What we wish we knew before an Alaskan Cruise 

This is one of the best travel videos I've ever seen. Why? Because it was just two nice humans talking to other humans. No big egos. Just two people sharing their experience and trying to help others make the best of their trip. Thank you!

Dad was there several years. The icon joke is waking up to two mosquitoes discussing whether to eat him there or take him home!

I'm a lifelong Alaskan and when my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary our entire family cruised from Vancouver, BC to Seward. It was early August and we had rain every day. Bring a rain coat, puffy coat, hat and gloves. It's cold outside when the ship is moving. Alaska is incredible. The best things that we've done as locals are wildlife cruise out of Seward and flight seeing tour from Talkeetna to the Ruth Gorge/and or Denali. The Ruth Gorge is at the base of Denali. I've climbed Denali twice and that flight is the most incredible you will ever experience.

Take a small ship!!!!! Oceania has wonderful Alaska cruises. Our ship had a whooping 630ish passengers. Such amazing service. We got to a small town the big ships cannot do. Food was wonderful. You could dress if you wanted or just a polo was fine.

I have sailed to Alaska 4 times so far, always out of Vancouver even though we live in Seattle. 1st 3 were on Holland America who essentially pioneered trips to Alaska and therefore gets the best docking spots at the busiest ports (Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway). Last year we decided to try an Alaska cruise on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth. Cunard (as well as Holland America) are owned by Carnival. For me it was THE best cruise of the 4 specially because of the 10 days RT itinerary with stops at several of what one might call the outlier Alaska destinations such as Sitka, Icy Strait Point (incredible whale watching here) and Skagway as well as visiting both Glacier Bay and Hubbard glacier. Of course we also had "obligatory" stops in Juneau and Ketchikan and a lot of sightseeing sailing the Inside Passage. Service is outstanding, food is amazing and pricing was in line with Holland America, Celebrity, Caribbean, Princess, etc. If you long for a taste of the "old days" of grandiose cruising you can get all decked out 2 nights (both are days at sea) with full gala dressing and enjoy a full orchestra and ballroom dancing. Contrary to popular belief this is not obligatory. If you want to be really "snotty" you can book the higher priced suites and you will have use of an exclusive lounge area, outside deck and dining room. Sounds somewhat akin to the Haven on NCL. The QE herself is the same layout as the 2,000 passenger Holland America ships and the cabins are very nicely appointed. The entire maritime crew and most of the passenger customer service folks are British. The support crew is similar to other ships, mostly from Indonesia, Phillipines and Eastern Europe. Most of the passengers were British or Canadian along with a smaller number of folks from Japan and China. Surprisingly, we ran into few Americans on the ship. We saw few children onboard and really didn't notice a lot of onboard activities geared to them (like you have on Caribbean or Disney ships these days). For folks going with out kids, I highly recommend this line and ship and be prepared for very British things such as grand staircase (you can get awesome pics here), a fabulous grand ballroom along with outdoor shuffleboard and of course croquet. Best of all though was their fish and chips (best I've ever had) only served at lunchtime at the Pub - and - their afternoon tea service, a real spectacle in itself.

Princess also goes to Alaska out of San Francisco and cruises under the Golden Gate Bridge (fabulous!). Thanks for the video! 🙂

Solid information! Enjoyed your video! Thanks!

Hey everybody in the comments or looking to go up there. Look into the alaska state ferry system. You can take your van. At any time of year. You could literally spend months. You can go as fast or slow as you want. You can get so close to the shore that you can throw a rock and hit the shore. You could keep supplies in your car and sleep in a tent on the deck of the ship. 1000 percent totally worth it. You could go one way up there and thendrive back. Through Canada of course. But if you want total access, take the blue canoe. Seriously if you want to go to AK for what's there not the gltz and glamor of a cruise ship go with the ferry. Halfof the people on the boat will be locals. Great conversations.

