First Time Cruisers to Alaska: Answers to 10 Common Questions

Introduction

You’re probably here because you’ve booked yourself on a bucket-list cruise to Alaska. I did the same thing for my honeymoon ten years ago and loved it so much I moved to Seattle, quit my job as a college professor to become a full-time cruise blogger, and have cruised to Alaska well over a dozen times since (that’s the Reader’s Digest version of the story, but you get the gist). And if there’s one thing I love almost as much as cruising to Alaska myself, it’s helping my family and friends plan cruises to Alaska and sharing in their adventures through photos and stories when they return. I also receive numerous questions through my blog and social media sites from those contemplating or planning cruises to Alaska.

The purpose of this post is to answer the most common of those questions based on my own research and experience. Do remember that mine is just one perspective and, while I have years of experience cruising to Alaska and live in downtown Seattle with a view of both cruise piers from my living room, I’m not the ultimate authority on the subject (though I aspire to be, one cruise at a time). As I always used to tell my students before I retired as a Professor of Psychology to become a Professor of Cruising, triangulate your sources! Find at least three reputable sources that say the same thing before you deem a piece of information credible. So with that…

Ten of the Most Common Questions Asked by First Time Cruisers to Alaska

1. What will the weather be like at port on my cruise to Alaska?

Ask this question of three different people who’ve cruised to Alaska and you’ll probably get three different answers:

“It was warmer on my Alaska cruise than it was at home in Florida! And now I own six pairs of do-it-yourself cutoff shorts to prove it!”

“It rained so much on my cruise to Alaska that there was no land portion on my Duck Boat tour of Ketchikan! We floated through town on puddles!”

“Temperatures were chilly in the morning on my Alaskan cruise, but warmed up a bit by afternoon. We dressed in layers which worked out great! We did experience a bit of drizzly rain in some places, but expected that.”

Or you could ask this question of one person (me) who’s cruised to Alaska over a dozen times and she’d tell you that she’s experienced every possible weather condition and has greeted her table-mates at dinner in the MDR both sweaty and red-faced from a hot, sunny hike (ever hear of a shower?) and short three fingers lost to frostbite (hope she purchased travel insurance).

All that is to say that the weather at port in Alaska can vary greatly and be unpredictable, especially over the last several years (which have trended warmer). However, it’s useful to look at average high and low temperatures and rainfall totals by port and month to get a sense of what you’re more likely to experience:

You’ll note that it rains a LOT in Ketchikan – it’s one of the rainiest cities in America (making my home city of Seattle seem almost arid by comparison).

I’d also strongly suggest looking at the weather forecast for each port right before you leave home so you can make any necessary last minute packing tweaks.

We’ll get to my packing tips in a second, but first, many people also ask: What about the temperature onboard the ship on a cruise to Alaska?

While indoor areas of the ship will be temperature controlled (so if you’re always hot or cold on a cruise ship, you probably won’t notice much difference on a cruise to Alaska – I always seem to freeze in the theater and pack a sweater even on hot weather cruises), stateroom balconies and outdoor public decks can be chilly and downright cold on scenic cruising days (there’s a reason those glaciers you see are *mostly* still frozen).

2. What do people wear on formal nights on an Alaskan cruise?

Speaking of what to wear on the ship, people often ask me what people wear to the main dining room on formal nights on an Alaskan cruise. I’ve cruised to Alaska on all the non-luxury cruise lines (Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL, Royal Caribbean, and Princess) and dress onboard every ship has been more casual in general and much more casual on designated “formal” nights than on cruises to warm weather destinations like Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas.

While I’m known for being (sometimes low-key offensively) casual, my black leggings, blouse, and dressy Crocs always fit right in on cruises to Alaska, even on formal nights. And Mr. Cruise usually wears slacks and a collared shirt on formal nights and nice jeans and a collared shirt on non-formal nights. Always double check your cruise line’s particular dress code to make sure you’re in compliance, but definitely leave the tux/suit or gown at home. You’ll need to save room in your luggage for a coat, hat, and gloves! Speaking of which…

3. What should I pack for a cruise to Alaska?

Packing clothes for a cruise to Alaska can be challenging with the varying weather conditions in port and on the ship and due to some of the unique excursions you may book (what does one wear to walk on a glacier, exactly?). There are also many non-clothing items you should consider bringing to enhance your comfort and experience. See my Packing Guide for a Cruise to Alaska for tips on items you’ll want to consider adding to your suitcase specifically for Alaska.

But don’t forget to also pack the usual items you’d bring for a cruise, minus formal wear, sundresses, multiple swimsuits (do pack one if you enjoy the hot tubs and heated pools), and sandals. Leave most of your shorts and short-sleeved shirts at home too – one versatile pair of shorts and a few short-sleeved shirts should do the trick in case you luck out and get some warm weather days at port.

4. Which are the best excursions to book on a cruise to Alaska?

First, let me address something you’ll notice about cruise ship excursions in Alaska – they’re expensive! Very expensive! And while I know many are more comfortable booking excursions through the cruise lines for various reasons, Alaska is an easy place to save money by either booking directly through a private tour company or exploring ports on your own.

