Alaska Trip Planning – How to Choose the Right Adventure

I think nearly everyone I meet outside of Alaska has an Alaskan cruise story to share. More than 1.6 million people visit Alaska each year on a cruise ship of some sort, and many of those people don’t take the opportunity to explore beyond the cruise port. That’s one of the things I get most excited about: helping people plan adventures that expand on the standard Alaska trip style. Alaska trip planning is so much fun!

Visiting is complex if you haven’t been to AK before. Between cruise travel, the Alaska Railroad and road trips, there’s a lot to consider as you plan an adventure to this beautiful place. So how do you choose the right type of Alaska trip? I’m here to help and can get you all sorted very swiftly. Don’t worry. And if you have questions about anything we’re sharing here or anywhere else on our site, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to answer questions and share more!

Alaska Road Trips

Road trips are my specialty. When you’re doing your Alaska trip planning, I think if you’re not planning on a cruise as the primary way of getting around Alaska, a road trip is what you’re looking at. There are several ways to do an Alaska road trip, and we have some great itineraries

One Week Alaska Road Trip

The most common road trip people do when they come to Alaska is a week long road trip in the main tourism corridor. This usually covers a little time in Anchorage, a visit to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park and then heading up to Denali National Park. It’s easy Alaska trip planning, for sure, as you can just check off specific towns and sites as you make your plans.

For our 7 day Alaska road trip our goal is to get people experiencing wildlife and the unique nature of Alaska. From bears and moose to schools of fish and birding, planning an adventure like this is very simple and FLEXIBLE. I always thing spending a few days in one place is great, so if you have more time than just the 7 days, you can add any of these itineraries to the base road trip plan:

• 3 Days in Palmer
• 3 Days in Denali National Park
• 3 Days in Seward
• 1 Day in Whittier
• 4 Days in Anchorage
• 3 Days in Talkeetna

Two Week Road Trip Adventure

What makes a two week Alaska road trip so special is how much time you get in each destination. Being such a big state with so many regions, just a week leaves you wanting more. Doing a 2 week AK road trip ensures you get enough time to both see the best of a town or area and have some downtime to recover each day. When I planned our most recent two week AK road trip I really tried to include as much hiking as possible, so while we could’ve covered more territory, we opted to enjoy time NOT in a car.

It’s a complicated this to do travel planning for Alaska because it’s so far away you want to do and see as much as possible. I have found though that taking time to do things more slowly and not cover as much ground makes for happier memories and better stories. If you look at our two week road trip plan and think it moves too slowly, you can always update it to fit your schedule and goals.

For example if you want to skip visiting Homer and instead drive the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay, that’s totally up to you. It’s not that you’ll be missing out on anything per se, but you’ll be having just a different sort of experience. If you’re using a pre-crafted travel plan like we have here on MyAlaskaTrip.com you can always shave a day here or there to change things up.

Al-Can Epic Road Trip

One of my favorite road trips ever is the drive between Seattle and Anchorage. This 51 hour adventure is best broken up over 6 or more days. You’ll start in Washington State and the drive the length of British Columbia, through the Yukon Territory and finally through the remote Interior of Alaska. Planning this Alaska trip is much more a game of logistics and managing your time. You can stretch this drive across more than a week to make it more enjoyable, but if you just want to get to Anchorage from the Lower 48, you can do it more quickly. The Al-Can and Cassiar Highways are beautiful!

The fastest I’ve ever done the road trip from Seattle to Anchorage was 3 days and it was hard. It was enjoyable because the scenery is so epic and every morning started with a moose sighting, but it was physically and mentally draining. If your planning this epic road trip from Seattle to Anchorage, consider adding another day in Whitehorse or at Lake Kluane. You can spend more time in British Columbia on the drive, or even adjust the plan to go through Fairbanks instead of Glenallen.

Just remember with doing a road trip on the Al-Can Highway (or the Cassiar Highway) that services are very limited and you will go hours sometimes without seeing a gas station, restaurant or motel. Be sure that you’ve planned properly with the right supplies in your car and your gas station stops are as frequent as possible.

Alaska Cruises

Today it seems like the cruise industry touches nearly every area of Alaska, but that’s not all bad. It means that much of AK that was overlooked or not getting the benefits of increased visitation now have more funding for their communities. It means jobs for locals and seasonal workers, and it means new experiences for all kinds of travelers. Having worked in the cruise industry and also outside of it, I have seen the good and the bad.