We’re a retired couple and are taking our first cruise in September-to Alaska. We never dreamed we’d get to see Alaska, but a travel agent in our community got a really great group deal. We will be going on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas on Sept 2, 2024, and we’re so excited!

Extremely helpful video! We learned a lot from our cruises and this will definitely help a lot of people

We went to Alaska last summer in our RV. It was the experience of a lifetime! As much as you seem to love Alaska you really should either purchase an RV and drive there or fly there and rent an RV in Alaska. We saw the ships from the cruises and realized how little of Alaska you would see if cruising. We plan to do a cruise to experience it, but I would encourage you to try it our way. You will not be disappointed! You can see so much more driving. It’s truly breathtaking and so worth it! We enjoyed your video.

First time viewer and I love y’all’s vibe! One of the most informative videos I have ever seen!! Follow has been earned!! Thanks so much for a great video!

I love Alaska, too. I'm a full-time Alaskan and every day I get to love Alaska and the most amazing views... 360° no matter the season. I'm glad you love it too.

Glacier Bay is breathtaking

Love this information-thank you for sharing your experience! Looking forward to seeing your video about what to pack for this trip

Great video and tips for Glacier Bay!

Awesome video! Thanks guys.

Loved our NCL Alaskan cruise last May before the mosquitos really came out. Loved Juneau & Skagway, but thought Ketchikan, while cute, had soooo many jewelry stores with the "callers" out front trying to get you into their shops. I came to call it, affectionately (kind of), as the "Ensenada of Alaska."

My last Alaska cruise was on Celebrity in May 2019,the weather was in the 80's...no need to get off the ship if you have been there before and got off at the ports and did some of the main tours...will be going back in June and as usual will chill out on the balcony and enjoy the view sipping wine...

OMG i have not seen that bar since i was stationed in Anchorage in the early 80's! One place I always remembered

I want to thank you both, this info was very helpful and I know that it would apply anywhere else “tres expensive” as well. I contemplated cruising before the pandemic and glad I didn’t experiment… but there’s nothing stopping me from exploring… ever.! Wonderful info and enjoyed what you learned through experience, thank you! Cheers from Toronto 🇨🇦!

Great video - we appreciate you sharing!

I subscribed to your channel BECAUSE I appreciate the organization and bookmarks on your video. Thanks for a great job!

Going on our third Alaskan cruise. Love it so much!

Thanks for the video! my husband and i are going for our 15th anniversary on holland this July and we are so excited

We cruised to Alaska on Princess in 2015 and loved it. Had a fabulous bus tour into the Yukon out of Skagway on a crystal clear day. Also went Salmon fishing out of one port and just a town tour in another. We cruised Glacier bay too. Best day ever! We loved Alaska so much that we drove the Alaskan Hwy. the next year and did our own 5 week trip from MN all the way to Prudoe Bay. We are ready to go again!

I lived in Seward for 12 years. On mosquitos-the big ones that you can saddle appear first. The next wave is the medium ones-faster and hungrier. The third wave-very fast and voracious. Also, when you get off the ship, RENT A CAR. You cannot get lost (unless you park on the side on the side of the road and go into the wilderness- you are NOT on the top of the food list there). Locals call tourists on cruise buses Pod People. Be POLITE to the residents. They will go out of their way to help you. But stupidity and rudeness will get you nowhere.

Great Video 🙂 We’re doing a cruise to Alaska late April. I’ve been researching this for 3 years! Totally excited to know it paid off. Thanks for the tips! Good luck with the channel!! ❤

Thanks for all the great info. We did HAL land and cruise 20 years ago to the main ports everyone stops at. In May we are doing an expedition cruise with HX/Hurtigruten. Yes it is a lot more but includes excursions, tips, beer and wine at lunch and dinner... only a couple of very special excursions if you want. So excited about the small towns and active offered like zodiac and kayaks right off the ship. Woo hoo!

I was in a room at the back of the ship. That balcony was priceless on that cruise!

