Disclaimer. This post was sponsored by Celebrity Cruises. All opinions are my own.

Alaska is America’s last frontier. Much of it is very remote, and it can take longer to fly there than to Europe if you live on the East Coast. There is so much to see and explore in this 49th state to join our country.

I visited Alaska with a friend years ago. The wildlife was amazing. It was like watching an episode on National Geographic in real life. We did some amazing things such as exploring Denali National Park and visiting a village in the Arctic Circle that was only accessible by plane or dog sled. We also flew and landed onto a glacier and saw the oil pipelines that I had only read about in my history books. It really was like being in another world as it was so different than where I had lived in New York.

I’d highly recommend a trip to Alaska, and a cruise is a perfect way to do so. Cruise sailings in Alaska are available from mid-May to mid-September when the weather is warmer, and ships don’t have to sail through icy waters.  Here are five reasons why you should go on an Alaska Cruise.

1) Unprecedented Views From a Cruise Ship

Much of what you’ll see in Alaska is big. Such as glaciers. Much of Alaska is inaccessible by car. Like Juneau. Let’s explore these.

If you love taking photos of landscapes such as giant glaciers and snow-capped mountains, being on a cruise ship can provide great views. You’ll get views from all angles of the ship and you can take in the whole scene.

For example, Hubbard Glacier is massive at about 7-miles wide and 76-miles long. It is as tall as a 30-story building above the waterline, and it’s the largest river of ice in North America. Some cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises will bring you right into Yakutat Bay into the narrow Disenchantment Bay to bring you up front with the towering Hubbard Glacier. Cruise guests can witness the incredible calving of the glacier which is when it sends massive chunks of ice crashing into Disenchantment Bay. A dedicated onboard naturalist narrates the experience and points out any whales, harbor seals, and otters that are spotted in Yakutat Bay.

Cruise ships can also sail beyond the Inside Passage into the more protected Alaska Inside Passage in southeastern Alaska. Here, guests can revel in the awe-inspiring and complex labyrinth of fjords, bays, and lush green islands. With the long daylight hours during the summer months, visitors will have ample opportunity to see whales, mountain goats, bald eagles, bears, puffins, sea otters, and other wildlife.

2) Exciting and Unique Shore Excursions

Shore excursions in Alaska aren’t your typical cruise excursions. Alaska cruise shore excursions are exciting and unique. Much of Alaska is inaccessible by road. As such, many of these excursions offer alternate means of transportation such as flying in a float plane to a glacier or going on a paddle boat past Bear Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Other fun excursions include zip-lining through nature to the Mandenhall Glacier and panning for gold like in the Alaskan Gold Rush days. Whale watching is always popular, as is dog-sledding in the tundra. Discover the history of Skagway on a panoramic tour that includes a ride into the wilderness aboard the historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. Go on a wilderness hike to view bald eagles and other wildlife.

These aren’t your typical “sit-on-a-tour-bus-all-day” excursions. Alaska cruise shore excursions are one-of-a-kind!

3) Luxurious Travel

An Alaska cruise gives you the best of both worlds. You can enjoy wildlife but also have access to comfortable, modern amenities like delicious all-you-can-eat food, comfortable staterooms, daily entertainment, activities, spa, gym, and more.

>Much of Alaska is rustic and still truly wild. Perhaps you want to see the grizzly bears and wolves but don’t want to get too close. If camping in the wildness is not for you, then cruising offers a more luxurious option. You can also still experience wildlife from the safety and comfort of your ship.

Another consideration is the weather. The average temperatures in Juneau, Alaska in July include a high of 63°F and a low of 51°F. It doesn’t quite get hot, and with the cool breezes, you definitely need a sweater or jacket. If you tend to feel cold like I do, then having the option to come into a warm ship after wandering outside to watch whales on deck is always nice.

4) Super Fresh Seafood

When in the area, eat locally. Alaska is known for its seafood. Perhaps you’ve heard of Alaskan king crab and Alaskan salmon? Many of the Alaska cruise menus are inspired and sourced by the regions they visit. Can you imagine the quality of the sushi? Or the size of the Alaskan king crabs you can dip in melted butter?

There’s also halibut, scallops, razor clams, cod, Rockfish, lobster, Sablefish, shrimp, squid, octopus, and more. On a cruise ship, there are typically many restaurant options and don’t forget the all-you-can-eat buffets. For seafood lovers, an Alaska cruise will put you in foodie bliss!

5) Ideal for Multigenerational Travel

Cruising is great for multigenerational travel. Multigenerational cruising allows family members the freedom to choose what they want to do. Cruise ships create activities for guests of all ages. Little ones can attend kiddie camp or go swimming. Adults can get a drink at the bar, sing in a karaoke contest, and watch shows. Since everyone is on one ship, they can easily arrange to meet every night for dinner and exchange stories about the day. Beyond what’s on the ship, there is so much for people to do in Alaska.

No matter how old you are, watching whales or dolphins jump out of the water in a beautiful arc is something that creates wonder for everyone. Walking on a glacier and seeing its deep blue patches up close is something you can’t do on the mainland. Even if the kids may not understand the scientific significance of glaciers, they’ll still be in awe by their size and at the same time enjoy sliding on the ice.

Conclusion

If you’re considering a trip to Alaska, try taking a cruise. The advantages are considerable, and it’s really just so fun on a cruise ship and in Alaska. It’s the perfect trip whether you have no kids or three. Interested in Alaska cruise options? Check out Celebrity Cruises which has three cruise ships, three types of itineraries, and 13 ports of call for Alaska cruise tours.

Photos: Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises unless otherwise noted.