Alaska Cruises

Many companies cruise to Alaska, but key players and our recommendation for that destination are Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises. And one more tip if you want to have the best experience: choose an inside passage cruise, as many of the best spots lie there.

History & culture

Alaska is the largest State of the United States, actually it’s larger than the next 3 largest states combined. It is situated in the northwest part of the country and has a very curious history. Alaska belonged to Russia and was considered to be a faraway land, difficult to protect and a bit useless. In 1867 it was sold to the US Government by Russia's Tsar Alexander II. In 1896, gold was found in the area and the Klondike Gold Rush began turning Alaska into an extremely popular place. Just a couple of years later, oil was found and the famous Alaska oil boom began.This, of course, is simply the written history of Alaska: the indigenous history goes back much further and includes a huge struggle between themselves and the new ‘Americans’.

Food & drink

There are numerous culinary tastes and traditions you can try on an Alaska cruise that will make your vacation even better: delicious freshly-caught seafood like salmon, halibut and king crabs; local specialties like akutaq, which is an Inuit ice cream and of course locally brewed beer.

Juneau 

This is the capital city of Alaska and probably one of the most remote capitals in the World. It is an extremely beautiful place especially during summer with lots of natural landscapes to explore. We strongly recommend you ride up the city using the Goldbelt Juneau Tram for some spectacular views. Another must-do in Juneau is going on one of wildlife tours to watch brown bears or enjoy whale watching.

Ketchikan 

One of the best ports for the Alaska inside passage cruise. It is a small and very cozy village with various things to explore. The thing you absolutely must do in Ketchikan during your holidays is go salmon fishing, especially since it is considered to be the salmon capital of the World.

Skagway 

An important historical destination on your cruise itinerary, Skagway was one of the main cities for those who came to Alaska for the Gold Rush. Today, to find out more about the history of the region, you can enjoy a visit to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and walk around the Gold Rush Cemetery.

Whale watching

It is a unique experience to watch wild animals in their natural habitat, especially whales. Alaska is the best destination to go whale watching since there are eight different species of whales in its waters, so if you are lucky enough, you can see most of them during your trip.

Glacier viewing

Glaciers are a one-of-a-kind natural masterpiece and an iconic attraction of all the Alaska cruises. There are different options for exploring Alaska Glaciers as you can cruise, hike and even have a helicopter tour. As you can imagine, there are many glaciers in Alaska, but some of our top recommendations are Glaciers near Anchorage, Glaciers near Fairbanks and Glaciers Bay National Park.

Northern Lights

Alaska is the best place in the USA to search for the Northern Lights. There’s never a 100% guarantee that you will catch this natural miracle, but if you do, it will be something you’ll never forget. Usually, Northern lights can be seen from September to April, but the peak season is the coldest months.

Have a look at our Northern Lights cruises page for further information and explore our latest deals.

Currency considerations

Alaska is a US State, so currency would be US dollars. Most places accept credit cards.

Customs and traditions to be aware of

There are numerous interesting and fun traditions in Alaska, so we recommend you learn a bit about them before you go on a cruise. Each area will have its own customs, but everywhere will be friendly and open to telling you about their culture.

Making the most use of short durations in port

Research your itinerary beforehand, explore the excursions that the cruise company is offering to you. This way, once onboard, you’ll have a clear understanding of what you want to see.

Transport

In Alaska you can pretty much use the transport you are comfortable with like cruise, ferry, train or car.

All destinations. 

What month is best for an Alaska cruise?

The best months for an Alaska cruise are the summer months, but you can cruise in Alaska all year round. In Spring you can catch Alaska in blossom, along with less tourists, autumn offers up a great option for a cheaper deal and winter is a must-do for those searching the Northern Lights.

Is it worth getting a balcony on an Alaskan cruise?

A balcony on an Alaska cruise is definitely a must as one of the biggest reasons for cruising this destination are all the natural beauties. Just imagine yourself on your private veranda enjoying breakfast while cruising the Glaciers.

Can you see the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise?

You can see the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise, but you should keep in mind the timing, as the best time for Northern Lights are the coldest months of the year

Do you see whales on an Alaska cruise?

Oh yes, you definitely have an opportunity to see whales on an Alaska cruise. It’s actually one of the highlights of that journey