Sep 12

Sep 12 A Start to Finish Guide on Alaska Small Ship Cruises

When you hear someone mention an Alaskan cruise, your mind may immediately conjure up an image of a Titanic-sized ship, on-board entertainment, endless activities for kids, high-end restaurants and more. If you’re considering taking a cruise through the largest state in the U.S., the classic cruise isn’t the only choice. There’s a less main-stream option. Alaska small ship cruises offer a more intimate experience and the opportunity to see and explore Alaska in an entirely unique way.

What is it?

Alaska small ship cruises are exactly that, smaller ships that navigate through the Alaskan waters. The ships are just two to three stories high and range from 150 to 200 feet long. (1) The smaller boats accommodate modest passenger counts with most carrying between just 12 and 150 travelers. (2) The size of these ships allows them to be more nimble, providing the flexibility to create a more immersive travel experience for cruise-goers. There are a variety of Alaska small ship cruises to choose from, with options that will appeal to adventure seekers, wildlife watchers and culture buffs. (3)

When is it?

The season for Alaska small ship cruises runs from March through September. Within the season, there are smaller travel windows that each offer a different experience for consideration: Early Season (March to Mid-June), High Season (Mid-June to early August) and Autumn (Mid-August to September). (3)

In Early Season, your Alaska small ship cruise can travel close to the coast to catch glimpses of wildlife as it starts to stir in the spring. Bears begin to shake off their winter long hibernation and travel down to the coast for a hearty meal. The herring migration that takes place in March is an attraction for travelers and whales alike, making it easy to spot humpback whales and orcas this time of year. Spring cruises also showcase Alaska’s many waterfalls. If you’re lucky, the shorter days and darker skies in March sometimes allow for sightings of the famous Aurora Borealis. Prices are competitive this time of year and you may benefit from a quieter, more relaxing, cruise because school is still in session. (3)

High Season is marked by warmer weather and longer days which can help you make the most of your time on the ship. With summer comes increased wildlife activity making this a great time to travel if you’re excited to see nature in action. In particular, pods of whales gather to feed which gives cruisers a front row seat for the highly sought after opportunity to whale-watch. One down side to traveling during High Season is that bugs and mosquitos are more common. While the breeze on the ship usually keeps bugs at bay while cruising, you may find yourself reaching for the bug-spray when you’re hiking on land. (3)

In Autumn, days start to shorten, temperatures cool off, and the weather gets wetter. The scenery is beautiful this time of year and you’ll get to feast your eyes on the vibrant colors of the leaves as the seasons change. If you travel late enough in the season, you improve your odds of seeing Aurora Borealis, because the skies will be darker and improve visibility. In addition, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to see the Alaskan wildlife because the animals will be preparing to hibernate or migrate with the change of weather. (3)

When to buy tickets?

Snagging a spot on an Alaska small ship cruise is not going to be easy if you’re in the market for a spur of the moment trip. Because the ships are small, spaces fill quickly often selling out six to nine months in advance. (3) Fortunately, the trips are worth the wait! Plus, if you start planning a year ahead of time you’ll build up excitement and anticipation that will make the trip even sweeter once your getaway rolls around.

What are the benefits?

Alaska small ship cruises usually appeal to a subset of more adventurous travelers who are primarily interested in off-ship excursions and experiencing a side of Alaska that most cruisers are not privy to. If you’re the type of traveler who likes to be active while on vacation, you’ll likely enjoy the atmosphere provided by Alaska small ship cruises more than a traditional cruise ship. Mega cruises focus on every detail on board the ship with plenty to keep you busy from sun up to sun down. Small ship cruises on the other hand place a larger focus on the time and experiences that can be enjoyed off the ship and along the coastline. (4)

The size of small ship cruises allows them to fit into almost any nook along the coast. The result? You’re not limited to visiting the high-traffic ports like Juneau and Ketchikan. In fact, you’re not even limited to sticking to an itinerary! (5) Your journey will likely include stops to whale watch, explore secluded beaches, and kayak alongside sea otters. (6)

Alaska small ship cruises can more easily change direction and be flexible if conditions or opportunities change. Rather than having to stick to a rigid schedule, smaller cruises can adjust plans to accommodate the weather, stay longer in places that passengers are enjoying, or alter course if an opportunity to view wildlife pops up. (7)

If you’re venturing to Alaska, viewing wildlife is probably on your “To Do” list, and doing so from a small ship cruise is an unparalleled experience. You can put away your binoculars because small ships can navigate much closer to Alaskan wildlife than most large cruise ships. Because smaller ships are quieter, they are less likely to scare wildlife away with an approach. Plus, most Alaskan small ship cruises are equipped with kayaks or small water vessels. When the opportunity presents itself, the crew may send you into the water so that you can paddle even closer to the varied aquatic creatures that the Alaskan coastline has to offer. (8)

What to expect on and off boat?

