Alaska Cruise Tips

An Alaska cruise is really every bit as Amazing as you probably have heard. But most people have very little idea what to expect once they get in Alaska.

What will the weather be like? Does it snow in the summer there? What should you wear? What should you pack? Will you see polar bears? Igloos? Well, read on, because I'll answer all these questions and more.

• Bring layers of clothing - It can get very chilly in the mornings in coastal Alaska, and can remain cool even into the early afternoon, especially on cloudy, misty, or rainy days. But the sun can and often does burn through the clouds in the afternoons, and suddenly it can go from quite cool to quite comfortable, so it's great to have a rain proof windbreaker over a sweater, with a short sleeve shirt underneath for when the sun comes out. Jeans are great for on-deck glacier and fjord viewing.
• Bring sneakers! - or running shoes or tennis shoes or some sort of boots with good traction. It can get a bit slippery on deck when it is misty, and the odds are, you will spend a lot of time on deck, sun or no sun, viewing the jaw-dropping scenery. Sneakers or similarly comfortable shoes are also perfect for many shore excursions.
• Bring binoculars - If you forget these, you will be kicking yourself again and again. From passing whales to wildlife on the shore to eagles in the sky above, there is constantly something to look at with binoculars. They also are great for glacier viewing, allowing you to see the glaciers breaking up in fascinating detail. Buy a cheap pair if you have to or borrow them from a friend, but whatever you do, remember to bring them.




• Plan your shore excursions ahead of time - Investigate your shore excursions online. Not only will you be able to spend the time to find the very best excursions to match you fitness level and interests, but you can also find the best prices this way (you can save by cutting out the middle man and booking directly through a tour company), which brings me to my next tip...
• Match your shore excursions to your port arrivals and departures - This might sound obvious, but it is vitally important. You'd be amazed how many people end up staying in port past the time of their ship's departure, only to have to pay for a helicopter trip to the ship or the next port. This can be VERY expensive. So make sure your excursions finish well in advance of the time your ship will leave that port - of all my Alaska cruise tips, this one will definitely save you the most hassle.
• Book a cabin with a balcony - they cost more, and those cheaper prices for the inside cabins sure can be tempting, but of all cruises, you want a room with a balcony on an Alaskan cruise. The scenery is simply amazing, and you will never have to miss any of it if you have a view. Trust me, this is well worth the extra cost, if you can at all afford it.

But you'll see tons of incredible wildlife and the most amazing scenery pretty much anywhere, which leads me to my most vital tip of all.

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