Alaska Cruise Tips. 6 Need To Knows Before You Go

Discover the 6 top Alaska cruise tips that you need to know to make the most of your Alaskan cruise. I explore topics like when is the best time to go to Alaska, which Alaska cruise itinerary is best for you and why, which cruise line to cruise to Alaska with, which cabin should you book for an Alaskan cruise vacation, what should you pack for Alaska cruising and what are your options on excursions and things to do in the main ports you will call on.
Like Tips For Travellers content?
Become a Patron from just $3 and support Tips For Travellers to keep producing content: / tipsfortravellers
Support Tips For Travellers by shopping:
- Cruises with CRUISEDIRECT.COM: www.jdoqocy.com/click-8330795-...
- Hotels via TRIPADVISOR: www.kqzyfj.com/click-8330795-1...
- Rental cars with RENTALCARS.COM: clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p...)
- Books etc on AMAZON: www.amazon.com/shop/tipsfortr...
- Attraction & tour tickets with TIQETS: www.tiqets.com/en/new-york-c2...
- Free audiobook with AUDIBLE: www.audibletrial.com/tipsfortr...
Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: / garybembridge
- Facebook: / tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: / garybembridge
- Newsletter: tipsfortravellers.us7.list-man...

[@shaunryan6646]

This man is very calm and soothing. I want him to be my personal tour guide.

[@josephinemorgan6582]

he is,,I'm nervous as a bed bug,,30days to Alaska..

[@alexfloate2420]

The Bob Ross of cruising.

[@jessebowen1879]

Oh no you dont I want him as my guide 1st lol... I agree Gary knows it all is so relaxing. He makes me feel like I've already cruised everywhere and I've never gone lol

[@peggyriley9118]

All it takes is $$$

[@deboraribble2716]

I watch several cruise vloggers but I love how thorough you are and how calm and collected. You are always my go to info person when I’m interested in a particular cruise line, ship or itinerary. Thanks!

[@happygirl8298]

My son and I took an inside passage cruise of Alaska with Holland America. Everything Gary said is true. The weather is very changeable. Definitely pack layers and hope for sunny weather. It rained just a few days on our eight day cruise. I was reluctant to take a reserved float plane excursion because the rain but we were assured by our very experienced pilot that by the time we got to the other side of the mountain (which would be in a matter of seconds) the weather would be completely the opposite. The pilot was right! We immediately experienced sunny, beautiful weather on the opposite side of the mountain in Juneau. Our float plane excursion viewing the ice fields was an astounding experience and made us very proud to be Americans.

[@Richard2003]

A great very cheap excursion is in Juneau. It is around $30 to take a bus to the Mendenhaul glacier right next to a beautiful waterfall. Is a short bus ride. Well worth it.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Good tip! Thanks!

[@antbrenlex6390]

What company was did the excursion with

[@dougmartin7129]

Richard2003 I’ve been a few times, we always rent a car for the day. Much cheaper and they pick you up and drop off right at the pier. Also, great to stop at Costco and pick up booze.

[@kyliemosher6240]

The public bus is even cheaper

[@livingdeadgirl8074]

Can you touch the glacier from going this way?

[@laura-ann.0726]

I have a tip for people who plan to do some landscape photography on their cruise: Book the first cruise in May. This is because there is still a significant amount of snow on the mountains and hillsides (above 1000'), and (in my opinion), the snow makes the scenery more dramatic and vivid, as it provides more color contrast to the landscapes. Later in summer, the only colors are green forest, grey rock, and whatever color the sky is that day (blue if clear, grey if cloudy/raining). Those first cruises in May are less expensive, and less crowded. If you take the White Pass and Yukon train excursion out of Skagway, the snow in White Pass can be 10 feet deep in mid-May, and it is a much more dramatic scenic train ride than it will be later in summer when the snow is gone.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Great tips. Thanks for posting

[@ironpig701]

Another option is a land and sea cruise. You cruise to Alaska. Then go inland and spend time. And then fly home. One I was looking at is 14 days. 7 day cruise to Alaska then 7 days in Alaska. Spending time in Denali. Fairbanks. And out Anchorage.

