Inside Passage vs Gulf of Alaska
Inside Passage vs Gulf of Alaska: discover which route offers the best glaciers, wildlife, and value for your Alaska cruise.
What to Expect on Alaska Cruise
The short answer
An Alaska cruise experience offers stunning glacier viewing, wildlife, and scenic cruising.
An Alaska cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and a unique blend of relaxation and adventure, with typical prices ranging from $800 to $2,000 per person for a 7-night sailing.
This article will guide you through what to expect on an Alaska cruise, from the best time to visit and the most popular ports of call, to the types of wildlife you can expect to see and the best ways to experience the stunning natural beauty of the region, including the Inside Passage and Gulf routes.
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Compare prices →Best Time to Take an Alaska Cruise
The best time to take an Alaska cruise depends on your preferences, with the peak season typically running from June to August, when the weather is warmest and the days are longest, with up to 18 hours of daylight, and prices tend to be higher, ranging from $1,200 to $2,500 per person for a 7-night sailing.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider sailing in the shoulder season, which typically runs from April to May or September to October, when prices can be significantly lower, ranging from $800 to $1,800 per person for a 7-night sailing, and the scenery is still stunning, with the added bonus of fewer crowds.
- June to August for warmest weather
- April to May for budget-friendly option
- September to October for fewer crowds
Popular Ports of Call on an Alaska Cruise
Some of the most popular ports of call on an Alaska cruise include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, each offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, with typical excursion prices ranging from $50 to $200 per person.
In Juneau, you can visit the stunning Mendenhall Glacier, take a whale-watching tour, or explore the city's historic downtown area, with many shops and restaurants to choose from, and a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hotels to luxury lodges.
- Juneau for Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching
- Skagway for gold rush history and scenic hiking trails
- Ketchikan for Native American culture and wildlife viewing
Wildlife Viewing on an Alaska Cruise
One of the highlights of an Alaska cruise is the opportunity to see an incredible array of wildlife, including humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and eagles, with many cruises offering guided wildlife viewing excursions, typically ranging from $100 to $300 per person.
Some of the best places to see wildlife on an Alaska cruise include the Inside Passage, where you can see humpback whales and sea lions, and the Gulf of Alaska, where you can see orcas and eagles, with many cruises offering guided kayaking or Zodiac tours to get up close and personal with the wildlife.
- Humpback whales in the Inside Passage
- Orcas in the Gulf of Alaska
- Sea lions and eagles in the Kenai Fjords
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Glacier Viewing on an Alaska Cruise
Alaska is home to some of the most stunning glaciers in the world, including the Hubbard Glacier, the Mendenhall Glacier, and the Tracy Arm Fjord, with many cruises offering guided glacier viewing excursions, typically ranging from $50 to $200 per person.
Some of the best ways to experience the glaciers on an Alaska cruise include taking a guided hike or kayak tour, or simply standing on the deck of the ship and taking in the breathtaking scenery, with many cruises offering expert commentary and insights into the geology and history of the glaciers.
- Hubbard Glacier for stunning calving displays
- Mendenhall Glacier for scenic hiking trails
- Tracy Arm Fjord for breathtaking scenery and wildlife viewing
Cabin Selection on an Alaska Cruise
When it comes to choosing a cabin on an Alaska cruise, there are several factors to consider, including the location of the cabin, the size and amenities of the cabin, and the price, with typical prices ranging from $800 to $2,000 per person for a 7-night sailing, depending on the category and location of the cabin.
Some of the best cabins on an Alaska cruise are those with a balcony, which offer stunning views of the surrounding scenery, and are typically located on decks 6 to 10, with prices ranging from $1,200 to $2,500 per person for a 7-night sailing, depending on the category and location of the cabin.
- Balcony cabins for stunning views
- Oceanview cabins for budget-friendly option
- Interior cabins for lowest prices
Shore Excursions on an Alaska Cruise
One of the best ways to experience the ports of call on an Alaska cruise is to take a guided shore excursion, which can range from scenic hiking trails to wildlife viewing tours, with typical prices ranging from $50 to $200 per person.
Some of the most popular shore excursions on an Alaska cruise include whale-watching tours, glacier hiking tours, and scenic flightseeing tours, with many cruises offering a range of options to suit all interests and budgets, and expert commentary and insights into the history and culture of the region.
- Whale-watching tours in Juneau
- Glacier hiking tours in Skagway
- Scenic flightseeing tours in Ketchikan
Key takeaways
- Best time to take an Alaska cruise is June to August
- Popular ports of call include Juneau and Skagway
- Wildlife viewing is a highlight of an Alaska cruise
- Glacier viewing is a must-do experience on an Alaska cruise
Where to book this cruise
When booking an Alaska cruise, be sure to research the different itinerary options and choose one that includes the ports and experiences that are most important to you, and compare current sailings and prices on CruiseDirect before booking to find the best deal, with prices ranging from $800 to $2,000 per person for a 7-night sailing, depending on the cruise line and time of year.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to see wildlife on an Alaska cruise?
The best way to see wildlife on an Alaska cruise is to take a guided wildlife viewing excursion, which can range from $100 to $300 per person, and offers expert commentary and insights into the wildlife and their habitats.
Can I see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise?
Yes, it is possible to see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise, although it depends on the time of year and the location of the ship, with the best viewing times typically from September to April.
What is the difference between an Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska cruise?
The main difference between an Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska cruise is the route the ship takes, with Inside Passage cruises typically offering more scenic cruising and wildlife viewing, and Gulf of Alaska cruises offering more glacier viewing and scenic hiking trails.
Can I take a scenic flightseeing tour on an Alaska cruise?
Yes, many cruises offer scenic flightseeing tours, which can range from $200 to $500 per person, and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery and wildlife.
What is the best time to visit the Hubbard Glacier on an Alaska cruise?
The best time to visit the Hubbard Glacier on an Alaska cruise is typically from May to September, when the weather is warmest and the glacier is most accessible, with guided glacier viewing excursions typically ranging from $50 to $200 per person.
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