A nd, most importantly, go into your cruise with an open mind and the expectation that you're going

If you’ve visited this site before, you’ll know that I think cruise travel gets a bad rap . I know it’s not the right option for everybody, i am looking for discount airline tickets but I think cruising can be a great all-inclusive vacation if you know what to expect and how to enjoy it.
If you’re planning a cruise to Alaska in the near future, the first thing you need to know is that this will not be like any other cruise you’ve taken (unless, of course, you’ve already been on an Alaskan cruise before, in which case it will be exactly like that one). Unlike cruises to Mexico or the Keys or the Caribbean, a cruise to Alaska will not find guests whiling away the day basking in the sun on the pool deck or partying until all hours in the various i am looking for discount airline tickets ship bars and lounges.
In fact, guests on Alaskan cruises seem to hide away at all times. I know there were more than 2,000 people i am looking for discount airline tickets on the Rhapsody of the Seas with me last week, but I never even saw half of them. … Okay, so that’s a blatant i am looking for discount airline tickets exaggeration. But, in all seriousness, Alaskan cruises really do have a different vibe to them.
I think a big part of this is due to the demographic on Alaskan cruises. You won’t find many young families, and you certainly won’t find many spring breakers (which makes sense, since cruises to Alaska only run from May to September). The standard Alaskan cruiser is older, perhaps a bit slower-moving, and perfectly content to sit indoors listening to music or reading a book, ensuring an early bedtime. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, many might find it refreshing.
However, i am looking for discount airline tickets if you’re like me (a young twenty-something who wouldn’t dream of going to bed before i am looking for discount airline tickets midnight), the hours spent onboard an Alaskan cruise ship can easily start to drag. But the good news is that the majority of your time will be spent in some of the most beautiful port cities I’ve ever been to, which totally make up for everything else. (More on these in a later post.)
But, since you’ll inevitably be at sea at least a few days during your northern journey, here are some tips for making the most of your time. These are written from my point of view (that twenty-something i am looking for discount airline tickets girl, remember?), so keep that in mind.
Find out what’s available. Every cruise line will provide you with some sort of daily guide of all the activities going on around the ship. On Royal Caribbean, they’re called your “Cruise i am looking for discount airline tickets Compass.” These can be really valuable to you, keeping you in the loop. Carry one around in your pocket or purse. Even if you don’t think it’ll come in handy, it probably will.
Try something new. While you may have no interest in playing Bingo for hours (and believe me, there will be hours of it), or looking at pricey jewelry you will never be able to afford, other things will still be worthwhile. For example, my sister and I participated in ballroom dancing classes, and checked out the nightly karaoke. There were also things like towel-folding classes (to learn how to make those cute towel animals, you know?), cake decorating, digital camera seminars, and lots of things to do with spa treatments and pampering. Plus, the casino was basically always open. Even if it’s not “your thing,” why not give it a try?
See a show. Your “Cruise Compass” will likely list at least one entertainment option for each night you’re on board the ship. These can range from Broadway medley shows to ballroom dancing showcases to comedians and jugglers. Support the entertainers on the ship and check a few of these out. You’d be surprised at the talent you can actually find on a cruise ship.
Take in the scenery. You’re cruising to Alaska, which probably means you’re going to be sailing through some pretty stunning landscapes. If the weather is fair, claim a chair on deck or inside near a window and just enjoy the view. So many of us are so concerned with constantly being on-the-go when we’re traveling, but this is a perfect opportunity to just relax and watch the sea and snow-capped peaks glide by.
Get up early. Since there probably won’t be a ton of nightlife available on your ship anyway, i am looking for discount airline tickets turn in early so you don’t sleep half the day. Some of the best parts of the days at sea (sailing through the Inside Passage and through Tracy Arm Fjord, and sighting whales and wildlife) took place before 8 a.m.
