This month I took a family trip to Alaska on a cruise ship! I had a great time exploring Alaska and checked off some cool experiences. This post shares some quick tips about an Alaska cruise and gives a recap of my experience.
Why an Alaskan cruise?
This cruise has been a long time coming. We had originally planned this family cruise to the Caribbean three years ago, but we know what happened to that.
It’s been said cruising in Alaska is one of the best cruises to take. You are surrounded by incredible scenery, from whales in the water to towering snow-capped mountains.
5 things I checked off my to-do list:
- Fished for halibut
- Ate king crab
- Marveled the Alaskan wilderness
- Spotted whales and sea lions
- Drank an Alaskan beer
When to visit Alaska
The cruise season is the summer – May through September. This is when temperatures will be warmer. In the other months, most of the state hibernates for winter.
How much does an Alaska cruise cost?
Here’s an estimate per person:
- Cruise: $834
- Round-trip flight from Austin to Seattle: $597
- Base total: $1,431
Other costs to factor in:
- Excursions: These can range from $50-500 per port. We spent about $665 for 3 outings. The cheapest was renting an electric bike for a day and the most expensive was a fishing charter.
- Dining in ports: Try local cuisines and restaurants when you get off the boat.
- Extra expenses on the boat: Things like alcohol, shopping, and the casino are out of your own pocket. You’ll also have a daily fee ($16 per person for my trip) added as crew appreciation.
Pricing will vary by cruise ship. Carnival is one of the least expensive cruises while Princess, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean are about mid-level.
Which cities do you go to on an Alaskan cruise?
We went to 4 ports and spent 2 days at sea. We explored Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway in Alaska and Victoria in Canada.
Some other cruise ports include: Sitka, Haines, Anchorage, Seward, Whittier
What to wear in Alaska
This is a tricky answer. Look at the temperature a week before your trip. We arrived during an unseasonal heat wave, so our temperatures were 45 – 80 degrees F – hot for Alaska! Typically there will be a slight chill but not unbearably cold.
Best Alaska Excursions
In most of these ports, you can find crab and salmon to eat and places to hike. The port has a small selection of restaurants and monuments to see, but if you want to get a more expansive view, I recommend getting a ride outside of the port or booking an excursion. It’s best to book an excursion before your trip since some may take all day and/or get booked up.
Ketchikan
- Fishing for halibut or salmon – We booked a private 5-hour charter with Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charter. While we missed catching huge halibut (either because we’re not great at fishing or because it was the beginning of the season) but we still reeled in three fish. You can ship it home, and companies will fillet the fish and price it by the pound. The minimum is nearly $200.
- Alaska Fish House – We stopped here for lunch after our fishing trip and enjoyed fried cod, halibut, and salmon.
- Bar Harbor Ale House – Before boarding the ship, we enjoyed an Alaskan brew at this portside bar.
- Misty Fjord National Monument – One of the top things to do in Ketchikan is visit this place and it’s usually done by boat.
Juneau
- Tracy’s King Crab Shack – We enjoyed a crab feast at this restaurant right off the port dock. We enjoyed red king crab and golden king crab.
- Whale watching – Our group booked a whale-watching tour with Juneau Whale Tours where we watched whales and sea lions for about two hours.
- Mendenhall Glacier – One of the top things to do in Juneau is explore Mendenhall Glacier, which you can walk near.
Skagway
- Bike tour – We took a self-guided tour of Skagway with an electric bike rental from Klondike Electric Bicycles. We rode about 20 miles (9 miles to the Chilkoot Trail Trailhead and along the Taiya River) and stopped for short hikes at Reid Falls and Dewey Lake Trail.
- Cafe on 5th – We stopped here for coffee and snacks and it was a highlight!
- White Pass Scenic Railway – Taking this train ride is one of the most popular things to do in Skagway. It’s about a 3-hour ride with scenic views.
Victoria, Canada
- Whistle Buoy Brewing – Since we had less than 5 hours in Victoria, we simply walked around the town. We walked along the bay and stopped by the lit-up Parliament Buildings. Eventually a local suggested we go to Whistle Buoy Brewing, where we enjoyed local beer and kombucha.
About the Cruise
It’s been more than 20 years since I’ve been on a cruise, and while it can be a good option for a family trip, especially if your group needs a slower-paced trip, I prefer the way I travel now – land-based, self-planned, and highly active trips.
Here’s a pro/con cruise breakdown for you.
Cruise Pros
- Visit multiple places with little planning
- Fairly easy planning for group trips
- 24/7 food options
- Variety of activities – shows, gym, casino, shopping, outdoor spaces
Cruise Cons
- Subpar food (quality varies by the cruise line)
- Can be claustrophobic or overstimulating (constantly around people)
- 24/7 food options
- Limited time to explore the place you’re visiting
- Sea days can feel boring and a “waste” of a vacation day
Cruise Quick Tips
- Research ports and excursions before your trip. Many tours get booked months ahead. Knowing about the ports can help you maximize your time and book last-minute activities.
- Bring a water bottle.
- Keep to a 3-meal schedule to avoid overeating. There’s food available 24/7!
- Bring your own must-have foods.
- Bring games for your group. We had dominos, Mahjong, and cards.
- Arrive a day before your cruise departure and book your departing flight after 11 a.m. on the last day.
- Keep your phone in airplane mode (unless you purchase the Wi-Fi plan).
I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to spend lots of quality time with family and to experience the beauty of Alaska! I recommend adventuring to Alaska if you enjoy the outdoors.
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