Cruising Alaska for the first time? You definitely aren’t alone. Alaskan cruises have boomed in popularity over the past decade or so, going from a relatively niche trip to one offered by just about every cruise line.
With so much more capacity, that means there are many folks taking their first cruises to the state, and those people are likely in for a shock.
That’s because even if you’ve cruised before, sailing to Alaska is unlike anything else — especially a trip to the Caribbean.
With that in mind, here are the big things you should know before you go…
Be Ready for Long Days (They Catch Up With You)
If there was one thing that completely threw me off on my first Alaskan cruise, it was that the daylight hours are long.
Of course, I knew that this far north meant longer days. That was no surprise. But the impact the longer days had on me physically was a shock. With it being brighter later at night and earlier in the morning, you might find yourself staying up for longer hours.
I found myself sleeping for only 5-6 hours at night for the first few days. It wasn’t until about halfway into the cruise that I couldn’t keep going at that pace and crashed hard to catch up on sleep.
Anything to help you sleep — from melatonin to sleep masks or white noise machines — is a good idea to pack. You might find the long days keep you up way longer than normal.
You Have to Pack for All Kinds of Weather
Think of Alaska and you likely think of snow, ice, and cold. That can certainly be the case, but in reality you can find all sorts of weather. During the summer it can be warm and sunny — to the point that some people lounge by the pool on the ship. But it can also be cold and rainy. And when the ship is underway, it can be extremely windy, which combined with the temps can make it bone-chillingly cold.
Perhaps no other cruise will have as wide the temperature and comfort swings as you see in Alaska. For first-time cruisers, that means making sure to pack accordingly. You certainly don’t have to dress for the Arctic, but having a decent jacket and multiple layers is a must. That way you can add and subtract clothes to keep comfy during the trip.
Budget for More Expensive Excursions
If you’ve ever cruised the Caribbean, then you’ve likely booked an excursion or two to enjoy your time in port. If so, be ready for some sticker shock in Alaska.
In the Caribbean, you can usually find some great excursions that start for as little as $50 per person. The tours might top out around $200 per person.
In Alaska you can pretty much double those rates. Expect to spend at least $100 for the lowest-end excursions but it’s more likely you’re going to spend hundreds to go and explore on a guided tours. They can still be worth it as many of the tours are unique and can’t be done anywhere else, but it’s still a hefty price to pay.
You Ship Can Makes a Big Difference
If you cruise a short trip to a sunny locale, your ship is important to your vacation, but it’s not make or break. After all, a 5-day cruise to The Bahamas is going to have a lot of time spent in port or just hanging out by the pool.
If you’re sailing to Alaska for the first time, you should know that the ship is much more important to your enjoyment. While you will be in port a lot, there’s also a lot of time on the ship, and you’re not likely to want to spend much of it outdoors.
That’s why newer ships that have more things to do inside — including covered pools — are ideal for sailing here. They give you a lot more options of things to do during the downtime when sailing.
Older ships or those without many activities could leave you a bit bored in between ports.
Don’t Worry About Selecting the “Perfect” Itinerary
Look online and you might see message boards with people asking about one itinerary versus another. In other parts of the world, this can be important. In Alaska, it’s much less of a big deal.
This might be controversial, but in reality there aren’t a ton of different ports in Alaska when compared to other parts of the world. The vast majority of trips hit the same spots like Juneau, Sitka, or Skagway.
Yes, you might find some cruises that sail a different port or two, but it’s not something that you should fret about picking the right route. The vast majority of the cruise will be the same — and breathtaking — no matter which itinerary you choose.
Be Prepared for a Completely Different Atmosphere Onboard
Have you cruised before? If so, chances are that it was to the Caribbean and the atmosphere onboard was a bit like a party. There’s drinks flowing, people dancing, bars are full, music is playing… you know the vibe.
Well your first time on an Alaska cruise may surprise you that the atmosphere is very different. It’s much more subdued. There aren’t big crowds partying by the bar. Deck chairs may have blankets for passengers to use instead of towels. And don’t expect some big sailaway party with a DJ playing loud music.
On my first trip, as the ship set sail passengers simply stood at the railing watching Seattle slip away in the distance before heading inside. If you’re expecting a party, then think again.
Drink Packages Likely Aren’t Worth it
Continuing on the theme of a more subdued vibe on the ship when sailing, one thing to know is that getting the most out of the drink package is harder to do on a trip to Alaska.
Sure, if you’re regularly a big drinker then it might be worth it. But if you’re someone that drinks more because of the vibe on the ship — you are on vacation, after all — that’s not really the atmosphere when sailing to Alaska.
I found that the desire to have drinks wasn’t near as much as on a traditional cruise, and I wasn’t alone. The bars seemed emptier, too.
There’s Something to See Around the Clock
If you’ve never sailed Alaska, be prepared to see… a lot. Typically if you sail the Caribbean, there may be things to see in port from the ship, but once you are at sea it’s ocean for as far as the eyes can see.
In Alaska, it’s the exact opposite. There, the ship sails through relatively narrow passages to where there’s scenery seemingly all the time. Mountains rise right up out of the water, waterfalls drain down to the ocean, wildlife dots the water and the land. In short, there’s always something neat to see.
For instance, we’ll never forget sailing through a narrow channel and seeing whales breach the surface about 200 yards from the back of the ship.
Your Phone May Work in Port
Even if you are headed on a cruise to get away from it all, these days it’s impossible to live without a phone for an entire week.
One unique thing about sailing Alaska is that it’s part of the United States compared to sailing to a foreign country. So your phone plan that covers the U.S. allows you to use your phone when in port just like you would at home. That means you can keep in touch without expensive cruise ship wi-fi plans.
I will say that given the remoteness of Alaska, some coverage can be spotty. For instance, I used a discounted phone plan that wasn’t able to get service in port. But I noticed many people with traditional carriers were able to use their phones just fine.
The Two Months With Cheaper Prices
If you are still shopping for your cruise, you might have some sticker shock. In general it is more expensive to cruise to Alaska than to the Caribbean, though it does seem like prices have narrowed some in the past few years.
That said, if you want to save money and haven’t bought yet, then look at the shoulder months of May and September. Alaskan cruises don’t sail year-round. The peak of the season are the summer months of June, July, and August. During this time prices are highest as school is out and demand is high.
But the months of May and September see a little less demand and thus lower prices. You can often save hundreds by cruising this time of year.
What to Know About Passports & Birth Certificates
If you cruise to Alaska, you’re most often sailing from Seattle. That means you are departing the United States and sailing to the United States. So why do you need a passport or a birth certificate?
Laws require that foreign-flagged ships (of which nearly every cruise ship is) to make stops in a foreign country before returning to the United States. That’s why every Alaskan cruise makes a port of call in Canada before returning.
And since there is a foreign stop, you’ll need to prove citizenship. The best option is a passport, but most trips if sailing round trip from Seattle allow you to sail with a birth certificate and photo ID. You can read more about passport/birth certificate requirements here.
More on Sailing to Alaska:
- 29 Must-Have Things to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise (11 You’d Never Think Of)
- 44 Must-Have Alaskan Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Secrets
