As someone who has lived in Juneau Alaska for 20+ years, watching videos like this are entertaining, as there are so many images our our town and our surrounding neighbors. We do enjoy the hundreds of thousands of visitors every year (Usually a Million+ to the an area where the largest town is around 30k people). On any given day in the summer we have between 4-6 large ships. While he did mention the fact that weather can change drastically and can get chilly, please know you are coming to a RAINFOREST. Even in the summer we get LOTS and LOTS of rain. We see many visitors expecting it to be cold (Which it can be), but they don't bring any waterproof gear. They are then seen walking around our town in cheap plastic ponchos covering their jackets. When coming here, expect rain and dress in layers. If you happen to get here on a rare sunny day, then GREAT, you can take off the raincoat. Being cold and wet is miserable and things don't stop here in the rainforest because of rain. Also, make sure to try and buy your excursions OFF-SHIP as the ship takes a large cut and you can get better deals from the brokers on the dock or plan in advance and research excursions beforehand and go the website of that provider directly. You'll pay less and get MORE. Thanks for coming to Alaska!
@willjudy5623 We did an Alaska cruise in 2016 and had glorious sunshine all the way - and EVERYONE locally said how rare that is 😂 Had a wonderful time, did our own excursions and wandered off the beaten track a bit so had a chance to chat a bit more to some locals. You have a stunningly beautiful state and the folks we met were so welcoming.
Thank you for the video. I am an Alaska resident for over 20 years and a cruise enthusiast. I have taken many Alaska cruises, it is the best way to see south east Alaska. Welcome everyone to my home.
You have a beautiful home! I fell in love with Alaska after my first cruise. Going again in May 2022. Alaska will remain on my bucket list until I’m called home to Heaven.
I’ll be going on my first cruise to Alaska the last week of September into the first week of October. Any help on what the weather will be like? I know it’ll be rainy, but what temperatures should I expect? Thanks!
@@dannyh131 I would suggest packing for temps in the mid 30’s-50’s Layers are always good. That way, you can strip down if necessary. Definitely have waterproof jacket, binoculars, etc.
What about the weather when we travel to Alaska in June? Also…excursions are so expensive. When we get to a port, do they have local ones we can go on that are not as expensive as booking one with the ship? Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Just came back from a 7 day cruise to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice. Wow! Out of Seattle to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Dawes glacier. Two excursions were incredible/ One was out of Ketchikan by boat to these fjords in the Tongaas National Forest with giant cliffs of overt 3000 feet. We also spotted two humpback whales pretty close to the boat during the excursion. But the best excursion was out of Skagway on the railway up to White Pass. Magnificent beyond description. I also spotted whales, a pod of dolphins, and a pod of orcas just sitting on my stateroom balcony as we were at sea.
I live in interior Alaska and my tip would be check out the princess cruise excursion on the Alaska Railroad! I want to say I was 2018, my wife and I were able to get the excursion only package. We rode the train from Fairbanks to Denali, spent 3 nights at a Denali resort and explored the park a bit. Then took the train from Denali to Anchorage where we booked an Air BnB, and caught Norah Jones in concert in Anchorage! It was an awesome 5 days! The train and lodging in Denali was real cheap ~$200 each. A night AirBnB was about $200 and the ~1 hour hop via Alaska Airlines back to Fairbanks was $120 each... wonderful mini vacation!
Thanks I have an Alaskan cruise booked for may 2023 and im coming from Australia so it’s very exciting and scary at the same time lol. I’ve never seen ice or snow
I’m in Texas and even we get snow. Last year we had a blizzard. OK, maybe the northern states might disagree on what a blizzard is, but to us it was one (and I don’t ever want to be in one ever again)! 😂 But joking aside, the snow will be beautiful to you, especially seeing it in Alaska.
We booked March 2019 for 7/3/20 10 day out of San Francisco. Covid canceled cruise 6/26/20 ☹️ we re booked for 7/20/21, once again damn Covid, So rebooked AGAIN for 6/19/22. Chance Of going looking good. Sailing under the golden gate on a Cruise ship is a good thing, 10 days staying in mini suite on Ruby Princess in mid aft section, YES not cheap, but this is a bucket list & never will have the money to go again. We are doing helicopter dog sledding in Juneau, Tracy crab shack, and hope either whale watching or mendenhall glacier & nugget falls depending on time, we are there 9-9. In Ketchikan, we are here 8 hrs, so we chartered a fishing boat for 4 hours to go after king salmon. Skagway we are there 14.5 hours so we schedule 8.5 hour train/bus combo to Yukon, but just heard road to yukon is still under repair so train will now be a 4hr round trip ☹️
I'm hesitant on sharing this bit of information in fear I may lose my favorite spot for outside sailing up into Tracy arms, Endicott, and of course glacer cruises. Get mighty cold in early morning for those full day cruise up a serine quiet valley, but my secret is dress warm and find out where on the ship,(usually near the most upper deck) that the ventilation grate is located from interior of ship and designated that spot for outside viewing. Using camera or binocular this eliminate the problem of window in the way and the low heat drifting out of vent is like standing near dryer. 😊😊😊😊😊
Great, informative video. We've done lots of Caribbean cruises but will do our first Alaskan cruise May 2023. I'm already in "planning mode". Planning is half the fun!
