Planning Your Trip to Alaska

 Planning Your Trip to Alaska
Last Updated: July 2026 | Reviewed by: Daniela Cervantes, Staff Writer

Planning an Alaska cruise usually starts with a few key decisions: when to go, what to pack, which excursions to book, how to get to your departure port, and whether a cruise or cruisetour is the better fit. This page can help you plan the basics before you book.

From majestic Mt. Denali to the jagged edge of Glacier Bay, Alaska is unlike any place else in the world. And there's no better way to explore all that Alaska offers than a cruise or a cruisetour.

What do you need to plan before an Alaska cruise?



What can you see and do in Alaska?


Alaska's Ports of Call
Alaska's Ports of Call and Destinations
No matter if you're on the rocky shoreline, in the rolling countryside, or on a towering mountain, Alaska is a unique place rich in history and natural beauty.
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Things to Do in Alaska
Things to Do in Alaska
Activites such as salmon fishing, flightseeing or kayaking across a tranquil bay, will enhance your vacation and let you experience Alaska firsthand.
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Alaska's Glaciers
Alaska's Glaciers
Nothing compares to the sight of a monumental glacier calving icebers into the sea. There are more than 100,000 glaciers in Alaska.
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Alaska's National Parks
Alaska's National Parks
Alaska's national parks are some of the most pristine and natural wilderness areas in the nation. Explore Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords and more.
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Alaska's Wildlife
Alaska's Wildlife
Alaska has the biggest bears, the largest salmon, the greatest gathering of bald eagles and more than half the world's humpback whale population.
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Alaska's Mountains
Alaska's Mountains
Mount Denali, 20,320 feet high, is the tallest peak in North America. Its closest competitor, Mount St. Elias, rears up 18,008 feet high.
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Alaska's History and Culture
Alaska's History and Culture
Alaska's diverse culture reflects every group that has made Alaska its home, from Ice Age nomads to Russian fur traders to gold miners.
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More Alaska Resources


Alaska Quick Facts
Alaska Quick Facts
From the Bering Land Bridge to the oil pipeline, Alaska has a storied past. Although Alaska's statehood is relatively brief, it's history is long and colorful.
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