As you see the many Alaska cruise options, keep in mind that whenever you make port YOU have the ability to positively impact the community you’re visiting by choosing to spend your dollars in locally owned businesses. In cruise port areas, look for signs that say “Alaskan Owned” or “Alaska Native Owned” to know if your dollars are staying within the community or going back to a multinational corporation.

As you look over the different cruise lines that sail to Alaska, take a look at their most common ports of call. Also, check out the unique things about each cruise line. Sometimes one cruise line offers an itinerary that visits Nome or includes different excursions. It’s the unique twists that may just make your Alaskan cruise extra special, and why your trip planning is key to finding the right adventure.

Cruise Season: early May to mid September (varies by cruise line and itinerary)

Holland America Line

I feel like I see more Holland America cruise ships (HAL) in Alaska than any other cruise line. HAL ships aren’t the biggest ones you’ll see, and because they have so many sailing in Alaska in the summer, they have a few unique itineraries that go beyond the standard ports of call. Check out HAL cruise deals here

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Icy Strait Point.
• Unique Offering: Offers a rare itinerary visiting the Arctic Circle and Nome. Their Land+Sea Journeys combine cruises with Denali and Yukon tours. The McKinley Chalets at Denali National Park are a part of their land tour plan.

Princess Cruises

I used to work for Princess Cruises in Alaska, so they hold a special place in my heart. Their itineraries are very similar to HAL, so you’ll find a lot of the difference in the on-board experience. Check out Princess cruise deals here

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, College Fjord.
• Unique Offering: Exclusive rail connections with their “Direct to Wilderness” train for seamless access to the McKinley and Denali Princess Wilderness lodges.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

This may seem odd, but something I think is really neat about the Norwegian Cruise Line itineraries is how many of them actually stop in Victoria, British Columbia. I love Victoria BC and have been many times. Getting to include a visit with an Alaska cruise is so cool. Find a Norwegian Cruise Line deal here

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Victoria, BC (for roundtrips).
• Unique Offering: Flexible “Freestyle Cruising” and some itineraries with extended stays in ports for more local exploration.

Disney Cruise Line

Who doesn’t love a solidly Disney experience. Whether you’re at one of the parks, enjoying the Ka Wa’a Luau at Aulani in Hawaii, or sailing through Alaska with Disney Cruise Lines, you go into it with a certain expectation of fun, care, and unique flare. Look for a Disney Cruise Line deal here

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Dawes Glacier, Icy Strait Point.
• Unique Offering: Tailored for families, with Alaska-themed Disney character interactions and activities for kids.

Royal Caribbean

I have only sailed with Royal Caribbean in… the Caribbean, so I don’t have any experience with their Alaska cruise style, but when I have sailed with Royal Caribbean it was a very activity-forward trip. Check out Royal Caribbean cruise deals here

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier.
• Unique Offering: Adventure-focused excursions like rock climbing in Skagway and zip-lining in Icy Strait Point.

Celebrity Cruises

I think you’ll find that Celebrity does a more upscale style of cruising, and if you’ve done Royal Caribbean or Carnival you’ll feel it. I like how Celebrity builds out their full cruise tours that have land portions. Find a Celebrity Cruise deal here

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier.
• Unique Offering: Luxurious onboard amenities and “Cruisetours” that combine Denali and Canadian Rockies.

Carnival Cruise Line

While there isn’t a huge difference in itineraries, Carnival tends to be the most budget-friendly option for Alaska cruises. Some people say it’s more of a party boat, but I feel like the atmosphere of Alaska cruising is less party-ish than a Caribbean sailing. See Carnival Cruises deals here

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, Icy Strait Point.
• Unique Offering: Affordable family-friendly itineraries and vibrant onboard activities.

MSC Cruises

I haven’t sailed with MSC Cruises before so have no experience to share, but I’ve researched sailing with them. As soon as we try them out we’ll include more info. Find an MSC cruise deal here

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier.
• Unique Offering: Newer to Alaska, they emphasize eco-friendly practices and offer global culinary experiences onboard.

Small Ship Adventures in Alaska

I absolutely love the small ship or expedition style sailings in Alaska. There’s something really memorable and unique about being on a smaller boat with an impressive crew to passenger ratio. And also getting to visit more remote or closed off areas because you’re on a smaller ship makes the daily experiences very unique. This isn’t for everybody though and does come at a more premium price. At the end of the day though for some people, they look at the cost and think “I’m already spending thousands… what’s another $2k?” That’s not everyone’s thought process or budget though.

