As regular readers of this column know, when I am on vacation I write about cruises. I’ve been on vacation this week, so guess what? Let’s talk about cruises.
A lot of people I talk to about cruises say that they would like to go on an Alaska cruise. This is the time of year that the Alaska season is winding down, with the cruise fleet headed toward the Caribbean, South America or even Australia. The ships will return in force beginning in April, so now is actually the best time to think about that 2025 Alaska cruise, when availability is still good. Wait too long to book, and you may not be able to find the ship or the date you want to sail.
My experience is on larger mainline cruises, so I will write about those. But if you are willing to pay more, there are lots of smaller ships and options in Alaska, offering experiences ranging from adventurous to luxurious.
Most Alaska cruises sail for seven nights and visit the same ports — Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau. The demand for berth space has overwhelmed some of these ports, so some cruises visit newer places such as Icy Strait Point, which was built with cruise ships in mind, or out-of-the-way spots like Sitka.
It’s also common to visit Glacier Bay National Park, where the ship will come as close as safely possible to the ice. Again, demand outstrips supply. Because the National Park Service limits cruise ship visits to Glacier Bay, you may go someplace else, like Hubbard Glacier. So if you have a specific port or sight you want to see, be sure to check the itinerary carefully before you book.
Nearly all Alaska cruises leave from either Seattle or Vancouver, B.C. Seattle cruises have the advantage of being round trip, making it easy for Clark County residents to drive to and from the pier. Almost all Seattle-based cruises visit Victoria, B.C., on the last evening of the trip.
Vancouver, B.C., cruises tend to travel one-way between Vancouver and either Whittier or Seward, where passengers can connect to the Anchorage airport. The big advantage to this itinerary is that if you have the time and the money, you can opt into a land tour package visiting one or more of Alaska’s famous national parks, like Denali. The cruise lines run their own lodges near the parks and also provide bus and rail transportation, so you can buy it as a complete vacation. Shop cruisetours carefully; northbound trips are often cheaper.
One personal observation is that the Vancouver ships tend to travel on the inside of Vancouver Island, where the waters tend to be calmer. The Seattle ships can catch more waves. But both times I’ve cruised to Alaska, stormy seas weren’t a problem. And I’m used to rain!
In Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, there are a lot of tourist-oriented things to see and do within walking distance of the ship, but the attractions will be crowded. If you’ve ever been on a Caribbean cruise, you know how passengers can fill a port like St. Thomas or Cozumel. It will be fun, but you won’t be alone.
One way to avoid some of the crowds would be to take a cruise that departs midweek and calls in the Alaskan ports on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, when many of the ships are in their home ports of Seattle, Vancouver, Seward and Whittier.
Buying a shore excursion is a good way to get away from the tourist area and see more of nature. Alaska shore excursions tend to be expensive, so be sure to budget for them before you book your trip. You can buy excursions directly from your cruise line, or there are a variety of reputable independent tour brokers on the internet.
If you can afford it, get a balcony cabin. If not, book a cabin near an access point to an outside deck so that it’s convenient to run out when, say, a whale is spotted.
Finally, don’t forget your binoculars. Alaska is spectacular!
