If you’re planning an Alaska cruise and wondering whether to add a cruise tour, you’re not alone. Alaska Cruise Tours (also called Land + Sea Packages or Cruisetours) combine your cruise with a guided land tour, often taking you deeper into the state to places like Denali National Park, Fairbanks, or even the Arctic Circle. But what’s really included in these packages? And are they worth the extra time and cost? Let’s break it down.
What Is An Alaska Cruise Tour?
An Alaska Cruise Tour is typically a combination of a traditional 7-night cruise and a multi-day land tour either before or after the sailing. The cruise portion explores the scenic coastline of Alaska with stops in iconic ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. The land portion takes you inland, where you can see wildlife, ride the Alaska Railroad, and visit national parks.
What’s Included In An Alaska Cruise Tour?
While inclusions can vary by cruise line, most Alaska Cruise Tours include:
- Accommodations in inland lodges or hotels (some owned by the cruise line)
- Transportation between destinations by motorcoach or rail (often the famous Alaska Railroad)
- Guided Tours or activities in key destinations like Denali or Talkeetna
- Transfers between cruise ports, hotels, and airports
Some packages also include (or you can upgrade to include):
- Select meals
- Special concierge service
- More activities and excursions
You can virtually make the cruise tour as “all inclusive” as you would like with most cruise lines.
Top Destinations You Can See On A Cruise Tour
Cruise tours unlock parts of Alaska that aren’t accessible by ship, such as:
- Denali National Park: Home to North America’s tallest peak and incredible wildlife
- Fairbanks: Known for its Gold Rush history and, in the fall, the Northern Lights
- Talkeetna: A quirky Alaskan town that offers stunning views of Denali
- The Alaska Interior: Rugged landscapes, remote villages, and epic train rides
Is An Alaska Cruise Tour Worth It?
In most cases, yes… especially if it’s your first time visiting Alaska or your one and only time visiting Alaska. A cruise tour gives you a well-organized way to experience both the coastal beauty and the interior wilderness without the hassle of planning logistics yourself. Here’s why travelers love them:
- You cover more ground without worrying about transportation
- The land portion is typically guided by local experts
- You get to see the other side of Alaska, beyond the coast
Cruise Tour Options From Trusted Cruise Lines
Several lines offer excellent land-and-sea packages:
- Princess Cruises: Known for their own lodges and seamless tour experience
- Holland America Line: Offers deep itineraries into the Yukon and Denali
- Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean: Offer smaller but high-quality cruisetour packages
Custom Alaska Tours Pre & Post Cruise
One of the best-kept secrets about Alaska cruise tours is this: you don’t have to choose a pre-packaged option. If you’d rather explore on your own timeline, we can help you design a custom post-cruise (or pre-cruise) experience that’s all about you.
Whether you want to spend extra time exploring deep into Denali, interact with locals in Talkeetna, hike glacier fields, or soak in hot springs near Fairbanks, a custom Alaska land tour gives you full control. You can stay in the kind of lodges you like, add extra nights, skip the group motorcoach, and even pick your own excursions.
We can build custom land tours for every size travel group – from the solo traveler to a large group of multiple people. We arrange the transportation, recommend vetted lodges and tours, and ensure the entire trip flows seamlessly with your cruise. We can also add pre-cruise nights in places like Anchorage or Whittier to help with flight logistics or add time to relax before you board.
Ready To Plan Your Alaska Cruise Tour?
If you’re dreaming of seeing more of Alaska than just the ports, a cruise tour might be exactly what you need. With guided access to Denali, seamless transportation, and insider experiences, it’s one of the best ways to see the Last Frontier.
Ready to plan your Alaska Cruise Tour? We can help.
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Written by: DeWayne Tudor
Photo credit:
Denali – Photo by Bryson Beaver on Unsplash
Northern Lights in Fairbanks – Photo by Chenghui Li on Unsplash