Why is Alaska such a great and easy place to book tours independently or explore on your own?

• It’s English speaking.
• It’s an America state, so (assuming you’re an American) you can pay using the currency you already have or your credit card without incurring any international fees.
• Your cell phone will likely work (I’ll address this in more detail later).
• It’s generally very safe (taking ordinary precautions you’d take anywhere, of course).
• Towns are small and easy to navigate by car or foot (meaning, for example, that a traffic jam would be very unlikely to cause you to miss your ship if you rented a car or booked a private excursion).
• Alaskan port towns rely on tourism as a major part of their economy and most of it comes from cruise ship passengers. If you book through the cruise line, they take a cut. Book directly and help out the local community.
• And directly related to the point above, most tour operators in Alaska will offer free cancellation in case your cruise ship itinerary changes or your cruise gets cancelled and guarantee to get you back to your ship on time (be sure to verify this before you book and only book with operators who offer it). Because they rely so heavily on cruise ship passengers to survive, they have built in policies, procedures, and time buffers to make sure they don’t badly tarnish their reputation by causing someone to eat a large deposit due to circumstances out of their control or miss their ship.
• There are interesting, beautiful places you can walk to (many free) from every cruise terminal in Alaska (unless you’re sailing on NCL – then you’ll have to take an NCL bus from your cruise terminal to the downtown area in certain ports).
• Absolute worst case (which I’m sure has happened, but in all my years of cruising to Alaska I’ve never heard of a single case first hand), you miss your ship, ports are close together and flights between them aren’t super expensive (some ports in Alaska are actually only accessible by plane or boat, so small float planes from town to town are commonplace).

Definitely do whatever you’re most comfortable with though!

Having done most of the popular tours at each port as well as having explored extensively on my own, I have a separate Guide to the Best Excursions for your First Cruise to Alaska with an option for every budget. Most of the tours I recommend can either be purchased privately (I provide a link when possible) or through your cruise line. For those who enjoy hiking, I also have a Guide to Hiking at Every Port on your Cruise to Alaska with beginning (some are really more walks) to advanced hikes.

Will there be tour operators selling tours as I disembark my ship at each Alaska port?

I get asked this follow-up question a lot. Some people like to book their tours once they arrive at port. And there are some good reasons to do that:

• Weather. Fog, especially during the morning hours, can dramatically change the experience you’ll have on certain excursions in Alaska. For example, the tram in Juneau. You’ll either see some of the most spectacular scenery on earth or it will essentially be an expensive ride in a white-paneled elevator. Solution? Wait and see what the conditions are when you arrive and purchase your tickets at the base of the tram.
• You drank too much the night before. For the benefit of those hiking below you, maybe avoid ziplining.
• You’ve discovered you’re prone to seasickness. If you get seasick on a large cruise ship, you’ll invariably get seasick on a small whale watching vessel. Maybe wait and see how you feel.
• You like to bargain and comparison shop. While haggling isn’t customary in Alaska like it is in some other popular cruise destinations, sometimes tour operators will offer discounts or “specials” to fill their available slots, especially if you wait until past the initial morning rush. A few times I’ve (rather loudly) asked one tour operator in a line of booths if they are running any “specials” only to have another tour operator rush over to offer me a great deal.

Whatever the reason you may have for wanting to do this, there WILL be booths with tour operators selling tours outside of where your cruise ship docks at most ports. Just keep walking until you see them. For passengers on NCL ships, tour booths may not be located near your cruise terminal, but instead where you exit the NCL shuttle buses.

Will there be taxis available as I disembark my ship at each Alaska port?

Some people like to hop in a taxi to explore nearby sites on their own. I’ve done this in both Juneau and Ketchikan. Taxis were available near the ship and the driver gave me a card with a number to call when I was ready to return (double check that your cell phone works before committing to this option). I can’t speak with any personal experience about the other ports (chime in in the comments if you have experience with taxis in Icy Strait Point, Sitka, or Skagway).

5. How can I see whales on my cruise to Alaska?

If you’re cruising to Alaska, you’re likely hoping to see whales! And I’m here to assure you that, unless you never leave the casino because you feel like luck is on your side due to the great weather you’re getting in Alaska this week (wait…), you will! Now how close you’ll see them is another question.

I’ve seen whales from my cruise ship on every cruise to Alaska (I’ve sailed in every month from May through October) and sometimes I’ve been lucky enough to see them very close up and active! However, what you’re most likely to see from your cruise ship are quite a few whale spouts in the distance and (through your binoculars if you can ever get them to the right spot in time) some humpback backs (trying saying that five times fast) and tails as they dive.

If you want a near guarantee (in fact, most tours offer a guarantee) that you’ll see humpbacks up close, book a whale watching tour. The best two ports to do so in are Juneau and Icy Strait Point. For a smaller boat and a more intimate experience, book through a private company instead of through your cruise line.

Follow up question: What month is the best to see whales on my cruise to Alaska?

Is it just me or does the life of a humpback whale sound pretty great? I mean, they spend the summer in a cool place eating nonstop and the winter someplace warm getting it on (breeding).

