While a balcony is nice, it’s not like there aren’t places around the ship to take in the scenery. Your chances of catching a fish in Ketchikan are excellent, especially in mid- to late-summer when the pink salmon are running. Some are best done on a ship – like whale watching and visiting glaciers – while others are highly anticipated land excursions. You can find the same cabin on the same trip for hundreds of dollars less by sailing during one of these months versus the height of summer. You have entered an incorrect email address! The height of the Alaskan cruise season runs the summer, but most ships start sailing May and don’t finish up the season until September. Sure any cruise ship you select is going to have hot tubs for passengers. On the cruise ship there are cash machines, but expect to pay dearly. If sailing to Alaska, there is at least a chance (depending on how far you are from shore) that you’ll have your normal cell service. But an Alaskan cruise? They come in several sizes and make it easy to keep your things dry even if caught in a downpour. One quirk is that recreational marijuana is legal in both states. The Saxman Village tour offers a deep look at the Tlingit culture, and has one of the worldâs largest collections of totem poles. Charges of $6 to get out cash are normal. The weather, the natural landscapes, and the wildlife are just some of the things that make an Alaskan cruise a completely unique experience. Sailing from Seattle to Alaska? Stepping out onto the pontoon, you’ll breathe in clear, fresh air and experience amazing silence. Though of course, you wouldn’t do it off the cruise ship. But there is a lot of demand for these rooms and the prices can be significantly higher than an interior cabin. Most accounts have free ATMs if you use your bank’s machine. Just Google “Alaskan mosquitoes”.) It’s best to have a passport, but if your cruise starts and ends in the same port you can travel with a government-issued birth certificate. Do you want to see (and hear!) Give yourself peace of mind and fly in the day before. Plan your perfect visit with these ideal things to do in Sitka, Alaska. It’s a true thrill to catch your first wild Alaska salmon. With this one, you get two adventures in one. An Alaskan cruise is a costly undertaking, ... Booking early or late in the season will grab you the best deals but also sign up for last-minute cruise opportunities that may come up, ... towards excursions so you are getting every possible memory per dollar in your trip. With the ship underway there is a constant breeze blowing, combined with already cool temperatures. As a bonus there is also a Starbucks and a bar in the lounge to keep you from going thirsty. Our cruise on the Norwegian Bliss did not include a formal night, but I’m pretty sure other ships like Princess Cruises and others do have at least an optional formal night. Then the most important piece of advice is to fly in the day before your ship departs. The issue here is that for many in the United States, a plane ticket to Vancouver can be hundreds more than the same ticket to Seattle. Sitka is a stunning Alaskan city with nature and rich culture. Now it doesn’t take a genius to know that any time you gamble the edge always goes to the house. Fishing is one of the more popular things to do on an Alaska cruise. Though of. And that’s just at the ports. Outside of Alaska, and Ketchikan more specifically, the Tlingit people are best known for their totem poles. What might change is the incentives to book. Ketchikan is known for three things: Native Alaskan (Tlingit) totem poles, Misty Fjords National Monument and the city’s distinction as the “salmon capital of the world.” The town has more standing totem poles than anywhere else in the state and you can see them at several parks and at the Totem Heritage Center. But that all changed when helicopters became available to travelers. There’s no doubt that different ships will have different experiences, so do your research before booking. If there’s one time to splurge extra, it’s on an Alaskan cruise. Cruise lines don’t charge for baggage so bring pretty much as much as you want. Rangers come on-board when the ship sails through glacier bay and going to the on-board education sessions are a great way to learn a lot about the area, how these glaciers evolved, whether they are advancing or retreating, the wildlife in the area and lots more. There will be a small store or two where you can pick up sundries. It is now possible to take a tour with TEMSCO Helicopters that’ll fly you to a dog camp. And while there are many things to do on an Alaska cruise, there are just as many options available through shore excursions once off the ship. You can make your head spin by searching site after site for the best cruise deal. We’ve covered that it can rain in Alaska. In your pocket you can have a full