Too Many Alaska Cruisers Get These 7 Things Wrong

[@brianb9555]

Being an Alaskan resident for 25 years, I would recommend that you target late May as your best bet for good weather. The rainiest season is typically in Early to mid August. But being that the three ports of call discussed in this video are located in boreal rainforests, so some rain should be expected. Come and enjoy our beautiful State!

[@scottbauer5674]

I concur, late May and early June are usually driest.

[@dalinisim6560]

Thank you ❤

[@dalinisim6560]

We’re in a mid June

[@Ann-MD]

Hello what will it be like in April?

[@GratefulEd907]

@@Ann-MD still cold mid 40s during the day probably still some snow here and there. I call it Indian snow. Because it’s Apache here and Apache there

[@davidandrew1078]

A balcony is a must. A bottle of wine and nibbles watching the scenery go by.

[@phillipmaloney5364]

This was probably the 25th video I've watched in preparation for our Alaskan cruise and it was by far the most useful! Thanks!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Brilliant to hear 👍🏻 hope you have a fantastic trip

[@ehthecuteone]

As someone who drove tour bus for Holland America and Princess for a few years, here’s some advice: If you want to explore the interior of Alaska (Fairbanks, Denali, etc.) while also cruising the coast, first of all, start with the LAND portion. There’s much to see, and the scheduling can be tight, so it’ll be quite taxing if you’ve already been on a cruise for a week prior. Also, make sure to fly in a day or so early to give yourself enough time to explore Fairbanks (as you’ll be starting there for the land portion leading to the cruise). There is quite a lot to do, and I wouldn’t want you to miss anything. Another bit of advice for exploring Fairbanks is if you have to choose between the Riverboat Discovery and the Gold Dredge 8 excursions (usually you can book both on the same day, but I’ve often seen people stuck with this decision), go for the Riverboat Discovery. You’re fed lunch if you buy it as part of your package, and if you don’t, they have boxed lunches there as well for you to choose. However, I will say that if you find a particular interest in the history of gold mining and the pipeline, go to the Gold Dredge 8. You do have the opportunity to stand immediately next to the real pipe, and you can walk inside the dredge itself and see all the machinery and such. Second: while traveling from Fairbanks to Denali, I suggest going by motorcoach because you’ll either make a pit stop in Nenana (a key city regarding the history of the Iditarod sled dog race) or Tatlanika, and in both places are real and friendly locals with plenty of amazing stories to tell that you can’t get otherwise. However, if you get motion sick or have limitations with mobility, definitely travel by rail, as you’ll have many more opportunities to stand up and stretch during transit, and it won’t be as cramped.

[@debbiedormand1499]

Should I still go on my cruize Oct 7 2023, or too rainy?

[@ehthecuteone]

@@debbiedormand1499 That’s a good question. It’s often rainy or overcast along the coast, so my recommendation would be to keep an eye on the forecast and plan accordingly for weather. Alaska is still quite beautiful even if it is raining, so you’ll be in for a real treat. 😊 One thing I can guarantee is that it will be chilly in October, so make sure to dress in layers - exercise leggings under anything you’d like to wear will help you feel warmer, and a good windbreaker and vest will help your upper body stay warm.

[@genitagray6126]

How nice of you to post this! Thank you!

[@heide6842]

My husband and I sailed with the Regent. First class with only around 300 hundred passengers. Wonderful experience. I would never consider a huge ship with thousands of people on it.

[@UltraSmoothSkinScottsdale]

I​@@heide6842

[@cynthiaslebodnik6945]

My husband and I took a cruise on NCL in 2015. Prices have increased since then, but I did budget. We arrived a day early, flying into Anchorage (80 degrees!), then we took a train excursion to Seward. This being my husband's 1st cruise he was not sure what to expect. We had an awesome time, with great excursions. Being June we had a fluctuations of weather. This is one cruise I would take again.

[@teresaforsyth6185]

Agree...weather. I took an excursion into Ft. Dawson, 23 miles above Artic Circle, 84 degrees.

[@paulgerrard9227]

On our sep trip we had low and high temps. Layers of clothing help. Be flexible too. I wanted to fly around Mt McKinley but weather was bad. The day we departed for the cruise not a cloud in the sky and we were baking

[@ModernMyths]

Great timing for this video. I'm actually going on an Alaska Cruise in 5 days. It's my first time and I'm super excited

[@geograph-ology4343]

Once again, you have done a great job explaining how cruisers can get the most for their money and for their experience. The train ride to Denali is a must see. The helicopter and dog sled ride to Mendenhall Glacier are breathtaking. The wildlife are there and as long as one goes there, they will see whales, moose, eagles, beavers, and more. Your viewers should remember that beside jet lag they may find the 23 hours of daylight a little disorientating, but they will quickly adapt. Great work as usual, Gary!

[@PuenteAJ]

14 nights on island princess best 2 weeks ever. Loved island princess. Travelled with 3 generations, grandchildren loved it. Crew were very good, and loved having the children there. White water rafting, saw bears catching salmon. Lumberjack show, very interesting trip to village, and totompoles. It was the Trip of a lifetime, and very much worth saving for. Was very grateful for all your tips Gary, we took note and your good advice.

