As Alaska cruise season starts to kick off again, we’ve found ourselves thinking more and more about our own Alaska adventure — and honestly, it may have been one of the most unforgettable trips we’ve ever taken.
When most people think of cruises, they picture beaches, tropical drinks, and sunshine. Alaska was completely different — and honestly, that’s what made it so special.
We sailed in early May on the Discovery Princess and visited:
- Juneau
- Ketchikan
- Skagway
- Glacier Bay National Park
From breathtaking scenery to small coastal towns and even the Northern Lights, this turned into one of the most memorable vacations we’ve ever taken.
🚢 First Impressions of Alaska Cruising
One thing that surprised us most was just how relaxing and beautiful the entire experience was. Alaska feels completely different from a Caribbean cruise. Instead of beaches and pool days, you’re surrounded by glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and quiet little towns that feel frozen in time.
And yes… it rained. A lot.
Not heavy downpours all day, but steady light rain and changing temperatures were pretty common during our trip. If you’re planning an Alaska cruise, definitely pack waterproof layers and dress in layers in general because the weather can change quickly.
The good news? Even rainy Alaska is absolutely stunning.
🐋 Whale Watching in Juneau
One of our favorite excursions was whale watching in Juneau.
Our biggest recommendation:
👉 Book early.
Some of the best excursions sell out quickly, especially during Alaska cruise season.
We were able to see whale tails several times, which was amazing, although we didn’t get the dramatic “whale jumping completely out of the water” moment we secretly hoped for. Maybe next time!
Even without that perfect National Geographic moment, it was still an unforgettable experience.
☕ Small Towns, Coffee Shops, and Fried Dough
One thing Tara especially loved was exploring the small local coffee shops in each port town. There’s just something cozy about grabbing a warm drink while walking through these charming little Alaska towns surrounded by mountains and misty weather.
Each stop had its own personality, and some of the coffee spots ended up being just as memorable as the excursions.
And if you visit Juneau, don’t miss the fried dough. Trust us on this one.
Warm, fresh, delicious, and exactly the kind of comfort food you appreciate after walking around in cool rainy weather all day.
Honestly, Alaska may have some of the most scenic coffee breaks we’ve ever had.
🚂 Mike’s Favorite Part: The White Pass Railroad
Without question, Mike’s favorite experience of the trip was riding the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad in Skagway.
The scenery was incredible — towering mountains, waterfalls, snowy peaks, and views that honestly looked fake at times because they were so beautiful.
If you’re visiting Skagway, we would absolutely recommend putting this near the top of your list.
We also really enjoyed the famous Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan. It was funny, entertaining, and just one of those uniquely Alaska experiences that ends up being more fun than you expect.
❄️ Glacier Bay Was Absolutely Stunning
Nothing really prepares you for Glacier Bay National Park.
Photos don’t fully capture how massive and peaceful it feels in person. Seeing glaciers up close while sailing quietly through the bay was one of the most breathtaking experiences we’ve ever had while traveling.
It’s one of those moments where you just stop talking for a few minutes and take it all in.
🍕 Food on Discovery Princess
We were also really impressed with the food onboard the Discovery Princess.
Some of our favorites included:
- Gigi’s Pizza
- The Crown Grill
- The Catch by Rudi
We also purchased the Princess Plus Package, which we personally thought was a great value. For us, it made the cruise experience much more relaxing because so many extras were already included.
🐶 Puppies in the Piazza (Loved It)
One unexpectedly fun experience was the “Puppies in the Piazza” event onboard. Watching sled dog puppies on a cruise ship in Alaska somehow just felt right.
That said… next time we may go all-in and actually book a real sled dog adventure excursion.
Because honestly, once you start planning another Alaska cruise, the excursions list gets dangerous for your wallet very quickly.
🌆 Starting in Vancouver
We departed from Vancouver, which ended up being an excellent choice.
Not only was Vancouver beautiful, but surprisingly our flights there were actually more affordable than flying into Seattle.
We loved exploring the city before the cruise, especially walking through the gorgeous parks along the waterfront. At one point, we even spotted whales passing through the water near the city, which felt like an incredible way to start the trip.
We chose a roundtrip cruise from Vancouver, although the one-way itineraries do travel farther up the Alaska coast if you want to explore more.
✨ The Northern Lights Surprise
As if the trip wasn’t already memorable enough, we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights on our final night.
Completely unexpected.
Completely unforgettable.
It felt like the perfect ending to an already incredible trip.
💡 Final Thoughts: Is an Alaska Cruise Worth It?
Absolutely.
An Alaska cruise had been on our bucket list for years, and it somehow still exceeded our expectations.
It’s scenic, relaxing, adventurous, and unlike any other cruise experience we’ve had.
And honestly, it wasn’t nearly as expensive as we originally thought it would be — especially if you:
- book early
- stay flexible with dates
- sail during shoulder season instead of peak summer
Would we do it again?
Without hesitation.
If Alaska is on your travel wish list, we truly believe it’s one of those trips everyone should experience at least once in their life.
And if you’re lucky enough to catch the Northern Lights at the end of it all? Even better.
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