Tip: always check out an expedition company’s website to look for any random sailing deals. Sometimes they have last minute opening or cancellations that they want to fill and you can score an amazing booking at half the standard cost. The only time I recommend Alaska trip planning at the last minute is if you stumble upon a deal.

UnCruise Adventures

I love UnCruise Adventures and they hold a special place in my heart. UnCruise was my kids’ first Alaska sailing experience and it was so perfect for them, and us adults. We’ve done UnCruise in both Alaska and Hawaii and each trip was exceptional.

• Common Ports of Call: Focus on smaller, remote destinations such as Misty Fjords, Frederick Sound, and Petersburg.
• Unique Offering: Highly active itineraries including kayaking, bushwhacking, and close wildlife encounters. Seriously, the bushwhacking hikes are my FAVORITE!

Lindblad Expeditions (in partnership with National Geographic)

Another expedition experience is through Lindblad / NatGeo. They do similar itineraries as UnCruise, but with a different excursion style. Lindblad is still an active small ship experience, but not as active.

• Common Ports of Call: Small, off-the-beaten-path locations like Haines, Wrangell, and remote inlets.
• Unique Offering: Onboard naturalists and photographers, with an emphasis on education and conservation.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

This is a very different sort of company in that it’s Alaska Native owned, which is awesome. Alaskan Dream Cruises has a similar style to UnCruise or Lindblad, but they visit some very special place, Alaska Native villages in the Inside Passage.

• Common Ports of Call: Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Glacier Bay, remote Tlingit villages.
• Unique Offering: Locally owned and operated by the Tlingit people, offering cultural immersion experiences.

American Cruise Lines

The first time I ever heard of American Cruise Lines I was living in Washington State and was standing on our deck… and all of the sudden an American Cruise Lines ship went right in front of our house in our tiny town. What I love about ACL is how they incorporate history and the storytelling element to cruising.

• Common Ports of Call: Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay.
• Unique Offering: Small ships with all-American crews (I don’t think this is important) and a focus on history and culture.

Seabourn

Seabourn Cruises has larger ships, but they still aren’t as big as the primary cruise lines that visit Alaska. If your trip planning includes a cruise experience on a smaller ship but with the comprehensive offerings of the larger ships, Seabourn is a good option.

• Common Ports of Call: Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point.
• Unique Offering: High-end small ships with an intimate feel, offering Ventures by Seabourn guided zodiac and kayak tours.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises is a part of the Xanterra Travel group, which also manages Yellowstone and Grand Canyon lodges, so you know you’re going to get a very nature-forward trip. When I think of Windstar, I think of their masted sailing yacht, but those aren’t what you’ll get in Alaska. They do small ships, but not the sailing vessels.

• Common Ports of Call: Sitka, Juneau, Tracy Arm, Petersburg, Wrangell.
• Unique Offering: Small, yacht-like ships that can access hidden coves and offer a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere.

Winter Travel in Alaska

Alaska trip planning starts with deciding what season you want to visit during, and most people pick summer. I love fall, personally. I’ll be the first to say the winter in Alaska isn’t for everybody. If you have always wanted to experience the biting cold, endless darkness and the Northern Lights, well, then you may really love it. Alaskans tend to enjoy the winter because of the amazing outdoor activities like dog mushing and snowmobiling, but people visiting from California or Florida may not have the constitution to find the fun in the freezing temps. I don’t have it in me anymore.

If you’re looking forward to a winter trip to Alaska, consider visiting Fairbanks or Anchorage vs a small town. The smaller towns that are wonderful summertime hubs mostly close up for the winter months. That doesn’t mean you can’t visit, but you can’t have big expectations. Fairbanks really capitalized on their ability to be a winter travel destination.

Another good winter Alaska destination is Anchorage. The city doesn’t shut down and within an hour you’ve got two ski destinations: Alyeska Resort and Hatcher Pass. Add to skiing some snowshoeing and snowmobiling and you’re set!

There are NOT cruise options for winter travel in Alaska. While there are some Alaska Marine Highway routes that operate, specifically in Southeast Alaska, major commercial tourism via ship doesn’t start up again until early May.

So do you feel pretty good about planning an Alaska trip now in terms of what sort of trip you want? A first time trip that’s short and just gets you a taste of AK is totally fine. Don’t feel like you have to fully dive in from the start. If you have any questions about planning Alaska travel or need suggestions for just the right sort of trip, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!