Alaska Vacations & Cruises

Go Beyond the Ordinary

Towering glaciers, rugged mountains, abundant wildlife and some of the most spectacular scenery in North America make Alaska a destination unlike anywhere else.

But there's more than one way to experience it.

You can sail through Alaska's Inside Passage, venture into the state's interior, combine a cruise with a land tour, travel by rail, search for wildlife, go fishing, kayak among dramatic scenery or simply stand on your balcony and watch Alaska unfold around you.

At Great Plains Travel, we help you determine not only where to go, but how you should experience Alaska.

How Do You Want to Experience Alaska?

Alaska Cruises

Cruising is one of the most popular ways to experience Alaska—and for good reason.

A cruise allows you to visit several destinations while enjoying Alaska's coastline, glaciers and scenery along the way. Depending on your itinerary, you may visit ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway and experience scenic cruising through some of Alaska's most remarkable landscapes.

But choosing an Alaska cruise isn't just about finding a ship that sails there.

The itinerary matters. The ship matters. And the experience you're looking for matters.

Great Plains Travel can help you compare cruise lines, ships, itineraries, staterooms and excursions to find the right fit.

Alaska Cruise + Land Vacations

Want to see more than Alaska's coastline?

Consider combining your cruise with time on land.

Cruise tours and customized pre- or post-cruise stays can take you deeper into Alaska, with opportunities to experience destinations such as Denali, Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Rail journeys, wilderness lodges and inland adventures can transform an Alaska cruise into a much more extensive Alaska vacation.

If Alaska is a bucket-list trip, adding time on land can be well worth considering.

Choosing the Right Alaska Cruise

This is one destination where we strongly believe the itinerary deserves just as much attention as the ship.

When helping you compare Alaska cruises, we consider:

Itinerary — Which ports will you visit? Is scenic glacier viewing included? Is the cruise round-trip or one-way?

Cruise Line — Some cruise lines have decades of experience in Alaska and extensive land operations, while others emphasize family entertainment, luxury or smaller-ship experiences.

Ship Size — Larger ships may offer more restaurants, entertainment and activities. Smaller ships may provide a more intimate atmosphere and access to different experiences.

Scenic Cruising — Glacier viewing and scenic cruising can be one of the highlights of an Alaska vacation.

Stateroom — A balcony can be particularly appealing in Alaska because the scenery isn't limited to your time in port.

Excursions — Your experiences ashore can become some of the most memorable parts of the entire trip.

Land Options — If you want to experience Alaska's interior, we'll consider how your cruise works with a land itinerary rather than treating them as two unrelated trips.

Inside Passage or One-Way Alaska Cruise?

Not every Alaska cruise follows the same route.

Inside Passage Cruises

Round-trip Inside Passage cruises commonly sail from ports such as Seattle or Vancouver and visit several Southeast Alaska destinations.

These itineraries can be convenient because you begin and end in the same general area, making flight arrangements relatively straightforward.

They're a great option for travelers who want an Alaska cruise experience without adding an extensive land portion.

One-Way Alaska Cruises

One-way cruises travel between the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, commonly using ports in the Anchorage region on the Alaska end of the journey.

These itineraries are especially appealing if you want to combine your cruise with a land vacation into Alaska's interior.

The logistics are more complicated—but that's also where working with a travel advisor can be especially valuable.

Alaska's Glaciers

For many travelers, seeing a glacier is one of the biggest reasons to visit Alaska.

Depending on your itinerary, you may experience destinations such as Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.

Not every ship visits every glacier area, and itineraries can vary considerably.

If visiting a particular glacier or Glacier Bay is important to you, tell us before we begin looking at cruises. We'll make it part of the search rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Weather, ice and other conditions can affect scenic cruising, so specific viewing experiences can never be guaranteed.

Alaska's Popular Cruise Ports

Juneau

Alaska's capital is surrounded by mountains and wilderness and is a popular destination for glacier experiences, whale watching and outdoor adventures.

Depending on your interests, a day in Juneau might include visiting the Mendenhall Glacier area, taking to the water in search of whales or seeing Alaska from above on a flightseeing excursion.

Ketchikan

Known for its rich Native culture, colorful waterfront and surrounding wilderness, Ketchikan offers opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, cultural experiences and outdoor adventure.

