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Alaska is vast, beautiful, and unique. Home to hulking mountains, glimmering glaciers, vast ice fields, and dense pine forests, it’s one of the world’s last frontiers. It’s a place where you can feel connected to nature, explore virtually untouched landscapes, and experience the wonder of being in such a raw and rugged wilderness.
Due to Alaska’s remote location and sometimes inhospitable climate, it’s one of the most popular places to visit on a cruise. Travelling by water allows you to see coastal locations that would otherwise be inaccessible – and you get to enjoy breathtaking views of the frozen landscape from the comfort of a luxury ship. You also get plenty of chances to go ashore and have adventures.
While cruise ships can have a reputation for being crowded, this doesn’t have to be the case. And to show you why, we’ve partnered with Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, known for their dazzling Alaskan cruises and luxurious sense of space. Regent’s promise of ‘Unrivalled Space at Sea™’ is evidenced by its private verandas, spacious suites, and expansive social areas, which mean you’ll never have to encounter queues or crowds.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises also offers the ultimate luxury all-inclusive experience. This means that all food and drinks on board are covered – including speciality dining, as well as flights and transfers, shore excursions, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay for those staying in a Concierge Suite or above, valet laundry services, WiFi, and even pre-paid gratuities. The aim is for guests to not have to worry about a thing, other than relaxing and savouring their holiday.
With the Regent and Rocky Mountaineer® Experience, guests can also start their luxury, all-inclusive experience with a six-night included pre-cruise land programme, for the chance to discover more of Alaska and Canada by rail. Showcasing panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies, complete with lush forests, tundra, and turquoise lakes, this is a pre-cruise experience you’ll never forget.
If this sounds tempting, your next question might be: what exactly will you get to see and do on one of Regent’s land and sea packages? So, to shine a light on why this trip is truly such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, here are 10 spectacular highlights.
1. Cruise along the Inside Passage
One of the perks of a cruise is that you get to enjoy views of not only the ocean but the coastline too. And few destinations are quite as stunning as the Inside Passage – a 500-mile ocean stretch along the North American Pacific Fjordland. While cruising along these icy blue waters, you can admire views of rugged islands, snowy peaks, deep fjords, and swathes of forest-blanketed land.
Because the Inside Passage is so protected, the sailing is unusually smooth, so it’s ideal for heading up to the deck and gazing out at the verdant rainforests, windswept beaches, and mist-wrapped mountains as they drift past. You’ll also have an excellent chance of spotting wildlife like orcas and humpback whales in the ocean, otters and seals on the ice, and brown bears roaming the coastline.
Be amazed at the beauty of the Inside Passage
2. Marvel at Hubbard Glacier
Alaska is known for its dramatic, often desolate landscape, and Hubbard Glacier is one of its most impressive natural treasures. Measuring an incredible 76 miles long, and seven miles wide, this is the largest tidewater glacier in North America – and also one of the most active. The riptides and currents that flow around the glacier cause huge chunks of ice to break off at peak tides.
Coming face to face with this sleeping giant is an otherworldly experience, and watching shards of blue ice crack before your eyes can send shivers down your spine. The area around the glacier – the vast Russell Fjord Wilderness – is one of the most beautiful places in Alaska, and you’ll get to enjoy picture-perfect views from the deck. You may spot whales, seals, and otters in the frigid waters too.
Be awed by the mighty Hubbard Glacier
3. Hike through Tongass National Forest
Cruises don’t just allow you to get up close to otherwise inaccessible landmarks; they also allow you to enjoy a range of shore excursions. One of the best activities you can do on an Alaskan cruise is to hike through Tongass National Forest, which, at approximately 17 million acres, is America’s largest national forest – and the world’s largest temperate rainforest.
This dense, ancient forest isn’t just spectacularly beautiful, it’s also teeming with wildlife. The world’s densest concentrations of brown bears and bald eagles are found here, and you may spot wolves, otters, and beavers while hiking too. As you follow a nature trail through the forest, you’ll learn about the history and geography of the area, and discover why it’s so treasured by visitors and locals alike.
Trek through Tongass National Forest
4. Discover native Alaskan culture in Ketchikan
If you’re just as interested in culture and history as you are in nature, then Ketchikan is unmissable. Located 700 miles north of Seattle, this historic town is known for its beautiful natural scenery and fascinating native Alaskan culture. The surrounding Misty Fjords National Monument, with its dizzying blue lakes and snow-capped peaks, are a hiker and photographer’s dream.
Ketchikan is celebrated for its unique collection of totem poles, native art, and all kinds of other treasures. Built over steep hills and partly balanced on wooden pilings, boardwalks and wooden staircases criss-cross through the town, making it a joy to explore. Plus, Ketchikan used to be the ‘salmon capital of the world’, so you can try fresh, inventive dishes in the many seafood restaurants.
Immerse yourself in Alaskan culture in Ketchikan
5. Go whale watching in Juneau
The sophisticated city of Juneau is the only US capital that isn’t accessible by road, and its remote surroundings are breathtaking. It’s especially known for the Mendenhall Glacier, which flows 13 miles from the Juneau Icefield and ends at Mendenhall Lake. Historical natural attractions like the Treadwell Mine Historical Trail – once the largest gold mine in the world – are always popular too.
