What to know before cruising to Alaska

Quick insights

• The season for Alaskan cruises is from late May to early September.
• Cruises to Alaska typically last between 5 and 14 days.
• Many Alaskan cruises depart from Seattle or Vancouver.

A cruise to Alaska can be the trip of a lifetime. You can tour Alaska's waterways while experiencing its spectacular scenery, wildlife, culture and history. Travelers can choose from a conventional cruise experience with all the comforts and amenities of a big ship or opt for an adventure-packed expedition cruise that takes them to hard-to-access corners of the state where wildlife thrives.

However, choosing your ideal cruise experience takes some planning. Here are some things to know before you book your Alaskan cruise.

Alaskan cruising styles

While you may find many different cruising styles in Alaska—luxury, yacht, adventure and more—there are two main types that many overnight Alaskan cruises fall into: traditional cruise ships and small expedition cruises. We've outlined the main features of these two cruising styles below.

Traditional cruise ships

When you picture a cruise, you may think of a large ship with resort-style amenities and a few thousand passengers. Many of these conventional cruise ships operate around Alaska. Due to their large size, these ships can offer expansive views of glaciers, which you may not get on a smaller ship.  

These ships are typically limited to stops in port towns, and if you want an excursion like kayaking to see wildlife, you'll usually need to pay extra for it. Cruises on these larger ships may have strict schedules.

Small expedition cruises

Expedition cruises tend to have much smaller ships than traditional cruise ships, and their itineraries are often focused on giving you a close-up experience of the Alaskan wilderness.

During travel through waterways, these ships can usually get you closer to the shoreline where you can get a good view of wildlife, and guided activities like kayaking and hiking may be complimentary. These ships aren't limited to docking in Alaska's larger port towns and may have more flexibility in their schedule to slow down when marine life is spotted.

On-board amenities may not be as extensive as a traditional cruise ship, though you may find some expedition cruises offer luxury cabins. Many expedition cruises also have an on-board expert to offer educational programming that complements your trip.

Days at sea on cruises to Alaska

You may find a range of cruise durations depending on the cruise line and itinerary. Days spent at sea may range from 5 to 14 days:

• Short cruises: Roughly 5 to 7 days in length, short cruises may spend roughly 1 to 2 days traveling at sea with the remainder of time dedicated to port visits.
• Standard cruises: A standard cruise time is around 7 to 10 days with around 2 to 3 days spent at sea and the rest spent at port towns.
• Extended cruises: Longer cruises of 10 to 14 days typically spent around 3 to 5 days at sea, dedicating the remainder to port visits.

For expedition cruises, the length of the itinerary may vary, but several days are generally dedicated to accessing remote areas.

Timing your Alaskan cruise

Knowing when to time your trip can be an important part of planning a cruise. Here are a few things to know about the Alaskan cruise season:

• Peak season: July and August are the warmest months with long daylight hours. Wildlife activity peaks during these months, which is why many travelers prefer to time their cruise during this season. Cruise prices and crowds may also be at their highest point during this time.
• Shoulder season: Late May, June and early September are the shoulder season—the time between the peak season and offseason. The weather is slightly cooler, and travelers may see more snow-capped landscapes during these months. May and June tend to have less rainfall on average. Wildlife is still active in the shoulder season, which may allow travelers to see animals without the crowds or higher prices of cruises during the peak season.

Alaskan cruise itinerary

Here's a sample itinerary you might find for a standard Alaskan cruise:

• Day 1: Depart from Seattle
• Day 2: Cruise the Inside Passage
• Day 3: Stop in Juneau   
• Day 4: Stop in Skagway
• Day 5: Cruise Glacier Bay National Park
• Day 6: Stop in Ketchikan
• Day 7: Stop in Victoria, British Columbia
• Day 8: Return to Seattle

The above cruise may give you the opportunity to purchase excursions to go whale watching, take a helicopter tour of a glacier or go on a hiking trip into the Yukon Territory.

Alaska cruising tips

Here are a few tips that may help streamline your Alaskan cruise:

• Pack for the weather: Packing for a cruise can be overwhelming. Due to Alaska's frequent weather changes, you may be more comfortable if you dress in layers. Bringing waterproof gear, gloves and hats can help you stay warm and dry in the event of inclement weather.   
• Arrive a day early: If you need to fly to get to your cruise's departing port, it can help to arrive a day early. The extra cushion in your schedule could help you catch your cruise even if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
• Book excursions early: From fishing in Ketchikan to a floatplane ride over Misty Fjords, there are hundreds of adventure-filled excursions travelers can choose from. Booking excursions in advance can help you book your preferred activities before they fill up.
• Explore your cruise options: With most major cruise lines operating in Alaska, you usually have lots of options to choose from. Booking early and being flexible about your cabin type may give you more access to better prices.

In summary

Travelers can get a conventional cruise experience on a large ship or take a smaller expedition cruise with an action-packed itinerary. Alaskan cruise lines usually start operating in late May and stop after early September. The typical length for an Alaskan cruise is between 5 and 14 days. Most cruises depart from either Seattle or Vancouver.