Great video! Thank you 😊

Thank you so much for this! Booked the Haven on the Encore for Alaska this May thanks to your great videos and now I’m looking forward to your packing video!

Thank you for all the information 😊

Going on Alaskan cruise in July and visiting almost all of the places you’ve been thank you for all the information

Really helpful information, thanks

Taking our first land/sea trip to Alaska this summer! I appreciate your fun video of tips and advice. Looking forward to checking out your other videos. Thanks and Gig 'em! '84

My only cruise was to Alaska with Princess in mid-May 2016. We did the combined land/sea from Vancouver to Anchorage. Loved every single minute and would do this trip over again in a heartbeat given the chance!

Fort Lauderdale with Royal also has the suitcase valet service!! It was sooo nice putting luggage out the night before and your bags are taken to airport. So cool!

"Howdy!" Go Aggies!! Great video!!

A well done video! Thanks

You forgot the Alaska Marine Highway System; we did a sailing south that went through the Wrangell Narrows between Petersburg and Wrangell that is too narrow even for some of the expedition ships to fit. Also do some web searches and find local Alaskan shops. I know in both Juneau and Ketchikan there are artist co-ops where local artists sell art that is made in Alaska by Alaskan's.

I love it...diamond international...the Walmart of cruise port jewelers...

Brilliant, thankyou .

Great video guys!

Bring one summer outfit....we hit a heat wave in Victoria and Juneau, 96 degrees. Everyone was caught off guard! The locals were swimming at Mendenhall glacier.

We have a 14 day from Vancouver June 16 our 3rd and longest cruise in Alaska , great video and advice , kept up the good work!

Heading there on Royal Caribbean at the end of June. Thanks for the information!

Great info!!!

Thank you, appreciate the information

Holland America land tour and cruise, best vacation ever!

Planning an Alaska cruise for our 20th Anniversary. This was very informative. Thanks & Gig’Em!

We’ve been 3 times now is July trip an August trip and a September cruisetour to Denali- recommend September because the colors were spectacular and we got the northern lights twice from Denali then Fairbanks!

As someone who lives on the Kenai Peninsula, most places open May 15th and shut down September 15th.

Great tips and things to plan for and think about. The bug spray is on our list to bring. 😊 thank you

Good tips!

We are getting ready for our third cruise to Alaska. Inside passage. Round trip from San Francisco 11 days. We are Princess Cruise loyalists. Can’t wait.

Excellent video! Having been born and raised in Anchorage, I can attest to the mosquito being the state bird 😅

Been on 2 cruises to Alaska, first one in September 1993 on Princess, and loved it. Second time was in July of 2004. Same itinerary, but on NCL. The towns were fun, and interesting. We didn’t do any of the on shore excursions because of the price even back then, but we did do the train trip and was awesome, just 3 cars pulled up the mountain by the old steam locomotive. I’m glad now that we made those cruises when we did, as it looks like those towns are nothing much more than total tourist traps now, ripping people off.

Also, we did a land and sea package on Holland from Vancouver thru the Yukon, ending in Fairbanks including Denali. It was one of the best trips of my life. We had 3 or 4 days on the ship then in skagway we took the train up the mountain into Canada where we picked up a bus and drove thru the Yukon to Fairbanks. It was a lot of bus time but so beautiful and away from the tourists. We overnighted in a few small towns. Dawson City was like a pioneer town. The Yukon experience was so much more authentic than the cruise ports.

Wow i didn't know there are so many cruise lines. Thanks for the info!

We’re lucky that we live in the Pacific Northwest. So getting to Seattle or Vancouver is a bus ride. Last August, we did a Princess cruise from Vancouver, 7-days to Whittier and another 7-days back to Vancouver. Same (interior) cabin, very good price. Weather iffy going, excellent returning. We saw different glaciers each time. We did a few excursions, but also on our own as we had explored this route before.

