curtains. If you like to sleep in total darkness, consider bringing an eye mask to wear at night. You may also want to bring some sleeping aids (always consult a doctor before starting new medication), like melatonin.
Experiencing the local flavor in Alaska
Tip eight: Try a glass or two of root beer
While craft and microbreweries are present in the ports of call, I often tried the local root beers, which are popular with tourists and locals. In fact, some of the most popular breweries near the cruise ports make their own root beer right on site using local ingredients. I loved trying the root beer from Klondike Brewing in Skagway. I also got a can of Forty-Ninth State Brewing’s Frontier Root Beer at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.
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Tip nine: Enjoy a few iconic snacks
Throughout the cruise, you’ll come across some viral foodie spots, and some are better than others. In Skagway, trying a fried dough treat from Klondike Doughboy is a must. You’ll also want to get some fresh seafood, like king crab and fresh fish. You can find crab at places like Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau (the most popular spot for the delicacy), or at Woadie’s South East Seafood in Skagway (a little off the main street, but worth it). Fresh fish like salmon and halibut are readily available at restaurants around each port of call.