But the chilly waters around Juneau are especially great for spotting humpback whales and orcas, the latter of which are important characters in native Alaskan culture. Seeing these incredible mammals as they breach through the waves is something you’ll remember forever. While whale watching, you also have a good chance of seeing bald eagles, seals, sea lions, and bears so keep your eyes peeled!
Spot whales beneath Juneau’s waves
6. Zip-line off Hoonah Mountain
The town of Hoonah is the largest community of the Tlingit people; indigenous Alaskans who have lived here for thousands of years. Known as the ‘Little City with a Big Heart’, Hoonah is not accessible by car, only by sea or air, and during a cruise you’ll dock at Icy Strait Point. Once a bustling salmon cannery, Icy Strait Point is now one of Alaska’s most popular and exciting tourist attractions.
Icy Strait Point is home to a museum, arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and also the ZipRider, which is the world’s largest and highest zip line. Running for 5,330 ft, and with a 1,300-ft vertical drop, it’s a heart-pounding opportunity to fly over this remarkable landscape and admire jaw-dropping views of the mountains and ocean. If you fancy something more gentle, you can take a gondola up instead!
Soar over the mountains and sea
7. Step back into the Gold Rush era in Skagway
History buffs can’t pass up the chance to visit Skagway, which was established as a trading post for Klondike Gold Rush pioneers way back in 1897. Exploring this town, with its handsome false-fronted buildings, beautifully restored streets, and old-world appeal, can feel like stepping back in time, and it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the colourful history of the Klondike era.
Here, you can follow in the footsteps of the original gold rush pioneers and fortune seekers, and take a ride along the historic narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, which was built in 1898. As you rattle along this historic track, you can also admire sensational panoramas of mountains, glaciers and gorges, as well as the famous Bridal Veil Falls, and the towering peaks of Inspiration Point.
Step back in time in Skagway
8. Cruise through Endicott Arm Fjord
Another contender for Alaska’s most dramatically beautiful spot is Endicott Arm Fjord. Extending for over 30 miles, this narrow fjord is part of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness area, with nearly one-fifth of the area covered in ice. As you glide through the fjord, you’ll pass blue-tinged, calving glaciers, drifting icebergs, lush forests, thundering waterfalls, and soaring snow-capped mountains.
One of the most remarkable sights will be Dawes Glacier, a monumental glacier that’s hundreds of metres high. Few cruise ships pass through here, so as you gaze up at this towering hunk of ice, you’ll feel like you’re on your own intrepid adventure. Endicott Arm is one of the world’s largest breeding grounds for harbour seals, so keep a lookout for these curious animals as they splash by the ship.
Admire sensational views of Endicott Arm Fjord
9. Hike past Mendenhall Glacier
Hubbard might be the largest tidewater glacier in North America, but Mendenhall is one of the most beautiful and accessible. Half a mile wide and nearly 2,000 feet deep, it draws visitors from all over the world, and during a cruise, you can admire the glacier from several spectacular viewpoints. But you can also head to shore for an adventure hike that takes you right by the glacier.
Many beautiful trails wind through the surrounding rainforest, and aside from the mesmerising views of waterfalls and glimmering blue iceberg lakes, you’ll also be able to admire unrivalled views of the glacier itself. On a bright day, the glacier is awe-inspiring – but on grey days, the ice turns a striking shade of blue, and is even more impressive. Just don’t forget your camera!
Admire the beauty of Mendenhall Glacier
10. Kayak along the Sitka Sound
Backing onto the Pacific Ocean, Sitka is one of Alaska’s prettiest towns – and also one of the most interesting. As one of the oldest non-native settlements in the state, Sitka was under Russian rule from 1799 to 1867 and was even the former capital of Russian Alaska. Today, this beautiful town is known as a great fishing spot, but there are many outdoor activities to get involved with.
One of the most special experiences you can do here is kayaking through the Sitka Sound, where the waters are nice and sheltered. Climb aboard a two-person kayak and paddle through the protected bays and inlets around Sitka, while admiring the magnificent backdrop of mountains and forests. You’ll probably spot all kinds of marine life too, such as seabirds and bald eagles.
Paddle on the pristine waters of the Sitka Sound
Final thoughts…
In our crowded, chaotic world, few places feel truly wild – but Alaska is certainly one of them. It’s a place where you can feel the raw power of nature all around you, from the thunder of ancient glaciers crashing into the ocean to the screech of bald eagles soaring overhead.
Alaska’s remote location, wide open spaces and pristine landscape will likely appeal to anyone who wants to get away from it all. And whether you’re interested in spotting wildlife, discovering local cultures and history, or just soaking up the scenery, there’s something for everyone here.
You might never have thought about taking a cruise before, but there’s a reason why Alaska is one of the most popular destinations for first-time cruisers. Travelling via the water allows you to see the most spectacular sights no matter their location – and the views as you cruise are another bonus.
A Regent cruise, coupled with a Rocky Mountaineer® Experience won’t only show you the biggest, best, and most beautiful sights of the 49th US state – but it also means you’re guaranteed a unique experience that’s customised to your personal preferences.
Travelling to some of the furthest corners of the world shouldn’t mean you have to scrimp on luxury, and the lavish suites, exemplary service, and unrivalled space ensure you’ll enjoy every moment of your trip. All you need to do is kick back, relax, and focus on enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime holiday.
To browse all experiences with Regent Seven Seas Cruises in Alaska and beyond, you can visit their website below.
Have you been on an Alaskan cruise? Or perhaps it’s one you’ll add to your travel wish list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.