I woke up early when the first light started streaming in at the top of our balcony curtain. I tiptoed over, trying not to wake up Joe, and quietly opened our balcony door. In front of me was one of the most incredible views I’ve ever laid eyes on – an endless row of mountains, backlit by the slowly rising sun. “Joe!” I almost yelled, deciding it was no time for sleep “You have to see this!” Then, as if the moment weren’t already spectacular enough, just beyond our ship we see a whale’s tail lazily flip out of the perfectly calm ocean water. It was one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen.

Moments like these are why people dream about Alaska - but cruising isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Which brings us to the big question: is an Alaska cruise right for you?

If the description of my second morning on our sailing of the Inside Passage isn’t enough to convince you, then please, allow me to continue.

The short answer? Alaska really does live up to the hype. The scenery is breathtaking, but what makes it special is that there’s something for everyone - whether you’re after an active vacation full of hiking, kayaking, and rafting, or you’d rather soak in the views from your balcony with a cup of coffee. It’s an incredible gift that this destination is right here in our own country, and one I believe everyone should experience at least once.

Alaska may be incredible, but the cruise you pick can completely change your experience. Some itineraries offer long days in port and glacier views up close, while others give you shorter stops and more time at sea. Some ships are lively, packed with activities and thousands of passengers, while others are smaller, quieter, and more intimate. Picking the wrong fit can mean frustration instead of awe - which is why choosing carefully matters so much.

How We Did It

This past summer, my husband Joe and I were lucky to spend a week sailing in Alaska with Norwegian Cruise Line. We sailed a round-trip Seattle itinerary aboard the Norwegian Bliss, with customers from the casino branch of our agency, Grueninger Gold Casino Travel.

One advantage of a round-trip Seattle itinerary is cost. It’s usually less expensive, and airfare tends to be simpler and more affordable. The trade-off is that it takes longer to sail to and from Alaska, which means more days at sea. For some travelers, that feels like lost time and for others, it’s part of the fun.

NCL falls into the big ship category, with the Bliss holding nearly 5,000 passengers. Our ship felt like it was at full capacity, or close to it. At times, I found that to be an overwhelming amount of people! On the upside, the ship comes with all of the bells and whistles: pools, water slides, theatres, restaurants, race tracks, and more. This makes it great for multi-generational trips as there’s something for every age group. On the other hand, I wouldn’t call it a relaxing ship experience.

The ports were all beautiful with a range of activities. Our first stop was in Sitka, where Joe and I found excellently maintained trails just a few blocks from downtown. We hiked 8 miles before heading into town for lunch and a beer at Ernie’s Old Time Saloon – a classic hole in the wall with friendly bartenders and good beer.

Next up was Juneau, possibly my favorite port because of the canoe and hike excursion we did to Mendenhall Glacier (Click here for booking information). This was a great small group excursion with fun guides – the glacier even calved while we were there! We left Juneau early in the afternoon for scenic sailing of Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier. Overall, it was a beautiful day of glaciers, mountains, whales and more!

Icy Strait was our next stop. This was hands down the most beautiful port we visited, but there’s not a great deal to do here without going on an excursion.

Next up was Ketchikan, which I really enjoyed. We found another great hiking trail not far from downtown, and there were plenty of shops and restaurants for those that don’t like to venture too far from the port. We would have loved to spend more time here!

Last up was Victoria in Canada. Unfortunately, most itineraries don’t spend much time here, which is too bad because it’s a really cute town! This would be a great spot to spend a couple of days pre or post cruise for those with extra time.

Key considerations

Itinerary and port stops

• Are days at sea important to you? Are there specific destinations you want to see, or are you just happy to be in Alaska?

Time in port

• Not all port stops are created equal. Pay close attention to how much time the itinerary is spending in each destination (for example, we only had a half day in Ketchikan where many other cruise lines will stay all day).

Where the ship docks

• If you are someone who doesn’t like to wait in line or doesn’t like to shuttle, be aware of where your ship is docking. Some ports have multiple docks and require shuttles to get to downtown

The ship itself!

• Are you a big ship person that loves onboard entertainment and many activities? Or do you prefer a smaller, quieter ship that will allow you to fully relax? Do you mind having thousands of other passengers onboard and enjoy the lively atmosphere, or do you prefer fewer passengers and a luxury ship experience?

Kids or no kids

• Alaska continues to grow as a family and multi-generational family destination. Some cruise lines are more geared toward children than others, while some don’t allow children at all. Consider this carefully when selecting a cruise line.

There are many ways to see Alaska, with cruising being the most accessible option for many. You can participate in bucket list activities like whale watching tours, salmon fishing, or flying in a float plan to Misty Fjords. Alaska is an incredible destination that everyone should try to see at least once, but with so many options, it’s important to identify the one that’s right for you.

Alaska was one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever taken - and I’d love to help you create your own version of that adventure. Reach out when you’re ready to start planning!