Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries and planning tips

Trying to plan a family trip to Alaska? I've been there — figuratively, as a dad of four who's spent way too many hours reading guides. The Points Guy just put out a thorough Alaska cruise guide, and I combed through it for what actually matters to families like ours.

First, why cruise? TPG points out that many of Alaska's best sights along the Inside Passage have no road access. A cruise gets you to gold rush towns, glaciers, and Alaska Native heritage sites without the logistics nightmare of flying into Anchorage and cobbling together trains, buses and hotels. Plus, the bundled price for meals and lodging can be cheaper than a land trip, especially if you sail round-trip from Seattle or Vancouver. That saves a long, expensive flight for a big family.

Which itinerary? Inside Passage vs. Gulf of Alaska

Most Alaska cruises run the Inside Passage, a calm water route between islands. It's great for anyone worried about seasickness — and with kids, that's most of us. You'll typically visit three or four ports like Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point. There's also a day of scenic cruising past Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier.

If you want to see Denali or Fairbanks, you need a one-way Gulf of Alaska cruise (between Vancouver and Anchorage) plus a cruise line-operated land tour. TPG calls these "cruisetours," and they combine a weeklong cruise with a bus tour that can include the Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and two to three nights in Denali. It's easier than stringing together your own reservations. Just know the Gulf portion can get rough later in the season.

When to go and what it costs

The Alaska cruise season runs May through mid-September, with some ships starting in April or ending in October. Early and late sailings (April, May, September, October) are generally cheaper than June, July and August. TPG says the best fares go to people who book early — often when bookings open nearly two years ahead. If you wait, look for sales around Black Friday, Cyber Monday or wave season (January through March) for discounts, free upgrades or perks like Wi-Fi and drink packages.

For a family of four, those savings matter. We're not made of money.

Best cruise lines for families

If you have kids, TPG recommends Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC for their kids clubs, pools and activities. Royal Caribbean has rock climbing walls and go-karts. Disney has character meet-and-greets. For multigenerational trips with grandparents, TPG points to Celebrity, Holland America and Princess for dining and entertainment that work for all ages.

Active families might prefer expedition lines like UnCruise Adventures or National Geographic-Lindblad, which include kayaks, zodiacs and naturalists. Teenagers who love nature will stay engaged. Just expect older shipmates.

What to do in port

Shore excursions are pricey in Alaska — TPG notes that helicopters, floatplanes and U.S. wages drive costs up. But you can find wildlife tours in every port (whales, bears, eagles), dog sledding on glaciers, salmon bakes, gold panning, and rides on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Skagway. Shopping is everywhere, but look for Alaska Native-owned stores for authentic souvenirs.

Icy Strait Point is notable as an Alaska Native-owned port with the Tlingit village of Hoonah nearby. They run the ZipRider zipline.

Packing advice from a dad

TPG's mantra: layers, layers, layers. Mornings can be 40s-50s, afternoons can hit 70s or 80s. And it rains. Skip the umbrella and bring a waterproof hat, rain jacket, rain pants and waterproof boots. Good telephoto lens and binoculars for wildlife. With four kids, I'd add extra socks and snacks. Lots of snacks.

Bottom line

An Alaska cruise takes advance planning — but TPG confirms that organized travelers who book early get the best deals and cabin choices. It's worth the effort. You'll see glaciers, bears, bald eagles and gold rush history from the comfort of a ship. That's a win for any family.

• Alaska
• cruise guide
• cruises
• family travel
• Inside Passage
• The Points Guy