After cruising to Alaska six times, I’ve learned there are several things cruise lines don’t warn you about before you set sail.
Marketing materials tout the state’s marvelous glaciers and historic towns, but they fail to mention important details about planning your cruise.
They won’t tell you that one itinerary is preferred over another, or that you can save money with a few hidden tricks.
Here are my top Alaska cruise warnings that the brochures and cruise line websites won’t tell you about.
Itineraries from Vancouver are (arguably) better than those from Seattle
Seattle and Vancouver are the two most popular embarkation ports for sailings to the Last Frontier, but itineraries can vary greatly between these two cities.
Cruises from Seattle are typically roundtrip itineraries, and most cruise lines deploy their newer, larger ships from the city. Cruises from Vancouver, on the other hand, are usually offered on smaller ships. Many of these itineraries are one-way cruises, in which you sail from Vancouver to Seward, Alaska (or vice versa).
Read more: Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises
After trying both, I would choose a one-way itinerary from Vancouver over a roundtrip sailing from Seattle. A cruise from Vancouver to Seward can visit four Alaska ports in one week, while the latter may only visit two or three.
Plus, going farther north brings you to the doorstep of Alaska's interior. Before or after the cruise, you can visit places like Denali National Park and Preserve and Fairbanks.
A one-way cruise requires more complex travel logistics, but I think it's worth the hassle.
Ports can be overwhelmingly packed with tourists
Marketing materials about Alaska cruises showcase the state’s natural beauty, but they fail to show pictures of what ports actually look like.
If you’re cruising to Alaska in the peak summer season, expect crowds... and a lot of them. In 2025, Juneau reported up to 21,000 cruise tourists in the city in a single day. In 2026, new regulations will limit that number to 16,000 (and 12,000 on Saturdays).
Read more: Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska
Even with the new limitations, crowds are still a major issue. Most ports, whether Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, or Juneau, host several ships every day, and each ship has thousands of passengers onboard.
As a result, downtown streets are often packed, and popular attractions, like Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, are filled with other tourists.
There are ways to avoid some crowds on an Alaska cruise, but don’t expect calm, quiet cruise ports.
You might not visit the jewel of Alaska cruise itineraries: Glacier Bay
A disappointing fact of cruising to Alaska is that not all cruise lines offer sailings to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
This national park covers 3.3 million acres of wilderness, and it’s absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately, only select cruise lines acquire permits to visit the park.
In 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line have permits to visit the park, along with a selection of smaller cruise lines.
Read more: Hubbard Glacier vs. Glacier Bay: which glacier is better to see on a cruise?
Lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises do not have permits. These cruise lines often feature itineraries to other glaciers, such as Dawes Glacier and Hubbard Glacier. Any glacier is beautiful, of course, but I’d argue that Glacier Bay is the crown jewel of the area.
Brochures from these cruise lines won’t mention anything about Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. If you’re set on visiting Glacier Bay, select your cruise line carefully.
Shore excursions aren’t necessary, but you probably want to book them
For a long time, I thought shore excursions were unnecessary on an Alaska cruise. There’s a lot to do within walking distance of where your cruise ship docks, and I’ve enjoyed many excellent port days in Alaska without an organized tour.
Yet on my most recent cruise to Alaska, I regretted not booking a shore excursion. Although towns like Skagway and Ketchikan are charming, you have to travel farther from downtown to experience the best of Alaska’s outdoor experiences.
Read more: Best Alaska cruise excursions to book
For many passengers, visiting Alaska is something they’ll only do once. I think it’s worth it to splurge on a few excursions to make the most of each port day.
Activities like helicopter rides, whale watching tours, and glacier hikes can truly elevate your time in Alaska in a way that exploring on your own cannot.
There are hidden ways to save a lot of money
Alaska cruises can be expensive, but there are some easy ways to save money on your trip.
If you’re purchasing airfare to Seattle or Vancouver, check flights through Flights by Royal first. This is Royal Caribbean’s flight booking system, and the cruise line often offers lower prices compared to booking flights directly through the airlines.
I once scored a roundtrip flight to Seattle in first class for less than booking an economy flight directly through Alaska Airlines.
There are sneaky ways to save money on shore excursions, too.
Read more: Here's how much I spent on a 7-night Alaska cruise
Last year, for example, I visited Juneau aboard Anthem of the Seas. I wanted to visit Mendenhall Glacier, but didn’t want to pay $60 for a roundtrip shuttle (or over $150 on a Royal Caribbean shore excursion).
Instead, I took the local city bus for $2 each way. The 8 Valley Express Bus leaves from downtown Juneau every thirty minutes. It takes roughly thirty minutes to reach Dredge Lake Road, the bus stop closest to the glacier.
From there, it’s a half-hour walk to the glacier, or you can rent a bike from a bike share station near the bus stop.
It took a little longer than an organized excursion, but I still had time to see the glacier, hike to Nugget Falls, and spend time in downtown Juneau before heading back onboard.
If you do a little research beforehand, you might find hidden ways to save a lot of money on your cruise.
You’ll want a ship with an indoor pool
Outdoor pools and jacuzzis typically remain open on an Alaska cruise, but I recommend booking a ship with an indoor pool. Most (but not all) ships sailing to Alaska offer indoor pools, but you’ll want to double check before booking. Options vary by cruise line.
When I cruised to Alaska on Royal Princess, for example, I was disappointed there was no indoor pool on the ship. Even if you don’t plan on swimming, this climate-controlled space is a comfortable area to enjoy the scenery.
Fortunately, most Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska have an indoor pool and/or an adults-only Solarium. On ships without a separate indoor pool for all passengers, the adults-only indoor pool is opened to all ages at select times during the sailing.
Finally, when you sail makes a huge difference
I took my first Alaska cruise in October, and the weather was far from ideal. It rained every day and temperatures were near freezing. I still had fun, but the poor weather put a damper on the trip.
For the most part, the Alaska cruise season runs from May through September. My rainy October cruise was a rare exception, and I certainly wouldn’t book a cruise that late in the season again.
Each month of the season offers pros and cons. The ideal months to visit are June and July, where you’ll experience the warmest temperatures and most hours of daylight. May can offer comfortable temperatures, too, and often has lower prices.
Similarly, August and September may see fewer crowds, especially once the school year begins.
Before booking the first or cheapest Alaska cruise you see, take time to research weather conditions at that time of year.
