An Alaska vacation is a bucket-list trip for many, offering stunning glaciers, abundant wildlife, and charming port towns. But as you begin planning, you’ll encounter a fundamental choice: should you book a standard cruise-only sailing or opt for a longer, more immersive cruisetour? The answer depends on your budget, timeframe, and what you hope to experience in the Last Frontier.
A standard Alaska cruise is typically a 7-night roundtrip voyage from Seattle or Vancouver, or a one-way trip between Whittier (for Anchorage) and Vancouver. These itineraries focus on the scenic Inside Passage, a network of waterways that allows ships to sail close to glaciers and through fjords. You’ll witness massive tidewater glaciers calving into the sea, spot marine wildlife like humpback whales and orcas, and explore historic towns such as Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. A cruise-only vacation is a fantastic way to see Alaska’s coastal beauty in a convenient, resort-like setting.
What an Alaska Cruisetour Adds to Your Vacation
A cruisetour takes the classic 7-night cruise and adds a 3 to 7-night land-based tour into Alaska’s vast interior. This land portion allows you to explore iconic destinations that are inaccessible by ship, most notably Denali National Park and Preserve.
The land portion of a cruisetour typically includes:
- Denali National Park: Home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali, the park spans six million acres of wilderness. Cruisetours often include a narrated bus tour into the park, offering opportunities to spot the “Big Five”: grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves.
- Scenic Train Travel: A highlight for many is the journey on glass-domed railcars, like Princess Cruises’ GoldStar service or Holland America’s McKinley Explorer. These trains offer panoramic views of the Alaskan wilderness as you travel between destinations like Anchorage and Denali.
- Wilderness Lodges: Leading cruisetour operators, Princess and Holland America, own and operate their own lodges near Denali and in other scenic locations. This provides a seamless travel experience, with your luggage handled for you as you move from ship to train to lodge.
- Exploring Interior Towns: Depending on the length of your cruisetour, you might also visit Fairbanks, with its Gold Rush history and opportunities for gold panning, or the charming town of Talkeetna.
Cost and Duration: Cruise vs. Cruisetour
A 7-night Alaska cruise can range in price from approximately $800 to $2,500 per person, depending on the cruise line, cabin choice, and time of year. Adding a 3 to 7-night cruisetour will increase the cost by an additional $800 to $2,000 per person.
In terms of time, a cruise-only vacation can be done in a little over a week. A cruisetour, however, will require a longer commitment, typically ranging from 11 to 14 days in total. It’s important to factor in this extended duration when planning your time off and booking flights.
Who Should Choose a Cruisetour?
A cruisetour is an excellent option for:
- First-time visitors to Alaska: If this is your first and possibly only trip to the 49th state, a cruisetour offers the most comprehensive experience, combining both coastal and interior highlights.
- Bucket-listers: For those who have dreamed of seeing Denali and the vast wilderness of interior Alaska, a cruisetour is the most convenient way to make it happen.
- Travelers who appreciate seamless logistics: Cruise lines handle all the transportation, accommodations, and luggage transfers during the land portion, making for a stress-free journey.
Who Should Stick with a Cruise-Only Vacation?
A cruise-only itinerary might be a better fit for:
- Budget-conscious travelers: A cruise-only vacation is significantly more affordable than a cruisetour.
- Repeat Alaska cruisers: If you’ve already experienced the interior on a previous trip, you may prefer to focus on the coastal areas and different port experiences.
- Those with limited mobility: The land portion of a cruisetour involves more transitions, including travel by motorcoach and train, which may be challenging for some travelers.
The Verdict: Is the Denali Add-On Worth It?
For those with the time and budget, a cruisetour that includes Denali is absolutely worth it. It provides a deeper, more immersive Alaskan experience, showcasing a completely different landscape and offering more opportunities for wildlife viewing. The convenience of having the cruise line manage the complex logistics of a land tour is also a major advantage.
However, if your primary interest is in glaciers, marine life, and the culture of the Inside Passage, or if you’re working with a tighter budget or timeline, a cruise-only vacation will still provide an unforgettable Alaskan adventure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between an Alaska cruise and a cruisetour?
An Alaska cruise is a sea-based voyage, typically lasting 7 nights, that explores the coastal areas and the Inside Passage. A cruisetour combines this cruise with a multi-day land tour into Alaska's interior to destinations like Denali National Park, which are inaccessible by ship.
How much more does an Alaska cruisetour cost?
A cruisetour can add an additional $800 to $2,000 per person to the cost of a standard 7-night cruise. This extra cost covers accommodations, transportation (often by train and motorcoach), and some tours on the land portion of your trip.
Are meals included on the land portion of a cruisetour?
Generally, meals on the land portion of a cruisetour are not included, unlike on the cruise ship where most dining is complimentary. You will need to budget for your own meals at the lodges and during your travels through the interior.