They say arriving at your destination is half the fun. I usually don't agree. When I travel, I want to get there as quickly as possible and make the most of my time there. But when I set sail on the Celebrity Edge on its maiden voyage from Seattle to Alaska, the journey was the fun for me.
Looking up at the snow-capped mountains from the ship's floor-to-ceiling windows and observing the wildlife in the icy waters below, I was captivated by the famed “Last Frontier” and realized that on an Alaskan cruise, the journey is the destination itself.
Here's what travelers need to know about Alaska cruises and why.
Why is Alaska such a popular cruise destination?
Alaska is a bucket list destination for many people, some of whom may have been waiting their whole life for this trip. Although Alaska Airlines and other airlines fly all over the largest state in the US, it's not as easy to get around as the lower 48 states.
Cruises allow travelers to visit multiple destinations without having to board separate flights, rent a car, or shuttle from hotel to hotel. My Edge itinerary included stops in Ketchikan, surrounded by the lush Tongass National Forest; Juneau, the state capital accessible only by air or sea; and Skagway, home to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The ship also carefully navigated through the stunning Endicott Arm Fjord to Dawes Glacier, the highlight of the trip.
This makes the journey more accessible for those with mobility issues or other disabilities. Like other cruise lines, Celebrity has a team dedicated to making cruises accessible. Many of the passengers I've been on board use walkers, canes, or wheelchairs. And when it's cold outside, it's nice to be able to watch the dramatic coastline from the comfort of a cozy cabin or lounge.
Is a cruise to Alaska worth it?
Possibly. At last check, the lowest price listed on the cruise line's website for a seven-night Celebrity Edge Alaska Dawes Glacier cruise from Seattle for the rest of this summer was $778 per person for two people in an inside stateroom. That doesn't include round-trip transportation to Seattle or taxes and fees, which can inflate the final cost of a cruise, nor does it include promotional discounts, which are almost always available. Before taxes and fees, that comes out to about $2,212 for two people, or $1,106 per person.
The cheapest rate for a seven-night southbound Glacier cruise on Celebrity Summit, Edge's sister ship, is $249 per person for two people sharing an inside stateroom. Note that the southbound voyage is not round trip, but goes from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. Also, Summit is not an Edge class ship. Celebrity Edge is the first Edge class ship to sail Alaska. It is also the first ship in Celebrity's newest series, which also includes the new Celebrity Ascent. Edge class ships were designed to bring guests closer to their destinations than ever before with their signature Magic Carpet cantilevered platform that extends beyond the end of the ship and other features that bring the outside world inside the ship. Before taxes and fees, the Summit cruise will cost about $1,231 for two people, or about $615 per person.
Both are cheaper than flying between cities and staying in a hotel in Alaska for a week, but also cheaper than other popular vacations. For example, a seven-night stay at Walt Disney World's value resort, Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, will cost you $955 for the room alone, including taxes and a summer promotional rate. If you add in seven days of park tickets without park hopping, the total comes to $2,195 for two people, or about $1,098 per person (excluding meals).
Cruises, on the other hand, include all meals on board (except for optional specials and alcohol), as well as a host of onboard activities like nature talks, tai chi classes, guided arts and crafts, quizzes, games, and childcare. There's live music during the day and stage shows in the evenings. I've tried a little bit of everything, but for me, the best thing about the ship is the scenery.
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Will I see any wildlife on my Alaska cruise?
Yes. We saw three whale spouts from the boat, but the whales never broke the water. We also saw several harbor seals and a dozen eagles from the boat and shore. Bald eagles are so common in Alaska that our tour bus driver jokingly called them “bald eagles.” According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are 30,000 bald eagles in the state.
On our field trip to Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, we kept a close eye out for bears. We didn't see any on the paved, wheelchair-accessible Nugget Falls Trail, but we did spot a variety of spring buds and some very pretty moss.