#1 tip is the best things in Alaska are free. Not disputing there are many great shore excursions but the value isn't there for most of them. Best piece of advice, spend the money on a balcony room. Wake up early and grab the binoculars. I'm up before sunrise and everytime I go I see pods of whales, mountain goats, sea otters, and eagles before 90% of the ship is even out of bed. In port, you will pay in upwards of $300 for some shore excursions. Don't do it, you can have so much fun by doing some research so you know where to go before you arrive at each port. Hike a mountain, talk to the locals, take a taxi to local glaciers and explore. This is the way to take in the beauty of Alaska. You will double the price of your cruise if you opt for shore excursions at each port. Take a chance and do it on your own and you'll have plenty of money leftover to book another cruise.
Thanks for sharing this - I was looking forward to going ashore and exploring but was unsure of available transportation, if needed, to get to glaciers/totem parks, etc. I'll dig in some more!
@@sixfoottexasred no problem, have a great time. Theres never been a better time to sail Alaska. Cheap cruises and low capacity. If you go to Juneau take advantage of the Mountain tram. Great hike when you get to the top and spectacular views. Mendenhall glacier is not far if you can catch an Uber. You'll pay over $100/person to tour or you can go yourself for about $20. If you're into history the train is decent in Skagway or take a ride to Dyea. So much to do in Skagway so make every minute count, amd don't forget the fried dough at the Klondike Doughboy.
Thank you for the video and the helpful tips. We have an Alaska cruise scheduled on the new Discovery Princess at the end of August. This will be our first cruise to Alaska and we are looking forward to it.
I’m going to Alaska in late July ( my first cruise ) via carnival cruise, I’ve seen at least 50 TH-cam videos ,but yours is the best 😍from Gilbert, Arizona.Thank you
Out of all the good information here pre booking excursions is very important. I took a Mediterranean cruise that included an excursion to the Alhambra. I was so excited to go but didn't know to book before we got on board. It was booked up months before. Never again. I always pre-book. Not every excursion I may want and not each day but the one or two must sees, book'em Dano!
Great video, with a lot of great suggestions. I especially like your "be flexible suggestion.'' We first booked in 2019. We are finally going to leave on the Discovery in about two weeks. Thanks for your help.
I’ll be going on a Alaskan cruise in June on princess cruise line from San Francisco,with my godfather’s family,what do I pack and bring in my luggage,where do our suitcases go?
Great information. We just got back from Norweigian Alaska trip. Great experience in general. One thing you might need to consider and compare is cruise line schedule in each port. Like the one we just had in Victoria, schedule is 7 pm to 11:30 pm, other than wandering downtown by bus, it's hard to do any seirous excursion or sighseeing.
that's because any ship that doesn't start in Vancouver and starts in the US is required by law to stop in a Canadian port. They don't want to stop there, they have to. If they didn't stop, they wouldn't be allowed to sail through the inside passage.
Great tips! This will be my 2nd Alaskan cruise, hubby’s first. Because of this video, I went ahead and booked two excursions for me and hubby. Thank goodness I did. They are now sold out!
Me too in June 2024 On Princess Grand. I also was cancelled in 2020. It’s taken me a minute to get reorganized for the trip. 7 day northbound cruise from Vancouver, 3 nights at 2 lodges in Denali Airplane flight and glacier landing, and then a riverboat ride towards Fairbanks. A lifelong dream about to come true.
Thank you for the useful information but a few corrections: Typical Balcony rooms are the same size as interior rooms. When they describe the balcony room square footage as larger, they are including the square footage of the balcony. You will not get any extra space to store luggage etc. in a balcony room. In fact, the sliding door usually takes up the whole wall, so you don't have that wall to lean stuff against etc. I like balcony rooms, but they are not bigger. The On-shore tour sales may not be a lot cheaper in Alaska but often include more. Maybe an extra site, meal, or just longer times or smaller groups to deal with. In my experience filling out cruise app experience never allowed you to skip a line. I have never seen separate lines for those who filled out cruise apps and those who didn't. There are other advantages to using the app but you still wait in the same lines.
Princess Medallion class app allows you to stand in a shorter line once you are considered in the “green lane” by filling out your pre cruise information.
Going in July kind of on a budget. What excursions do you recommend? Also is the anything that is not an excursion you would recommend ? Going on Royal ovations.
I understand!! The railway train rides at are usually a little more reasonable. That’s what hubby and I signed up for also. Best wishes! Enjoy your trip. OR…you can opt to do no excursions. Alaska is very beautiful, and you will get your money’s worth, no doubt!
We have rented a car in a few Alaska ports. We have been able to walk from the ship to the rentals. If you do a little research on things to see in those port cities, you can build a great tour for yourself, travel at your own pace and the money you save from not booking an excursion can be used splurging on amazing seafood in port.
Layers with your outermost layer being waterproof. Vessis are awesome for Alaska. Extemely comfortable walking shoe and completely waterproof, unless you intend on hiking. Binoculars, camera , and under Armour cold gear mocks are a must. September is the start of the rainy season and you will be lucky to have more than 1 day without rain so don't be disappointed, be prepared and embrace it. It really adds to the beauty of Alaska. I actually prefer april/September cruises, the fact that they're cheaper makes them even better.