[@bradlittman2761]

I have done 2 Alaska cruises with Princess. Both were with a land portion. I preferred to do the land part first, that way you get that out of the way, then can just enjoy the ship and go home when it is done. If you do book the land portion, I highly recommend doing the 8 hour Denali excursion. There is a 5 hour one, but going into Denali is the thing to do and there is not a lot else to do in the little town of Denali and no guarantee of seeing wildlife, but it is beautiful to see and you should book as soon as you can, it fills up. The land portion is a bit hectic as you spend usually only one night in each of the lodges, so packing smartly is helpful. Usually packing one suitcase that has all you need and the other just staying closed. Also, on the land portion you can attempt to see Mount Denali. Unless it has changed recently food on the land portion is not included. On the last cruise on the bus trip from the train to the ship, we had a pit stop to play with Husky puppies that was a lot of fun. As for excursions, they are super expensive. I agree with that. On my first trip we did a cheaper version of the dog sledding where instead of being on a glacier you were in a wheeled cart that the dogs transported down the road for about a half a mile. I am sure it does not compare to the actual glacier dog sledding, but playing with the puppies after was worth the whole trip. I like the wildlife so another excursion we did was to I think a bear sanctuary of some kind, that was neat. We did do a whale watching tour, and we did see whales but they were never super close to the boat we were on. But the scenery is just amazing. I was not such a big fan of the Lumberjack show. Perhaps if I was younger or had kids. It was not terrible, just not my thing. As for Glacier Bay that is a must see. I wholeheartedly agree that your cruise should include this. I also recommend bringing binoculars, a snow (warm) cap for you head, gloves, warm socks and waterproofish shoes. Alaska is great place to visit, and I am sure in a few years I will want to return. Thanks for the videos.

[@atmm89]

we do not have or need warm, water-proofed boots etc, as we definitely do not need them in Australia so my question is, can you hire them or buy them 2nd hand in Vancouver before embarking??. Thanks in advance

[@teresaforsyth6185]

@@atmm89 Warm boots not necessary. I had L.L. Bean traditional water resistant, slip resistant shoes, not boots, and they were handy for the June rainy and sometimes muddy weather. But, someone wrote about they wore sandals on the ship while their shoes were muddy or drying....brilliant,

[@ssvegeta9386]

We did the NCL Encore Alaskan Cruise in June 2022. I would definitely do it again! I agree, if you can afford it, the balcony cabins are worth it. The only excursion that I would book over and over again is the White Pass Railway in Skagway. I loved my cruise!

[@phoenixanam606]

Oh, Gary/...I loved it when you talked about the dress code (or lack thereof). I lived in Alaska for over 30 years. Anchorage has an annual festival called "Fur Rondy" that celebrates the old fur trappers and such and the Alaskan tuxedo is is a set of Carhart coveralls and bunny boots. And there are some cruise ships that dock in Seward. You can catch the train there to Denali and Fairbanks. Thank you for doing this video. Oh how I miss Alaska.

[@debbiedormand1499]

I hav a crude for October7 2023 I'm afraid it may rain took much , should I still go?

[@GratefulEd907]

If it makes ya feel any better my yard still has 2 feet of snow in Wasilla.

[@JohnDeanT]

Agreed that Glacier Bay is an essential part of any Alaskan cruise. It was the highlight for us. We had the last cruise of the season, the weather was absolutely beautiful, and when in ports, many of the businesses were having clearance sales on their merchandise.

[@FraserAtSea]

Totally agree re: Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau - we were delighted to spend time in all of these ports a few weeks ago. While the inside passage does have more time 'at sea', I do think it's great for first-timers to Alaska - a mix of more 'normal' cruising and Alaska!

[@zenkakuji3776]

I had booked two back-to-back Alaska cruises starting in Vancouver traveling first northerly to Seward and then a southernly route on the return cruise back to Vancouver. This allowed partially exploring a port knowing that I would return soon to complete the exploration. I had booked the cruises two weeks prior to the sail date and was fortunate to find an Alaskan travel guide in my library that focused on cruise ports. This helped my quick preparations last minute. At many ports I stopped into the US National Park ranger building at each port town and received recommendations for nearby hiking routes that fit into my available time. For myself, these hikes into nature are the most memorable. Clothing style is more casual on this type of cruise so wearing nice jeans and a sweater to dinner is just fine. I brought only one pair of all black sneakers to minimize luggage size and wore them to every event on board and on land. Because of my nature hikes, it was necessary to wipe them clean in my cabin after I returned. A pair of sandals allowed me to let the black sneakers dry out and still walk around the ship comfortably.

[@teresaforsyth6185]

I remember going to a second-hand store to get some silly thing for a ship board Trivia Contest--red sock.

[@NicolaMeyers]

End of the season can be amazing for clearance sales on everything in the ports. Jewelry can be hugely marked down. If your a shopper like me you’ll love the end of season clearance sales.

[@dboutier5636]

Have been fortunate enough to do three Alaskan cruises. They all ended in Seattle. After the first cruise I realized four ships pull into Seattle and almost everybody on those ships headed to the airport. It is absolutely ridiculous. Humongous lines no room to sit. Stressful way to end a vacation. Second two times left on a Monday. Hardly anybody at the airport and Seattle is a great city to spend a day or two in.

[@tacrewgirl]

Lots of great info. Many people were improperly dressed. The temps are 45-70 F for the daytime and it may rain. Pack accordingly like it's late fall and you'll be fine. I highly recommend a small ship cruise with Alaska Dream Cruises. It has a max of 49 passengers. The crew was awesome and the chef was amazing. You can get in areas and closer to places than the larger ships can. It was an amazing 9-day cruise from Sitka to Ketchikan. Great experience.

[@ilovesparky13]

We went to Alaska this past May on the Carnival Miracle. The trip was absolutely perfect in every way possible. Don’t feel like you are limited to just Holland America or Princess.

[@randyw9266]

But HAL was marvelous,,!!!!!

[@loreleir5087]

We went to Alaska this past May as well. First time to Alaska. We left out of San Francisco.

[@cherylkoski7184]

I would NEVER sail on Carnival ANYWHERE.

[@loreleir5087]

@@cherylkoski7184 I'm sorry you feel that way. You must have had a bad experience. We have sailed 3 times on Carnival. Fantastic each time.

[@kathythompson247]

@Lorelei R I agree, we took Carnival when we went on the Fall Foilage Cruise and we had a blast! We've gone on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and it's been hard to top that cruise 🛳 on the Fall Foilage....

