Alaska Itineraries for New or Returning Cruisers
A first-time visit to Alaska can feature some must-see cruise ports and cruisetour features. A return visit to Alaska can delve into lesser-seen locations.
In either case, you’ll enjoy scenic glacier viewing and Alaska itineraries that highlight some of the best the state has to offer.
My Recommended Itinerary for First-Time Visitors to Alaska
An Inside Passage cruise itinerary includes, at minimum, stops in Ketchikan and Juneau. Also, some cruises visit Skagway.
Glacier viewing will be either Glacier Bay National Park (my recommendation), Hubbard Glacier, or the Sawyer Glacier (Tracy Arm fjord).
If possible, add on cruisetour days. Above all, I recommend a minimum two-night stay in Denali National Park, and – my favorite – the Tundra Wilderness Tour.
As a result, you’ve now got yourself a solid Alaska cruisetour vacation perfect for first-time visitors.
On the Tundra Wilderness Tour, your tour bus eases around the steep curves of Polychrome Pass in the interior of Denali National Park.
My Recommended Itineraries for Return-Visitors to Alaska
Like us, you may have already experienced a comprehensive cruisetour. (We’ve been to Alaska three times – it is our favorite cruise destination!).
Consequently, you may be looking for a more varied option for your cruise or cruisetour in Alaska.
Below is a roundup of six less-standard Alaska itineraries for the 2019 Alaska cruise season.
All cruisetours listed below include motorcoach transportation. Also, they feature a scenic train ride in a deluxe domed-window railcar. Certainly, the train ride on the Alaska Railroad is a relaxing experience not to be missed!
Have your camera ready for great views and wildlife sightings from the domed windows on your deluxe train ride.
Six Unique Itineraries for the 2019 Alaska Cruise Season
Holland America
All three of our Alaskan cruises have been on Holland; we are definite fans. They have some of the most extensive experience in the region.
Great Alaskan Explorer
14 days
Roundtrip from Seattle
cruise only
Highlights: Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak, Sitka, Victoria. Also, the cruise includes two glacier-viewing days: Tracy Arm fjord & Hubbard Glacier
Your ship will glide through fjords and inlets to get you close to the glacier.
Similarly, there is also a 21-day version (roundtrip San Francisco) called the “Ultimate Alaska & Pacific Northwest Adventurer.” If you have the vacation days (or are lucky enough to be a retiree in good health), check out that one.
Most cruises do not visit Homer or Kodiak. So this itinerary provides some unique ports off-the-beaten-path.
Yukon + Double Denali Journey
Itinerary Y6
Cruisetour
Two options:
land 1st, cruise 2nd; Anchorage –> Vancouver; 10 days
cruisetour: two nights in Denali National Park (Tundra Wilderness Tour), Fairbanks, Dawson City (Yukon), Whitehorse (Yukon)
cruise: Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Ketchikan
cruise 1st, land 2nd; Vancouver –> Anchorage; 9 days
cruise: Juneau only
cruisetour: Whitehorse (Yukon), Dawson City (Yukon), Fairbanks, two nights in Denali National Park (Tundra Wilderness Tour)
Maybe this shorter cruise-first option is a consideration if you’ve already seen all that the Inside Passage has to offer. While the nine-day itinerary doesn’t include glacier viewing, it offers lots of land-based experiences.
I also recommend Itinerary Y6 for what it does not include. Other Yukon + Denali itineraries are 11-18 days. In contrast, itinerary Y6 helps you maximize your vacation days. It doesn’t include some of the experiences that return visitors may have experienced on a previous cruisetour.
For example, if you’ve already been to Fairbanks on a cruisetour, you’ve probably enjoyed the free river cruise excursion and the visit to Gold Dredge 8. Neither of these are included in the Y6 itinerary. But what it does provide is a one-hour flight from Fairbanks to Dawson City to get you deep into the Yukon.
Royal Caribbean
We’re Platinum cruisers on Royal, so we know we’ll enjoy good food and friendly service.
We haven’t cruised yet to Alaska with Royal since they don’t visit Glacier Bay National Park. But once you’ve visited GBNP, it may be worth investigating one of the following two Royal offerings. These will get you to different glaciers – and so much more.
Below are two of the most unique Alaska itineraries of the 2019 cruise season!
Kantishna Select Wilderness & Wildlife
Cruisetour
cruise 1st, land 2nd; Vancouver –> Fairbanks; 12 nights
cruise: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier, Seward
cruisetour: excursion in Seward of hiking to Exit Glacier; excursion to Eklutna Lake for biking/kayaking. Plus, the 92-mile Kantishna Experience tour in Denali National Park that takes you as far as the park road will go. You’ll spend two nights at Kantishna Lodge with nearby hiking, fishing, etc. Finally, conclude with a train ride to Fairbanks.
Very few cruisetour itineraries that visit Denali National Park include the Kantishna Experience, so this is quite a unique opportunity.