I was on Majestic Princess B2B cruises May 21 - June 4 and no testing between cruises or at disembarkation. Took shuttle from Vancouver cruisebport to Sea-Tac airport and was within minutes of missing my 2 pm flight. Everyone had to get off the bus at customs and go through security inside. Shuttle driver said that was first time his passengers had to do that.
best side of ship sailing for me is facing shore, ie:north bound ,right side, if sailing RT from same port better let for side facing sea give better chance of whale sighting. Glacer viwing ship is usually rotated when possible so both side get view of glacer, Done 6 cruise to Alaska on 3 different lines and returning again this may, highly recommend RT from Calif. especially if live in bay area , what save on air will cover 3 extra day on ship.😮
During our seward to vancouver cruise and our land portion to Denali in late June 2022, will we need to bring along bug/mosquito spray? We are highly prone to mosquito bites.
We were on Crown Princess last week, Alaska was amazing, wonderful weather but the ship experience wasn’t the best, it was a bit outdated and the food was barely above average. The most disappointing thing was that they canceled 2 of our ports and the ones we did do, Juneau,Skagway and Victoria BC were abbreviated stops. Overall it was a good trip but we expected a little more
Here's a tip. Most Alaska cruises involve Canada in some way. If you or anyone you are traveling with has ever had a DUI, it could interfere with travel plans. Why? Even an old DUI deems you criminally inadmissible to Canada and unable to cruise. Apply for a waiver in advance, if you are eligible.
I am trying to plan my birthday trip for July and I had Cancun in mind but then thought about a cruise to Alaska since I live in Seattle and might not be here next year so I am seriously considering a cruise to Alaska and even though it seems a little short notice I think we can still make it and have a great time. Thank you for your video.
Very informative. Thank you! I was planning a last minute Alaska cruise in Sept/Oct. 2022 We have our 40th wedding anniversary and my husband’s 70th birthday. Is this wise? I’m concerned about the cancellation of flights that are happening. I also want to learn more about the extra costs. I will do my homework for that. I really want to surprise my husband with this cruise!
Would you bring a spotting scope? I have one already and wonder if it would be good to have it on shore or out our balcony? First Alaska cruise in July 23rd southbound with princess
Leaving out of Vancouver next week. Praying we do not get covid because I sure in the hell do not want to be quarantined for ten days. Wish we had canceled because it's a hassle
Glad you found the video useful. For excursions, it depends what you like to do. If you are the outdoor type, you can hike around Mendenhall Glacier National Park in Juneau. The paths are pretty easy and well marked. For Ketchikan, the totem pole parks are pretty popular, and you can walk up and down creek street doing some shopping and grabbing some food right near where most cruise ships. In Skagway, everyone recommends the train. We have done it, and think it is just okay. This is also a great spot for hiking or ATV adventures.
Which line has the best ship that can go in glacier bay. Last time we took Norwegian and the ship was too big to go in so it just docked near the bay. I want to make sure I get a ship that can go in. Is Princess or holland better or is there a better one. We have a 4 year old w us also.
Hi! How far is the Seattle airport from the port? Like how much did you pay for Uber, if you don’t mind please? Also do you have any budget hotel recommendations? They are all so expensive and costs about $70 for transport to port. Things to do in Seattle if we fly in the day before? Thank you. Very excited about this cruise. And thanks for posting this video!
Sea-Tac Seattle is 20 minutes out of town--factor transport and easy access to the very entertaining and walk able downtown with its train system into hotel costs--we find and extra day in Seattle, nearer the port to be quite worth it.
Depends on which pier. Pier 66 is right downtown. I don't know which lines are using that one right now. Used to be X, NCL and maybe RCCL. I know HAL was using pier 91, which is in a very industrial port area. I don't consider the Waterfront Marriot budget at all, but it is literally right across the street from Pier 66 so no uber or anything is needed. And Ivan's is right down the street for awesome chowder and fish & chips!
I am doing a 10 day Alaskan cruise from Vancouver to Whittier. For a man, how many "outfits" should I pack? I have 3 excursions - Ketchikan (just walking the streets), Juneau (to see Mendenhall glacier) and Skagway (Yukon-Skagway train ride). The other days are sightseeing from ship with 1 sea day.
Great video. Couple of questions Would you suggest Vancouver round trip or Whittier to Vancouver Seems like there is one additional stop on Vancouver round trip. Is it worth the extra price W to V for the cruise price? and any suggestions or thoughts, if we did do W to V is it worthwhile to do and pre sightseeing. Seems expensive compared to the cruise price, in total.
Very informative video, Question we are planning seven day Alaskan trip but are thinking not to come back to Seattle rather will exiting or off boarding in Ketchikan.( can we do that?) on cruise itinerary. Will stay few days in Ketchikan and will fly to Anchorage. Any Tips regarding this plan?
i found Sailing out of Vancouver is much better than Seattle. Vancouver restaurants and scenery is a million times better andships are better dock than Seattle. Seattle is a grunge boring cold city. even the people are boring in Seattle. Canada people are very nice friendly .service is much better
You will enjoy the casual dress. Black slacks and a few blouses for dinner. You will not perspire, so you will wear tops to dinner more than once. Day time finds me in a flannel shirt unbuttoned with long sleeved t under it. You guessed it. The flannel shirt is worn buttoned up without the T the second day. Have fun!
My home is Alaska. I'm thinking about starting an automated vending machine /smart locker that rents Jacki, mid layers and base layers. Option to rent or outright buy the item. Thoughts? Does the ship have any automated vending machines ? What is retail like on the ship? Do they have what you need a at an affordable cost?