[@2ddw]

I've done this cruise 3 times, once on the Washington State Ferries leaving from Bellingham - that's a blast! Some other comments: 1. I think this is one of the best 'cruising' cruises. In that, unlike say the Caribbean, the days that you're cruising there is lots of spectacular scenery to see; not just open ocean. 2. Unfortunately, IMO, the most dramatic parts of the Inside Passage, (northern half of the coast off of Vancouver Island) are navigated in the night. This is where it gets very narrow and very dramatic. Most ships leave in the late afternoon and head north, so they get to this area in the early morning hours. 3. Don't think about using the pool, the weather isn't that warm... 4. My favorite time to go is as close to the summer solstice as possible. You get to experience super long days. Twilight at 11 pm... that's cool. 5. Excursions: a) You have to see a tide water glacier. They won't be around in 50 years (or less) so see them now. b) flying over a glacier is fantastic - you just can't do that in too many other places and all from the comfort of a cruise ship. c) logging show is hilarious and fun and worth seeing - and yes, they are showing skills people used d) a super cheap excursion is to hike up Mt. Roberts (Juneau) and then take the tram down; good rewarding fun e) White pass railway has some spectacular views, especially as the train snakes along its tracks...but expensive...is it worth it? - How much did you spend on the cruise? 6. Likely need not mention, but it wasn't in the video, Seattle and Vancouver are wonderful cities to spend a couple days exploring. Especially Vancouver, the dramatic setting of a city overshadowed by mountains.

[@jeylful]

Great tips! We are going on late July so we will take these into account. Thanks!!

[@ChaseTerrier]

Alaska is my dream vacation but I know I will never be able to afford it. But I love watching videos about Alaska so I enjoyed watching this video.

[@mckenna8663]

After being asked for many years, I am coming around to the idea that yes I do want to take an Alaskan cruise.I have been watching many different cruise videos and I have to say that this is one of the very best. Very informative! Thank you!

[@attorneyreel1181]

If you are an independent traveler, you can do virtually all,of these must- see things much more cheaply, using Alaska Marine Highway ships as point-to-point water taxis. My wife and I spent two weeks in 2012 for less than a one week cruise cost.

[@allentac6222]

One thing to keep in mind with helicopter tours: If they do cancel for weather, they will wait until the last minute to actually cancel. You will be tied to the port until you can confirm cancellation. We had a glacier tour scheduled in the afternoon, but because of fog it was very unlikely it would fly. Unfortunately, if it had and we did something else, the money paid would have been lost. Instead of risking it, we stayed around Juneau all day waiting. A really disappointing day in Alaska.

[@ronaldhiler7449]

To the people of Canada and the United States when you come up here to Alaska make sure that you have a Lotta beaver pelts, they are better than cash. Also since we don’t have motor vehicles you make sure that you get a dogsled team that has 10 or more dogs to get you around! Make real sure that during the summer months you drink lots of hard alcohol, to prevent the mosquito infestation from biting you to pieces! There was a baby from the lower 48 who came up with its parent and was just about sucked dry from the damn flying attorneys.

[@AKSnowLeopard]

Lmfao thats too damn funny. Yes people, listen to Ronald. He forgot to tell you that most of us still live in igloos and global warming is melting our homes. Oh and don't forget to exchange your foreign currency for Alaskan dollars.

[@peterbaker3314]

When we took this cruise, we found a sled dog camp in Juneau that was very interesting. It didn't go onto the glaciers but was very informative regarding sled dogs, there was a chance to interact with the dogs and there was a ride aound the camp in carts pulled by the dogs. Transport was provided to and from the ship and it was much more affordable than the on-glacier excursions. Very much worth considering especially as the day we were in Juneau the weather shutdown the helicopter tours and closed in the view from the top of the tramway.

[@leoniedrew5643]

What was the name of the camp please?

[@peterbaker3314]

@@leoniedrew5643 sorry this was over 10 years ago. Google?

