Often departing from Seattle or Vancouver, a round trip Alaskan Cruise is a relaxed itinerary. Often hitting stops such as Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines or Victoria (B.C.) Often, you will explore marvels such as the Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier. While there are some longer cruises that depart from San Francisco or San Diego, a typical week–long cruise spends a day in the remarkable Glacier Bay. Glacier Bay is a national park, wildlife reserve, marine park and UNESCO world heritage site. Over 3 million acres of land, Glacier Bay is a spectacular sanctuary of inlets, coves, mountains, glaciers and forests.

A round trip cruise offers a soothing and classic understanding of the coastal views of Alaska's coastline. An ocean view or balcony cabin is recommended, so you can lounge in your stateroom and take in the amazing views that you sail by. Of course, with a round trip itinerary, if your stateroom faces away from the coastline on the first leg, you are sure to capture the scenery on your return. There are amazing excursions in port, such as a dog–sled ride, whale watching, helicopter rides or a wildlife tour.

For a more in–depth Alaskan experience, a one way itinerary may better suit you. You will need your flights to accommodate your departure and arrival location, and most itineraries sail between Vancouver or Seattle and Anchorage. These cruises encompass what is covered on a round trip sailing, with the additional destinations such as Valdez, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, or other towns along the Gulf of Alaska. If you are determined to explore all that Alaska has to offer, you can pair this itinerary with an additional land tour in Anchorage.

Alaska is full of adventure. There is so much to see and explore– from natural wonders to world–famous railroad tours. The glaciers in Alaska are historic marvels, worthy of anyone's bucket list.

It takes about 400 years for ice to travel the length of the Hubbard Glacier, however you can explore this marvel in a day or two. The icebergs are the size of 10 story buildings, and you will be wowed by the impressive masses across Disenchantment Bay. Anchorage is a destination worthy of exploration as well. Larger than the state of Rhode Island, this expansive city sits between the Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountain range. If visiting in March, be sure to watch the famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race kick off downtown. There are also ski resorts, wildlife conservation centers, museums and theaters to appeal to the senses of travelers of all interest levels.

A tour is the best way to get the most out of your Alaskan adventure. Tours are typically 3+ nights of exploring the Alaskan Landscape. Participating cruise lines will offer the tours as an additional package to your cruise, and provide lodging, tour guides, activities and more. When participating in a cruise tour, you will be able to seamlessly transition from land to sea, exploring deeper into the wilderness of Denali, Glacier Bay or other amazing Alaskan locations. These tours have been curated to explore various points of interest, and give you an amazing and immersive Alaskan experience unlike any other.