Tuesday, April 9, 2024

We've Been on 6 Alaska Cruises and Here's Our Expert Cruise Tips

alaska cruise tips

If so, selecting a larger ship like Quantum of the Seas or Ovation of the Seas may be the best option. These Quantum Class ships feature the Seaplex, an indoor sports court that offers activities like bumper cars, soccer, pickleball, and more. They also have an indoor pool as well as more bars, dining options, and entertainment venues onboard. The most popular months to cruise to Alaska are in June, July, and August. These months are when daylight hours are longest, wildlife viewing opportunities are greatest, and weather is warmest. Speaking of excursions, it isn’t necessary to book excursions through Royal Caribbean.

Book shows and dining on the first day

Your best chance of seeing this nighttime light show is during the winter months. However, it’s possible starting in late September all the way through early April. That’s why flying into your departure port the day before your Alaska cruise leaves is so important.

Leave plenty of time to make it to the airport on disembarkation day

Packing granola bars, trail mix, or even the small boxes of cereal you can get with room service is recommended to ensure you don’t get too hungry while on tour. Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is one of the most visited glaciers on an Alaska cruise, as it is easily accessible via bus or taxi from the cruise port. While at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy walking trails, the spectacular Nugget Waterfall, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

View other wildlife

If you’re interested in having several options for things to do, find a ship that has a large selection of both indoor and outdoor leisure and relaxation areas. When it comes to Alaska cruise tips, choose a cruise line and ship that meets your needs and your budget – this will be different for everyone. That said, we’ve found the crowd does have fewer young adults that make a trip to the Caribbean more lively. All in all, expect an atmosphere that’s a lot quieter than what you would see on a four-day cruise from Miami. One major difference of a cruise from Alaska compared to other cruises is the atmosphere onboard. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip.

Do you need a passport for an Alaskan cruise?

In a couple cases, they were out of the walking tour brochures and other things we wanted. It was very useful to have our print copies from the moment we got off the ship. It is important to know what your cell plan covers before you leave. Most cell phone plans include Alaska so you can use your phone as normal when in port and on land. When you are cruising, be sure to set your phone to airplane mode so you do not occur roaming charges. My husband debated on the internet package but we saved our money and touched base with the kids when we were on land, every day or two.

Otherwise, save the space and money from skipping this purchase too. When you board the ship, you will be printed a credit card sized cruise card for your trip. Your card is how you access and pay for everything on the cruise. You need it to check into all the restaurants (even the free ones), to open your room (obviously), to turn on your room lights, and to pay for anything you purchase on the ship.

A First Timer’s Guide To An Alaska Cruise Wrap Up

Everything else is about stepping outside, breathing in the shockingly clean air and enjoying the cruise. As for cameras, I recommend that everyone in your travel group has a water-resistant camera or a waterproof smartphone case or pouch. One, most cameras dropped into the depths of an Alaskan bay pose a less traumatic loss than most smartphones.

alaska cruise tips

As soon as you get onboard, connect to the ship’s wifi and open the Royal Caribbean app (you do not need to purchase a wifi package to access the Royal Caribbean app). Then scroll through the calendar to reserve any entertainment you are interested in. Travel insurance can cover travel delays and cancellations, lost luggage or valuables, medical coverage, emergency transportation, and more.

Should I cruise on Princess to Alaska? I booked a sailing to see for myself - Cruise Blog

Should I cruise on Princess to Alaska? I booked a sailing to see for myself.

Posted: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Knowing that we needed various coats for Alaska, we didn’t really want to waste room on formal clothes. I wore nice slacks and a dressy top one evening, and Andy changed into dress slacks and a polo that night too. We saw only a handful of people dress in formal attire at night. Alaska cruise attire on the Norwegian really was cruise casual.

It’s easy to lose track of time (thanks midnight sun) and try to squeeze in too much. The better alternative is to make a note of the things you’d like to try next time and plan to come back to this incredible state. One of the reasons why I want to provide money-saving tips for the cruise fare is because the excursions in Alaska are expensive.

Read these carefully and choose the one that sounds best, keeping in mind the price and time of each excursion. The most important thing is to choose a cabin that fits within your budget. So, if the only way you can afford to go to Alaska is by choosing an inside cabin, then, by all means, do that. Additionally, some people will opt to save money on a cheaper cabin, so they have more money for excursions.

Excursions Are Pricey (But Worth It)Excursions were mentioned above, but we didn’t mention price. If you’re used to sailing the Caribbean, be prepared for sticker shock. The outings here are typically much higher priced than elsewhere.

There will be early morning calls into port and glacier sightings that will have you up at dawn. Traveling from late June through early August will increase your likelihood of seeing bears, especially if you take tours that depart from Juneau or Ketchikan. They could save you some money on this pricey Alaska cruise as well. If you have flexible vacation time, choosing the right time to cruise to Alaska can have a big impact on your budget. We have sailed both types itineraries, and there are pros and cons of each route.

I once kayaked in Ketchikan with a woman on her first solo cruise in Alaska. When our marine biologist guide pulled a sea cucumber from the crystal-clear waters to show us, she squealed with delight when he offered to let her hold it. An Alaska cruise is the ideal time to hit pause on your digital life. Sure, you want to capture the amazing scenery, but you know what? Few of the pictures you take will accurately portray the scale of the beauty of Alaska.

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