Alaska CruiseTour Experience

Alaska Cruises and CruiseTours

Going on a cruise is such an amazing way to see the many ports and sites of Alaska. Adding on a Cruise Tour option to your sailing will amplify your Alaskan Adventure and give you a better sense of this vast frontier!

Cruising Alaska

I have assisted many clients with planning their Alaskan cruise vacations. Sometimes, it is a part of a 50 states challenge… wanting to see every state in the country. Many times it is to experience what many will call “The Last Frontier.” There are so many different reasons that my guests want to see Alaska and cruising is such an easy way to see as much as you possibly can. The things that you will see are beyond anything that any photos will do justice. Nothing compares to seeing natural beauty in the glaciers, snow-capped mountains, midnight sunsets, and taking in the small towns that once attracted visitors for the Gold Rush in person. It is getting to watch wildlife that we don’t get to see in many of our backyards like whales, bears, or moose. Alaska has a lot to offer for its visitors and being able to see several, unique ports is one of the best ways to do so.

Alaska is a HUGE state! By cruising, you get to see several different towns, sights, and different experiences. Cruises give you the ability to not only explore towns such as Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Seward… but you are able to get access to some places that you just can’t make it to if you aren’t on a ship! Places like the Inside Passage and glacier viewing were some of the main highlights of my recent Alaskan cruise, and those were all seen without even getting off of the ship.

The Alaska cruise season runs from May through September.

What Is There To Do in Alaska?

I will be completely honest. I am much more a sundress and flip flop kind of girl than I am a hiking boots and pants person. That being said, Alaska is still a destination that I intend on returning to again. It is genuinely unlike any other vacation you can go on while still being in the United States. Each port of call will offer a plethora of unique and exciting experiences.

Here are a few of the amazing excursions that you can partake in while on an Alaskan cruise:

Kayak by Mendenhall Glacier while in Juneau
Go on a Whale Watching tour in Icy Strait Point to find Humpback and Orca whales
Try your hand at Salmon fishing in Ketchikan
Hop on a Dog Sled tour in Skagway
Take a Native Cultural & Historical Tour of Sitka
Fly above and ONTO a glacier in a helicopter or plane tour

**What Is There To Do On The Cruise?**

One of my favorite parts of an Alaskan cruise is the ability to see SO very much from the comforts of the ship!
Many itineraries will sail directly through the **Inside Passage**. This 500 mile stretch of waterway offers smooth-as-glass waters where you can take in the beautiful views of snow-capped mountains and cliffs on all sides of the ship.
Another favorite part of being on a ship is being able to cruise right near to some of the most breathtaking glaciers! I had no idea what to expect when I saw my first glacier, but our captain actually made a few 360° rotations while visiting Hubbard Glacier so that we were able to view the entire area!

Other activities on board are not unlike what you would find on any other cruise ship to any other destination. Some of the activities on these ships include:
Seeing nightly shows including singing/dancing, comedy, and illusionists
Trying out all of the dining options available
Outdoor activities like rock climbing, swimming, mini-golf, flo-ride surfing, indoor sky-diving, walking tracks (all subject to the specific ship you are sailing on)
Art Auctions
Interactive games like trivia, bingo, and quiz game shows
Listen to live music
Try your hand at the casino
Sit on your balcony and take in the amazing views while snacking on some room service
There is always something going on while you are at sea on your cruise ship!

So What Is a CruiseTour?

Adding on the Cruise Tour option to your Alaska Cruise is what truly amplifies the Alaskan Adventure and gives you a bigger and better sense of this massive place!

A CruiseTour is the absolute best of both worlds! It is an additional pre- or post- cruise add-on where you will have a guided land tour to see more of the interior portions of Alaska that are more difficult to visit while on the cruise. CruiseTour add-ons can be as little as 3 and generally up to 6 additional nights of experiences. You will be escorted by a guide, have transportation on luxury coach busses between destinations, some of your excursions/tours and your accommodations already included and set up for you… taking the pressure off of you to find the right locations!

Cruisetour options will be a part of what is called an Open-Jaw sailing. This means that the sailing will begin in one port and end in a different one. The cruisetour portion can be added on before or after your sailing… whichever you feel is the best experience for you!