Are the seas rough on an Alaskan cruise?

Alaska Cruises Can Be Bumpy in the Gulf of Alaska Rough Waters: The majority of sailing on an Alaska cruise is done in the protected waters of the Inside Passage, but ships sailing to Seward, Whittier or Anchorage must cross the Gulf of Alaska, which is much rougher.



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Rough seas Cruises from Seattle must sail through open waters to reach Alaska if they do not include the Inside Passage. This can leave ships open to rough seas and bad weather. For those suffering from seasickness, this is a big disadvantage for taking cruises from Seattle rather than from Vancouver, British Columbia.

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If you are cruising north, selecting a starboard (or right-side) stateroom is best since the land is on that side. When sailing south through the Gulf of Alaska, choose a port side (left side) stateroom.

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Cruise ships are designed to withstand rough seas and storms, and they have advanced weather forecasting equipment and experienced captains who can make the best decisions for the safety and comfort of the passengers and crew.

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Cruises are a great way to see Alaska's coastal mountains, glaciers, marine wildlife, and towns. But you don't want to miss our highest mountains, “Big Five” land mammals, or vast interior landscapes, so… If you choose a conventional cruise, take a cross-Gulf itinerary and add a land tour.

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To minimize the risk of seasickness, book one of the world's largest ships, such as Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. Keep in mind that the ocean is much larger than even the most gargantuan ships, so when the seas are rough, you can still feel movement — just less than if you're sailing on a 100-person yacht.

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Cabin Choice The lower you are, and more towards the middle of the ship, you will not feel it as much. Cabins at the front and back of the ship tend to sway the most, so you want to avoid any rooms in these areas.

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It really depends on the weather. The pools are all outside, and early June can be chilly. There is also often rain on that itinerary. The pools are heated, but are also the standard very small DCL pools, so when the weather is good for swimming, they are people soup.

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10 Days. This is a very popular vacation length, and no wonder: 10 days is enough time to combine a cruise with a land tour and experience both sides of Alaska. Trips of this length usually include a whirlwind tour of some of Alaska's popular interior and Southcentral destinations, plus a 7-day cruise.

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While cruising attracts many different types of travelers, they share some traits. Nationwide, cruise passengers tend to be slightly older than other vacationers, with a median age of 47, and 54 for Alaska.

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Royal Caribbean: Has some of the most feature-filled ships and is suitable for families. Princess Cruises: Offers more Alaskan cruises than most other lines, good for guests with no young kids. Holland America Line: Among the best cruise lines for Alaskan food and culture, good for older cruisers.

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During an Alaskan vacation, you'll spot feeding humpback whales, orcas swimming with their offspring, and gray and blue whales splashing in the water from a front-row seat. The kinds of whale species you'll encounter while on your cruise largely depends on which region of Alaska you're sailing through.

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Cruise ships are made of heavy steel, making them quite weighty. Add passengers and crew, and the ship is even heavier. With all this weight, the vessel can easily roll through rough waters or a rogue wave.

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Gyroscopes, thrusters, and counterweights prevent the ship from swaying in the water. By reducing rolling and pitching, they maintain a stable experience for all passengers and crew on board the vessel, but, more importantly, they prevent the ship from tipping over, even in the roughest waters.

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Even during the prime cruising months of June, July, and August, temperatures are generally fairly mild during this time, with average highs in the 60s and lows in the high 40s and 50s. Ketchikan receives the most rain, with weather conditions becoming progressively drier the farther north you go.

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Seeing the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise is pretty rare because it doesn't get dark enough. We were on a land tour in May and sunset was at 11pm. May is a completely different situation than September, especially if it's late September.

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