Alaska Cruise Guide: What are the most important factors to consider when looking for a cruise?
There’s never a bad time to sail to Alaska. Major cruise lines offer cruises throughout the year. The cruise season is usually from April to September, especially during the summer months. However, the “best” time to go is really subjective.
Many people prefer to go during the summer months due to the warm temperatures. Cruise passengers on a budget prefer to wait until May or September, when fares are cheaper and crowds are smaller. The downside of going out of season is that the weather is more unpredictable and tours are more likely to be cancelled. If you want to see the Northern Lights, the best chance to see them is in September. Again, there is a downside to traveling during this time due to the churning of the Gulf of Alaska, which is not good for travelers who tend to get seasick.
When planning a cruise to Alaska, you’ll find that there are three basic routes that most major cruise lines follow: round-trip from Vancouver, round-trip from Seattle, and one-way from Vancouver to Alaska. You may also want to consider a cruise tour, which combines an Alaskan cruise with a land tour, either before or after the actual cruise. This type of package tour can be anything from a 3-5 night tour of Anchorage/Fairbanks/Drenali to a 5-7 night tour of the Canadian Rockies.
If your time is limited and you won’t have the opportunity to take a pre- or post-cruise tour, select an itinerary that includes one or two shore excursions for a mini-tour, or simply enjoy a day in a port city of Alaska.
Where to Visit on Your Alaska Cruise
You’ll also want to follow an itinerary that gets you as close as possible to some glaciers. The most beautiful glaciers in the world can only be seen in Alaska by boat. If you dock in Juneau at any point during your trip, consider visiting Tracy Arm Fjord by seaplane. It’s a show you won’t want to miss. Many travelers prefer to plan and book their own excursions, since those offered by a cruise line in a package tend to drive up the price considerably.
Cruising to Alaska requires more than just booking the cheapest package you can find. You must consider the city of departure (Seattle or Vancouver), the time of year and weather conditions, the route and the ports of call. An Alaska cruise can last between 5 and 21 days, either round trip or one way. While a one-way cruise sounds good, you could end up paying extra for airfare back to Seattle or Vancouver before heading back to your own city!
Get exclusive discounts on select cruises when you buy online. You’ll get all the tools you need to get the best deals on cruises, airfare, hotels, and more. Compare all itineraries and prices to help you find the perfect cruise to Alaska.