It's easy to understand why Alaska is such a popular tourist destination. Its majestic scenery, sky-high mountains, endless trees, ice-blue glaciers, and wildlife are some of the best things to see when visiting.
But with so much to see and the sheer size of Alaska, it can be tough to fit it all in one vacation. That’s why cruising has become a top choice for so many who want to visit Alaska and see all it has to offer.
A cruise provides several advantages over traditional land-based travel. It is often more budget-friendly and well suited to a variety of travelers, and a cruise is one of the ways to see the impressive landscape, glaciers, and marine life of the region.
Cruising is an incredible way to tour Alaska. Here are some of the reasons why.
Cruising can be a budget-friendly way to visit Alaska
With so many cruise lines heading to Alaska, there are itineraries for every budget, with some incredible deals to be had. For example, Princess Cruises currently has deals as low as $548 for a 7-night cruise. That’s $78 per day for all your food, accommodations, and entertainment. That is hard to beat.
When you compare this to the cost of a flight to Alaska, with hotel and food bills, cruising is the much better deal. For those flexible when traveling, shoulder season (spring and September) can provide even better prices.
There is also a large selection of cruises available to Alaska, meaning there are more options, including a wide array of itineraries and cruise experiences. Some weeklong cruises sail through the Inside Passage, while others offer one-way cruises with the option to add- on a couple of days of land tours to provide more time to explore national parks and glaciers.
Cruising offers incredible views of Alaska
One of the best parts of traveling by cruise ship is the views. As you head out to sea, you can immediately start to view the surrounding land, enjoying the magnificent vistas of the Last Frontier.
A cruise ship provides many ways to take in these sites, some of which can only be seen by water. Many of the modern cruise ships that sail to Alaska were designed with this in mind. Floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of observation decks make it easy to get out and enjoy the breathtaking views.
A popular cruise destination, Glacier Bay offers views of thousands of glaciers, and cruisers often get to spend the whole day there. The North and South Sawyer glaciers of Tracy Arm Fjord are spectacular. Cruise ships navigate routes as little as ½ mile wide with 3000-foot cliffs. These tight corridors provide some of the best views in Alaska.
Cruising makes planning easy
One of the most appealing things about traveling to Alaska is its expansive landscapes, vast open terrains, huge forests, and mountains. Alaska is a big place; it covers a half million square miles, which is twice the size of Texas. But what makes it so special can make it hard to navigate and get to where you want to go.
In Alaska, cities and towns can be thousands of miles apart, making travel more challenging at times. In fact, Juneau, the state capital, is inaccessible by car due to its rugged terrain. Anyone coming and going does so by boat or plane.
Cruising makes visiting popular ports like Ketchikan, Sitka, and Skagway much easier, with the complex logistics taken care of. There is no need to pack up, travel, and book a new hotel; just stay on the ship and enjoy the vacation.
Cruise lines offer immersive experiences
Princess Cruises is an American cruise line that is famous for its Alaska itineraries, and has been sailing to the region for over 50 years. As a leader in the Alaska cruise market, they focus on value and offer cruisers a huge selection of choices in destinations and extraordinary itineraries.
One of the best parts of sailing with Princess Cruises is that they offer a variety of immersive experiences that enhance the overall guest experience. Top among these is the North to Alaska Program, which features curated programs. Guests get the opportunity to eat local seafood, meet Alaskans, and participate in other programs, which can come in the form of cuddling sled dog puppies in the ship's Piazza, seeing the Northern Lights in the planetarium, or learning how to carve a totem pole.
They also have exclusive programming with Discovery and Animal Planet thanks to Princess Cruises' partnership with the top-rated channels. Cruisers get the chance to participate in specialized activities both on and off the ship, with one of the highlights being plenty of fun events for kids and families. Among guest favorites are visits from local animals, such as dogs, who come onboard to meet guests. There are lots of other fun events, such as stargazing and youth/teen clubs.
Cruising is an excellent option for families and multi-generational groups
If you are traveling with kids or maybe a larger, multi-generational group, a cruise can be one of the easiest ways to see Alaska. With a variety of onboard amenities and activities as well as a diverse range of excursions, cruising has something for everyone.
Kids can go to supervised onboard clubs while the parents enjoy lunch, some time at the spa, or a quiet meal. There are plenty of onboard activities for any age, and many immersive experiences can be great for kids and families who want to learn more about the animals and the region.
While visiting ports, some cruisers can visit glaciers, sight-see and learn about the region’s famous Gold Rush past, while others may enjoy whale watching, kayaking or visit locals animals like bears. A cruise lets everyone have their fun, both on and off the ship. It can be a thrilling or relaxing vacation.