Skagway

Skagway's Gold Rush history gives the town a distinctive character.

One of the area's most famous experiences is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, which carries travelers through dramatic mountain scenery along a route connected to the Klondike Gold Rush.

Sitka

Sitka combines Alaska Native culture, Russian-American history, wildlife and beautiful coastal scenery.

It can feel quite different from some of Alaska's busier cruise ports and is becoming increasingly common on Alaska cruise itineraries.

Take Your Alaska Vacation Inland

Alaska doesn't end at the cruise port.

Adding a land portion allows you to experience an entirely different side of the state.

Denali

Home to Denali, North America's tallest mountain, the Denali region is one of Alaska's iconic inland destinations.

Visitors come for wilderness, wildlife and the opportunity to experience a landscape dramatically different from Southeast Alaska's cruise ports.

Anchorage

Anchorage serves as an important transportation hub for many Alaska vacations, but it can also be part of the experience itself.

Its location makes it a useful starting point for exploring surrounding areas or connecting between a cruise and inland Alaska.

Fairbanks

Located farther north, Fairbanks can be incorporated into longer Alaska land itineraries and cruise tours.

For travelers who want to venture deeper into Alaska rather than immediately flying home after their cruise, it can be a natural extension of the journey.

Experience Alaska by Rail

Sometimes getting there is part of the experience.

Rail travel can connect portions of an Alaska land itinerary while allowing you to enjoy the scenery along the way.

Depending on your vacation, a rail journey may connect destinations such as Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks or form part of a cruise line's organized land program.

We'll help you understand how the pieces connect so your Alaska vacation feels like one complete journey rather than a collection of separate reservations.

Alaska Is Made for Adventure

Some travelers go to Alaska for the scenery.

Others want to get right into it.

Your Alaska vacation might include:

• Whale watching

• Wildlife viewing

• Salmon or halibut fishing

• Kayaking

• Hiking

• Glacier experiences

• Dog sledding experiences

• Flightseeing

• Helicopter excursions

• Scenic rail journeys

• Cultural and historical experiences

You don't have to be an extreme adventurer, either. Alaska offers experiences for a wide range of activity levels.

When we plan your trip, we'll help you consider what you want to do in each destination—not just how you're getting there.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Alaska?

The primary Alaska cruise season generally runs from late spring through early fall, with most sailings occurring between May and September.

There isn't one perfect month for everyone.

Earlier and later in the season may offer different pricing, weather and daylight conditions, while the middle of summer is particularly popular because of long daylight hours and peak travel demand.

Wildlife activity also varies throughout the season.

Instead of choosing a date based solely on price, we'll help you consider weather, daylight, wildlife, crowds and the experiences that matter most to you.

Alaska for Families

Alaska can be an incredible family vacation.

Cruising makes it possible to combine Alaska's scenery and wildlife with the conveniences of a ship, including dining, entertainment and children's programming on many cruise lines.

Families can spend one day watching whales or exploring a glacier and the next enjoying activities onboard.

Choosing the right ship is particularly important for families because onboard amenities vary considerably.

We'll help you balance what the adults want from Alaska with what will keep the kids and teens excited about the vacation too.

Why Book Your Alaska Vacation With Great Plains Travel?

Searching for an Alaska cruise online is easy.

Understanding the differences between them is harder.

Two seven-night Alaska cruises can look nearly identical at first glance while offering very different itineraries, glacier experiences, ships and opportunities ashore.

At Great Plains Travel, we look at the entire vacation.

We can help you compare cruise lines and ships, understand itineraries, select your stateroom, explore land options, coordinate pre- and post-cruise accommodations and identify excursions that fit the experiences you're looking for.

And our service doesn't end when your deposit is paid.

We continue servicing your reservation as your trip approaches, helping you prepare, keeping track of important deadlines and monitoring for applicable promotions that may provide additional value to your booking.

Alaska may be the destination. Our job is to help you experience it the right way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Vacations

Find Your Alaska Travel Advisor

Your Alaska vacation deserves more thought than simply picking a ship and clicking “Book.”

Our Great Plains Travel advisors can help you compare cruises, land experiences and excursions to create an Alaska vacation that fits the way you want to travel.

Allyssa Arouri

Owner & Travel Advisor