We recently took our first cruise — a round trip from Seattle through Alaska’s Inside Passage with Princess Cruises. We were eager to see Alaska and ended up having an unforgettable trip. Along the way I learned a few practical things that made the experience better, so I wanted to share my top five tips for cruising Alaska.
1. Don’t overschedule
It’s tempting to pack every hour with excursions and activities, but that can drain you. Princess Cruises uses the phrase #ComeBackNew, and you’ll only feel refreshed if you build downtime into your itinerary. We made time to relax on the deck, play mini golf, and enjoy soft-serve ice cream while watching the scenery — simple pleasures that made the trip more restorative.
Sprinkles make me smile!
2. Ask locals for recommendations and use review apps with caution
At ports we asked local guides and shopkeepers for their favorite spots. In Ketchikan, our guide recommended trying spruce tip ale in Skagway. A quick search led us to Skagway Brewing Company where the fish and chips were excellent and the spruce tip ale was a hit—Curtis even bought a pint glass for a souvenir.
Apps like Yelp are useful, but I treat reviews with a grain of salt. I consider both positive and negative feedback and weigh star ratings against the number of reviews. People are more likely to post when something goes wrong, so balance matters.
In Juneau we found Kindred Post, a charming little shop where I bought a T-shirt and postcards. The staff pointed us to the Sealaska Heritage Institute gift shop when we asked about authentic Alaska-made and Native items. A helpful tip they shared: look for “Owned by an Alaskan” signs and “Made in” or “Handcrafted in Alaska” stickers to ensure items are locally made.
3. Meet people on board — conversations can lead to meaningful connections
We enjoyed talking with other passengers, including a friendly couple from Ohio we met on the White Pass train in Skagway. We ran into them multiple times on the ship and even arranged to meet for drinks. Those conversations added a human dimension to the trip: we swapped stories about family, travel, and life. The people you meet while traveling often bring new perspectives and memorable stories.
4. Try things you wouldn’t normally do
A cruise is a great opportunity to step out of your comfort zone. Curtis tried Alaskan crab for the first time and loved it. I tried yoga and a seaweed body wrap at the Lotus Spa, while Curtis tried acupuncture. We also indulged in multiple desserts some nights and even took a helicopter ride — another first for us. Whether it’s a new food, an activity, or a spa treatment, vacations are a perfect time to experiment.
I was surprised by how much Curtis enjoyed the crab — proof that travel can change tastes and open you up to new experiences.
5. Pay attention to the daily newsletter and ship announcements
Each evening we received a small newsletter called the Princess Patter in a mailbox outside our cabin. Reading it each night helped us plan the next day, learn about onboard events, and spot wildlife or scenery to watch for from our balcony. On one sea day the newsletter announced a fish and chips lunch special — a tasty discovery we would have missed without reading it.
Share in the comments:
Do you have any tips you’d like to share for cruising?
If you enjoyed these tips, I also wrote about five things I loved about the cruise and shared a classic cheesecake recipe.
Disclosure: This trip was sponsored by Princess Cruises. I share my honest opinions and only highlight brands and experiences I genuinely enjoyed.