map of every deck, a complete list of every activity, opening and closing times, port information, and even check the summary of your onboard spending account. Find what to do today or anytime in March. In other words, you can see the same sites as someone paying double or triple what you paid by going with a cheaper line. The alternative is to turn on the cabin lights, which will wake your partner up. No one would argue otherwise that some cruise lines offer higher luxury or nicer ships than others. Still others want to sail the biggest and newest ships. Cruise lines don’t let you bring beer or liquor on the ships. When you go on holiday you probably don’t picture yourself sitting in a lecture theater, but on an Alaskan cruise you absolutely should! Without any light, getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night is tough in an unfamiliar cabin. You’re going to be bound by airline restrictions if you fly into the port, but if not, don’t be afraid to overpack for your trip. Imagine standing on the deck of your cruise ship and feeling an ice-cold... 3. To make things simple we have a drink package calculator here that can give you a better idea of the package is worth it for you. Step back in time at the Totem Bight State Historical Park Things to know before you go on an Alaskan cruise. While phone cameras are great for most shots, they often lack in the zoom capability. 907-302-4115 Do I Need a Passport for an Alaskan Cruise? Well, dog sledding is a winter activity. That makes it hard to charge devices while also trying to power a fan or nightlight. Instead, just enjoy in port if you want to partake and leave the rest on land. You might not realize it, but mosquitoes are as big a nuisance in Alaska during the summer as they are in the southern United States. A number of Seattle hotels offer shuttles to the port, making them convenient for those flying into the area. A visit to Metlakatla and Saxman Village provide some historical perspective of Alaska’s past. After booking your cruise (or even before, to be safe), apply for a passport if you don’t already have one. To be sure you’re prepared for anything, layering your clothes can give you options for when it warms up or it cools down. So in the early days, cruise ship visitors never had a chance to experience it. That said, they aren’t always the best deal, depending on how much you’ll drink. For instance, you have to purchase the drink package for every day of the cruise, even when you are in port and unlikely to use it that much. The icy blue color is intense, and glaciers are massive. Could Alaskan Cruises Still Sail in 2021? Let us know in the comments below. Not only do they now include more, but they also include USB charging ports. A cheap power adapter can plug in and give you several plugs where there used to only be one. In other words, be sure you pack mosquito spray to keep your day from turning into an itchy nightmare. These apps are full guides to the ship and everything on board. Every cabin you sail will have a small safe, usually tucked into the closet or in the cabinets of the entertainment center. Expect to spent significantly more, although fares do seem to have tempered somewhat. You’ll save money and have a wider selection if you wait until the ship ports. If you’ve been thinking about taking an Alaska cruise, there are more reasons than ever to book one. Favorite shore excursions include the Sea Otter and Whale Quest, and guided kayak excursions through the idyllic Sitka Sound. Discovery Princess. Save the money and bring cash from home. If you plan your Alaskan cruise packing list carefully, you can easily fit everything into one suitcase (each person) and those small cruise cabins are designed to fit a surprising amount in all their nooks and crannies. Meanwhile, it’s not so easy to run out and get anything you might have forgot at home. 7 Things You’ll See on an Alaskan Cruise 30 Ton Whales Alaska offers some of the best whale watching in the world , and while land based travelers opt for day trips, cruising means you’re on a whale watching journey every day. Read more on some of the best things to do on an Alaska cruise . (Don’t believe us? Are you planning a dream vacation on an Alaskan Cruise? You likely want to bring some cash on your cruise. If you’re sailing in an interior cabin, then do yourself a favor and pack a nightlight right now. All the major cruise lines now have apps that you should download before you board the ship. Cruise travelers can hook up with a charter to go fishing for halibut, salmon, or whatever other creature takes the bait. Cruise ships follow federal law, which says pot is illegal. While it’s not that big, it’s an easy way to store your valuables — passports, keys, cash, and more. If you get warm or simply like having some airflow, it’s a great things to pack with you. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Still, many ships have two or sometimes just a single outlet in the cabin. Drink packages make things extremely simple. Some of the most popular and best Skagway excursions include riding the famous White Pass Railroad, dogsledding, or enjoying a traditional Alaskan salmon bake. Make the most of your day in port by experiencing some of the best things to do in Sitka, Alaska in one day. If it’s king salmon you’re seeking and your cruise itinerary happens to include Sitka, you’ll want to include that in your fishing plans too. One Year Ago Cruising Stopped; Here’s a Timeline Of What’s Happened Since, Updated: When Major Cruise Lines Plan to Resume Sailings from the United States, The Everything Guide to Visiting Ports of Call on a Cruise, Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Freebies, 39 Useful Things to Pack For Your Cruise (Including 17 You’d Never Think Of). Alaska Cruise Do #2. Planning an Alaskan cruise? With school back in session, fewer families can take a week off to sail to Alaska. Bring just as much as you would for the Caribbean and put it on just as often. 06 of 08. Given that the weather in Alaska can be rainy and cool, indoor things to do give you a chance to have fun while also staying out of the weather. Waterproof hiking boots and a simple, lightweight backpack are also a good idea, since many cruises offer hiking opportunities at land-based stops. If you find this situation, it’s much cheaper to book the flight to Alaska and then take one of the many services between the two cities. Not sure how much to bring? Be forewarned that parking during your trip is expensive. The 8 Best Things to do on an Alaskan Cruise 1. Another might have the same trip for $1,000 as well, but with $100 in onboard credit. Head to the Caribbean for a few days and you might find a fare as little as $200 per person. Add in things like elegant night and you’ve got something else to pack for. To attract cruise customers, some hotels in Seattle have cruise shuttles that will take you to the port when it’s time to board. One way of doing that is with a dry bag. Think of all the recent headlines — ship’s getting tossed around the Norwegian coast, unfortunate incidents with planes in Alaska — and that’s not to mention the everyday occurrences like missing a flight or getting hurt or sick. With so many opportunities to view pristine nature and wild animals, you may not know where to start when planning Alaska adventures and excursions on your Alaskan cruise . If you still want to gamble there’s nothing wrong with that, but just know that the chips are stacked against you. Top Things to Do in Skagway Alaska on a Cruise. Sure any cruise ship you select is going to have hot tubs for passengers. From packing to selecting the right ship to when to sail, we’ve got everything covered. While the cruise lines all sail similar routes and see similar things, but there is a difference between the cruise lines and what they offer passengers. We have reviews of the best places to see in Alaska. 12 must-have items to pack on an alaskan cruise. Meanwhile, a glass of wine on the ship can be $10-12. Email us! While theft is rare, there’s no sense in making things any easier for someone with sticky fingers. That makes it a priority to keep electronics and valuables dry. See our editors' picks for the top tours and excursions in Skagway Alaska on a cruise. One thing that’s very different from a Caribbean cruise is the scenery on an Alaskan trip. However, it’s a bad idea to bring it on the ship and is against the rules. But this amazing spectacle located near Ketchikan is only accessible via plane or boat. It is tough to pick the best Alaskan cruise for 2022 among the 6 Princess Cruises’ ships planned to sail in the region. Why are these two activities grouped together into one? Make sure you travel like a … Given the location of the terminals there also aren’t many spots around for independent parking. That means you technically leave the U.S., sail to a foreign country, and then re-enter. If so, you’ve come to the right place! Although many cruises anticipate seeing the Tracy Arm Fjord, that area was too choked with ice to access. You can bring your own, however. This is despite the fact that the two cities are just a couple of hundred miles apart. Much of Southeast Alaska is inaccessible by car, making a cruise ship the best way to see this part of the state. If you have any other activities you’d like to tell us about, feel free to share. 833-FISHKTN (833-347-4586) Those May and September trips — when families that have kids in school can’t sail — are usually cheaper due to lower demand. Why are they so important? If you sail late in the season (late August or September), then the days start getting shorter. Most trips for a week start at $500 per person for the cheapest rooms in the shoulder seasons.