When it comes to the places I’ve sailed, for me there is nothing that tops Alaska. If you’re going soon, it’s just flat out amazing. If you don’t have anything booked, what are you waiting for?!
But Alaskan cruising is a little different than any other cruise you might take — especially to the Caribbean — and there’s a lot that you’ll wish you knew before you sail. So what surprised me?
Here’s what to know…
Time Change & Daylight Hours Are a Double-Whammy
I’m going to start with something that I think affects nearly everyone that sails to Alaska. For me, it’s something I wish I knew because it eventually hit like a ton of bricks. Given the location of Alaska, it creates some big issues with your body’s clock.
It starts with the long daytime hours. You’re sailing in the summer and given how far north you go, expect it to start getting light around 4-5 a.m., if not earlier. But then it gets dark around 10:30 to 11 at night. And even when you start to see that dimming with the evening light, you still have several hours of daylight left. Sail in late June and you may not have any official night. I find it completely throws off your daily rhythm.
Add on top of that the fact that Seattle is on Pacific time, which is three hours behind the east coast, but Alaska is another hour earlier. So if you live on the east coast and go to bed normally at 10 p.m. on the east coast, it’s 6 p.m. on your Alaskan cruise, and it’s not getting dark for another five hours.
I found myself staying up much longer than I normally do, and about day 3 or 4, I finally crashed and had to go to bed early to catch up on sleep. Then, adjusting back home always takes me awhile as well.
So things like sleep masks, alarm clocks and other sleeping aids are smart to bring.
The Atmosphere Onboard Is Way Different
It’s likely that if you’re sailing to Alaska, you’ve already taken a cruise or two, most likely to the Caribbean.
In that case, you should know that the atmosphere on an Alaskan cruise is way different than what you find in the Caribbean.
Frankly, Caribbean cruises tend to revolve around sun, pool, drinks, and letting loose. Alaska cruises are not that.
For one, the crowds tend to be a little older than the Caribbean demographics. It’s not night and day, but there are differences.
But more than that, the weather, scenery, and just the vibe of Alaska leads to a different feel. Instead of towels, your cruise ship might put out blankets on the deck chairs. There’s not a bunch of wild dance parties or DJs pumping music out on the pool deck.
That’s not to say it’s boring by any means. It’s just a very different atmosphere on the ship than you might be used to.
Don’t Stress too Much About Itinerary (Except for This)
You might see people online fretting over one Alaskan itinerary or another when trying to pick a cruise. I’m here to say that if you’re sailing a traditional 7-day trip, you can stop worrying. Truth is there aren’t that many different Alaskan cruise ports. It’s usually a grab bag of Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Skagway with some trips sailing to one or two others in the southeast of Alaska.
The thing is that yes, there are differences in these ports but really they are pretty similar in that they are all in the same part of the country with similar — though certainly not identical — scenery. I definitely have some ports I enjoy over others, but what’s most important is just getting to see Alaska at all. When I’m booking, I don’t fret too much over the stops on the list.
Where I do take notice is if there is a trip to an arm or a fjord for scenic cruising. I’m talking about spots like Dawes Glacier and the Glacier Bay. These special scenic routes are the best of the scenery you’ll visit, and it’s the entire reason to visit Alaska. So be sure to look for those routes with scenic cruising more than looking at specific ports.
The Ship Design Matters a Ton
Cruise lines love to brag about all the waterslides and go-karts and swimming pools they can fit on a cruise ship. In Alaska, all those outdoor features can mean practically nothing. Get good weather and you might want to sit in the sunshine and soak it in. But if you think you’re going to be hanging out on the pool deck a ton, that’s not likely the case.
If the weather is cool and overcast or rainy — which is a definite possibility — you won’t even want to be outside on the pool deck. That’s why when booking you want to pay way more attention to the ship than you might if headed somewhere warmer.
For one you want to be sure there’s a lot to do indoors — especially if sailing with kids. The ideal situation is to sail on a ship with an indoor pool area or solarium that will allow you to relax and feel like you’re outside even while staying indoors and comfortable. Remember, outdoor spaces are a major part of the ship, so if you can’t go out, you’re cutting down the public space available by a big chunk.
Be Ready for High Excursion Prices
We all know that everything is getting more expensive. Even so, one thing that might give you sticker shock are the shore excursions. Now, I always tell people to do at least one excursion on their cruise — no matter where it goes — because it gives you the chance to do and see things you just can’t experience back home.
But even I have a problem swallowing some of the prices you’ll see on Alaska, especially if you’re used to the Caribbean. Whale watching is going to run about $300 per person. So a family of four is dropping more than a grand for a few hours. A helicopter tour of the glacier in Juneau is a once in a lifetime experience, but it’s also upwards of $600 or more.
If you have the means, then no doubt you can do some amazing stuff in Alaska. Honestly, I tend to explore on my own as the towns are walkable and you see some cool stuff that most tourists don’t see.
If you’re able, you might look for hiking opportunities on trails near town. Not only does this get you away from the more touristy areas, but it’s also a great way to have a great experience in port without spending much cash.