The ship's crew, a naturalist, gave us directions on what to look for and told us about the different species during a presentation in the ship's theater, and also broadcast live on the ship's TV channel and on the onboard speakers while we navigated Endicott Arm, although her voice was not broadcast over the outside speakers to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
What is the best month to cruise to Alaska?
Alaska's cruise season runs from late April to early October, but dates vary by cruise line. Sailing earlier or later in the season may get you cheaper rates than during peak summer months, but you might miss out on warmer weather.
Most days during the May voyage were in the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit, and it rained the day we arrived in Juneau. The naturalist on board warned us that the weather isn't bad in Alaska, just poor clothing choices.
How much should I budget for an Alaska cruise?
Leave a few hundred dollars in your budget for off-board excursions and off-board meals; both are pricey but enriching experiences. My Mendenhall Glacier excursion was just under $130, including transportation and the off-site Gold Creek Salmon Bake, which features all-you-can-eat fresh, wood-fired salmon. I've never eaten fried fish as good as the locally caught halibut I had at Alaska Fish House in Ketchikan, and the sweet, plump king crab I had at Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau will be something I'll dream about for years to come. If you want fresh, Alaskan seafood, get it at the port.
While you might be able to see whales from your cruise ship, if you want to go whale watching, salmon fishing, dog sledding or get up close and personal with glaciers, you'll usually need to join a tour. Tours offered by cruise lines tend to cost more than tours booked independently, but booking through the cruise line simplifies payment and ensures that the ship won't depart without you if your tour is delayed.
One of the cheaper ports to visit is Skagway, which, as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, has several exhibits and historic buildings you can explore on your own, but many visitors splurge on a scenic train ride aboard the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway to the Canadian border and back.
Is it worth having a balcony on a cruise?
Yes and no. The scenery in Alaska is breathtaking, and having access to it from your cabin at any time of day is a real luxury. I loved waking up to tree-filled mountains outside my window and scanning the ocean for marine life before going to sleep.
Over 80% of the cabins on Celebrity Edge have balconies. I stayed in the Infinite Veranda, which is only available on Edge-class ships. Instead of a traditional balcony with a sliding glass door, the Infinite Veranda incorporates what is essentially an outdoor balcony space into the interior of the cabin, with a window that slides halfway up the exterior wall at the touch of a button. I liked how it made the cabin feel larger and added climate-controlled living space. It was still cold during our early-season voyage, so we rarely opened the window, but I think we would have enjoyed an ocean view room without a balcony just as much.
Of course, even if you book an interior stateroom, you can still enjoy the view from any of the ship's public areas. Celebrity Edge brings the outside views inside through plenty of windows, including the buffet restaurant, Oceanview Café, where I saw my first whale spouting. At the rear of the ship is a relaxing function space called Eden, with three stories of windows and a daily visitor's area. The sunroom, with its tall windows and lounge chairs, also offers expansive views.
Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise?
Maybe. If it's a closed-loop cruise, like the one I was on, that starts and ends in the same U.S. port, all you need is proof of citizenship.
“According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this includes a state-issued enhanced driver's license as proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the birth registry office in the state where you were born) or a passport, and if you are 16 or older, a government-issued driver's license or photo ID that includes your photo, name, and date of birth,” Celebrity reports.
Of course, not all Alaska cruises are closed-loop cruises. Some depart or arrive in Vancouver, Canada, and some cruises are operated by smaller U.S.-flagged cruise lines, such as Alaska Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures, and may not even require a passport depending on the itinerary.
Can you see the Northern Lights on an Alaska cruise?
Yes, it is possible, but due to the long hours of daylight in Alaska's summer, your best chance of seeing them is to take a late-season cruise.
I woke up several times during the night looking for the Northern Lights. I didn't see any, but I heard that passengers had seen them on previous voyages, and apparently people across the country also saw them during the solar storm earlier this month.
Celebrity Cruises granted access to this article. USA TODAY retains editorial control over the review.