Excellent idea. They have something similar for skiing - you would have to take a big deposit on a credit card in case it didn’t come back, but people may like the idea of having this available. It will be a hefty up front cost though to get inventory but I am sure you can run the numbers.
We’ve only cruised Carnival so far, but thinking about doing Alaska on Princess. I’ve heard they’re the best for that destination. Although we are NOT big drinkers or partiers, I’m worried we might find Princess boring… is that possible? I mean, Carnival is known for being the “fun ships”… I do prefer nicer/newer ships, but I generally don’t care about “bells and whistles” like flow riders or roller coasters.
Do you have any additional Alaska cruise tips and hacks to add to this list?
As someone who has lived in Juneau Alaska for 20+ years, watching videos like this are entertaining, as there are so many images our our town and our surrounding neighbors. We do enjoy the hundreds of thousands of visitors every year (Usually a Million+ to the an area where the largest town is around 30k people). On any given day in the summer we have between 4-6 large ships.
While he did mention the fact that weather can change drastically and can get chilly, please know you are coming to a RAINFOREST. Even in the summer we get LOTS and LOTS of rain.
We see many visitors expecting it to be cold (Which it can be), but they don't bring any waterproof gear. They are then seen walking around our town in cheap plastic ponchos covering their jackets. When coming here, expect rain and dress in layers. If you happen to get here on a rare sunny day, then GREAT, you can take off the raincoat. Being cold and wet is miserable and things don't stop here in the rainforest because of rain.
Also, make sure to try and buy your excursions OFF-SHIP as the ship takes a large cut and you can get better deals from the brokers on the dock or plan in advance and research excursions beforehand and go the website of that provider directly. You'll pay less and get MORE.
Thanks for coming to Alaska!
i booked my next vacation in September 2023, I really wanted to see the northern lights. What are the odds that we would be able to see them?
We have a cruise set for June 2023. Any particular off ship excursions you would recommend? Any particular provider?
@willjudy5623 We did an Alaska cruise in 2016 and had glorious sunshine all the way - and EVERYONE locally said how rare that is 😂 Had a wonderful time, did our own excursions and wandered off the beaten track a bit so had a chance to chat a bit more to some locals. You have a stunningly beautiful state and the folks we met were so welcoming.
Thank you for the video. I am an Alaska resident for over 20 years and a cruise enthusiast. I have taken many Alaska cruises, it is the best way to see south east Alaska. Welcome everyone to my home.
We agree Alaska is best seen via cruise ship.
You have a beautiful home! I fell in love with Alaska after my first cruise. Going again in May 2022. Alaska will remain on my bucket list until I’m called home to Heaven.
I’ll be going on my first cruise to Alaska the last week of September into the first week of October. Any help on what the weather will be like? I know it’ll be rainy, but what temperatures should I expect? Thanks!
@@dannyh131 I would suggest packing for temps in the mid 30’s-50’s Layers are always good. That way, you can strip down if necessary. Definitely have waterproof jacket, binoculars, etc.
What about the weather when we travel to Alaska in June?
Also…excursions are so expensive. When we get to a port, do they have local ones we can go on that are not as expensive as booking one with the ship?
Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Just came back from a 7 day cruise to Alaska on the Celebrity Solstice. Wow! Out of Seattle to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Dawes glacier. Two excursions were incredible/ One was out of Ketchikan by boat to these fjords in the Tongaas National Forest with giant cliffs of overt 3000 feet. We also spotted two humpback whales pretty close to the boat during the excursion. But the best excursion was out of Skagway on the railway up to White Pass. Magnificent beyond description. I also spotted whales, a pod of dolphins, and a pod of orcas just sitting on my stateroom balcony as we were at sea.
Thanks, we will be on the ship in September. I am making myself book excursions this weekend so I don’t miss out, but it’s hard to choose!
Hello! So, did you need a passport to go to White Pass?
@@justbreatherrt1858 yes you do!
I'm leaving for this same cruise on Friday and we're doing the white pass rail I can't wait!! I'm so stoked for this cruise. First time in. Alaska!
@nancpanc1 I called the cruise line... Celebrity Edge... asked that same question...I was told I didn't need a passport for the train excursion.
I live in interior Alaska and my tip would be check out the princess cruise excursion on the Alaska Railroad! I want to say I was 2018, my wife and I were able to get the excursion only package. We rode the train from Fairbanks to Denali, spent 3 nights at a Denali resort and explored the park a bit. Then took the train from Denali to Anchorage where we booked an Air BnB, and caught Norah Jones in concert in Anchorage! It was an awesome 5 days! The train and lodging in Denali was real cheap ~$200 each. A night AirBnB was about $200 and the ~1 hour hop via Alaska Airlines back to Fairbanks was $120 each... wonderful mini vacation!
Your presentation has helped me embrace a positive attitude toward our upcoming Alaskan cruise. Thank you for sharing🚢!
Thanks I have an Alaskan cruise booked for may 2023 and im coming from Australia so it’s very exciting and scary at the same time lol. I’ve never seen ice or snow
We hope you have a great cruise.
Wow!! You are in for a treat, Tracy! I hope you enjoy it as you discover the elements we northern Americans grow up with. :)
Oh wow! You are going to love the landscape! Alaska is breath-taking. I hope you’re doing the cruise through Glacier Bay.
