Alaska cruising is unlike anything else you’ll experience on the water. While Caribbean cruises are all about beaches and rum drinks, Alaska is where you go when you want nature to absolutely blow your mind. We’re talking glaciers the size of skyscrapers calving into the ocean, humpback whales breaching right alongside your ship, and coastal towns where the main street literally ends at the dock.
The Alaska Experience
When people ask me what makes Alaska special, I tell them this: it’s one of the few places left where you can see genuine wilderness from the comfort of a cruise ship. You’re not looking at resort beaches or carefully manicured ports. You’re sailing through fjords that haven’t changed in thousands of years, past ice fields that were here long before cruise ships existed, and they’ll be here long after we’re gone.
The cruise season runs roughly May through September, and there’s a good reason for that timing. These are the months when the weather is mild enough to enjoy being outside (and trust me, you’ll want to be outside constantly), the glaciers are most active with calving ice, and wildlife is everywhere. Early season you’ll catch whales migrating north, late season you’ll see them heading south, and salmon runs happen throughout the summer.
Popular Ports and What to Expect
Most Alaska cruises hit the Inside Passage, which is basically a protected waterway running along the coast. This means you get incredible scenery without the rough seas you’d face in open ocean. The classic ports are Juneau (Alaska’s capital, only accessible by boat or plane), Ketchikan (the salmon capital with incredible totem poles), Skagway (an old gold rush town frozen in time), and either Seward or Whittier for Anchorage access.
Norwegian runs their custom-built Alaska ships on these routes – the Bliss, Encore, and Joy all have enhanced observation areas specifically designed for glacier viewing. The Observation Lounge is where you’ll want to camp out with a cocktail when you’re cruising through glacier territory. The Waterfront, their quarter-mile outdoor promenade, is perfect for watching for wildlife while staying warm-ish with a coffee or hot chocolate.
The Glacier Experience
Here’s something they don’t always mention in the brochures: seeing a glacier isn’t just about the photo op. When you’re sitting in Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm Fjord and a chunk of ice the size of a building breaks off and crashes into the water, you feel it. The sound echoes off the mountains, and there’s this collective gasp from everyone on deck. It’s one of those moments that makes you understand why people save up for these trips.
The ships slow way down or even anchor in these areas specifically so you can watch and photograph. The crew knows exactly where to position the ship for the best views. Pack layers – it’s cold standing on deck watching glaciers, even in summer, but you won’t want to go inside.
Wildlife Encounters
The wildlife situation in Alaska is genuinely remarkable. Humpback whales are the stars of the show, and they’re not shy. We’re talking whales surfacing close enough to the ship that you can hear them breathe. Eagles are so common you’ll stop pointing them out after day two. Bears fishing for salmon at the shoreline. Seals lounging on ice floes. Orcas if you’re lucky.
The key is being patient and staying alert. The announcement “Whales off the port bow” will have people sprinting to that side of the ship, so grab a spot early if you can. Bring real binoculars if you have them – phone cameras just don’t cut it for whale watching.
Shore Excursions and Value
This is where things get interesting from a budget perspective. Alaska shore excursions can be expensive – we’re talking $200+ per person for popular options like helicopter glacier tours or floatplane trips. NCL’s official excursions are convenient and guaranteed to get you back to the ship on time, but they’re not your only option.
In most Alaska ports, you can walk right off the ship into town. Ketchikan’s totem poles and Creek Street are a short walk from the dock. Juneau’s downtown is compact and walkable, though the Mendenhall Glacier requires a bus or taxi. Skagway’s entire historic district is right there when you step off the gangway. You don’t need to book an excursion to have a great port day – walking around and soaking in the atmosphere is completely valid.
For the bigger adventures, shop around. Local operators often offer the same tours as ship excursions at better prices. Just understand the trade-off: if your independent tour runs late and you miss the ship, that’s on you. The ship won’t wait. For most people, the peace of mind of booking through the ship is worth a little extra cost for the big-ticket items.
Cruisetours: The Extended Experience
If you’ve got the time and budget, Norwegian’s Cruisetours are worth serious consideration. These packages combine your cruise with land portions exploring interior Alaska – places the ships can’t reach. We’re talking Denali National Park, where you might see grizzlies and caribou, or Fairbanks for the Northern Lights if you’re cruising late season.
The beauty of a Cruisetour is that Norwegian handles all the logistics. Hotels, transportation, meals, excursions – it’s all packaged together. You’re not trying to figure out how to get from Whittier to Denali on your own. For first-time Alaska visitors especially, this takes a lot of stress out of the planning.
Practical Considerations
Pack for layering. Seriously. You might be in a t-shirt in the sun one hour and bundling up in a jacket the next when clouds roll in. Waterproof outer layers are essential – Alaska is rainy, and you’ll be outside a lot. Good walking shoes with grip for those wooden dock boardwalks.
Departure ports are typically Seattle, Vancouver, or Whittier/Seward (for cruises that include Anchorage access). Round-trip from Seattle is the most common and often the best value. One-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier are called “Gulf of Alaska” itineraries and let you see more ports but require flights on both ends.
Alaska cruising isn’t cheap, but it’s one of those trips where the experience justifies the cost. This isn’t about party pools and casinos – it’s about seeing one of the last great wilderness areas on Earth, in comfort, without having to pitch a tent or catch your own salmon. If that appeals to you, start looking at itineraries and book early. The good ships and dates fill up fast, especially for mid-summer sailings when the weather is most reliable.