[@scottdobson1276]

My favorite was a Salmon Bake lunch at Skagway. It's touristy but he had Sockeye that day, and served the best salmon I've ever had.

[@rosemaryf8177]

There is another Alaska itinerary as well if you choose an expedition ship like Hurtigruten's Roald Amundsen. I went in July and the itinerary was very different because it was 16 days and included the Alleutian Islands. The cruise started in Nome, and went to St. Matthew Island, Chuganek, Dutch Harbour, Unga Village, Kukak Bay, Geographic Harbour, Kinak Bay and Kodiak before taking the Inside Passage to Seward, Icy Bay, Sitka, Wrangell, Misty Fjord, ending in Vancouver.

[@lisadurban3525]

Sounds amazing

[@rksnj6797]

That sounds incredible!!!

[@rowenakotelniski2603]

I did a June Hurtigruten cruise that had a different itinerary than yours but not the same as the large cruise ships. This is partly because Roald Amundsen is a smaller ship and can get into ports that the large ships can’t. It’s also the only cruise I’ve heard about that stopped for almost an hour so we could watch 4 pods of killer whales and another time turned around because someone spotted a bear and they wanted people to have the opportunity to see it. Between that and the days where they lowered the zodiacs and kayaks so we could get closer to everything it was amazing. It’s more expensive than many of the others but a totally different experience. They even made sure that the couple of people in wheelchairs were taken out in the zodiacs so they didn’t miss out!

[@rosemaryf8177]

@@rowenakotelniski2603 That is what I love about the Expedition cruise ships. They will stop or even turn around for wildlife for as long as the passengers want. I was on an Antartica cruise in November which only had 56 passengers. During dinner one of the naturalists spotted an Emperor penguin sitting all by himself on an ice flow. The naturalist immediately ran on deck with everyone in the dining room following him, including all the waiters. We had not expected to see any Emperor penguins on the cruise because they nest much further south. The captain stopped the ship and everyone stayed on deck watching the Emperor penguin for over 30 minutes before returning to the dining room to have dessert.

[@MichaelBielski]

Absolutely sage advice that bears repeating. We had warm sun lead to rain which faded out into cloudy and cold while in Ketchikan. Being prepared is the way to go!

[@passportalwaysready]

We were on Holland America’s Zuiderdam at the end of July. Glacier Bay was on the itinerary but sadly it was very foggy and we didn’t see much. We booked an excursion through the cruise that picked us up before the boat arrived in Juneau and took us all the way up Tracy Arm Fjord to the Sawyer Glacier - it was the highlight of our trip. Gorgeous scenery and tons of wildlife and whales. There were so many multigenerational families on board and things were much more casual than I expected as far as evening dress goes. Unless you want to, you don’t need dressy clothes.

[@genitagray6126]

I traveled on Princess in mid May, inner passage. We never had a rainy day & we saw Mt McKinley twice. We also spent 3 days prior to the cruise on the train ride, staying at the lodge etc… which was great. It was an awesome trip!

[@sdallas68]

Very good advice. I have cruised Alaska multiple times and you know what you're talking about.

[@jasonbailey9139]

My wife and daughter work for the land-based portion of the cruise lines (Holland America and Princess) and this advice is sound. Other things to remember: look at a map beforehand. People would be upset thatt the Anchorage city tour didn't include the pipeline which doesn't come within 200 miles of Anchorage. When you get off of a bus at the hotel from the ship or another lodge go walk around or grab a meal before going to the tour desk. When 50-200 people all show up at the same time, your wait at the desk could be 30-60 minutes, but an hour later there likely won't be anyone in line and the hosts can spend more time answering your questions as they aren't worried about getting to the next person in line. Their desks are manned from 6:00AM-10:00PM, so there's no need to stand in line if you don't have a very time sensitive need.

[@carolyn6016]

My husband and I took an Alaskan cruise tour with Princess 12 years ago, and that was our first taste of cruising. We flew into Anchorage and spent the night. Anchorage was a lot of fun for a half day. We then went back to the airport the next morning where a bus picked us up and took us to the McKinley Lodge in Denali State Park. We had a gorgeous view of the mountain that evening along with a superior martini. We went for a guided hike the next day (our guide was a graduate student in environmental science, and he was fun!) and then the third day left for the Denali Lodge close to the entrance of Denali National Park. We took a bus tour into the park, but could only go the first 15 miles because we were there for just one night. The lodges and their restaurants were magnificent. The next morning we boarded the glass domed train, which is what I was really looking forward to before the trip. It was spectacular! The variety of terrain, the mountains, everything! Then we pulled into Whittier and saw the Coral Princess. I had never seen such a beautiful ship. I wasn't keen on cruising before (I was thinking of the train ride as the only highlight), but my husband and I discovered the joy of having our hotel move with us as we visited Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau where we went white water rafting, sea kayaking, and hiking to the Mendenhall Glacier. We are thankful that Princess "tricked" us into taking a cruise. It is something we continue to enjoy.

[@bradschwamberger1217]

I went several years ago on Holland America. We stopped at Sitka instead of Skagway. We had a great time. When we were in Juneau we did gold panning which got us outside of town. This was a cheaper activity which freed up some money for other activities at other stops. You are correct about having rain gear. Make sure its good, the hood should seal since the finer rain can blow around.

[@ob1coyote]

I’ve only ever been to Juneau, but you could spend an entire summer there and never run out of things to see and do. I got to go on a friend’s commercial fishing boat and caught a 10 lb flounder and they grilled it on the boat. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

[@denizalgazi]

Yes, yes, yes, and yes! Consider booking the NCL Bliss with its fantastic Observation Lounge for scenic cruising! I recommend the Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket. It packs very light and it's very warm! And layer with a fleece jumper. No matter the weather, always pack and wear hat and shades and don't forget a mini brolly. 👍

[@lauriesteinhauser8768]

Pardon me for asking but is a brolly an umbrella?