My nephew is going to be in Ketchikan doing lumber jack shows for The cruise ships
I’m in Texas and even we get snow. Last year we had a blizzard. OK, maybe the northern states might disagree on what a blizzard is, but to us it was one (and I don’t ever want to be in one ever again)! 😂 But joking aside, the snow will be beautiful to you, especially seeing it in Alaska.
We are booked on an Alaska cruise in June 2023. I am already planning and can't wait to go. Thanks for the info.
You are very welcome. Have a great cruise.
We booked March 2019 for 7/3/20 10 day out of San Francisco. Covid canceled cruise 6/26/20 ☹️ we re booked for 7/20/21, once again damn Covid, So rebooked AGAIN for 6/19/22. Chance Of going looking good. Sailing under the golden gate on a Cruise ship is a good thing, 10 days staying in mini suite on Ruby Princess in mid aft section, YES not cheap, but this is a bucket list & never will have the money to go again. We are doing helicopter dog sledding in Juneau, Tracy crab shack, and hope either whale watching or mendenhall glacier & nugget falls depending on time, we are there 9-9. In Ketchikan, we are here 8 hrs, so we chartered a fishing boat for 4 hours to go after king salmon. Skagway we are there 14.5 hours so we schedule 8.5 hour train/bus combo to Yukon, but just heard road to yukon is still under repair so train will now be a 4hr round trip ☹️
I'm hesitant on sharing this bit of information in fear I may lose my favorite spot for outside sailing up into Tracy arms, Endicott, and of course glacer cruises. Get mighty cold in early morning for those full day cruise up a serine quiet valley, but my secret is dress warm and find out where on the ship,(usually near the most upper deck) that the ventilation grate is located from interior of ship and designated that spot for outside viewing. Using camera or binocular this eliminate the problem of window in the way and the low heat drifting out of vent is like standing near dryer.
😊😊😊😊😊
Great, informative video. We've done lots of Caribbean cruises but will do our first Alaskan cruise May 2023. I'm already in "planning mode". Planning is half the fun!
We are going in May 23 too. Discovery Princess May 14 - 21!
May 30th
May 21
#1 tip is the best things in Alaska are free. Not disputing there are many great shore excursions but the value isn't there for most of them. Best piece of advice, spend the money on a balcony room. Wake up early and grab the binoculars. I'm up before sunrise and everytime I go I see pods of whales, mountain goats, sea otters, and eagles before 90% of the ship is even out of bed. In port, you will pay in upwards of $300 for some shore excursions. Don't do it, you can have so much fun by doing some research so you know where to go before you arrive at each port. Hike a mountain, talk to the locals, take a taxi to local glaciers and explore. This is the way to take in the beauty of Alaska. You will double the price of your cruise if you opt for shore excursions at each port. Take a chance and do it on your own and you'll have plenty of money leftover to book another cruise.
Thanks for sharing this - I was looking forward to going ashore and exploring but was unsure of available transportation, if needed, to get to glaciers/totem parks, etc. I'll dig in some more!
@@sixfoottexasred no problem, have a great time. Theres never been a better time to sail Alaska. Cheap cruises and low capacity. If you go to Juneau take advantage of the Mountain tram. Great hike when you get to the top and spectacular views. Mendenhall glacier is not far if you can catch an Uber. You'll pay over $100/person to tour or you can go yourself for about $20. If you're into history the train is decent in Skagway or take a ride to Dyea. So much to do in Skagway so make every minute count, amd don't forget the fried dough at the Klondike Doughboy.
In Ketchikan you can use the city bus to get to either totem park, very cheap.
And you get to hang out with the locals
Thank you for the video and the helpful tips. We have an Alaska cruise scheduled on the new Discovery Princess at the end of August. This will be our first cruise to Alaska and we are looking forward to it.
You will love Alaska. We will be cruising on Discovery Princess the end of March to the Mexican Riviera, so stay tuned for more about the ship.
I’m going to Alaska in late July ( my first cruise ) via carnival cruise, I’ve seen at least 50 TH-cam videos ,but yours is the best 😍from Gilbert, Arizona.Thank you
I love Alaska. Been there 3 times, and would love to go a 4th.
We agree!
Out of all the good information here pre booking excursions is very important. I took a Mediterranean cruise that included an excursion to the Alhambra. I was so excited to go but didn't know to book before we got on board. It was booked up months before. Never again. I always pre-book. Not every excursion I may want and not each day but the one or two must sees, book'em Dano!
Going on our first cruise on serenade in July super helpful advice
Glad the video helped. Have fun! We know you will love Alaska.
We're rebooking our first Alaska cruise for 2023, that was canceled in 2020. I can't wait!
Have a great cruise.
Very excited ! Am taking my 1st Cruise in 2023 to Alaska.
Going on 3rd Alaska trip on HAL Eurodam Sept 2022. Looking forward to a vacation
Loved the information that you provided. Its going to be very handy for my upcoming Alaska cruise
Excellent advice. Thank you. We are booked on a cruise early June.
Always get a balcony if you can afford it. If anything goes wrong with the ship, air conditioning goes off you have the fresh air.
Awesome video! I’m going on an Alaskan cruise in 3 days, and your tips were extremely helpful. Thanks!
