Ultimate Guide to Cruising in Alaska: Summer 2022

By Brooke Franco

A guide to cruising in Alaska this summer. - *Photo by Canva*

Cruising is back to full speed in Alaska this year! After a limited season last year and no sailings in 2020, cruise lines are ready to welcome guests get back with an entire season of 2022 cruise and tour voyages.

To prepare guests to return to The Great Land, this ultimate guide to cruising in Alaska features what you need to know about booking, pre-cruise requirements, excursions, and everything else to help you plan your ideal vacation in the ‘Last Frontier.’

How to Find Your Dream Alaska Cruise

Where to Start?

If you are new to cruising in the region, we recommend checking out the complete Cruise to Alaska Beginners Guide. You will learn more about the best time to plan a trip, ship life, things to do in port, and all the factors to consider when you book a cruise.

What Itinerary Should I Choose?

There are several items to consider when selecting an Alaska itinerary. The first thing to take into account is where the cruise will homeport. Popular cruise homeports include Vancouver, Seattle, and San Francisco. In addition, many of the North/South one-way routes span from Vancouver or Seattle to Anchorage. These one-way sailings pair nicely with land programs that explore the interior of Alaska, including Fairbanks, Denali National Park, and Anchorage. Longer trips (14+ days) may also include the Yukon Territory and Kluane National Park, home to five of the seven tallest peaks in North America.

Another item to note on itineraries is to check out the days marked as ‘cruising’ with a location. The majority of all Alaska cruises navigate at least a portion of the Inside Passage. These protected waters stretch from the northern coast of Washington state into the Alaska panhandle. On these cruise days, you will experience the beauty of nature up close from the comfort of the cruise ship. Many cruisers report these days as the favorite part of their Alaska trip due to the scenic views and abundant wildlife easily viewed from the ship's deck or balcony cabin.

For the inside passage cruises, roundtrip from Seattle, Vancouver, or San Francisco, check to see if Glacier Bay is included on the itinerary. There are limited permits for this protected area, but a cruise through Glacier Bay is the premier glacier viewing experience.

To learn more about the specific voyage routes and the ports you will see, use this guide to help select your ideal Alaska itinerary.

Which Cruise Line Should I Pick?

This question comes down to the types of sites you want to see in Alaska and the type of experience you want to have onboard the ship. Typically, the size of the vessel depends on the locations of where it can physically go in Alaska. Smaller ships can easily cruise into the narrow fjords, whereas the larger cruise ships must stay in deeper open waters.

Mainstream and Premium cruise lines Holland America, Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise Line sail in Alaska. We recommend checking out these lines if you are looking for a big ship experience with spas, casinos, and activities galore, all paired with the highlights of Alaska. Explore Mainstream and Premium cruise line sailings in Alaska

Looking to sail in style? A number of luxury lines such as Silversea, Seabourn, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Cunard, and Windstar all offer cruises in the region. Suburb service, fine dining, and stylish cabins paired with the excitement of an Alaska cruise. See All Luxury Cruises to Alaska

Several cruise lines offer Expedition sailings in Alaska, such as Lindblad Expeditions, Un-Cruise Adventures, and Alaskan Dream Cruises. These brands feature small ships that can navigate rugged terrain, allowing guests to visit smaller ports and get up closer to glaciers and other natural phenomena.

What Kind of Cabin Should I Select?

Part of the beauty of an Alaska cruise is seeing the spectacular landscape as your ship sails through the region. When selecting a cabin, it's essential to keep in mind that having your own private viewing veranda means you can see the surrounding landscape from your cabin. We strongly recommend considering a balcony cabin when you cruise in Alaska. Balconies provide a quiet, private oasis to enjoy the beauty around you.

Check out our Top 5 Reasons to Book a Balcony Cabin on an Alaska Cruise.

Booking

If you haven’t already booked your cruise, we recommend going ahead and making your plans NOW to take advantage of the best prices! Several cruise lines offer significant savings for last-minute departures if you are flexible on dates. A great place to check booking options is our advanced search features for all Alaska cruises and our selection of Alaska cruise deals from all the top lines. Additionally, check out our suggestions for Top 2022 Alaska Cruises.

What You Need to Know for Planning Your Cruise to Alaska

COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Requirements

Each cruise line has its requirements for vaccine and pre-voyage testing requirements. We recommend checking in with your cruise line or travel advisor before traveling for the most up-to-date information on all requirements.

The State of Alaska does not have a testing requirement for travelers prior to entering the state. However, international travelers to Alaska are subject to all U.S. travel restrictions.

If your Alaska cruise homeports from or makes a stop in Canada, there are several requirements from the Canadian Government that you will need to be aware of:

To board a cruise ship docking in Canada, all guests 12 years or older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
All travelers five or older must have a COVID-19 test to board a cruise ship in Canada or board a cruise ship that will dock in Canada at any point on the cruise. In addition, you must provide proof of one of the following:
- Proof of professionally administered/observed negative antigen test taken no more than two days before boarding.
- Proof of valid negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of boarding.
- Previous positive molecular test result - Proof of a positive molecular COVID test taken at least ten calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before you board.
If you’re entering Canada to board a cruise ship, you will be required to use ArriveCAN before boarding your flight or before entering Canada by land. In addition, before boarding a cruise ship, all travelers must submit embarkation test information into ArriveCAN within 72 hours prior.

Explore all Canadian travel policies here.

What to Pack

Packing for an Alaska cruise is different from getting ready for a Caribbean vacation. The weather in the region can be unpredictable, and we recommend coming prepared. You will want to consider the types of activities you will want to do while in port. If you think you will want to spend most of your time checking out the terrain, we recommend bringing hiking boots and a backpack to make your trip easier. Want to check out the local wildlife from your balcony as you sail by on the ship? A pair of binoculars is an excellent tool to pack. Check out our complete Alaska Cruise Packing Guide.

How to Plan Your Time in Port

There are many exciting, once-in-a-lifetime activities and sites to explore in Alaska. We recommend doing your homework before you set off for your vacation. Whether you want to go whale watching, dog sledding, zipline down a mountain, or just want to shop and walk around the port. We recommend taking some time to pick out your excursion plans before your cruise. Many excursions sell out well in advance, so it’s not too early to plan now!

To help guide your planning, we recommend looking at our picks of the Top 10 Alaska Shore Excursions. These suggestions include activities and day trips to major ports. Are you a thrill junkie? Then, check out these 7 Alaska Shore Excursions That Will Get Your Heart Pumping. These unique activities like rock climbing, glacier trekking, and even snorkeling are reserved for the bravest of cruisers.

Looking for more suggestions on how to plan your time in port? Our member reviews for major Alaska destinations are a great place to get tips and ideas for your trip:

Explore All Destination Pages for All Alaska Ports