Join us on a cruise journey to Alaska! In this podcast, we’ll take you through some of the highlights and share valuable tips from our recent trip. Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or already dreaming of going back, we’ve got you covered. From departure ports in Seattle or Vancouver to choosing the right cruise line for your family, we’ll help you navigate the options. Get ready to explore Glacier Bay, where you’ll encounter breathtaking glaciers. Discover the variety of ports and exciting excursions, from wildlife encounters to visiting Iditarod dogs. We’ll also provide essential packing advice for Alaska’s unpredictable weather.
Don’t worry if we can’t cover everything in this podcast – our experienced agents are available to assist you in planning your future Alaskan travels. Have a listen and let’s dive into the wonders of Alaska together!
Departure Ports
There are lots of options for this, but they usually center around a round trip from either Seattle or Vancouver or an open ended or one way option. If you are looking for the simplest option or you are looking for just a one week trip, then the round trip from Seattle may be your best bet. If you are looking to do more than a week and include a cruise tour, start with your cruise tour and do a one way southbound if the dates work with your schedule.
Cruise Lines
There are lots of cruise lines that will say they are the best in Alaska. The key is what is best for your family. What are the ages of those going on the trip? What services do you need onboard? What sites do you want to see? These are important to think about. Traveling with younger children may require more activities on board or you may have teenagers that like to play games and read and can entertain each other. If the destination is more important than the ship, you may do better with a smaller ship with less amenities that gets better locations and options in ports versus a larger ship. It is key to be sure you are matched with the cruise line that is going to help you accomplish the objectives of your unique trip and family.
Glacier Bay
Glacier Bay is a big part of any Alaska cruise trip. This is where you get up close and personal with the glaciers (without going on an excursion). Glacier Bay is a very large national park, so different itineraries may take you to different parts and at different times.
Many cruises partner with the National Parks Service, so you can get your National Parks stamp, hear from the Park Rangers, and kids can even participate in the Junior Ranger Program. This is not a port you get off at, but definitely an important part of the trip.
Ports
There are a variety of ports that you can get off at on an Alaska cruise and many excursions to choose from. If you want to really see some wildlife, then I recommend doing an excursion.
We enjoyed sea planes to glaciers, salmon fishing, and visiting with the Iditarod dogs at their summer camp.
There were also ports that we could just walk off and look around town and do some shopping and eating.
Packing
Keep in mind the weather. There is a wide range and many people will say to dress in layers. Bring enough warm clothes. We never wore shorts or summer clothes the entire trip. We went from pants and shirts to coats, hats, and gloves. Umbrellas and rain jackets are a necessity too. Since it is so cold outside, the ship was cooler than you may expect. When the bow is open or people are coming in and out, it lets in bursts of cold air. We even brought our insulated cups, so we could walk around with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Cameras and binoculars are also a must. There is lots to see and take pictures of, even when on the ship itself since we were often near land as we cruised.
There is way too much to cover in a short podcast about Alaska, but we have several agents that have experienced Alaska with their families and are great resources for you if you are looking to include Alaska in your future travel plans. We would love to help.