Shuttles Are Everywhere
On the flip side of a hike, what if you’re not up for long walks? With many passengers being older, that can be a major concern. The good news is that shuttles from cruise ports are widely available and are usually free.
Look at the map of a port, you’ll likely notice that the actual cruise dock is typically located outside of town, and sometimes quite a distance. The exception is Juneau and Ketchikan, but even there you’ll find some docks that’s a ways away.
The good news is that there are busses that run continually back and forth from the docks to the town so you can get a free ride in many cases. There is an exception for Icy Strait Point where the round trip bus ride into Hoonah is $10 per person. And there’s another fee when you visit Victoria in Canada and want to get a ride into town.
Whether you have to pay a little or it’s free, it’s super easy to get into town and back without spending a fortune or walking a ton.
Your Phone Likely Works in Port
One thing that’s really nice is that yes, your phone should work in port. If you travel the Caribbean, you’re dealing with multiple countries and you don’t always have service available unless you have an international plan.
In Alaska, there is cell service available in all the ports of call that you’ll visit but just know it’s not likely to be as fast as you’re used to back home. I personally use Mint Mobile, which is on the T-Mobile network. My first trip in 2022 my phone didn’t work while people with the major carriers were able to use theirs.
My most recent trip my phone did work but the speed was pretty slow. Still, I was able to check in back home and use data. So if you’re thinking about getting expensive wi-fi on the ship to keep in touch back home, you can save your money.
Balcony Is a Must? Maybe Not…
I think the general rule of thumb is that if you are sailing to Alaska, you have to get a balcony. One thing I wish I knew is that it’s nice, but not a must-have.
Yes, a balcony is nice. It’s your own spot to look out at the scenery any time you want. But don’t be surprised if you don’t use it that often. It can be cool, especially if the ship is moving, giving a strong breeze. So if you think you’re just going to sit outside and watch the scenery, that’s likely not the case.
Instead, I actually think that an oceanview is more ideal. It gives you the view for a lower price tag than a balcony without worrying about the cold, wind, or the rain. Remember, there’s always the pool decks if you want to get outside and if you want to take in the view, a cruise ship has nearly unlimited vantage points.
But if you’re a light sleeper, then even an interior room may be for you… though I would say that a week in an interior room is a stretch. But remember that the days in Alaska are long. Even if you draw the curtains in the room, light can still get in and keep you up at night or wake you up in the morning. With an interior cabin, it gets pitch black whenever you want.
Port Times Are Screwy
One thing that you’ll wish you knew — especially if you’re used to cruising the Caribbean – is that Alaska port times are way different.
Sail the Caribbean, and you spend all day in port. Show up at 8 a.m. and you leave at 5 p.m. That’s not how it goes in Alaska.
My first cruise to the region was on Royal Caribbean and they were slightly different such as getting to Juneau at 1 p.m. in the afternoon and arriving in Victoria at 4 p.m.
My most recent Alaska cruise with Norwegian was even wilder with arriving at three different ports at 6 or 6:30 a.m. In Juneau we then left at 1 p.m. and in Victoria, Canada we were in port just from 8 p.m. to midnight.
In other words, to get the most out of your port times, be ready to be up early or out later.
The Ports Are Very Different From the Caribbean
If you’ve taken a cruise to the Caribbean, you might have noticed that the ports are pretty similar. There’s tons of souvenir shops, everything revolves around the beach and water, and it seems like there usually isn’t much that’s real there. It’s all built for tourists.
In Alaska, this isn’t the case… just yet. These ports you visit are real places and much more culturally rich. There is history and natural beauty to these spots. Frankly, it’s refreshing.
But I’ve noticed that the cruise lines are having an impact on the atmosphere in ports. With more ships and tourists are more kitschy souvenir shops and even private ports spots like Icy Strait Point which aren’t actual real towns but instead built entirely for the cruise ships. To me, it’s not at Caribbean levels just yet, but I think the trend is going to be more tourist-centric places rather than authentic Alaska.
Still, it is relatively easy to get outside of these spots and see a more authentic side of life if you want.
Yes, You Will See Wildlife (If You Look!)
I think if there was one thing that surprised me the most in visiting Alaska for the first time, it’s the wildlife you’ll likely see, even if you don’t go on a special whale-watching excursion or something similar.
I’ve been to a number of national parks, and I’m always on the lookout for animals. Often the results are so-so. There’s no guarantee on a cruise, but I’ve definitely seen more wildlife on Alaska trips on a regular basis than I’ve seen anywhere else.
During my most recent cruise, bald eagles were flying everywhere, I saw otters in Sitka and in Ketchikan, and multiple times whales breached within sight of the ship.
You won’t see animals everywhere, but if you’re on the lookout for it, you likely won’t be disappointed. That’s why bringing binoculars is a smart idea and a real camera instead of a just a smart phone.
More on Alaskan cruising:
- Complete Guide to Taking an Alaskan Cruise (What It’s Like)
- 29 Must-Have Things to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise (11 You’d Never Think Of)