[@joechiasson4118]

@@leoniedrew5643 on our NCL cruise is was called sled dog summer camp.it was great.

[@meganashlea]

Sounds like something my son would love to do! Thank you, I’ll add it to my excursion check list.

[@kathleenbricknell4094]

Thanks Gary. Enjoyed listening to your tips. Simple and precise, no waffling on. Exactly what I needed to know. Great job. 👋

[@lindawoody8501]

In Skagway we took the excursion offered to go by ferry to Haines and the Chilcoot River boat rides (we took the river raft float which we enjoyed one year and the jet boat ride two years). All were safe and fun (my 84 year old mother went on the raft float as it was calmer than it sounded but do ask first if in doubt). Also if looking for Bald Eagles, look at the tree tops for something that may resemble a golf ball - will be an eagle.

[@BenA-bu1cz]

We liked it so much that we're planning a 3rd trip next summer. If you haven't been there, you need to make the trip because it is going to change you. Such Beauty.......

[@gopimom5]

It is important to be more precise on the season............May 15 to September 15 is the travel season in Alaska. When all the shops and businesses are open.

[@deborahschuster8863]

Just watched your video. We just returned from our land & cruise 10 day trip to Akaska. Left on May 19th. We got lucky and didn't have any rainy days. 2 were overcast but the rest beautiful! 70 degrees average daytime and mid 40's at night. Very true that we didn't see whales but loved the glaciers and saw lots of seals floating on the icebergs. While on land, we saw lots if moose, caribou, grizzly bear, eagles, etc at Denali National Park. Because we went early in the season, there were next to no mosquitoes anywhere. It is Heaven on earth and I would recommend anyone to get there at least once!

[@richardc8738]

And don’t forget to bring a thermal coffee mug so you can sit on deck wrapped in a cozy blanket sipping delicious hot beverages as the magnificent scenery floats by.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Nice tip! The lines usually sell them on the deck and take advantage of the captive market .... so bringing one a great idea

[@f1photos1]

Gary, great job! Just got back from a week on the silver shadow and you just about nailed it. Will look forward to watching more from you. Thanks

[@hayleylashea]

Thank you for your video! Looking forward to planning our trip!

[@1zaicof]

Incredibly good tips. Thanks for sharing

[@mgmail7279]

Best and most useful video on Alaska cruises yet! Thanks.

[@Happinessity]

im so glad i found this video randomly.....im leaving for alaska next week and this video surely helped get an insight into many things.

[@alaskanmom2659]

Happinessity Hope you enjoy our beautiful state!

[@misterx8592]

Thanks Gary! One of the best videos regarding cruising to Alaska. To the point and no filler. Great job!

[@johnkearton6634]

Some great info, thanks very much for putting this together

[@NotThatBob]

Great video! Thank you so much.

[@riverbender9898]

Thanks for the excellent insight you provided. Cheers.

[@Specter1065]

Excellent advise. Thank you.

[@charlesjahn7922]

Repetitive! Cruising the inside passage through British Columbia you will see the most beautiful scenery in the world! Never get tired of that.

[@christined5885]

Great video. To the point and quite complete!

[@frederichore1890]

Great tips and video - thank you Gary! Cheers from Montréal.

[@gravitymediapro]

Very nice video and helpful. Thank you!

[@xoxoalyssaahh]

Thank you!! This was great and so helpful

[@keithdonaghy5325]

Excellent video Gary. On point, relatively short and crisp, no waffling and just what I wanted to know. You should offer training to the millions of out there who have no idea how to produce a great online video. Thanks.

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

I agree about the people who have no idea how to do a video.

[@christinesmaller5816]

Great video - will follow the tips!

[@texasboy5117]

Thank you so much for the estimated costs of some of the shore excursions. This information is good to get.

[@michelewright5355]

Thank for being so honest. I starred watching you a few months ago & had learned so much from your vedios. I will be going on a cruise in the future for the first time & feel prepared & confident! I hope you remain healthy & I thikj that it's great that you decided to take time to cruise around the world after being diagnosed with cancer. I pray that you remain healthy & strong.

