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Alaska Cruise Pictures

Things to See and Do on an Alaska Cruise

Alaska is full of spectacular scenery and amazing animal life. It is also a wonderful cruise destination with three basic Alaska itineraries provided by cruise ships. Alaska is also one of the most photogenic places you can visit. The 49th state of the United States has magnificent mountains, gorgeous sea and lake views, waterfalls, glaciers, and diverse wildlife. Everyone who visits Alaska can find memorable, unusual things to do and see . These photos provide a look at some of the towns, glaciers, and other places you can see or experience when visiting Alaska on either a large or mid-sized cruise ship or a  small expedition cruise ship .

Juneau - State Capital of Alaska

Juneau is a popular port of call on many cruises of the Inside Passage of Alaska. This city is the only state capital in the USA that is accessible only by water or air; it can't be reached in a car! Juneau has many fun activities including hiking or kayaking near the Mendenhall Glacier, a tram/cable car, ziplining, and even a brewery.

Ketchikan - One of the Rainiest Cities in the USA

Don't let Ketchikan's nickname scare you! Although the historic city gets over 162 inches of rain each year, it's a fun place to visit on an Alaska cruise. Ketchikan has terrific fishing opportunities, along with hiking, ziplining, kayaking, or exploring the downtown historic area.

Skagway, Alaska - Goldrush Town of the Late 1800s

Many miners seeking their fortune in gold flocked to Skagway in the late 1800's, and the town grew to over 20,000 residents. Today the population is much less, but 14 buildings are on the National Historic Register, and it's great fun to walk around Skagway and picture the way it was during the gold rush days.  Many cruise travelers take a ride on the scenic White Pass & Yukon Railway, which follows the trail the gold-seekers took into the mountains. 

Anchorage- Alaska's Largest (and only ) City

Many people choose to visit the interior of Alaska before or after their Alaska cruise . These cruise extensions often fly into or out of Anchorage, which is Alaska's largest city with about 300,000 residents. Over 40 percent of those who live in Alaska reside in Anchorage, and the city has many places to stay, eat, and explore. 

Sitka - Alaska's First Capital

Sitka is a small historic town on the outside edge of Alaska's Inside Passage. It is celebrated as the site of Alaska's discovery in 1741 and still has buildings that reflect the time it was Russian. After the USA purchased Alaska from Russia, Sitka was the first capital.

Petersburg, Alaska - Gateway to Frederick Sound

 Petersburg, Alaska was founded by a Norwegian homesteader, and the small town still has many residents with a Norwegian heritage. However, Petersburg is a big fish canning town, so workers from many foreign countries pack the small town in the summer. It's a fun place to explore, hike, or do whale watching in nearby Frederick Sound.

Metlakatla - Native American Community

The Metlakatla Indian Community is the only Native American reservation in Alaska. The Tsimshian Indians who prefer reservation life reside in the community. Metlakatla is a good place to visit to buy superb handicrafts, learn about life on a reservation, and learn about the Tsimshian Indian culture and dances.

Alaska Helicopter Ride to a Glacier

If the weather cooperates, Alaska is a great place to ride on a helicopter. The scenery is magnificent, and the views of mountains and glaciers are breathtaking. I did a helicopter ride from Juneau to visit a summer camp for sled dogs training for the famous Iditarod race.

Alaska Dog Sledding on a Glacier

One of the best (and most expensive) shore excursions I've ever done anywhere was a helicopter ride from the airport in Juneau up to a sled dog summer training camp on the Mendenhall icefields. Dogs training for the Iditarod or other races can practice all summer on the icy snow, and visitors are welcome to see the dogs, learn about their training and take a ride on a sled. Of course, the helicopter ride up to the training camp is exhilarating and provides spectacular views.  

Humpback Whales in Alaska

Almost everyone who visits Alaska sees whales, especially if they are on a small ship or do a whale-watching expedition from a large cruise ship. I've been lucky and have seen dozens of whales and have seen them breach, show their fluke, and even bubble feed, as is shown in this photo.

Glacier Bay National Park

Like most of the national parks in the United States, Glacier Bay National Park is a memorable place to visit. However, it can best be visited by ship, so a cruise ship is a perfect way to see some of the park's highlights like glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. 

Hubbard Glacier in Alaska

 Hubbard Glacier is Alaska's largest tidewater glacier and one of over 100,000 glaciers in the 49th state of the USA. Ships sailing between Seward and Vancouver, Victoria, or Seattle often spend part of a day near this spectacular glacier.

Cruise the Misty Fjords in Alaska

The Misty Fjords are near Ketchikan and are only accessible via boat or small plane. In the summer, visitors won't see glaciers or ice and snow, but they will get impressive views of giant fjords. The fjords have been a US National Monument since the late 1970s, and the dramatically carved granite cliffs demonstrate the strength of the glaciers that formed the fjords.

