For many, an Alaska cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You don't want to screw it up because you might not get the chance for a do-over. Unfortunately, it's easier than you think to make Alaska cruise mistakes that can ruin a trip or prevent you from experiencing Alaska to the fullest.
Although cruises to the Last Frontier aren’t as adventurous as polar voyages, they demand greater preparation compared to sailings to Mexico or the Caribbean. It’s essential to pay attention to every detail—from reserving your spot on the ship to organizing your luggage and deciding which activities and sights you want to experience throughout your journey.
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Below is a list of actions you should always avoid when embarking on an Alaska cruise. Steering clear of these common errors will ensure a much smoother voyage for you.
Mistakes to steer clear of when planning an Alaska cruise
Regardless of how often you have sailed previously, you may still be surprised by the extensive preparation required for an Alaskan voyage. If you make mistakes with these details, you could potentially miss out on your major Alaskan cruise adventure.
Assume all Alaska cruises are the same
This is an easy mistake to make on your first Alaska cruise. However, matching your ship and itinerary to your expectations and travel style is crucial for a successful trip.
Are you seeking a complete day dedicated to glaciers? Consider taking a midseason voyage that explores them. Glacier Bay National Park Cruises during early and late seasons may not be able to reach the glaciers as planned because of ice floes.
Interested in seeing whales? A summer Alaskan cruise departing in June would be perfect. If your heart is set on catching salmon, plan your trip during the height of the salmon fishing season, which runs roughly from mid-June through mid-August. Known as the "salmon capital," Ketchikan attracts many anglers; however, not all cruise routes include this destination, so ensure it’s part of your planned stops if you're keen on some angling.
If you're bringing children along on your Alaskan adventure, larger vessels typically provide a wider range of activities tailored for kids, even though their destinations might not differ much from smaller ones. On the flip side, expedition-type cruises could lack as many kid-friendly amenities but can attract older, self-reliant teenagers due to their closer interaction with nature. Such trips deliver an up-close encounter with Alaska’s wilderness through excursions like kayaking and using Zodiac rafts launched right off the main ship.
Wait to book excursions
You don't have to worry about booking tours in advance in some cruise destinations. Alaska cruises are not like that.
Alaskan shoreline trips get booked quickly. This issue intensifies during peak summer months, yet even when sailing outside these times, desired activities might be fully reserved once you board the vessel. Therefore, securing your spots requires advance booking at every opportunity.
Does this imply you should avoid seizing last-minute Alaska cruise bargains when they appear? Absolutely not. Grab those opportunities—just be ready with alternate options for activities, just in case.
Related: Advice for Getting the Best Value Shore Excursions During Your Cruise
Overlook independent excursions
You aren’t obligated to join the ship-organized shore activities during each Alaskan port visit. During my most recent Alaskan cruise, I arranged independent kayaking when we docked in Ketchikan. This turned out to be among the highlights of the whole trip. Our chosen outfit provided transportation to and from the cruise vessel for us. They also ensured that we would make it back on time and charged significantly less compared to what the ship’s own kayaking tours cost.
If you wish to look into independent tours ,, you can locate multiple Alaska excursion consolidators on the web or interact directly with individual enterprises. Ensure you ask about the scheduling of tours and allow some leeway to avoid missing your ship, should there be traffic or delays.
Book same-day flights on embarkation day or early flights home
You wouldn’t want to get stranded at an airport due to a delayed flight just as you're supposed to embark on your cruise. To prevent such issues, plan your travel so that your flights land the day before your cruise sets sail instead of scheduling them for the same day.
If you believe this kind of thing won’t happen to you, hear out my latest tale from an unsettling flight experience. On the very same day, I had to disembark twice due to small technical issues causing each delay lasting about two hours per instance. My scheduled arrival time was set for around 11:30 a.m., yet I finally touched down well past 5 p.m. If those incidents occurred on departure day instead, I might've missed boarding my cruise ship altogether.
Likewise, it’s generally advisable to schedule your outbound flights for later in the day when traveling by cruise ship, as delays due to the vessel being late back at port or clearance issues with officials can occur. Should you be planning trips through Anchorage, keep in mind that getting from the ports of Seward and Whittier will take a few hours via any mode of transport available. To avoid potential mishaps, think about staying an extra night in Anchorage before or after your cruise journey.