[@tipsfortravellers]

Yes!

[@denizalgazi]

@@lauriesteinhauser8768 yes

[@debbiedormand1499]

Im. Going on ncl bliss this October worried about rain

[@Dkarp04]

I just happened to be going to Alaska (via NCL Encore) on my first cruise -- Oct 2nd! So this video was very helpful. I did discover your channel before I even booked a cruise - thanks for the great insights!!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Have a great time. Please let me know how you get on as my partner & best friend have booked Encore Alaska next year as their annual getaway.

[@BeechSportBill]

Our North to South with Denali tour (BEARS!) and cruise on Holland America was unforgettable… we stopped in Haines…. And drove up to the animal preserve in Mosquito lake! Also, the gold mine!

[@warrenwolf4690]

Sitka is also well worth visiting The Russian connection is important

[@way2bedeed]

For my cruise in Sept, I'm going to Sitka instead of Skagway due to the rock slides.

[@kathrynnorris5375]

We will be going to both in Sept On HAL (smaller ship).@@way2bedeed

[@warrenwolf4690]

@@way2bedeed be sure to visit the Russian church Catch the all female musical performance

[@rachelgoettling363]

I just started planning an Alaskan cruise for 2023, perfect timing!

[@suewolf3279]

I went to Alaska for far less money than the Caribbean with a balcony. Now, this was 15 years ago, and we also did a 5-day land package

[@wd6919]

Glacier Bay is amazing. Probably my favorite day of an Alaskan cruise. But Endicott Arm is breath taking as well. Be sure to look for the tour that takes the smaller boat further in to see the glaciers close up.

[@donkiml5805]

My husband and I look our first cruise to Alaska for our 25th anniversary almost 21 years ago on Princess. We loved it and later went on 5 more various cruises. We went the first week in June with kids still in school, things starting to green up but snow still around to have wonderful varied scenery. The waterfalls are just rushing that time of year. 🏔

[@teresaforsyth6185]

I feel so proud of myself I want to brag.....I went to Alaska, solo, on Princess. I spent 17 days. Except minor detail...June 21 Summer Solstice....I did EVERYTHING right!

[@Scientist_Salarian]

My wife and I just returned from the Juneau/Skagway/Ketchikan route on Princess (7 days, late July-early August). It was outstanding- highly recommended! We couldn’t have asked for anything more. The balcony cabin was quite nice for Glacier Bay, but if you don’t want to spend an extra $1000 for a balcony, you’ll be fine. Our ship was probably 50% retired folks, 50% families. Not a party crowd, but there were plenty of people our age (30’s) on board. We’ll be doing this cruise again every year for the foreseeable future. It really was a next-level experience.

[@Jfleshman1209]

We recently cruised to Alaska on Norwegian Bliss. The short excursion times were a definite negative. The max time in most ports was four hours. Outside of that, it was a great cruise.

[@sharondelagarza4802]

I took a Holland America cruise on the Noordam from Seward to Vancouver. The roughest part was flying to Anchorage and traveling six hours to Seward but took the train and it was quite scenic and beautiful. The cruise was incredible, the scenery was amazing, and the customer service was impeccable. Glacier Bay was amazing, and having a balcony cabin was a must. A visit to Mendenhall Glacier in Anchorage was unforgettable (make the effort to hike up to the edge, you won't regret it!) When we landed in Haines, we took the ferry to Skagway for the White Pass and Yukon Route train ride, and it was definitely worth it! I'd never been on a Holland America cruise and it was such a great experience - the older crowd didn't bother me a bit, to be honest. One of the most memorable cruises I've ever taken - I'd definitely do it again!

[@CarboneCat]

My spouse, my mom and I went to an Inside passage on HAL Konningsdam at the end of July. On the day we were in Glacier Bay, we were delayed by a medical emergency. We managed to sailed at the Margerie Glacier later skipping a visit to another glacier that was planned. However, the Princess Cruise ship that was following our ship, couldn’t get there because it was too foggy and, therefore too dangerous to sail. So, even if you book with a cruise line that goes in Glacier Bay, you may not be able to go there. Besides that, we departed from Vancouver as since we’re Canadians, it was a much more convenient choice. We did fly and sail on the same day because of the Covid tests requirements and didn’t want to risk it before embarking. It was hectic (yes the port is confusing) but it allowed us a safe cruise. We had rain in Juneau, foggy morning and sunny afternoon in Skagway and fantastic weather at Glacier Bay (when we made it) and in Ketchikan. We then planned to stay in Vancouver and explore both the Okanagan Valley and the Rockies while where in the Canadian West Coast. For the Skagway train, if you can, book it in the afternoon as the fog hides the mountains and it tends to be foggier in the morning. Although you can get interesting pictures from the foggy scenery. Overall, we had a fantastic cruise and my Mom is still raving about the musher camp excursion.

[@daneswanson7031]

Thanks to all your previous videos, my wife and I did not fall victim to these pitfalls. Cheers. 😊

[@matt_in_bc]

Good video and one I wished had been available when I went to Alaska in 2018! lol I was on a Celebrity cruise and we had a 12-hour stop in Juneau. I reserved a car for the sole purpose of driving out to the far side of the glacier and hiking in. The hike was about 2.5-3 hours (each way). When I got to the Mendenhall Glacier, I was practically alone as it was the far side, opposite the glacier info centre. I spent a couple hours exploring for ice caves and was able to go a short way into the glacier's interior. TL/DR, if you have a very long stopover, a car rental is a potential option. :)

[@suewolf3279]

We did nearly every single land tour that he mentioned plus more Bece spent extra 5 days there on land. Two things that he did not mention to pack that I recommend is suntan lotion and repellent.I brought all the clothes that he mentioned and we used every bit of it.