Great info! We will be taking our 2nd Alaskan cruise in July 2024.

We took the Alaska State ferry from Bellingham, WA to Skagway and brought our car. We camped on the deck. My in-laws had a room. We enjoyed the inside passage! Then we were able to drive all the way to Dawson City and out to Seward. We then drove through the Yukon and Stewart, BC to see bears in August. Amazing trip.

Doing an Alaskan cruise in late June! My first cruise ever:) I’ve really enjoyed y’all’s videos and think Poppy is so cute!!!!

We went on our first Alaskan cruise last September. We loved icy Point Straight because it was more authentic! We were shocked when we got off in Juneau and Ketchekan and saw Del Sol, Diamonds international etc.... It just turned us off. You really must get off the beaten path! One more thing to stress.... bring a warm weather coat and layers, whatever time of year you go! We are from Northern Ontario Canada and know winter weather and were fully prepared! But seeing some of these people struggling with just sweatshirts broke my heart!! Great informative vid for first timers!!

LOVE this video! I did Carnival Miracle out of San Francisco (I live in San Jose so it was convenient) last August-so lucky it only rained in Juneau-other than that flawless. Going back this August-losing Icy point straight, but getting Sitka, Juneau part 2 Skagway part 2, Ketchikan, and Prince Rupert. part 2.... And yes it's jewelry stores galore. If you get to Skagway be sure to get Happy Endings (bar) and Morning Wood hotel to walk around.

Beautiful video! God bless! ❤

We went on an Alaskan Princess Cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver last June, FABULOUS Cruise ! We want to do a two week round trip next time & take the Denali trans excursion too. Maybe Celebrity next, we will see. My sister in-law & hubby are doing Celeb late June & doing Denali before the cruise.

Thank you for this video! I was born, raised and retired from Sitka. I now live in South Carolina. I actually lived in the community called Mt. Edgecumbe . 3 small islands landfill connected then referred to as Japonski Island. It was a military base and had so many cement bunkers that were perfect play areas for my baby boom era generation. So much history there! Research it 😊

We live in Seattle and are going to Alaska on Celebrity, thanks for the good tips. We are going last week in May. Misquitos adore me and I never thought about that, or rain.

To save money and get away from the tourists we just go hiking in most ports. We have done the tour stuff before but still love Alaska so much. There are hiking trails everywhere in Alaska and it's easy to find a good day hike close to town.

Been on 5 Alaska cruises and you have done a great job of telling those who have not, Some great info the only things you missed are the Flot plans out of Ketchacan and Helow to The Mendenhal Flashed & land on it!

Have cruised Alaska a few times. First two times got an inside cabin. That made me get up and leave the cabin to explore the ship and the ports. Last few times I booked an inside and waited to bid on an ocean view or balcony. That made my upgrade more affordable.

Mid August we had the Northern Lights. Heading towards Seattle, on the stern it was active.

A great glacier viewing is College Fjord on Northbound Princess cruises. Lots of glaciers in a smaller area than Glacier Bay. I’m with you on AK cruises being a favorite.

I lived in Alaska for 4 years and this video is very accurate

Quick thoughts, the Alaska railroad is beautiful but a bit expensive. Before or after your cruise take it in or out of Anchorage to explore the interior of Alaska. Take it to kenai peninsula or Denali/Fairbanks. It travels mostly thru the wilderness (not along the highway). Simply gorgeous scenery.

did Alaska 2022 in July, doing 2 cruises this year to Alaska. First one in June out of San Francisco on the Carnival Miracle, and doing the same one you did on the NCL Bliss in September. Enjoyed watching your Videos. I have a RU-vid channel also of our travels and my Music.

Thanks for the video. We will be taking our first cruise to Alaska in June 2024 for 14 days on Princess. Our first time on Princess as well. We haven't decided on any excursions yet. Nothing has drawn our attention. Going to be different having more than just a watery landscape most of the trip.

