Alaska is the only U.S. state I have not visited or lived in. I’m celebrating my 75th birthday by doing a 14 day round trip out of Vancouver on the Sapphire Princess with my sister.
I never understood why people (many of my relatives) have cruised to Alaska multiple times when there are so many other places to cruise to. When I finally planned my Alaska cruise in 2020 (cruised in 2021 due to Covid) I was positive it was a once in lifetime, one and done cruise. Now that I’ve cruised to Alaska - I completely understand why people take multiple cruises to Alaska. It is absolutely the most beautiful and amazing cruise destination ever. I am already planning my next Alaskan cruise. 😊
I keep seeing comments similar to yours. Our first Alaskan cruise will be in September. I’m really looking forward to it, but like you said, I’m thinking while it’ll be nice, it’s probably a one-time thing. I’m encouraged by everyone saying how great it is.
Cruising Alaska was on my bucket list! Now we are taking our 8th cruise in September. Every cruise has been different and looking forward to new experiences this time!
@katjar4881, what about the weather? How have you found it best to pack for that specific region? It seems that it can vary widely even within one day . . . leading to recommendations to be prepared with multiple wardrobes from casual to formal, from cold weather to warm weather. What about the cost of excursions? From what I have seen over the decades, Alaskan cruises are overpriced to begin with . . . and then all the additions quickly add to a luxury-price category.....plus the long-range/international airfares that most people would face to reach the usual home-ports for such cruises....
@@brentshuffler1234 I still haven’t figured out how to NOT overpack for any destination, although I am getting better at it. For Alaska, as you know it can be cold, warm, sunny, and rainy all in one day. But if you’re looking to be sensible about packing, I would suggest the following. Pants and short sleeves for most days. Sweatshirts and light sweaters to add a layer when needed and a good puffer jacket for glacier days (Patagonia, North Face, or Columbia is best) Comfortable shoes are a must as you will do a lot of walking. And a rain jacket or waterproof jacket plus waterproof shoes are a must for rainy days. A hat/beanie to keep your head and ears warm. Gloves and scarf are optional. As a side note, and this is my opinion, the inside areas of the ship tend to be a bit warm. Short sleeves were all we needed when roam around the ship regardless of the temperature outside.
@@brentshuffler1234 As for excursions, yes they can be very pricey. We chose wisely because as you said, the cruise itself is not cheap. In Skagway we did the train, not too bad cost wise and it takes you way back into the Alaska wilderness which for me, made me feel like I actually saw Alaska instead of just staying around the port area. In Juneau, we visited the Mendenhall Glacier and National Park. Again, it took us away from the port and further inland and Nugget falls is beautiful to see. In Ketchikan we visited the Saxman Native Village Totam Pole Park and soaked up some local culture and history. All of these were reasonably priced considering. If I’m fortunate enough to return, I will do a lot of “free” stuff. Basically just walking around and exploring the towns on my own. You can always book excursions in town, not associated with Princess, just make sure you make it back to the ship on time. 😊
I have cruised Alaska 22 times so far and will be doing so again this coming May. I always find something new to do and see in Alaska. Alaska is never the same twice due to the changing of the glaciers and the fact that you never know where or when you will see wildlife. I have done most every 7 day route but more frequently do 10 to 14 day routes to see different ports.
I just got back from my first cruise on the Discovery Princess to Alaska. I beg to differ about the rain. Countless RU-vidrs warned to pack layers and pack rain gear. There was not a drop of rain on our entire 7 day Inside Passage cruise. In fact it was 82º and I got sunburned. The cruise exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend the Discovery Princess if you're cruising without children. It is a gloriously adult experience, for the most part. Princess is far from sedate but you won't find water parks, go kart tracks, rock climbing walls, and other youth friendly gear. It is classy, upscale, and geared to adults.
You have made a very good point about enrichment-programmes. Holland America cruise-line, to my mind, does this best. I recalled that as soon as you referred to BBC Earth and the amazing collaboration with Holland America with immersive documentaries including orchestra, wrap-around screens, wonderful lectures and discussions, and previews of each port to be visited. With so much to do and so many excursions to choose, these activities and resources (e.g., Exploration Lounge on Holland America's highest deck) help passengers to appreciate the history, the culture, and the geography of countries that they visit, and to plan what will be the best value for money for their budgets for each itinerary.
I completely agree with attending the informational lectures! We attended many where there were so few people it was like hearing a friend enlighten us. When we went on adventures we knew what to look for and where our best chances were located. Eating fresh caught salmon and crab in port was amazing!
I cruised to Alaska last year and highly recommend Alaska Dream Cruises. It's all within the state from Sitka too Ketchikan so no passport required. It was a 9-day cruise on their Baranof Dream ship. It's locally owned. And it's less than 50 passengers. Yes, 50. It's only 170' long and all rooms had windows. It's more expensive but they have discounts for early season in April and May so it's slightly on par with other cruise costs. Highly worth it if you don't need entertainment to enjoy the natural beauty. The food was amazing. Just three meals. No buffet. Drinks were affordable. Lots of reading and looking at the landscapes. That's it. We had 5 ports excluding arrival and departure ports. I highly recommend this if you don't like crowds.
