The Best Way To See Alaska

Cruising Through the Alaska Inside Passage

Cruising through the Alaska Inside Passage is another great way to make the travel experience more convenient. Cruise ships are full of onboard and land-based entertainment options, great dining to refuel for your adventures and you’ll have a warm shower and comfortable bed waiting for you when you get back to the ship.

There are plenty of Alaska shore excursions available for specific experiences — for example, spotting wildlife or getting a unique glacier view. Cruises also simplify travel logistics and planning: There’s no need to book multiple hotels, decide between different travel methods or plan every second of your itinerary.

Alaskan cruises primarily focus on the state's long coastline, from the picturesque waterside near Ketchikan in the south to the dramatic inlets and sounds near destinations such as Seward and Anchorage farther north. You may even have the option to spend one morning or afternoon kayaking. That's the great part about a cruise: It's not just a great way to experience Alaska, but also the most customizable.

The Best Month To Go to Alaska

The best way to experience Alaska is by visiting in the summer, between June and August. There's no better time to admire the state's sprawling glaciers than from miles away, before slowly drawing into the bay until the massive sheets of ice are so close you can see the meltwater carving channels through them. Stand out on the deck to feel the fresh Northern air on your face, or watch it all unfold from the comfort of your stateroom — or, with a glass of champagne in one of the onboard restaurants.

Another reason to love an Alaskan cruise in summer is that it's by far your best chance of seeing whales. These amazing animals are especially active in the Icy Strait near Juneau and in the waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. Try not to worry too much about this aspect of your Alaska vacation — your ship's crew will know just where to go to find whales. You'll also be able to see dozens of other wildlife species, including colonies of seabirds and groups of walruses and sea lions sunbathing on the rocks.

How Many Days Is Ideal for an Alaska Trip?

The standard Alaska cruise typically spans seven nights, give or take, which is the baseline needed to cover the distance between major ports like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. If you intend to see the interior before or after your cruise — specifically Denali National Park or the Fairbanks region — you should plan a 10- to 14-day itinerary.

Alaska is vast, and transit between the coast and the interior takes time when moving by rail or road, so allow plenty of time to get to the cruise terminal on time.

Can You Take A Road Trip In Alaska?

If you’re looking to explore Alaska by land before or after your cruise, you can take a road trip, but it could be difficult because the state doesn’t have an extensive highway network. As you plan your trip, you may notice that online maps don't even offer driving directions between certain locations. Seeing Alaska by car can be a rewarding adventure if you only plan to explore a few specific areas, such as the route between Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula or the Chugach National Forest, which is a quick 90-minute journey from Anchorage.

If you start your Alaskan cruise vacation by flying into Anchorage, you could drive south to Seward to take a Kenai Fjords cruise or a kayaking adventure. Likewise, it's just four hours (a short distance, by Alaskan standards) up Interstate Highway A4 to Denali National Park.

If you come in winter, make sure to continue north to Fairbanks — the city outskirts are the best place in the United States to see the Northern Lights. Another worthwhile stop along the A4, no matter which time of year you come, is the charming small town of Talkeetna, a former mining town whose population just broke 1,000 people.

If you do rent a car to go driving through Alaska, you'll likely need to combine it with other modes of transport. For example, the drive between Juneau and Anchorage takes nearly a day, even under the best circumstances. It's often better to fly and then pick up a car at Anchorage Airport. On the other hand, if time is not an issue and your Alaska trip is about the journey as much as the destination, you can take the so-called Alaska Marine Highway, a network of car ferries that allows you to slowly make your way along the coast from Juneau to Anchorage.