Planning a trip to Alaska? Here’s all you need to know now, including tips and an FAQ compiled by the trusted wilderness travel advisors at AdventureSmith. Traveling to Alaska is easy with our experts on your side.
Don't be overwhelmed when planning a trip to Alaska. Let our experts with years of experience help. Alaska is BIG, and offers endless vacation options—so what better place to get insider tips and information than from a company founded by a former Alaska guide? We have lived in, worked in and explored the region in depth, working as guides, operations managers and naturalists.
Our Alaska vacation guide will assist you in your research, selection, booking and preparation for traveling to Alaska. Start with the Alaska travel advice here to learn everything from how to go to the top wildlife to see. Then get in touch with our team to talk one-on-one. We’ve got you covered from the very first stages of planning to what to expect while you are there.
We’ve scoured the new itineraries, schedules, ships and trends to bring you AdventureSmith Explorations’ annual round-up of what’s new, and on sale for small ship Alaska cruises. Plus view a complete list of all 2026 & 2027 small Alaska cruises.
Our experts rate the top cruises and compare cruise lines to Alaska. We detail what makes each operator special, how they differ from each other, and why you might consider cruising with them.
See our curated trips to view the northern lights, or aurora borealis. Find out how to best see the northern lights in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland and more.
Let our expert trip matchmakers simplify your search. This curated list features a selection of the most romantic couples cruises available. Whether you're planning a honeymoon, anniversary or amorous getaway, let this guide help you find a romantic cruise you'll be sure to fall for.
Visit Alaska National Parks with wilderness, nature & solitude. These small ships and remote lodges let you skip the crowds. Learn about the various options to explore Glacier Bay, Kenai Fjords, Katmai, Denali & more in this itinerary round-up.
When is the best time to visit Alaska? Consult this month-by-month guide for help planning your Alaska travel with tips on everything from weather, wildlife, daylight and the benefits of each month.
Find your Alaska family cruise with our selection of top family-friendly small ship cruises. Plus discover planning tips, extensions and insight into charters and deals, from the Alaska family cruise experts.
Skip the crowds and make your Alaska experience the best it can be with this list of expert tips. Whether you’re returning for more travels, or seeking to do it right the first time, follow our advice and you can’t go wrong.
Find good company in Alaska with our tips on what it's like, answers to your questions on single supplements and how to book at the best solo traveler rate.
Big ship vs. small ship... which size should you choose in Alaska? Big ships may at first seem appealing for price, but learn all about the full package of considerations for everything from activities, kids and itineraries in this side-by-side comparison.
Our experts recommend their favorite Alaska books on this comprehensive reading list. Prepare for travel with recommended books, field guides, travel guides, maps, & resources.
A former guide gives his recommendations on itineraries and ships that offer the top Alaska wildlife cruise experience. Plus tips that will maximize your chances of seeing these iconic animals: brown bear, orca, humpback whales, moose, and mountain goat.
There’s no wrong time to visit Alaska, but its huge size and diverse regions come with seasonal nuances that may be of interest to you. To learn about Alaska’s short summer travel season (April through September) consult our Best Time to Visit Alaska guide. This month-by-month Alaska travel guide has tips on weather, wildlife, daylight and the benefits of each month. Be sure to also read our Alaska climate page for longest daylight hours, warmest temperatures, the driest month and more.
How to Travel to Alaska: By Land, By Sea, or Both!
How do you want to see and experience Alaska? A land tour to Alaska’s interior, an authentic Alaskan Inside Passage cruise, or a combination of both? Our Alaska small ship cruises and Alaska land tours have been hand selected to cater to a wide spectrum of interests, time and budget. So whether you choose to cruise or explore Alaska’s backcountry from our collection of wilderness lodges, you will experience Alaska in a way that’s intimate, active and in touch with nature.
When planning a trip to Alaska and deciding how to travel while there, it's important to understand the greater regions of the state and the types of travel that best suit each one. For example, if you want to plan to a trip to Denali, you'll need to access it by car, bus and/or train. But if you want to visit somewhere like Glacier Bay, a cruise is required. Our experts can turn hours of your internet searching into a simple, fun conversation about your interests. Let us help you answer your individual questions around how to plan your trip to Alaska.
SEE ALL ALASKA TRIPS
See the full list of itineraries by small ship and on land.
Planning a Trip to Alaska for Your Needs & Interests
Looking for a private charter adventure? Or a top Alaska trip specifically for kids and families? AdventureSmith offers Alaska experiences that will fit any need or interest. Start by using the filter options to narrow down our resources for topics like wildlife, family travel, chartering and more, to drill down to what interests you.
We have also designated itineraries and accommodations into popular categories to make it even easier to plan a trip to Alaska that best fits your interests. Consult our curated Alaska travel guides that include the best of the best for popular categories:
Our experts regularly field questions around the latest Alaska travel advice, and about any current Alaska travel restrictions. We’ve compiled our top questions and answers here. Look for your question in these Alaska trip planning FAQs, or contact us direct with your question.
It all depends on where you want to go. We are partial to the wilderness and wildlife that an Alaska small ship cruise provides easy access to. But you can always have the best of both worlds and combine your cruise with an Alaska wilderness lodge tour.