We are sailing next week on the Celebrity Solstice on our first Alaska cruise. We are celebrating our 32nd wedding anniversary. Thanks for the great tips. Definitely remember to arrive at the embarkation port a day or 2 early. We booked our flights early, and they have been changed twice. We are flying 2 days early to get used to the time change and site see.
We are sailing right at the start of the season with Princess. For 3 people with flights, Princess Plus and hotel stays it is less than 6000 Canadian. Couldn't beat the price
National Geographic also has a small tour company. If you're looking for a unique Cruise. Also, as a photographer in Alaska, I recommend the cannon rebel series I started with a rebel T7, and it worked great for many years. They are now on the rebel T8, and from what I've been told, it is a very good upgrade and relatively cheap when it comes to quality cameras.
We are headed to Alaska next month on HAL Westerdam. We picked the cruise without really any prior research because we knew HAL was good for Alaska and the price was right. We are new to cruising. After watching your videos I don't think we picked a very good itinerary or ship unfortunately (probably why the price was so good) but I'm hopeful it will still be amazing. (It's all about your mindset, right?) We sail from Seattle, sea day, Juneau, sea day/Hubbard glacier, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle. Sounds like we should have opted for some different ports and Glacier Bay instead. I'm sure we will still have a great time, and Alaska is beautiful anywhere you go!
I will be on a 9 day cruise with Norwegian Jewel from/to Seattle in October 2024. Colder temperatures in October, but with nice side effect - much more less costly. 🤩🤩. So excited - I can't wait.
Do a cruisetour with Princess Cruises making sure you book the Kenai peninsula Cabins. Land first, once will be enough way to many other places to go. If you have not done Boston to Quebec in the Fall we'll it was amazing. You don't need Nautical terms to Take cruise that's all bullchit !
We are leaving in 3 days for our NCL Bliss Alaskan cruise. Its our 1st one! Soo excited! Have planned for months! Ready for a tour at each stop. Just saw the weather report. The only week without rain..we shall see!!! ;I hope ive covered everthing!! I keep adding to mylast min list. It will be a wonderful anniversary trip! So glad we got a balcony!!!
We are considering a trip for this year. However, a comment you made, suggested that WIFI is included (referring to Holland America). Our ticket agent indicated an extra charge of $50 USD/diem ($350 for the week) for Wifi package to be included. This little connectivity feature - if one wants it - seems to ADD ~ 27% on top of total balcony room cruise price! 😳
Holland America offers a package that includes drinks, WiFi, etc. it is called the have it all package. Check with your advisor about this rate as it might be a better deal.
Nice job. People will especially appreciate your pointing out all the other stuff that makes Alaska cruises so expensive. But maybe think about more shots when it’s wet and foggy and fewer clips from sunny days.
Thank you a million times for posting this video! It completely verifies and confirms my belief that Alaska is boring. I was hoping to see something in your video that would convince me to go on a cruise to Alaska. I'm from Miami, Florida and cruise all around the Caribbean. Mountains are mountains, although the ones I've seen in my part of the world are smaller and covered with green. If you like whale watching, San Diego was excellent. This video cemented my idea that although I'm retired, got some money to spend on cruising, Alaska is simply not for me.
My wife and I are from Miami as well although I'm originally from the mountain West. We've explored the Caribbean extensively and have travelled to several continents, broadening our horizons. We can't wait to cruise Alaska!
Great info lots to consider Because of the tips we chose the shoulder season with princess wanted quieter and less families we also chose a 11 day round trip as the value was amazing for a balcony state room also wanted to see it all both Glacier bay Hubbard glacier Sitka Juneau Ketchikan Skagway Thank you for the good tips
Have you been yet? Do you know what the state rooms with partial views are like? We just found out our room for next Sept has 30% blockage from the tender roofs. Too expensive to upgrade but wonder if we will still get decent views beyond.
We are going on our first cruise to Alaska on millennium to celebrate my husbands retirement. Leaving out of Vancouver. Looking for suggestions on excursions.
Princess and Holland America are the best for Alaska since they have been there the longest and have their own lodge and train. They also have more access to Hubbard Glacier.
Not sure about booking early being cheapest. I booked mine 5 weeks prior to departure and it’s cheaper than any other departures this season or the 2024 season.
Our first Alaskan cruise will be in September on the Princess Discovery from Seattle to Vancouver, then we plan to stay in Vancouver for a few days before taking the train back to Seattle and flying home. Can’t wait! Agree on the balcony, but we get balconies every cruise, even to the Caribbean.