Tracy Arm Fjord in Alaska

Tracy Arm is a deep fjord that is 23 miles long near Juneau. It is home to the Sawyer Glaciers, and the cruise up the narrow glacial valley is quite spectacular. 

Alaska Railroad Train

If your cruise starts or ends in Seward, you might have a chance to ride the Grandview train between Seward and Anchorage. This is one of Alaska's most scenic train rides and is a perfect way to see some of the interior. 

Un-Cruise Adventures - Alaska Cruise Travel Journal

One of the best ways to see wildlife and get an up-close view of glaciers is on a small cruise ship in Alaska. This cruise photo travel journal of a 7-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Ketchikan to Juneau on the small adventure ship the Wilderness Discoverer of Un-Cruise Adventures provides a good overview of a small ship cruise in Alaska. 

The Boat Company - Alaska Cruise Travel Journal

Anyone who loves to fish, kayak, or hike will enjoy an Alaska cruise with The Boat Company. The company has two tiny ships, and I sailed on the Mist Cove, a 24-passenger adventure ship. My husband and I loved the halibut and salmon fishing, along with the unique sightseeing opportunities the tiny ship offered. This cruise journal provides photos of some of the things we did in Alaska with The Boat Company. 

Seven Seas Voyager - Large Ship Alaska Cruise Log

Those who love to be pampered on board, enjoy larger cabins, and desire more dining venues can still enjoy much of what Alaska has to offer on a large or mid-sized cruise ship. This photo journal provides a look at a voyage between Seward and Vancouver on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner cruise ship.

Small Ship Alaska Cruise Log

Although Cruise West is no longer in business, this cruise log from 2007 provides a good look at many of the places in see in Alaska and the things to do in Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Petersburg, and Haines. 

Small Ship Alaska Cruises in 2018

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Should You Visit Alaska by Land or on a Cruise?

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Why the journey is the destination when it comes to Alaska cruises

They say getting there is half the fun. Usually, I disagree. When I travel, I want to get to where I’m going as quickly as possible to make the most of my time there. However, sailing Celebrity Edge on its maiden Alaska voyage from Seattle, I was all about the journey.

Staring up at the snow-capped mountains through the ship’s floor-to-ceiling windows and watching for wildlife in the icy waters below, I was mesmerized by the famed Last Frontier. And I realized that on an Alaska cruise , the journey is a destination.

Here’s why and what travelers should know about cruising Alaska.

Why is Alaska a popular cruise destination?

Alaska is a bucket-list destination for many people. Some may wait their whole lives for the trip. While Alaska Airlines and other carriers fly throughout America’s largest state , it isn’t as easy to navigate as the Lower 48.

Cruises allow travelers to visit multiple destinations without taking separate flights, renting a car or moving from hotel to hotel. My Edge itinerary included stops in Ketchikan, which is surrounded by the lush Tongass National Forest ; the state capital of Juneau, which is only accessible by air or sea; and Skagway, home of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park . The ship also carefully navigated the stunning Endicott Arm fjord toward Dawes Glacier, a highlight of the trip.

The easy trip can also be more accessible for people with mobility issues and other disabilities. Like other cruise lines, Celebrity has a team dedicated to accessible cruising . Numerous guests on board my sailing used walkers, canes or wheelchairs. Plus, it’s just nice to be able to take in the dramatic coastlines from the comfort of a cozy cabin or lounge when it’s chilly outside.

Are cruises to Alaska worth it?

They can be. At last check, the lowest price on a seven-night Celebrity Edge Alaska Dawes Glacier sailing, roundtrip from Seattle, for the remainder of this summer is listed at $778 per person on the cruise line’s website, based on double occupancy in an inside stateroom. That does not include travel to or from Seattle nor any taxes or fees, which can balloon the bottom line on any cruise. Nor does it include promotional discounts, which are pretty much always available. After taxes and fees, that works to about $2,212 for two people or $1,106 per person. 

The cheapest seven-night Southbound Glacier sailing on the Edge’s sister ship, Celebrity Summit , is much less at $249 per person, based on double occupancy in an inside stateroom. It’s worth noting the Southbound voyage goes from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver, British Columbia, not a round trip. Also the Summit is not an Edge-class ship , The Celebrity Edge is the first Edge class ship to sail Alaska; it was also the first ship in Celebrity’s most recent series, which also includes the new Celebrity Ascent . Edge-class ships were designed to bring guests closer than ever to their destinations, with their signature Magic Carpet cantilevered platform that extends beyond the ship’s edge and other features that bring the outside in. After taxes and fees, the Summit sailing adds up to about $1,231 for two people or about $615 a person.

Both are cheaper than flying between cities and staying at hotels for a week in Alaska, but they're also cheaper than other popular vacations. For example, seven nights at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort , a value resort at Walt Disney World , costs $955 for the room alone, including taxes and a summer promo deal. Adding seven days of park tickets, without park hopping, and the total becomes $2,195 for two people or about $1,098 per person, excluding food.

