If an Alaska cruise is on your bucket list, whether you're thinking about sailing in 2027 or getting an early start on 2028, now is a great time to start planning.

Alaska isn't your typical cruise vacation. Yes, you're still getting on a cruise ship, unpacking once and waking up somewhere new — but the experience is completely different from a Caribbean cruise.

Instead of turquoise water and tropical beaches, think glaciers, mountains, whales, wildlife, charming Alaskan towns and some of the most incredible scenery you'll ever see from a cruise ship.

And one of the biggest decisions you'll make isn't just when to go.

It's choosing the right Alaska cruise.

What Is an Alaska Cruise Really Like?

Most Alaska cruises sail during the spring and summer months, generally from late April through September.

Popular ports include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka and Icy Strait Point, but your itinerary can also include scenic cruising through places like Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord or Endicott Arm.

That's why I always tell people not to choose an Alaska cruise based on the ship and price alone.

The itinerary matters — a lot.

For example, Princess' 2027 Alaska program includes four different glacier-viewing experiences across its itineraries: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.

Two cruises can both say "Alaska" on the itinerary and give you very different experiences.

Roundtrip or One-Way Alaska Cruise?

This is another big decision.

Many Alaska cruises sail roundtrip from Seattle or Vancouver. These can be great options if you want a straightforward seven-night vacation and easier flight planning.

But you'll also find one-way cruises between Vancouver and Alaska.

For example, Princess offers its Voyage of the Glaciers itineraries between Vancouver and Whittier. In 2027, those cruises include two glacier-viewing days and Glacier Bay National Park.

Holland America also offers Alaska itineraries from Seattle and Vancouver as well as voyages between Vancouver and Whittier. Its 2027 season includes cruises ranging from seven nights all the way to extended 28-day Alaska adventures.

A one-way cruise can also be a great option if you want to add a land portion to your vacation.

Should You Add a Cruisetour?

If you're thinking, "If I'm going all the way to Alaska, I want to see as much as possible," we should probably talk about a cruisetour.

A cruisetour combines your Alaska cruise with several days exploring Alaska on land.

This can give you opportunities to visit places like Denali National Park and experience parts of Alaska you simply can't reach from a cruise ship.

Princess, for example, has an extensive cruisetour program that combines its Voyage of the Glaciers cruises with wilderness lodges and rail transportation into Alaska's interior. Its 2027 program includes 28 different cruisetour itineraries.

Holland America also has an extensive land-and-sea program, including Alaska and Denali cruisetours.

If Alaska is a bucket-list trip that you don't expect to repeat anytime soon, it's worth at least comparing a cruisetour with a cruise-only vacation.

Which Cruise Line Is Best for Alaska?

This is where things get interesting because there isn't one answer that works for everyone.

Princess and Holland America are two names you'll hear frequently when researching Alaska because both have extensive experience in the destination and offer cruise-and-land vacation options.

But they're definitely not your only choices.

Depending on your travel dates and what you're looking for in a ship, we can also look at options from cruise lines such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival.

A family traveling with teenagers may prioritize a completely different ship than a couple who cares primarily about Alaska's scenery and wildlife.

That's why my goal isn't to tell every client, "This is the best Alaska cruise."

It's to find the best Alaska cruise for you.

When Is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska?

One of the questions I hear most often is, "What's the best month to cruise Alaska?"

The answer depends on what you're hoping to experience.

May and September can be appealing if you're willing to travel outside the peak summer months.

June gives you incredibly long days.

July and August are popular because they fall right in the middle of summer vacation season.

Wildlife viewing, daylight hours, weather, pricing and even the excursions you're interested in can all play a role in deciding when you should go.

Instead of starting with "Which month is cheapest?" I recommend starting with "What do I want to experience in Alaska?"

Then we can work backward from there.

Should I Get a Balcony for an Alaska Cruise?

This may be the cruise where you're most tempted to splurge on one!

Imagine waking up, stepping onto your balcony and seeing mountains, waterfalls or glaciers outside.

But does that mean you have to book a balcony to enjoy Alaska?

Absolutely not.

There are plenty of places around the ship where you can enjoy the scenery, and sometimes being able to move from one side of the ship to the other actually gives you a better view.

If choosing an interior or oceanview cabin means you can afford the excursions you've been dreaming about, I'd rather look at the entire vacation budget before automatically telling you to spend more on your stateroom.

Don't Forget About Alaska Excursions

Your cruise fare is only one part of your Alaska vacation budget.

This is a destination where shore excursions can become a major part of the experience.

Depending on the port, you may find opportunities for whale watching, glacier experiences, scenic railways, dog sledding, wildlife tours, helicopter excursions, fishing and more.

If there's a bucket-list Alaska experience you absolutely want to do, tell me when we're planning your cruise.

We can take that into consideration when choosing both your itinerary and your overall budget.

Why I'm Already Talking About Alaska 2028

Because Alaska is a destination worth planning ahead for.

Cruise lines are beginning to release their 2028 Alaska seasons, while 2027 Alaska cruises are already available from multiple cruise lines.

Princess' 2027 season alone includes more than 180 departures and eight ships, with sailings from Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, San Francisco and even Los Angeles.

Holland America's 2027 season includes six ships and more than 100 Alaska cruises.

As more of the 2028 season becomes available, travelers will have even more options to compare.

And that's exactly why I don't think you need to wait until every cruise line has released every itinerary before you start planning.

Planning Alaska for 2027 or 2028? Let Me Help You.

If you're thinking about an Alaska cruise in 2027 or 2028, you don't have to figure all of this out on your own.

You also don't need to know which cruise line you want yet.

That's part of what I can help you with.

Tell me:

Who's traveling
When you'd like to go
How long you'd like to travel
Your approximate budget
Whether you prefer a roundtrip or are open to a one-way cruise
What you absolutely want to see or do in Alaska

From there, I can help compare cruise lines, ships, itineraries, staterooms and pricing to narrow down the options that make the most sense for your vacation.

And if you're planning for 2028 and the cruise line you're interested in hasn't released the sailing you want yet, we can start talking about your plans now so you're ready when more options become available.

Ready to finally check Alaska off your bucket list?

Contact me to start planning your 2027 or 2028 Alaska cruise, and let's find the sailing that's right for you.

I'm Stacy, your Cruise Bestie, and I'd love to help you plan your Alaska adventure!

Planning an Alaska Cruise for 2027 or 2028? Now Is the Time to Book!