Without a doubt, an Alaska cruise is the most accessible bucket-list cruise that most Americans can do. It's just far enough away to see a completely foreign land unspoiled by developers and most of the excursions truly involve discovering something new ... rather than just fun in the sun watersports and beach breaks. For me, this is a destination that continues to call me back and quite frankly that is one major reason why Heather and I decided to launch this site as well as becoming travel advisors so that we could help others have amazing Alaskan cruise experiences. Despite this though, Alaska cruising just isn't right for every type of person. Some folks will simply not enjoy the experience. Luckily, with so many options available today ... it is possible to find the right fit where pretty much anyone can find the right cruise experience for their preferred vacation style!
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- Ensure you book the right Alaska cruise by consulting a knowledgeable travel advisor who can match your vacation style with the perfect cruise line and itinerary.
- Alaska cruises appeal to travelers who enjoy nature, wildlife, and cultural exploration but may not satisfy sunseekers or nightlife enthusiasts.
- For culinary enthusiasts, an Alaskan cruise may lack the authentic, high-end dining experiences found on land, though small-ship options like Viking offer gourmet choices.
- Adventure-seekers craving intense, adrenaline-fueled activities may find cruise excursions too tame compared to independent exploration options.
- Introverts or solitude seekers may struggle with crowded environments on larger cruise ships, but smaller luxury ships provide more serene, private spaces.
As I looked around on a recent cruise through Alaska's inside passage, I began to realize that even though I was having an amazing experience, not everyone felt the same way about this bucket list cruise experience.
Regardless of how or why, the reality is that some folks just won't enjoy a typical Alaska cruise. What most people don't realize is that Alaska cruises are very diverse now and there's a cruise line and itinerary that is perfect for almost every personality. Whether you want to party all night with the best food at sea on Virgin Voyages and not see a single kid under 18 or you want an affordable family vacation on Carnival or an expedition-style experience where you can kayak by glaciers with UnCruise, a good travel advisor will be able to help you identify the right cruise experience for your personality.
So, with that in mind, I've identified five types of people likely to hate a typical Alaska cruise – and what Alaska cruise they might find to be the best fit!
Are you one of these people? Let's find out!
The Perpetual Sunseeker
Picture this: Sarah from Miami, decked out in her finest resort wear, shivering on the deck as she squints at the overcast sky. She booked this cruise dreaming of lounging by the pool, cocktail in hand, working on her tan. Instead, she's bundled up in layers, cursing the chilly Alaskan air and longing for the tropics.
For sun-worshippers like Sarah, Alaska's unpredictable weather and cool temperatures are nothing short of torture. They'll spend more time in the ship's spa trying to warm up than marveling at glaciers or spotting wildlife. If your ideal vacation involves baking on a beach, an Alaskan cruise might just leave you cold.
Best Alaska Cruise Choice: Virgin Voyages!
Quite honestly, sun-seeking millennials and gen-z generally aren't going to be happy with most Alaska cruises offered by the more traditional cruise lines. In fact, I've met quite a few younger guests who have expressed frustration about the fact that elements they enjoy about cruising in the Caribbean simply aren't the same experience up north. An Alaska cruise is a different experience that is more about bears, glaciers, salmon, and whales than it is beaches and tiki drinks. Even Carnival - where you can still get a more "Caribbean Vibe" while sailing the cold Alaska waters is sorta weird here.
With that being said, we're pretty excited that Virgin Voyages will be testing things out when Brilliant Lady starts sailing in Alaska during the 2025 season.
Not only do they have one of the hippest vibes of any cruise line, but they also have the best food and crew, and plenty of space up on deck to both get some privacy - as well as sunlight to relax in.
Plus, honestly, they also attract the right people if you are looking for a more progressive modern experience that appeals to folks under 40. This means that younger folks looking to avoid hanging out with their grandparents are certain to find younger and more vibrant guests looking for similar experiences on a Virgin Voyages cruise.
The Hip Nightlife Enthusiast
Meet Jake, a 28-year-old party animal from Las Vegas. He's used to clubs that don't close until sunrise and a social scene that never sleeps. On an Alaskan cruise, Jake finds himself bewildered by the early-to-bed crowd and the lack of all-night entertainment options.
What's more, the extended daylight hours in Alaska during peak cruise season throw off his entire rhythm. By the time it's dark enough for the ship's nightclub to feel appropriate, half the passengers are already in bed. For those who live for the nightlife, an Alaskan cruise can feel frustratingly tame.
Best Alaska Cruise Choice: Norwegian (or Virgin if Over 18)
Jake loves to party, and he remembers the cruise to Alaska he took with his parents as a high school graduation present. It was boring, everyone was old, and the ship closed down after 10 p.m., when he was just getting ready to go out and mingle with some other single guests. Simply having a discotheque isn't enough for him—you've got to have fun people looking to party!
While once again, we're very excited to see how Virgin Voyages can bring its distinct blend of chic style and modern cruising experience where music, dancing, parties, and late-night entertainment are integrated into an Alaska cruise, we also think that Jake would have a great time sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line on Encore. Here he can get all of the "Alaska Experience" stuff that he's looking for, such as visiting local Alaskan cannabis dispensaries to see what new and interesting products they have there, checking out Alaskan breweries and cocktail bars during shore excursions, and of course checking out all the cool Instagram-worthy photo ops such as posing with sled dog puppies, taking a selfie while boarding a float plane, and having his picture taken holding up a huge king salmon that he caught during a fishing excursion. Plus, unlike Virgin, NCL is all-ages and that means you can take the whole family.