Also, there are a lot of valued-added features on this itinerary. As a result, you won’t need to pay extra for any land-based excursions. (However, I’ve always wanted to visit the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward, so I’d buy a ticket for that.)
All tours of Denali National Park start on the eastern side of the park road. How far along the park road your bus travels depends on which tour you’re on. (map source: www.nps.gov/denali)
Katmai Bear Trek & Kantishna Fly Over
Cruisetour
cruise 1st, land 2nd; Vancouver –> Anchorage; 12 nights
cruise: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier, Seward
cruisetour: excursion in Seward to Alaska Sealife Center, excursion en route to Anchorage to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, lunch in Anchorage, overnight in Talkeetna. Next, take a train ride to Denali National Park, where you’ll enjoy the 92-mile Kantishna Experience tour that takes you as far as the park road will go. You’ll return to your Denali lodgings by plane and overnight in Denali National Park. Finally, conclude with a 2-3 hour flightseeing trip to Katmai National Park for bear viewing!
In 2019, Royal is offering only two departure dates for the Katmai Bear Trek & Kantishna Fly Over itinerary (one in June, one in July). So my guess is that this will probably sell out quickly. Is this itinerary for me? Maybe I’m not brave enough to go on the flightseeing trip.
Norwegian Cruise Line
We haven’t personally cruised yet on Norwegian. Because they offer cruises that include Glacier Bay National Park, they might be a good option for both first-time or returning cruisers to Alaska.
Also, both itineraries below provide time at a sled dog kennel, an excursion that’s a must-see for any fellow dog lover!
Denali Alyeska Explorer
Cruisetour
offers both northbound (cruise 1st, land 2nd) and southbound itineraries (land 1st, cruise 2nd)
cruisetour begins or ends in Anchorage and Vancouver
12 days
cruise: Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Seward
cruisetour: Excursion to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center en route to Girdwood, where you’ll overnight at the Hotel Alyeska Resort. Visit an Iditarod sled dog kennel. Stay for two nights at Denali National Park (Tundra Wilderness Tour). Finally, overnight in Anchorage.
Be on the lookout for whales as you cruise the scenic Inside Passage of Alaska.
This itinerary does not include the Fairbanks excursions (river cruise and gold panning) that are featured on many other cruisetours. So if you’ve already experienced Fairbanks, this itinerary is a considerable alternative. It includes value-added features of two excursions (Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and sled dog kennel).
Another perk is that you arrive in early afternoon at the Hotel Alyeska Resort, providing lots of time to enjoy the views there. I’ve always wanted to stay at Alyeska, and few Alaska itineraries offer a stay there.
Also, the cruise nicely offers two glacier viewing opportunities (GBNP, Hubbard).
Certainly, this itinerary is a good choice for someone who wants a well-paced cruisetour but is not interested in visiting far-flung locales such as Homer, the Kantishna Lodge, or Dawson City, Yukon.
Authentic Alaska
Cruisetour
offers both northbound (cruise 1st, land 2nd) and southbound itineraries (land 1st, cruise 2nd)
cruisetour begins or ends in Fairbanks and Vancouver
14 days
cruise: Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Sawyer Glacier (Tracy Arm fjord), Skagway, Ketchikan. (The northbound itinerary replaces Sawyer Glacier with my recommended Glacier Bay National Park.)
cruisetour: Overnight in Fairbanks followed by the Fairbanks riverboat excursion. Stay for two nights at Denali National Park (Tundra Wilderness Tour). Visit an Iditarod sled dog kennel. Overnight in Anchorage followed by an excursion to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Next, a rare opportunity to overnight in Homer. Enjoy an optional fishing excursion in Homer and an excursion to the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center.
This itinerary includes the Fairbanks river cruise that is featured on many other cruisetours. Therefore, if this is your first cruisetour or you haven’t yet experienced that excursion, this itinerary may be a good choice.
Norwegian’s “Authentic Alaska” itinerary includes the value-added features of an impressive four excursions (Fairbanks boat trip, sled dog kennel, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center) in addition to the Tundra Wilderness Tour.
Most noteworthy, this cruisetour provides time to overnight in Homer, a less touristy, more natural region. And with the inclusion of two days of glacier viewing, this itinerary provides a lot of time outside to enjoy Alaska’s unique and beautiful scenery and wildlife.
We spotted these brown bears in the distance while cruising near Glacier Bay National Park.
Choosing Your Alaskan Cruise Itinerary
These six Alaska itineraries offer a lot of variety. That’s because there is so much to see in Alaska. It’s one of the reasons why we are return travelers there.
We love Alaska for the wildlife, scenery, and time in the outdoors.
I hope you find an itinerary that is a good fit for you and provides lots of time to enjoy the beauty that Alaska offers.
Let’s make the most of our vacation days!
What is your favorite Alaska itinerary?