[@pattaccone]

It’s crazy busy up on deck in glacier bay so a balcony is a must if you want good photos

[@ChiaLiChien]

We took a HAL cruise mid-Aug 2022. Our 3rd cruise to Alaska. I agreed that the inside passage and land tour are the best combination. Thank you very much for the tips of price alert website that helped us got 20% back from HAL before curising. We were blessed and grateful that one out of seven days rained. The raining hike up to Mendenhall Glacier was not as bad becuase we packed properly as you suggested in this video. You are correct; HAL did turn the ship on both sides at the Hubbard Glacier, where we enjoyed the beauty right from our suite balcony. We did not know the starboard or portside were important until this trip. We’ve been on both Princess and HAL in Alaska and enjoyed the trip immensely. The wild life spotting from curise ship is not easy, but we were blessed to see many humpback whales. Thank you once again for your great tips on this channel. You prepared us for the HAL cruise nicely. Keep up the great work, and we are so grateful for your advice.

[@jennieobrien3141]

I feel pretty lucky to live in the PNW, so we are only an hour off from Alaska. Plus it is a fairly easy flight, and we can take the train from Vancouver home.

[@marymaryquitecontrary]

Going to Alaska on shoulder season is appealingly cost/benefit friendly, and fall shoulder is probably fine, but I once went in late spring (end of May) about the second week of the year's availability. Two things: the landscape was rather drab since there was end-of-winter dirty snow and nothing had blossomed, and the college-age staff was still being trained and, while friendly, was often unable to be helpful. Since my luggage was lost for four days of "it'll be delivered at the next stop," then the next stop and the next (it finally showed up with no explanation), the inexperience was a problem. I wouldn't do the early-bird again. (I also learned the valuable lesson of packing a complete spare outfit in my carry-on, lol.)

[@lindax911]

I screwed up when I booked our Alaska cruise on RCL. I couldn't figure out why the first and last ports weren't Vancouver. Then I realized I had booked the one way to Seward. So I did the only rational thing. I booked the next week to come back. It was a great 2 weeks. Love RCL.

[@lanascrapaddict2044]

I loved being in an aft balcony cabin for my Alaska cruise

[@wanderingstormjen]

My first ever cruise is to Alaska in less than a week. Already made sure to avoid some of your no-nos! Flying into Seattle early, picked a Glacier Bay itinerary, managed to get myself a balcony, and picked what I hope are some great excursions! -- Still salty about missing the train ride in Skagway but I'd rather not be squished by a rockslide -- and I guess that'll give me a reason to go back!

[@Moi_81]

I did a glacier climb. It gets really warm on the glacier since the sun is reflecting off the ice. I wore layers so I was okay. Also sunscreen is essential.

[@boovan8902]

We cruise out of San Francisco to Alaska most of the time. This year we’re going to Sitka, and Prince Rupert and a few others.

[@betty5064]

You are very tied down on a cruise. We took the ferry from Prince Rupert, through the Inside Passage to Skagway, then took the train on the old gold mining trail to Whitehorse and the best Canada Day I have ever seen. BTW, we found that the locals and the come from away workers in Skagway were very friendly and we had a wonderful stay.

[@CoachCraigKenneth]

Great video! Went last year and thinking of going back next year!

[@mooman547]

We just took the northbound trip on Majestic Princess from Vancouver to Whittier. There were 2 couples travelling together and we made sure to have a cabin on each side of the ship. This was WONDERFUL on the Glacier Bay and College Fjord days because as the ship turned we swapped sides of the ship and watched glaciers calving from both cabins! AMAZING!

[@missmayflower]

Glaciers calving ???

[@VannyObe]

😊

[@dianeallen7313]

I did so much research before even booking Alaska bc I assumed it would be a once in a lifetime cruise. Thank you for your videos bc we just sailed on the NCL Jewel inside passage northbound and had our starboard side balcony and it was amazing! I want to go again but I think I'll choose southbound next time so that we get the long flight out of the way first. I did forget my sunglasses and although we did have rain and foggy weather, when the sun came out, it was really bright! Thank you again for your videos! So helpful!!

[@cindylutz7442]

We just got back from our first cruise, to Alaska, inside passage. We're from Portland, OR, have had the rainiest spring, but they were heading into a heatwave when we left, so I had hopes that system would extend north, and so it did. We never even had clouds until the last day, bit of fog between Ketchikan and Victoria, and perfect temps. Amazing. We're pretty frugal, so didn't do any excursions, except the tram in Juneau. In Skagway we rented a motorcycle, rode to White Pass and Dyea on our own, spendy but so much fun! We walked around town, discovered Deer Mountain trail, hiked about a mile up before heading back to town. It was awesome!

[@jeffcarter6516]

My wife and I took NCL to Alaska in August 2022 and loved it so much we booked another for may 2023. Very good tips, definitely expect rain. In Ketchikan it was sunny one minute and rain the next. Remember you are going to a rainforest.

[@brucemurray2520]

Did a Cunard, Queen Elizabeth, 10 day cruise this summer. RT Vancouver. Visited both Hubbard and Glacier Bay. A great trip.

[@maxchodos7256]

Great tips. One more thing to consider on choosing lines, Holand and Princess have priority for docking at the ports. You'll be much closer to town. some lines even have to tender guests into town.

[@acefox1]

4:00 Regarding being “no wrong time to go” to Alaska, one thing that is HUGELY important to people going to Alaska is the opportunity to see bears. It’s the whole reason my wife wanted to go on an Alaska cruise. We booked one for her birthday in early summer 2017 and discovered that the bears don’t really come out until the pink salmon run in August and September. If having a realistic chance of seeing bears is important to you then don’t go until mid-August to mid-September. We’re finally getting our second chance in late August 2023 on the Disney Wonder. Wish us luck! **Edit - Just saw you add that tip at **4:40**. Thank you. I just hate to see anyone discover the late bear season the hard way like we did.**

[@Aerolandaircraft]

Acefox I really hope you see bears. Browns my favourite animal, yet I've never seen one. I'm going in late June and I really want to see bears!

