Is a 5 day Alaska cruise worth it?

So, is an Alaska cruise worth it? As I said, I was sceptical at the beginning but I can honestly say yes. It was a relaxing way to travel that still offered me so many opportunities to see wildlife, scenic views, and to learn more about Alaska. My Alaska cruise experience changed my opinion on this method of travel.



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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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On an Alaska cruise, a balcony cabin provides your own private viewing space to take in spectacular scenery, glaciers, wildlife, and more. While this category of staterooms comes with a higher price tag, the benefits offered on an Alaska cruise will make a huge difference and is well worth the investment.

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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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Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska's scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.

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Temperatures range on average between fifty and sixty degrees with mostly cool afternoons and evenings and chilly mornings and mid-day hours. The late nights and early mornings can be very cold, but these are also the hours when most people are asleep in their cabins.

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Midship staterooms on the lowest passenger deck are the most excellent spot to be on a cruise ship in this instance because you don't feel the vessel sway as much.

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Midship staterooms on the lowest passenger deck are the most excellent spot to be on a cruise ship in this instance because you don't feel the vessel sway as much.

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Generally, skies are clearest near the spring and fall equinoxes in later September and March. Some late September/early October Alaska cruises can include northern lights sightings as well.

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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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More space is almost always worth any minor trade-offs (like being far from the elevator or subject to more noise from surrounding decks). If you can move from an inside to an outside or from a balcony to a suite, for free or for cheap, we say go for it.

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The back of the ship tends to be considered the next best cabin position after midships. Whilst the front of the ship gets the most movement the back also does get some. Whilst it's nowhere near as bad as the front of the ship, you may still notice some movement in rough seas.

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A split bathroom is where the a bathtub and sink is in one room and the toilet and a sink are in another room. Standard inside staterooms have a traditional bathroom while almost every other stateroom has a split bathroom.

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Cruise travelers who spend all their time in the ship's public areas or on shore may be perfectly happy with standard-size cabins with nothing more than a window to sea. However, those who avoid crowds and prefer quiet ocean views should opt for a balcony. They can also give you more space to spread out.

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If you're worried about seasickness, pick a cabin that's as close to the water level as possible and in the center of the ship. You'll be at the ship's fulcrum point, which means you'll feel less movement than people on higher decks with cabins far forward or all the way at the back.

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Alaska is a cruise destination with a limited season. Cruise ships arrive in southeast Alaska in spring, stay the summer and linger only into early fall. The 49th state's snowy, cold and dark winters are not conducive to cruising.

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With all this in mind, here is a suggested packing list for your Alaska cruise vacation: A lightweight waterproof jacket or raincoat (not a parka or bulky winter jacket, that would be overkill) Heavy sweaters, sweatshirts or fleeces (for a layer under the jacket)

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Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Haines, Sitka, Wrangell, and Thorne Bay are the best ports of call for cruises throughout 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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