Our 7-Day Alaska Cruise Review: Ports, Highlights & Tips

In May 2025, my husband and I sailed to Alaska with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), round-trip from Seattle on the NCL Encore. While every Alaska cruise season is unique, most of what we experienced — from port highlights to packing strategies — will still be helpful for anyone planning a cruise in 2026 or 2027.

This Alaska cruise review post covers our itinerary, favorite moments, what we’d do differently, and the tips we wish we’d known before boarding. Don’t miss my complete Alaska Cruise Guide for everything you need to know about planning your trip, including links to packing guides, planning tips, and excursion advice so you can plan your own unforgettable trip.

Why We Chose This Trip

We’d been dreaming of visiting Alaska for years, especially to see glaciers while they’re still here in all their glory. Since glaciers are receding each year, we didn’t want to wait too long.

We picked May for its quieter atmosphere and lower prices compared to peak summer months. The scenery was still snowy and wintery, making Glacier Bay especially dramatic. The trade-off? Some wildlife (like bears and salmon) and wildflowers weren’t out yet, and temperatures were cooler.

We chose NCL because:

They visit Glacier Bay. We liked the specific itinerary for this trip.
The Encore’s amenities, including the thermal spa, were a great fit for us.
We liked the casual “freestyle” dining style.

Check out our NCL Encore Ship Review post (link) for more information about the ship and our experience .

Note: We found NCL had frequent upcharges for specialty dining and activities, so budget accordingly.

Our Itinerary

Day 1: Depart Seattle
Day 2: At sea 🌊
Day 3: Juneau – Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Trek 🛶
Day 4: Skagway – White Pass Train Ride 🚂
Day 5: Glacier Bay – Scenic Cruising 🧊
Day 6: Ketchikan – Alaskan Lodge & Seafeast 🦀
Day 7: Victoria, BC – Pedicab Ride 🚲
Day 8: Return to Seattle

Port Highlights & Tips

Juneau – Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Trek

Juneau, Alaska’s capital, feels like a small mountain town tucked between mountains and sea. We had a little time before our excursion, so we walked into downtown to explore. It’s a charming area with shops, cafés, and plenty of character. One thing to note: the NCL Encore usually docks farther from downtown than some other cruise lines (like Holland America or Princess), so it’s about a 20-minute walk each way.

Our excursion was a canoe trek across Mendenhall Lake, paddling through glacial waters and weaving through floating ice to get our canoe to within about 200 yards of Mendenhall Glacier. In iceberg lingo, the bigger chunks — anywhere from the size of a car to a small house — are called bergie bits. The smaller ones, under 16 feet across, are growlers, often a striking blue and sometimes fizzing quietly as ancient air escapes. On canoe paddle back, we stopped at Nugget Falls, a stunning glacial-fed waterfall.

This excursion was a chilly way to experience a glacier, but so beautiful and unforgettable. Highly recommend!

Tip: Most tour operators provide the essential gear (life jackets, boots, waterproof clothing), so check before you pack. If you want to fit in both whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier in one day, you may need to book a private or custom tour.

Skagway – White Pass Train Ride

Skagway has a charming, historic feel, with wooden boardwalks, gold rush–era buildings, and mountain views all around. We had a full day here and booked the White Pass & Yukon Route train trip for the afternoon, hoping for the best chance of clear skies — and it worked out perfectly. In the morning, we wandered through town, browsing its cute shops and restaurants.

The train ride was a highlight of our trip. In May, there was still plenty of snow at the summit, making the scenery even more dramatic. The route crosses briefly into Canada before turning back, with iconic tunnels, bridges, and steep drop-offs. It’s humbling to imagine prospectors attempting this treacherous route during the gold rush of the late 1800s.

Tip: Sit on the left side heading up for the best views, and stand briefly on the open-air platforms between cars for stunning shots of the train curving through mountains.

Glacier Bay – Scenic Cruising

A national park filled with tidewater glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. Park rangers boarded the ship to narrate the sights and share history. We split our day between:

Our balcony with coffee at 6 a.m. as we entered the bay.
The thermal spa from 8 a.m., with heated loungers and panoramic windows.
The bow, open to passengers for up-close viewing.

Tip: The blue color in glacial ice comes from its density. It absorbs all colors of the spectrum except blue, which it reflects.

Crowd note: The bow is busiest early; returning later in the day gave us quieter views.