Meanwhile, cruises include all onboard meals – except optional specialty dining and alcohol. There are also a boatload of included activities, like nature talks, tai chi classes, guided arts and crafts, trivia, games and childcare. There’s live music available through the day and nightly stage shows. I sampled a little bit of everything, but for me, the best part of the ship was the views.

Inside Ascent: 3 takeaways from Celebrity Cruises' new ship

Do you see wildlife on an Alaskan cruise?

Yes. I saw whale spouts three times from the ship, though the whales didn’t breach above water. I also saw a handful of harbor seals and a dozen eagles from the ship and from shore. Bald eagles are so common in Alaska that a tour bus driver jokingly called them bald seagulls. There are 30,000 bald eagles in the state, according to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. 

I kept an eye out for bears on an excursion to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. I didn’t see any walking along the paved, wheelchair-accessible Nugget Falls Trail, but I did spot all sorts of spring buds and the most beautiful moss.

The ship’s onboard naturalist gave us a heads-up on what to look for and taught us about various species in presentations in the ship’s theater. She also broadcasted live on the ship’s TV channel and inside speakers while traveling through the Endicott Arm. However, her voice wasn’t carried on outside speakers to avoid potentially disturbing wildlife.

What is the best month to go on a cruise to Alaska?

The Alaska cruise season runs from late April to early October, though dates vary by cruise line. Guests who sail early or late in the season may find lower rates than during the height of the summer, but they may miss out on warmer weather.

It was in the 40s to 50s most days of my May sailing, and it rained on our Juneau day. The onboard naturalist warned that there is no bad weather in Alaska, only poor clothing choices.

How much should I budget for an Alaskan cruise?

You should pad your budget with several hundred extra dollars for excursions and dining off-ship. Both can be pricey but enriching. My Mendenhall Glacier excursion was just under $130, including transportation and an off-site Gold Creek Salmon Bake , with all-you-can-eat fresh salmon cooked over a wood-burning fire.  I’ve never had better fried fish than the local halibut at The Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan, and I will be dreaming of the sweet, plump red king crab at Tracy’s King Crab Shack in Juneau for years to come.  If you want freshly caught Alaska seafood, you’ll want to get it at port.

You may be able to spot whales from the cruise ship, but if you really want to go whale watching, salmon fishing, dog sledding, or get up close to glaciers, that’s generally going to require an excursion. Excursions offered through cruise lines tend to cost more than those booked independently, but booking through the cruise line can streamline payment and ensure that the ship won’t leave without you if the excursion runs late.

One port you can enjoy on the cheap is Skagway. You can explore several exhibits and historic buildings on your own, as part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. However many visitors splurge on a scenic train ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway up to the Canadian border and back.

Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise?

Yes and no. The views throughout Alaska are breathtaking, and being able to enjoy them from your cabin any time of day feels luxurious. I loved waking up to mountains, thick with trees, outside my window and scanning the waters for marinelife before bed.

Just over 80% of Celebrity Edge’s staterooms have a balcony. I had an Infinite Veranda , which is unique to Edge-class ships. Rather than a traditional balcony with a sliding glass door, Infinite Verandas incorporate what would be exterior balcony space into the interior of the cabin and have a window that slides halfway down the exterior wall with the push of a button. I loved how much bigger it made the cabin feel and appreciated the extra climate-controlled living space. It was still chilly during my early season sailing, so I rarely put the window down and think I would have enjoyed a non-balcony, oceanview room just as much.

Of course, if you book an inside cabin, you can still enjoy the scenery from public areas of any ship. The Celebrity Edge brings the outside in with tons of windows, including in the buffet restaurant, Oceanview Cafe, where I spotted my first whale spout. In the back of the ship, there’s a relaxing mixed-use space called Eden with three stories of windows that I found myself drawn to daily. The solarium, with its tall windows and rows of lounge chairs, also offered expansive views. 

Do I need a passport for an Alaskan cruise?

Maybe. For a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends in the same U.S. port, like the one I was on, all you need is proof of citizenship. 

“According to U.S. Customs & Border Protection, this includes an Enhanced Driver’s License, which is a state-issued driver’s license that provides proof of identity and U.S. citizenship; a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where the person was born) or passport; and if 16 or older, a government-issued driver’s license or picture ID denoting photo, name, and date of birth,” according to Celebrity.

Of course, not all Alaska cruises are closed-loop cruises. Some start or end in Vancouver, Canada. There are also cruises on several smaller U.S.-flagged cruise lines like Alaska Dream Cruises and Uncruise Adventures , which may not require passports depending on the itinerary.

Can you see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise?

It’s possible, but because daylight hours are so long during the summer in Alaska, the best chance to see them would be on a cruise late in the season.

I woke up in the middle of the night a few times to look for Northern Light. I didn’t see any, but I heard passengers on a previous sailing spotted them. Then again, so did people all across the country during the solar storm earlier this month.

The reporter on this story received access from Celebrity Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.