From day one, your experience on an Alaska small ship cruise will be different than a traditional cruise. Boarding day will be expedited and more casual for Alaska small ship cruises than for a larger cruise line. Explaining safety precautions to thousands of people on a large ship can be a hassle and take up a large chunk of the first day. In contrast, on small cruises this process is quicker and more engaging because there are fewer passengers to wrangle. You’ll likely have the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers as you prepare to board. The small scale cruise combined with the immersive activities helps put you on the fast-track to make friends with other like-minded passengers. (9)

The lodging on Alaska small ship cruises is more functional than fancy. If you’re looking for an authentic Alaskan experience, you’ll be thrilled with the modest approach. However, the accommodations might seem a little sparse if luxury travel and lush decor are your top priority.

You certainly won’t be “roughing it” but there probably won’t be towels shaped like swans on your bed each morning. (9)

Some of the major cruise lines have been described as cities on the sea, but that’s not the case for Alaska small ship cruises. On these smaller ships, you won’t find retail locations and concert halls. Instead, you’ll feel like you are part of a community. The crew will know your name. The chef will know your dietary preferences. You’ll be part of a completely one-of-a-kind experience that evolves based on the opportunities that nature presents and the preferences of the passengers on board. (9)

The vibe aboard small ship cruises is generally more calm and casual. You don’t need formal wear to go to dinner and you aren’t expected to be the life of the party. In the mornings you’ll awake to the sound of nature and water rather than the babble of voices from other decks. In the evenings, you’re welcome to kick back and read a book. This can be the perfect atmosphere for the low-key traveler who wants to be well rested for each day’s excursions. (10)

No two Alaska small ship cruises are identical, but all of them are equipped with a crew who will work around the clock to ensure that you have an incredible journey. Most ships have experienced naturalists on board that help to explain the ins and outs of the Alaskan coastline. Because of the small number of people on board, you can actually ask the naturalists questions and they have the time to give you detailed answers. This opportunity makes Alaska small ship cruises an excellent option for curious cruisers who love to learn. (8)

Choosing your cruise.

When perusing the available Alaska small ship cruises, you’ll notice that there are several companies who offer small cruise options. Each has a unique capacity, approach, and focus - so each voyage will be slightly different.

American Dream Cruises is family owned by Alaskan natives. The local ties help these cruises to highlight the Alaskan community and culture. There are a handful of itineraries to choose from, with each stopping in a mix of ports. Some of the commonly visited ports of call include Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Thorne Bay and Glacier Bay. When you stop in town you can look forward to walking tours that embrace the rich local history as well as one-of-a-kind cultural performances. You will also have the chance to take in the Alaskan nature while you hike and explore. (10)

UnCruise Adventures fully embraces the opportunity to reinvent cruising through Alaska. With nine ships in its arsenal, UnCruise Adventures creates cruises that embrace Alaskan culture, fresh local fare, and immersive nature experiences. Most of the cruises travel “between Ketchikan and Juneau, between Seattle and Juneau, or round trip from Juneau.” (10) You likely won’t find a traditional itinerary in your room on these cruises, the trip will make spontaneous stops based on the opportunities that nature presents. You can look forward to hiking, kayaking and paddle boarding to experience Alaska in an up close and personal way. (10)

Lindblad Expeditions is considered to be one of the leaders in naturalist-led travel. If you choose to cruise with this company, you’ll find four or five naturalists on board and ready to enrich your cruising experience. If you’re interested in documenting the journey, the “Big Picture Alaska” itinerary also hosts professional photographers on board who can help you masterfully photograph the experience. Most of these expeditions travel between Juneau and Sitka with stops in Petersburg, Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm. (10)

The final word.

Most Alaskan cruises can help you cross “visit Alaska” off your bucket list, but, only Alaska small ship cruises enable you to truly experience Alaska. With ample opportunities to connect with native Alaskans, hike and explore Alaska’s wild terrain, and watch wildlife - choosing a small cruise allows you to take part in the most enriching cruise option Alaska has to offer.