Alaska has become a top cruise spot and for good reason | Sandy Fenton

Everything you hear about the “Great Land of Alaska” is true.

Often described as “Mother Nature on steroids,” Alaska’s natural grandeur and magnificent scenery are indeed awe-inspiring, and ought to be seen (and experienced) in person.

Alaska is also one of the world’s top cruise destinations, enjoyed by travelers of all ages, personal tastes and incomes. With more coastline than the rest of the U.S. mainland combined, cruising is the most popular way to explore the 49th state.

It’s also true that Alaska had more visitors this year, mostly via cruise ships (289 scheduled sailings) than ever before. Having recently returned from my fourth Alaskan cruise, I can attest to how busy some of the ports of call were this season.

We began our sailing in beautiful Vancouver aboard the legendary Queen Elizabeth, one of five ships in port. It took almost 2 hours of waiting in line to get on board. It was chaotic and crowded – and not a great way to begin a cruise vacation.

So what’s the deal?

Alaska has been and continues to be a super-popular cruise itinerary, particularly for families. Once COVID-19 hit, and British Columbia/Canada and the U.S. shut down, all ships scheduled to sail Alaska in 2020 were “paused” or canceled. Cruising began opening up (with restrictions) in 2021 and demand went through the ceiling.

In 2022-23 cruise lines deployed more ships in Alaska than ever before. Not everyone is happy about this. Some of the popular ports of call are very congested and there are negotiations underway with the cruise lines and port authorities to address the over-tourism moving forward. (In Juneau and Sitka there were at least 5 ships docked or anchored and these small towns quickly became very crowded.)

But don’t be deterred. Alaska is unlike any place else in the world. Everything there is so big, so vast and so different from the rest of our country. Boasting stunning and varied landscapes, abundant wildlife, massive ice-blue glaciers, history, native cultures and more natural wonders than you can imagine, you really do have to see it to believe it.

It’s never too early to start planning your 2024-25 Alaska vacation. Here are some tips for you to go over with your travel agent:

• If you’re traveling with young children, teenagers or a large, multi-generational family, bigger may be a better fit for you. Ask your travel agent about Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruises, Royal Caribbean, NCL and Carnival.
• If you want an intimate experience (smaller ships with few or no kids) combining all-inclusive luxury, and off-the-beaten-path adventure excursions, check out Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn Cruises.
• Mid-size ships, catering to upscale and well-traveled adults, offer a more traditional sailing experience with gracious service and amenities. They include Oceania, Viking and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.
• Every style of ship in Alaska offers special sales and added promotions, especially during the shoulder season – April, May, September and October.
• June, July and August are the busiest months, and tend to be the most costly, even with the same itineraries as the shoulder season.
• Most cruises begin in Vancouver, Seattle, Seward and Whittier. Vancouver and Seattle are the most popular and accessible. Both cities are fantastic to explore on foot, making them ideal pre or post-cruise overnight stays. Ask about hotel packages and transfers.
• Alaska cruises usually last 7 to 14 days. Most Inside Passage cruises can be combined with land tours into the interior via motorcoach and train travel.
• Scattered along Alaska’s southern coastline are the various ports of call, including Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Wrangell, Haines and Seward. Book your shore excursions early. (Peak crowds appear 11 a.m.-2 p.m.)
• New ports and itineraries for 2024-25 may include Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm Fjord and Klawock-Prince of Wales Island. The length of your cruise and size/style of your ship will determine what towns you visit (there are 50 different ships scheduled to cruise Alaska next year).
• You can expect every type of weather pattern, sometimes all in one day. Always layer your clothing, prepare for rain and wear super-comfy walking shoes.

Having been to Alaska before, I am still in awe of its natural beauty, and our cruise aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth was a terrific match for us. Here are a few of my favorite recent Alaskan experiences while on the QE:

• Meeting & listening to Mensun Bound, Director of Exploration for finding Shackleton’s ship Endurance in 2022, and Libby Riddles, First Woman Champion to win Alaska’s world-famous Iditarod dog mushing race, as part of the guest lecturer series.
• British signatures and styles are everywhere on the ship. From gigantic portraits of Queen Elizabeth and King Charles to white-gloved afternoon tea and enjoying fish & chips with an English pint (listening to live Irish music) at the Golden Lion Pub.
• The staff. From crew members to the Captain – all have had to undergo White Star Service training and it shows. So polite, so helpful, and so lovely to encounter on a day-to-day basis.
• Excellent world-class entertainment in the beautiful Royal Court Theatre. Live music is everywhere throughout the ship, which has two orchestras. Cunard ships have a longtime tradition of dancing and dance classes with professional dancers.
• The Library & Promenade Deck. There are thousands of best sellers to read in the spacious two-story library or along the wrap-around promenade deck, complete with real teak lounge chairs and thick cushions, a perfect spot to take in all the surrounding views. (FYI, walking the Promenade Deck just over 3 times equals one mile.)
• The onboard atmosphere. It’s calm, peaceful and friendly. No waterparks, ice-skating or aqua shows.
• In busy Skagway, my husband Stewart and I walked about 15 minutes away from the ship and stumbled upon a creek with thousands of salmon on top of each other trying to swim upstream. A local resident said we found one of Skagway’s best secrets.
• Having lunch overlooking the stunning Hubbard Glacier. It was so quiet except for the small icebergs going by.

Some of my favorite stops in Alaska include:

• Ketchikan: Well-known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” it also boasts the largest collection of Indigenous American totem poles on the planet. Spend some time at the Totem Bight State Historical Park, which is also an old-growth rainforest.
• Wrangell: Head to the Tongass National Forest, the largest national park in the U.S. and take in the wildlife along this coastal rainforest, including ancient medicinal plants still used by Native cultures.
• Juneau: Originally called Harrisburg, before co-founder Richard Harris fell out of favor with the locals, Alaska’s capital city cannot be reached by road, only by sea or air. It’s another great walking town – begin at the state capital and stop at the Wickersham House, Alaska State Museum, and the Governor’s Mansion. 
• Sitka: Considered one of the world’s best places to view wildlife, Sitka is a picturesque town reflecting the history of early Russian settlers. Check out the Alaska Rapture Center, Russian Bishop’s House and St. Michael’s Cathedral, Sitka’s most photographed site.
• Skagway: Take a historic walking tour before boarding the popular White Pass and Yukon Route train. It’s a great way to take in the stunning scenery while learning all about those long-gone Gold Rush days.
• Icy Strait Point: Whales, Wildlife and Alaska-style cuisine all come together in this classic Alaskan port.  Take a catamaran to Point Adolphus to whale-watch and check out all the sea lions, harbor seals and bald eagles before returning to the ship for a seafood feast.

If you’re looking for a true sea voyage, ask your travel agent about all 2024-25 Cunard “Queen Elizabeth” sailings to Alaska. You can’t go wrong with the legacy, grandeur and elegance of Cunard.

“Let’s Visit PA with Sandy Fenton” is syndicated on iHeartRadio and heard locally every Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to noon on WHP-AM 580.”