[@rank1839]

Fantastic information! Thank you!

[@shelleygruen8830]

thank you for your overview. very helpful

[@ginaquinn2]

Thank you for the wonderful tips.

[@MathewBrowne]

Another great and informative video. Thank you for this very helpful channel.

[@heartstudio9130]

Very helpful!!! Thank you!!!!

[@cristiansoutside]

Very helpful!

[@alohaarianna]

This is very helpful!

[@denisevassair-ouellet7870]

Thanks for the tips and I very much enjoyed the entire video

[@bc3392]

An excellent and informative video - thank you. We have just added another tick to our bucket list and booked an Alaska Cruise with Cunard on Queen Elizabeth in August, 2021.

[@susancook1448]

We’re booked on Celebrity in September and are Texans. Pray for us-my husband and I hate the cold. But we will bundle up and enjoy the marvelous scenery then retire to an inside cabin.

[@lulu2820]

Im going this year cant wait

[@QueenQaraAnna]

Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@faultytitties]

Probably the only cruise I'd ever go on. Thanks for the tips

[@brianheinemann9474]

Thank you for this! It was extremely helpful. I'm glad I watched because I've been concerned about the high cost of the excursions. But you're absolutely right about the importance of once in a lifetime experiences. Our trip is in September. I'll keep saving my pennies until then!

[@MsAutie]

Big help, thank you!!

[@erikagholston6610]

Thanks for the tips.

[@dmb3428]

this is on my bucket list

[@slackerprince1]

Excellent video. Concise and well-produced.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks. Great to hear !!

[@sher1772]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@beautifulflorida]

Alaska is our next destination to visit! Great video, thank you!

[@lizpinky3658]

Fantastic, thank you.

[@davidfarmer7555]

The crab boat tour in Ketchikan was a great tour.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks ! Good to know for next time

[@lizmillan1]

Very good information will cruise to Alaska July 2020, thanks

[@HJC1950]

I just booked a cruise for August. We will be spending some extra time in Anchorage and will take the Alaska Railroad north to see Denali. If the weather cooperates, the scenery is spectacular. I did that excursion when I spent two summers in Alaska as a college student.

[@HannerMaria]

This was very helpful. Thank you!

[@ronstewtsaw]

Thank you for these tips, Gary, especially the Glacier Bay one. We booked an HAL Gulf trip for late August, guided by this video. I'll report back.

[@MyITWorkshop]

Thanks for the tips. Planning to go in mid 2022.

[@wishuashi]

thank you for the tips

[@Annette_Mairi]

Thank you, Gary! 🚢

[@jonejoans1816]

Wow! Tons of information, thanks very much!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks! Much appreciate you watching

[@angelajohnson4444]

Excellent tips! Thank you.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Great to hear! Thanks for letting me know you found them helpful 😀

[@mikefernandez9638]

Thank you so much for all of your videos. I feel like you are a friend by now!

[@gailabert7976]

Gary, I took HAL to Alaska for mine and my husband's 25th anniversary in 2003 and again in 2007. You're right, they were fantastic! However, we have gone 2 more times but on Princess, and they were fantastic too! Even going again next year and using our favorite San Francisco port so no need to fly. Excellent video, BTW, thank you! :-)

[@penelopepitstop762]

Thanks for the tips! I will def save this video for when I get closer to my planning.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks. Great to hear you found it helpful. 😀

[@martinhughes1342]

I’ve done Alaska 3 times now and my favourite excursion was taking the White Pass train up then riding a bike back down, It was safe and I only had to pedal for about 600 yards (it was hell) and there were better photo opportunities.

[@cheetahlove018]

Thank you for this video! It was so informative! I’m going on an Alaskan cruise in June and I’m starting to prepare now so that I’m not scrambling when it comes time to get on the boat haha

[@michelejames8695]

Thank you so much! One of my favorite travel tip channels- actually planning Holland America Whitter to Vancouver 1st trip to Alaska this June, going to take all of your advice from the dog sledding to the balcony! Much appreciated!