Ketchikan – Alaskan Lodge & Seafeast

Ketchikan, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” is a colorful waterfront town with boardwalks, totem poles, and a mix of Native heritage and quirky shops. The dock is right in town, so you can start exploring as soon as you step off the ship.

Ketchikan is surrounded by lush rainforest and waterways teeming with wildlife. For our excursion, we took a boat tour through the area, spotting a bald eagle before arriving at Silverking Lodge. There, we walked a trail through the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S. and the largest temperate rainforest this far north.

After our walk, we enjoyed a delicious seafood feast in the lodge’s beautiful setting. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and the food was incredible. We didn’t have time to explore downtown Ketchikan, which I’ve heard is very charming. Something to look forward to next time.

Tip: Ketchikan gets a lot of rain. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket even if the forecast looks clear.

Victoria, BC – Pedicab Ride

Our evening stop in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada gave us just a taste of this picturesque city. We opted for a pedicab tour, which was a fun and easy way to see the sights without worrying about navigating ourselves. As the sun set, we rolled past historic buildings, colorful gardens, and the iconic Parliament buildings lit up for the night.

The city has a welcoming, European feel, with a mix of old-world charm and coastal beauty. Our short visit left us wanting to come back for a longer stay to explore the shops, museums, and famous Butchart Gardens.

Life on Board

Cabin & Motion

We booked a balcony cabin, midship on Deck 10. Motion was minimal. The choppiest day was our second day at sea. I used herbal motion sickness patches and kept chewable Dramamine handy for excursions. No issues with storage, noise, or privacy.

Entertainment

Beatles Cover Band (Cavern Club) — Early Beatles tunes at the start of the week, later hits toward the end. No reservations required, but go early for a seat.
Choir of Man — High-energy music and dancing; reservations required.
Icons — Cover band with familiar hits; reservations required.

Shows were free but required booking in the NCL app (except the Beatles show). The casino and nightclub were always busy, though we skipped them.

Dining

Main Dining Rooms: Manhattan Room, Taste, and Savor — same menu each night, different décor and location. All were good; no standout favorite.

Specialty Restaurants:

Le Bistro – French-inspired, elegant atmosphere.
Cagney’s – Classic steakhouse fare.
Food Republic – Latin-Asian fusion small plates.

Casual Favorites:

The Local – Burgers, sandwiches, and late-night wings.
American Diner – Car-themed comfort food.
Observation Lounge No-jito – Delicious non-alcoholic mojito-style drink (upcharge).
Free soft-serve ice cream – Daily treat.

Thermal Spa

We pre-purchased a week-long thermal spa pass before boarding. It included:

Salt room, steam room, sauna, therapy pool.
Heated loungers with aft-facing panoramic windows.
Locker room with robes and towels provided.

The pass cost about the same as three single-day passes, so it was a great value for us. It became our go-to retreat, especially when the observation lounge was packed.

Daily Life

Each evening we received the Freestyle Daily newsletter listing the next day’s activities, from bingo and origami folding to dance lessons and game shows. You can do as much or as little as you like; we enjoyed relaxing in the lounges with mocktails between activities.

Packing for Alaska

Layering is essential:

For Women: Flannels, sweaters, vests, leggings, 3-in-1 ski jacket, jean jacket, light rain jacket. Sneakers and hiking boots. Dressier outfits for nice dinners (optional).
For Men: Fleece-lined hiking pants, flannels, sweaters, sweatshirts, sneakers, and hiking boots.

Accessories we loved:

Strong magnets for cabin walls.
Battery-powered lights.
Lanyards for keycards and phones.
Small backpack for excursions.

Skip: Over-the-door organizers. We didn’t find this necessary as our stateroom had plenty of storage space. We suspect that these might be more useful on older or smaller ships.

Check out our Complete Alaska Cruise Packing Guide (link) for more detailed information and tips!

Tips We Loved

Unpack fully and store your suitcase under the bed (great for dirty laundry).
Make restaurant and show reservations early.
Bring a carry-on for embarkation day. You’ll be without your luggage until mid-afternoon.
If Glacier Bay is on your list, confirm your ship has a permit before booking. Only certain lines are allowed in, and at the time we planned our cruise, the options were Holland America, Princess, and NCL.

Would We Recommend NCL for Alaska?

Yes! We loved Glacier Bay access, the thermal spa, and the casual onboard vibe. Just be prepared for upcharges and factor them into your budget.

Our 7-Day Alaska Cruise Review: Ports, Highlights & Tips

Why We Chose This Trip

Our Itinerary