Top Tips For Your Alaska Cruise Adventure
If you’re considering an Alaska cruise, my only advice is to do it! Alaska is by far the most epic place I’ve been to. The sheer scale of the landscape is breathtaking. Colossal glaciers, picture-perfect fjords, and more wildlife encounters than you can imagine give Alaska a magical quality that needs to be experienced to be explained.
It’s not just the wildlife and stunning landscape that makes Alaska special, but the activities and experiences on offer here too. Over a million people visit this region by ship each year and there are plenty of options to choose from. So, to help you plan your perfect trip, I’ve written my top tips for your Alaska cruise adventure.
Visit Katmai National Park
Almost all cruises to Alaska stay within the Inside Passage. But have you ever wondered where photographers take those cool shots of grizzlies waiting in waterfalls for salmon? Well, the answer is Katmai National Park. The park is a haven for grizzly bears and you’ll be able to get super close with the right guide leading you.
The downside is you won’t have as many itinerary options here. Very few cruises offer Katmai National Park as a destination. Don’t despair though, a number of expedition cruises visit Katmai and Kodiak Island every summer whilst also exploring the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. They’re a little more expensive, but definitely worth it if you love grizzlies!
Bring Some Serious Binoculars
One of the many delights for Alaskan cruise passengers is the wildlife. The Inside Passage is literally teeming with it. You can see bald eagles, grizzly bears, black bears, orca, sea otters, humpbacks and much more – all from the balcony of your own cabin! The best way to see all of this is through a good pair of binoculars.
When I say a good pair of binoculars, I’m not talking about the large pair you have on the shelf gathering dust. I’m talking about image stabilised binoculars by Canon or Nikon. These beasts take away your handshake almost completely, allowing you to really enjoy the spectacle in front of your eyes. When purchasing binoculars, look for good clarity, depth of field, and comfort.
Book Extra Activities
Even if you’re cruising, your operator will offer you a bunch of extra activities to book prior to your trip. I seriously suggest you do a couple as it’s great to get new experience and also gives you some time off the ship. You can literally choose to do anything from kayaking and gold panning to dog sledding and seaplane tours.
The prices often dictate which activity you choose. If you have the money, then nothing beats flying over a glacier in mid-summer. However, some great cheaper options include salmon fishing, cooking classes, gold panning, and guided town tours. I personally recommend kayaking – nothing beats exploring the beautiful inlets in peace and serenity.
Pack Carefully
Even though you’ll be sailing in summer, coastal Alaska is notorious for wind and sudden weather changes. Several times I’ve gone from wearing a shirt in the morning to a parka by lunchtime! There’s really no warning and bringing the right clothes with you is a must.
I suggest to all first-timers to wear layers. Wearing layers is the key to unpredictable weather as it allows you to shed layers or put them on depending on the weather. I always bring a warm wool base layer, shirts, fleece, shell jacket, and a warm parka. If you take an expedition cruise then you’ll also need some muck boots for your zodiac trips and shore landings.
Make Time For Denali
Denali National Park is a true American treasure and should not be missed! Cruise itineraries cannot reach the park, so it’s up to you to make time, either before or after your trip, to visit the park. You can do anything from a day trip to a full week exploring the 6 million acres of stunning wilderness.
One of the best things you can do is to take a scenic flight over the park. You’ll see Mt McKinley and get views of the park that even mountain climbers can’t match. Or perhaps you would prefer a 4×4 trip or a lazy canoe down the main river system? The park is always beautiful, but in my opinion, it looks its best during the early fall.
