My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's to compare the best rates & stays in the state. If you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required). For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my packing list for your travels to the great state of Alaska.
What Is an Alaska Small Ship Cruise?
Types of Cruises in Alaska
Small ship cruises are becoming increasingly popular not just in Alaska, but in more protected areas around the world. Because large cruise ships have such a negative impact on the environment and businesses that are actually rooted in local community, small ships offer a completely different experience with a much smaller environmental footprint. You get to see wildlife up close without accidentally hurting them, you get to experience places that are still wild and not just curated towards tourists, and you get to see it all without the crowds. Generally speaking, there are 3 main cruise types in Alaska :
What to Expect Onboard a Small Ship
Like I mentioned above I've been fortunate to explore the Southeast of Alaska on two large cruise ships and two small ships. On both small ships I've been on we had extremely small groups, on the first it was just my husband and I as guests, and on the second I was one of 10 guests onboard. As you can imagine it is an incredibly different experience compared to being one of a few thousand. Onboard, you can typically expect your own private chef that caters to your dietary needs. On both small ships I've been on chefs sent out questionnaires before the trip to understand your preferences on drinks, food, and any dietary restrictions or allergies you have. Usually they include water, some sodas, and wine with dinner. Dining rooms might be cozier, but in my opinion more elegant and personal. Because there's so few people on a small ship cruise, you can also expect to get to know everyone personally - the captain, the chef, any crew, and other guests - and the atmosphere is often very relaxed and calming when you're not busy doing included activities. Even though crew members had access to Wifi in case of emergencies, they typically reserved it just for that, so you're truly disconnected to just enjoy the views and really experience what's around you. In my opinion, it's exactly what you want when exploring Alaska. Rooms vary depending on the ship you book with and how many people you're rooming with (typically two people to a room or a single room). They're comfortable, but typically a bit tighter than traditional cruise ship rooms, and bathroom situations vary by ship as well. In the past I've had my own private bathroom and a shared bathroom, but both worked fine and similar to the room situation they're usually a bit tighter than what you'll find on the larger cruise ships.
A Typical Day Onboard a Small Ship
Funnily enough, both my small ship experiences have had fairly similar day-to-day experience. Usually, the day begins fairly early with breakfast, served and plated by your onboard chef. Sometimes you'll have time to sneak in some kayaking before hand depending on the day's schedule. Because small ships typically anchor or harbor at night, this is when the captain begins the journey to your next point of interest. Personally, I love this because you know you're not missing any good views at night. After breakfast, you'll usually stop somewhere for one of the activities I've listed below. That could be fishing, whale watching, heading out on a guided hike, stopping to pull up a shrimp pot - it all really depends on where you are and if there's any wildlife nearby. Around midday you'll have lunch. Another meal prepared by the ship's chef. Usually on these small ships you'll have locally caught and sourced meals - think salmon or halibut you caught from fishing earlier in the day, shrimp or crab you pulled up, etc. In the afternoon you'll have time for another activity. Like the morning activity it really depends on where you are and what's going on around you. Usually, you'll also have a snack time where the chef puts out some foods and drinks for you to munch on before dinner. Around this time the captain usually finds a place to anchor or harbor for the night, and you'll have a chance to go for a little boat ride or kayaking. Dinner is usually a more elaborate experience than breakfast and lunch, and is a great opportunity to talk with other guests and get to know everyone a bit better.
Included Activities
Activities onboard can vary greatly depending which small ship you book with and what they can accommodate. What I always tell people is that on a typical large cruise you're paying extra for every single one of these (usually a few hundred dollars per person) but on a small ship cruise they're all included. And if I'm being brutally honest, to pay for all of these on a large cruise ship will usually end up making the total cost similar to a private small ship cruise. On my recent trip with Discovery Journey Cruises we had the following included activities :
My Favorite Tours in Juneau :
- Whale Watching Boat Tour - Canoe Tour on Mendenhall Glacier Lake - Educational Alaska Native Tour & Tram Combo
Is an Alaska Small Ship Cruise Worth It?
Honestly, yes I think a small ship cruise in Alaska is 100% worth it. Even though the price point can be a bit intimidating, I've done the math and on average if you're booking a suite or larger room onboard the large cruise ships, you'll end up paying a similar price to a small ship cruise after excursions, drink packages, and tips - for a completely different and personalized experience. If you're not sure where to start, Discovery Journey Cruises is a great company I recommend for a small group.
If you're a wildlife lover, photographer, couple, someone who's already visited Alaska before - or just someone who hates crowds - then it's definitely for you. Because the ship is so much smaller, you get to explore areas that are otherwise untouched by the mass cruise ship crowds. You get to wake up and go on a hike to experience private bear viewing. You get to stop in the middle of the day because you see whales bubble feeding. You get to take a little detour because the captain knows a halibut spot nearby. The experience is completely unmatched by large cruise ships, and you get what you pay for.
Watch My Small Ship Cruise Here!
Coming Soon!
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> Best Things to Do in Juneau -> Best Places to Eat in Juneau -> Juneau, A Port Day Guide
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2022 my husband convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ 
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