People who have interior or porthole cabins crowd the upper decks and lounges to view glaciers and mountain vistas. We enjoy watching them from our own balcony. Views are great on either side, especially if you have a round trip itinerary.
You will need lightweight to medium-weight layers. Rain coats and rain-resistant light layers, as it will rain. We would recommend comfortable footwear and accessories like thick socks, hats, and gloves. You will probably not need large, heavy outwear, but know your own cold tolerance. The temps will be between 40 and 60, with many cloud/misty days. Happy cruising!
This is a pre-cruise question, when you land at the airport, do you stay at a hotel by the airport or do you stay by the port. If you stay near the port, how do you get to your hotel?
We are doing a cruise tour for the first time. But it is our 3rd trip to Alaska. I wanted a balcony, but with the expense of the cruise tour and flights from Florida it was not doable, I may try to bid for a balcony when the bidding opens.
If you don't mind please recommend places to rent digital camera and equipment. I have a few nice lenses but the memory card slot in my Canon EOS camera is not working. Want to see if it is worth it to rent a camera instead of investing a couple of thousands for a new one. Thank you.
Thank you for this video. We're going on our first cruise ever next month on ovation of the seas to Alaska. Any restaurant recommendations in the ports of Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria that you or anyone else can recommend that's not one of the tourist spots?
your cost per person is WAY too low! Yes, we booked Balcony, but TOTAL with Excursions we are looking at $10K + for 2 people, end of July - Sapphire Princess.
August is nice. The weather fluctuates a lot in Alaska. But you should be able to enter glacier bay. We have been there that time of year and the weather has ranged from sunny and 70 to foggy and 40s. Which cruise line are you sailing with?
We are considering Norwegian’s Bliss for kid friendly. Would it be feasible during an Alaska cruise to use the waterpark on the top of the ship? Seems to me it would be far too cold. Thanks.
Planning a cruise to Alaska for 2024. Our last cruise was 24 years ago. Do you recommend Holland America or Princess for those planning to go to Denali?
Based on similar itineraries we are looking at the Noordam or Nieuw or the Royal Princess or Grand. We want a cruise that offers great food and great service. We don't need a lot of bells and whistles, but do want the most value for our money. Princess seems to be getting a lot of bad press right now so we may lean towrds HAL. @@Eatsleepcruise1
This was not my experience at all and it sounds like this guy is disgruntled and just wasn't really prepared to board. In the last three years I did two cruises out of vancouver on two separate cruise lines, Princess and Holland America. I was on both ships within 30 minutes. The lines moved fast and staff members were everywhere and very helpful.
Would you recommend someone going alone? I’ve never been on a cruise before and really want to adventure by myself. Wasn’t sure if it would be odd going alone or if it’s common.
I often cruise alone and will be sailing to Alaska again next May. One thing I do is reserve a dining time. This means I eat with the same people each evening and we all get to chat about our day. It works well for me! When my son and I cruised Alaska before the pandemic there were lots of solo travelers and they had a great time as did we! Best wishes for an amazing cruise!
Of you can cruise solo. It's a great option for a solo traveller and you certainly won't be the only one. I did this last year and am planning to do again
@@carolineg3079 it is not an option to cruise solo.,or to cruise at all. This is the most passive, polluting, social exploiting way of traveling in places where you have nothing to do! Stay at home read books and watch movies. The world can non longer afford such unnecessary boats when it is suffocation in such global warming!
Will my kids not be able to visit Skagway because they don't have a passport? Celebrity cruise line said their birth certificates will be fine for the trip.
Thank you for this amazing video, I would like to go to Alaska next year but I have a question: How much cost the excursions approximately in Alaska? I have been watching some videos and in all of them said the high price of the excursions but they didn't say the cost aprox.
Trips for Travellers has a video outlining different costs and types of excursions. Depends what you are looking for. Much less of the $50 walking/bus tours and more in the $150-250 range
It really depends on what you do. Something like the lumberjack show would be on the cheaper end, but a helicopter ride to a glacier would be on the pricier side ($300-$500). I recommend you go to any of the cruise line websites and browse their shore excursions.
I have a question. It looks like I can book White Pass Railway in their web site and that the depot is walkable from the cruise port. Am I correct on that?
You don’t do cruises. NOT! Not like that. This is actually criminal…let me explain why: I assume you are, if not nature lovers, fascinated by the beautiful landscapes you saw in Alaska. In order to hold the Paris agreement 1.5 Celsius objective, each of us must reduce its CO2 emission by 7% per year. This is equivalent to the reduction collectively achieved ina single year of the recent pandemic. It is important because beside 1.5Celsius warming, climate warming is not reversible. It takes ca 12,500 yrs to eliminate CO2 naturally in the atmosphere. Beside all the many other drawbacks, cruising as you promote it is one of the most polluting and CO2 (and other very poisonous exhaustions) activity one can think of. Hence crushing as you do is criminal!