Over 500 humpback whales (the type you’re most likely to see on an Alaskan cruise) begin arriving back in southeast Alaska, to feed in the rich waters of the inside passage, from their winter homes in Mexico, Hawaii, and Asia around April and stay through most of the cruise season. If you’re on one of the last sailings in late September or early October, you’ll see fewer whales and if you want the best shot at seeing them bubble-net feeding, cruise in June or July.

What is bubble-net feeding, you ask? Well, it looks like this:

And is when a group of humpback whales work together (teamwork, guys!) to blow a net of bubbles to surround and confuse their prey. Then they swim through the middle with jaws wide open to scoop it up. It looks a little like peak hours at the buffet on a cruise ship, actually, and is a fascinating thing to see.

6. Will salmon be spawning on my cruise to Alaska?

One of the best memories I have of cruising to Alaska was when my young son and I were in Ketchikan during the height of the salmon run. We took off our shoes and got right into Ketchikan Creek where we were surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of salmon fighting to make it upstream. I remember looking at my little guy, four or five at the time, squealing with excitement and delight and thinking, “I’m going to remember this moment with you for the rest of my life.” He’s nine now and still remembers it too!

The best time to see the salmon spawning on an Alaskan cruise is typically between mid-July and mid-September. However, the unusual heat over the past few seasons moved that timeline up some.

7. What’s the best month to see bears on a cruise to Alaska?

It should come as no surprise that the best time to see bears at port in Alaska coincides with the salmon run from mid-July to mid-September and that the best spots to see them are near the mouths of streams and rivers.

I’ve also seen them outside of that window though, so don’t distress if you’re not cruising during that time. You should also know, if you’re worried about bears, that in all my cruises to Alaska and the many, many hikes I’ve taken at every port, I’ve never had a scary bear encounter (although I ALWAYS take the proper precautions – everywhere you’ll visit on a cruise to Alaska is bear country and you need to be prepared). I’ve only ever seen bears from buses, boats, or on a tour where we were seeking them out with an experienced bear tracker.

8. Can I see the Northern Lights on a cruise to Alaska?

Yes, it’s possible to see the Northern Lights on a cruise to Alaska. In fact, I saw them on my last cruise to Alaska in October 2023! But it’s only a real possibility on the last cruises of the season in late September and October. Be sure to download an app or join a Facebook group that tracks the aurora forecast and shares current information, so you know when you need to head outside (usually in the middle of the night) to look. Some ships will also have a sign-up at Guest Services where they will call you in the event of any activity. Be sure to also connect with the naturalist onboard your cruise ship. They’ll be on the lookout too and will share any information they have with you. Good luck! Be sure to share pics with me if you’re lucky enough to catch it!

9. Where’s the best place to get eat on my cruise to Alaska?

This is a bit like asking a Catholic nun for dating advice, as I’m a vegetarian and don’t eat seafood (which is what most people want to sample while in Alaska). However, my husband, Mr. Cruise, does and I’ve talked to lots of other Alaskan locals and fellow cruisers about this question. Here’s a photo of Mr. Cruise’s huge hands next to the king crab legs he ordered at Tracy’s on our honeymoon cruise:

I’ve been asked this question about dining at port so often that I put together a separate guide, based on years of research. You can see it here:

Be sure to also share any other spots you’ve discovered to the comments!

10. Will my cell phone work on my cruise to Alaska?

If you have one of the four major cell phone carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon, your phone will likely work while in town at each port in Alaska and you won’t incur roaming charges like you would at an international port (this is assuming you’re an American). However, if you venture out into wilderness areas, coverage will be spotty and unreliable. Also, if you have an obscure carrier like I do (Republic Wireless), you may not have coverage. I don’t have any coverage at all in Alaska, but Mr. Cruise has an AT&T plan and has experienced pretty good coverage.

While at sea on your Alaska cruise, you’ll want to keep your cell phone in airplane mode at all times to avoid possible international roaming charges or your phone connecting to the ship’s Wireless Maritime Service in which case your carrier will charge you “Cellular at Sea” rates ranging from $2.50 to $6.00 per minute depending on the carrier. If you must use your cell phone to place calls at sea, check with your carrier to see if they offer a cruise package (many now do).

The bottom line here is that your phone will probably work on land in towns and cities in Alaska, but won’t work at sea unless you purchase a special plan from your carrier. I strongly recommend you check with your particular carrier prior to your cruise to understand your current coverage and to inquire about additional coverage you may wish to purchase.

Send me photos of whales and the Northern Lights, NOT your cell phone bill (I warned you to put your phone in airplane mode)!

Conclusion

I hope you’ve found these answers helpful and I hope, above all else, that you have a beautiful, fascinating, and memorable cruise to Alaska. Maybe it will even be life-changing like it was for me. Perhaps you’ll quit your job and move to Seattle to cruise full-time and we’ll be neighbors! And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Homework (10 points): Ask any questions you still have about cruising to Alaska in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them. You can also check out all my other Alaska cruising content by port and my Guide to Cruising from Seattle:

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