[@acefox1]

@@Aerolandaircraft Thank you! I hope we both get to see the bears. Good luck to you! 🧸🧸🧸

[@joanmclean742]

My husband and I went up to Alaska and cruised back from Seward twice, the first in May and the second time end of August beginning of September, We saw an abundance of bears in September as well as whales, it was the highlight of our trip.

[@betsyadams9670]

So glad to find that out. We are going at the end of august and will be doing a hiking excursion with a chance of bear sightings. This gives me hope as that is one thing I want to see.

[@floydwolfe9331]

Wish I knew this when I first started traveling Alaska for I sign up for bear excursion at Icy straight on mid May cruise and of course saw no bears , been several more cruises to Alaska,which I avoided the main tourist season of July & Aug. only to discovered on labor day cruise that you are right bears are more likely to be seen Aug thru Oct which most cruise ships have left Alaska waters before Oct., but I learned and let to sail is American Cruise lines have 2 ships that sail Alaska water , and was told still in Alaska in Oct. I need to look into this. Timing, but did note that their route cover ports and route that larger ships can't get into, for American ships are consider smaller ships. Again need research their route for over half dozen trips I've taken into Alaska I just may learn some new history and see sights I let to see. YES I repeated several cruises but each time I meet different people and more important experience different adventures. Glazer hike is a must, and I forwarn that helicopter ride to the glazer will only go up in price, for I skip when it was $90 and 2nd trip up it was now $150 which I bit the bullet and glad I did for years later it was $400, and that was over 5 years ago

[@koartravel]

Good tip about the sun glasses. Learnt for the day I eventually go on an Alaska cruise. Thank you Gary

[@BlizzardSeeker]

I took the Norwegian Cruise cruse line (inside) trip to Alaska in late August 2017. I had to arrange my trip from Denver Colorado and my sister and friends from NYS. I had sleeper cars on amtrack for everyone and selected a one night stayover at a hotel 30 minutes from the port the day before departure for everyone. The NY travelers had to leave a day before I did and would arrive about 5 hours before I would at the hotel (I arrived a 9PM PT). It worked out perfectly, we embarked with no problems. The return trip to Seattle included a one night stay across from the Airport, because I had scheduled a land vacation for one week in Mainland Alaska to begin the next day. I also had booked our flights for 11 AM giving us a good night's rest and a landing time in Anchorage at 3 PM in the afternoon. The hotel shuttle picked us up and our land vacation began. I scheduled our return flight for 6 PM to get us into Seattle around 9:30 PM. I also had booked a one night stay at the same hotel across from the airport, I figured we all would be tuckered out by the time we got back. I left early to beat the traffic and make the only train that leaves for Denver each day, everyone else left at a later time with no problems. This vacation worked well because I created a numbered step by step itinerary guide for everyone. They included times, train/ track numbers, hotel locations/ numbers, taxi names/ numbers , hours of operations and backup plans B and C if things went wrong. Look at the guide, follow each step in order and you would be fine, and they were. It was the first time for everyone take such a journey and meeting and departing in different direction. It took six months to figure, plan and iron out all the details....it was worth it.

[@renae9365]

We’ve been to Alaska 3 times, going again in August. Absolutely beautiful.

[@KayakTN]

The George Inlet Lodge in Ketchikan has a delicious Dungeness crab.

[@penelopepitstop762]

We are cruising to Alaska on the Discovery Princess at the end of September. We chose Seattle to Vancouver so that we can spend extra time in Vancouver afterwards. It’ll be our first time on Princess and to Alaska so we’re pretty excited! We’ve already booked our excursions - the train ride, the helicopter glacier ride, and the crab fest!

[@raymondsheffield3352]

Gary, You need to do an Alaska cruise on a small ship. Very different experience. We just got back from 2 weeks on Seabourn. Vancouver to Juneau and back. It was fantastic. Great food. Not crowded. We did zodiacs and catamarans off of the ship to see glaciers (Hubbard & Sawyer), wildlife (Inian Islands), and Misty Fjords up close and personal. We had a number of stops in British Columbia that the big ships don't go to. Best thing we did... Wrangel Island!!! We went to the Anon River where the Forest Service has a viewing platform to see black and brown bears fishing and eating salmon. I do not think I could do a big ship cruise to Alaska again. It was that good!!!

[@kdboyle7673]

I’ve been researching the smaller, excursion style ships. I love the concept and itinerary, but we are in our 60s and I worry if we can keep up :)

[@raymondsheffield3352]

@@kdboyle7673 You don't have to be super fit. There are a variety of things to do. If you can sit on the side of a zodiac, you should be fine.

[@rosemaryf8177]

@@kdboyle7673 i am 71, and went on an expedition cruise to Inside Passage and Alleutian Islands in July, and had no problems keeping up at all. As long you are not in a wheelchair, you should be fine. On one expedition cruise I took in Atlantic Canada, a woman had a mobility scooter, but was still able to get into the zodiac, and went on all the expeditions. The Expedition staff will help you get in and out of the zodiacs.For any landings that have mountains, you can just walk along the beach or just partway up the mountain. There were lots of people over 60 on the Hurtigruten Expedition cruise I was on.

[@kdboyle7673]

@@rosemaryf8177 thanks so much for the detailed reply. Much appreciated!!

[@tacrewgirl]

I just did a small ship cruise with Alaska Dream Cruises from Sitka to Ketchikan. It's a max of 49 passengers and all but two were 55-80 years old. Crew was helpful. Definitely recommend it.