Skip the travel insurance
Apart from airline concerns, Alaska presents certain challenges. The terrain here includes treacherous inclines and uneven paths – even when strolling around ports in Alaska. Engaging in adventurous pursuits like helicopter rides, glacier trekking, sea kayaking over chilly waters, or zipline adventures through woods is common. In this environment, accidents can happen quite readily.
During my previous Alaskan cruise, I learned about two emergency situations involving passengers. One involved a child who fractured his arm aboard the vessel and required surgical intervention; consequently, a group of five people left the ship at Ketchikan—likely not an inexpensive way to conclude their holiday. Further along our journey, another passenger fell ill and had to be urgently evacuated from the ship mid-cruise via helicopter courtesy of the Canadian Coast Guard prior to reaching Victoria.
If you live in the U.S., your health insurance is most likely valid in Alaska. You'll be covered for medical expenses but not the other expenses associated with any injury that interrupts your cruise. Travel insurance This is your best bet unless you're willing to cover flight modifications and medical evacuations yourself.
Related: The best cruise travel insurance plans
Alaska cruise packing mistakes to avoid
Preparing for an Alaskan cruise can be challenging. Due to the area’s inconsistent climate, temperatures might drop to 50 degrees with rain one day, only to rise to 85 degrees under clear skies the following day. Adding to this complexity, activities like sailing and viewing glaciers often occur early in the morning around 6 a.m., making your packing task quite intricate. Avoid these common errors when preparing for your Alaskan cruise.
Forget your rain gear
Regulation Number One for an Alaskan cruise: Bring along waterproof clothing. Even though it could remain completely dry during your voyage, there’s a strong likelihood of encountering damp conditions throughout your journey. Having proper attire will ensure you stay comfortable instead of feeling soggy and uncomfortable.
Water-resistant footwear like shoes or boots is essential. To add an additional layer of defense, apply a waterproofing sealant prior to packing. While exploring, keep light rain jackets or ponchos along with zip-up rain trousers in your backpack for when they're needed.
Skimp on layers
The key to dressing for an Alaska cruise lies in layering. Begin with slim, moisture-wicking base layers that will not add bulk underneath your clothing and remain comfy regardless of unexpected warmth during the day. Top these off with light outerwear since you might have to stow them away in your luggage later. backpack for half the day as the temperature rises.
I especially like puffy vests and jackets for Alaska. You can shed the jacket as temperatures allow, then lose the vest if it gets even warmer. Top everything with caps, knit hats, earmuffs and gloves. Those things might be excessive for a stroll through town but important in the wind on a whale watching boat.
Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
Overpack on eveningwear
The dress code on most Alaska cruises is more relaxed than in other cruise destinations. Days are long and outdoorsy, leaving people less enthusiastic about rushing back to the ship to put on fancy clothes and dress shoes.
Swap your hiking boots for cozy flats or sneaker styles. Add some flair to simple, neutral-toned pants (yes, even denim) or skirts with stylish jackets or colorful scarves. Leave the fancy outfits and stilettos behind.
Skimp on insect repellent
Alaskan mosquitoes may not always cause trouble, but at times they can be unbearable. Bring along mosquito repellent and clothes that cover your entire body just like you would for a trip to the jungle.
If you're not planning to check a suitcase, purchase insect repellent at your starting point or upon arriving at your initial destination.
Leave the binoculars and cameras at home
One question I get asked often is whether you can see whales and other wildlife from the ship. The answer is a resounding yes. Unfortunately, much of what you will see is from a distance.
You can solve that problem with a pair of lightweight binoculars. They're also useful for getting a close-up view of glaciers or spotting eagles in port. Consider bringing a pair for everyone in your group because you don't want to fight over one pair when a pod of whales comes into view.
As for cameras, I recommend that everyone in your travel group has a water-resistant camera or a waterproof smartphone case or pouch. I lean toward cameras rather than phones for two reasons. One, most cameras dropped into the depths of an Alaskan bay pose a less traumatic loss than most smartphones. My second reason is in the next section.
Related: Is it possible to use your cell phone during a cruise?
Errors to steer clear of when you're cruising through Alaska
Once you're on board your ship, it's time to put all the stress of planning and packing behind you. You've made it, and you don't want to let anything get in the way of enjoying your cruise.
Gaze at your phone excessively
A cruise through Alaska offers the perfect opportunity to temporarily disconnect from your digital world. Of course, you'll likely want to snap some photos of the stunning views, yet most images won’t truly convey the vast magnificence of Alaska’s landscapes.