I am going next June with my wife. So chilly, rainy, bloodthirsty giant mosquitoes, tourist traps, it won’t get dark and lots of walking. Got it. Thanks!

Going in July. 7 day out of Seattle on the Princess Discovery. Will be my first time, can’t wait! Gig ‘Em!!

We didn't use any bugspray last August and we are going back this August. I love Alaska.

13 varieties of mosquitos in AK. Early summer is usually better weather but still cool. Later summer possibly more rain, especially in the SE "Inside Passage" that most people travel to, especially on cruises. Save money for the onshore excursions! Good Video!! One of the most scenic travels is via cruise, train to Anchorage, train to Denali, train to Fairbanks, bus to Deadhorse, fly home or the reverse. Then and only then will see a large portion of what Alaska is about but yet still only a small portion too. Alaska is so much bigger than people realize! I've been lucky to see much of AK during my work with someone else paying the bill. 42 yr resident.

Yes, one of the best Alaska videos l’ve seen. Was there last year and yes try to get full days in the ports. Missed this hint for my first trip last year and l am heading there again in 60 days and am spending full days in Skagway and Ketchikan. We did a balcony last time and whilst it was nice to have didn’t spend much time on it. Inside stateroom this time as lm travelling single but won’t spend time in it as l will be out on the decks. Oh by the way Go Aggies, whoop, whoop. I’m from Australia and visited A & M a few years ago.

You can rent an RV through Great Alaskan Holidays and do a self led tour. That was my first experience with Alaska. AMAZING!!!

if the goal is to 'just get there'... Alaska Marine Ferry is still a spectacular cruise, much less expensive, and lets you set your own agenda in ports.

We got a good deal on a Holland America cruise and land package. It was the last ship north in September. The hotels in Seward and Denali were shutting down as we checked out, the train was the last run of the year, and the Denali tour was changed to the shorter version. We had no non-resort dining options in Denali, and they were running out of some food items on the last evening! If I did Alaska again, I'd drive up through B.C. and Yukon. Maybe take the ferries along the peninsula rather than a cruise ship.

very nice!!

We did our honeymoon cruise to Alaska (2003) from Seward to Vancouver- wish we knew the cruise was mostly older crowd and the night life was pretty non existent. We were not fans of the buffet but did room service mostly. Had a cabin wi5 a balcony which was real nice to watch the puffins.

Thank you for all the great info! I'm excited for our trip May 2025🥳

Great video

Great video! We are taking our first Alaskan Cruise this summer (July--cuz, kids) and then are exploring Denali on our own after the cruise. I have to be honest, you all have me seriously panicked about the mosquitos! They absolutely feast on me and make my summers hell. Send help...and all of the Deet!

Right on target about time in ports. We only had 4 hours in Victoria arriving at 8 pm. Not enough time to fully enjoy this city. I now check this before booking new cruises.

My husband and I did a land tour with Celebrity last year late August. It was nice for people that just want to have everything planned, but I felt rushed and would have liked to stay at each sight longer. Do it yourself if you can and don't forget Seward and Kodiak!!!we are going on a back to back Alaskan cruise this year with Princess.

I cruised in July, and the only time I used my raincoat was as an additional layer for warmth. There was no rain the entire time! I will say that a drink package was a waste because we spent so much time off the ship

I have never thought seeing Alaska by cruise was a good idea. I lived there for three years and I know that it's so much better to just go there and drive around.

I wish I had seen this video before we went to Alaska for the first time :) on way there again this year. Only one thing to mention. May and June are the least rainy time to go, September and October are the most rainy. Agree that you need to bring rain gear regardless. Every time we talk about Juneau, my husband reminds of the time the sky opened up and dumped on us in Juneau 🤦‍♀️😂

We’re going July next year on the Norwegian Joy! Employee discount makes it feasible 😅

Hey, our son is an Aggie! Best university ever! Great video about Alaska!

Thank you so much for this. Planning a trip this summer.