[@jch5150]

Well done and on-point video. Thanks!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Great to hear. Thanks for letting me know

[@tarakhalid5972]

Very informative

[@wagherbert]

Thank you !!

[@briandowning4484]

Thank you..well done👍

[@pippasmith4813]

As an alternative to the big cruise ships and escape the crowds, we used the Alaskan Marine ferries to go between ports in the inside passage. This gave us the opportunity to call into and stay in Haines and Wagnell, however you may have to stay a few days until the next ferry comes. The side trips from these towns were wonderful. For example from Wagnell we went to AnAn Bear observatory and also Le Conte glacier. The ferries are pretty basic, have seen better days and come into a bit of abuse by people sleeping on the lounges rather than paying for a cabin.

[@garysampson6161]

Wrangell?

[@klmueller8575]

@@garysampson6161 look up Windstar cruises. Their ships stop in Wrangell. It is too small for the big cruise ships.

[@kenprice1961]

It's laughable that so many people absolutely can not do anything unless there's a huge crowd around them or there's a 2 hour line to stand in or a 5 hour traffic jam to sit in! I'll take the smaller ships anytime!

[@elizabethwilliamson7373]

What an interesting and informative video . It will come in handy on our trip to Alaska next year ~ 2019. Thank you!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Great to hear! Have. Great trip next year !

[@Caribeez]

The locals told us over and over again that we got lucky with the weather during our July trip. If you can take a last-minute cruise to Alaska, I suggest watching the weather forecast and jump at the last minute. If not, then a little research shows that weather is usually best in June and July.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Good tip! July can be very wet !

[@thesecretbanani]

Wonderful tips. Thank you, sir.

[@tipsfortravellers]

thanks! Great to hear you found them helpful

[@joanpellillo2981]

Thanks for all the information !!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks! Great to hear

[@TSemasFl]

Great review, I'd love to do a Alaskan cruise one day.

[@jackieo8693]

Going to Alaska next summer! Thanks for the tips!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Nice! Great to hear these helped. Hope you have a fabulous trip

[@stefanilalovic]

Looks like it's lots of fun! (Great video!!)

[@tipsfortravellers]

It was! Thanks as great to hear you enjoyed the video

[@raymullen3583]

Gary , this Vid. maybe 3 years but its tips never grow old and are very true.. Holland and Princess seem to be Our go to Cruises...

[@RomanVideos1]

The place is beautiful!

[@TheCoolComfort]

Excellent 👏👏 you seemed to have checked all the boxes.

[@IamNotaTeslaBot]

great video

[@detoxandhamster]

found your channel while looking for cruise tips. what a pleasure to watch with really helpful info. thank you so much and keep up the great work!!!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks !! Great to hear. Hope you subscribe and keep watching 😀

[@detoxandhamster]

@@tipsfortravellers yes! I've subscribed and also watched many of your videos already. Looking forward to more content. Thanks so much!!

[@blackdog850]

Thank you for sharing! Going North to AK May/'22!

[@okpeace4687]

Tx for this video

[@be236]

Great tips. I hope to go on cruise there someday...

[@misterx8592]

Good job Gary and thanks for the great tips!

[@33harrisnyc]

One of the most informative and to the point tips. I believe he covered it all and very well done

[@tipsfortravellers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HermyNP]

thanks Gary! So complete this video! Hope to go to Alaska by cruise one day! It seems gorgeous (specially the panoramic navigation)

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks ! Great to hear! Alaska is awesome. You must have it on your list to do one day !

[@foxfernfire4391]

HermyTP It is gorgeous. I lived there for three years and it was always beautiful. And plus it has some of the most freshest air !

[@heathermcfarlane6164]

excellent advice!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks. Great to hear

[@JayBVideos]

Your awesome!! Appreciate all your efforts!!!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks 😀😀😀😀

[@johndaugherty7779]

You're (just in case your first language is not English)