Cruising in Alaska

A Contrast in Beauty

Cruising in Alaska is one of the most beautiful and exciting experiences you will ever have. On many levels, its breathtaking beauty, lush flora and fauna, and varied animals can be a spiritual experience.

My first cruise in Alaska coincided with my 9th birthday, and I fell in love with Alaskan waters at that time. My 9th birthday was long ago, so that cruise was on the old Alaska Steamship Lines, on the Baranof! Neither the Baranof nor the Alaska Steamship Company remains today; they are both history.

Cruising Alaska, Alaska SS Baranot — Alaska SS Baranof

Cruising Alaska, Canada's Princess Louise — Alaska SS Baranof

Later we cruised Alaskan waters on a Canadian Steamship liner, the Princess Louise. That ship later became a restaurant in Long Beach, California. On June 30, 1990 nearly 50 years after I was aboard the Princess Louise in Alaska waters, it sank as it was being towed from Long Beach to Catalina Island.

Cruising in Alaska, Narrating from the Bridge — Narrating from the Navigational Bridge

Cruising in Alaska, The Golden Princess — Narrating from the Navigational Bridge

Years later I hired on as an Alaskan cruise naturalist and really began Cruising in Alaska. In this capacity cruised in Alaska nearly 200 times. Above is one of the many ships I worked on. The two pictures on either side are of the navigational bridge. It was on “the bridge” that I narrated about glaciers, wildlife, and ports of call for the passengers. Regardless, of the number of cruise, Alaska NEVER bores me. In fact, in liberates me in a way that nothing else can.

What is the Best Cruise Line to See Alaska?

All of the cruise lines are great for Cruising in Alaska! I worked primarily with Princess Cruises, and think highly of them and what they offer, but you really cannot miss with any of the cruise lines. Over the years in addition to Princess Cruises, I also spoke for Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Viking. And…I still fill in from time to time, so maybe we will meet one day on an Alaskan cruise!
Holland America is my second choice, but remember this is personal and depends on a lot of issues–price range, timing, loyalty programs, etc.
You can cruise Alaska with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, Silver Seas, Viking, and then the much smaller boutique boats.

What is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska”

Once again, this is a personal decision and weather is weather! But, from experience of Cruising in Alaska often, I’ve seen great weather in May and early June and then again in Sept. Weather is always a gamble!
Southeast Alaska is the world’s largest temperate rain forest, and that means rain and lots of it. If you happen to hit a sunny week, terrific! If you happen to hit a rainy week, you’re seeing the “real” SE Alaska. Both are wonderful.

Should I Include an Interior Extension?

Absolutely! If time and budget allows. A cruise in Southeast Alaska in and out of Seattle or Vancouver, BC is wonderful, but it’s literally the “tail of the elephant.”
If you can include an interior extension, you will also add a lot more ocean sites such as Hubbard Glacier and/or College Fjord. Those two sites are beyond words (I have a blog for both of them on this page), and you see neither on a SE Alaska cruise.
There are different ways this works. You can sail north and take the extension at the end of your cruise, or you can reverse it. Once again, that’s a personal scheduling choice. Neither is better than the other. Some ships sail in and out of Whittier near Anchorage, Alaska. Some sail in and out of Seward on Resurrection Bay. These two little towns are less than 100 miles apart and each has its on unique flavor.

Cruising in Alaska, Whittier's Modern Cruise Terminal — Whittier’s Modern Cruise Terminal

Cruising Alaska, Alaska Steamship Baraof — Whittier’s Modern Cruise Terminal

Most cruisers opt to take the Alaska Railroad from Seward or Whittier north to Mt. McKinley (Denali). Princess Cruise Lines has three gorgeous lodges along this route, and the other cruise lines either use those lodges or provide alternatives. All are “rustic 5 star!” You can also opt to continue north from Denali to Fairbanks, etc.
Some cruisers prefer to be more independent by either renting a car or a motor coach to explore Alaska on their own, either before or after the cruise. Whatever you do in the North, Cruising in Alaska is one of your best decisions.

Kathy’s Alaska Blogs, Books, and DVD:

On this site, there are five other Alaska blogs that you may enjoy; Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, Whale Watching, and Alaska’s Abundant Wildlife. You will find the link to each of them in the main page menu.

I’ve also written two books about my childhood and early life in Alaska; Little House in the Arctic and Little House in the Rain Forest. In addition, there is a book for children: A Picnic at the Glacier, a book specifically about Alaska’s glaciers: Rendezvous with Majesty; and a 55 minute professional DVD I produced about Alaska: Majestic Alaska. Both the footage on the DVD and the narration are mine.

Click here to visit Kathy’s Alaska Bookstore; here you will find four different books and two discounted offers. These books are LOVED by thousands. Her two “Little House” books are true adventure stories from a bygone era. They contain NO profanity, NO sex scenes, and NO violence. In addition to these popular two books, Kathy also has an adorable and educational picture book for early readers and preschoolers, AND a great book about Alaska’s glacier