Don't Make These 5 Alaska Cruise Mistakes (Expert Tips & What to Pack)

Are you planning an Alaska cruise vacation? Avoid these top 5 mistakes that most cruisers make! Fresh off 3 weeks on two different cruise lines in Alaska, I’m sharing the critical lessons every cruiser needs to know before booking or stepping on board. In this video, I break down: • Mistake 1: Choosing the Wrong Itinerary — Why itinerary matters more than the ship! Learn why Glacier Bay is a must for first-timers, where to go for whales vs. bears, and the difference between roundtrip Seattle, roundtrip Vancouver, and one-way cruises. • Mistake 2: Packing the Wrong Clothes — Why packing too many heavy coats fails, and how to master layering for rainforest weather, rain, and temperature swings (from 38°F to 75°F). • Mistake 3: Booking the Wrong Time of Year — How weather, wildlife sightings, salmon runs (for bears), hungry whales (bubble-feeding), icebergs, and Northern Lights change from May through September. • Mistake 4: Bringing the Wrong Tech — Why waterproof gear and a good pair of binoculars are non-negotiable for spotting wildlife from 10 decks up. • Mistake 5: Coming with the Wrong Attitude — How to set realistic expectations for weather, wild animal sightings, and why viewing wildlife takes active effort. Avoid these common traps to make sure you get the most out of your Alaska cruise vacation! Planning an upcoming cruise? I'm Angie, a travel agent with 123 cruises under my belt. I use my personal expertise to help travelers make great decisions about their vacations. Email Angie at angie@tripswithangie.com to ask about current offers and plan your trip! Have you been on an Alaska cruise? What mistakes did you see or make? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!