Wondering what it’s really like on an Alaskan Cruise? In terms of itinerary, activities and nightlife, Alaskan cruises are quite different than those in warmer climates.

The specific cruise I went on was The Norwegian Jewel, and here was the itinerary. I’ve linked my guides for each location, including what I packed.

Day 1: Embarkation from Seward, Alaska
Day 2: Icy Strait Point
Day 3: Juneau
Day 4: Skagway
Day 5: Ketchikan
Day 6: Day at Sea
Day 7: Debarkation in Vancouver, Canada

Weather

The cruise I went on was in the middle of July, so naturally the weather was a bit warmer than other months, but this particular week was the nicest they had seen. In fact, the week prior was very rainy and cold. Even though it’s difficult to predict the weather, one can usually expect some sort of rain during an Alaskan cruise – though I experienced a very unusual one without any. However, both types of weather have their own benefits.

With the warmer weather and sunshine, the ship was able to get much closer to the glaciers due to increased water depth. Some of the excursions, such as kayaking in Skagway were much different than normal – as the instructor said they typically face wind and rain, only allowing the kayakers to go partway across the lake, whereas we were able to explore the entire thing. However, the warm weather can have a negative impact since it’s not their typical climate, as we had signed up for a water rafting excursion in Juneau, but the warmth had caused excessive flooding due to glacial melt, so they had to cancel.

The weather also affects the wildlife – animals prefer the cold and become less active when it’s hot in order to keep cool. For instance we took a sightseeing trolley ride in Ketchikan – something we wouldn’t have done had it been cold. While we did see several Bald Eagles and orcas along the coastline, we unfortunately didn’t get to see bears – even though the driver took us to a nature reserve where bears come down to catch salmon daily.

In conclusion, be prepared for either type of weather, and know that both have their own benefits and downfalls – and be sure to have a back-up plan for activities depending on what you’re given.

Age/nightlife

The age range for the cruise was a bit older – there were hardly any kids, and while there were people under the age of 30, most of the passengers were above that range. Therefore, the onboard activities are more geared toward the age of their average cruiser. This may have been different for Carnival ships, as they cater towards kids and a younger crowd, but as for Norwegian Cruise Line this was the case. That being said, the nightlife is different and in my opinion (as a young person) more fun.

The night club on board – which has a fantastic view for daytime lounging, by the way – hosts themed nights, and dance contests that include different eras (such as 70s, 80s, 90s) and musicians. Even if you don’t participate, they are an absolute blast to watch – and there are plenty of tables around the dance floor, as long as you get there early. The club was a huge hit and filled up with bystanders of all ages each night of the cruise.

Room Size

The rooms are quite small, but with a bed and pull-out couch, we managed to fit four adults in one room – you won’t be spending much time there anway. I’d certainly suggest getting a room with a balcony because there’s always land within view, and you’ll want to spend most of your time onboard checking out the scenery, which may include wildlife and glaciers. However, unlike a caribbean cruise, there seems to be a lot of empty space on the ship, so there’s plenty of open seats and tables to enjoy the view from should you go for an inside room.

Getting there

If you're departing from Seward, you’ll likely fly into Anchorage (if you’re not already in Alaska) in which case, I highly recommend taking the scenic Grandview Train from Anchorage to Seward and if you get to Anchorage a few days early here’s a guide of things you can do.

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