@Zac Stats im going May 2023 RCC am very excited ..looking forward to Alaska my 1st time
Awesome video! Thank you so much!!!!!
Great video! Answered all my questions. Thanks!
Glad it helped.
Great video, with a lot of great suggestions. I especially like your "be flexible suggestion.'' We first booked in 2019. We are finally going to leave on the Discovery in about two weeks. Thanks for your help.
Thanks, glad you found the video helpful.
Any advice on how to get a price adjustment? Also which side of ship is best?
Excellent video and advice…thank you!!!!
That was very informative. We're booked to Alaska in August after the last 2 year's cruises to Alaska getting cancelled. Def great tips
Thanks EatSleepCruise. Good one for new timers
What do I pack for an Alaskan cruise on princess from San Francisco?what shall I bring
I’ll be going on a Alaskan cruise in June on princess cruise line from San Francisco,with my godfather’s family,what do I pack and bring in my luggage,where do our suitcases go?
This will be my 1st Alaska Cruise, my wife did an Alaska cruise 5 years ago. Thank you for the information.
Have a great cruise.
Thank you for your info
I am leaving Alaska cruise tomorrow
I will repack my clothes 👍
This was extremely helpful, thank you.
I haven't found a 7 day cruise isn't much more than a Caribbean cruise. The difference is excursions and, for us, air fare.
Covid has made the Alaska prices cheaper I think. In the past, they seemed to be much higher.
Not sure about other cruise lines but with RC you have to book a shore excursion to get off the boat Going in July we hope that changes
I don't think that's still the case. It was when cruising first started back up after the shut down.
Thank you so much. Will be on Discovery Princess to Alaska in June.
Great information. We just got back from Norweigian Alaska trip. Great experience in general. One thing you might need to consider and compare is cruise line schedule in each port. Like the one we just had in Victoria, schedule is 7 pm to 11:30 pm, other than wandering downtown by bus, it's hard to do any seirous excursion or sighseeing.
that's because any ship that doesn't start in Vancouver and starts in the US is required by law to stop in a Canadian port. They don't want to stop there, they have to. If they didn't stop, they wouldn't be allowed to sail through the inside passage.
Great overview! I'm going on RCL at the end of May, and this video touches all the important aspects. Nice job.
Glad it was helpful!
@DDD..im going Mid May 2023 very excited
@@enola60 us too, May 14-21 on HAL
@@AnnaCartwright Awesome!! It's my 1st Cruise..always wanted to Go To Alaska..finally getting the Opportunity.
Another great video. I've saved this to help plan our Alaskan cruise :)
Good job!
Any ideas where to have the king crab legs
Tracy’s in Juneau is one of the most popular places.
We are on the NCL Sun in July 2022! Can't wait!
Me too!! Leaving the 10th from m Seattle. Have fun!
Great video, thank you. Can you tell me which lenses you rented for your Sony camera?
Great tips! This will be my 2nd Alaskan cruise, hubby’s first. Because of this video, I went ahead and booked two excursions for me and hubby. Thank goodness I did. They are now sold out!
Finally going this June after two years of canceling thanks to COVID🚢🚢🚢 Can’t wait!
Same here. Making up for last 2 yrs, cruising in June & July finally, I’m so excited!
Me too in June 2024 On Princess Grand. I also was cancelled in 2020. It’s taken me a minute to get reorganized for the trip. 7 day northbound cruise from Vancouver, 3 nights at 2 lodges in Denali Airplane flight and glacier landing, and then a riverboat ride towards Fairbanks. A lifelong dream about to come true.
Thank you for video
Thank you for the useful information but a few corrections: Typical Balcony rooms are the same size as interior rooms. When they describe the balcony room square footage as larger, they are including the square footage of the balcony. You will not get any extra space to store luggage etc. in a balcony room. In fact, the sliding door usually takes up the whole wall, so you don't have that wall to lean stuff against etc. I like balcony rooms, but they are not bigger.
The On-shore tour sales may not be a lot cheaper in Alaska but often include more. Maybe an extra site, meal, or just longer times or smaller groups to deal with.
In my experience filling out cruise app experience never allowed you to skip a line. I have never seen separate lines for those who filled out cruise apps and those who didn't. There are other advantages to using the app but you still wait in the same lines.
Princess Medallion class app allows you to stand in a shorter line once you are considered in the “green lane” by filling out your pre cruise information.
This is very informational.Thank you.My wife and I booked an Alaskan cruise with Princess this July.So excited.
I'm going on the Norwegian Encore in May and so excited. Just booked my shore excursions
Congrats. Have a great cruise.
Hi! I'm booked on the Encore for July - Do you have any insight you could share with me? Excited!
Going in July kind of on a budget. What excursions do you recommend? Also is the anything that is not an excursion you would recommend ? Going on Royal ovations.
I understand!! The railway train rides at are usually a little more reasonable. That’s what hubby and I signed up for also. Best wishes! Enjoy your trip. OR…you can opt to do no excursions. Alaska is very beautiful, and you will get your money’s worth, no doubt!
We have rented a car in a few Alaska ports. We have been able to walk from the ship to the rentals. If you do a little research on things to see in those port cities, you can build a great tour for yourself, travel at your own pace and the money you save from not booking an excursion can be used splurging on amazing seafood in port.
Going on RC in Sept and already stressed about what to pack! But can’t wait! Love the tips, thanks!
