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!

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.

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.

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!

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...

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

Thanks guys!

Solid information! Enjoyed your video! Thanks!

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!

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

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!

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.

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 🇨🇦!

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 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.

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

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!

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