[@igelkott255]

We did the inside passage but we did it via ferry hopping by car. We stayed in hotels on land but 2 of the nights worked out getting cabins on the ferry. We stopped at Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau and Skagway. It was an amazing trip.

[@Varnaj42]

Living as I do close to the Seattle terminal I do the Alaska cruise every summer. I always have a good time and spend very little money. Secret? Stay on the ship. When everyone else is ashore the mood aboard changes. Meals and just walking around much more enjoyable.

[@aliciamarie9704]

We recently went on a Sitka, Skagway, & Juneau trip. We loved our day in Juneau! If I had it to do over, I would have stayed on the boat in Sitka and paid for an excursion in Skagway. The line in Sitka for town was insane! There wasn’t really anywhere to get essentials. Staying on the boat on a port day means you have the pools and hot tubs to yourself, but shops are closed! There are amazing excursions that aren’t through the cruise line. However, you have to give yourself plenty of time to get to your bus and back! I packed all types of essentials related to weather & needed none of it. We had great weather the entire trip (this isn’t typical!)

[@AnAlaskaHomestead]

Great tips for cruising Southeast Alaska. Keep in mind our temps all summer are in the 50s and 60s.

[@nedfisher3688]

Merci!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for that! Much appreciated !

[@spencer82rocks]

The best recommendation I ever heard and now I have knowledge to do so, huge thank you 😊

[@b.a.sports4361]

I went to Alaska in June 22’ and day temps were upper 80s evenings were 60’s much warmer than I had planned for

[@jonelfilipek7848]

My friend and I did an Inside Passage cruise the week of July 4th, hoping to get the best weather possible. We did start with 2 days at sea, but I love those. I love the activities and games. For some reason, we weren’t able to stop at Skagway. But even early July is COLD!

[@jessicapalacios9104]

We are cruising for the first time July 2023, leaving out of San Francisco on the Inside Passage. Thanks for all your great information!🛳🛥🌞🐋🦀

[@sharonbell1750]

I like roundtrip from San Francisco, it is a 10 day cruise but no flying which I like. Have been to Alaska 8 times....first one was from Vancouver to Seward, bus to Anchorage and fly home. So next 7 were out of SF and 6 of those on Princess, one on Celebrity. Have another coming up in Sept on Princess.

[@betsyadams9670]

We are going princess in august out of Seattle. Glad I am going up the night before and staying in Seattle an extra 2 days to enjoy Seattle.

[@JoeReves]

You may want to consider reviewing a small ship cruise - like American Cruise Lines. Different itineraries, and a very different experience. It's an all-inclusive cruise - which feels more pricey up-front, but it's much simpler to plan and manage your expenses. ACL does a number of coastal cruises, including several Alaska options. You get very personal attention on a small ship, and they do a terrific job accommodating guests with mobility issues.

[@garyformes2364]

This video was very helpful we're going round-trip on Ruby Princess 6/4 and happily, I've made good choices on the tours that we have booked! Thank you! Eileen

[@carlfromtheoc1788]

I took my very first cruise ever on Princess, Inside Passage, 12 nights. It was their last sailing for the season. We left Vancouver a half day late (diesel generator issue) so we lost our stop at Icy Point. But we got to see more of the Inside Passage during the day. Based on this video, I made all the right moves. The stop at Sitka was great - took a 5 hour tour and the first part was on the water where we saw orcas, humpbacks, otters, bald eagles flying, and bears snagging and eating salmon. It was Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Endicott Arm, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, and Victoria. Had better weather than when I visited Scotland in 2019.

[@magicgranny1]

We went as part as of our honeymoon, we had a balcony cabin on Holland America, and chose the inside passage… it was stunning. Canada and Alaska are amazing places to visit.

[@greggibson8340]

In the past 30 years we have traveled to Alaska five times with four cruises and two land tours. My thoughts on an Alaska cruise: 1. The itinerary is the most important factor. I agree that Juneau and Skagway should be on the itinerary. Icy Strait Point is a relatively new port and great for whale watching. Ketchikan is a tourist trap full of cheap Made in China junk. It was not always that way. Sitka is a worthwhile port for the history. 2) A small to mid-size ship is the best way to see Alaska. A monster mega-ship will overwhelm ports with a small population. 3) Seward is a better departure port than Whittier. The scenery is better. 3) If combining with a land tour, Holland-America and Princess do have the edge with premier lodging at Denali. Our favorite cruises have been with Windstar and Viking where we did just a cruise. If you don't want a long flight to Anchorage, several cruise lines have great round-trip itineraries from Seattle and Vancouver. Holland-America and Oceania are worth a look for cruises out of Seattle or Vancouver.

[@mikezimmermann89]

Thanks for all the advice Gary! My wife and I recently booked an Inside Passage cruise and (based on points you made in this video) later changed our sailing dates to make sure we visited Skagway and Glacier Bay. I was surprised to hear that cruises out of Seattle take 2 days to reach Alaska (or maybe I misinterpreted your point?). We’re sailing out of San Francisco and it’s 2 days at sea to arrive, and then two days to return. We’re lucky enough to live nearby (less than an hour’s drive from the cruise terminal) so our “un-wind” days are on-board. I think it will give the cruise an extra luxurious feel to be home an hour after debarkation… with no plane ride!

[@fluffytail6355]

Seattle departure cruises usually stop in Vancouver for the day, hence it taking 2 days from Seattle to reach Alaska.

[@ken9720]

Thank you for making this video. Alaska has so much to offer to visitors. The recommendation to have a before and after stay here is really spot on. As a Alaska resident for 50 years there is so much to do, even for locals, that you can't go wrong with extended time before and after a cruise. Do your research before booking your cruise is the best advice. Sometimes renting a car and just doing your own thing can be more fun. Remember Alaska is the last frontier. Come explore! PS: The Panhandle of Alaska (Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka) is considered the rain forest portion of Alaska. Rain is definitely more common along this region. So glad that you covered that topic.

