Trips by ’Chelle
A glacier at the head of a misty fjord between dark mountains

Alaska Cruises

Ice, whales, and long northern light.

An Alaska cruise is a front-row seat to glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. There are a few big choices to make along the way, and I’ll help you make them with confidence.

Get my recommendations The big choices
A whale’s tail above calm water with mountains behind
A brown bear and cubs at the water’s edge

Ways to enjoy it

Big views, slow mornings.

  1. Scenery from the deck

    Fjords, forested islands, and glaciers glide by. Scenic cruising days, when the ship slows near the ice, are often a highlight of the trip.

  2. Wildlife watching

    Whales, eagles, sea otters and, on the right excursion, bears. Nothing is guaranteed in the wild, which is part of what makes a sighting so memorable.

  3. Ports with personality

    Towns like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway each have their own history and character, with excursions from easy strolls to flightseeing.

  4. Time on land

    A cruisetour pairs your cruise with several days inland, often toward Denali, traveling by train or motorcoach.

  5. A family adventure

    Glaciers and wildlife can captivate every age, and plenty of excursions work well for families.

’Chelle with her family on a cruise ship deck, with Alaska mountains and water behind
My family on our Alaska cruise
’Chelle at the ship’s rail, looking out at a green fjord and steep forested mountains

I’ve been there

Why I love Alaska.

We sailed to Alaska as a family, and it’s still one of the trips we talk about most.

My favorite moments were the quiet ones: standing at the rail in a warm hat while the mountains and that unreal green water slid by. It’s a trip I’d recommend to almost anyone, and one I can help you plan from experience.

’Chelle

A few trip ideas

How an Alaska trip might come together.

These are examples to spark ideas, not packages. Routes vary by ship and season, and every plan starts with you.

Classic · 7 nights

The Inside Passage round trip

  • Round trip from Seattle or Vancouver
  • Ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway
  • A scenic cruising day near a glacier
  • One wildlife excursion chosen with you

Lovely for: a first Alaska trip

One-way · 7 nights

Up the coast

  • Sail between Vancouver and the Anchorage area
  • Scenic cruising farther north
  • Fly in to one city and home from another
  • An easy start to adding time on land

Lovely for: travelers who want to see more

Cruisetour · 10–14 nights

Sea, then Denali

  • A one-way cruise plus several days on land
  • Rail or motorcoach travel inland
  • Time in the Denali area
  • Lodging and transfers coordinated together

Lovely for: once-in-a-lifetime, see-it-all trips

Helpful to think about

The big choices, made easier.

Pick what sounds like you, or skip the whole list and let me sort it out. Routes vary by ship and season.

What would you hate to miss?

  • SceneryGlaciers, fjords, and mountains.
  • WildlifeWhales, eagles and, with luck, bears.
  • TownsJuneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway.

How much ice?

  • A glacier dayA classic taste of scenic cruising.
  • As much as possibleRoutes chosen for Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, or Tracy Arm.

Round trip or one-way?

  • Round tripFrom Seattle or Vancouver, with simple flights.
  • One-wayCovers more ground and ends near Anchorage.

Cruise only or add land?

  • Cruise onlyA wonderful week at sea.
  • CruisetourAdd several days inland, often to Denali.

Which cabin?

  • InsidePut more of the budget into excursions.
  • BalconyPrivate views on scenic cruising days.

What kind of excursions?

  • EasygoingWhale watching and scenic rail journeys.
  • AdventurousFloatplanes and helicopter flightseeing.

How I help

A lot to coordinate. Not your job.

  • I compare itineraries for youRoutes, glaciers, ports, and timing, side by side and in plain language.
  • I plan the land portionIf you’d like time inland, I coordinate it with your cruise.
  • I pick excursions with youMatched to what you most want to see and how active you’d like to be.
  • I help you prepareLayers, timing, and what to expect, with reminders as your trip gets close.
  • I’m here while you’re awayIf something comes up, you have someone to call.

Already have a favorite cruise line? I can book it. If not, I’ll help you find the one that fits.

A brown bear catching a salmon in a clear, rushing stream

Questions

Alaska, explained.

Have one I didn’t cover? Ask me.

When is the best time to cruise Alaska?

The season generally runs from May through September, and mid-summer brings the longest days. The best time for you depends on what you most want to see and do, and how flexible your calendar is.

What should we pack?

Layers. Weather can change quickly, so plan on a waterproof jacket, warm layers, and comfortable shoes. I’ll share more tips as your trip gets close.

Is a balcony worth it in Alaska?

Many travelers think so, because so much of the trip is the view. Open decks have wonderful views too, so it comes down to your budget and priorities.

Can we add Denali?

Yes. Many travelers combine a one-way cruise with time on land that includes the Denali area. I’ll help you decide whether it’s right for your trip and coordinate the details.

Does it cost more to book through you?

No. I’m a zero-fee travel advisor, so there’s no charge from me for planning and booking your trip.

Let’s plan a trip

Let’s plan your Alaska.

Glaciers, whales, and a few days on land. Tell me what you’re picturing and I’ll help you shape it.

Get my recommendations

Thinking beyond Alaska? I also plan cruises to Europe, on rivers, and along the West Coast.