We are also going on Alaska cruise in Sept, 16, 2022 on RCC Ovation.
@@georgeandkathystreet7624 enjoy! I’ll be on Radiance!
We are sailing Serenade of the Seas in Sept...can't wait.
Layers with your outermost layer being waterproof. Vessis are awesome for Alaska. Extemely comfortable walking shoe and completely waterproof, unless you intend on hiking. Binoculars, camera , and under Armour cold gear mocks are a must. September is the start of the rainy season and you will be lucky to have more than 1 day without rain so don't be disappointed, be prepared and embrace it. It really adds to the beauty of Alaska. I actually prefer april/September cruises, the fact that they're cheaper makes them even better.
We are also cruising on Ovation Sept 16!
I was on Majestic Princess B2B cruises May 21 - June 4 and no testing between cruises or at disembarkation. Took shuttle from Vancouver cruisebport to Sea-Tac airport and was within minutes of missing my 2 pm flight. Everyone had to get off the bus at customs and go through security inside. Shuttle driver said that was first time his passengers had to do that.
Very informative without the the personal crap. To the point, held my attention to the end, with an overall view.
Great Job
best side of ship sailing for me is facing shore, ie:north bound ,right side, if sailing RT from same port better let for side facing sea give better chance of whale sighting. Glacer viwing ship is usually rotated when possible so both side get view of glacer, Done 6 cruise to Alaska on 3 different lines and returning again this may, highly recommend RT from Calif. especially if live in bay area , what save on air will cover 3 extra day on ship.😮
Great tip. But who is RT. I don’t know acrynoms
I am going in 2023 and I’m nervous and excited lol
Thank you for the info:)
I planned my Alaska cruise 2018. and now going May 2022
Very informational video as we've been looking into book in August. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing info
Glad you think so!
During our seward to vancouver cruise and our land portion to Denali in late June 2022, will we need to bring along bug/mosquito spray? We are highly prone to mosquito bites.
In the cruise FB groups I’m in, a couple recommended bug repellent.
We were on Crown Princess last week, Alaska was amazing, wonderful weather but the ship experience wasn’t the best, it was a bit outdated and the food was barely above average. The most disappointing thing was that they canceled 2 of our ports and the ones we did do, Juneau,Skagway and Victoria BC were abbreviated stops. Overall it was a good trip but we expected a little more
Why did they cancel and abbreviate stops?
@@allent1034 supposedly the ship wasn’t running at full power so it cut the stops short etc
@@toddgriffis896 That make sense. The cruise lines lose a lot of money when they miss a port so they only do that as a last resort.
@Todd Griffis..im going may 2023 to Alaska hope the weather is nice, looking forward to the train ride in Scagway.
@@enola60 Im going in may as well the 13th i have never been there..hoping for the best..cheers
What other cuisine other than seafood for those than don't like seafood?
THANKS BROTHER U WERE GOOD..
Thanks for this very informative video!!!! We are going the last of May ♥️
We are so glad you found the video helpful. Have a great cruise.
Us too…end of May 2022. 😃 Can’t wait. Hubby is like a little kid. He’s never been on a cruise before.
Here's a tip. Most Alaska cruises involve Canada in some way. If you or anyone you are traveling with has ever had a DUI, it could interfere with travel plans. Why? Even an old DUI deems you criminally inadmissible to Canada and unable to cruise. Apply for a waiver in advance, if you are eligible.
What about riding the train in Skagway? My brother had one in college over 30 years ago. The state he lived in then won’t drop off old DUIs
I am trying to plan my birthday trip for July and I had Cancun in mind but then thought about a cruise to Alaska since I live in Seattle and might not be here next year so I am seriously considering a cruise to Alaska and even though it seems a little short notice I think we can still make it and have a great time. Thank you for your video.
Soooooomuch better than the Caribbean routes---no heat or pesky vendors.
Very informative. Thank you! I was planning a last minute Alaska cruise in Sept/Oct. 2022 We have our 40th wedding anniversary and my husband’s 70th birthday. Is this wise? I’m concerned about the cancellation of flights that are happening. I also want to learn more about the extra costs. I will do my homework for that.
I really want to surprise my husband with this cruise!
can you recommend hotels in seattle the day before our sept cruise?
Would you bring a spotting scope? I have one already and wonder if it would be good to have it on shore or out our balcony? First Alaska cruise in July 23rd southbound with princess
Leaving out of Vancouver next week. Praying we do not get covid because I sure in the hell do not want to be quarantined for ten days. Wish we had canceled because it's a hassle
We are taking our #5 Alaska cruise this September, it’s going to be so relaxing and it’s our first with a balcony cabin.
Im going in September too but it'll be our first
Me too! Hubby and I first trip to Alaska
Our first time to Alaska ,hubby and I headed there in September as well.
You could edit to add that as of October 2022 Norwegian Cruise lines does NOT require vaccination or testing for anyone 🎉
Thanks for your advice. We are cruising this May on a 7 night. What are your top recommendations for excursions for a couple?
Glad you found the video useful. For excursions, it depends what you like to do. If you are the outdoor type, you can hike around Mendenhall Glacier National Park in Juneau. The paths are pretty easy and well marked. For Ketchikan, the totem pole parks are pretty popular, and you can walk up and down creek street doing some shopping and grabbing some food right near where most cruise ships. In Skagway, everyone recommends the train. We have done it, and think it is just okay. This is also a great spot for hiking or ATV adventures.