[@chrismd00]

I live in Alaska and if you want to pin this, I’d be glad to help with questions! I used to be a tour guide here. Great video with even good clothing advice. Weather: May and June are LESS rainy! Rain increases through the summer. Budget for a heli or plane ride: flight seeing is the greater opportunity to see the wider environs after being restricted to the Inside Passage.

[@RandomTorok]

I'm just a stones throw from Vancouver so for our first cruise my fiancé and I have decided to take a cruise to Alaska next May. We've booked on Celebrity for a cruise up and back in 7 days. Won't cost us anything to get to and from the cruise ship terminal. So the wedding will be on Saturday and the following Saturday we will be boarding the ship. Balcony cabin.

[@pinkfreud62]

Been to AK twice, but not on a cruise. I just took a couple day glacier cruises in Seward & Prince William & enjoy driving around seeing sights by car.

[@alans3023]

I have yet to do this (though its high up on my bucket list) so I really appreciate this very clear and sensible advice. Thank you.

[@DennisMatheson]

I did the Eurodam the last week of May, and we did round trip out of Seattle. We hit Juneau (I went whale-watching), Sitka (we did a pub tour), Glacier Bay/Hoona (wildlife watch), and Ketchikan (photo safari) You are correct that many of the stops were shorter than I would have likee, many of them were only 4-5 hours. And we did spend two days completely at sea (which were the two days we had the worst weather; the pool was sloshing so much it flooded the Lido deck). You mentioned Skagaway over Sitka, but if you are a history buff Sitka is notable for being where the treaty that gave Alaska to the US from Russia was signed. There is a park/monument there that you can walk up to that has a good view of the harbor. Oh, it was the only port we had to tender into, if that matters. I did get a balcony and had my video camera set up on it for the entire Glacier Bay. The disadvantage of being there earlier is that there was far less ice floating in the water, and we only saw one calving event. So later in the season may be better than that. And it did rain. A lot. I think we only had one or two clear days. It poured the entire time we were in Juneau. And you are correct about making sure you get your excursion through the cruise line. I was there as an adjacent to a relatively large family reunion (they invited a couple of us friends to go with them) and two of them were on a whale boat out of Ketchikan that broke down. (They apparent ran over a piece of driftwood that messed up the propellor.) They were over an hour past our departure time getting back, and that was after someone finally sent another boat out to pick them up. (And, last I heard, Holland America had not refunded them for that excursion. Not good, people.) I know you are not a drinker, but for anyone who is a beer person, there are some really good brew pubs up there. I recommend Alaska Brewing (they had that as an option on our ship) and I spent some time at Devil's Club brewing in Juneau. We also did a pub tour in Sitka that I recommend (and I can't find my notes where I noted where we went.) There is good beer up there. (Hey, what else are they going to do six months out of the year, right? :D) Another great video. I watched one of your earlier ones before my trip (which is how I knew to get the balcony cabin on the correct side. :D) Keep up the good work.

[@joandouglas9000]

The Devils Club is fantastic! We love paring a local brew with their grilled cheese sandwich served with beer cheese sauce for dipping! Ahhhhh…

[@bethgarrison1751]

Sitka is well worth a visit! Fewer boats/less crowds. Great wildlife tours for whales, sea otters, sea lions, sea birds. AK Raptor Rehab Center for bald eagles. Fortress of Bears for brown bears. History of Tlingit & Russian cultures.3 local musems.Totem poles. Kayaking, fishing, floatplane excursions.

[@johnsmith3085]

Be careful booking excursions with organizations outside of your cruise lines. We spent about $500 on excursions in Skagway and Ketchikan that were provided by a company that wasn’t Princess. They refunded our money the night before our first excursion without any explanation. When we tried calling or emailing, they were “closed.” We eventually got an email the day after our cruise ended telling us that those excursions were no longer offered. We were lucky that the Princess staff were able to fit us in last minute on some great excursions the day before we got off in Skagway, but it really put some stress in our trip that we could have avoided if we’d have just booked through Princess.

[@CrusifoxMedia]

My husband, myself and our 3-year-old are doing an Alaskan cruise in April 2023 (first ship of the season from princess)

[@GuruChaz]

We went on Holland America Eurodam in May and it was a fantastic trip. We had plenty of time at each port. Also, don't undersell Sitka. It was a nice little city.

[@billpelzmann1030]

For extended on-shore excursions, keep in mind the summer wildfire season. We had our helicopter tours around Denali cancelled because of zero visibility.

[@karenshort3880]

We took the Princess Cruise line. And it was their first ship to go out to Alaska, since Covid. And it limped the whole time. And because of that we missed 2 of the stops. So those excursions was canceled. Got money back. We did the round trip. And we had the ocean view. And it was great. I saw whale’s early in the morning.

[@jeffbeamish1823]

We went about 6 years ago, on Holland America, with a special guest cruise, that did a series of concerts in the evening. We did a number of excursions in the ports, including snorkeling in Ketchikan, zip lining in Skagway, and a tour of the city in Skagway, "Ghosts and Good Time Gals", which covered a lot of interesting history of the area, and the city in particular. I also found, walking the unbeaten path around the towns, and meet the locals, to get a real sense of what life is like in the far north.

[@tood6459]

My wife and I are taking our first cruise next August, to Alaska! That was very helpful, thank you!

[@cssr26]

Make sure to check that your itinerary is actually going to Skagway with the line itself. There has been a series of rock slides at the dock, which has caused a lot of the cruise lines to cancel the port altogether. Mine was switched to icy straight point instead. I was refunded my excursion, but nothing else for the switch.

[@karenlane9704]

We were on the Solstice in June. The ship anchored at Skagway and we had a quick 5 minute trip on the tender.

[@kiralathrop150]

Very sad you missed Skagway which has rich real alaskan history, icy straight is just touristy