How small are AdventureSmith's ships & lodges?
The ships we work with in Alaska average 45 guests, with some as small as 4 cabins; the lodges average 30 guests, with some as small as 5 rooms. View all our Alaska small ships and Alaska wilderness lodges.
Why is smaller better when traveling to Alaska?
Learn all about Alaska Big Ship vs Small Ship in our dedicated post on the ship size topic. In Alaska, your experience will be greatly affected since the focus of this magical destination is wilderness and wildlife. Bigger ships cannot unload passengers except in larger ports, so you'll just have to enjoy the views from the deck versus actively exploring off ship with us.
And some ports restrict access for large cruise ships. For example, there is now a limit on large cruise ships berthed in downtown Juneau, with further restrictions coming in 2026.
Is it safe to travel to Alaska right now?
Yes. Alaska is a very safe state to visit. For those concerned with safety in Alaska, be sure to read up on safety protocols around interacting with wildlife, driving on icy roads and just general common sense safety when visiting larger cities such as Anchorage.
Do you need a passport to go to Alaska?
If a U.S. citizen, no. You will need a passport if your a citizen of another country. Visas are not required for travelers with citizenship in the U.S. If traveling by car or certain cruise lines, note you may need a valid passport to cross the Canadian border.
Are there any Alaska travel restrictions or an advisory?
No, there are no current Alaska travel restrictions or travel advisories for the state of Alaska.
Are there any Alaska cruise vaccination requirements?
Alaska cruise vaccination requirements are dictated by each operator and subject to change, but it's rare for an operator to require vaccination today. Find current policies for our operators on the trip page you are interested in. View all Alaska trips.
What if a fellow traveler or I get sick while traveling to/in Alaska?
Every case is unique. Operators have their own procedures for patient isolation and care, so inquire with us direct about your individual trip's protocol. It's always ideal to be covered through travel insurance in case of unforeseen sickness, flight delays or baggage loss.
If you don’t find what you are looking for in our Alaska vacation guide then please let us know! You can use the comment fields at the bottom of each article to leave your feedback or simply contact us with all your questions. We are Alaska experts—and what we do is help you compare products, give honest unbiased reviews and make suggestions tailored for you. Our customer service, combined with our outstanding Alaska travel advice, are the keys to how to travel to Alaska and make it the trip of your dreams. Interested in reading firsthand accounts from our trips? View our Alaska trip reviews written by our crew of professionals and Alaska travelers just like you.
What It's Like Traveling to Alaska with AdventureSmith
“We Loved Our Trip”
We loved our trip aboard the Admiralty Dream. From the shore excursions to the wildlife sightings, the expeditions leaders, crew, officers, food, and even our fellow travelers (only 42 on this trip!), everything came together to provide a memorable experience.
—Colleen T.The Woodlands, TX
OVERALL5.0/5
LODGING5.0/5
MEALS5.0/5
“PRICELESS!!!”
Having the ability to adjust course and curtail forward progress due to wildlife sightings were... what is the saying ... PRICELESS !!! Anchoring 1/4 mile off glaciers was without a doubt a prime reason to take this cruise versus a large vessel cruise. There is no way I would have…
—George N.Henderson, NV
OVERALL5.0/5
LODGING5.0/5
MEALS5.0/5
“From Start to Finish, This Was an Amazing Trip”
Clear, smooth instructions, info, and transfers, which all were very helpful to us (since we usually book our own travel, it was new using an agency, and really nice!). Every single day in both Denali and on the cruise was simply full of wonder. Had amazing views of Denali, and…
—Barbara P.Silver Spring, MD
OVERALL5.0/5
LODGING5.0/5
MEALS5.0/5
“Exactly What We Hoped For, & More”
I'm really glad that Nick recommended the Catalyst. It was exactly what we hoped for - and more. On a small ship like Catalyst, the experience was very much like being welcomed into the home of our hosts.
—Karen H.Campbellford, Canada
OVERALL5.0/5
LODGING5.0/5
MEALS5.0/5
“Every Detail Was Well Organized & Carefully Planned”
Every detail was well-organized and carefully planned, so the complexities of traveling by small bus to boat, back to van, transfer to Kantishna bus, transfer to railroads all worked seamlessly and flawlessly. The guides--all of them, but especially our trip guide and driver--were very knowledgeable, interesting, and fun!
—Polly M.Sacramento, CA
OVERALL5.0/5
LODGING5.0/5
MEALS5.0/5
“Excellent Blend Of Activities In Beautiful, Remote Scenery”
Excellent blend of activities in beautiful, remote scenery. Good pace. Great trip overall.
—Daniel T.Santa Rosa, CA
OVERALL5.0/5
LODGING5.0/5
MEALS5.0/5
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Featured in this Review
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If our Alaska travel guide has inspired you to travel, start planning your trip to Alaska now with our expertise. These Alaska cruises and tours are consistently rated as top trips by our travelers. Browse our trips then contact our Alaska specialists to be the ultimate guide to selecting and booking your vacation. Our award-winning crew is known for personalized service, unbiased knowledge and firsthand experience on our huge selection. Go to Alaska the small, sustainable way with us!
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