We cruise may 19
Thanks for your video.any specific ships travel inside usa instead of passing through other countries for the people who has only US working visa
Thanks for the informative video. There are drone shots in your video. Is it allowed to fly a drone while on cruise?
No, not allowed to fly while sailing. You can fly from land over ships in some ports. The shots are courtesy of the cruise lines.
Can you give tip/ ideas ect for single travelers
Which line has the best ship that can go in glacier bay. Last time we took Norwegian and the ship was too big to go in so it just docked near the bay. I want to make sure I get a ship that can go in. Is Princess or holland better or is there a better one. We have a 4 year old w us also.
Its 1 day before boarding, out of Vancouver, for test.
On all cruise lines or is this a Canada thing?
They just changed it back to 2. Now you need the ArriveCan done up to 72 hrs before checkin.
Hi! How far is the Seattle airport from the port? Like how much did you pay for Uber, if you don’t mind please?
Also do you have any budget hotel recommendations? They are all so expensive and costs about $70 for transport to port.
Things to do in Seattle if we fly in the day before?
Thank you. Very excited about this cruise. And thanks for posting this video!
Sea-Tac Seattle is 20 minutes out of town--factor transport and easy access to the very entertaining and walk able downtown with its train system into hotel costs--we find and extra day in Seattle, nearer the port to be quite worth it.
Depends on which pier. Pier 66 is right downtown. I don't know which lines are using that one right now. Used to be X, NCL and maybe RCCL. I know HAL was using pier 91, which is in a very industrial port area. I don't consider the Waterfront Marriot budget at all, but it is literally right across the street from Pier 66 so no uber or anything is needed. And Ivan's is right down the street for awesome chowder and fish & chips!
@@carmenlawson7175 thanks much!!
I've never been to Alaska..been to the Bahamas once on a cruise....looks cold
I am doing a 10 day Alaskan cruise from Vancouver to Whittier. For a man, how many "outfits" should I pack? I have 3 excursions - Ketchikan (just walking the streets), Juneau (to see Mendenhall glacier) and Skagway (Yukon-Skagway train ride). The other days are sightseeing from ship with 1 sea day.
May I please ask how far in advance can you get the cruise planner you keep referring to?
Booked on HAL end of April. Looking forward to going there for #5. Got the umbrella and jacket ready to go!
Have a great cruise.
I was thinking of going in august but heard may might be better. Any suggestions?
2023 i plan to
Please help to choose the best website to book a cruise. Thanks !!
Do they have handicap accessable rooms?
Great video. Couple of questions Would you suggest Vancouver round trip or Whittier to Vancouver Seems like there is one additional stop on Vancouver round trip. Is it worth the extra price W to V for the cruise price? and any suggestions or thoughts, if we did do W to V is it worthwhile to do and pre sightseeing. Seems expensive compared to the cruise price, in total.
Update: you don’t need a vaccine cruising to Alaska, and NCL doesn’t require you to be vaccinated 💪
Very informative video, Question we are planning seven day Alaskan trip but are thinking not to come back to Seattle rather will exiting or off boarding in Ketchikan.( can we do that?) on cruise itinerary.
Will stay few days in Ketchikan and will fly to Anchorage. Any Tips regarding this plan?
We’re the waters rough? That’s the thing that worries me. I get sick and have heard Alaskan gets choppy. We’re going in June!
i found Sailing out of Vancouver is much better than Seattle. Vancouver restaurants and scenery is a million times better andships are better dock than Seattle. Seattle is a grunge boring cold city. even the people are boring in Seattle. Canada people are very nice friendly .service is much better
What lenses did you rent?
@ 17:21 nothing is complimentary, its a part of your ticket cost 🤣
Good morning. We will be in a cruise in less than a month. Are there supplier at the pier offering tours that we can book for less?
I am going RC May 9, 2022. I’m wondering what type of clothes do we pack? We are flying into Seattle the day before.
You will enjoy the casual dress. Black slacks and a few blouses for dinner. You will not perspire, so you will wear tops to dinner more than once. Day time finds me in a flannel shirt unbuttoned with long sleeved t under it. You guessed it. The flannel shirt is worn buttoned up without the T the second day. Have fun!
Hope you had a great time!
My home is Alaska. I'm thinking about starting an automated vending machine /smart locker that rents Jacki, mid layers and base layers. Option to rent or outright buy the item. Thoughts?
Does the ship have any automated vending machines ?
What is retail like on the ship? Do they have what you need a at an affordable cost?
Excellent idea. They have something similar for skiing - you would have to take a big deposit on a credit card in case it didn’t come back, but people may like the idea of having this available. It will be a hefty up front cost though to get inventory but I am sure you can run the numbers.
We’ve only cruised Carnival so far, but thinking about doing Alaska on Princess. I’ve heard they’re the best for that destination. Although we are NOT big drinkers or partiers, I’m worried we might find Princess boring… is that possible? I mean, Carnival is known for being the “fun ships”… I do prefer nicer/newer ships, but I generally don’t care about “bells and whistles” like flow riders or roller coasters.
We love Princess after 7 cruises with them-- Celebrity to Alaska is not too geriatric and quite classy in all aspects--personal preference.
@@amandareiche9083 thank you!