The pictures you’ll cherish the most as you reminisce next year will be the ones capturing your traveling companions having fun. Make sure to snap plenty of these moments, then immerse yourself fully in the magic of wherever you find yourselves. You can catch up with current events, emails, and engage with your Instagram audience once you return home.
Assume the seas will be smooth
Don't be surprised if you feel seasick in Alaska's waters, even if no other cruise has made you feel that way. Cruising through the Inside Passage is generally calm, but the open waters of the Pacific Ocean can be choppy. Even the bays can churn up quickly during summer storms.
Ships also do a lot of maneuvering, including turning complete circles designed to give everyone on board access to the amazing views. Unfortunately, those tight turns can contribute to nausea for some people.
Prepare by packing motion sickness relief bands you place on pressure points on your wrists, prescription scopolamine transdermal patches, ginger candies, over-the-counter seasickness medications and herbal motion sickness patches. I've used these for years, with only one failure on a rather small ship.
You can also treat the woozies with seasickness tablets, which are often available free at the medical center or guest services, green apples from the buffet and ginger ale from your ship's friendly bartenders.
Related: How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise
Allocate all your hours inside
You’ve gathered all those clothes—now’s when they come into play. During your Alaskan cruise, the chilliest moments might occur as the vessel sails past breathtaking sights. Resist staying inside at the observation area. Instead, dress warmly and venture outdoors for a complete experience. While your balcony offers some advantage over guests in windowless cabins, only being atop the highest deck provides panoramic views.
The finest keepsake suggestion I’ve come across is purchasing a plush throw or blanket during your initial destination visit. This item won’t break the bank but will be useful throughout the remainder of your voyage. Imagine wrapping yourself in your soft Alaskan memento blanket, enjoying a steaming cup of cocoa as you observe icebergs crumbling off glaciers. Back at home, each time you curl up on your sofa, this treasure from your trip will remind you of your grand adventure.
Sleep through your vacation
This isn’t a cruise where you’d want to snooze away your time—and even if sleeping were your intention, you might find it challenging. With extended periods of sunlight, activities starting at dawn, and glaciers visible throughout the day, along with the constant worry of potentially overlooking something spectacular, you could easily find yourself rising before expected and retiring long after typical cruising schedules would suggest.
Sleep applications and sleep masks might be beneficial during the day. Additionally, I've found that taking an Alaskan cruise allows for convenient room service dining. This undoubtedly saves time prior to early morning outings and occasionally offers some relaxation in your stateroom for a meal at noon or night.
Fail to try something new
Your Alaska cruise offers many opportunities to try things you might never have the chance to do again. You could walk on glaciers, snorkel in a dry suit in the frigid Alaska waters or play with sled dog puppies. Or, how about riding in a sled pulled by sled dogs? We already mentioned salmon fishing, which is surprisingly fun, even if you'd never go fishing at home.
The array of things to try in Alaska can be as tame or as adventurous as you want — it's the joy of discovery that's key. I once kayaked in Ketchikan with a woman on her first solo cruise in Alaska. She'd never kayaked before. When our marine biologist guide pulled a sea cucumber from the crystal-clear waters to show us, she squealed with delight when he offered to let her hold it. That's the kind of joy you cruise to Alaska to experience.
Bottom line
You can steer clear of typical Alaska cruise errors with some additional preparation.
The aim is to enjoy the ultimate Alaska cruise vacation that both you and your fellow travelers dream of. To accomplish this, select a route that takes you to all the sights and activities you desire. Start planning and booking tours as soon as possible, particularly those at the top of your list. Additionally, make sure to pack appropriate clothing and equipment to ensure comfort throughout your Alaskan journey.
All else revolves around venturing outdoors, inhaling the exceptionally fresh air, and relishing the drive.
Considering an Alaska cruise? Begin with these tales:
- Everything you need to know about booking a trip to Alaska with points and miles
- The 9 top Alaska Cruises Suitable for Every Kind of Traveler in 2024
- 6 best Alaska cruises for families
- 20 must-have cruise items — including a roll of duct tape
Editorial disclaimer: The views expressed herein belong solely to the author and do not represent the opinions of banks, credit card issuers, airlines, or hotels. These organizations have neither reviewed nor provided approval for this content, nor should they be considered as having endorsed it in any way.
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