Alaska’s reputation as a tourist destination has grown tremendously over the past few years. This is mainly thanks to the increase in cruise lines offering packages to tourists. Another reason is that the cruise line offer differing types of vessels to their passengers. So, depending on how much you want to spend, you can choose from low key ships to mega cruisers.
The main thing you have to keep in mind about an Alaskan cruise is that it is seasonal. The season begins in May and ends in September. This is the period when the waterways are not frozen, thereby enabling ships to freely navigate the area. The season peaks in June, July and August as the temperature reaches up to 80 degrees in the daytime making the weather quite pleasant. Nighttime temperatures will drop but not to the freezing levels of winter.
There are two main routes that are taken by the cruise lines – The Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska. Although both cruises take very different routes, they do intersect at some stops. Keep in mind that the Gulf cruise is a one way journey ending in Vancouver or Anchorage, depending on where you boarded the ship.
If you plan to take one of these cruises, do not pack very think clothing. Since temperatures do not hit subzero levels during the season, you would only be lugging around heavy luggage. Multiple amounts of thin layer clothing is the way to go, as you can add or subtract layers as you wish.