Alaska

Why it works so well as a cruise

You unpack once. The scenery comes to you. Glacier days are spent on deck with hot cocoa while the ship slips through fjords. Ports like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan are walkable in an afternoon, and shore excursions range from gentle wildlife tours to float-plane glacier landings.

Cruise lines we book most

• Princess & Holland America — the Alaska experts, with land+sea options to Denali.
• Royal Caribbean — newer ships, great for multi-gen groups.
• Celebrity — elevated dining and a slightly quieter feel.
• Norwegian — flexible "freestyle" approach for first-time cruisers.

Best time to go

The Alaska cruise season runs late May through early September. June and July offer the longest days; August and early September bring the best chance of clear glacier views.

Good to know

• Pack layers — even July mornings can sit in the 40s.
• A passport is strongly recommended even for closed-loop sailings.
• We always pair Alaska cruises with a balcony stateroom — it's worth it.