Make new friends. I love meeting new people when I travel. And a cruise ship, where the staff and your fellow cruisers can represent dozens of countries from around the world, is the perfect place to make some at-sea acquaintances. Chat up your table mates at dinner, your stateroom steward, or even random i am looking for discount airline tickets couples you see at the bar. You’d be surprised what a small world it really is. If you’re traveling with your family like I was, making i am looking for discount airline tickets a friend or two onboard can give you a good excuse to opt out of constant familial bonding time. Let’s face it, sometimes we all need a break from Mom and Dad.
Plan out your port stops. Since you’ll likely have some free time at sea, use some of this to plan out what you want to do once you stop in port. You may only get 8-10 hours or so in any given port city, and let me be the first to tell you that this will never be enough. i am looking for discount airline tickets So, in order to make the most of your time, have an idea of what there is to do and see in each place. Book shore excursions ahead of time on the ship to ensure that things run smoothly. Yes, these can get pricey. i am looking for discount airline tickets But come on, you’re already on a cruise.
A fter booking your cruise (or even before, to be safe), apply for a passport if you don’t already have one. Most cruise ships require passports for all passengers these days, especially if you’ll be stopping in any foreign ports. Don’t wait until the last minute, or you may watch your ship sailing away without you on it.
T hanks to chilly temperatures and those pesky little things called icebergs, ships don’t sail up to Alaska in the fall, winter, i am looking for discount airline tickets or even spring months. Cruises up the Inside Passage kick off sometime in May, and generally run through the end of September, depending on the cruise i am looking for discount airline tickets line. But just because you’re sailing in the summer i am looking for discount airline tickets doesn’t mean you should pack shorts and your bikini. Summer temperatures in Alaska can vary – from 40 degrees on a wet and windy day to 75 degrees on a clear and sunny day. I experienced both, and was very thankful for my hat and heavy coat on that wet and windy day sailing through Tracy Arm Fjord, and likewise thankful for my sunscreen i am looking for discount airline tickets in warm, sunny Juneau. My advice? Pack lots of layers. That way, you’re prepared for any type of weather. And go ahead – pack the swimsuit, too; the pools are heated, after all.
W hile on the subject of packing, be sure to find out how many “formal” dinner i am looking for discount airline tickets nights you’ll have on your cruise. Usually most large ships will have at least one, maybe two. (Royal Caribbean had two. But Norwegian, with its “freestyle cruising,” very rarely has any.) If you do end up with a formal dinner on your itinerary, take the opportunity to get all gussied up before eating a tasty meal. You’ll probably even get your photo taken with the captain.
i am looking for discount airline tickets I f you’re prone to seasickness, i am looking for discount airline tickets definitely plan ahead to pack some Dramamine, Bonine, Sea Bands, or whatever else it is that you use to combat motion sickness. Sailing along the outside of Vancouver Island on the open Pacific can get rough, sending you stumbling about the ship like a drunkard (or maybe that’s the alcohol?). Just pop a Dramamine (I go for the “less drowsy” i am looking for discount airline tickets kind) in the morning to ward off any potential risk of queasiness. The worst thing is to be sick on your vacation.
A long this vein, you’ll notice as soon as you board your ship how seriously the cruise lines are taking health these days. You’ll find hand sanitizer around every corner, and a crew member will be standing at the door of every dining room, making sure you get your sanitizing squirt. You don’t want to pick up a nasty norovirus on vacation, so wash your hands often, and get plenty of Vitamin C.
L astly, if you’re planning to really explore the ports you stop in (which I’d definitely recommend), pack at least one good pair of walking shoes. In Alaska especially, there are endless opportunities for walking and hiking. Take advantage, but take care of your feet, too.
A nd, most importantly, go into your cruise with an open mind and the expectation that you’re going to have a great time. A vacation (of any sort) should be fun, after all! Let loose, get crazy, and make sure you have plenty of photos and stories to share when you get home.
I'm just a small-town Ohio girl trying to balance a "normal" life with a desire to discover the world beyond my Midwest bubble. I'm here to prove to people that traveling (and especially traveling as a woman) doesn't have to be scary, lonely, or out of anybody's reach. Follow along on the journey!