Back on the ship though, Jake is going to have a blast enjoying one of the best drink packages in Alaska ... included in his Norwegian Cruise Lines fare part of their "More At Sea" program. Plus, NCL has the best single cabins of any cruise line, and there's TONS of awesome nightlife ranging from acoustic tunes at the District Brew House, Choir of Man, and a Beatles tribute experience at The Cavern Club.
The Culinary Snob
Enter Olivia, a self-proclaimed foodie from New York City. She embarked on this cruise expecting a gastronomic adventure filled with fresh Alaskan seafood and innovative cuisine. Instead, she's faced with buffet lines, predictable dining room menus, and a disappointing lack of authentic local flavors.
While cruise ships have come a long way in terms of dining options, they still can't compete with the culinary scenes of major cities or the authenticity of local Alaskan restaurants. For discerning food lovers like Olivia, the mass-produced meals and limited options on board can turn their dream vacation into a bland disappointment.
Best Alaska cruise choice: Viking Ocean or Oceania
As a travel advisor who is also a bit of a foodie snob, I agree with Olivia - a lot of cruise food just isn't very good, or at least not by foodie standards. Thankfully she has some great options both in terms of fresh, locally sourced fish featured on Holland America Line as well as some haut cuisine options available on any of the small-ship luxury cruise lines. While Heather and I both love Holland America Line as a good balance between affordable luxury and value ... especially since they have put together a program to feature freshly caught Alaska seafood, small ship cruises really are where foodies like Olivia need to look.
Here, there's a wide spectrum of options but we're going to recommend that she try a Viking Ocean cruise to Alaska because it offers not just "gourmet food" but an ambiance that invites people to explore a different culture and try new things. Viking also tends to be one of the least pretentious small ship luxury cruises as we
The Adrenaline Junkie
Then there's Alex, an extreme sports enthusiast from Colorado. He signed up for the cruise expecting heart-pounding adventures in the Alaskan wilderness. What he got instead were carefully curated, safety-first excursions that barely raised his pulse.
For thrill-seekers like Alex, the structured nature of cruise ship excursions and the limited time in each port can feel stifling. They crave the freedom to explore on their own terms, to push their limits in nature's playground. The cruise ship's emphasis on comfort and safety leaves them feeling trapped and unfulfilled.
Best Alaska Cruise Choice: UnCruise Adventures
There are two ways to go about satisfying Alex's passion for adrenaline-pumping adventure. While we know that he'd love to sail the Alaskan waters with UnCruise ... kayaking next to glaciers, hiking to see bears up close, and getting as close as humanly possible to all of the natural wonders ... not just watching it from the safety of his balcony. However, we also recognize that a cruise to Alaska is also ... well ... a cruise. So if he's looking to have all the amenities that come with a traditional cruise experience then Royal Caribbean is the way to go. With water slides, rock climbing, bumper cars, the FlowRider surf simulator, and of course the North Star (on Quantum Class Cruise ships like Ovation of the Seas).
Plus, Alex can still do exciting short excursions during port visits, such as whale watching, helicopter flights that land on a glacier, and the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour.
The Solitude Seeker
Lastly, we have Emily, an introvert who dreamed of peaceful solitude in nature's vastness. She envisioned quiet moments of reflection against a backdrop of majestic mountains and serene fjords. Instead, she finds herself constantly surrounded by crowds, from the bustling ship corridors to the packed observation decks.
For those seeking a tranquil communion with nature, the social atmosphere of a cruise ship can be overwhelming. The constant presence of other passengers, the scheduled activities, and the limited opportunities for true solitude can leave introverts like Emily feeling drained and disappointed.
Best Alaska Cruise Choice: Holland America Line
Almost any cruise ship is going to have plenty of private space to rest and relax - even Carnival has its Serenity Adult-Only Retreat area. However, for the ultimate peace and relaxation where Emily can get away from it all and de-stress, we'd point her in the direction of a small ship luxury experience like on Silversea, Seabourn Seven Seas, or Regent, where you aren't going to have raucous parties, loud music, dance parties, etc. Instead, she will find plenty of other people who tend to be older and looking for a relaxed experience where they can taken care of and not have to worry about anything at all.
On the other hand, if Emily is looking for a way to relax and watch the world go by without breaking the bank - Holland America Line would be an easy choice too. Not only does Holland America Line Koningsdam have solo rooms where you don't need to pay the dreaded "single supplement" fee, but they have the surprisingly affordable Retreat area where she can watch the world go by while relaxing in her private cabana, enjoying attentive service from some of the best crew at sea, and never have to worry about setting foot in a crowded buffet line.
What's Your Preferred Alaska Cruise?
As I reflected on these five personalities, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. Here they were, in one of the most spectacular places on Earth, missing out on the magic surrounding them. Whether it was the woman reading a romance novel while humpback whales breached nearby, or the couple arguing over dinner menus as we sailed past towering glaciers, it was clear that an Alaskan cruise isn't for everyone.
But for those of us who embraced the experience – who stood in awe of calving glaciers, who marveled at the snow capped mountain tops, who found joy in spotting a bear on a distant shore – an Alaskan cruise offered something truly special. It's a journey that reminds us of nature's raw beauty and our small place within it.
So before you book that Alaskan cruise, take a moment to consider: Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and into the wild beauty of the Last Frontier? Or are you perhaps better suited to a different kind of adventure? The answer might just save you from becoming the sixth type of person who hates an Alaskan cruise – the one who realizes, too late, that they've made an expensive mistake!
Thanks for reading. We hope this was helpful!
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