Alaska Cruise Guide: 10 Things I Wish I Knew

In Ketchikan, when you get off the ship, get one of the red trolley tours. Do not book through the ship and ask them if they will take you in the backside of the bear preserve. It’s the most amazing experience.

Alaska cruise out of Vancouver was our fav cruise to date, which took me by huge surprise. We went end of May 2023 and next time would like to try the end of June to mid August time frame. We loved it so much and have been thinking about it ever since. All these tips are awesome! I would also just add to take the White Pass railway all the way up Yukon Canada if your cruise includes Skagway.

Been to Alaska, did the inside passage, did local excursions, best cruise ever.

36 days and counting on the Discovery Princess 😁

I enjoyed your video. Thanks. I have been to Alaska in May, June, August, and going Sept this year. There is always good food and wildlife to see with the beauty that is around in any month. Last year, after I went on an early excursion I went back to the ship and sat out by the pool, getting in and out, and watch the helicopters come and go. It was awesome. It has been an every year place for me right now. The best.

Alaska is still on the bucket list

Victoria is great. I used to live in Port Angeles WA. and it was a 90 minute ferry ride to get there. Visited maybe 20 times and never got tired of the city.

As for cash, we carried extra for tipping the excursion guides and I'm glad we did. They were so informative and entertaining that we tipped them very well, like $40-50, and we think we got a great deal. And our excursions were booked independent of the cruise line. They guaranteed returns or they would make sure we got to the next port, so check on that.

This is so useful, thank you!

Agree with everything you covered, Jordan. Loved, loved the inside passage last year!

Thanks for the suggestions.. Take care

We totally agree. We book off the ship as much as possible. We are going again this summer and have only one ship excursion. We eat early dinner, go to the early show, and go to bed. Too much to see to stay in bed.

You two do a great job - thank you . As a seasoned Alaska cruiser along with my wife , we like to depart out of Vancouver and return to Vancouver . We cruise late June as this gives us the longest day of light . We really appreciate the inside passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia. The scenery is beautiful and we usually make it partway up before it gets dark. Coming back we got a full day of the inside passage and its offers incredible views. There are several pods of Orcas that live in these waters and can be really close to the ship. You can also observe whales transiting. The other benefit is it’s completely calm no open ocean as you travel up and down the inside passage. Some of the best weather we have experienced has been late June . Glad we bring suntan lotion lol .

Going to Alaska for the first time. Thanks for the tips. Very helpful.

I’ve been to Deckhand Dave’s!! I miss Alaska and the lovely fish! My mom and I had a great time! 😊

❤🎉3,2&1!! 🎉You nailed it!!!❤❤Thanks guys!!!❤

This is such a needed video as we will be on the Edge in July with MAS. Will be watching this again end of June. Thanks so much 🤗

IM looking forward our alaska cruise this coming august. Thanks for sharing

Great information.. We are going to Alaska in early May of this year.. Thanks

Great tips! I’m headed to Alaska in May!