Travelling Alaska on a cruise is an incomparable experience! Glistening icy glaciers, fascinating fjord landscapes, spherical whale songs, grizzlies, moose and bald eagles are just some of the breathtaking highlights you will encounter on an Alaska cruise. The ‘land in whose direction the sea flows’, as the indigenous people called their country, is made to be discovered from the water. Alaska may be the 49th state of the United States of America, but it is still wonderfully wild, mysterious and dramatically beautiful. A cruise to Alaska is one of the last great nature adventures of our time. Grandiose impressions, culture and goose bumps included!
An Alaska cruise is one of the most fascinating trips you can take as a nature lover and passionate amateur photographer: Up close and without filters, one breathtaking natural experience follows the next on your cruise along the Pacific coast of North America. Your ship glides incredibly close to the bizarre glacier worlds with their turquoise-coloured ice caves. Snow-capped peaks and dreamy islands, in front of which sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles and harbour porpoises cavort, offer photo opportunities in a class of their own. Nature explorers can't get enough of the dramatic landscape, the incredible flora and fauna and that special light high up north. Alaska cruises offer an unforgettable adventure for every nature lover and photographer.
Here you can find out what the best Alaska cruise route is and which cruise ports, shore excursions, sights and excursions are really worthwhile.
If you book a luxury Alaska cruise, for example on Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth, you are sure not to miss any of the highlights and sights of Alaska and will learn a lot about its history, land and people. After your flight to Seattle and one or more days in Vancouver, Canada, you will board the ship and look forward to the fireworks of Alaskan highlights that you will experience on your 10 to 15-day cruise:
Glacier Bay National Park
Hubbard Glacier
Juneau, the capital of Alaska
Sitka
Ketchikan
Skagway and
Icy Strait Point
are unforgettable highlights of every Alaska voyage and are included in all bookable Alaska cruises.
The Inside Passage along the coast of Canada, past the islands of the Pacific Northwest coast and the fjords of North America, is one of the most scenic cruise routes in the world. A highlight of your Alaska cruise is Vancouver, one of Canada's most fascinating cities. Vancouver not only offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Pacific Ocean, but also a vibrant cultural scene and excellent amenities for cruise guests. The Port of Vancouver is an ideal starting point for your cruise adventure, as it offers a perfect combination of urban flair and natural beauty. Longer Alaska cruises often end in San Francisco: an excellent opportunity to combine your trip to the remote glacial worlds of Alaska with a city break or beach holiday. Alaska, known for its impressive ships and breathtaking landscapes, will inspire you on every journey.
On an Alaska cruise, you are sure to enter uncharted territory. You will experience adventures that you never dared to dream of before. Of course, you can sit back and relax and be surprised day after day by the possibilities and excursion tips from the crew. Or you can prepare yourself specifically for the spectacular natural experiences and sights that await you on the shore excursions in Alaska. The Alaska cruises offer you unique destinations and nature experiences that will make your trip unforgettable.
The cruise season in Alaska is between May and September. During the summer months, Alaska's harbours are ice-free, but it can still be cool, rainy and windy this far north. As you can theoretically expect up to 15 hours of sunshine in early May and late September, sun cream and sunglasses should not be missing from your luggage. Even more important in Alaska, however, is sufficient warm and weatherproof clothing even in midsummer, so that you are well equipped for outdoor experiences and your photo sessions on the outside decks of your cruise ship. On your Alaska cruise, you should definitely bear in mind the saying: ‘There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes’, because it's worth spending a lot of time outdoors and in the exciting nature of Alaska. These destinations offer breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences.
a windproof and waterproof parka or anorak (preferably with a hood)
rain cape
Breathable functional clothing
sturdy hiking boots
trainers
hat
gloves
scarf
All of this should also be in your luggage in midsummer, as the weather can change quickly on an Alaska cruise. If you dress in an onion look instead of a warm turtleneck jumper, you are always well prepared for rapid changes in the weather, as the thermometer can quickly rise to well over 25 degrees in summer.
For passionate nature watchers, binoculars and a camera are a must on an Alaska tour: The spectacular photo opportunities on this unique sea voyage are inexhaustible. On an Alaska cruise with children, you should definitely take the opportunity to observe Alaska's wildlife in the wild as often as possible. These cruises offer you numerous places where you can experience the impressive nature and fascinating wildlife in the unspoilt wilderness of Alaska:
On a shore excursion at Icy Strait Point on Chichagof Island, you will experience brown bears up close. Bears fishing for salmon and searching for mussels in their natural habitat is a wow experience for young and old alike.
Whale watching with the Zodiac from Victoria is a breathtaking adventure for young and old. Your crew on board will know when and where to spot humpback whales or bald eagles.
On a scenic flight over Denali National Park with its spectacular 6,000 metre peaks such as Denali (=Mount McKinley), you can get up close to the wolf populations, moose, bears and lynx that live there.
Although travelling to Alaska on a modern and comfortable cruise ship is not an expedition, you'll get more out of it if you make a few preparations for the adventures that await you along the way.
On your cruise with Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth, you will receive an inspiring complete package in advance with information on all the sights and the excursions on offer along the legendary Inside Passage in Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. In addition to the magnificent natural wonders of the national park and the breathtaking Hubbard Glacier, an Alaskan cruise gives you the opportunity to experience the breathtaking freedom of the unspoilt landscape.
Snow and ice characterise the impressive scenery, and every part of the national park is worth a visit. Such a holiday in the fascinating nature of Alaska will offer you unforgettable impressions and experiences.
Immerse yourself in the exciting gold rush past of Alaska's capital Juneau and Skagway.
Juneau is probably the only capital city that can only be reached by sea or plane.
Get to know the inspiring culture of the indigenous people in Ketchikan and Sitka
You should definitely visit the totem pole museum and salmon hatchery during your shore leave in Ketchikan
On the luxury Alaska cruises with Cunard Line, you can enjoy typical Alaskan specialities as well as international cuisine. The world's best seafood and Copper River Red Salmon, the high-quality gourmet salmon from Alaska, are on the menu, as are halibut and the world-famous king crab.
In addition to freshly caught fish and seafood, Alaska is known for its tender reindeer meat and flavourful reindeer sausage, which you should definitely try in the on-board restaurant or on a shore excursion in the unspoilt wilderness. These cruises offer you the opportunity to discover and savour the culinary treasures of this region of the world on elegant ships.
When is the best time to travel on an Alaska cruise?
The months of June, July and August offer the best chance of endless sunny days. The months of May and September are also ideal for nature watching. Although it gets dark much earlier, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase. Alaska's famous national parks are open in the summer months. This is also the best time to embark on a relaxed Alaskan adventure by cruise ship. As you glide through the breathtaking landscape, you can marvel at the majestic glaciers. Do you really fancy Alaska now?
We regularly have Alaska cruises with the Queen Elizabeth in our programme and you can be sure of experiencing Alaska up close and personal. Cheap offers for the Alaska cruise are particularly available in late summer and autumn, but even in May or during the holiday season, real bargains for the Alaska cruise with children are sometimes possible in the cheaper Britannia categories.
Simply check our current cruise offers for Alaska regularly and look forward to a wide range of leisure activities on board and ashore.
Curious to find out more? We will be happy to advise you and give you tips and suggestions for your cruise to one of the most fascinating natural paradises on earth.